by Lane Cossett
“Darcy, you know I engage others to do this sort of work. There will be a number of expenses.”
“I will pay whatever it costs,” said Darcy.
The two men shook hands.
Darcy pulled the bell rope for Mrs. Hopkins to show Sir Jeffrey out.
“I should caution you that whatever I find out is no guarantee you will then be able to marry Miss Bennet.”
“I know,” said Darcy, “but I need to know the reason.”
“As soon as I have any information, I will inform you.”
* * *
Darcy felt only relief that he had confided in Sir Jeffrey. He had known him for many years and had absolute trust in him. He was certain he would be able to uncover the reason why Mr. Bennet would not allow him to marry his daughter.
After Sir Jeffrey’s departure, he wrote a note to Bingley expressing his delight that he was to be in London and suggesting they should meet for a ride in St. James’s Park. He had no wish to visit Bingley at his residence and meet Miss Bingley.
When the letter was done, he left it in the hall and summoned his coachman to take him to White’s. He needed to get away from the house for a while and the reading room at White’s would provide a welcome retreat.
As he expected it was practically deserted and he found a quiet corner where he was able to read undisturbed. Several people he knew came into the room, but no one spoke, merely nodding at him and then taking up their own seats. Darcy asked the footman to bring him a glass of port and he settled down with one of the papers. He had no interest in gossip, but he was interested in the reports of what was happening in parliament and he was soon lost in reports on a new land act which was soon to come into being.
After a couple of hours of not thinking of Miss Bennet, Darcy was growing hungry. He thought about staying to dine, but he was growing restless again and he instructed his coachman to take him to St. James’s Park. It was growing late and was gloomy, so it was practically deserted, but Darcy enjoyed a brisk walk and was grateful for the solitude. When he finally returned to Darcy House, he felt more calm in mind than he had done for some time.
* * *
Georgiana and Lady Frances were in the hallway making preparations to depart. Georgiana was looking beautiful in her white gown and was looking very excited.
“You are invited if you wish to come,” said Lady Frances as Mrs. Hopkins held out her cape for her.
Darcy shook his head.
Georgiana was disappointed. “I have hardly seen you since we arrived in London.”
“Georgiana, your brother has other plans and do not frown, it quite spoils you,” said Lady Frances gently.
“I am sure you have seen more of me than if we were at Pemberley,” said Darcy.
“But I would like you to come, just once.” Georgiana was almost pleading with him.
Darcy was loath to make any promise that he did not want to keep.
“Perhaps you and I could make a visit to Newton’s,” he said casting around for something to say.
“What is Newton’s?” asked Lady Frances.
“The only place in London to buy music,” said Georgiana beaming with pleasure. “You are so thoughtful and the kindest of brothers. When shall we go?”
Darcy had not thought.
“Georgiana, we should go. You can decide when to go another day.”
Darcy wished them both a good evening, as Mrs. Hopkins announced their carriage was ready. As he walked away, he remembered he had not even asked where they were going.
41
“Miss Bennet, I am so glad you could come. And is this your aunt? You are very welcome too. I’m Vivienne Egerton.”
Elizabeth didn’t even have time to introduce Mrs. Gardiner properly as Lady Vivienne was talking too quickly. She was still uncomfortable at this sudden invitation.
Other guests stood in a line waiting to drop off their coats and capes to the footman and maid who were ready to receive them, but Lady Vivienne summoned a passing footman and suggested they gave their outdoor garments to him. Feeling overwhelmed, they both did as asked and then Lady Vivienne took Elizabeth’s arm. “Do come and say hello to mother. She is waiting to meet you.”
Elizabeth glanced over her shoulder to see where Mrs. Gardiner was. Her aunt was just behind them, and she smiled reassuringly at Elizabeth.
Lady Vivienne took them to a formidable-looking woman who was giving instructions to a footman. Her voice was loud and strident.
Lady Vivienne interrupted her. “Mother, this is Miss Bennet. Miss Bennet, this is my mother, Lady Egerton.”
Lady Egerton waved away the footman and then turned to stare at Elizabeth. Her eyes were dark blue like her son’s and her mouth was pulled into a thin line. She was dressed in a purple dress that was almost black and with her raven hair piled so high and dressed with feathers, she looked like an exotic bird. Beneath the heavy powder on her face, Elizabeth could just see the signs of a scar across her cheek and wondered what had caused it.
Lady Egerton stared at her unblinkingly. “Turn around, girl.”
Elizabeth did not move. Lady Egerton was their host, but she saw no reason to obey such an abrupt command.
“Turn around,” repeated her ladyship.
Elizabeth looked at Mrs. Gardiner, who discreetly nodded. Inwardly raging, Elizabeth did as she was asked, conscious that her dress was once again simpler in style than many of the other ladies present. When she had turned a full circle, her cheeks were red, and she felt a little dizzy, but her gaze was steady as she stared back at her ladyship. Lady Egerton suddenly smiled, which completely transformed her rather severe face. “You will do.”
“Do for what, ma’am?” asked Elizabeth, bristling at her ladyship’s dismissive tone.
Lady Egerton did not answer. She was too busy looking beyond Elizabeth and Mrs. Gardiner to someone who was waiting to greet her. Elizabeth surmised they must have been far more important, because she left them standing there and went to greet them.
Lady Vivienne took her arm. “Miss Bennet, I must apologise for my mother. She likes to scare people when she first meets them.”
Elizabeth’s eyebrows shot upwards. “May I ask why?”
“It is an unusual habit of hers that she uses to test people,” explained Lady Vivienne as she showed them towards the drawing room.
Elizabeth was uncertain whether she should feel amused or annoyed. “And did I pass?” she asked curiously.
“You did indeed,” laughed Lady Vivienne. “Now come. There are a number of people I would like to introduce you to. My brother is here somewhere and I know he would wish you to save one dance for him.”
Elizabeth felt her head starting to ache. Lady Vivienne barely stopped to take a breath as she started to introduce them to other people in the room. Elizabeth was normally good at remembering names but faces and names merged as they moved quickly from one small group to another.
“And this is my mother’s friend,” said Vivienne Egerton after they had been introduced to a dozen people. “This is Lady Frances Kingston and her niece, Miss Darcy.”
Georgiana’s eyes shone brightly as they curtsied to each other. “Miss Bennet. It is a delight to see you again and Mrs. Gardiner. It was you I saw the other day at Harding and Howell’s, was it not?”
Elizabeth was equally pleased to see Miss Darcy. “Yes, it was. I thought I saw you, but then I thought I was mistaken.”
“Fitzwilliam said the same to me when I told him I had seen you.”
“As you see you were not,” said Elizabeth.
“No indeed, and that is a great pleasure. ”
“So no introduction is needed,” said Lady Vivienne, and Georgiana and Elizabeth suddenly realised that they had only been talking to each other.
Georgiana Darcy turned to Mrs. Gardiner. “Please forgive me, Mrs. Gardiner. I am happy to see you again. I was very sad when you had to cut your tour of Derbyshire short last summer.”
“I was too,” said Mrs. Gardiner serenely.
/> “Georgiana, where are your manners? Are you going to introduce me to your friends?”
Georgiana flushed as Lady Frances interrupted them. Apologising once more, she quickly made the introductions.
“Are you from Derbyshire, Mrs. Gardiner?” asked Lady Frances.
“I am, ma’am.” Mrs. Gardiner flushed slightly.
“Then you and I have a lot to talk about. I am sure you share my view that there is no better county in England.”
“I do believe that is true,” said Mrs. Gardiner.
Very soon the two ladies were in deep discussion on the merits of Derbyshire which left Elizabeth free to converse with Lady Vivienne and Miss Darcy.
“This is lovely,” said Lady Vivienne, waving to a passing footman who was holding a tray with glasses of wine on. “This is something to celebrate. We should toast old friendships and new ones.”
Feeling dazed Elizabeth saw that Miss Darcy was looking similarly overwhelmed. Lady Vivienne did not give either of them much opportunity to speak. When they had all taken a glass she raised hers. “To old friendships and new ones.”
Elizabeth and Georgiana hardly moved their lips but Lady Vivienne was too busy talking to notice. Elizabeth liked Lady Vivienne, but she hoped they would not spend the entire evening together or she would be returning home exhausted. However, she was pleased that the viscount had yet to make an appearance.
Lady Frances and Mrs. Gardiner were still deep in conversation with each other when three young gentlemen were standing in front of their small group each requesting the pleasure of Miss Darcy, Miss Bennet and Lady Vivienne to stand up with them for the next dance.
Georgiana smiled shyly and accepted the invitation to dance with the Earl of Sopworth and although Elizabeth would have preferred to stay with her aunt, she could not refuse Mr. Lipscomb, who seemed so eager to dance with her.
It was only Lady Vivienne who refused. “It is kind,” she said to the duke’s son who was looking at her expectantly, “but I would not wish to make a fool of you. I am afraid that no number of lessons have succeeded in teaching me to dance.”
The man was startled by her refusal. “I am sure you have more skills than you admit to,” he said politely.
“You are quite wrong,” said Lady Vivienne. “I have no skills at all to speak of and really I am better standing and observing you all.”
The man bowed and retreated, his face flushed. Elizabeth rather admired Lady Vivienne. She did not think she could have refused in such a manner herself.
The dance was the cotillion, which was one of Elizabeth’s favourites. Mr. Lipscomb proved to be an able partner, though he did not speak a great deal, which pleased her. She was busy thinking about the strange behaviour of Lady Egerton. She wondered what she had meant when she said she ‘would do’. What an unusual family they were.
Elizabeth tried to forget her ladyship and concentrate on the dance. She had not wanted to attend that evening, but having renewed her acquaintance with Miss Darcy, she was pleased that her father had insisted. She had been grateful for the warm greeting Miss Darcy had given her, but it unsettled her to think Mr. Darcy was here in London. She had thought he was in Derbyshire. Now he was here in London and it made the yearning she had for him even greater.
When the dance was over, Mr. Lipscomb offered her his arm. “Thank you, Miss Bennet. I hope you enjoyed that as much as I did.”
“I did indeed, sir.”
“Then I hope I might have the pleasure of speaking with you at dinner.”
Elizabeth nodded in agreement, though she hoped Mr. Lipscomb was not hoping to dance with her again. He was a pleasant gentleman, but she did not want to deceive him in any way and pretend an interest that did not exist.
Georgiana too had just arrived back at their group. Her cheeks were quite pink and she gratefully took a cup of negus from a passing footman.
“I had forgotten how complicated the cotillion is,” she said. “I only hope the next dance I am asked to partake in is a little easier.”
“I think that may be sooner than you think,” whispered Lady Frances as another gentleman in a military dress jacket approached their group and bowed.
“I was wondering if Miss Darcy would give me the pleasure of this next dance, if she is free.”
Georgiana immediately gave up her glass to her aunt and took the arm of the young man.
Elizabeth was not at all disappointed that she had no partner. She was still feeling very warm from the cotillion.
“Look at Earl Sopworth,” whispered Vivienne who was a keen observer of everyone in the room. “I believe he will not be happy that Miss Darcy is now dancing with the colonel.”
Elizabeth watched and indeed the earl was standing by himself staring at both of them lining up for the start of the next dance.
“I believe he is smitten with her.”
“So soon?” asked Elizabeth.
“I do not believe there is any length of time for when someone knows they have affection for another,” said Lady Vivienne.
There was a snort of derision behind them. “Only a woman who knows nothing about the affairs of the heart could say such a thing.”
Vivienne turned around. They had not heard her brother, Viscount Langley approach.
“Valentine. What are you doing here?”
The viscount pretended to look around. “I believe this is as much my home as it is yours, dear sister.”
There was a slight edge to his voice and Elizabeth suspected there was no real affection between the two of them.
“Please go away,” said Lady Vivienne.
The viscount did not move. “I believe not everyone is so eager to see me gone. I would not want to deprive Miss Bennet of the pleasure of dancing with me.”
Elizabeth could feel her cheeks grow warm. What an impertinent man he was.
“Perhaps she might refuse,” said his sister.
The viscount gazed at Elizabeth. “Would you refuse me, Miss Bennet?”
“I cannot refuse something which I have not been offered, sir,” said Elizabeth.
The viscount acknowledged the truth of her statement with a slight smile.
“Miss Bennet. Would you honour me with the next dance?”
Elizabeth was tempted to refuse, but she saw her aunt watching her very closely.
“Thank you, sir.”
The viscount smiled smugly at his sister, who glared at him in return.
“Miss Bennet?”
Elizabeth reluctantly took the viscount’s arm.
42
The dance was a Scottish reel and the steps were not ones Elizabeth was familiar with, but she followed the viscount as best she could and she saw she was not the only one who was having to concentrate very carefully.
“You are very quiet this evening, Miss Bennet,” he remarked as they stood and clapped for the musicians.
“Is there something you would wish me to say, sir?” she asked.
“Only that you would allow me another dance.”
Elizabeth was in a dilemma. She remembered about her father’s words and being polite to the viscount, but she did not wish to dance with him again. To do so would give rise to speculation about their relationship which she did not want. He was an acquaintance of her father, nothing more. “I would not wish to take up more of your time,” she said carefully.
The viscount smiled at her, “Miss Bennet, at this moment in time I wish to be with you and I would like a second dance.”
Elizabeth did not like the arrogant look on his face. “Then, sir, I must decline. You would not want to ruin my reputation, would you?”
Elizabeth knew as soon as the words left her mouth they were the wrong ones to say.
The viscount leaned close to her. “I wonder which of us has a reputation to protect, Miss Bennet.”
Elizabeth almost shrunk away from him as there was something in his tone that made her feel very uncomfortable indeed.
“Valentine, you must not monopolise Miss Benne
t. She looks quite terrified of you.”
Elizabeth was grateful for the interruption of his sister, who was eying her brother with a seemingly innocent air.
“Perhaps I want to monopolise her,” he said.
“Not this evening. I think mama is hoping you will dance with Miss Thornton and I know Miss Carlisle will be very disappointed if you do not ask her to dance.”
Valentine Langley smiled at his sister. “I do not wish to dance with anyone. I do believe the cards are calling.” He gave a bow to both of them. “Goodnight, Miss Bennet.”
Elizabeth dropped a small curtsey, but she did not reply.
Lady Vivienne smiled at her. “Miss Bennet, I knew when we first met we would be good friends. I rarely meet anyone who is prepared to stand up to my brother. He is too used to being admired and adored.”
Elizabeth was beginning to wonder who she found more shocking - the viscount or his sister. Lady Vivienne was almost as indiscreet as her own mother.
Lady Vivienne took Elizabeth’s arm and gently steered her away from Lady Frances and Mrs. Gardiner. “Valentine is my brother and as such I have some affection for him, but you would be wise to have as little to do with him as possible.”
“But I …” Her natural good manners prevented Elizabeth from saying that she had no interest in the viscount.
“Now I have shocked you,” said Lady Vivienne. “I must apologise because it is not my intention to do so.”
She did not look at Elizabeth, but kept her eyes on the rest of the room. “You are one in a long line of women that Mama hopes will marry Valentine. If he should ask, you would be wise to refuse.”
Elizabeth’s heart was thumping so hard, she nearly gasped with the discomfort. She had only met the viscount twice. The idea that he would consider marriage to her was quite ridiculous.
* * *
Elizabeth found it difficult to speak to anyone for the rest of the evening after the shock that Lady Vivienne delivered. She had offers to dance but she declined them all, not caring whether the gentlemen concerned were upset or not. She could not contemplate dancing with any of them. She did not want anyone to think she was looking for a husband. If her mother had been there, Mrs. Bennet would have admonished her loudly, but Mrs. Gardiner said nothing, only asking if she was feeling unwell, when she refused all but some white soup when they sat down to dine.