An excited yip from the corner made him groan. “Not that kind of ball, Archie, the dancing kind!” Bingley spoke as though the dog understood.
“You said it again!” Georgiana giggled, delighted.
Twisting in a circle of victory, Archie dashed out of the room.
“I did that,” Bingley bemoaned. “I might as well fetch his ball. The little fellow quite has his hopes up and is likely scratching at the drawer of my desk as we speak.” He drained the last of his coffee, grimaced, and rose from his chair when Archie returned with the ball in his mouth. He crossed the room to where Bingley stood and dropped the ball at his feet.
Jaw open in awe, Bingley took his dog’s offering. “I distinctly remember closing the drawer. How did you get inside?”
Archie did not reply but spun in another excited circle as though to say,Let us go already!
Bingley shook his head and sighed. Turning to Darcy and Georgiana, he bowed. “Enjoy your ride. Might I suggest the view from the east side of the property? It will look particularly lovely with the sunrise.”
Georgiana glanced questioningly at Darcy. In one look, he understood her. After months of befuddlement where his sister was concerned, it was a heady sensation to comprehend her with such ease. Appeasing her with an indulgent smile, Darcy addressed Bingley. “Nonsense. We shall all enjoy a leisurely walk in your company. Between the three of us, Archie will not lack attendants to throw his ball.”
Darcy would use his time to plan another attempt to escape to London. Only this time, his plan would have to succeed!
CHAPTER 7
Watching Georgiana toss the ball for Archie to chase, hearing her laughter, seeing her skip and twirl, Darcy experienced a contentment he had not felt in a long time. Richard was still an interfering dunderhead, but Darcy acknowledged that the countryside had a pleasant effect on his sister. On him, too, at that moment. Granted, he could not relax too long or risk becoming complacent. However, while he was stuck here, he might as well find some enjoyment in the place.
Bingley clasped his hands behind his back and tucked his chin down to his chest. “I say, Darcy, I had hoped to have a private word with you. I owe you an apology. Had I known you would join us at Netherfield Park so quickly, I would not have agreed to attend so many social engagements. They were accepted before you and Miss Darcy arrived, or neither Caroline nor Iwould have put your sister in such an awkward position.”
Since Georgiana had not yet made her presentation into society, she was unable to receive guests or make calls along with their hosts. Darcy had been aware of this, and it had been one of his arguments to Richard against accepting Bingley’s invitation.
“Richard and I discussed the matter with Georgiana before our departure?—”
“Ah, the colonel! Forgive my interjection, but I had hoped he might join our little party. He knows that my invitation includes him, does he not?”
Darcy had to smile. Richard certainly knew he was included in Bingley’s frequent invitations. “He is aware,” he reassured his friend. His gaze returned to Georgiana, who was attempting to convince an unwilling dog to surrender his newly regained ball. “My sister prefers to make her coming out quietly in the country. Under the circumstances, Richard and I agree it is for the best. Therefore, she is free to make calls and attend certain entertainments with her companion.”
Georgiana had been relieved, admitting that the prospect of presenting herself before the royal family and aristocrats in London was enough to make her ill. She had hoped she might make her entrance into society quietly from Pemberley. As that was not an option, she was pleased to do so from Netherfield Park.
As the two gentlemen looked on with indulgent smiles, Georgiana finally pried the ball away fromArchie and tossed it some distance, delighting the impatient dog.
Bingley heaved a sigh. “I am relieved. As your friend, though, I must warn you that my sisters are bound to see this as encouragement.” There were many ladies such as Bingley’s sisters who saw what they wished to see. Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst would presume that Georgiana’s quiet coming out while in their company was a display of trust—yet another rational argument against accepting Bingley’s invitation that Darcy had presented to his bull-headed cousin.
He tried not to cast his agitation toward Richard onto his unsuspecting friend, who did not deserve his acrimony. “Miss Bingley’s role as your hostess is sufficient for her without taking on the responsibility of a companion to my sister. Mrs. Annesley has proved to be a trustworthy chaperone. She needs no replacement.” No sooner had the words left his mouth than Darcy wished his words sounded less petulant. In a milder tone, he added, “I appreciate your warning.”
Bingley shook his head and chuckled. “I almost wish Caroline could hear how easily you relegate her dream of becoming your bride to that of a rejected companion.” He continued in a more serious tone, “I am disappointed she invited Miss Bennet to dine at Netherfield when she knew I had accepted Colonel Forster’s invitation in Meryton. I fear I shall not be the best company for the officers when I am wishing allthe time to be at my own table. If only Caroline had consulted with me first!”
“Why do you suppose she did not?” Darcy looked askance at his friend, hoping Bingley understood the deviousness of his sister’s behavior.
“I am certain it was merely an oversight. Caroline says nothing but favorable remarks about Miss Bennet, and I can hardly blame her for seeking out the lady’s company. I only wish I might have been included…”
The apparent kindness Miss Bingley showed toward this Miss Bennet was unlikely to be anything less than some self-serving scheme. If Miss Bennet were a friend of confidence, Darcy would warn her to be wary.
“Archie!” Georgiana called, and she turned around to face them. “He has not returned with his ball. I did not think I had thrown it that far.”
Bingley whistled, making an ear-splitting, piercing sound. “Fear not, Miss Darcy. Perhaps the ball rolled down the other side of this hill into the pond, and he is attempting to retrieve it without getting wet.”
They redirected their path toward said pond, following the echo of Archie’s barks. “He does not like water?” Georgiana tilted her head in surprise.
“He would much rather dig in the dirt. The gardener was rather cross when he found Archie excavating near one of his prized rose bushes. I cannot allow him out of doors unaccompanied, or I shall find myself in need of a new gardener!”
Georgiana smiled. “One must not displease the gardener!”
“Precisely! I am hopeless with pruning shears!”
