“Oh, come, Darcy, you must not be such a stick! I have already informed some of my neighbours that I am expecting a friend, and you would not stay away when word is had that you have arrived. They will feel slighted, and justly so. I say, did you mention in your letter that you had other business in the area? I’d no notion that you had any connections whatsoever in Hertfordshire.”
“It is nothing of import. I had simply wished to encounter a friend who hails from the area, and I am to understand has returned here.”
“Oh, well certainly he will be at the assembly. Even the tradesmen from Meryton come, I understand. I had met one rather amiable fellow, an attorney I believe he was, and he assured me that the company at the local Assembly is made up of everyone who is anyone in the area. You simply must go!”
Caroline emitted a dismal groan. “Charles! You did not tell me that tradesmen will be at the Assembly!”
“And what shall we call ourselves, Caroline? Children of a tradesman?”
“I will thank you not to use such a term again.” She turned to Darcy with a long-suffering gesture of exasperation. “He simplywillnot see what you and I must both understand. Pray, Mr Darcy, enlighten my dear brother regarding the need for keeping proper company!”
Darcy narrowed his eyes. “I have found the company of tradesmen and their families more agreeable than some of the Gentry of my acquaintance, Miss Bingley.”
She touched her décolletage, her lashes fluttering and her looks doubtful. Clearly, she could not discern whether he meant it as a compliment or an indictment and sought to find pleasure in his words where she could.
Bingley chanced to have dismissed the entire exchange and thought only of settling his guest in comforts. “I say, Darcy, the road is dusty at this time of year, and your throat must be dry. Shall I send for something from the cellars? I had a very fine brandy sent down last week. I believe even you could not object.”
“Brandy?” Darcy’s brow pinched. “Thank you, but no. I do not think I wish for another brandy for some while. The last I had unsettled me rather badly.”
“Then you must sample my French wine, and I even have some Scotch. Both smuggled, of course, which can only improve their flavour. There is something about partaking of the forbidden, is there not?”
“I cannot deny that. However,” he shook his head, “tea will suit me well enough. I think I must keep my wits about me.”
Caroline Bingley was always a gracious and flattering hostess, or at least she was when he was present. She offered every civility and saw matters settled very prettily, but Darcy could hardly exert himself to take note of her overt attentions. His mind conjuredimages only of another, one who would have spokenwithhim rather thanathim, and he proved a rather absentminded guest.
After some while, he recognised his own dullness and challenged Bingley to billiards. There, Miss Bingley would not follow, and he might have a private word or two with his friend. It was his turn to set the balls, and when he had done, he lowered his cue and slowly studied the table.
“What is this about some friend in the area?” Bingley asked. “Is it someone you know from school? Perhaps I might know him as well.”
“No,” Darcy answered shortly and took his shot. He missed and stood back for Bingley.
“A business contact? I understand there are some very respectable shops in town.”
“No, nothing like that.” Then, desiring to change the subject, he asked, “What of the area? Have you ridden far yet? How was the shooting?”
“Capital! Netherfield itself boasts some very fine coveys, but there is another estate not far from here called Longbourn. I have not met the master, but I have been given to understand that they have the best shooting in the area. I am quite looking forward to making his acquaintance, but he has not yet called. I heard some things whispered about town hinting that the family are keeping to themselves of late. Indeed, I wish I knew why, for they are among my nearest neighbours. I cannot simply call on the man unless he should first visit me.”
“You had better leave it, then. If the man does not desire to make himself agreeable, you shall not befriend him by presuming the liberty of introducing yourself.”
“I see how it is. You think the man to be like yourself, one who would be offended by informality?”
“You think me so readily affronted that I would be put off by a visiting neighbour?”
“It suits with your history to at least receive such a visitor less warmly.”
Darcy frowned and was slow in settling into his turn at the table. “If such has been my reputation, I shall take measures toward a remedy. However, I would have done my duty in the first and welcomed a new neighbour before he found it necessary to intrude upon my notice. This master of Longbourn must be an uncivil sort.”
“Well, perhaps he is, but then I had heard something of his eccentricities before. I believe he simply enjoys being contrary and is just as likely to turn up when he is least expected. I have met many others, however. I tell you, Darcy, everyone else has been positively welcoming.”
“I daresay they have. Most probably have daughters to settle somewhere or another.”
“Darcy, you are in a fine way this evening! But, naturally, there have been a few fathers and uncles who were full of praise for their young ladies. Why, I met the most agreeable fellow, Sir William Lucas was his name, with two daughters. And there was that attorney I mentioned in town who claimed some dashed fine nieces—four of them, as if one were not sufficient to invoke pride!”
“An attorney in Meryton with four unmarried nieces?” Darcy’s brow furrowed, and he made another shot. Could it beherfamily? But they were five daughters, not four… unless one was not accounted for because she was betrothed elsewhere. “What was the fellow’s name?”
“Philips.”
Darcy’s cue shot to the side of the ball, and he straightened to find Bingley regarding him curiously. He cleared his throat and nonchalantly tended to his cue, as if the blame for his missed shot could be assigned to the equipment.
