“Nephew, you shall not leave yet. I agreed to forgo a second dinner, but I did not agree to let you run off to Kent. Your eccentric aunt may wait. If the house is haunted, those spirits will keep for a month longer. Fortunately for you, there is little diversion at present, but Lady Sophia is to host a soirée at which several young ladies will perform at the pianoforte. You will have the opportunity to meet eligible women without fixing your attention upon any one of them. It would be best not to raise expectations where none are intended. Happily, neither Lady Isabella nor Lady Horatia departed with any illusions. You made yourself perfectly clear.”
“Aunt Helen, Lady Horatia is a sot.” He rolled his eyes, “The other is a termagant.”
“Do not imagine I shall release you so easily. You will remain and be seen, so that the ton may understand you are in want of a wife.”
Richard nudged him. “Come, Darcy, you shall not escape. Let us endure it and be done, and then we may attend Lady Catherine.”
“It would serve me better to remove Georgiana from the present danger. She is much distressed since that blackguard escaped.”
Lady Helen scowled impatiently.
“Then bring her here, to Matlock House. There is room enough for her. Have you hired a companion yet?”
“No, Aunt Helen. You would be shocked by the quality of the women who have applied.”
Darcy pressed his lips as he considered. “I shall do it. Perhaps she may recover her appetite under your roof. Though I am loath to admit it, few could fail to improve their spirits in Richard’s company, though the effect may not be wholly beneficial.”
Richard raised a brow. “You wound me, cousin. I have long been considered a restorative influence.”
“You are a fribble, Richard.”
His aunt inclined her head. “Very well. I shall have the rooms prepared for your visit and will also send our acceptance for the soirée.”
“And what of Philip? How is it he is permitted such liberty?”
“Philip departed this morning for a house party in Derbyshire. He has shown an interest in Lord Harrington’s eldest daughter. That alone secured his release. At least he understands how to pursue a lady, which is more than may be said for the two of you.”
Richard bowed. “We are humbled by the comparison, Mamma.”
“I will acquiesce to your wishes, Aunt. I shall write to Lady Catherine and inform her that Richard, Georgiana, and I will arrive in late August or early September.”
Darcy stood alone against the back wall of the large music room, deserted by Richard and vexed that his aunt had compelled him to attend the soirée. He waited impatiently for the performances to begin, when his gaze fell upon her, the woman of his dreams. Though she was petite, no more than five feet five inches in height, she possessed such presence that he was drawn in, as if by an invisible thread. She was circled by gentlemen who hungupon her every word. Her bright countenance stood in marked contrast to the pride and hauteur he had come to expect in women of her social standing.
He did not address her, but remained somewhat apart and listened while her admirers pressed forward, each attempting to distinguish himself by a display of wit or self-regard. From her conversation, he gathered she preferred the country, kept house for her father and brothers, visited the tenants, and took pleasure in the pianoforte. All very commendable pursuits, he reflected, and precisely the sort of woman he wished to marry.
She raised her eyes to meet his. “Mr. Darcy, I trust you approve?”
He flushed. He had not been attending; instead, his mind was more pleasantly engaged in a fiction concerning Miss Honeyfield as mistress of Pemberley. Her eyes narrowed as she measured him, and his color deepened, embarrassed that he had been caught not attending, leaving him without a ready answer.
He bowed. “Forgive me, Miss Honeyfield, my mind was engaged elsewhere.”
She inclined her head, a hint of amusement upon her lips. “As I had supposed, sir. If I am of so little interest to you, why do you remain? Surely one of the eligible young women present must inspire you to hear her and to offer an engaging response.”
Darcy’s complexion heightened. When he lifted his eyes, he encountered Richard, who regarded him with raised brows and undisguised satisfaction. Her reproof had not gone unnoticed by those standing beyond her immediate circle. By tomorrow, he would be featured in the society papers as a dolt who had finally met his match.
Darcy bowed again. “Yes, ma’am. I shall make my way about the room and endeavor to discover such a lady.”
He withdrew with an air of indifference, though inwardly he was not pleased. She might be the most engaging woman present, but he was not so eager for marriage as to be drawn toward a termagant with a sharp tongue. He could not think he had done anything to merit her displeasure.
Darcy secured a glass and seated himself to await the musical performances. Richard dropped into the chair beside him.
“Well, the beautiful brunette sprite has a sharp tongue, has she not?”
“She does. Richard, what did I do to deserve her censure? There were four other men hanging on her every word. Why must she single me out?”
Richard nudged him with his shoulder. “Your ignorance of women is astonishing, Darcy. You did not condescend to speak to her. You stood apart, looking down your nose as if the entire assembly had disappointed you. I know you better than that, but I assure you, your staid demeanor does not present well.”
Darcy frowned. “I cannot believe it. I stood there as any other gentleman might, observing and admiring her wit, and found myself attacked for it.”
