“If I recall correctly, you said she smiled too much. I do not see her smiling now.”
Darcy leaned closer. “I will be honest, upon further observation of Miss Bennet, I confess that she is more complicated than I first concluded. She is not easily led. For example, she refuses to follow the selfish Bingley sisters into the stillroom, and she sees to the needs of others without drawing particular attention to herself. Where I once saw weakness, I see strength of character, not unlike her next younger sister.”
“Hmm.” Richard tapped his chin with his finger. “And what would you say is the difference between her and Miss Elizabeth?”
Taking his time to reflect on how much he would reveal, Darcy chose his words carefully. “Miss Bennet is serene. Miss Elizabeth is vibrant.”
Much to Darcy’s relief, Richard smiled before cuffing him on the shoulder.
“Where you need someone who will stir you from your desk, turn your world upside down, and remind you to laugh. Serenity is exactly what I need.” Richard peeled his gaze from the lady. “Is she attached to Bingley?”
With complete honesty, he said, “At first glance, I would have stated with conviction that her heart was untouched, and she was being pushed in that direction by her mother rather than her own affection. Now, I cannot begin to guess her feelings. What I can tell you is that there is nothing official whereupon Bingley arranged a courtship with Mr. Bennet’s agreement.”
“Very good.” Richard pulled at his cuffs. “Then I know how to proceed.”
Darcy had to ask. “You are interested in marriage then?”
“I am not yet convinced that being united with another is best for my future, but I would regret the loss of the possibility of getting to know her better.”
Grateful that his favorite cousin was no longer looking at Elizabeth, with appreciation, he said, “Best wishes to you.”
Richard grinned. “And you, as well.”
Elizabeth watchedthe colonel and Mr. Darcy closely. Obviously, they discussed Jane. When the colonel moved in that direction, and Mr. Darcy turned his attention to her, she did the only thing she could think to do—she arched her brow, folded her arms across her chest, and beckoned him to explain himself.Elizabeth pondered the situation for a mere moment before realizing that she did not mind the colonel’s attraction to her favorite sister at all.
She caught the hint of a smile before Mr. Darcy again studied his cousin.
The second Lydia and her mother saw the colonel’s approach, Elizabeth knew her youngest sister would believe his interest was in her. Pressing her eyelids closed so she would not see the coming humiliation, Elizabeth heard rather than saw…nothing at all. Peeking out between her lashes, she watched in amazement as Lydia stood and walked toward her, encouraging their mother, Kitty, and Mary to follow. Jane, whose back was toward where the men had been standing, offered the hearth to others.
Caroline Bingley and Mrs. Hurst were the first to respond.
“Well, it is about time that you, Bennets, allowed us access to the fire. There are, after all, others in the room deserving comfort. Come, my neighbors, do be seated where you can enjoy the warmth.”
Miss Bingley glanced toward Mr. Darcy as they moved toward the fireplace, undoubtedly expecting praise. Instead, he was making his way through the throng toward Elizabeth.
Once the gentlemen and the footmen returned to the cellar and most of the maids were put to work in the pantry with Cook, Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam were alone in a sea of females. Mrs. Long was pushing Sally and Sarah to approach the men. Lady Lucas was doing the same to Charlotte and her young sister Maria. Mrs. Hammond quietly observed the room when Mrs. Bennet finally noticed the colonel’s attention toward Jane.
“Look who is with Jane,” her mother began, only to be hushed by Lydia.
Barely keeping her jaw from dropping, Elizabeth listened as Lydia quietly explained to her mother and sisters that, according to Mr. Darcy, officers are unworthy fodder for a lady’s future. They were daughters of a gentleman deserving of nothing less than a duke, an earl, or even the prince himself. She finished with a smug, “Mr. Darcy said so.”
“Well, I never!” Francine Bennet gasped, glaring at the source of Lydia’s information. “Mr. Darcy does not have five daughters to marry, does he?”
“I do not…” Before Darcy could complete his comment, the kitchen door began rattling, and dirt and hailstones pelted the panes, threatening the glass.
“The wind changed,” the colonel said as he commanded, “away from the windows, ladies.”
Within seconds, the relative peace in the inner room was shattered by howls of terror from Mrs. Long, Lady Lucas, and Mrs. Bennet.
“This wind! Make it stop, I beg you. My poor nerves.”
Elizabeth heard her mother’s complaints so often through the years that she failed to react. However, Caroline Bingley apparently decided to stoke the fire.
“Tell me, Mrs. Bennet. Why would you ask someone to control the wind when you cannot even control the conduct of your daughters? To expect a gentleman to perform either of these tasks is ridiculous.” She guffawed. “For the past two weeks, Mr. Darcy has spoken of little but the storm of 1703. Surely, you are old enough to have lived through that melee so have little reason to be as fearful as you are now.”
By now, their hostess was surely at her wit’s end. Caroline Bingley’s barbs were pointed and cruel. She had to know that she gained no favor with Mr. Darcy, so she was apparently past the point of caring.
Additionally, they placed her mother in an untenable position. With the authority Miss Bingley commanded over her brother, to be in her disfavor could affect Jane’s potential to be the new mistress of Netherfield Park, her mother’s fondest dream. Yet, to let it go would have the two worst gossips in the shire (Lady Lucas and Mrs. Long) taunting Francine Bennet more than they already did.
