Page 11 of Count the Cost (The Secrets of Elizabeth Bennet #2)
D arcy was happy to be riding over to Longbourn without Bingley’s sisters. It would give him more opportunity to speak quietly with Miss Elizabeth. And he had several important questions to ask her.
But he was attempting to think of a way without offending her, and frowned to himself.
She was not even looking for a husband, and he certainly must not — could not — be interested in her.
She was from the lower gentry, after all, and despite the gown and the shawls, the family was not wealthy — he doubted she even had a dowry.
Not that he needed money, of course, but society would consider that very low.
And her manners! He chuckled to himself, he had enjoyed the impertinent and bold conversations far too much.
But he could not imagine how she would comport herself in town.
He thought of his aunt’s reaction to such a conversation.
No, on further consideration, he thought she would be amused.
But his uncle wouldn’t understand her. He grinned. Richard would.
No, she was unsuited to society, and he would not embarrass himself by even thinking of introducing her.
“I say, Darcy!” Bingley’s voice intruded, and Darcy jerked himself to attention.
“Yes, Bingley?”
“You were deep in thought, man. I have been speaking to you these ten minutes together!” Bingley laughed. “What was taking all your thoughts?”
“Business matters, Bingley. But never mind, I am attending now. What were you saying?”
His friend shook his head. “It does not matter. We are nearly at Longbourn, so there would not be time.” His smile showed he was not offended, and Darcy was relieved.
Many of his other friends would have berated him for his unsociable behaviour.
And he was dismayed at the way the lie had slipped easily from his lips.
What had happened to his abhorrence of every form of disguise?
“I apologise for my inattention, my friend.” Darcy nodded at him, and drew up the reins to follow Bingley as he turned into the gateway.
The first part of the formal call was as annoying as he had dreaded. Mrs. Bennet led the conversation, her loud voice a continuous litany of praise of her most beautiful daughter. She only occasionally included Miss Lydia, and ignored her other daughters.
No one else could insert a word into the conversation if they had wished to, and he saw that both of the elder Miss Bennets were flushed with mortification. If their mother would just stop for breath for a moment, he might suggest a turn around the gardens to relieve their embarrassment.
At the thought, he drained his cup, and just as he set it down, Miss Elizabeth leaned forward and skilfully halted her mother’s effusions of praise. “Mama, perhaps Mr. Bingley might like to take a turn in the gardens with Jane. I could chaperone by following with Mr. Darcy.”
It was but the work of an instant for a crafty expression to appear on Mrs. Bennet’s face, and she waved them off with all the magnanimity of a queen.
He and Bingley waited in the hall as the servants assisted the young ladies with their pelisses. Darcy was aware they wore the same country styles and his mind took him back to the assembly and Miss Elizabeth’s crimson gown and his feelings on that evening.
He was certain she would never have caught his attention if she had not been wearing it, and wondered what he would then have missed.
He kept his amusement to himself; what he would have missed was a wonderful indecorous supper — the first time at any ball or assembly that he could remember.
No. He must be certain not to be diverted from the enquiries he needed make of Miss Elizabeth.
They walked a distance behind Miss Bennet and his friend, who were already deep in conversation.
He could not fault Bingley, of course. If he could win the young lady’s heart, she would be quite suitable for him — a step up as a gentleman’s daughter, of course.
He wondered if her affections for him might grow; he could not as yet see any particular warmth in her features.
And her mother’s behaviour was definitely a disadvantage.
He shook his head; he was being distracted again. He cleared his throat.
“Miss Elizabeth, I know you noticed that I had a question yesterday but the presence of Miss Bingley prevented me from asking you.”
Her eyebrows arched delicately — was she surprised, or amused? “Then feel free to ask, Mr. Darcy. I will answer, if I am able to, and it is not something I must keep confidential.”
It was his turn to be surprised. “You have secrets, madam?”
“We all have secrets, sir. I do not doubt you keep many.” Her voice was amused enough to hold no censure.
Ramsgate . He knew his expression darkened, although he fought to remain outwardly unmoved, and he shrugged uncomfortably. “Yes. Well, I wondered if you had more than one aunt and uncle in town, that is all.”
She glanced up at him. “You are wondering how my relations in Cheapside could possibly afford to buy items from Gardiner’s.” There was no anger in her voice, but her eyes were colder than he had seen them before.
He shifted uncomfortably. “I confess I was a little curious, Miss Elizabeth. I meant no offence.”
She looked doubtful, he thought; perhaps he had displeased her. But she didn’t hesitate, and her voice was brisk and emotionless.
“No. I have only my Uncle and Aunt Gardiner in town.”
He noticed the slight emphasis on their name, and halted. “You mean — the Gardiner?”
She shrugged, and kept walking, and he hurried to catch up with her.
She seemed to be abstracted. “I am sure you know that many tradesmen are becoming wealthy and at the same time some of the gentry of long-standing, and even some of the aristocracy, are beginning to find themselves in some difficulties with their financial affairs. Foolish people at all levels of society will squander what they have up to the limits of their ability to do so, even mortgaging their properties which are the very foundation of their wealth.”
He murmured his agreement, too surprised at the breadth of her understanding to reply.
“Society has always been in thrall to those of ancient lineage, Mr. Darcy. But those walls are being steadily breached by what some of the first circles refer to as the stench of trade. I am in the odd position of being somewhat between the two.” She looked up and flashed a smile at him, and his heart stuttered for no reason that he could discern.
“There have been Bennets at Longbourn for seven generations; and yet the taint of trade — because Mama is the daughter of a solicitor — renders us unfit for true gentlewomen status.” She sighed and slowed her pace a little.
“Mama’s brother, my Uncle Gardiner, is often mistaken for a gentleman.
He is clever, educated, well-dressed, and exceedingly wealthy, by dint of hard work, rather than by being born to the right family.
And my aunt is the granddaughter of a gentleman.
” She laughed openly. “She knew your parents well, I believe.”
Darcy was staggered. “She did?”
“She did,” Miss Elizabeth confirmed. “She grew up in Lambton, the daughter of the vicar there, himself the second son of a gentleman.”
He turned to her eagerly. “She is the only daughter of Mr. Powell? The former Miss Madeline Powell?”
Miss Elizabeth nodded, smiling. “If you met her, you will understand why I love her so well.”
Suddenly, her face changed and she walked a little faster. Darcy followed her lead. “I am sorry, Miss Elizabeth. Did I offend you in some way?”
She shrugged a little. “I do not think so, Mr. Darcy, except by being a member of those first circles, which I have to suppose you cannot help.”
“Oh?”
She let out a short, unamused laugh. “It is only that I am displeased on her behalf that because she married a tradesman, she has dropped in the estimation of many people. But then, there are many daughters of wealthy tradesmen, who are attempting to ‘marry-up’, so to speak, so there is always movement between the classes, although it is not spoken of.” Her eyes danced impishly.
“As I said to you before, Miss Bingley is one of them, and is most certainly in pursuit of you!”
Darcy growled under his breath before he forced himself to speak calmly. “She has a reasonable fortune, it is true. And there may well be some of the gentry in need of funds, as you have discerned. But her attachment will not be to me!”
He was pleased at the lightening of the conversation; it reminded him of her impertinence at the assembly. But she didn’t look amused.
“I suppose you must marry a suitable bride from the first circles, sir. I imagine that with all the debutantes casting themselves at your feet, there is plenty of choice.”
Was she upset that he would not offer for her? She must be. “I fear that is not the only criterion being forced upon me. My uncle is determined that I marry for political expediency, to gain a connection and an ally in the House of Lords.”
She looked a little sickened. “Then I will wish you joy, although I do not see how it is to be obtained in that way.”
She turned from him and joined her sister and Mr. Bingley.
Darcy lengthened his stride. But he would not be able to speak of these things to her in the company of the others.
He was disappointed in himself. He had raised her expectations.
She might believe herself not to be in search of a husband but she must have been hoping, even if she had not been aware of it.
He suddenly saw an image of her descending the stairs at Pemberley towards him — her husband.
He pushed the thought away with an effort. She was not for him.
Miss Bennet’s voice intruded on his thoughts. “We will miss you, of course, Lizzy. But there is always a lot to do here, so you need not worry about us.”
“Are you leaving Longbourn, Miss Elizabeth?” Darcy blurted out. Had he distressed her that much?
She looked at him coolly. “Yes. It is all arranged. One of my uncle’s coaches is leaving at dawn to come for me.”
His heart dropped. It was all arranged. It wasn’t that he had raised her expectations. She had another life to lead, one that did not concern him. Why did that hurt?
He was not looking for a wife at the present moment. He would rather Georgiana had the assistance of his aunt when she came out into society first and he would be more able to assist her in making her life as she wanted it. He had plenty of time.
And Miss Elizabeth wasn’t looking for a husband. She had been quite open about it, and it was that which he found refreshing, even if he could not now quite believe it. It was nothing to do with any attraction. However … No!
He must not think of it more.