Page 7

D arcy was waiting with Bingley in the library with the door open, watching the stairs, and was surprised to see the apothecary’s cheerful demeanour as he descended to the hall.

“Bingley.” Darcy jerked his head, and followed his friend into the hall.

“Thank you for calling so promptly,” Bingley said. “Please come into the library and inform me how Miss Bennet fares.”

Darcy stayed by the door and listened.

“Well, Mr. Bingley, I believe Miss Bennet is suffering only from a heavy cold. Now her sister is with her, I am sure she will do very well.” The apothecary began to look a little uncomfortable, and Darcy wondered what was coming next.

“However, I told Miss Elizabeth I must discuss with you her main request.”

Darcy was unable to control his eyebrows. Whatever could discompose the man so much?

Bingley seemed equally uncomfortable. He was probably imagining all sorts of personal details, and Mr. Jones hurried on, obviously realising he ought not to keep them in suspense.

“It is nothing of a personal nature, gentlemen, or I would speak to the lady of the house. No, I knew Miss Elizabeth would demand it of me, but I would not wish to cause you offence. She has instructed me to send my bill to Longbourn.” His lips were twitching, and Darcy could barely keep his own expression under good regulation.

Miss Elizabeth was certainly proving an exceedingly surprising young lady.

Bingley was struggling with the idea. “Does she think I will resent making provision for a guest under my own roof?”

“Certainly not, sir!” the apothecary explained.

“Miss Elizabeth is of a fiercely independent character, and I have known the entire family since I took the practice from my own father. She has been the same her entire life.” He laughed.

“Although they are a healthy family, and I am rarely called to any of the Miss Bennets.” He hesitated.

“I don’t recall that I have ever seen Miss Elizabeth professionally apart from one occasion when she fell from a tree at around six years old.

She might appear delicate, but her appearance is deceptive.

However, she makes a very good nurse, and while I have agreed with her to call tomorrow, I doubt I will be needed again after that.

I have left enough of the willow bark powders to ease Miss Bennet’s fever, and I have no doubt that if her sister may remain here for a few days, she will recover just as well without me. ”

Bingley beamed, his own good humour quite restored.

“In that case, Mr. Jones, I hope you will send the bill where you feel offence will least be caused, and I am very happy you have relieved my mind that Miss Bennet is not so very ill.” He rose to his feet.

“As soon as I see Miss Elizabeth, I will arrange to send to Longbourn for whatever she feels necessary to be able to stay with her sister.”

Darcy stayed in the library as Bingley saw the man to the door. The conversation had been illuminating, if a trifle indiscreet, and it had given him more to think about.

He turned to the window and gazed out over the drive, where Jones was mounting his horse before continuing his rounds. The man seemed quite competent, although, of course, Darcy and his family only consulted physicians.

Darcy’s lips twitched. He wasn’t sure whether he was more amused by Miss Elizabeth’s sense of independence, or the tale of her having fallen out of a tree as a child.

He frowned. Whilst amusing, neither trait was appropriate for a young lady, and he must revise his opinion of her as generally well-mannered.

Although she could behave well, and seemed perfectly ladylike when she wished to be, her pert opinions and lively wit had discomposed him considerably, and now these new disclosures counted against her in his eyes.

“… and as for Miss Elizabeth …” Bingley chuckled, and Darcy became aware he must have missed much of that speech. He swung round.

“I’m sorry, Bingley, I was distracted. What did you say?”

Bingley was laughing. “That apothecary is very amusing, Darcy. He had a number of anecdotes about the Bennets in the life of Meryton. They seem to be a well-thought-of family in the town. Although I told him that I had found it difficult to think of Miss Elizabeth as anything other than very delicate, due to her diminutive size and figure.” He beamed.

“But then she arrived this morning, having walked three miles through the mud without a second thought.”

Darcy nodded. “It did not seem to have caused her any physical distress, although I must say it was very unladylike.”

“Come, we must join the rest of the party.” Bingley led the way from the library. “I think it shows a strong family devotion, Darcy. I will not have you disparage them.”

Darcy raised his eyebrows. It seemed Bingley was very much more taken with this ‘angel’ than he had been with any of the many he’d dallied with before.

Darcy must be careful in what he said. He sighed.

It would be a long morning, and he must not find himself waiting to see Miss Elizabeth appear downstairs.

As soon as he and Bingley appeared, and were served their coffee, Miss Bingley began her tirade.

“I could hardly keep my countenance, brother! Why should she be scampering about the countryside just because her sister has a cold?”

Mrs. Hurst joined in the abuse of their newest guest. “And I hope you saw her petticoat — six inches deep in mud! What an ill-favoured hoyden we will have to be polite to.”

Bingley swung round, a dangerous expression on his face that Darcy had not seen before.

“Yes, you will have to be polite to our guests. I’ve seen you being rude to too many of the decent, wonderful people I’ve tried to become friends with in the past, and I will not tolerate it any more.

Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth are daughters of a gentleman — above you socially, and they are not to be disparaged. ”

Miss Bingley gaped at him. “We are never rude, Charles. How dare you impute it of us? We went to the Wentworth Finishing School for Young Ladies. We have been educated to have exquisite manners.”

Darcy decided at once that Georgiana would never attend any finishing school and certainly not be friends with anyone from that particular establishment. His lips tightened. But Bingley needed no assistance.

“No! I will not have it. You are abominably rude, and if you do not repair your manners, I will ask our aunt to stay to be my hostess and you can then return to London.”

Darcy took his coffee over to the far fireplace. He really didn’t want to listen to a family squabble.

Hurst was there. He raised his eyebrows at Darcy. “I haven’t seen Bingley being so firm with Caroline before. I think he may be in considerable danger from Miss Bennet.”

Darcy nodded. “I hope perhaps it is not too late. The young woman might be all that is delightful, but her mother is from trade and the family manners are deplorable.”

Hurst grunted. “Well, Caroline’s attitude will only stiffen her brother’s resolve if she is not careful. And since Bingley is from trade, too, it cannot make as much difference to him as it would to you.”

“Perhaps you ought to apprise Mrs. Hurst of the risks,” Darcy said carefully. “She might be able to convince her sister not to show such open animosity.”

Hurst chuckled mirthlessly. “Indeed, Caroline is determined to keep him for your sister. That is the best step up for their family that she can see.” He cast a sidelong glance at Darcy.

“That, and securing you for herself. I hope you are well aware that she is getting desperate now you show no interest.”

Darcy nodded glumly. “I thank you for the reminder, Hurst. But I have long been aware of her tactics, and it’s why my servant is on a cot in my bedchamber.”

Hurst huffed a laugh. “Yes, we can hear his snores all over the house.”

Darcy sighed. “I would even wonder whether to tell Miss Bingley it is me. Perhaps it would make her reconsider.”

“Not at all. She would merely banish you from the master’s apartment when she has properly secured you.”

“She will never be mistress of Pemberley.” Darcy was resolute. “If she were, by means of compromise, I would put her away somewhere in a separate establishment, and Georgiana would remain heir to the estate.”

“Perhaps you’d like me to intimate that?” Hurst was amused.

Darcy sighed. “If we are to prevent Bingley from an imprudent marriage, then perhaps we ought to consider returning to town soon.”

It would be good for him, too. He suddenly realised he himself was in some danger from Miss Elizabeth. Her dainty, elfin figure hid an intelligent, cheerful mind — she was tantalisingly close in this house. And she was taking up rather more of his thoughts than he was comfortable with.

It was impossible. She was from entirely the wrong sort of society.