Page 23 of Count the Cost (The Secrets of Elizabeth Bennet #2)

D arcy was glad when the meal came to an end. He had glanced at Miss Bennet more often than he should, and he thought that she too was happy that this part of the evening was over.

When their hostess rose to her feet and led the ladies from the room, he watched Miss Bennet closely, and thought she relaxed a little.

But he wasn’t sitting close enough to Talbot to ask him what he had talked about to her — and why had his friend been next to her and Darcy had been placed with two insipid, and very young, ladies?

It had been hard to bear, making polite conversation with each of them in turn, glad that each remove marked a change in his conversation companion — although it was difficult to remember any differences.

Both young women had wanted to hear all about Pemberley, and the house parties they fancied he held there; and when not pressing him about his estate, they talked of Darcy House in London and asked how often he held balls.

He certainly hoped that the seating arrangements would be changed at each mealtime.

He had seen quite enough of those two young ladies.

He smiled slightly, recalling the lively conversation he had had with Miss Elizabeth during the supper at the assembly.

He was not likely to forget that conversation.

He stared contemplatively down the table at Talbot, and wondered again what they had talked about.

No doubt his schoolfriend would be sizing up Miss Bennet as a potential wife — as would most of the young men here, he supposed, although he had heard no whispers of her fortune.

He frowned slightly; Miss Bingley had been scathing at the lack of any dowry for the Bennet sisters.

But if they were indeed related to the Abingdon and Durdar families, that fact was now not necessarily true.

He pushed thoughts of her away. Perhaps today he would hear of Bedford’s opinion on the matter that interested Uncle Henry, and then he could concentrate on the opportunity to be in Miss Bennet’s company once more.

But it was hard to give attention to the conversation; he did wish he knew what she had talked about to Talbot.

Had she liked him? He had thought he’d seen signs of relief as she’d turned to the other man — what was his name?

Yes, French. He had been in company with his wife at the introductions, so Miss Bennet was safe from him.

He twirled his glass between his fingers, attempting not to show his distaste at the smell of the cigar smoke as it wafted past him, reminding him how little he liked such formal dinners.

Finally, it was time. They followed their host to the drawing room, where the lovely Miss Bennet was — the Miss Bennet who might, now, be within his reach. Being here, well, it must mean she was in search of a husband, must it not?

She was sitting once again beside Lady Palmer, on a rather uncomfortable-looking sofa, which seemed to have been chosen for its relatively high seat. Perhaps the old lady found it easier to rise from.

But that lady had seen him, and crooked an imperious finger to beckon him, which was fortuitous, for that was where he wished to be.

They must have spoken of him during the separation, he supposed, and he hoped he did not flush as he approached them and bowed.

“Lady Palmer, Miss Bennet, I hope you enjoyed the meal?”

“Indeed, Mr. Darcy. I am glad of the opportunity to speak to you if you are willing?”

“It would be a delight, my lady.” Darcy looked round and saw a chair nearby.

“No, no! That is too far away.” Lady Palmer waved at a servant.

“Move that chair to within conversation distance, if you please.”

Darcy’s eyebrows rose against his intentions. What had the two ladies been talking about while he had been drinking port and wishing himself in here? Now he wondered if this — inquisition, it rather felt — might be uncomfortable.

But Miss Bennet was smiling impishly. “Do not be overly concerned, Mr. Darcy. My Aunt Palmer does not bite, at least as far as I know, having only become acquainted a few weeks ago.”

Darcy felt his heart lighten, and the old lady chuckled. “That is quite enough, Elizabeth. I wish to speak to Mr. Darcy and you are not to make me out to be somebody so old that I must be out of my wits!”

Darcy discovered he liked her, and smiled. “I would never think it of you, my lady.”

“Flattery will get you nowhere, young man.” Lady Palmer examined him top to toe in silence for several minutes, and Darcy attempted to bear it with equanimity. He must seem to be all that she was looking for if he was to discover how and why Miss Bennet was here.

Finally, she seemed to have finished her inspecting, and nodded at Miss Bennet, who was looking amused. And she spoke first — she must be confident of her aunt’s benevolence. “Do not worry, Mr. Darcy. I had to go through the same trial when I first met Lady Palmer.”

He smiled, rather uncertainly, at her. “I am glad you appear to have survived the experience, Miss Bennet.”

Her musical laugh lightened him, and he could have lost himself in her dancing gaze. But he must not relax too soon, there were undoubtedly going to be difficult questions.

And so there were. Lady Palmer began with his family, then Pemberley, then his acquaintanceship with any of the members of the party here, especially the gentlemen, and what he had said to any of them about Miss Bennet.

He frowned slightly, what was this about? At first, he had wondered if they were thinking of him as a potential suitor, and then, when it came to questions about his conversations, he thought it might be something else.

“To what, madam, do these questions lead? I confess I am rather bemused by the breadth of them.”

The stern expression on Lady Palmer’s face broke up, and for a moment, she looked as mischievous as Miss Bennet sometimes did. She looked at Miss Bennet beside her, who was trying not to laugh.

“Well, Elizabeth? Do you think we may go ahead? Are you in agreement?”

Miss Bennet nodded. “I do. I think we are able to trust Mr. Darcy and he will respect our confidence.” She glanced around the room. “But I am not sure here and now is the best place. We are the subject of some level of scrutiny.”

Lady Palmer patted her cheek affectionately. “And this is your first lesson for the first circles. The scrutiny never stops and is something you must learn to live with, as well as know what, and how much, to tell anyone. Most gossip spreads around society faster than panic at the shout of fire.”

“And has a similar effect on people,” Darcy added wryly.

Lady Palmer nodded at him. “That is very true and why I am gratified you have said so little about Elizabeth’s background.” She looked appraisingly at him. “But I think you are able to keep an appropriately impassive expression; no one I have observed seems to know what we have been talking about.”

Miss Bennet shook her head. “I think they have been watching how much each of us speak, my lady. They have divined that you have asked Mr. Darcy a lot of questions and already perhaps deduced that you are going to speak to him about my connections and fortune.” She looked directly at him.

“I must remind and reassure you, sir. I am not looking to gain a husband.”

Darcy bowed slightly. “I remain bemused by your stance, Miss Bennet, but I respect your decision.”

“Are you able to accept with adequate composure the comments you may receive from those in our company?” Lady Palmer’s voice was quiet.

Darcy nodded. “I am used to much speculation about the lady I may eventually choose and also about possible designs to entrap me.”

Miss Bennet smiled sympathetically. “Are you still having your servant on a cot in your chambers to protect you, as you did at Netherfield?”

“Certainly.” He smiled mirthlessly. “More so, for I had only one lady in pursuit of me there. Here, I have not yet been able to count.”

“Well,” Miss Bennet’s gaze was astute. “Despite Lady Palmer’s questions, you may leave me off your list.”

His eyebrows rose. “Madam, my list is those ladies who might attempt to compromise me. I am certain you are far too honourable to even think of it.”

To his utter delight, she blushed. “I thank you, sir.” Her murmur was quiet, and she looked deeply embarrassed. Could she really not be looking for a husband?

“Regardless, conversation is rather subdued,” Lady Palmer looked around. “I think we had better stop our tête-à-tête, and give them less opportunity to infer what we are about.” She looked directly at him.

“Perhaps, Mr. Darcy, you might wish to take a stroll in the gardens in the morning with us, and may I ask you to be circumspect with giving out any information regarding Miss Bennet’s situation that you already know?”

He bowed his head. “I would appreciate a stroll in the morning, ladies, and I will, of course, say nothing.” He was impatient to discover what they were about, but it seemed he was not about to find out today.

He rose to his feet, and heard Lady Palmer say to Miss Bennet. “Are you sure you will not perform? I think you will be asked to play in a moment.”

“No, my lady. I will say that I would much rather listen to more talented ladies.”

Darcy departed in search of a drink rather stronger than tea.