“Naturally,” Darcy murmured.
He wanted to ask about other guests, but decided it would be rude. He kept to himself the promise that he would leave within the fortnight if the situation did not change. His host and hostess seemed to feel they had to amuse him every minute. It already made him a little uneasy, and it would soon become oppressive.
Discovering the Bingleys had accepted an invitation for that evening had been a blessing.
“Mrs Long asked us last week. If we had realised the day would coincide with your return, we would have refused,” Miss Bingley said.
“I would not have wanted you to,” Darcy replied. “It is important that you establish a good rapport with your neighbours, and I recall finding the Longs agreeable, respectable people. I am happy to spend the evening with them.”
When they arrived at the party, Darcy was delighted to see the Bennets were amongst the other guests. After exchanging the usual greetings with numerous people, he found himself alone in a corner with Miss Elizabeth.
“We are a friendly bunch, as you can see. I am fortunate I have been granted a turn in your company.” There was a twinkle in her eyes, and the corners of her mouth twitched upwards.
“Ah, you refer to the number of ladies and gentlemen who evidently wished to talk to me.”
“You may have left soon after you first entered the neighbourhood, but as small as we are, we are always very glad to see new faces. Mr Bingley told us a business matter called you to town. It went well, I hope?”
“It did.”
Darcy could not stop himself from smiling at her. Usually, he preferred to show the world a more reserved demeanour, but in Miss Elizabeth’s company, it was impossible. He asked how she had occupied her time during his absence and gladly listened to her talk. It was much too soon to determine whether he could love her—let alone that they would do well as husband and wife—but he had to know whether he could trust her before he even began to contemplate the matter.
Darcy had once put his faith in his boyhood friend, George Wickham, and never imagined a future in which he would not have his friendship. When Darcy’s father told them he would reserve a valuable living for Wickham, who had claimed an inclination to make the church his career, the two of them had celebrated, glad to know they would always make their homes in the same neighbourhood.
Then Wickham had betrayed Darcy. It began at Cambridge, where his former friend began acting in a debauched manner. The worst was yet to come, and when he had learnt Wickham had attempted to elope with Georgiana, Darcy had been devastated, not only for his sister but also for himself. Wickham fled Ramsgate, but Lord Romsley and Fitzwilliam discovered his whereabouts and all but threw him onto a ship bound for South America so that he could no longer cause mischief for the family, especially so that he would not be tempted to spread gossip about Georgiana and ruin her chances to make a good marriage.
Everything about Elizabeth Bennet told Darcy that she was trustworthy. Whatever promises she made, she would hold to them. Beyond that, she would never purposely injure another person.
This is madness!He hardly knew her, so how could he feel as though he understood the essentials of her character?
“Did you see your sister while you were in town?”
“She is in Worcestershire with my aunt. I do not expect to see her until December.”
“You have the comfort of letters, I suppose, while you are at such a distance.”
“Georgiana writes to me at least twice a week. It has been our habit since my father died, whenever a separation was necessary. I kept her with me as much as I could until she went to school. Since she left it earlier this year…well, it has been difficult to always be together, but I hope that changes in the future.”
How much he regretted not arranging to go with her to Ramsgate! Darcy had actually believed it would be better for his sister to be there with only her companion. Without him nearby, Georgiana would have to set aside a part of her shyness to talk to people, and she would undertake some of the tasks of managing the house he had leased for her holiday.
“We are fortunate to have my aunt. She is a sympathetic lady, and she always wished to have a daughter. Instead, she and the earl have only two sons,” Darcy said.
“Are they young or old? I mean to say, in relation to Miss Darcy. Does she have any companions her own age with her?”
“I regret to say she does not. There are one or two young ladies of about her age in the neighbourhood, and I understand my aunt has introduced them to Georgiana, but my cousins are about my age. I had dinner with them and my uncle when I was in town, lest you think I suffered for want of company.”
She chuckled. “You have relieved me greatly. What could a young man possibly do to amuse himself in London, if he did not have relations to give him a proper meal, especially one who has the means to do as he likes?”
They shared a laugh and continued to talk about their families.
CHAPTERTHIRTEEN
It seemed that with each passing day, Mrs Bennet’s glee with the recent addition to the neighbourhood grew. Within a fortnight of the Bingleys moving into Netherfield, she talked of Mr Bingley and Jane making a match as almost a settled matter, much to Elizabeth’s annoyance. Jane did not seem to mind, and when Elizabeth broached the subject one night, her sister dismissed her concern.
“I know it is too early to talk of such things, but Mama means no harm, and I…” Jane blushed and averted her eyes.
“And you?” Elizabeth pressed. “I know you like him, but what do we really know about him? In a case such as this, I believe it behoves you to take extra time to ensure you truly understand his character before allowing your heart to run away with itself.”
Jane’s only response was a nod. She said good night and left Elizabeth to her slumbers.
