Page 21 of The Heroic Mr Darcy’s Bad Manners
“It is Miss Eudora Darcy and her delightful niece. We are at home,” Grandmother Bennet informed the butler after perusing the cards he brought.
There had been three cards on the silver salver, and Elizabeth’s stomach did a little flip. It was most likely Mr Darcy who was accompanying them. She had not seen him in a week and no longer thought about him. Well, at least not as much as she used to. Yet, her treacherous eyes stole towards the door.
Miss Eudora Darcy entered with Miss Georgiana Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam. He who had participated in the unpalatable wager had since done much to redeem himself. Favouring Jane for one—his taste was exemplary—forcing his brother to apologise was the second, and thirdly, he was excellent company.
“Eudora, how wonderful to see you!” her grandmother exclaimed. “I am delighted you brought your dear niece and the strapping colonel. Young ladies are especially delighted by red-coated callers, are they not? Especially those who have proved themselves by being particularly brave.”
“I have seen but little of actual battle, Mrs Bennet,” the colonel demurred. “My work is usually limited to administration and the occasional training session.”
“I was rather thinking about the battlefields of drawing rooms, sir.”
Her grandmother raised an eyebrow and looked directly at Elizabeth, who forced a smile for the sake of courtesy. Her quarrel with Colonel Fitzwilliam was all but forgotten. She offered to serve the tea and escaped to a table across the room to arrange it. To her consternation, she could hear her mother and sisters approaching in the passage, bickering as they went. By the sound of it, they were coming hither…
“Do not sigh at me, Miss Lydia!” Lady Glentworth admonished.
“I did not sigh,” Lydia protested equally loudly.
“I can hear your breath, and it is not proper to breathe so loudly when I am scolding you,” Lady Glentworth continued. “We are not at Longbourn and must adhere to the strictures of the haut ton .”
The voices were close, and they would soon impose upon their guests.
“Mama, I believe Grandmother is receiving callers.” The soothing voice of Jane tried to warn Lady Glentworth, but she was sorely mistaken if she thought that titbit would calm their excitable mother.
“Splendid!” Lady Glentworth screeched and sailed into the room. She surveyed the occupants, and her eyes gained a dangerous glint when she espied the colonel. Next, she discovered Miss Georgiana Darcy and moved towards the girl, whose eyes widened in concern. Mrs Maeve Bennet hastened to perform the introductions, but that did not deter Lady Glentworth, who dipped into a curtsey before continuing her course.
“What beautiful lace! You simply must tell me where you purchased it,” Lady Glentworth demanded. She reached out to touch the fabric of her fichu, and the girl flinched.
Elizabeth held her breath, squeezed her eyes shut, and waited for her mother to admonish the reserved Miss Darcy. To her surprise, it did not happen. Instead, her mama remained silent for what felt like an eternity whilst she studied their guest. Then she stepped away and seated herself in a chair. Elizabeth hastened to break the awkwardness by serving the ladies their tea.
“I beg your pardon, Miss Darcy. Lizzy has spoken so much about you that I feel like I know you already.” Lady Glentworth had modulated her voice, and it was more tender than any she used whilst speaking to her own daughters.
Elizabeth had not thought her mother had it within her to change, but the improvements in her behaviour were marked. Unfortunately, Lydia had yet to improve and stared openly at Miss Georgiana Darcy, who fanned herself to quash the blush suffusing her face.
“Please be seated, Lydia. I shall bring you your tea shortly.”
Her sister must wait until their guests had been served, Elizabeth thought whilst she handed the colonel his cup. He thanked her prettily for the tea and conducted himself as a true gentleman. At least he refrained from ogling her eldest sister, and for that small mercy Elizabeth was glad. Jane became exceedingly uncomfortable under heavy scrutiny, though she suspected that she did not mind the colonel’s longing looks as much as she did everyone else’s.
“Tell me, has my dolt-headed cousin managed to improve his abominable first impression?”
If he meant to throw her off guard, he would be sorely mistaken. She smiled and replied most innocently.
“Not at all.”
“He will have my head for revealing this, but it was he who suggested I arrange the picnic in the park. He is a true romantic at heart, even if he displays it but little.”
“You mistook my meaning, Colonel Fitzwilliam. I was referring to his heroic action. You see, he once saved my life when I was a child.”
She could see the colonel’s mind churning and was for the first time happy to receive the company of Miss Bingley, who hardly waited for the butler to announce her. She glided into the room and seated herself next to the younger Miss Darcy.
“Dear Georgiana, and ever in the company of your esteemed colonel. He takes prodigiously good care of you, and one might wonder whether there is to be an announcement in the future that will bring much pleasure to your families.”
Elizabeth wondered what she was at suggesting a connection between the cousins beyond the relationship of a guardian to his ward. What could she possibly mean to accomplish?
“Dear Jane, I have come with a message from my brother, who was exceedingly grieved he could not accompany me on my call on you today. As you know, business has taken him away for a few days, and he is worried you might forget him. I immediately put him at ease and declared that sweet Jane would not soon forget her dearest friends.”
Miss Bingley’s smile was sickeningly affected, and Elizabeth fought not to shudder. The colonel clearly believed it was time to change the subject.
“Miss Darcy,” he addressed his ward more formally than was his wont. “I believe you have brought an invitation with you.”
“Oh yes, I had almost forgotten.” She rummaged through her reticule and found an elegant invitation that she presented to the lady of the house. “I would be much obliged if you would attend my small dinner party and bring all your family.”
“It is her first time hosting an event,” Miss Eudora Darcy boasted. “I thought it was best to enter this stage of her education with only our closest friends present.”
Her grandmother expressed her gratitude most endearingly, the colonel eased his rigid stance, and Miss Bingley’s mouth turned into a most unbecoming pout.
The lady of the house called for entertainment, and Miss Bingley launched herself towards the pianoforte with alacrity. She chose an Italian love song that she performed scientifically, but her voice was not pleasing. It was obvious that she had studied with a master, but nature had not been charitable.
“Would you take a turn about the room with me?” Elizabeth enquired of Miss Eudora Darcy, affording the colonel and Jane a moment of privacy whilst Miss Bingley was distracted.
The older lady readily agreed and laced her arm with Elizabeth’s. “The colonel is very agreeable and gentlemanlike. His admiration for Jane does not prevent him from being polite and attentive to me, as so often happens with ill-bred young men these days.”
“You believe the colonel admires Jane?” Elizabeth questioned in astonishment. Though she should not be surprised; Miss Eudora Darcy had been little in their company, but she was a keen observer.
“Of that there can be no two opinions!” the lady exclaimed. “Although he is not overt in his regard, it is clear to me, as I have known him all my life.”
“You need not convince me, as I heartily agree, but Jane has several suitors and must be allowed to choose. I shall admit, if only to you, that the colonel is my favourite.”
Miss Darcy smiled. “I am relieved to hear it. I supposed you would prefer the amicable Mr Bingley.”
“I have lately come to appreciate a more steadfast nature than one who is agreeable without the presence of mind.”
Once their morning callers had left, the anticipation of dining at Darcy House was the order of the day. Especially since all the current occupants of the house were included.