“That does remind me… I beg you would forgive my meddling, but Lizzy was mentioning to me some concerns they had. Unfortunately, Mr Bennet is unable to tend his affairs at present, and Lizzy is worried for one of the families in the neighbourhood. Would you gentlemen find it possible to advise her?”
Both men perked up, Darcy in particular. “Lead on, good lady!” Bingley encouraged. “Let us hear what troubles her. Then Darcy will save the day, and I will learn how it is done!” He winked cheerfully at his friend. Darcy coloured a little, but he was, in truth, deeply interested in the matter. Elizabeth’s potential as a mistress for Pemberley had of late become a subject of great curiosity for him. He was intrigued by her present situation, forcing her to manage affairs on her own, and he hoped fervently that he could be of help.
Mrs Gardiner conducted her little entourage across the room. Placing her hand gently on Lizzy’s, she explained their purpose and how the subject had arisen. Elizabeth flashed a quick look of betrayal, but her aunt parried it with a stern expression. Sighing, she turned to the gentlemen and explained the situation with Mr Brown.
Darcy stroked his chin thoughtfully, his eyes unfocused as he listened to the story. Bingley watched Darcy, taking his cues from his more experienced friend. “Hmm, Miss Elizabeth, I do have one or two ideas I should like to discuss with you. I would like to hear more particulars of the case and your opinions at length. Perhaps we could make a few suggestions to help you come to a decision. Would tomorrow morning, around ten, be convenient?”
Elizabeth blinked a little. A part of her had still anticipated the officious Master of Pemberley whom she had built up in her mind to expound on his condescending thoughts, taking the matter effectively out of her hands. Instead, she was pleasantly surprised to hear him carefully emphasizing his interest in her opinions and information. She nodded mutely, looking hesitantly to her aunt for her concurrence.
“Capital!” Bingley enthused. His own joy stemmed primarily from the very sound excuse for him and for Darcy to escape Netherfield without his sisters to visit his angel.
Darcy watched Elizabeth’s expression carefully. He sensed that clever Elizabeth had just been manipulated by her innocent-looking aunt, and he did not wish to be party to anything which might distress or offend her. A little later, he was able to find out. Bingley and Mrs Gardiner were drawn back into Mrs Bennet’s web, affording him a precious few seconds to lean close to her ear. “I hope I have not overstepped my bounds, Miss Elizabeth. If you do not wish for my interference, please tell me so at once. I am, however, happy to be of service if I may.”
She gazed up to him, fixing him with that meditative stare which she had worn much of the evening. She tilted her head, lips parted beguilingly. At length, after he had begun to shift his feet awkwardly, she made him an answer. “I thank you for your consideration, Mr Darcy. You have perplexed me greatly this night, I must say. I think it will do very well to have your thoughts on the matter. I yield to my aunt’s wisdom; it is of course right and proper to seek the advice of someone more experienced than myself when a family’s welfare is at stake, as is the case here. I look forward to your input.”
He bowed graciously, glad to have once again seemingly judged her rightly. “I shall see you tomorrow morning, then. Perhaps, if it is agreeable to you, we might walk out to meet the family in question, but I leave that to your discretion.” She agreed, rewarding him with a sweet, if hesitant smile and her thanks.
They had little opportunity for further discussion, and cards were out of the question, as Caroline, in a high dudgeon, had ordered the carriages unfortunately early. That lady blithely ignored the narrowed eyes and glowering expressions from many in her party.
She perfunctorily paid her compliments to her hostesses and propelled the Hursts to the first waiting carriage. She had been greatly snubbed by Eliza Bennet and largely ignored by the rest of the room, most especially Mr Darcy. In a silent huff, she vowed she would not remain a moment longer than strictly necessary. Not even attempting to finagle a way to ride with Mr Darcy, she ordered the driver to be off at once.
The remaining party from Netherfield shared frustrated expressions, but though they would have liked to have remained behind, it would have seemed awkward. Additionally, neither Darcy nor Bingley were in the habit of forcing their drivers to wait for them in the cold.
They made their polite farewells, with Bingley and Darcy lingering just a little behind the others in the foyer. Both wanted one last moment with their Bennet sister. Once her mother had retreated from sight, Jane shyly gave her hand to Bingley for a tender kiss. Elizabeth stiffened at witnessing the private moment. Despite her own discomfort, she was beyond pleased for her sister, and in truth, was glad to see Jane make such a daring move before others. Certainly, Mr Bingley was no longer in danger of persuasion from his sisters that Jane was indifferent to him!
Her eyes shifted uncomfortably to Darcy, fearing under the circumstances there might be some expectation for her to offer him some trifling farewell intimacy. She shrank back a fraction. Darcy solved the problem for her. He smiled, clicking his heels smartly, twirling his hat with a flourish, and offered her an exaggerated bow. “Until tomorrow, Fairest Miss Elizabeth!” he intoned gallantly.
He startled an endearing laugh out of her, and she returned the gesture in kind, curtsying deeply as if she were before the Prince Regent. “Yes, Fair Sir, until tomorrow!” Still dipping low, she touched her fingertips together and gave a mock courtly nod, her lips twitching all the while with mirth.
Darcy spluttered involuntarily, then bit his lip to keep from roaring with laughter. He itched to offer her his hand to help her rise, but she was quicker than he.It is enough,he cautioned himself. He smiled again, his eyes speaking volumes of his admiration. She held his gaze for a moment, and then the gentlemen stepped out into the night.
Jane turned to her sister in utter amazement. “Lizzy, what wasthatabout?”
Elizabeth laughed out loud and shrugged. “I hardly know! But I think Mr Darcy improves upon closer acquaintance, do not you? Perhaps he is capable of pleasant manners after all!”
Jane, her eyes still wide, shook her head in wonder. “Do be careful, Lizzy. You will have the man so altered that even his close friends will fail to recognize him! It would be hardly convenient to have his own staff turn him out of Pemberley as an impostor. I did have my heart set on visiting you there at Christmas, you know.”
Elizabeth made a jeering face, then the giggling sisters returned, arm in arm, to the drawing-room.
Bingleystaredpointedlyathis friend all the way to the carriage. Darcy, glancing to the side with a sly little grin, attempted to ignore him. They mounted the steps and sat down inside, where Darcy was now subject to three impertinent stares.
“Was there something I could do for you all?” he queried, an unmistakable twinkle in his eye. He was completely satisfied with the evening. The temperature of Elizabeth’s address had warmed most pleasantly, and, with her blessing, he had an appointment to spend time with her again on the morrow. He could not have hoped for more. Indeed, he would have been optimistic about much less!
“Well, Cousin,” Richard drawled, “I was hoping to corner your enchanting lady once more this evening to, shall I say, add a little leaven to the lump. I never got the chance, however, as she seemed to spend much of the evening in close conversation with another gentleman of my party.”
Georgiana giggled gleefully, snuggling close to his arm. “Tell us all, Brother! I heard her laugh many times tonight when you two were speaking. She was smiling when we left, too. I told you she would come to love you!”
“Wait, Georgie!” he pleaded, holding his hands up. “We are yet a long way from talk of love. We had a pleasant evening. Let us leave it at that.”
“I say, what do you call that little scene at the door?” Bingley taunted from across the carriage. “Shameless flirtation, Colonel, that is what our Darcy has fallen to. Why, he was a regular Don Juan saying his farewells this evening.”
“Call the doctor, Bingley,” Fitzwilliam winked.
“I prefer rather Roland or Arthur of the Round,” Darcy remarked wryly, triggering a sly chortle out of his sister. “It is not my intention to seduce anyone.”
“Well, be that as it may,” Bingley grinned, “I believe the lady is looking forward to your visit tomorrow morning.”
“You are going again tomorrow?” Georgiana squealed. “I will have a sister soon! Is it not wonderful, Richard? It is your turn next, you know. Brother—” she returned to Darcy suddenly as her cousin began to sputter—“may I come with you tomorrow?”
