“Of course, there is still a connection,” Miss Lucas was tilting her head in puzzlement. “He is her cousin, after all, and heir to Longbourn estate.”
“I do not see why it should signify what he is to inherit. He ought not to have claim upon her hand if she does not wish to bestow it.”
Miss Lucas stared. “It signifies because when Mr Bennet dies, the family shall be turned out of Longbourn and Mr Collins shall claim his inheritance.”
“Mr… Mr Bennet… he is the master of Longbourn…” Darcy could scarcely breathe well enough to form the words. Her father owned an estate rather than some shop? She… she was a gentlewoman? A modest one, but… but…but!
“But she is not betrothed to Mr Collins,” he insisted. He opened his mouth to beseech her for every assurance, then closed it again and simply waited in dreadful suspense.
“Oh, goodness no, I can assure you of that. I understand he has been most offensive, and Mr Bennet let Lizzy off the engagement, but you know, matters are far from well, what with Lydia and Mary.”
He could breathe again. The stars ceased spinning in his vision, and he fought to steady his voice. “Lydia and Mary? And who are they?”
“Her sisters, of course.”
“Ah! She mentioned something of them.”
“Poor Elizabeth! Lydia’s folly is beyond help, but Lizzy and Jane tried defending Mary. Public talk prevailed, as it always does, and Mr Bennet was obliged to keep her home.”
“Miss Mary was… the sister who was disgraced?”
“There was no help for it. They were all searching, but it was Mary who found Lydia, escorted by Mr Collins and his manservant.”
Darcy was leaning intently close, so closely that if Miss Lucas’ mother were watching, she might already be sending for a dressmaker. He forced himself to straighten. “Found her… at the public house?” he blurted out.
“It was a bad business! It might all have been settled quietly, but for Mr Collins. I see that you are sympathetic to my friend, sir, and so you must know something of that man’s crimes against civility.”
“In—” Darcy cleared his throat. “Indeed. He is an unscrupulous, indecent sort of man.”
“I almost cannot blame Lydia for refusing to go home under Mr Collins’ escort. They say he promised such doom upon silly Lydia that she refused to be trapped in the same carriage with the man. Not that he offered to take her at any rate, of course, for it would have been a shame upon his office, so he said, and so he and his manservant simply left. Poor Mary waited in a corner allnight—she would not leave her sister, do you see—but they were both ruined in the affair when it all came out.”
“And this… this sister… no, the other—Miss Jane, I believe her name was, that she praised so highly—?”
“Who could not feel pity for Jane? Lizzy is my particular friend, of course, but Jane is nearly as dear. She deserves none of the scorn she has received.”
“Then she is still at home?”
“Well, not at present. Do you see? She is sitting over there with Lizzy just now.”
Struck with awe, he jerked his head about, and there, just as the line of dancers moved in the right way, he found a dark head bowed before the world. Her beautiful face was cast down, the sparkling eyes fastened on the floor. Was she aware of his presence? Had she seen him already?
His neck reached its limit, and careless that it caused him to turn his back on Miss Lucas, he impatiently turned his body the other way, and then he saw. Her eyes lifted bashfully, she blushed, and then addressed a blonde girl beside her. She raised her fan to shield her face as if she hoped she had not been noticed, and he was forced to look instead at the blonde. She was as stunning as Elizabeth had declared her to be, but as sad and dejected-looking as her sister.
A sudden urge seized him. It was not enough merely to go to Elizabeth. He must procure Bingley’s company as well! She could not be easy while her sister looked on in pain and solitude, and if all that was said of Jane Bennet were true, he would be securing for his friend the finest treasure in the room—besides the one he meant to win for himself.
“Sir,” Miss Lucas interrupted his reverie, “you may think me vulgar, but I have little of prospects to lose, and I do not mind appearing unladylike. May I ask the nature of your interest in Elizabeth? Are you truly a friend?”
He looked back down to the lady who had been so accommodating. “What manner of question is that? Did I not consider her a friend, would I have enquired after her welfare?”
“I would not see my friend injured,” she explained shortly. “But if you do indeed hold good intentions, pray, do not be discouraged. Elizabeth is not usually how she appears tonight. Any other friend of hers would already know this, but I am surprised at how much has been new information to you. May I ask, sir, precisely how did you meet Lizzy and claim friendship with her if you truly know so little about her circumstances?”
The smile on his face must have been ridiculous, but he cared nothing for it. “I was her servant for the day.”
Chapter thirty-seven
Elizabeth tried fanning her face and looking in the other direction, but it was no good.Hewas Mr Bingley’s wealthy friend, and he had seen her! There was no escape. He was casually walking toward her now, Mr Bingley at his side, and pausing here and there as if he might have been only taking in the room from its various aspects… but that gait, that set to his jaw, were too familiar. He was bound for her and only wished to appear to others as if he had no aim.
A rebellious thought seized her, to take herself to the ladies’ retiring room and wait out the whole of the evening there, but she dismissed it quickly. That was cowardice, and though Elizabeth Bennet might take issue with boats and air balloons, she was no coward. At any rate, Mama would be certain to find her out. Her mother was in another corner now, speaking energetically to Lady Lucas, and thus had no notion as yet that the long-desired acquaintance of Mr Bingley was at the point of being made. Well, let the formidable introduction take place without her notice for the first few moments. It would be easier.
