Page 38 of Elizabeth in Scotland (Elizabeth and Darcy Abroad #2)
“Scotland seems to have agreed with you, my friend. But I am glad that you are here now, I must say.” Bingley raised his teacup as they sat together at the breakfast table.
Darcy was also glad to be back in England, and even more glad now that he was so close to Elizabeth.
His anticipation had grown the nearer he had travelled to Longbourn, until it was all but unbearable.
When he and Bingley had ridden out early that morning, Bingley had pointed out the place as they looked on it from the peak of the hill.
He had spoken of Miss Jane Bennet is such glowing colours that Darcy nearly told him everything about Elizabeth.
Discretion kept him silent, but he suspected he could not refrain from baring his heart to his good friend much longer.
“And how did your sister enjoy the Highlands?” Bingley asked after some time. “It must have been difficult, bearing all the inconveniences of travelling, and meeting so many new people. Is she as shy as ever?”
“No, actually. The Highlands were good to her. And she met a young lady, the daughter of the other heir I was telling you about, who helped her come out of her shell very nicely. I think you will be quite surprised by the changes wrought in Georgiana.”
“And she will be here in a few days?”
“Yes, with her new companion, Mrs Annesley. Georgiana was much exhausted by the journey. And as our aunt was all eagerness to have Georgiana stay with her, it seemed an ideal solution. Particularly as I greatly wished for my aunt’s opinion on the new companion.
I must have only the kindest and wisest of ladies to guide Georgiana. ”
Darcy was relieved to have had several replies to his advertisement applying for a companion for Georgiana awaiting him once he returned to London.
Mrs Annesley was an upstanding woman and would continue where Elizabeth had left off in Georgiana’s social development.
The excellence of her recommendations had left him in no doubt that she would be a far cry from the disastrous Mrs Younge, Georgiana’s previous companion.
That woman had played the role of the wise and caring companion to perfection in her interview, but it had all been a sham — part of Wickham’s attempt to steal away Georgiana’s dowry and her heart.
“Ah, did I not hear you speak of dear Georgiana?” Miss Bingley said as she entered the breakfast room. “How I long to see her!”
Darcy did his best not to roll his eyes, but it was difficult.
Miss Bingley had been loudly exclaiming such platitudes since Darcy had arrived a few days prior, but it was all too obvious that she had no real affection for his sister.
Her protestations were intended only to recommend herself to him.
If only Miss Bingley knew how very futile her efforts were. It had taken all the self-discipline he could muster not to go straight over to Longbourn and call on Elizabeth. Thankfully, it would not be necessary now, since Bingley had invited the Bennets to come to tea that afternoon.
When teatime arrived, Darcy was nearly bursting out of his skin with anticipation.
Yet he could hardly have imagined a more awkward way to see Elizabeth again than with the Bingleys all in attendance and Miss Bingley displaying herself for his approval at every opportunity.
Mr Bingley’s eldest sister and brother-in-law, Mr and Mrs Hurst, had arrived from London the day after Darcy had arrived in anticipation of the grand Netherfield Ball that was to be held the following week.
And then there were all the Bennet daughters and their parents.
He would have little chance of speaking to Elizabeth in confidence with so many people about.
The Bennets arrived with polite punctuality. Mr Bennet gave Darcy a warm smile and shook his hand. “It is good to see you again, sir. Elizabeth has been eagerly awaiting your arrival.” He stepped aside and nudged his second eldest toward him. Darcy’s throat went dry as she came near.
Elizabeth stepped forward and bowed, raising her eyes to his with the clear, honest gaze he loved so well.
“How do you do, Mr Darcy? It is so good to see you again.” She frowned and looked around the assembled company.
“Did Georgiana decide to return to Pemberley instead of coming here?” She looked utterly disappointed.
Darcy knew he ought to have felt only distress at disappointing her, but he could not help a private bolt of elation.
Unlike Miss Bingley, her affection for Georgiana is sincere. I cannot say whether she cares for me as I do for her, but this much I know for certain: she is not merely playing a role to catch the master of Pemberley.
Perhaps his happiness was forgivable, since Elizabeth’s distress would be short-lived. “No, she would not have missed the opportunity to see you again. She will arrive shortly. She is in London, visiting our aunt and doing some shopping with her new companion.”
Elizabeth exclaimed her delight. She looked well, dressed in a soft pink shade that made her look nothing short of delectable. Her sister, the eldest Miss Bennet, gave him a sharp, assessing look as they spoke, then went to find a seat beside Miss Bingley.
Mr Bennet stepped forward to make the introductions for the rest of his family, then retired to a corner with alacrity as soon as all the pleasantries were out of the way. He seemed much more reserved when in larger crowds, which Darcy could well understand.
In any case, nothing else mattered now that Elizabeth was here and they were finally in the same room together. The last few weeks of travel and business had been torture. The pain of missing Elizabeth had left him no doubt of how utterly he had lost his heart in Scotland.
Darcy could no longer resist his own desires.
If any efforts of his could make Elizabeth his wife, then she would relinquish the name of Bennet before many months had passed.
But that left the question of whether he could win her heart.
In the next few weeks of his visit to Netherfield, he would learn the answer.
Does Elizabeth love me as I love her?
As they were all settled in the various sitting areas, Darcy positioned himself close to Elizabeth. Her youngest sisters joined them and began chattering excitedly.
“Are you not excited for the Netherfield Ball, Mr Darcy?” Miss Lydia asked.
“Yes, surely you must be!” Miss Kitty chimed in. “It is going to be such a splendid affair. Mr Bingley promised he would hold a ball when we first made his acquaintance. We think he did it for Jane’s sake, but we all get to reap the benefits, don’t we?”
Elizabeth looked mortified at her sisters’ forwardness, but said nothing. He admired her restraint, for any rebuke could only have increased the awkwardness.
“I am sure it will be a delightful event. I only wish my sister Georgiana could join us for the occasion.” He tried to be gracious to the girls. “I believe she is right around your age. Unfortunately, she will not arrive until shortly after the ball.”
“It will be nice to have another young lady of good breeding around. And the militia will be vastly glad of it, too,” Miss Lydia said, wiggling her brows as though to suggest an indelicate meaning.
For Elizabeth’s sake, Darcy did his best to keep his dismay to himself.
“Since they came to make their winter quarters here, there has been no scarcity of public functions and interesting people to meet.”
Mrs Bennet shifted in her seat and chimed in with equal vigour.
“There will be several fine gentlemen there for you to dance with, girls. Indeed, I do not think we shall have any shortage of gentlemen for the ladies. Usually, there are only three gentlemen for every five ladies at the public assemblies. I believe Mr Bingley has tried to see that an equal number of couples are invited for the event, at least as much as can be done.” She giggled like a young girl.
“Mr Bingley is vastly accommodating, is he not? Indeed, he is,” she went on without pausing to let anyone answer or agree with the sentiment.
“He has even made allowances for my husband’s cousin, who will arrive tomorrow from Kent.
Mr Collins is the rector of a small parish in that county. ”
Darcy glanced over at Bingley, who only had eyes for Miss Bennet.
She seemed to be all blushes and smiles but engaged more with Bingley’s sisters.
Was she truly interested in Charles as a man, or only in the connection and rise in status marrying him would afford her?
Charles seemed to be doing all the talking, while she gave brief answers, then turned to Caroline Bingley to speak of other things.
He was uncertain about her. Perhaps she was only trying to build connections with Bingley’s sisters as well, in an attempt to get to know his family.
He knew Elizabeth respected and loved her elder sister, but there was something about her that seemed false, particularly in comparison with Elizabeth.
He could not be easy in entrusting Bingley’s heart to the woman.
At least, not until he knew her character and intentions better.
Getting along so easily with Caroline Bingley was hardly a recommendation. It would be a shame if Miss Bingley’s snobbishness and penchant for snide remarks rubbed off on Jane Bennet.
“And how did you find the Highlands, Miss Elizabeth?” Miss Bingley was saying. “I hear you and Miss Darcy went on a little adventure down to Loch Ness?”
“Yes,” Miss Jane Bennet said with a brightly tinkling laugh that seemed intended to embarrass her sister. “She says they saw the fabled Loch Ness Monster.”
Miss Bingley and Miss Bennet both laughed, but their laughter did not seem to speak of true amusement. It had a harsh, mocking ring, unpleasant to hear.
“We thought we saw something in the water, though whether it was truly Nessie, I suppose we shall never know,” Elizabeth replied mildly.