Page 25 of Count the Cost (The Secrets of Elizabeth Bennet #2)
S he was utterly beautiful when she laughed. Darcy could almost become lost in gazing at her. But he must not. And there seemed to be many holes and inconsistencies in the story.
He frowned slightly. “I understand.” He thought for a moment. “But — did the inheritance not come from a known source? Was there any expectation as to how Miss Bennet might employ the funds?”
The two ladies gazed at each other in consternation for an instant before Lady Palmer recovered herself.
“I am afraid there are certain matters we are not at liberty to explain, sir. I hope you comprehend that. But what we wanted to say was that we are hoping you might agree not to mention where Elizabeth’s home estate is and anything else that might lead to people calling on her family.
At least until we know whether she will wish to return to obscurity after this taste of society; and also that she has had the opportunity to prepare her father. ”
“I understand, my lady, and I will of course not say anything that might affect Miss Bennet’s felicity.”
They walked on for a few moments in silence, before Miss Bennet spoke to him.
“I do appreciate your help, Mr. Darcy, and I know I cannot assuage all your curiosity — there are some things I do not know myself. But you will recall the night of the assembly, no doubt. Any time I wish to dress nicely at home — it is sneered at by some of my acquaintances, and is also familiar to, and therefore ignored by my family.” She smiled wryly.
“I confess I sometimes want a little attention or a compliment.”
“Perhaps my noticing your gown that evening was gratifying,” Darcy said cautiously.
Miss Bennet’s laugh warmed him through. “It was certainly unusual. But it did give me an enjoyable and unexpectedly pleasant supper. I hope you also enjoyed it.”
He found himself grinning. “I did. Mainly because of its inappropriate and irreverent topics.”
Lady Palmer looked amused. “And I suppose, that Elizabeth had told you she was not in pursuit of you.”
Darcy turned to her. “That was a good part of it, my lady. I would have fled to the other side of the room if I had thought otherwise.”
Both ladies laughed and Darcy felt a strange warmth at their company. He had never felt as if he was liked and able to entertain others, but here, he seemed to be accepted.
“But I imagine, if you are thinking to move in these circles, Miss Bennet, you are thinking differently about finding a husband?”
So why wasn’t he running for the hills himself? Granted her connections now included a dowager countess, and she had used the words respectable fortune ; but Miss Bennet was still the daughter of a minor landholder, her mother the daughter of a solicitor, and her younger sisters an embarrassment.
He almost felt the young lady shiver from the other side of Lady Palmer. “Certainly not, sir! I have no intentions of such — at least not at present. I beg you not to think of it.” She seemed genuinely disturbed at the thought.
“Then I will not, madam.” He bowed slightly. Perhaps he could ask the question.
“You said that at Longbourn only your father knows. Are your sisters not aware of their inheritance?”
Both ladies looked up at him, frowning slightly. “No, Mr. Darcy. This inheritance was a surprise, and is only for Elizabeth. That is why it is not known in Hertfordshire. There would be — difficulties — were it known there.”
Now he was more confused than ever. But the Gardiners were wealthy; perhaps they had settled money on their niece. But they would not wish to keep her mother and any unwed sisters after the death of Mr. Bennet and enactment of the entail, so he supposed there to be money settled on all of them.
And Lady Palmer had spoken of an inheritance, not a dowry, although he had not noticed the difference until now. He came to himself with a start, hearing Lady Palmer suggest that it was time to return to the house.
“Of course, my lady.” He hesitated a moment, then decided to throw caution to the wind.
“Miss Bennet, I understand that there is a ball on the last night of this house party. I wonder if I might have the honour of requesting the supper dance?” She was not looking for a husband, and he was not — yet — in search of a wife. So why was his heart hammering inside his chest?
Miss Bennet ignored her blush and smiled teasingly. “I accept, Mr. Darcy. But you know I will be in need of a compliment on my appearance, having heard me say that is why I am trying a different sort of society!”
He bowed. “I thank you, Miss Bennet; you must know you are always lovely, and dressed perfectly for this occasion today.” And she was.
Why had he not remarked on it at the beginning of their walk?
Her gown was a delicate primrose, with fine embroidery in the same silk covering one shoulder and trailing flowers down to the bodice.
“All ladies like a compliment, Mr. Darcy.” Her voice was amused, as if she knew that uttering them did not come easily to him.
Lady Palmer laughed lightly. “Now you have been instructed in the art of compliments, Mr. Darcy, you had better escort us back to the house.”
“Certainly, madam. I have appreciated the pleasure of your company this morning.”
Darcy noted Miss Bennet’s amusement. “There is a close line between flattery and compliments, sir. Beware of becoming known for meaningless nothings.”
“But it was not meaningless,” he protested. “I truly have appreciated this walk with you both.”
“Dear me.” She affected a sorrowful sigh. “You must also now learn to discern when I am teasing you.”
He forced a smile; why did she discombobulate him so? Perhaps it was as well the walk was over.
As they entered the hall, there was the soft sound of a harp playing, and he noted Miss Bennet’s sudden tension. It appeared Lady Palmer did, too.
“Are you well, Elizabeth?”
Miss Bennet shook her head, as if her thoughts had been miles away. “I am sorry, Aunt. Is that one of the young ladies of the household playing? I have not really noticed harp music before.”
Darcy nodded. “She plays well. My young sister enjoys the harp almost as much as the pianoforte. She began very young and I had to purchase a small one for her — it was not a particularly good one, as small harps are more in the way of toys, really, but she is now able to reach adequately on a full-size harp, although her master says that her playing will improve markedly when — if — she grows a little more.”
Miss Bennet was listening attentively. “How old is your sister, sir, if you do not mind the impertinence of my question? And did she have any difficulty when she transferred to the larger instrument?”
He looked at her curiously. “Georgiana is barely six and ten, Miss Bennet. I think it was a little difficult for her, because there is quite a size difference between the child’s harp and the full-size instrument.”
“I thank you for the information.” Miss Bennet had looked intently at him as he was speaking, but suddenly seemed to realise where they were, and drew back slightly. She turned to her great aunt.
“Would you like to go through to the drawing room, my lady? I expect the refreshments will have arrived. I would beg your consent to retire for a moment; I wish to add a note to the letter to my uncle, then I will rejoin you.”
Darcy noticed Talbot in the doorway of the billiard room. He had better see Lady Palmer through to the drawing room, and then he would escape to a quiet game of billiards with Talbot where he hoped he could think for a while.