by Leenie Brown
“Mrs. Salter is from Hertfordshire, or she was. Her family has since moved to smaller accommodations.” Mrs. Bennet looked around her and lowered her voice. “They had to cut expenses, you see. Her father liked to gamble, and he was a very poor player.” She raised her eyebrows and gave her daughters a look that spoke of how absolutely dreadful such a thing was.
“But if Mrs. Salter was from Hertfordshire, how did you not meet her until you were at school?” Jane asked what Elizabeth was also thinking.
“Oh, I did not say I met her there,” Mrs. Bennet said with a laugh.
“Did you not?” Elizabeth queried. Had her mother not answered the question of how she knew Mrs. Salter with the information that she had gone to school?
“No, I simply was beginning my tale. I knew Mrs. Salter for years. She was always a jackanapes.” Here she paused to shake her head and cluck. “Always thinking so highly of herself. Oh, my, the airs she put on.”
“So, you were not friends?” Jane asked.
“Goodness! Never! I was polite to her because my father needed me to be welcoming to all. His business was only profitable if he was sought after, and one will not seek out a solicitor whose daughters are rude.”
“I see,” Elizabeth muttered, again being struck by how she had never truly considered what her mother’s life might have been like as a young girl.
“Well,” Mrs. Bennet continued, “when Mrs. Salter – Miss Foster then – turned sixteen, she took a liking for the young gentleman at Longbourn.” She sighed. “He was a handsome fellow, and he still is.” She winked at Elizabeth. “A little older but no less handsome.”
Elizabeth could not help but smile at her mother’s comments and be reminded of how her father had spoken so lovingly of her mother earlier that day. There was no doubting what she and her sisters had always known – despite their differences, eccentricities, teasing, and nagging, their parents loved each other.
“Miss Foster, who is a year older than I, was at the same school I attended, and she attempted to outdo me in most things, which in some areas was not so great a task. I shall never be an accomplished musician, for instance. But there were areas where, try as she might, she could not earn the praise I did, and to make matters worse, the young man she wished to have call on her, showed a preference for me.”
That part, Elizabeth had guessed from the conversation between Mama and Mrs. Salter.
“Oh, this shop is delightful!” Mrs. Bennet cried. She followed behind Lydia and exclaimed over this ribbon or that lace. “And the caps!”
“Will you get one, Mama?” Kitty asked. “That one right there with the rosette. Would not that look divine on you?”
“To be sure!”
Elizabeth knew that the cap was purchased even before her mother asked the shop assistant to wrap it up.
“You should buy some lace, Lizzy,” said Mrs. Bennet. “You see Jane is already looking at a fine lot of it there. You may need it if you ever decide to accept Mr. Darcy. I do not know what keeps you from bringing him up to scratch. He is the finest gentleman I have ever met. Well, aside from Mr. Bingley, of course. And your father. And Colonel Fitzwilliam – he is such a nice gentleman, is he not? And a colonel, too.” Her brow furrowed. “Sir Matthew is lovely as well from what I could tell. I am not certain why he would wish to marry Miss Bingley, but then I am not well-acquainted with how they get on.”
“You did not like Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth reminded her mother.
“With good reason! He was rude. One of my daughters, not handsome enough? I knew it could not be true. Anyone with eyes can see that my daughters are amongst the fairest in the kingdom.” She pulled out a bit of lace and held it up for Elizabeth. “This will be perfect.” Then she turned to the shop attendant and had it wrapped up without waiting for Elizabeth to agree or disagree.
“Mr. Darcy is very clever, though. He soon realized his error.”
“Yes, he finds Lizzy more than handsome now,” Jane teased with a smile, causing Elizabeth to blush. However, she did not refute the statement, for she knew it was true.
“Well, now, if Lydia would just select what she needs,” Mrs. Bennet flitted off to give her assistance to her youngest.
A short argument about the correct shade of red as well as the width that would be best broke out as was often the case when Lydia and their mother clashed over something. However, it ended as it always did — and in short order — with Mrs. Bennet purchasing both items and telling Lydia how she would see that her mother was right when they returned home.
“They are very alike, are they not?” Elizabeth asked Jane, who nodded her agreement.
“Ah!” Mrs. Bennet’s sigh as they stepped out of the shop was one of relief. “We can now go home having had a most successful outing,” she declared.
And they did.
Chapter 19
Darcy stretched and rose from his chair. He had slipped back into his study after tea and before dinner to complete some instructions that he wished to send off to his solicitor just as soon as he had secured Elizabeth’s acceptance of his offer… he smiled… which he would make either this evening should he find the correct moment or tomorrow when he would ask her to take a drive with him in the park.
Her father had already given Darcy permission to make his offer. They had discussed many particulars about marriage settlements and the like while playing a game of chess when the ladies had been out shopping. Mr. Bennet was turning out to be a gentleman who Darcy not only liked but could also admire. The man was sharp and an excessively good chess player. Darcy had yet to win a game.
“I do not know how you will ever choose.” Bingley’s tone was teasing as he entered Darcy’s study behind Richard.
“I shall just see which one she seems to favour, and if I wish for the discussion to stop, I will pick that one. However, if I fancy a bit of a row, I shall then pick the other.”
“With whom are you considering starting an argument?” Darcy asked.
“Miss Lydia,” Bingley replied. “Apparently, she has decided to wear her muslin to dinner instead of waiting until tomorrow, even if it is more of a day dress than a dinner dress. She just will not be able to sleep if she does not know which red ribbon the colonel prefers. He is the expert in all things red, you see.”
Darcy chuckled. “Is he? I did not know.”
“It’s on account of his uniform,” Bingley added. Then, he sat primly on the edge of his seat, clasped his hands on his knees, and batted his lashes as he said, “It’s red, you know.”
Richard cuffed Bingley on the shoulder. “It is red,” he defended. “Miss Lydia is just enamoured with all things uniform. It is not so strange a thing.” He smiled as he slipped into his normal seat before the hearth. “And I do cut a fine figure, so you really cannot blame a young woman for being duly impressed.”
Bingley dissolved into laughter.
“I must have missed an important discussion,” Darcy said with a laugh as he leaned against his desk.
“Oh, it was entertaining,” Richard agreed. “Miss Lydia and Mrs. Bennet hold differing opinions on which of the red ribbons they purchased today will look best with Miss Lydia’s muslin. You know, the one she mentioned this morning?”
“I do remember that conversation.”
“Miss Kitty is certain Miss Lydia is correct while Miss Mary thinks that a ribbon is a ribbon, and it is foolish to be arguing over something so trivial.” Bingley tipped his head and waggled his eyebrows as he smirked.
“And that did not sit well with either Miss Lydia or Miss Kitty, I suppose,” Darcy said.
“Oh, most certainly not!” said Richard. “They were still discussing the issue when they went up to dress for dinner.” He sighed. “We are assured of at least thirty minutes of silence on the topic of ribbons.”
Darcy tipped his head and studied his cousin. Richard did not look as put out with the topic of ribbons as his voice seemed to convey. “You could avoid all of this if you returned to Matlock House.”<
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Richard shook his head. “I have to return to my men the day after tomorrow. There are drills scheduled.” He reclined in his chair and crossed his ankles. “We may be shipped off soon.”
“To the continent?” Darcy asked in surprise. Richard had said nothing of his unit being called up.
“Nothing is certain just yet, but the whispers I heard today were that it could happen.” He shrugged. “There is also more talk of unrest at the mills, and Father expects it to get worse before it gets better. So, I could be sent in that direction as well – which is what Mother prefers.” He smiled wryly. “She has made her preference known to Father, of course.”
“You do not know?”
Richard shook his head in response to his cousin’s inquiry. “Not at present.” He drew in a deep breath and blew it out slowly through his nose. “You’ll have to see to the betterment of Miss Lydia without me.”
“I shall do my best,” Darcy assured him. “And Bingley can help me once we return to Netherfield.”
“I will stand at your side and say yay and nay as instructed,” said Bingley. “But I fear I am not the best at directing young ladies. You have met my youngest sister, have you not?”
All three of them chuckled at the thought. Caroline Bingley followed her own path without anyone diverting her from her desired purpose. Well, Darcy amended, that is she had always proceeded in such a fashion until recently.
“Perhaps we should have Sir Matthew join our efforts,” Darcy suggested.
Bingley shook his head. “He is busy enough directing my sister. I should not like to tax him with anything else after he has so graciously taken her off my hands.” He shook his head again but this time with an air of bewilderment. “Have I told you that Hurst claims she seems happy?”
“So soon?” asked Richard. “The man works quickly.”
“It seems he does,” said Bingley as he nodded his head. “She has been humming as she works on her stitching, and Hurst has seen her smiling for no reason and looking out the window for moments at a time.”
“You must be pleased,” said Darcy. He knew that his friend had always hoped that both of his sisters would be happily matched.
“I am.”
The room fell into silence for a few moments.
“I spoke to Father about the possibility of resigning my commission.”
Darcy’s brows rose. Richard had always claimed he would be a military man until he died. He even scoffed at men who had retired from their positions earlier than age and mobility required.
“Might I inquire about why you are considering such a thing?” Darcy asked.
Richard shrugged and again expelled a great breath through his nose. “You may as well. Father did.”
“And?” Darcy prodded.
“Georgiana will be out next year. You will be married, and who knows if you will be able to see to her as you ought.”
“I am certain I shall be able to care for both her and my wife.”
“There is no need to be affronted,” Richard said with a smile. “What if your wife is pregnant with your heir? It is possible.”
Darcy rubbed the back of his neck. He had not thought about that scenario. The left side of his lips tipped up in a half smile. It was not that he had not thought about his wife being pregnant. No, he had considered that aspect of marrying. He had just never considered that it might interfere with Georgiana’s season.
“Your mother could see to her,” Darcy argued.
“Mother?” Richard shook his head. “She would have her married off within a fortnight.”
Darcy laughed. “She would not. But I do understand your meaning. She does like to make matches.”
“Which is why I should be on home soil to stand next to Georgiana when needed.”
“There is no other reason?” Darcy asked.
“None,” Richard said.
However, Darcy noted that his cousin’s eyes did not lift from their study of the tips of the boots on his outstretched feet and there was a slight reddening of Richard’s ears. Both were signs that Richard was not being straightforward.
“You’ll likely need help with one or another of the Bennet sisters as well,” Richard added.
Ah, now to Darcy, that sounded as if they were getting closer to the heart of the matter.
“Their mother will wish for them to be presented at some point, and it will not do for them to cause a stir. Your wife and Mrs. Bingley will be in the process of adjusting to their new environment. I would not wish for either of them to be censured for one of their sisters.”
“That would be unfortunate,” Darcy agreed. It was not completely unlikely that such an event could happen, but he highly doubted that it was the reason Richard truly wished to help with the younger Bennet’s presentation to London society.
“And they will be relations of Georgiana’s, so we must consider the impact of such a thing on her as well.”
And they were very neatly and safely back to Georgiana. Darcy smiled. “I do hope your father discovers a way for you to keep your uniform and still be able to squire around Georgiana and the Miss Bennets, for I am certain at least one of the Miss Bennets would be more inclined to listen to you when you are in uniform than if you were not.”
Bingley laughed. “Indeed. Her red ribbon would be for naught if there were not a uniform at her side to compliment it.”
“The ribbon is to match her dress,” Richard argued. “She did not buy it to match my uniform.”
“If you say so,” said Bingley rising from his chair. “Shall we return to the drawing room to await the ladies and our dinner?”
Darcy motioned toward the door.
“She did not buy it for me,” Richard said once again.
“No?” Bingley replied. “Then why does she require your opinion and not mine?”
“Because I have better taste,” said Richard.
Darcy shook his head and followed his cousin and friend from the room. He would have to take note of how Miss Lydia and Richard interacted tonight if he could keep his eyes off Elizabeth long enough to do so.
Chapter 20
In the drawing room, tables were being arranged for a game of cards. Lydia was directing the proceeding, but only with the approval of the colonel. Had Richard not picked Lydia’s choice of ribbon, his consent might not be so eagerly sought after now. However, he had chosen Lydia’s ribbon, and now found himself deferred to on most things since he obviously had exquisitely good taste. Darcy chuckled and ducked into the hallway, having seen Elizabeth leave just a moment earlier.
“Are you on your way to see your father?” Darcy asked, bounding up the stairs two at a time and leaving Bingley and Richard to tend to the ladies in the drawing room without him. He had something more important to do than to play cards, and that something involved the lady who was slipping away from her sisters and was alone on the stairs.
Elizabeth halted her ascent and waited for him to join her. “I am. I only wished to see if he needed anything. We have been gone from him so much today. I cannot imagine how excessively tiring it must be to lie in one’s bed and look at the same ceiling and walls for days.”
“I would think it is rather boring.” Darcy offered her his arm. “Are you planning to return to the drawing room after you have seen him.”
Elizabeth sighed. “I am not certain I wish to hear my sisters argue over yet another thing.” She smiled sheepishly. “You appear to be weathering their visit far better than I.”
“I do not know them so well as you. If I did, perhaps I would find the end of my patience more quickly, but as it is, my store of vexation is rather empty compared with yours.” The comment elicited a light, musical laugh of pleasure from Elizabeth. “I was hoping we could find a moment this evening to continue our discussion from earlier today.”
“About shopping?”
Her question was said softly, but she did not turn away from his gaze as they stood at the top of the staircase. The welcome he saw in those lovely
eyes buoyed his heart even further than her visit to his study had earlier today.
“I believe it was more than shopping we were to discuss.” Much more. Infinitely more important than shopping. His future happiness was to be determined with this discussion.
She looked to her right and then her left. “There is no one in the hall. We could walk and talk, could we not?”
“We managed it at the Johnson’s ball,” he replied with a nod of his head toward his right before he started walking that direction with her on his arm.
“Indeed, we did – for a time.”
He glanced at her. An impertinent smile graced her face just as the tone of her voice had indicated it did. He knew to what she was referring. At the Johnson’s ball, they had only walked to the end of the hall, but that walk and the several minutes they spent standing at the far end of that hallway had been most pleasurable.
“This hall has an end just as the one at the ball,” he replied with a smile of his own.
“Oh, so it does!”
Darcy chuckled. He did enjoy her teasing nature. It was so light and urged him to leave behind the heaviness of his more naturally austere temperament. She balanced him in that way, which was likely why he felt so steady in her presence. It was not that he was a wavering sort of fellow — he most certainly was not — but he did often feel awkward and ill-at-ease. But not here. Not with her. Not any longer.
“Did you see any shops we should visit?” he began.
She nodded. “I did. There are several that simply intrigue me too much never to explore them — not that I wish to purchase anything in them,” she added hurriedly.
