Page 65 of His Pride and His Prejudice

To coming home.

“Mr. Bennet.”

Elliot was as fine as Darcy remembered. His form as trim and muscular. His face as handsome and beguiling as ever. And yet…he was more reserved than Darcy recalled as he gave a smart bow and took his seat next to Mrs. Jenkinson again.

“Mr. Darcy.”

“You are already acquainted?” Lady Catherine demanded, her tone conveying an element of vexation if that should be the case.

“We met in Hertfordshire,” Darcy replied to his aunt. “When I was staying with Bingley.”

“Bingley! The rascal!” Lady Catherine declared. “Has that young man managed to find a mate yet? Never have I witnessed an alpha so dearly in need of one!”

“He has not,” Darcy replied and as he did so he alone noticed the slight shift of emotions on Elliot’s face. Of course, Darcy knew the reason for that, and he felt uneasy for a moment as he considered it. Jack Bennet was well enough though. Darcy knew this because he had inquired after him when in London and in such a way that he remained unaware.

Lady Catherine made a few more inquiries of both her nephews before leading them into dinner. The formal dining room was exceedingly handsome as to be expected, and there were all the servants and all the articles of plate that such a dinner should involve. Lady Catherine was quite particular about where she expected her guests to sit, and her nephews were no exceptions. Darcy took his seat next to Charlie Collins and directly opposite from Elliot. He could not have asked for a better spot.

The same could also be said of Mr. Collins. He took his seat at the bottom of the table, by her ladyship’s desire, and looked as if he felt that life could furnish nothing greater. He carved, and ate, and praised with delighted enthusiasm and every dish was commended, first by him and then by Sir William.

Lady Catherine was gratified by their excessive admiration, and gave many gracious smiles, especially when any dish on the table proved a novelty to them. Darcy knew she was enjoying herself immensely for she took much pleasure in leading on any event and monopolising the conversation where she could.

She did so without any intermission until the dessert course, delivering her opinion on every subject under discussion in so decisive a manner that it was clear she was not used to having her judgement challenged. She inquired into Charlie’s domestic concerns, gave him a great deal of advice as to the management of them all, right down to the care of his cows and his poultry—a subject that Darcy knew Charlie was very familiar on and considered an expert in Hertfordshire! Still, Darcy was used to her manner and was fully aware that there was nothing beneath his aunt’s attention which could supply her with an occasion of dictating to others. And so, Darcy took the opportunity to study Elliot instead.

The omega took great delight in the various courses he was given, tasting them all, and finishing many. He had managed to invite Miss de Bourgh into a conversation, and they conferred over some of the dishes, their soft voices not intruding on Lady Catherine’s continued advice on how best to slaughter a hen. The young lady even smiled, which Darcy rarely saw her do in company. But then Elliot had that knack of making people feel like they should smile, that they wanted to.

After finishing the subject of agriculture, Lady Catherine turned her attention to Elliot.

“How many brothers do you have?” she demanded.

Miss de Bourgh stopped smiling.

“There are five of us, Lady Catherine,” Elliot said.

“Five! And not a single daughter? Shocking.”

“Indeed.”

Lady Catherine narrowed her eyes and asked whether they were older or younger than Elliot, whether any of them were likely to be married, whether they were handsome, where they had been educated, what carriage his father kept, and what had been his mother’s maiden name? Elliot smiled as he answered all her questions with the briefest of replies.

“Your father’s estate is entailed on Mr. Collins, I think. For your sake,” she said turning to Charlie, “I am glad of it but otherwise I see no occasion for entailing estates only to the alpha line. It was not thought necessary in Sir Lewis de Bourgh’s family and my Anne will inherit all! Do you play and sing, Mr. Bennet?”

“A little.”

“Then we shall be happy to hear you. Our instrument is a capital one, probably superior to any you have previously used.”

“I am sure it is.”

“Do your brothers play and sing?”

“One of them does, Marc, he is quite competent and has improved greatly in recent months.”

“Why did not you all learn?” Lady Catherine demanded. “You ought all to have learned. The Miss Webbs all play and their father has not so good an income as yours. Do you draw?”

Darcy doubted that Elliot even knew who the Miss Webbs were, but he continued answering Lady Catherine’s questions, smiling now and then encouragingly at Miss de Bourgh.

“Louis does though he has very little patience for it.”

“Just one brother?”

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