Page 15 of The Countess and Her Sister

“I have nothing against having a country home; you may have misunderstood me, Miss Bennet, in speaking of my concern in selecting the location of such an estate. Those of us not confined to reside in whatever backwater we are brought up in have the luxury of choosing an area that promises good society and refinement. We ought to exercise such choice.”

“Certainly,” Elizabeth agreed. “When one is born at an estate, one might develop an attachment without regard to such polished tastes. It is fortunate you are spared such sentiments.”

“Indeed,” Rebecca agreed with a vicious grin. “If your father had owned an estate in Scarborough rather than a mill, you would not be able to make use of your superior judgement, Miss Bingley.”

Elizabeth caught Mr. Darcy’s eye, and they shared a look that threatened to shatter her equanimity, and possibly his own, as they tried not to laugh.

Miss Bingley looked between Mr. Darcy and Captain Tilney with confident hauteur.

“Perhaps such taste may be attributed to our little list of accomplishments. Acting as a hostess at a country estate must be such a one. I had little chance amongst the society in Hertfordshire, but I hope that my brother chooses wisely on the next occasion, so that I might enjoy such a role as fully as a lady ought.”

For the remainder of the meal, Miss Bingley was determined to recommend herself to the two gentlemen of property, whose conversation she began to monopolize.

Elizabeth could not entirely repent the loss of Mr. Darcy’s conversation, which had not escaped Rebecca’s notice while Elizabeth held his attention.

She had squandered a chance to recommend Jane as was right, and so she resolved to leave Mr. Darcy be.

If she could not be of help to her sister, she could restrain herself from becoming a detriment to the dowager’s plans.

***

After the meal, the gentlemen lingered but a quarter of an hour before joining the ladies.

Darcy dutifully made his way to the countess’s side.

If he could not recommend himself to her as easily as the other gentlemen, he could at least mitigate the way Miss Bingley fawned over the poor woman.

As soon as he took a seat at Lady Jane’s side, his aunt called out to Miss Bingley to come and speak to her of some nonsense that gave him the chance to converse privately with the woman she wished him to court.

Darcy scarcely knew how to get on; he felt as if everyone in the room were watching him. Miss Bennet was.

Grasping at something they may have in common, he said, “I understand you have met Lady Catherine de Bourgh.”

Lady Jane gave him a tight smile. “She was cordial when I met her, and offered a great deal of advice, though she was perhaps not entirely tactful in how she expressed that I had exceeded her expectations.”

“I cannot recall when last she considered tact whilst expressing herself.” Darcy grinned, and nearly waggled his brows at the countess, as he might have done if he had been addressing her playful sister.

Lady Jane’s smile was too incredulous, too fearful of offending his aunt, perhaps.

He fidgeted and glanced around restlessly.

Miss Bennet was across the room with the livelier members of their party, chatting and laughing as if nothing came so easy.

Miss Bingley was entreated to open the pianoforte, and she began to play a jig.

Henry Tilney exclaimed with delight and moved through the steps of a dance with an imaginary partner before beckoning to Rebecca.

She pressed her lips into a cringe and shook her head emphatically before swatting at the man and fairly shoving him at Miss Bennet.

Tilney bowed to Miss Bennet, though not with nearly enough reverence.

He said something to her that elicited a laugh much like the one Darcy had heard from her on the day they had been introduced, musical and mischievous.

Then she presented her hand to Tilney with a regal flourish, laughing again as they began to reel together.

Richard passed his sister a flask from his coat pocket, and after Rebecca took a shockingly long draught, he whisked her into step beside the other dancing pair.

Darcy let out a wistful sigh as his charming, ebullient companions made merry together.

He and Lady Jane sat in silence, watching the amusements of those more bold than they were.

Darcy wondered if perhaps that was as it ought to be, whether it could be right that witty and bright young women belonged with jolly, talkative fellows.

Taciturn as he was – and downright awkward, at times – perhaps a reserved companion was all he had any right to expect.

Darcy mused on what could possibly tempt any person so amusing and delightful to consider a partner who knew little of how to account for themselves amongst society.

And then Bingley approached, and after a rapid succession of compliments for the ladies, the music, the evening, and the joy of dancing, he offered the countess his hand.

As Bingley led Lady Jane to join the other two couples, Darcy smiled with hope and relief.