She might have given him no more thought, but when the ladies withdrew, Lady Bentham placed a gloved hand on her arm. "Miss Bennet, you would be wise to avoid encouraging Lord Charles. He can have no honorable intentions towards a woman of your station."
Elizabeth thought it was a pity that Mr. Darcy was not there. He would have enjoyed joining in the chorus reminding her of her low connections. "I believe I have already made it clear to Lord Charles that I am not interested in becoming his latest conquest."
"You would do well to trust in those who know him better. He does not give up easily when he wants something."
Her smile becoming forced, Elizabeth said, "I thank you for your concern and advice, Lady Bentham."
Her ladyship nodded a gracious acknowledgement before rejoining Eleanor.
Chapter 3
Bentham Park, June 6
My dear Aunt,
As you can see, I have arrived safely at Bentham. Apart from that, this visit has been quite unlike any other. So much has changed here! Almost all of the staff I knew are gone. The nursery wing has been completely redecorated so that it can now be used as guest bedrooms. More than anything else, the atmosphere is different - whereas I used to find it relaxing here, now it seems like someone is always watching to see if I make a mistake. My place has also changed. Instead of being immediately sent off to play with Eleanor as would have been the case years ago, I have been plunged into the maelstrom of life among the nobility. Rather than my old bedroom in the nursery wing, my new room is in the main part of the house.
Eleanor and I are expected to spend much of the day with her stepmother instead of off on our own, and we dine formally with her family at night. We steal a little time to ourselves in the early mornings and late at night, but I definitely prefer the old days!
I did solve the mystery of my invitation. Lord Bentham was the one to give Eleanor permission to invite her 'little friend', though he seemed rather surprised on my arrival to discover that I was no longer fourteen years old. Unfortunately, he did not discuss this plan with his wife, who was not pleased to discover that such a low connection would be appearing just before a long-planned house party. Sometimes it seems that the only thing she cares about is the family's status in the town! Still, she is apparently determined to make the best of my arrival by playing the role of Cinderella's fairy godmother. As a result, I have a closet full of Eleanor's less stylish gowns, a vanity covered with borrowed face paints and jewelry, and my own maid who oversees my transformation every morning. Lady Bentham's efforts to assure that I do not feel the part of the poor relation among the lofty guests may look like generosity on her part, but I suspect she is more motivated by a desire that I not prove an embarrassment to her. She even loaned me her own second-best diamond hairpins because, as she says, 'The details are the most important in making a good first impression. 'Naturally, I spend half my time searching out mirrors so that I may reassure myself that I have not lost her hairpins!
Her ladyship also condescended to have her secretary write out a list of all the guests at the house party for me, including the proper forms of address for each. Apparently she believes I was raised in a barn along with the horses and cattle, and that I learned nothing during the years I shared lessons with Eleanor! You will be pleased to hear that I thanked her very politely for her consideration, although Eleanor and I had a good laugh over it later. Knowing Lady Bentham, I was not surprised to discover that her invitation list had been carefully selected to include wealthy and powerful aristocrats with offspring who would be suitable company for 'the young people ' - namely Eleanor and her brother, Lord Charles - while she and Lord Bentham spend their time among their parents. Given that Lady Bentham is but three years older than Lord Charles, one must wonder a little at that!
I dislike admitting it, but I was grateful for my borrowed plumage when the guests began arriving yesterday, as their travelling clothes were superior to my best gown. First I was introduced to Sir Henry Matthew Dalgliesh Boyd from Jersey, who managed to inform me twice within five minutes of the heroic role he played when that island was invaded by the French in 1781. His fashionably dressed daughter, Miss Boyd, contrived to look faintly embarrassed but also proud of her father. Lady Mary Huggins, the daughter of the Earl and Countess of Alford, looks to be a few years older than I am, but has a warm smile for everyone. I do not yet have much sense of Miss Elliot, the daughter of a baronet, but Eleanor received her quite coolly.
Although I am playing the role of Cinderella, I do not see much promise for finding my prince among the single gentlemen. Sir Richard Newbury, on being introduced to me, raised his quizzing glass to his eye and took a leisurely and impudent survey of me. I had thought no one could be more rakish than Lord Charles, but Sir Richard may outdo him. Captain Bradley is a jocular, heavyset man in his mid-thirties who greeted me with the same respect he showed the other young ladies, although I suspect that may be because he cannot tell us apart. I did take a liking to the crusty Admiral Worthsley, but I doubt my parents would be pleased to discover I was being courted by a man old enough to be my grandfather!
I can see you frowning in impatience, dear aunt, because I have failed to answer the question foremost in your mind, though I find it difficult to believe anything is more pressing than diamond hairpins. Despite her frantic letter, Eleanor is perfectly well, but if I am playing Cinderella, her role is that of the tragic lover. She does not wish to many the foppish lordling that her father has chosen for her, preferring instead a gentleman who is unacceptable to the family because of his low connections. I am offering what consolation I can, although there is little anyone can do in the circumstances.
And now I must go, as Cinderella must be made ready for the ball, or at least the informal dancing to take place this evening. Since there will be no prince there for me, I promise you that I will take care not to lose either of my slippers - or my hairpins!
Yours &c.,
E. Bennet
Darcy did not anticipate finding any pleasure in spending an evening of dancing and cards at Bentham Park, but he tried to disguise his distaste from Paxton. On their arrival, they found the first set of dances had already started. Lady Bentham was leading the set, but Lord Bentham approached Darcy immediately. "Welcome! I am glad you could join us, Darcy. Come, Charles is in the card room and anxious to see you."
Darcy glanced at Paxton, who appeared to accept Lord Bentham's lack of notice without distress. His friend said, "Go ahead, Darcy. I will not intrude on a family reunion." No doubt he preferred to remain where he would be able to see Lady Eleanor.
Although he had little interest in seeing Charles, Darcy was content to go to the card room. He was in no mood for making the acquaintance of young ladies. They only reminded him of what he had lost in Elizabeth, and none of them could hold a candle to her liveliness of spirit and arch wit. But that was enough thoughts of Elizabeth - he would not allow her ghost to haunt his every moment. Firmly he put her from his mind.
"Darcy!" cried Lord Charles Carlisle. "What brings you to this godforsaken corner of the country? Never mind; you are just the man I need. Come join us and perhaps my luck will turn. God knows I deserve some good luck!"
Darcy tilted his head in acknowledgement and took a seat across from Lord Charles. Pulling out the handful of coins he had brought for this purpose, he spread them in front of him. "You may do your worst."
The next half hour passed tolerably enough. Darcy ignored most of the banter between the other three men until Lord Charles pushed his cards away. "That will have to do for now," he proclaimed. "I must attend to my latest flirt. After all, I have only a fortnight to make her fall in love with me; and the sooner that is accomplished, the sooner I will be enjoying her favors." He smirked at the other men's guffaws when he traced out with his hands the shape of a well-endowed female. "I have some very particular plans for that young lady."
Bradley looked up over his elaborately knotted cravat. "I say, Carlisle, she is a gentleman's dau
ghter, don't you know."
Lord Charles's smile widened. "When has that ever stopped me before? I need some amusement to alleviate the utter tedium of this house party. The Season cannot start soon enough for me."
Newbury drawled, "And I say you will not manage to seduce her. She does not seem the sort to fall prey to your blandishments."
"Too virtuous, don't you know," added Bradley helpfully.
Lord Charles tapped two fingers on the table. "Would you care to place a bet on that, gentlemen? I would be happy to take your money along with her virtue."
"One hundred guineas says you cannot enjoy her before the end of the house party," said Newbury without hesitation.
"Agreed." said Lord Charles. "Who else is in? Bradley? Darcy?"
Bradley looked up from counting his coins. "One hundred from me as well."
Darcy shook his head, trying not to let his distaste show. He knew of one girl of good family who had disappeared from the ton after Carlisle had set his sights on her, and another whose reputation was ruined. "I bet only on sporting events." he said evenly.
Lord Charles laughed. "There will be sport aplenty for me in this case! But I must not keep the young lady waiting. I bribed the musicians to make this set a waltz. Perhaps I can discover a few of her charms during it - after all. a man's hand might happen to slip from her waist, might it not?" He pushed back his chair.
The other two made to follow him. Darcy, with no desire to watch Carlisle take advantage of an innocent girl, went to observe the other game for a few minutes, but the table was full and none of the players showed an inclination to leave. As the strains of the waltz began to drift in from the next room, Darcy decided it should be safe to emerge from the card room now. Perhaps he could find Paxton and convince him to play a few hands of cards, unless he had managed to win the hand of his ladylove for the waltz.
Making his way into the parlor, Darcy scanned the room for Paxton while avoiding the eyes of the matchmaking mamas. Damnation - his friend was already waltzing, his expression dreamy. Darcy's lips tightened. He had no patience with lovers at the moment.
A light, rippling laugh reached his ears, making his blood run suddenly hot. He knew that laugh. It had haunted his dreams for months. Surely he must be mistaken. What would Elizabeth Bennet be doing among such elevated company?
His heart thudded painfully against his chest as he slowly turned his gaze in the direction of the laughter. For a moment he froze, his body gone rigid at the sight of her light, pleasing form moving gracefully in the turns of the waltz.
Elizabeth was here, in another man's arms, another man's hand splayed against her waist. Bile rose in Darcy's throat when he saw the object of her delighted laughter. She was gazing up into the admiring countenance of Lord Charles Carlisle.
"I had not expected the honor of waltzing with you tonight, my lord," said Elizabeth archly.
"I understood from Eleanor that the final dance was to be the waltz, so I believed I was safe in asking you for the third set," Lord Charles said, his voice pitched low. "I cannot be held responsible if the musicians change their plans, even if I am delighted by it. Obviously it was fate that we should waltz together."
She gave him a skeptical look. He had not seemed surprised when the music began. "Perhaps the musicians miraculously guessed at your desire, and did not wish to offend their employer's son."
He smiled, but made no denial. Instead, he said in a voice intended to be overheard, "I have waltzed with many women, but never with one who seemed to dance on air as you do. I would not have expected such accomplishment in one so young. You must have waltzed frequently."
"You flatter me," said Elizabeth dryly. "I am somehow certain you are aware that I have never danced it in public before tonight."
His look of feigned astonishment would have made an actor proud. "I do not believe it! You must have received the nod from the patronesses of Almack's long ago."
Elizabeth glared good-naturedly at him, aware that he had trapped her neatly, since she could not admit to having practiced it with him privately. She had no choice but to make the appropriate response. "I have not received their nod at all, since I have never been to Almack's, nor am I likely ever to go there. And as for dancing it elsewhere, the waltz is still considered too scandalous for the sort of country assembly I frequent."
He leaned his head closer to her than propriety allowed. "You will dance it at Almack's some day, and it will be in my arms," he breathed, too quietly for anyone else to hear, as the hand at her waist slipped slightly lower. Then, more loudly, he added, "You must have an excellent dancing master."
"He has a very high opinion of himself, so I feel certain he would agree with your estimation, my lord," she said tartly. "Tell me, Lord Charles, would the patronesses of Almack's approve of the position of your hand?"
He laughed, but his fingers ceased their subtle exploration and returned to rest lightly on her waist.
"The patronesses might not approve, but they would recognize that sooner or later every gentleman meets the temptation he cannot resist."
In vain have I struggled. It will not do... You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love vou. Those heartfelt words, so unlike Lord Charles's practiced flirtations, echoed in her ears. What a pity that they had come from the ill-tempered.
Mr. Darcy, while the affable Lord Charles did not mean a word he said! Still, it was enjoyable to flirt with him, as long as she did not allow too much impudence on his part. "I have no doubt that you are an expert at meeting temptation, my lord."
His hand tightened on her waist, pulling her closer to him until their bodies almost touched. "Not such a temptation as you, Miss Bennet."
Although the sensation was not unpleasant, Elizabeth chose to enjoy it only for a moment before pretending to stumble and stepping firmly on Lord Charles's toes. "Oh, how clumsy of me!" she said with an excess of sweetness. "Forgive me; I am not accustomed to dancing in such a crowded room." Since there were only four other couples dancing, he could hardly mistake her meaning.
He chuckled, the pressure of his hand easing. "You are even more tempting when you blush so prettily, Miss Bennet. Tell me, is it the crush around us or just the company that makes such lovely roses bloom in your cheeks?"
Oh, he was good! She lowered her eyelids, hoping to discourage further conversation so that she could enjoy what remained of her first waltz. "There are many things that can make me blush, sir, but it is not always for myself that I blush."
His laugh was teasingly intimate. "Ah, my dear Juliet, how you enchant me!"
She hoped he would cease his attentions at the end of the waltz, but Lord Charles remained at her elbow, murmuring provocative nothings in her ear, until she pleaded thirst and sent him to fetch her a lemonade. Once he left, she lost no time in attaching herself to Miss Elliot. She would have preferred Eleanor as her bodyguard, but her friend was absorbed in a tete-a-tete with her swain, and would not thank Elizabeth for interrupting.
Miss Elliot tapped Elizabeth's arm with her fan. "La, Miss Bennet, you are quite the belle of the ball! It is not every lady who is singled out for notice by the charming Lord Charles."
"He is charming, that cannot be denied," said Elizabeth. "He is also as impudent as he is amiable." Her companion tittered. "Of course he is! What else would you expect from a hardened rake? I hope you are wise enough to know that his attentions to ladies are always fleeting. Do not fall into the trap of hoping for a proposal from him!"
"I could hardly expect serious interest from his lordship's son," she said coolly. Did she really look like such a fool that everyone assumed she could not recognize him for what he was? She just might scream if one more person warned her against Lord Charles. She pretended to watch the reel being danced at the other end of the room.
"If any woman is to win Lord Charles, it will be through entrapment," Miss Elliot said. "I would not advise trying that, however, unless you are in a position to embarrass him in front of the ton. If he we
re found in a compromising position with a lady lacking powerful connections, he would simply laugh and walk away. He has done it before."
"How fortunate, then, that I have no plans to entrap him! You would no doubt be in a much better position than I to make the requisite protest. Perhaps you should try it," Elizabeth said with a false sweetness.
"Do not laugh, Miss Bennet; if Lord Charles should end up as his father's heir, as appears likely, there are many women who would be willing to take that risk for the chance to be a marchioness."
Elizabeth decided that Eleanor would just have to tolerate the interruption. "I will wish all of them the very best of luck. If you will be so kind as to excuse me, I think Lady Eleanor wants me."
Eleanor caught her arm as she approached. "Lizzy, may I have the honor of introducing you to Mr. Paxton? He is our nearest neighbor, although we do not often have the pleasure of his company. It is a delightful surprise that he has joined us tonight. Mr. Paxton, this is my dear friend, Miss Bennet."
Mr. Paxton bent over her hand, giving her a sly wink as he straightened. "Lady Eleanor, I had not realized your friend was the lovely lady I have been admiring from afar tonight. It is a very great pleasure, Miss Bennet."
"The honor is mine, Mr. Paxton." Elizabeth glanced at Eleanor, concerned about how she might feel on seeing her beloved flirting with another woman, but she seemed supremely untroubled, going so far as to cede her chair beside Mr. Paxton to Elizabeth and taking a seat on her other side.
"Lady Eleanor tells me you are visiting from Hampshire," he said. "I hope you are enjoying your visit to Yorkshire.
Mr. Darcy's Noble Connections: A Pride & Prejudice Variation Page 4
