Page 50 of His Pride and His Prejudice

“He does.”

“And your residence is further north?”

He did not ask it outright, but Darcy knew that Mr. Bennet was trying to ascertain how soon Darcy was to return to that residence. It was a delicate dance, as Darcy outranked the older man but the difference in their ages meant that Darcy must also be respectful.

“Pemberley is my home, yes,” was all Darcy said.

“Pemberley is some distance from Netherfield. Perhaps one would not appreciate the distance at first but certainly one would once the journey had begun.” Mr. Bennet reached for another volume. He seemed to settle on it and soon took a plush armchair by the fire. “Not all participants in a journey may understand that,” he continued. “A reminder is sometimes necessary.”

“And welcome I am sure,” Darcy said.

He waited for just a moment before giving a small bow and taking his leave. Whether he liked it or not, Mr. Bennet’s reminder stayed with Darcy as he made his way back into the ballroom, and just in time to see Elliot dancing with a red-coated officer, and Jack not far behind. From that moment on it seemed that none of the Bennets were without eager partners.

Mrs. Bennet watched it all with a satisfied smile.

Mr. Bennet did not re-emerge from the library.

Darcy gritted his teeth throughout and was immensely grateful when the master of the ball ushered them all outside. Caroline Bingley had arranged a supper on Netherfield’s front lawns. Tables were spread about, lighted by hundreds of candles, and servants had been instructed to bring out dish after dish to be enjoyed by the guests. There was lots of excited chattering and exclamations of pleasure and surprise, which Caroline accepted with good grace.

The Bennets took part in that…all except Louis Bennet.

He had not taken his seat at the Bennets and Lucases’ table and had instead disappeared into the shadowed walk. There was only one reason for anyone to be disappearing in such a dubious fashion during dinner and given a red-coated officer had set off in the same direction just five minutes earlier, Darcy suspected he knew what it was.

Sat very nearby with Bingley and his sisters, Darcy watched the rest of the Bennets most carefully and soon realised that only Elliot and Marc had realised what was afoot. They turned to the second youngest brother, Christian, talking with him quickly until the other man flushed and responded in a cross manner. A moment later and they quickly excused themselves. Mrs. Bennet barely noticed. She was busy chattering to the Lucases, Jack firmly by her side being monopolised by Mr. Collins. And Mr. Bennet had not joined the supper tables at all. Darcy wondered if he had yet found anything interesting in Netherfield’s library but suspected that he was destined for disappointment.

Darcy was tempted for just a moment to go after the Bennet brothers and offer support, but he was also aware that it might draw attention to what was happening, and that would not do, given that it seemed no one else had yet witnessed Louis’ appalling lapse in judgement. The Bennets did not need a scandal, not when they had been seated so close to the Bingleys, which was almost a declaration in on itself.

The wait until the three Bennet boys eventually emerged was not a pleasant one for Darcy, and he found himself fidgeting in his seat which was not at all like him. Caroline Bingley noticed and arched a perfectly manicured brow. Darcy only just contained himself from scowling at her. When the three Bennets finally made their way back to their table they did so not from the shadowed walk, but from the ballroom, and Darcy realised that Elliot had likely pulled Louis into the main house to clean him up and receive a dressing down.

As well he should!

His behaviour was in completely poor taste and was another firm strike against the suitability of the Bennets! Oh, Darcy was no fool, and he had been a very young man himself once. Trysts happened, and often, but not in full view of polite society!

Charles had not noticed what had happened but even so, Darcy knew he would have to tell him about this. What if someone else had observed Louis’ behaviour and felt compelled to inform the Bingleys? Charles could not be allowed to discover it some other way.

And, as Darcy considered this, watching carefully as Elliot pushed Louis into his chair, he began to realise that there was no avoiding a discussion about Jack Bennet’s suitability or what Darcy was rapidly beginning to suspect was Jack’s indifference. Because there he was again, sat at their dining table, smiling that same damnable smile!

Darcy’s own complex feelings on Elliot were put aside as he considered the situation. They must not be allowed to influence him. The dance had done exactly what Darcy had hoped it would—clarified his feelings.

He knew what he must do next.

But first, his friend.

Twenty-Four

“Where have you been, Louis?” Mrs. Bennet asked once she noticed that three of her sons were back at their table, helping themselves at last to some of the dishes that the servants were beginning to remove.

“Exactly where he should not have been, mama, and where he would not have been had you or papa paid closer attention,” Elliot whispered.

Mrs. Bennet ignored those words in favour of giving Louis a narrow-eyed look. “Your cravat is askew.”

“Yes, mama.”

Elliot drew in a deep breath. “But?—”

“We will speak on this tomorrow, Elliot. All must be well for now,” she said, and patted Jack’s hand, who for some reason, was crammed between her and Sir William. He looked like he was over-heating slightly, as Sir William Lucas was not a small man, Mrs. Bennet not a small woman either, and the night air was heavy and humid.

“But—”

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