Page 14 of Some Natural Importance (Pride, Prejudice and Romance #3)

CHAPTER NINE

Only the footman waiting by the door could hear the intemperate voices arguing in the saloon of a fine house on Grosvenor Square.

“Why is Darcy still from town? What could keep him from his family?”

“A house party, I believe,” Lord Matlock replied. “Something in Hertfordshire.”

“No one of any distinction has a house in such a place,” said his wife. “It is too close to town and too far from any other place of beauty or importance.” Her husband’s intemperate grunt prompted her to continue. “With whom is he visiting?”

“A university friend,” Richard replied.

“Grasping females surrounding him as a moat surrounds a castle.” The earl watched his wife’s eyes narrow. He did not mention Richard’s report of the day prior, that he had seen a man leaving Darcy House carrying a parcel of what appeared to be books.

“The country is a dangerous place for a man of his station. Who knows what he could be caught up in at a house party?” Lady Matlock’s curls bounced as she waved her finger with indignation.

“Darcy must be made to marry. He is spoilt. Too many grasping families angling for his fortune, too many girls willing to give up their favours for a chance to be mistress of Pemberley.” Her voice softened as she looked to the earl.

“None but our Cecilia should take your sister’s place there. ”

She patted down a fold in her skirt before levelling another meaningful glance at her husband. “She is as good a match in temperament as can be.”

“My sister will not wish to leave London for the north,” Richard drawled. “Darcy prefers the country. Perhaps they would not suit as you hope.”

“Georgiana has grown quite close to Cecilia. Nothing matters more to Darcy than his sister’s happiness. He has raised her these five years?—”

“Yes, yes, he is practised as a parent and guardian,” Richard interrupted. “Who knows whether Cecilia could provide him an heir? How many years has Valentine been wed now to that Porterfield girl?”

Lord Matlock scowled. “Four, and no sign of a babe. Richard?” The earl looked at his younger son. “Is no lady of means willing to marry you?”

“If money is the only motivation, I am happy to please you by corrupting a young lady of beauty and means and a healthy womb.” A sly smile emerged. “Darcy sacrificed himself once for family. I suppose it is my turn.”

Lady Matlock sputtered. “You had your opportunity five years ago to join the de Bourgh line with that of the Fitzwilliams. Only Darcy’s sense of honour and your sense of duty to the crown thwarted that connexion.”

“A merry little thing called war played a role as well.” Richard maintained his drollery rather than flash his temper. “Pray do not forget that Anne herself preferred Darcy.”

“Pity that Anne could not have had a larger wedding celebration before those awful months of her suffering began.” Lady Matlock smiled tenderly at her husband. “Such a terrible time for poor, dear Catherine.”

Richard rolled his eyes, wondering as always why his father failed to hear the false tone in her expression.

“Blood will out, my dear. Blood and breeding.” Lord Matlock leaned back in his seat, legs crossed, foot tapping.

“In fact, Darcy may choose a Darcy cousin—he does have a few of those, as well. Or a young lady in town could win his heart. None is a better match than our Cecilia, of course, and we would prefer he stay with family. Richard,” he said, his tone changing from cajoling to something sharper, “you have written to remind him of his cousin’s charms? ”

“And his obligations?”

Richard glanced sharply at his stepmother before nodding at his father. “His options. Darcy has enough obligations for the lot of us.” It might soothe his father’s temper to see Darcy wed to Cecilia, but thwarting his step-mama was amusing as well.

The room was unbearably loud, filled with garrulous laughter, clinking glassware, and painful pounding on the piano keys.

Mr Bennet was accustomed to the cacophony of Longbourn, and the neighbourhood was used to and tolerant of high-spirited girls such as Lydia, Kitty, Maria Lucas, and Harriet Goulding.

The newcomers, a few of them at least, were less easy in the company.

He watched Mr Darcy, his back to the wall—backed into the wall.

Grim-faced and stoic, he averted his eyes from the hijinks rather than see others in their joy.

More specifically, the man was watching Elizabeth as she joked with Stephen Lucas.

As she chatted with Mr Goulding and his son.

As she listened to old Mr Wooten. Interesting.

He leaned over to Mr Darcy, amused to see him startle. “You see, Lizzy is not always so serious and grim as you see her at Longbourn. She is formed for happiness. ”

“Why so serious at home?”

“She misses her sister, the only other girl of sense—” Lydia spun by, laughing, as a young soldier chased her— “left at Longbourn.” He felt Darcy tense beside him and sighed.

“I have seen your daughter’s joyful spirit She is an intelligent young lady.”

“And according to most who meet her, she is quite tolerable, even handsome enough to be thought tempting.”

Darcy flushed. “Mr Bennet, I?—”

“You are an intelligent man who is far more observant and amusing than you display outside of a small gathering of familiars. You showed less discretion around my stableboy.”

“I apologise for my insulting words and careless tongue.”

Waving his hand dismissively, Mr Bennet continued, “Elizabeth is less selfish with her smiles and opinions. She too makes sport of her neighbours, including those at Netherfield.”

“I am a target?”

“You, Mr Darcy, are not her favourite object. I believe Mr Bingley’s sisters have assumed that position. But yes, she observes you as thoroughly as you seem to watch her.”

“Sir—”

“I shall miss her when she goes to my brother’s home, but she will enjoy London. She always does. My Lizzy is made for more. She has always been more, needed more, than we can offer her.”

“More.”

“You need more as well. More than your friend’s estate, more than a debate with an old man.

” Mr Bennet watched Sir William Lucas draw near, clearly ready to share some overly long effusion or three.

“Run along now and save yourself, but do come see me tomorrow. I would like to put your intelligence to work on something. ”

‘Run along now.’ When had anyone but his father or, when he was quite young, Mrs Reynolds ever said that to him?

What an odd situation he found himself in, Darcy thought to himself hours later, this amity with an intelligent but idle-minded landowner.

Even odder was his acquaintance with the man’s second daughter, who appeared to vacillate between interest and irritation in his presence.

He was as uncertain of her feelings towards him as his towards her, but no one in his acquaintance could challenge his composure as this impertinent slip of a girl did.

Certainly no lady had ever teased him in the manner she did.

Most ladies would welcome his company for a walk, yet Elizabeth Bennet appeared put out by his presence, as if he was an intruder.

Clearly she felt him too welcome a visitor to her father’s book room, but he was as free to walk in the woods as she, and if their paths crossed because they favoured the same walks at the same times of day, so be it.

Darcy was stirred from his musings by the sounds of crinkling paper. He looked across the drawing room to see Bingley slouched in his seat, a grimace set upon his usually pleasant expression.

“Bingley?”

“I must go to London.”

“So must we all, sometime.”

“Now, I mean. I must go now,” Bingley said, crossing his arms and looking as serious as Darcy had ever seen. “The bank requires my presence.”

Alarmed, Darcy leaned forward. “Is there a problem with your accounts or an issue with an investment?”

Bingley shifted uncomfortably. “It is my aunt’s bank.

I assisted her with some papers when I was in Scarborough.

She determined to have them delivered herself, and now the bank claims it cannot make out some of my lettering.

” He finally looked at Darcy only to see him stifling a grin.

“Dash it all, there is nothing the matter with my writing! ”

“Of course not.”

“Would you accompany me?”

Darcy cleared his throat. He did not like the notion of Bingley leaving, and he did not much care for Netherfield, but he would remain here a few days more.

This place brought him little joy, but appearing in London and opening Darcy House so soon after receiving his family’s letters reeked of an obedience he could not favour.

Still, he was Bingley’s friend and he should offer his support.

“Would you like me to accompany you and offer advice or do nothing more than wish you well and keep this information from your sisters until you have left?”

Bingley grinned. “The latter, my friend. With luck, I shall return in a few days.” He began to move quickly around the room.

“I would thank you for your help in delaying the news of my departure to my sisters by riding with me as far as Longbourn. They will suspect less if we ride out together,” he added when Darcy’s eyebrows rose.

“I would like to take my leave of the Bennets and offer to take letters to their family in London.”

Darcy stilled. “To Miss Jane Bennet in Gracechurch Street?”

“Of course. It is a common courtesy, old man.”