Elizabeth turned to her. “It’s nothing, Jane. I was only thinking about the ball. Your Mr. Bingley put on a great show.” She touched her sister’s arm. “You will have to arrange another ball next season, when you have been mistress of Netherfield for a while.”
Jane smiled serenely. “I’m sure Lydia and Kitty will not let me escape without having balls very often!”
Elizabeth laughed. “I’m happy you don’t seem to be nervous about hosting such an event, Jane. I think I might be apprehensive.”
Jane shook her head. “You know you wouldn’t be, Lizzy. I know Mrs. Nicholls is a very experienced housekeeper, and Wednesday’s ball went very well under her careful eye.”
Elizabeth raised her eyebrows. “I think Miss Bingley might want to claim credit for the smooth running of the night.”
Jane’s face flushed very slightly. “But she is managing the house, so of course she must take the credit.”
Elizabeth raised her eyebrows, but Jane looked slightly anxious.
“Lizzy, but … I’m not sure, however, how to become mistress of Netherfield without causing Miss Bingley any distress. Can you think of a way I might please both Mr. Bingley and his sister?”
Elizabeth shook her head slowly. “I confess I cannot, Jane. I do think that it would be more appropriate if Miss Bingley returned to London with her sister after the wedding, but I cannot be as generous as you in thinking the best of Miss Bingley.”
Her sister sighed. “I would really like the opportunity to have time to get used to my position. I wouldn’t like to let Mr. Bingley down by not knowing my duties.”
Elizabeth hugged her. “You could never disappoint him, Jane. You must know that.” She had an idea. “I know that in this cold weather travel can be difficult, but why not ask if you can take a few days to visit Bath. Then Miss Bingley and the Hursts will go back to London, and you can return to Netherfield and not have to entertain.”
Jane brightened. “I would love to visit Bath. I wonder if Mr. Bingley would agree?”
Elizabeth laughed. “He can refuse you nothing! But I think you know that already.” She sighed. “It’s such a pity it has been so cold this spring, or you might have been able to take an extended tour.”
Jane blushed. Then her attention was caught by a movement outside the house.
“Look! Some of the officers are here.”
Elizabeth saw the tall figure of Mr. Wickham among the four officers striding up to the door, and felt a twist of nervousness. What might he say to her to explain his ignominious ejection from the ball?
She schooled her face to an indifferent smile. “I suppose we had better go downstairs, Jane, and try and ensure Lydia behaves herself.”
Jane bit her lip. “Do you think it would be very wrong of me to stay in my chamber, Lizzy? I do not think I want to have to listen to them. It makes me sad that Lydia cannot regulate her behaviour better.”
* * *
Elizabeth descended the stairs alone. Her mother’s loud protestations of delight assailed her as she went. She shook her head in vexation. She loved her mother dearly, but she did wish her behaviour was not so embarrassing.
She wondered that the officers called so often. Then she smiled slightly. They would certainly not come here if Lydia — and Kitty — were not so free with their favours. Why cannot Papa see what is so obvious?
The bright smile on her face hid her feelings as she turned into the sitting room. The officers sprang to their feet and bowed. Her curtsy was to all of them, but her eyes were on Mr. Wickham. His bright chestnut eyes were warm.
“Lizzy! There you are!” Her mother’s voice cut across the officers’ greetings. “Ring for tea before you sit down!”
“Of course, Mama,” Elizabeth said equably, and complied quietly.
It was not long before Mr. Wickham was sitting opposite her. Mary’s dreary playing formed a backdrop to the bright red tunics of their guests. Lydia and Kitty bounced with excitement, while Mama waved her handkerchief and interrupted their conversations without listening.
Elizabeth smiled; the confusion of the officers, who were not so used to her mother, was amusing.
Mr. Wickham laughed. “I, too, gain enjoyment while watching them.”
Elizabeth looked down, blushing slightly. While she was amused at her mother’s antics, she didn’t like having it confirmed that outsiders might be laughing at her.
Mr. Wickham changed the subject quickly. “I was sorry to have to leave the ball when I did, Miss Elizabeth. I hope you enjoyed the evening.”
She looked up, startled. Then she smiled. “Thank you, I did. I think my sister is going to be very happy.”
His smile was a little crooked. “Do you know Mr. Bingley’s friend, Mr. Darcy?”
She didn’t understand why she felt so cautious. “Yes, the town knows him. He was here with Mr. Bingley when he first took Netherfield Park. But he has not been here for some months. I didn’t expect to see him at the ball, although my sister has told me that he is going to be Mr. Bingley’s groomsman.”
Mr. Wickham nodded seriously. “He is a very wealthy man. I knew him well, some years ago, but I would not like to see him disappoint anyone in the neighbourhood.”
Elizabeth’s eyebrows didn’t seem to be under her control.
“Why is that, Mr. Wickham?”
“He is a cold, proud man, Miss Elizabeth. And it is not just that, but he has no interest in justice, or the needs of those he considers inferior to him.” He shook his head, looking solemn. “He is not at all well-liked by any that I know.”
Elizabeth thought back to her father’s talk of Mr. Darcy philanthropism, of his distaste that his generosity might be talked about. Her suspicion sharpened. She liked Mr. Wickham, but she was beginning not to trust him.
“I would be interested to hear what you have to say Mr. Wickham.” She forced her features to be open and interested, inviting his confidence. What was he going to tell her?
Chapter 22
Darcy scowled at the fire. When would this interminable cold weather end?
Richard leaned back in the leather chair, the other side of the fire that was leaping in the grate of the library at Darcy House.
“I have no idea what you’re looking for, Darcy.” He glanced at his cousin. “All these events you attend like a man possessed — after I had to drag you out to every ball last year.”
Darcy shrugged. “I wish to attend Lady Effingham’s soirée, Richard. You know that. I would appreciate your company.”
“And you’ll have it,” Richard heaved himself to his feet and reached for the poker. He didn’t look at Darcy.
“I just want to know what you are looking for.” He prodded the logs, causing a shower of sparks and the logs to glow with renewed vigour. “Let me pour another glass and you can explain to me what it is all about.”
“Very well.” Darcy shrugged slightly. He supposed he wasn’t about to surprise Richard very much. He slumped back in his chair. “But first I want to — no.” he couldn’t tell Richard he disliked being laughed at, disliked the thought of disclosing a weakness.
Richard handed him a glass and took his own back to the other chair. “Want to — what?”
“It doesn’t matter,” Darcy shook his head. “I don’t need to say.”
Richard sat quietly for a moment, and swirled the dark liquid around the glass as he waited for Darcy to speak.
Darcy sighed. “Your mother was right, last year, saying I should marry. And what you said about the responsibility Georgiana might feel if she were still the heir to Pemberley when she comes out into society, also struck me as an important fact.”
Richard nodded, glancing briefly at him before looking back at his glass.
Darcy followed his gaze, watching the firelight catching the moving liquid. He took a sip of his own drink.
“Well, I have decided on some qualities in a lady I might seek and I am looking again with more attention than before.”
Richard stared fixedly at the fire
. “Might this be anything to do with the young lady you could not prevent yourself from watching at the ball on Wednesday?”
Darcy held his breath. He had betrayed himself. “Which lady was that?” He might yet get away with the fiction.
“Don’t dissemble, Darcy. And don’t be apprehensive. I won’t give you away, but I do want to understand, so that I can help.” He turned to face Darcy. “I know you had to go to Ramsgate last summer, but when you returned to London, you did not return to calling on Lady Louise, and I had thought you’d decided she would be suitable.”
Darcy shrugged. “You recommended her, and the way I was thinking then — well, she was suitable, I supposed. But I needed time to think after Ramsgate. I wasn’t going to proceed with looking for someone to marry after that, but …”
“And now you’re looking for something different in a wife, I suppose,” Richard rose from his chair and went to the window.
Darcy wondered at his cousin’s action, it was too dark to see into the garden. But it was a relief to talk to his back.
“Yes, I am. I have — discovered that finding social occasions difficult, for example, is not something that is solely in me, and there are also others who understand.”
Richard didn’t turn, but he nodded, and Darcy continued. “I have thought that if I could find a lady who understood, who was sympathetic, then it might be easier if she could assist me in making some situations more comfortable, such as when I need to entertain.”
Richard turned and went back to the decanter on the table. Refreshing his glass, he spoke off-handedly. “And did you receive such understanding from the lady in Hertfordshire?”
“Yes,” Darcy found himself nodding. “She is — easy to be around, not demanding.”
“So why continue to look, if you have found someone with the qualities you seek?” Richard had returned to the chair.
Darcy glanced at the clock, there were a few more moments before they had to leave for the soirée. “I must find someone who is from a better family. Your parents — and Lady Catherine will most certainly not approve of her.”
“Who is she? Is her father not a gentleman?” Richard’s eyebrows went up.
“Oh, yes,” Darcy nodded. “But try and remember the loudest, most vulgar and overdressed lady at the ball. It is likely to have been her mother.” He shuddered. “I cannot ally myself to such a family.”
Richard grimaced. “I understand. But finding a suitable lady, with this rare quality, and who captivates you as well, might well be unfruitful.”
Darcy scowled. “What do you mean, captivates me?”
Richard laughed. “You might not understand your own feelings, Darcy, but your actions betrayed you. Just remember, you are marrying the lady, not her mother — and Pemberley is a long way from Hertfordshire.”
What were his own feelings? Darcy pondered for a few moments, before he sighed. “I think the coach will be ready shortly. Let us be about it.”
“Very well,” Richard stood up. “I will come to the soirée with you, but I insist that you put a time limit to your search. If you cannot find someone from a more suitable family, and you consider this quality to be absolutely necessary, then you must consider whether you would be willing to make this lady an offer.”
“Perhaps,” Darcy muttered, then stopped as the butler entered to announce that the coach was ready.
* * *
As soon as they were in the coach, and the footman had closed the door, Richard started again.
“So, who is the young lady in Hertfordshire? Will she be at Bingley’s wedding?”
Darcy tried to stay impassive. He did not want to think about her when he was about to attend a social event. “Yes,” he said tersely. “She is Miss Bennet’s sister. I believe she is attending her that day.”
Richard chuckled. “That will be interesting, then. You do know, don’t you, that after the ceremony, the groomsman accompanies the bride’s attendant during the wedding breakfast?”
Darcy nodded glumly. It had not escaped his attention, and his relief that Miss Elizabeth would be able to help him had mingled with his dismay that he would have to be unremitting in his attempts not to permit anyone to see his interest in her.
Richard was talking, and he had not heard him. “I beg your pardon, Richard. I did not hear you.” It was too dark to see his cousin’s expression, to try and divine whether he was offended.
“I merely asked how long it is until the wedding, when you have to return to Hertfordshire.” Richard didn’t sound offended, and Darcy wondered why he hadn’t confided in him before now. It might have helped.
“It is on the seventeenth of April, scarce three weeks now.” Darcy shrugged.
“Long enough,” Richard said. “There are a number of balls in town before then, are there not?”
Darcy wondered at his question. “I believe so.”
“Then let me make a bargain with you, Darcy.” Richard’s voice was solemn. “I will not shirk in attending all those balls and events you wish to go to before Bingley’s wedding. But, in return, you must agree that if you have not found a suitable lady to court, who has the qualities you desire, and other attractions, then you will consider making this Hertfordshire lady an offer.”
Darcy swallowed. Less than three weeks. He might have to confront the awful thought of marrying into the Bennet family.
“Darcy.” Richard nudged him to gain his attention again.
“Sorry, Richard.” Darcy paid him some attention.
“That’s better. Now, I am going to say something that might irritate you. But I beg that you consider the thought behind it, and acknowledge that I bear you no ill-will.”
Darcy felt his shoulders tighten. “I thank you for the warning, Richard.”
His cousin chuckled. “It is not so bad, but I know I sometimes cause you offence without meaning to, so I thought it best to warn you. I just want to say that you must be very sure that any young lady you consider in town in the next month must be particularly special. It is not just that she must have the understanding you desire, but she must also be able to take your mind from this younger Miss Bennet — what is her name, by the way?”
Miss Elizabeth Bennet,” Darcy said quietly, knowing that saying her name was firming in his mind the desire he felt.
“Thank you,” Richard responded. “Yes, I think Miss Elizabeth Bennet has caught your attention without you being aware of it. I think your affections are far more firm than you perhaps realise, and it would not be a recipe for a happy marriage if you were to choose another — although I understand your reasons.”
Darcy frowned, looking ahead in the darkness. He had needed to hear this, though, and he hoped there were a few more minutes before they arrived.
“Yes,” Richard’s voice was relentless. “I saw you watching her at the ball, and I paid some attention to her.”
Darcy listened, wondering what his cousin had thought.
“I think she looked a delightful young lady, she was cheerful and lively — of a sociable nature, and I believe she has a great capacity for making your life a great deal easier.”
“You saw a lot in a short time,” Darcy grumbled.
“I did,” Richard sounded smug. “But you must own that I am a good judge of character, whereas you find it harder.”
“I can judge Wickham’s.” Darcy tried not to show his rising rage and the memory of that blackguard kissing Miss Elizabeth’s hand.
“And it was your expression as Wickham spoke to her that gained my close attention, Darcy.” Richard sounded very serious. “I believe you need to consider your feelings and affections very carefully in these few weeks.” He leaned forward as the coach slowed and turned into a brightly lit driveway, where servants waited.
“Because, if you take too long, and then decide you wish to court Miss Elizabeth, it would not be too surprising if she might have accepted another offer. After all, she appears an enchanting young lady.”
As the door opened, he
climbed out, leaving Darcy to gather his stunned thoughts at those final words.
Chapter 23
Elizabeth was once more wishing that she had an excuse to stay upstairs with Jane as she sat with her mother and younger sisters. The officers had called again, and Lydia was as loud and uninhibited as ever. Kitty was not far behind in her annoying behaviour, and Mama was giggling like a young girl.
Mary was sitting at the table, scowling at her book, and Elizabeth knew that soon her sister would make her excuses and go upstairs, too.
For a moment, she wondered if she could join her father in his book room, but if she did so, there would be no one to try and contain Lydia’s outrageous flirting.
She tightened her lips — all her efforts had so far been for naught. But she must still try. It was less than ten days now until Jane’s wedding, and she must make every effort to prevent any scandal endangering her sister’s happiness.
She took a deep breath, and listened as Mama held forth.
“Oh, you young gentlemen all do me so much good, you don’t know how much! And so handsome in your red coats!”
But Mr. Wickham was standing in front of her, bowing. “May I sit with you, Miss Elizabeth?”
Elizabeth looked up and smiled. “Of course, Mr. Wickham. How is the training going as you all prepare for Brighton?”
He hesitated before drawing up a chair. “I am of the opinion that you wish us gone, Miss Elizabeth.”
“I will be honest with you, Mr. Wickham. I believe there are some of the party who are unable to control their reactions to Lydia. I don’t think it’s very good for her.”
“Ah,” he looked thoughtful. “I understand. But I am happy that your statement does not seem to include myself.” He met her eyes, his gaze intense. “I would be sorry if you wished me gone.”
Elizabeth dipped her head. She would not lie to him. “Then entertain me, Mr. Wickham, and convince me that I wish you to stay.”
He sat back and relaxed, chuckling. “You are a great tease, Miss Elizabeth. You must know that I wish most sincerely that my circumstances were somewhat different. If that should be the case, I would be able to be explicit in my regard.”
A Rare Ability: A Darcy and Elizabeth Pride and Prejudice Variation (A Pemberley Romance Book 10) Page 9
