Page 11

D arcy was still smarting from Miss Elizabeth declining to join him for his walk to the folly before breakfast. She could not really think she was in danger from him.

There had been no one who would see them, no one who would dare try to compromise them.

He smiled wryly. Miss Bingley and her ilk would not wish to see him tied to such a family.

And he knew Miss Elizabeth’s independent mind would not stoop to crying compromise with him.

She might be seeking his attentions, teasing him and flashing her eyes as she made pert comments; but she would want the compliment of him paying his addresses, so she would not risk her reputation to entrap him.

He had been further dismayed when he turned away from the woods and saw her leaving the house again, followed by a maid, but she turned away to walk the far side of the park rather than join him.

He had turned back himself to continue to walk alone, annoyed that she seemed to be playing a game with him. He would not fall for it, he would not. And now Bennet had come to see his daughters, bearing yet another with him!

He stood at the window of Bingley’s library in silent indignation, sipping his coffee and seeing nothing of what was in front of him.

He must distance himself from her. Her family was utterly unsuitable, and despite her apparent good manners, her pert opinions were sometimes on the edge of being unladylike, although said with such grace that she was generally forgiven it, even by him.

No longer. Tonight, he would adhere to his book when in her company, and try to discourage her along with Miss Bingley, however hollow the feeling within him that he would not watch her.

There was a slight disturbance in the hall, and he heard Bingley’s voice. As he turned, Bingley and Bennet entered the room behind a footman.

Darcy bowed slightly, and moved to the door. “Let me leave you to your discussion, gentlemen.” He wondered what it was about.

“Not at all! You may remain here, Darcy!” Bingley said heartily, before turning to the other man.

“That is in order, is it not, Mr. Bennet?”

The older man’s eyebrows went up. “I have no objection, given that I am only here to thank you for your hospitality to my eldest daughter. It is well that your sisters have been relieved of too much obligation by permitting Elizabeth to stay and be with her.” He smiled, accepting the coffee that Bingley pressed upon him.

“However, Elizabeth is needed in town by my brother’s family, so I hope you are content that I will leave Mary to sit with Jane until she is fit to return home. Lizzy tells me that the apothecary thinks she will be well enough tomorrow for me to send my coach.”

Bingley bowed to him. “I am very happy she is feeling better,” he said. “But I would by no means ask her to leave the house until she has had several days of being able to come downstairs and recover fully. And Miss Mary is very welcome.”

Bennet nodded. “I think you will find her less trouble than her sister. She is quite reticent and will be happy to take a tray in Jane’s chamber for her meals.”

Darcy stopped listening as Bingley tried to say how very welcome Miss Mary would be downstairs if she wished it, and turned his thoughts to Miss Elizabeth. He had quite decided to ignore her; to stop thinking about her, and yet he found himself very discomposed that she was to leave the house.

“Is Miss Elizabeth fit to travel to town?” he said abruptly.

“I think she must be very fatigued, for I believe she has been up at night with her sister these last few days.” He had in fact found it very distracting, knowing she was here in this house at night — in the guest wing, where his own chambers were — during this time.

Bennet shrugged. “You are thoughtful to consider her well-being, Mr. Darcy, but circumstances dictate otherwise, and I am sure Lizzy will be well.”

He spoke with the confidence of a man who knew the strength of his daughter, and Darcy retreated back to the window, aware of Bingley’s attention. He must be careful.

There were sounds on the stairs, and Bennet sat forward, putting his cup and saucer down. “And there she is, prompt as always.” He rose to his feet. “Thank you again, Mr. Bingley, for your hospitality, and with your permission, I will call again tomorrow, to hear the news from the apothecary.”

Darcy followed the others from the room, and discovered Miss Elizabeth in the hall, curtsying politely to Bingley. “I am grateful you have been so kind to my sister, and I hope you will find Mary helpful in keeping her company.”

Her gaze swept past Darcy, and she obviously considered her single curtsy had been enough, as she followed her father to the front door. His lips tightened; he would not see them away, it was Bingley’s job.

He went back to the window in the library to watch them depart.

His eyebrows went up; it was a very fine carriage.

He could not control his gaze as Bennet assisted her up the step into the carriage.

Her gown lifted slightly and he saw a delicate, shapely ankle.

He averted his gaze until the step was lifted and the door closed.

Once the coach had gone, he dropped into one of the armchairs by the fire, and picked up the newspaper. He could think while he appeared to be reading.

Bennet had only the one carriage, and it was not that one. Had the brother sent his from London? But the man was in trade. He’d heard Bingley’s sisters abusing the family after Miss Bennet was taken ill, and this carriage was not at all the sort of thing he would expect.

What sort of business did the man run, to afford such a vehicle? He frowned, trying to remember the words used when Bingley’s sisters were at the breakfast table after Miss Elizabeth’s arrival here.

… they have another, who lives somewhere near Cheapside .

How could Darcy find out more about that family? The man was likely to be the brother of Mrs. Bennet, as a tradesman’s daughter, although if she had only one brother, he would probably have taken on the business in Meryton.

He would call his steward to Hertfordshire. The man could discover what was needed easily enough, and Darcy smiled tightly, wondering why he should trouble himself with the family, now the vexing Miss Elizabeth was gone from the house.

However, she was an enigma, and this costly carriage had piqued his interest. But her family was deplorable, and whatever he found, he would want to forget her as soon as possible.

He put the paper down when Bingley returned to the library. “Are they safely gone? We could ride out before lunch.” It would be good to be out, and have no time to think.

But, considering how Bingley was so taken with Miss Bennet, perhaps he ought to continue their plans to remove to town, just as soon as that lady had returned home.