Page 17

Later that night, Elizabeth went downstairs after seeing to Jane’s needs and waiting for her to fall asleep. She found the occupants of Netherfield in diverse occupations about the parlour. The Hursts were the only ones at the card table, which surprised her as that seemed to be their favorite pastime. Mr Hurst was randomly shuffling and flipping cards while trying to guess what suit would show. While seemingly a waste of time, they both enjoyed the simple activity.

Caroline Bingley sat on the sofa, discussing the latest fashion with Georgiana and Anne. Mr Darcy was busy at the writing desk, scratching away at more correspondence. Mr Bingley was the only one who acknowledged her entrance by setting down his newspaper and asking her about Jane. He was pleased that she was feeling much better.

“Can I interest you in a round or two of commerce to pass the time?”

“I hope you have not been waiting for me before you played?” She replied, feeling guilty.

“Yes, I was, but it did not matter as it also allowed me to catch up on reading the latest news,” he replied, rustling the paper still in his hand.

“Then perhaps…” She said hesitantly.

“Miss Elizabeth, think nothing of it. I will play cards, and you can choose your own entertainment. If you insist on playing now, I shall insist you do not.”

“You are a most gracious host, Mr Bingley. I find myself not suited to card play.”

He laughed at her pun, excused himself and left her alone to decide her own fate for the rest of the evening.

Finished with his letters, Darcy rose and looked about the room. He had been so engrossed in his thoughts as he wrote that he had failed to notice that Miss Elizabeth had joined them. It had to have been some time ago as she sat alone, engrossed in a book. Bingley had also shifted to the card table where the Hursts had been alone the last time he recalled.

Noticing the direction of his gaze, Miss Bingley spoke to distract him. “If you have finished your correspondence, perhaps you would care to join us?” Indicating to the chair nearest her.

Darcy held up his hand. “Thank you, but I will decline. I caught the direction of the conversation. Lace, satin, silk, and patterns are outside of my interest. I merely pay the bill when it comes due.” He looked at his sister and cousin. “Happily, of course,” he added, refraining from turning upon hearing a stifled giggle from across the room.

“But William,” Georgiana pleaded.

“Go on about your conversation. I have been sitting awhile now,” he said, moving to the fireplace. Miss Bingley watched him as he walked past her rival. Once she was sure he was not going to her, she returned her attention to Georgina.

Darcy poked and prodded the fire as he thought about his life. He could say he had done well, but things around him had gone wrong. He was the one who had to deal with the setbacks that were entirely out of his control. Until it had come to his sister’s last companion. He had employed a woman without thought, thinking it would ease his burden. He did not resent how his life had gone; he was just trying to figure it all out.

Darcy contemplated playing cards, but Mr Hurst was already in his cups, which made for a bad game. As only one person was alone, he boldly went to sit beside her, even knowing Miss Bingley would make snide remarks about it later.

Elizabeth looked up from her book when Mr Darcy sat near her and gave her a warm smile.

“How is your sister?”

“A little better. Hopefully, she will sleep through the night.”

“That is good to hear.” He cleared his throat. “My sister said she enjoyed your company yesterday at tea. Anne did not say much but appreciated your company last night.”

“Georgiana is a sweet girl. Anne as well, but understandably quiet.”

“Yes, very. Wait until you meet her brother, Richard. He is the complete opposite,” he said, smiling at the thought. “He is loud and exuberant, and once he gets to know you, he will talk your ears off. And it does not take him very long to reach that stage.”

Elizabeth closed her book and set it aside.

“Sorry, I am not interrupting your reading.”

“It is no matter. It will give my eyes a rest. I rarely have such a long stretch of reading before I’m interrupted at home. Do you expect your cousin to come here, or will you three return to town?”

“I expect him to come here. The letter from yesterday was dated two months ago. They should have located him by now and given him orders for reassignment back to England. His first stop will be Darcy House, where he will be told where to find us.”

“That is good news. From the conversation I had with them earlier,” she replied, giving a slight indication with her head and a look. “You have not told them about the letter?”

He shook his head slightly. “No. I do not want to get their hopes up until I know he is on his way home. When he arrives, I want it to be a surprise. With all Anne has been through, I think it might help.”

“The secret is safe with me. You don’t know how often my sisters and I have wished for a brother. Your sister and cousin are fortunate to have you.”

“To make sure they are cared for, I would agree. Yet, because of the age difference, we have little in common. Georgina has no memory of our mother, and what little she has of her father is fading.”

Elizabeth tried hard not to laugh. “Our parents are the last topic my sisters want to discuss.”

“To be completely honest with you, I have no idea how to interact with them.”

“You are in a different position than most brothers or cousins would find themselves, and you are much too old to pull their hair or tease them.” She said with a small laugh and laughed harder at his look of bewilderment. “I am teasing you, Mr Darcy.”

Out of the corner of his eye, Darcy caught Miss Bingley staring at them. “I am aware.”

“Of course, having no brothers, I don’t know this from personal experience, but from Maria Lucas, who has younger brothers. As in your case, Charlotte Lucas is much older, so she did not have to endure their mischievousness. Have you thought about hiring a companion?”

“Georgiana has had two. The first one was compelled to leave to care for a sick mother. The last one was brought on shortly after the New Year. She turned out to be an unmitigated disaster,” he said. A pained look crossed his face, which did not go unnoticed.

“Sounds like it did not work out well at all,” she replied empathetically.

“No, it did not. I should have known better. I failed in my due diligence to completely check out her background. Then I foolishly let her take Georgiana to Ramsgate, away from household servants that have been with her for years and have her best interests at heart. I was still dealing with the consequences of failure when I received news of the accident.”

“You are too harsh on yourself. People make mistakes.”

“This mistake of mine affected Georgina greatly. Almost ruined her,” he said quietly.

“Georgiana mentioned another aunt?”

Darcy shook his head. “My aunt is domineering and overprotective. I fear Georgina would not do well staying in her care. Her daughter is a shadow of what she should have been, and I do not want that for Georgina or Anne. Richard would not want that either, even for a short time. Short visits are all I allow.”

“She just mentioned her, nothing more.”

“I do not like speaking ill of my relative, but there was a reason both her siblings made provisions their children did not fall under her custody. My aunt is nothing like my mother.”

“There are plenty of women from good genteel families looking for employment. Like my friend Charlotte.”

“Miss Lucas is looking?”

“Not actively, but she has discussed it with me in the past. I should not have mentioned her. It is not my place.”

“I like her,” he said thoughtfully, although he wondered if her father’s pride would allow her to take employment. She was of an age where she would not need permission, but family bonds could still be a powerful hold.

“Please don’t say anything to her. She would be mortified to know we talked about her.”

“I give you my word.” He looked towards his wards, then leaned close. “However, perhaps if you were to bring it up with her. Maybe mention I am looking for someone I can trust without question.”

Caroline, while engaged with the two young ladies, could not help but notice when Mr Darcy left his spot by the fireplace and went to sit next to Eliza Bennet. Already peeved at the move, her jealousy began to ferment when the two began to have a quiet, intimate talk. It exploded when he leaned close before speaking. Whatever he said elicited a thoughtful look and a nod from the country chit.

With an excuse that she needed to stretch her legs, she started to walk the perimeter of the room as she kept an eye on the two. After one turn, she stopped where the two sat.

“Miss Eliza Bennet, perhaps you would care to join me for a turn or two about the room. I can assure you it is invigorating after sitting for so long.”

Elizabeth was tempted to decline because the woman had abused her name once again. Still, as a guest, it would be poor manners to decline even when the mistress of the house displayed bad manners.

“You and Mr Darcy appear to be having a fine tête-à-tête,” Miss Bingley said once they were on the far side of the room.

“I suppose.”

“Was he telling you how much he admired your eyes when he leaned in close?”

“I beg your pardon,” she replied in surprise.

Caroline could tell that her reaction was genuine, but it bothered her even more that she had just inadvertently revealed his admiration.

“It is of no matter, a passing comment when we were discussing portraits,” she said, grasping for a cover for what she had disclosed.

Elizabeth tried to make sense of what the woman was saying as she gazed at the man in question. He had moved next to his sister. Whatever it was he was saying, she occasionally shook her head. Elizabeth returned her attention to Miss Bingley. She had to admit, she was flattered that he admired her eyes.

“I’m not following.”

“It was nothing. If you would rather not discuss it as it might be of a personal nature,” she said, switching tactics to garner the information she desired.

“It was not personal, not at all. It was about brothers or lack of them in our case,” Elizabeth replied, believing she knew why the lady wanted to know the topic of their conversation. “And I am sure he would not mind, but the rest was about Georgiana. He is seeking a companion for her.”

Relief washed over Caroline. That explained his interest in her. He was thinking of hiring her as Georgiana’s companion. Some might see this as a problem as it might mean more time spent in each other’s company. However, she knew that he maintained a separate residence for his sister, and they lived completely separate lives.

“I mentioned that I…”

“I should not have inquired,” Miss Bingley interrupted. Before anything else could be said, Darcy stood up and caught their attention.

“Miss Elizabeth, Georgiana would like to hear you play a song or two.”

“Me? Miss Bingley is the better player.”

“She would like to hear you.”

“Go on, Miss Elizabeth,” Miss Bingley said, gently pushing her towards the instrument. “I will turn the pages for you.”

Elizabeth wondered about the sudden change in Miss Bingley’s demeanor towards her as they went to the pianoforte.