Page 32 of Missing

Mr. Darcy had to bite his tongue to keep from laughing at Caroline's expression of disgust. Elizabeth had indeed struck her blow. But to avoid discord, he changed the subject. "Mrs. Dalton, you were about to tell me something of the paintings when Caroline and Louisa arrived."

Elizabeth saw that Caroline was watching her closely and preferred not to mention her husband's resemblance to the Darcys to avoid contention with that unpleasant lady. "I merely wished to remark how very much you resemble your father, Mr. Darcy."

"Yes, everyone always tells me so," Mr. Darcy replied, thinking with melancholy of his late son Fitzwilliam. He reflected that if the boy had lived, he would probably have grown to resemble him as a young man.

Caroline realised she could not follow the thread of conversation between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy and chose instead to speak with Jane, Georgiana, and Louisa.

Mrs. Annesley suggested that Georgiana invite the new arrivals to tea in the main drawing room.

Thus, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy remained in the library for another half hour, conversing.

He told her more of the history of Pemberley and the Darcy family.

Elizabeth listened with interest, though she could not help but feel sorry for him; whenever he spoke of his ancestral home, there was a note of sadness in his voice, as though it evoked both the happiest and the saddest memories at once.

Caroline was in a wretched humour because Elizabeth had completely secured Mr. Darcy's attention.

She knew that, with the patronage of one of the wealthiest men in England, that impertinent chit might make a triumphant entrance into London society.

Burning with jealousy, she determined to vent her spite by poisoning Jane against her sister.

"Jane, Eliza is always striving to be the centre of attention. I am sure Mr. Darcy wishes to speak with you and know you better, but she will never allow it. It is too evident that she envies you for being so pretty and elegant, while she is not."

"Besides, Jane, you are Charles's wife—the son of one of Mr. Darcy's best friends," Louisa added, supporting her sister.

"Lizzy has always liked to talk of books and… and also to be the centre of attention," Jane admitted. She had at first wished to defend her sister, but as her sisters-in-law had spoken with her after almost two weeks of ignoring her, she preferred not to contradict them and pretended agreement.

After nearly two hours of a very engaging afternoon, Elizabeth took her leave of the Darcys and Mrs. Annesley, thanking them for their kindness. Mr. Darcy assured her it had been a pleasure to meet her and that she was welcome to visit Georgiana whenever she pleased.

Jane had come to Darcy House in the Daltons' carriage, but she told Elizabeth she would return with her sisters-in-law.

Elizabeth smiled, though her heart ached at her sister's coldness.

In recent days, they had managed to resume their former closeness, but the presence of Caroline and Louisa had made Jane once again distant and altered.

Elizabeth, however, had so many reasons for happiness that she resolved not to trouble herself with Jane's continual changes of mood. She did not know what was happening with her sister and preferred to stay aloof from her troubles unless Jane herself sought her support.

Once Elizabeth departed, Caroline began to speak ill of her.

"My dear Georgiana, ever since I have known Eliza, I have thought her very different from what a lady of our social station ought to be.

She has always liked to walk for hours through the fields of Hertfordshire, which is why her complexion is so tanned. "

"Yes, she told me she enjoys long walks and loves the outdoors and nature," Georgiana replied, glancing at Jane. Although Caroline's words contained some truth, her tone made clear her intention to insult Elizabeth.

Georgiana could not understand why Jane kept silent and did not defend her sister.

"I understand Mrs. Dalton perfectly; I, too, delight in long walks and in the beauty of nature," Mr. Darcy said firmly. He would not allow Caroline to disparage Elizabeth in his presence; such behaviour was not what he wished his daughter to imitate.

"As beautiful as Pemberley is, Mr. Darcy, it is easy to understand why you are so fond of nature," Louisa added, hoping to prevent her sister from provoking a quarrel.

When the Bingley sisters and Jane finally left, Mr. Darcy and Georgiana continued to speak of how pleasant the afternoon had been and how lovely Mrs. Dalton and Mrs. Bingley were.

◆◆◆

William looked at the time repeatedly, eager to return home as soon as possible. He had asked Mr. Bingley to come to his office at half past four, and it was nearly five, yet he had not arrived.

"I am sorry, Dalton, for being late. We had a fencing match at the club, and I could not leave until I won."

"Did you win?"

"No, I lost, but one of my friends reached the final round, and I wished to support him."

"I see… Bingley, I summoned you to my office because there are matters I must discuss with you." William chose not to tell his wife's brother-in-law that he was not his servant and that he expected his time to be respected. At that moment, he had more pressing business.

"Well, Dalton, tell me what is so urgent. I am invited to dine at a friend's house this evening, and I must change my clothes."

"Bingley, sit down, and I hope you will pay attention to what I have to tell you," William replied, clearly displeased.