“Lizzy Bennet, what are you thinking? That this is a gift?” her mother said. “You could not be more wrong. As it is, was it notyouwho challenged Mr. Darcy to perform the task your father assigned you to do?”
Elizabeth gasped.
“Do not argue with me, girl.” Francine Bennet could justify anything as long as Lydia benefited.
“But what if you lost?” Elizabeth warily asked.
“La! If I failed the task, which I never would, he would have his valet purchase the ugliest bonnet from the haberdashery, and I would have to wear it every time I left Longbourn—for a full month. I had no intention of losing because there is a hideous brownish-orange creation with green and red trim—so atrocious—on the top shelf at the shop. I would rather die than be seen wearing that gaudy hat on my head. I simply had to win.”
“And you won.” The news shocked Elizabeth.
“I did. And, Lizzy, you might have thought Mr. Darcywas always serious from the frown that he wears, but Kitty and I found out he has a sense of humor that is nothing like Papa’s. Instead, when I told him I intended to be the first of my sisters to wed, he reminded me that a rose in full bloom is far more appealing to a man of quality than a bud. Then he said that the best roses have the sharpest thorns. I need to develop some thorns to drive off anyone worthless who asks for my hand. Afterward, he called me Miss Prickles, which I consider delightful since that was the name his sister gave a cute little hedgehog she found in their garden.”
“Mr. Darcy said this?” Closing her gaping mouth, Elizabeth compared the man her sister described with her first impressions of him. They were as opposite as east to west.
“Yes, he did. We, ‘the Bennet ladies,’ as he called us, are to meet him at the shop tomorrow at eleven sharp, where he will purchase my bonnet and everyone else, including Mama, a ribbon or a piece of lace. He said it would not be appropriate to single me out since I am a ‘delicate young lady.’ He even asked that you come along, Lizzy, though you did nothing to deserve a treat.”
“I would not miss it for anything.”What a sly man.
When they arrived home, their father exited his book room. “What is all this noise?”
Lydia clasped her hands under her chin. “Oh, Papa. The assembly was wonderful. You should have come. Kitty and I acted like refined gentlewomen for hours and hours.”
He patted his youngest’s arm. “Is that so?” To Elizabeth, he said, “Well done.”
“I did nothing,” Elizabeth said. Despite being filledwith wonder at what Mr. Darcy accomplished because it was a benefit to her whole family, a measure of irritation filled her.
Jane added, “Papa, Mr. Bingley’s guest, Mr. Darcy, aided by Mr. Crosgrove, treated Lydia and Kitty with deference for the whole of the evening. The gentlemen procured glasses of punch, interviewed those who sought to claim a dance with either of our sisters, and then informed the lads that they would be under their watchful eyes. It was as if they proclaimed themselves guardians for the evening. Interestingly, while our sisters were dancing, the gentlemen conversed like they knew one another for decades.”
“How would you know, Jane?” Lydia challenged. “You only had eyes for Mr. Bingley, and he paid no attention to anyone else but you.”
Their mother joined in the fray. “Did I not say how it would be, Jane? You could not be so beautiful for nothing. I am all distracted.”
With the amount of chatter her comment generated, Lydia’s temporary good manners flew out the window, their mother’s voice rose above those of her youngest daughters, and her father returned to his books.
More than anything else, Elizabeth loathed being wrong, especially when it came to first impressions. Despite this, she was grateful that Mr. Darcy achieved a miracle of sorts. Lydia Bennet had not brought embarrassment to the family name at her first assembly. Who knew it was possible?
8
Darcy admitted that the evening passed more enjoyably than he suspected it would. As expected, in the carriage back to Netherfield, Bingley’s conversation concentrated on Miss Jane Bennet. Darcy ignored the excessive compliments of the lady. Instead, Miss Elizabeth was the Bennet who he could not seem to get out of his mind.
“Say, how soon do you think we should call on Longbourn? I long to see Miss Bennet again.” Bingley leaned forward in his seat.
“I have an appointment to meet the Bennet ladies, along with Mr. and Mrs. Crosgrove, tomorrow in Meryton. You are welcome to join us.”
“Indeed? Will Miss Bennet be there?”
“I believe she is a Bennet lady, is she not?”
“Of course.” Bingley eased into the squabs. “I would be happy to accompany you. But I am surprised. What do you do with the Bennets, Darcy? I cannot imagine them wanting to spend time with you after your scathingcomment against Miss Elizabeth. Despite Miss Bennet’s assurance that her dearest sister is strong-willed, it must have been mortifying to her.”
Darcy dreaded having this conversation. “If you promise me a cup of tea while you sip your brandy, I will explain all.” To distract him, he added, “Are not Mr. and Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley arriving on the morrow?”
Bingley groaned. “I was trying to forget and hoping they would change their minds.”
“Was it not you who issued the invitation?”
“Are you referring to my command for them to come to Hertfordshire? The absolute insistence that I could not host my neighbors without Caroline serving as my hostess? What was I thinking?” Bingley, who rarely had anything other than a smile on his face, scowled. “I suppose I shall need to remain at Netherfield Park to make them feel welcome. Of course, I cannot see Hurst rising early enough from his bed to travel the distance before afternoon tea. Nor would Caroline or Louisa care if I was here to welcome them. Caroline will take charge the second she walks through the doorway, ignoring my presence completely. Surely, I can go with you and return in plenty of time.”
