With her, he had discovered such an affinity of mind as he had never known possible. Within a very few moments after meeting her, he had found her to be kind and serene, not given to the manufacture of anxiety or strife. How refreshing her company was to him! He was hopelessly drawn to her beauty immediately, but the last weeks had afforded him an even better knowledge of her.
It was true that she was shy and little given to demonstrative expression of her feelings, but she had gradually unfurled her full radiance to his approving eyes. She owned the most generous, loving nature he had ever known. He never heard her speak ill of anyone, and within a short time, he discovered that was not disguise on her part but a true depiction of her shining character. She could express disapproval; she was not deficient in discernment, but never did slanderous speech cross her lips.
Bingley had grown up with a critical family and had seen the needless strife it caused. His father had been much like he himself was; open and carefree, a cheerful and engaging man who avoided conflict and unpleasantness whenever possible. He was not naïve, could not have been a successful businessman had he been, but like his son, Steven Bingley had been an incurable optimist. A marriage of convenience brought him a sizeable dowry with which to expand his business, but it had not brought love.
Lucinda Bingley had desired wealth and connection and had never been able to forgive her older brother for marrying beneath himself and ruining her own chances for a better marriage. She endlessly picked at her husband, whose untroubled nature carelessly shrugged off his wife’s discontent. Charles, as the youngest, had come along at a time when his father had all but withdrawn to his work and the out of doors in self-defence. The son had spent most of his time following his father’s example.
Until he met Jane Bennet, he had only aspired to a marriage with a woman of beauty and some accomplishment. In addition to these qualities, which she possessed in abundance, Jane brought a genuine kindness he had never dared hope to find. His heart swelled with joyful appreciation as she performed her curtsey and gave him a secret smile. He returned it and had to stop himself from taking his rightful place by her side. Their engagement was not yet official, and he did not wish to cause her any distress.
He continued his greetings to the rest of the family, noting vaguely that an answering spark of intelligence flickered in Miss Elizabeth’s eyes. A little extra measure of warmth lit her expression and firmed her hand clasp. Perhaps her happiness over her sister’s engagement would make things easier on Darcy this evening! He smiled winsomely at his future sister and was introduced to their aunt with pleasure.
ElizabethgreetedGeorgianawithgenuine affection, taking great delight in introducing her to her Aunt Gardiner. The latter’s gentle ways quickly set the girl at her ease, and Elizabeth was at liberty to shift her eyes to the older brother.
Darcy’s expressive gaze lingered on her a little longer than strictly proper, but he met her aunt with perfect equanimity. His measured and controlled demeanour was firmly back in place, but she was surprised at the lack of officiousness in his attitude. Her eyebrows rose as she watched him taking pains to get to know her aunt, facilitating discourse between Mrs Gardiner and Georgiana.
As all settled into comfortable conversation, Elizabeth turned to find Caroline Bingley at her side. “My dear Eliza, I hear congratulations are in order,” she was sweetly intoning, with a larger-than-life smile plastered across her face.
Elizabeth fought an unaccustomed tremor of nervousness as she inclined her head politely. Of all the responses she had rehearsed for herself on this trying evening, she had not yet hit upon an honest way to answer Caroline Bingley. The best she could think of was a wordless acknowledgement of the statement. It was true the rumour was afoot, but she would not confess to more at this point.
That Miss Bingley was insanely jealous went without saying. Elizabeth could not help a miniscule flutter of victory at having unwittingly gained what Miss Bingley had been long angling for.That,she scolded herself,is uncharitable. I have done nothing to earn the distinction of a proposal by Mr Darcy. Surely, he only acted on a chivalrous impulse and likely regrets his actions by now!Caroline might yet gain the point in seeing her not wed to Mr Darcy, although it was doubtful she would ever find herself so honoured instead.Elizabeth forced her feelings into a cheerful façade, and tactfully turned the subject.
“I understand from Mr Bingley that you are presently organizing a reception for the tenants of Netherfield. Your party will be very well received indeed, as they have been largely without any sort of recognition from the Hall these three or four years.”
Miss Bingley’s expression cooled. “Yes, indeed. Charles feels it necessary to reward the farmers for… well, whatever it is they do. I am sure they will be most pleased by his condescension, as he has ordered a very generous gift for each family.”
Elizabeth’s eyes began to sparkle as she identified a weakness. “Oh, I am certain they will very much enjoy his gift! Mr Bingley is all that is gracious and good. Do you know, I find that regardless of whatever gifts we give our tenants, what they tend to look forward to the most is the fall festival here at Longbourn. It is most definitely the highlight of the harvest season!”
Miss Bingley’s eyes sharpened upon her companion. “Well, of course, Netherfield can afford to be more generous with the tenant gifts than a smaller estate such as yours.” She sniffed. “I am most certain that, though Charles chooses to host an event anyway, our tenants will need no further consolation than his rather well-stocked basket.”
“Indeed? When your Mrs Nicholls called on our own Mrs Hill today, she went away intending to include almost the very same items we always give. I declare you must have had some wonderful ideas of your own to add. I do hope you will share your thoughts?”
Caroline wavered between haughty disdain and mortification at discovery. “You cannot mean that you take a personal interest? A competent cook and housekeeper ought to be more than capable of assembling such a simple thing!”
Elizabeth smiled pertly. “Of course, I trust that I am in Mrs Hill’s way more often than not, but it is my good fortune that she tolerates my interference. I have come to care a great deal for our tenants, which permits me personal knowledge of each family’s needs.”
Caroline lifted her nose fractionally. “Indeed, you must spend a great deal of time on such pursuits. I commend you, Miss Eliza. It must be difficult to find time to tend your own affairs. It is fortunate that in a retiring, quiet community such as this, it is not so critical for ladies to always appear in the latest fashions. The gentlemen here cannot possibly have such discriminating taste as those in Town.”
Much to Caroline’s surprise, Elizabeth actually laughed. “It is true, Miss Bingley, that we mere country lasses do not dress so finely as the ladies of London! However, in my experience, it seems that the gentlemen of the countryside place a greater emphasis on a woman’s pleasing manners and robust health, a natural consequence of spending a great deal of time out of doors. Do you not agree, Colonel?” Elizabeth turned a devilish smirk to Fitzwilliam, who had been standing nearby with a fresh drink in his hand.
“I dare not contradict you, Miss Elizabeth,” he winked and raised his glass to her. “In fact, present company considered, I would say you have ample evidence to the proof of your theory.”
Elizabeth inclined her head graciously, enjoying the sight of Caroline Bingley fuming beside her. Darcy chose that moment to extricate himself from Mrs Gardiner and Georgiana, who were conversing pleasantly. He had overheard a good bit of their conversation and could not resist drawing near. He stepped to Elizabeth’s side with a quirked brow, and for a shared heartbeat, two pairs of eyes laughingly met one another. Elizabeth took a quick breath and returned her countenance to a carefully neutral expression.
“Miss Bingley,” Fitzwilliam bowed in that lady’s direction, “may I assist you to a drink before dinner? Mrs Bennet keeps an excellent sideboard.” He crooked his arm to an unwilling Caroline, and she found one of her own favourite ploys turned against her. Fitzwilliam led her reluctantly away, casting a brief glance of martyrdom over his shoulder.
Darcy could not help a light chuckle under his breath. Fitzwilliam might well play the martyr, for he was not only shepherding Caroline Bingley away from him, but he also was moving to engage Mrs Bennet, leaving Charles and his Jane free. Shaking his head, he determined that he would never, ever complain about Richard helping himself to his purse whenever he saw fit. Still smiling, he turned his gaze to his own lady, finding her bright eyes resting on him and full of sceptical curiosity. Darcy cleared his throat uncomfortably. “May I ask, Miss Elizabeth, how your father does today?”
“He is a little better, sir. Mrs Cooper’s opinion is that he is recovering rather well. I truly must thank you again,” she added with sincerity, “for thinking of sending for her. Her presence has been most welcome to us at this time.”
“I am very glad to hear it. I most earnestly wish to be of service to you and your family in any way I can.” He paused, admiring the modest blush and the lowered lashes as they shaded her cheeks.
Daringly, he proceeded again, his voice lowered for her ears alone. “Miss Elizabeth, I will be frank. I am not well-schooled in the arts of conversation, and you will likely find me too forward and blunt. However, I was hoping to secure an opportunity to speak with you in private for at least a few minutes at your earliest convenience. We left things rather… unsettled yesterday, and it is my fervent wish to come to a better understanding between us.”
Her eyes lifted again, an expression of wonder shining from them.Indeed, he is blunt!If anyone had told her to expect the staid and reserved Mr Darcy of her first acquaintance to consistently speak in such a forthright fashion, she would have laughed the notion off as ridiculous. Surely, he knew that private conversations between unmarried people must be delicately managed and discreetly chaperoned, yet he boldly asked again for that privilege.
Tilting her head, she considered his request for only an instant before responding. They had already shared more than one private conference, and in the eyes of others, her honour was already committed. In truth, she found his naked hope refreshing. Giving a slow nod of assent, she reflected on how much more efficiently their situation might be resolved without the pretence of bland, socially correct conversation.
A small breath of relief escaped him. “Thank you,” he managed. He was about to ask her when she would agree to meet with him when the dinner bell sounded in the parlour. Turning, he automatically proffered his arm. Elizabeth hesitated only a second, taking it with a shy smile and unconsciously fluttering lashes.My word, she is lovely!A broad smile lit his features, and his chest swelled proudly at the honour of escorting her.
