Page 22 of Count the Cost (The Secrets of Elizabeth Bennet #2)
H ow was it possible Mr. Darcy was here? Elizabeth bent her head close to her supposed aunt. “What are we to do now?”
Lady Palmer shook her head. “It is a setback to be sure. Quickly, tell me all I need to know — or as much as time allows. But if there is not enough time to come to a conclusion, remember you must not embellish your story more than we have already, at least not until we have retired tonight and had time to talk.”
Elizabeth nodded. “It will come out into general knowledge now, will it not?” Thank goodness they had been putting about a story of an inheritance. Her business could remain a secret. But she must write to Papa and Aunt Gardiner.
“I fear so.” Lady Palmer was looking across the room at their hosts and Mr. Darcy, who seemed to be the subject of much interest, given the glances between Elizabeth and him with each introduction.
Mr. Darcy seemed to be shaking his head and disclaiming.
Elizabeth felt embarrassed for him and simultaneously darkly amused.
He definitely disliked company, especially when being forced to speak to people.
But he was not turning towards her, or looking her way.
She could be thankful for that, at least.
She forced her attention back to Lady Palmer. “Netherfield Park is a moderate estate not three miles from Longbourn. It was leased at Michaelmas by a Mr. Charles Bingley, who wishes to see if he likes managing an estate before he buys one with the fortune left him by his father.”
The older woman nodded. “Trade, then?”
Elizabeth met her eyes. “Yes. He has become enamoured with my very beautiful elder sister.” She glanced across the room again.
“Mr. Darcy is a friend of his, I understand, and came to stay to teach Mr. Bingley how to run an estate. He came to know us at Longbourn; the vulgarity and loud behaviour of my mother and the shocking behaviour of my younger sisters and the indolence of my father. Of course, he disdained us, although I think he was amused when I told him I am not in the market for a husband, and we had a number of engaging debates. I believe he has been pursued by every unmarried lady of society — Pemberley is an enormous estate — but he told me that he is expected to marry from the first circles and make a political alliance for the sake of his uncle, Lord Matlock.”
She glanced back over, before looking back at the lady, whose lips were pursed.
“You seem to have had some significant conversations for a mere acquaintanceship, Elizabeth.”
“Yes, it was at our last encounter I discovered that he wished to apologise for raising my expectations.” Elizabeth spoke lightly, seeing that he was making his way towards them. “He seemed quite offended when I assured him I had no expectations and wished for none either.”
“Very well, be circumspect in what you say, but do not prevaricate any more than we have already.” The lady’s hurried comment was the end of the conversation.
Mr. Darcy stood before them and bowed again. “Lady Palmer, Miss Bennet, may I have the honour of joining you?”
“Certainly, Mr. Darcy.” Lady Palmer was all graciousness, and Elizabeth kept her head down demurely, quite prepared to listen.
It was only around ten minutes until dinner would be announced, and she wondered if their places were assigned, or whether Mr. Darcy would attempt to sit next to her.
If that was the case he might ask some difficult questions; although she would attempt to deflect the worst of them.
She drew her attention back to the present moment. It appeared Mr. Darcy could not think how to begin a conversation without appearing overly curious or rudely disbelieving.
Lady Palmer — Elizabeth hid a smile — had no such scruples. “I believe my great niece was surprised to see you here, Mr. Darcy.”
His smile looked strained. “The surprise was mutual, I believe, my lady.” He turned to Elizabeth.
“I believed you were staying with your aunt and uncle in town, Miss Bennet.”
Elizabeth maintained a polite smile. “And so I was until we began our journey here, sir. Just as I believed you were still in Hertfordshire.”
He coloured slightly. “Business took me to town, where my own uncle then asked me to attend here on his behalf.”
Lady Palmer shook her head. “As my son asked me.” She smiled and led the conversation to talk about Horston Grange, and the surrounding neighbourhood.
Finally, after a few more moments, dinner was announced, and the Earl of Bedford strode over to them. “My lady, might I escort you into dinner?”
Lady Palmer smiled upon him. “Certainly, my lord.” She took his extended hand and rose to her feet. Elizabeth realised why the lady had taken an upright chair rather than the sofa. It was easier to rise elegantly from such a chair.
Elizabeth also rose to her feet behind her, and suddenly sensed Mr. Darcy close beside her. “Might I have the honour of escorting you, Miss Bennet?” His voice was polite — much more distant than she had heard before, and she had a moment to wonder why.
“Thank you, Mr. Darcy.” She placed her hand lightly on his outstretched hand, and allowed him to lead her to join the rest of the guests.
As the highest-ranked guest, Lady Palmer was at the head of the line with their host, and Lady Bedford was behind her husband, escorted by the senior gentleman, whom Elizabeth didn’t recognise. She leaned closer to Mr. Darcy. “Can you tell me who is the gentleman escorting Lady Bedford, please?”
He glanced down at her. “It is Viscount Colman, heir to the Portland earldom.”
“Thank you.” Elizabeth hoped places were assigned; she didn’t really want to sit next to Mr. Darcy, who looked remote and stern.
Fortunately, there were names on each place setting, and he held Elizabeth’s chair for her and ensured her comfort before moving away to search for his own seat.
Elizabeth watched as he stiffened slightly, before taking his place between one of the Bedford daughters and a fair-haired young woman. She felt suddenly sorry for him, as the young woman simpered at him and placed her hand on his arm.
Elizabeth dropped her gaze, not wishing to see his discomfort, and turned her attention to the guests at her side. It was fortunate they had been early arrivals to the drawing room, and they had been introduced. A Mr. Talbot was on her left and a Mr. French on her right.
Mr. Talbot was the first to turn to her. “Miss Bennet, it is a pleasure to be seated with you and to have the opportunity to make your acquaintance.”
Elizabeth smiled at him. “Indeed, Mr. Talbot, I always enjoy the opportunity to meet new people.”
He nodded amiably and glanced down the table.
“I was at school with Darcy. I was glad to see him when he arrived and we enjoyed a game of billiards and the chance to renew our acquaintanceship. Although …” he shook his head smilingly.
“I will have to berate him for not telling me that he is acquainted with you.”
Elizabeth sipped her drink thoughtfully. “It was but a brief acquaintanceship and only a few weeks ago. Neither of us thought we were likely to meet again.”
“I am sure Darcy, at least, would have hoped to meet such a handsome and lively lady again.”
“I doubt it, but I am not privy to the gentleman’s feelings. But tell me a little of yourself, sir. I understand your family estate is in Devonshire.” Elizabeth thought she ought to use this opportunity to learn how those in the first circles comported themselves.
“It is, indeed, Miss Bennet. A very fine county, for the weather is milder than any county other than Cornwall, and we have two very different coastlines and the great Dartmoor scenery.”
Elizabeth was glad to talk about the countryside. “Tell me, if you please, why the two coastlines are so different. Is it because one is exposed to the English Channel and the other is to the north?”
“Exactly.” He beamed at her. “On the north coast, there are tall cliffs with spectacular views, and the waves crash onto the sandy beaches with all the force of the Atlantic Ocean behind them, although there are coves which temper the exposure. On the south, the weather is much warmer, and there are a number of sheltered estuaries. The villages there are much sought after for sea bathing. My father’s estate is not twenty miles from the coast.”
They continued to converse pleasantly, although Elizabeth could not like the way he seemed to be calculating the value of her gown and jewellery. She wanted to turn to Mr. French, but he seemed to be occupied with the lady on his right.
Fortunately at the first remove, Mr. Talbot sighed and said that he would look forward to resuming their conversation at the following remove, and she could see that everyone was turning to the person on their other side.
She breathed a sigh of relief, and when the guests were all settled with their next course, she smiled at Mr. French, happy that when he had been introduced in the drawing room, he had been in company with his friendly wife.
“It was a delight to meet you and your wife earlier, Mr. French. Are you local to Horston Grange?”
“I am indeed, Miss Bennet!” The man’s manner reminded her of the jovial Sir William Lucas, although his manner was more refined. Elizabeth relaxed as she listened to him extolling the beauty of his estate.
When she managed to get a word in, she diverted the conversation to his children. It appeared his eldest son had recently left for school and Mrs. French was missing him greatly.
“I am sure she is, sir. She seemed a kind lady and would be devoted to her children.”