Page 25 of Ever After End
CHAPTER 24
T he dark haired gentleman with piercing blue eyes turned away immediately after barely returning Elizabeth’s greeting. Drat, thought Elizabeth to herself. Mrs Darlington told us that he is not for us. He may be handsome, but I must not discomfort him .
Elizabeth took a seat between Miss Dutton and Miss Crawford in the drawing room, hoping for a reprieve from the attentions of Mr Cartwright and Mr Brentwood, if only for a few moments. Mr Bingley was quick to offer Jane his arm, and conduct her to a sofa for two, and the pair fell immediately into conversation.
I wonder if Mrs Darlington informed Mr Bingley that he is not here to court the house guests . Elizabeth thought. Jane’s male retinue were all disconcerted over Jane’s instant reaction to the new man, and none was more irritable about it than Mr Samuel Fletcher. Mr Fletcher was an exceptionally good looking man; funnily enough, he was very similar to Mr Bingley in looks. Both men were blonde with a touch of strawberry, and lovely blue eyes.
But Mr Fletcher was all wrong for Jane, and would not take the hint. Jane was a quiet person, but she was not unpleasant. Mr Fletcher was not only unpleasant, he was dour, stern, and he pursued Jane with a great deal of imposing energy, even occasionally becoming rather rude to the other men. Jane had done her best to discourage him, but there was no shaking the man.
Mr Bingley, on the other hand, seemed positively ebullient. In no time at all, he had Jane conversing in a lively and animated manner, laughing aloud, her eyes sparkling. The other men saw immediately that their time in Miss Bennet’s pursuit was at an end, at least, all but Mr Fletcher.
Mrs Darlington missed nothing. Elizabeth saw her watching the pair with a great deal of interest, and when she and Elizabeth’s eyes met, Elizabeth raised a brow, and Mrs Darlington winked in response.
Mr Darcy seemed to be rather irritated with his friend’s conduct. In fact, Mr Darcy seemed to just be rather irritated in general. She recalled Mrs Darlington’s explanation that her godson was exceedingly wealthy and eligible, and would not consider attending the house party if his godmother did not have need of him. If he had no need for such marital machinations, and Elizabeth was certain he did not, considering his looks and situation, then it was obvious to her that the man would chafe at the necessity of attending such a party.
On her left, Mary Crawford was laughing at the antics of Mr Mercer, who had not stopped talking since he arrived at Ever After End. Miss Crawford seemed to have a great appreciation for all the man had to say for himself, and gave him a great deal of encouragement.
Bingley was exceedingly quick to offer Jane his arm into dinner, and Miss Bingley smiled at her brother, and shook her head as she accepted Mr Talbot’s arm. Mr Darcy escorted his godmother and sister, and as usual, Mr Cartwright was fast to secure Elizabeth’s company. Mrs Darlington’s seating was informal, so the usual mad dash for seats next to the guest of one’s choice occurred, though Mrs Darlington did direct the seating close to her. Darcy sat on her right, and Georgiana on her left.
“Do sit here next to my niece and Miss Bates, Miss Elizabeth, I would very much like for you to become friends,” Mrs Darlington directed. “And Mr Bingley, please take the seats next to Fitzwilliam for yourself and Miss Bennet, I would like to include Miss Bennet in our conversation as well.”
Mr Darcy’s face clouded at Mrs Darlington’s instructions, though Elizabeth did not know why. Then, as his eyes darted back and forth between herself, Jane, and Miss Darcy, she understood. Mrs Darlington had told her that Miss Darcy was sheltered. Her guardian did not know Elizabeth or Jane.
Elizabeth had felt the same when the militia entered the neighbourhood in Meryton. Of course, the officers were men, and the danger was very different, but Elizabeth had still worried that they did not know enough about the people with whom her impressionable youngest sisters were forming acquaintances. Mr Darcy's concern was understandable, though still, he ought to trust his godmother, who was obviously taking steps to surround the younger sister of her godson, whom she was kind enough to call niece, with those she trusted.
Further down the table, Mr Fletcher, in a snit about having lost Jane’s company to Mr Bingley, had snubbed Miss Winslow in favour of Miss Penfield, though the young man had avoided Miss Winslow since her snub of him at their first breakfast in the house. Mr Whittaker took up the task of seating Miss Winslow as the others took seats about the table. Miss Dutton was seated quite close to Miss Crawford and Mr Mercer, with whom Miss Dutton got along famously, and they often attempted to outdo one another in slang. Miss Dutton always triumphed. Her dinner companion was Mr Pemberton, who paid more attention to Miss Bertram, whose dinner companion was Captain Lytton, as he attempted to lure Miss Crawford’s attention from Mr Mercer.
What a tangled web , Elizabeth thought as she eyed the table with interest. One or two pairings were starting to become evident. If Mr Audley and Miss Ashworth were not married by harvest time, Elizabeth would eat her bonnet. The two woke at dawn and rode every morning. They had invited Elizabeth to join them, offering everything from their company, to lessons if it would help her feel more comfortable, but Elizabeth rarely missed her morning walk. She and Miss Audley had, however, tentatively discussed a small and private lesson between ladies on an afternoon when the gentlemen were off doing gentlemanly activities. Elizabeth thought that perhaps it was possible that another lady might understand her discomfort on such a large beast, and advise her better.
Lord Chesley often escorted Miss Abernathy, though Elizabeth sensed that it was to keep her away from guests like Mr Talbot and Mr Mercer, who Elizabeth regarded as just slightly shy of libertines. Colonel Gordon also accompanied Miss Abernathy as often as he did Elizabeth’s sister Mary. It seemed he was drawn to the gentler girls.
Miss Abernathy was naive and entirely without guile, making Jane look worldly. She was nearly too young to be there at all in Elizabeth’s opinion, it might have done her good to be out longer, at least in a country society, but if her fortune was only three thousand and a small house, Elizabeth understood her grandmother’s wish to see her married without delay, considering that she was very nearly without family.
Mr Brentwood seemed to be left without a dinner partner, considering that Bingley had stolen Jane, and Miss Bates was between Elizabeth and Georgiana. He took it well, seating himself between Lord Chesley and Mrs Higglebottom. Chaperones were scattered about the table. Lady Millicent determinedly seated herself near Mr Mercer or Mr Talbot when possible in order to ensure their propriety, for they discussed all sorts of inappropriate things, such as betting on horse races, and boxing in clubs. She would surely spend the meal swatting Mr Talbot with her fan. Major Bartholomew enjoyed Mr Whittaker’s conversation. Miss Larkspur had developed a romantic – in a literary sense – fascination for Jane, and was watching her interactions with Bingley from further down the table, occasionally taking notes.
When the first course had been served, and she was certain her guests further down the table were content, Mrs Darlington began conversation with those closest to her. “Miss Bennet, I have an appointment to discuss my estate matter with my godson tomorrow morning. If you have not yet made plans with any of the other guests, you may join us if you wish. ”
“ Why would your private matters interest Miss Bennet more than her purpose in attending your party?” asked Darcy rather abruptly,
“Miss Bennet is to inherit an estate in Hertfordshire,” explained Mrs Darlington. “I have invited her to join us in our discussion for the same reason that you invited your friend, because we have conferred about estate management since she arrived, and I believe she would benefit from observing.”
“I have no arrangements for tomorrow, other than an inclination to join my sisters in the music room with Miss Marmaduke, and possibly attend to my correspondence while they practise,” answered Jane. “Mrs Higglebottom has it from Barnaby that it is to rain, and I am told that he is never wrong, so I intended to spend the day indoors.”
“Who is Barnaby?” asked Bingley.
“The swan,” Jane informed him.
“The swan predicts the weather?” Bingley asked uncertainly.
“And he is never wrong, Mr Bingley,” laughed Mrs Darlington. “Miss Bennet, that is excellent news, for I am certain that Georgiana will wish to spend the day in the music room as well, and I know that she will very much enjoy the company of Miss Elizabeth and Miss Mary in my absence.”
“Do you play, Miss Elizabeth?” asked Miss Darcy from around Miss Bates.
“A little pianoforte, and very ill, I am afraid. I do not practise as I ought, preferring the outdoors.” Elizabeth laughed. “But I do enjoy the activity, so I perform with great enthusiasm. My sister Mary loves the pianoforte, though she has always struggled to obtain the skill she would like to display. She has lately begun to study the harp-lute as an alternative, and we have all enjoyed some fun with Miss Marmaduke in the last few days. Most of the ladies in the house play one instrument or another, so the music room is lively all day. Do you play, Miss Bates?”
“I play the harp. Miss Darcy and I have been practising duets,” answered Miss Bates. “I have a niece, Mrs Churchill, of Enscombe, in Yorkshire. She is a marvellous student of many instruments. She studied so devotedly in her youth. I have always been so very proud of her.”
“It is a shame she is married, she sounds like she would be a lovely addition to some future house party,” said Mrs Darlington. “Mr Bingley, I understand that you are looking for an estate. Have you had any luck?”
“I am not ready to purchase yet,” answered Bingley. “Last year I leased an estate that needed a great deal of work in Highbury. I learned much, but it is possible that I may wait to take a bride before I decide on a place. It will either be in Derbyshire, near Darcy, or perhaps within a few hours of town, if I have my way. I do enjoy London. But I suspect my wife might appreciate her say in the matter.” The pleasant young man darted a quick look at Jane, who blushed prettily.
“I spend little time in town, myself,” replied Mrs Darlington. “But I do hope that you are favoured with good luck when you strike out upon the endeavour. Both marriage, and land ownership.”
“Thank you, Mrs Darlington, you are very kind,” answered Bingley good-naturedly, then returned to conversing intently with Jane, leaving Mrs Darlington to converse with Mr and Miss Darcy and Mrs Bates, while Elizabeth was left to the endless monotony that was speaking of steam engines with Mr Cartwright. Elizabeth could not help but notice that Mr Darcy watched her intently all through the meal, more so than he did with Jane. Elizabeth wondered at his keen observation, and sensed disapproval emanating from him. She turned away eventually, giving her attention fully to Mr Cartwright, as difficult as she found it.