“She does worry greatly, as any mother does.”
“But to have five daughters and no brother to inherit the family home. Five daughters with little wealth, and, if you will forgive me, no high connections, to have to marry off. I should not like to be in her shoes for anything. One of you at least would need to marry very well, would you not?”
Elizabeth looked at her steadily. “This is an odd topic of conversation,” she said in a cool voice. “I wonder what you can mean in raising it?”
Miss Bingley recoiled with a look of wounded hurt. “I only wish to know more about you. I said as much yesterday. I am terribly sorry if I have offended you. I know it must be a painful subject.”
“If you believe it to be so then I wonder even more at your bringing it up,” said Elizabeth. “Thank you for your concern, but my family manages quite well.”
“I am sure you do. But I am thinking of the future. Your portion will be rather small.” Miss Bingley dropped her voice to a whisper with a great show of delicacy, though everyone could hear her. “And would the fact that you come from a family of daughters not also be an issue? Men want to have sons and heirs. Perhaps they might worry that there is less chance of having a son from a woman with all sisters.”
Elizabeth could not resist laughing. “I am not sure if that is how it works. There is never any guarantee in marriage.”
“Especially if the man himself had no brothers and only sisters. He might worry it would increase his chances of having nothing but daughters.”
“I do not see why that would be such a dreadful fate.” Darcy stood by the mantelpiece, his face pale with indignation. “Any man would be a fool if he did not consider himself blessed with daughters. I myself have a sister and no brothers and I do not think myself at all deprived.”
“But a lack of sons would lead to a situation like the Bennets are sadly in,” said Miss Bingley. “No son to inherit and the home to pass on to another family. I am sure you would not care for such a thing, Mr Darcy.”
“That would not concern me as Pemberley is not entailed away from the female line,” he said flatly. “My cousin, Anne, is the sole heiress to Rosings Park. When she marries, it will pass to her children, whether they be boys or girls. Miss Bingley, I am astonished that you can discuss something so indelicate. I would not have expected it of you. I thought you had more sense than to speak like this to a guest in my home.”
Miss Bingley clamped her mouth shut. Her face coloured and she looked about the room for a supportive face but Louisa was not there.
“I did not — I did not mean to —“ she said. “I did not mean to insult Miss Eliza. I was genuinely concerned and curious about her situation. If I have caused her any offence, I am deeply sorry.”
“There is no point in addressing your apology to me,” said Darcy. He looked pointedly at Elizabeth.
Miss Bingley turns to Elizabeth reluctantly. “I am very sorry if you were offended by my words,” she said. “My concern was kindly meant.”
Elizabeth was still too amused to take the insult seriously. She felt her mouth twitch and was too afraid she might laugh to risk speaking out loud. She inclined her head and then made an excuse to look away.
29
The rest of the evening past pleasantly. Darcy made no secret of his preference for Elizabeth. If he could not take a seat beside her, he remained standing until one became available. He spoke a little to anyone else and was entirely engrossed by her.
“Have you seen much of the Peaks, Miss Bennet? he asked as they sat in the drawing room after dinner.
“Only a little, and not as much as I would have liked,” said Elizabeth with a smile. “My aunt was determined to see them, but she tires easily and I did not wish to make her feel guilty if we do not spend as much time there as I would prefer. But we are not leaving Derbyshire just yet. I am sure we have plenty of time to visit them.”
“It has been some time since I have had a good walk through them,” Darcy said thoughtfully, almost as though he were speaking to himself. “I should not mind spending a day visiting them. I know my sister would appreciate it. Would you like to join us if we arrange a day?”
Elizabeth’s face lit up. “I should like it more than anything. How far shall we go? I would be happy to see as much as possible.”
“You would not be tired if we were to spend the whole day walking among them?” Darcy laughed at the expression on her face. “No, no. I just realized I am asking a ridiculous question. I am starting to believe you could walk from here to Hertfordshire and not feel an ounce of tiredness.”
“Not quite, but I would be interested in taking on the challenge,” said Elizabeth. They laughed, attracting the attention of everyone in the room. Darcy looked up to see Georgiana looking across at them with a knowing smile on her face.
“Miss Bennet and I are just discussing a trip to the Peaks, Georgiana. How would you like that?”
Georgiana beamed and hurried across the room to join them. She took the chair opposite Elizabeth.
“I should love it. When shall we go? I am happy to go at any time. Is tomorrow too soon? Or how about the day afterwards?”
Elizabeth and Darcy exchanged smiles at her enthusiasm. “Well, maybe not tomorrow. We need to decide which Peaks we shall see, and Miss Bennet must decide if there’s anything in particular she wishes to see. I have a guidebook, Miss Bennet, that I am happy to lend you. You may take it with you when you go away this evening, and it will tell you all about the interesting sights in the area. Choose which ones you would most like to see, and we shall make sure we take in as many of them as possible. What kind of places do you like to visit?”
Elizabeth looked at the fire as she considered it, a smile playing about her lips. “Are there any ruins? I think I should like to see old castles. Especially in a setting like Derbyshire, I can imagine nothing more romantic. Can you think of any?”
“I can, as a matter of fact. If I’d known you had such a passion for them, I would have mentioned it to you today. Never mind. We shall see it another day.”
Elizabeth looked at him eagerly. “What do you mean, sir? Which place are you talking about?”
Darcy leaned back in the chair and crossed his right ankle over his left leg. He looked as though he were prepared to tease Elizabeth, but he relented. “We have a castle right here in the park. And it is as real and romantic as I think you would like. It belong to to the original Darcy ancestors, when they came over from France with William the Conqueror. It is small, so do not expect anything sprawling. But I think you would like it.”
“Of course I should like it!” Elizabeth did not notice she was leaning towards Darcy. “How could I not wish to see such a thing? How could you forget to tell me you had one in the park when I was walking about it today?”
“I confess, I had so many things on my mind that it went out of my head. But I’m glad to know you would like to see it. I will make a special point of taking you there the next time you visit us.”
“Which will be very soon,” said Georgiana, firmly.
“I hope so,” said Darcy. He held Elizabeth’s eyes.
Though she was aware of Georgiana watching them, Elizabeth found she could not look away. His eyes were like magnets, holding hers until she forgot there was anyone else in the room. He looked just as struck, his usually solemn face softening. When had they moved so close to one another? Had he always leaned towards her like that? Elizabeth could not recall.
A loud crash broke the spell between them. Miss Bingley stood over her shattered saucer with an unapologetic look on her face.
“How clumsy of me,” she said.
30
Darcy hadn’t slept a wink but he was filled with energy. He hummed to himself as he dressed, not wanting to wait for his valet. When he was finished, he strolled to the window and looked out over the land that would take him to Elizabeth. He smiled as he imagined how she must look now. Those sparkling eyes flashing fire, her lips curved into an amused sm
ile.
Or perhaps she was still in bed? Her dark curls lying across the pillow as her nightgown…
Darcy tore himself away from his daydream when a servant knocked on the door to bring him hot water. He checked when he saw Darcy was already up.
“I am sorry, sir. I did not know you intended to rise earlier than usual or I would have —“
“Not at all, Michael,” said Darcy. “Set it down and be on your way.” He started to turn back to the window and stopped as a thought struck him. “How is your Mary?” he asked.
Michael paused. “She is well.” A faint colour crossed his cheeks and he could not hold back his smile. “She is with child. Our first.”
“That is wonderful news. Congratulations. How long have you been married now?”
“Only five months, sir.”
“I am sure it feels like you have never lived any other way.”
Michael shifted the basin with one hand as he thought about it. “It took some adjustment at first,” he admitted. “We had to grow accustomed to each others way of doing things. But now, yes, it is hard to believe there has ever been a time when we were not man and wife.”
“And is it worth it?”
“Sir?”
“Marriage. Is it something you would advise every man to do?”
Michael gave a puzzled smile. “It depends on the man, sir. And on the woman. There are some men whom I believe should never trusted with a wife and children. But if a man finds the right one then yes, I think he should do it. I shudder to think of the joy I might have missed if I had not asked Mary to marry me.”
“But did you ever have doubts?” Darcy could see the confusion in the young man’s eyes. He wondered at himself. It was unlike him to ask for advice from his dearest friends, never mind from one of his staff who must surely wonder what had gotten into the reserved Mr Darcy. But he could not resist knowing.
“About Mary, sir? Or marriage?”
Darcy considered the question. “Both.”
“I suppose I did have some doubts. My family did not approve of Mary, you see. They thought I could marry better. But I could not agree with them. Something about Mary pulled at me. I could not imagine being with anyone else. I would not have experienced such happiness with anyone else. They weren’t happy but they eventually came around. And they are certainly excited about the baby. My mother has been making all sorts of little clothes.” Michael grinned. “I do not know how many she thinks we’re expecting because she has quite the pile already.”
Darcy laughed. “Thank you, Michael.” He adjusted his sleeve. “And my congratulations again on your baby. If there is anything you need, or if Mary needs to see a physician at any stage, I hope you will inform me and I will do whatever I can to help.”
Michael’s eyes widened. “Thank you, sir,” he said. He bowed and almost bumped in to Jones, Darcy’s valet, who had arrived into the room behind him. He frowned at Michael and looked as though he were about to rebuke him for disturbing the master when Darcy quickly intervened.
“It is quite alright, Jones. I needed Michael’s help and he has performed his service admirably. As you can see, I am already dressed. If you could see to my green coat in the dressing room, I will not require anything else this morning.”
“Very good, sir,” said Jones. He looked at his master before moving. Darcy raised an eyebrow.
“Yes?”
Jones shook his head. “It is nothing, sir.”
Darcy nodded. Jones started to walk away but he paused and turned back to his master. “Forgive me, sir, but has something happened?”
“What should have happened?”
“I’m not sure. But you seem different. Perhaps I am talking nonsense.”
Darcy smiled. “The green jacket,” he said. Jones nodded and left.
Michael still hovered in the doorway and he turned away with a grin. There was only one reason why the master would ask him such questions. He was in love. And he thought to marry. Who was it? Not that Miss Bingley. The servant’s hall all knew how desperate she was to marry him and lord it over all of them. She had made Susan, one of the maids, cry on her first morning because she decided she was late in lighting the fire in her room. Every time she visited, the servants held their breath, afraid a proposal might be imminent and every time she left without one, they breathed with relief.
Who else might Mr Darcy think of marrying? Michael recalled the bright eyed young lady who had visited several times now. Darcy gravitated towards her and could not take his eyes off her though some of the upper servants insisted their master could not lose his heart to such a woman.
But Michael recognised the look in Darcy’s eyes and the softness in his air that morning. It was the same one he wore when he courted his Mary and when he knew he would marry her. Mr Darcy was in love and though the young lady was below him, she was delightful and friendly. It looked as though the master was overcoming his scruples about her background. Michael fervently hoped he had convinced him to propose to her. He grinned to himself as he walked down the passage back to the servants hall. He could not wait to tell Mary.
31
“Did you send your letter, Bingley?” Darcy asked as he took a chair in the breakfast room.
“I did. Sent it out with the morning post. I have a good feeling about it. I hope Stenson writes back with good news. I should dearly like to be settled for the winter.”
“I think you are rushing too fast, Charles,” said Miss Bingley with a disdainful sniff. “You have set your heart on this place, and all on Miss Bennet’s word. Do not close your mind off from other possibilities.”
Bingley sighed with impatience. “Don’t concern yourself, Caroline. You will have a fine house to be mistress of this winter, never fear.”
Miss Bingley glanced up at Darcy from under her eyelashes but Darcy determinedly pretended not to see.
“I hope you will join us there, sir,” she said softly. “Think how convenient it would be to be close to London all winter? We might take a trip for the season. What do you think?”
“I am sure we shall have a busy winter no matter where we are,” said Darcy as he briskly buttered a piece of toast.
“And what will you do today? Now that we have the pleasure of the house to ourselves? Not that I mind having guests,” she added quickly. “I am sure I enjoy entertaining as much as anyone. But it is nice to have one’s home to one’s self, is it not?”
Darcy chewed his breakfast to avoid answering. Miss Bingley had a habit of referring to Pemberley as home, and her way of speaking as though there was an intimacy between them grated on him. Perhaps if he became clear on his intentions to Elizabeth, and if she accepted him, it would finally put an end to Miss Bingley’s hopes. It would be one of the best things about a potential match. He tried not to smile too broadly.
Almost one of the best things.
“I am afraid you will have to enjoy the house without me,” he said. “I have some errands to run. I shall be out of the house most of the morning.”
“Oh? Where do you think to visit? I have a few matters I would like to attend to so perhaps I could go with you…”
“I am visiting Lambton, Miss Bingley. If there is anything I can get for you, please write it down for me and I will attend to it.”
“It would be too much to expect you to do all that for me. If I were to accompany you…”
Darcy looked at Bingley. Bingley caught his eye and gave his friend an understanding nod.
“I would prefer it if you remained here with me, Caroline. I have a few letters to write to London to the warehouse. I will need you to look over the numbers they sent me.”
“I am not sure why you think I would have anything to do with the warehouses,” said Miss Bingley, aghast. “It is not the occupation for a lady.”
“I am sorry to hear you say so,” said Darcy in a mild voice. “I have always admired ladies who applied their minds to helping where they can. It is far more respectable than sitting about sew
ing or netting bonnets. And I understand you have a good mind for this sort of thing. If you can help your brother, I am sure you would not be so unkind as to deny him. It is not in your nature.”
Miss Bingley looked between Darcy and her brother, clearly torn. A whole day with Darcy, but also a chance to win his admiration. What should she do?
“It would be selfish of me to deprive your brother of your help,” said Darcy in a decisive voice. “I think you would do better to remain here.”
Miss Bingley bit her lip. Judging by the way Bingley and Georgiana were looking at Darcy as if they knew something, it was clear they expected him to go to Lambton to see the tiresome Eliza Bennet. Miss Bingley’s heart almost stopped at the thought. What if he was going to Lambton to propose to her? Surely he was not that far gone?
“If you think so, I will defer to your judgment,” she said in a sweet voice. “But I fear you give me far too much credit. I am not at all confident I can check the numbers as well as you believe. Why don’t you defer your visit to town for another day and stay here to help us? I am sure Charles would be glad of the extra help. And we will finish all the sooner.”
Darcy shook his head and dabbed at his lips with a napkin. “I am afraid I cannot. I must attend to my business today. It is not possible to put it off. Bingley understands, don’t you?”
“Of course.” Bingley gave Darcy a meaningful grin that made Caroline long to take her breakfast plate and hurl it at his head. “We would not interfere in the slightest. We will do very well, just the two of us.”
“Thank you. Make yourselves at home here. Georgiana will be here if you need anything, will you not?”
Georgiana nodded. There was a smile playing about her lips. Caroline wouldn’t have minded flinging a cup at her. In fact, she felt as though she could keep throwing things until there was nothing left on the table, even at Darcy. They all deserved it.
An Engagement at Pemberley Page 14