Page 13 of Darcy’s Guarded Heart

Darcy

“I cannot wait to try the partridge tonight. Have you arranged with the housekeeper to have it prepared, Louisa?” Bingley asked Mrs Hurst.

“Of course, Charles,” his sister replied with a weary smile. “It shall be prepared this evening with stuffing, gravy, roasted potatoes, turnips, and parsnips.”

“Quite the feast,” Caroline marvelled. “And all due to your shooting skills, dear brother.”

“Not at all,” Bingley replied as Darcy observed the exchange from the armchair. He was already bracing himself for what was to come next.

“It was all due to Thomas Bennet,” Bingley declared, at which Darcy closed his eyes, having heard quite enough of that gentleman.

Both Bingley and Georgiana had spoken of him at length.

Georgiana had praised his dancing skills and his quick wit, which he had evidently demonstrated at the ball at Lucas Lodge.

Meanwhile, Bingley had spent the morning hunting with the man.

It is true that Darcy and Mr Hurst had accompanied them, along with Mr Bennet and a gamekeeper, but Bingley and Thomas—as he insisted on being called—had engaged in deep conversation throughout the day.

When not shooting, the younger Mr Bennet had regaled the group with amusing tales of his exploits on the lake and in the woods. He had warned them of assorted pitfalls in the forest, such as unexpected dips in the paths, as well as where one might find the very best deer for shooting.

Darcy derived some satisfaction from the knowledge that a spot he had sworn would be prime for deer had proven fruitless; however, they soon discovered partridges, which Bingley declared preferable.

In addition to his talent for finding game, Thomas had proven himself an adept shot. This was no surprise, for he had been raised by Mr Bennet, who turned out to be the most skilled hunter Darcy had encountered in these parts. Which was not saying much, given the hunting in this area was lacking.

“We had quite the day. I daresay Thomas knows every nook and cranny of this estate. I had no idea how bountiful the hunting was around here. Another reason to consider purchasing the estate,” Bingley said.

“And this weekend we shall go fishing. What say you, Darcy? Will you join us? You did not commit when we spoke of it earlier today.”

Darcy swallowed, for he had indeed evaded the enquiry. He enjoyed fishing; what English gentleman did not? Yet he was reluctant to spend another afternoon in the company of Thomas Bennet and witness him as the centre of attention. It seemed that whenever the gentleman spoke, all eyes were upon him.

“I shall contemplate it,” he responded noncommittally.

“I thought you adored fishing,” Georgiana remarked, raising her gaze.

“It is rather cool outside, and I must consider my health,” he replied.

“Hear, hear,” Mr Hurst agreed. “It is much too cold for fishing. I shall remain indoors, thank you very much.” Given that he had not been invited, this was a rather peculiar statement, but none chose to comment upon it.

“Ah, you are both such dullards. I do hope you will be more entertaining when Miss Bennet arrives for tea this afternoon, I should hate for her to think my entire family tiresome.”

“She is coming for tea?” Darcy asked, and Bingley beamed.

“Indeed, Caroline has issued her an invitation. She should arrive within the hour. In fact, I ought to prepare myself.” He then rose and exited the room.

“I wish to change before tea as well,” Georgiana announced. “Please excuse me.”

She headed to her chamber, leaving behind Darcy and the three individuals he had come to think of as his confederacy of four. Almost as soon as Georgiana had departed, Caroline rose and closed the door, ensuring it was securely shut, as was the one leading to the adjacent music room.

Then she turned, but before she could say anything, her sister shook her head.

“Why did you issue such an invitation? We must attempt to separate Charles from Anne Bennet, not bring them closer together.”

“I had no choice. He requested that I invite her. What was I to say? No?” Caroline replied, sinking back into her chair.

“You could have dissuaded him; the last thing we need is more of the Bennets here,” Louisa said, and Darcy nodded.

“Indeed, it is bad enough that the ward is a frequent guest.”

“You certainly would think so, Mr Darcy,” Caroline replied with a snide tone.

“And pray, what does that mean to imply?”

“Simply that you are accustomed to having my brother’s full attention, and now you must share it—with a commoner, at that,” Caroline said.

Darcy inhaled sharply through his nose. Caroline was not entirely wrong.

He was used to being Bingley’s closest confidant, and it troubled him that someone as simple as Thomas Bennet might have taken his place.

Of course, they had met perhaps thrice, but the manner in which Bingley spoke of him made it abundantly clear that he held fondness for the man, and they would be seeing much of him, particularly if Bingley’s courtship with Jane Bennet— for that was what it was developing into— proceeded further.

“I am merely concerned with ensuring Bingley keeps proper company.”

“I believe we can all agree on that,” Louisa stated, while Caroline and Mr Hurst nodded in agreement. “It is a pity that Thomas Bennet is not a true brother to the sisters. It would greatly elevate their standing if he was the heir to Longbourn and their futures were secure.”

“Indeed, I would not object so much to Miss Bennet if we could be certain her interest in Charles was not merely for financial gain. Alas, with the estate entailed away from the family, I fear she is an unfavourable match. We simply must make Charles see it,” Caroline said.

“The question is how,” Darcy spoke. “He is quite fond of her and the family as a whole.”

“Perhaps not the entire family,” Caroline remarked with a smirk. “Mrs Bennet is a dreadful chatterbox, and the younger sisters are brash and loud. Indeed, Darcy, I worry for Georgiana in such company.”

Darcy swallowed hard. It had occurred to him as well that the Bennet sisters were not the most suitable companions for Georgiana.

He would need to ensure she did not spend time with them again.

As he considered the sisters, he thought of his dance with Elizabeth.

She possessed a fire within her, a wit that made it difficult to banish her from his thoughts entirely.

Indeed, it was a great pity that she had no brother who would one day inherit the estate, for it would have greatly improved all of the sisters’ prospects. Not that it should matter. She had no prospects; she possessed no bright future— and neither did Jane.

“Well, it is what it is. They have no brother, and their future is bleak,” Mr Hurst stated. “The question is, what shall we do? Shall we broach the subject with Charles?”

“I think not. Not yet,” Darcy replied. “It may well be that he will tire of Miss Bennet or come to see how inappropriate her family is. For the time being, let us ensure we share our apprehensions in a subtle manner and see if we can lead him to the right conclusion naturally.”

“I thought you would be more proactive on the matter,” Caroline remarked. “Given what you said before.”

Darcy shifted in his seat. He knew precisely what she was referring to—the assembly where Miss Elizabeth had overheard their discourse.

He still felt uncomfortable considering it and wondered if she had perhaps confided her views to her sister.

Nonetheless, nothing had been said on the subject thus far.

“I believe a more subtle approach is warranted. Otherwise, he may resent us for urging him to break with the young woman. It would be better if he were to come to his senses of his own accord. However, there is no reason we should not gently guide him.”

“I agree,” Louisa said. “Mr Darcy’s approach is wise. Let us see if we cannot nudge our dear brother towards recognising the error of his ways. If this fails, we can speak to him more directly. In the meantime, Mr Hurst shall gather evidence regarding the entailment, should we need to utilise it.”

“And information on the Bennet family’s connections and financial standing,” Mr Hurst added with an air of self-importance. Darcy disliked it whenever Mr Hurst involved himself in any matter, as he had a habit of making himself sound integral to the plan, while mostly being a hindrance.

Alas, this was the plan to which the group agreed, and Darcy found himself relieved that there was at least some course of action.

For he knew he could not allow Bingley to continue down this path—an association with a garrulous Mrs Bennet, a bride with scant prospects, and the errant ward of unknown heritage were not companions his friend needed while striving to elevate himself.

***

Darcy spent the remainder of the afternoon engrossed in reading, while outside, the weather took an unpleasant turn.

The sky shifted from bright blue to grey and eventually nearly black.

Thunderclaps resounded, and lightning flashed as the rain drummed incessantly against the windows. It was an ill day to match his mood.

Yet, when he descended once more for tea, he found that the inclement weather had immensely lifted the spirits of Bingley’s sisters.

“With such weather, I doubt Miss Bennet shall arrive. And who could fault her? She might catch her death coming here in this,” Caroline remarked, peering out towards the dreariness.

“I am certain she has a carriage at her disposal,” Bingley contested, his tone hopeful, yet laced with an undercurrent of doubt.

“Any sensible woman would elect not to venture forth in this weather and would send word,” Caroline asserted confidently. However, Darcy glimpsed movement on the horizon and felt that Miss Bingley might be quite mistaken.

“Someone is approaching,” he announced as he drew nearer to the window beside her. Caroline narrowed her eyes, lifting her hand as if to shield herself against the non-existent sun.

“Goodness,” she muttered under her breath, while Bingley moved from his window—which overlooked the road leading to London—to hers, where a carriage was indeed approaching.

It would be a stretch to describe the vehicle lumbering up the road as stately. It was not in terrible condition, yet it appeared old and worn. The rain pouring upon it did not enhance its grandeur.

Seated at the front was none other than Thomas, while a figure was discernible within.

“The ward is driving the carriage—how extraordinary,” Louisa remarked as she leaned closer to the window.

Darcy would not characterise it as quite that.

In truth, he found it almost admirable that he had taken it upon himself to ensure his guardian’s daughter arrived safely and soundly, even if it would have been more appropriate—and welcomed—had the tea been cancelled altogether.

He did not care for Thomas but credit had to be given where it was due.

“Surely he does not intend to stay,” Caroline said as the carriage came to a halt.

“Of course he should stay, he is a member of the Bennet family,” Bingley declared, and with a spring in his step, he made his way to the front door.

“Who does not intend to stay?” Georgiana called as she entered the room.

“The Bennet ward. He has brought Miss Bennet for tea, but now he is vacating the premises,” Caroline commented, but then fell silent as a surprised sound escaped her.

“Well, would you look at that? They are not alone. It seems Miss Eliza has invited herself for tea. How… unexpected.”

Darcy, who had turned away from the window to follow Bingley into the hall to greet the guests, stepped hastily back to the window. Indeed, there, sitting in the carriage, was none other than Elizabeth.