Page 48 of The Duke’s Bride (The Duke’s Alliance #6)
We hope you enjoyed reading The Duke’s Bride . If you did, please leave a review .
Chapter One
‘Darcy, what do you think of my new home?’ Mr Bingley enquired anxiously as he ushered his guests into the entrance hall where the staff were lined up for inspection.
His friend looked around and nodded. ‘It will do, Bingley. It is exactly as you described it. The situation is ideal, not too far from Town, and what I have seen of the grounds they have been well maintained. This entrance hall is spacious; no doubt the other rooms equally so.’
His sister Caroline immediately fluttered to Darcy’s side.
‘Mr Darcy, how right you are to say so. It is nothing compared to Pemberley of course; there is nothing so beautiful as your estate in Derbyshire. Hertfordshire is nothing compared to that. However, I am sure we shall all be very comfortable here, Charles. As long as we have each other, we shall not be starved of acceptable company.’
The housekeeper stepped forward and curtsied politely. ‘Shall I show your guests to their rooms, sir? There will be a cold collation served in the small dining room at noon. Cook thought you might wish for something after your journey.’
He nodded and smiled amiably. ‘Thank you, Nicholls, I am sure you have everything as it should be. Caroline, Louisa, if you care to view your apartments, Darcy, Hurst and I shall stroll around the grounds until you return.’
‘Bingley, I am a trifle fatigued after the journey. I think I shall find somewhere to put my feet up for a while.’
‘Hurst, you are a lazy devil. Come, Darcy, surely you are not tired? Nothing so trifling as a carriage ride from Town will put you out, I am sure.’
Darcy laughed. ‘Show me the interior first, my friend. If the ladies are to return in half an hour that shall not be time enough to view the grounds.’
Bingley led him through the drawing room, the smaller parlour, the breakfast room and the dining room before arriving at the billiard room. ‘Shall we play a frame or two whilst we wait, Darcy?’
‘It would be better to leave it until after we have eaten. We would scarce have got into the game before we would have to leave it.’ He strolled across to the long windows that opened onto the terrace.
‘I cannot tell you, Bingley, what a relief it is to be out of town. Although it is empty of society I still feel myself pursued every time I appear in public. Do you not find every matchmaking matron on your tail, hoping to entice you to offer for their daughter?’
‘I do agree. It is what I most dislike about being there. Here in the country people are more natural, are prepared to walk from place to place regardless of the weather.’ He joined his friend to gaze out onto the well-manicured park.
‘The deer and sheep that keep the grass looking so smart are leased to me, along with the house. I have already made myself known to the principal families in the neighbourhood. I shall introduce you at the ball tomorrow.’
Mr Darcy yawned. ‘No doubt we shall both be fawned upon; I am certain that news of our circumstances will have been much discussed. Sometimes I am tempted to offer for the first eligible young woman and be done with it. Pemberley needs a hostess and Georgiana would benefit from a sensible female in her life.’
‘Is your sister still at Pemberley with her companion?’
Mr Darcy nodded. ‘She is almost an adult and I believe I must make different arrangements for her soon.’
‘Bring her here for a visit sometime. My sisters dote on her.’ He frowned as he considered Darcy’s last remark about marrying for convenience. ‘I shall not marry for practical reasons; I intend to marry for love.’
The sound of the ladies in the distance cut short their conversation.
‘I am intending to enjoy myself here, and I know that both my sisters are looking forward to dressing in their finest and impressing the locals. Come, Darcy, let us join Caroline and Louisa. This afternoon we shall ride around the park and you must give me your opinion of the farms. I might consider purchasing Netherfield if you think it suitable.’
* * *
The evening of the ball duly arrived and, as always, Mr Bennet refused to accompany his wife and five daughters.
Jane stood obediently in front of the mirror, waiting for her maid to finish adjusting her gown.
‘I own that I am pleased with this dress; the neck is not too low and so I shall not have the bother of taking a shawl.’
‘The turquoise beads sewn around the hem and neckline are perfect. I have never seen you look in better countenance. I am sure there shall be none more beautiful attending the ball this evening,’ Jane’s sister Elizabeth said.
Jane reached out to replace a strand of dark hair that had escaped from her sister’s elegant arrangement.
‘Your damask-rose silk is equally attractive, Lizzy. I believe we have both made an extra effort to impress. It is a blessing our younger sisters are still obliged to wear white. I am sure that both Kitty and Lydia would be dressed in scarlet or emerald green if they were permitted.’
It was somewhat overcrowded in the carriage but they were used to that.
It was already dark by the time they arrived and the pavement outside glowed orange in the light of the many flambeaux.
The groom jumped down from the box and let down the steps and Mrs Bennet emerged first, the many egret feathers on her burgundy turban nodding in the breeze.
‘Come along, girls, we do not wish to be tardy. There, Lady Lucas is ahead of us. Do hurry up, and make sure you do not mire the hems of your gowns on the path. I noticed it has been swept, but one cannot be too careful.’
Jane exchanged a smile with Elizabeth. Their mother said the same thing every time they attended. They followed dutifully up the stairs and into the assembly rooms; she could hear her three younger sisters chattering like sparrows behind her.
The band was tuning up ready to start playing the first reel.
Already the place was abuzz with noise and the crystals on the chandeliers glittered in the candlelight.
Jane looked around the crowded room and was relieved to see Lady Lucas had saved the usual spot for their mother and themselves close to the entrance, where anyone coming or going could be clearly seen.
‘There are not nearly enough gentlemen here tonight. I fear I shall be obliged to sit out several of the dances as usual,’ Elizabeth said.
‘Things will be better when the regiment is established nearby. Do not despair, Lizzy. I am sure we shall both have sufficient opportunity to dance this evening.’
Jane threaded an arm through her sister’s and they swept across the ballroom, not unaware of the many admiring looks they received from the gentlemen who were in attendance.
Not wishing to crush their gowns, they gathered like gossamer butterflies in the space behind the matrons’ chairs, talking animatedly to each other, but their eyes were on the door waiting to see the arrival of the party from Netherfield.
* * *
Charles found himself as eager to attend this local gathering as ever he had been when attending a smart occasion in society.
He took more care with his appearance, and was ready and waiting in the drawing room long before the appointed hour.
Darcy was there before him. He grinned. It was ever thus.
His friend was always first at everything.
‘I must say you look very fine, my friend. You shall have the ladies aflutter when you enter the assembly rooms this evening.’
Darcy raised an eyebrow. ‘I have no interest in so doing. As you are well aware, Bingley, I prefer to be in the company of friends. I dislike dancing unless it is with someone that I know well, and I am sure that the whole evening will be tedious in the extreme.’
‘You are a deal too finicky, Darcy. I am certain it will be a delightful evening. I have heard so much about the beauty of the Bennet girls, and I intend to dance with every one of them.’
‘If I am particular, Bingley, then you are a deal too easily pleased. However, I shall not spoil your pleasure in the occasion. Only, I beg you, do not insist that I mingle. You know I detest small talk – especially with parochials such as these.’
They travelled in two carriages: Charles, Darcy and Hurst in one; the ladies in another. Caroline and Louisa had no intention of having their new ball gowns creased. The carriage halted in front of the assembly rooms.
‘My word, this is far larger than I anticipated. And it is already bustling. Gentlemen, I am determined to enjoy myself.’ Charles glanced at his friend, who was looking bored. ‘And even your disapproving face, Darcy, shall not spoil the evening for me.’
Darcy smiled, making him look less austere. He was a good fellow, and Charles valued his advice above anything.
They entered the noisy rooms and he and his party were immediately surrounded.
He smiled and bowed, rather enjoying the attention he was engendering.
He knew his friend, who was much handsomer than he – and far richer – was gaining a great deal of admiration from the assembled crowd.
He wished Darcy would smile more, appear less forbidding and disagreeable, and was determined to make up for his friend’s lack of humour by being more open himself.