“Everyone is so welcoming. I admit, it is a little overwhelming to meet so many new people at once. You said your home is called…?”
“Longbourn,” the second daughter—Miss Elizabeth—said. “It is three miles west of Netherfield.”
Miss Elizabeth Bennet was second in beauty only to her older sister, but Caroline was confidentshewas better looking. Her clothing was finer too. She took particular care of her wardrobe because Mrs Darcy must be a leader in all things, including fashion. The gowns the Miss Bennets wore showed they knew nothing of what was in vogue, and whoever had styled Miss Mary’s hair should be shot.
Mr Darcy would never notice any of the ladies in this backwater.
“How do you amuse yourselves?” Caroline asked, not knowing what else to say to people she had no need to impress or desire to know. “I meant in the neighbourhood, you understand, not your family in particular.”
Miss Elizabeth’s lips twitched almost as though she wanted to laugh. Miss Mary addressed the question.
“We like the usual entertainments, I suppose—dinner and card parties, evenings spent together, excursions during the day when the weather is suitable. Music. Do you play any instruments, Miss Bingley?”
Caroline’s spine stiffened. She was an accomplished woman and would not call herself such without knowing music. “Naturally. I learnt both the pianoforte and harp.”
Fortunately, before the conversation either tired her until she fell asleep where she stood, or led to her inadvertently saying something she should not, the dancing began.
CHAPTERFIVE
Over the next hours, Caroline maintained her pretence of interest and restrained excitement at being in a new home. It was very fortunate, she thought, that the neighbourhood round Pemberley was superior to Meryton. Even though she had not spent much time amongst the people there, what she had seen was enough to convince her most of them were far more acceptable than anyone she had or was likely to meet in this community.
Besides, Mr Darcy would never accept living in a place such as this. His very presence elevates anywhere he happens to be. Heisthe grandson of an earl!
It would make those occasions she was required to be in Derbyshire easier. Caroline comforted herself with the knowledge that she and her brother would not need to remain at Netherfield long. If everything proceeded according to their plans, Mr Darcy would propose in the next fortnight, and then they would return to town at once to celebrate with people they actually respected. After they were married, she would do whatever necessary to limit the amount of time she was in the country each year, spending the rest of it where she could amuse herself properly.
As she danced with several gentlemen, she devised schemes for slowly—but not too slowly—showing Mr Darcy she preferred city life. Since she fully intended to be a good wife to him, he would want to please her. There was nothing too horrible about having a houseful of friends to stay at their country estate, and her brother and sister would be frequent guests, but taking invigorating strolls in the open air, visiting tenants, and the like were not activities Caroline was interested in pursuing. She would never take to horseback if she did not happen to look especially elegant in her riding costume.
She was always aware of Mr Darcy. He spent the evening avoiding dancing and conversation with anyone but her and Bingley, though she observed him exchanging a few words with various people now and again. If only she could have declined every offer to dance to stay by his side! Had Mr Darcy already asked her for a set, she might have made an excuse, but he had not, which vexed her, and until he did, what choice did she have? Even she understood she could not refuse one man then stand up with Mr Darcy later. Bingley was enjoying himself, she noticed, which was hardly to be remarked upon. All he required was one pretty lady with whom to flirt, and here there were several. Her brother was in constant motion, dancing, talking, and, no doubt, charming everyone. He had that way about him.
At last, when there were only three sets left before the end of the assembly, Mr Darcy asked her to dance.
“What are your impressions of the neighbourhood, sir?” Caroline’s comments would be guided by his response. He produced a noise that suggested indifference. When he said nothing, she ventured to offer, “I think my brother has done well for himself. The people we met tonight are amiable, even if they are somewhat…unpolished, and Netherfield itself is charming. It is nothing to Pemberley, of course, but few estates are.”
She observed him without seeming to, wishing to know how he took her statements. It would be too easy to overdo her compliments, yet Caroline wanted him to know how glad she would be to call Pemberley her own and him her husband. She dreamt of how grand it would be to talk to her acquaintance about her and Mr Darcy going to Derbyshire, telling them everything she was doing to renovate the manor to ensure it was not only fashionable but the house everyone wished to emulate.
No one will dare to remember the position of my father, let alone gossip about it, once I am Mrs Darcy!
They moved through the patterns in silence for a while longer before Mr Darcy spoke. “These country neighbourhoods often relish having newcomers amongst them. I imagine the unvarying society many of them suffer becomes tedious. Few of them will have the opportunity to spend months in town every year. I am glad you are pleased with Netherfield. I hope both you and Bingley will be happy there. Mrs Hurst must be anxious to see it.”
“She is, but she and Mr Hurst are agreeably occupied visiting his family for the moment.” Caroline felt sick suggesting Louisa was happy where she was. Her poor sister’s situation was dreadful. The letter Caroline had received from Louisa the day before was full of complaints about her husband’s family ignoring her unless they were scolding her for not being the sort of lady they hadthoughtMr Hurst was marrying. Louisa had simply done what was necessary to secure a good husband. In Caroline’s view, the Hursts had no cause to complain. They had been rewarded with Louisa’s dowry, after all. It was a fair bargain.
At least Mr Darcy had some relatives who were good company, such as Georgiana, who, while insipid, was quiet and easily led. Mr Darcy’s eldest cousin, the viscount, was horribly rude to Caroline, but she overlooked his behaviour, given his situation in life. Once she had caught Mr Darcy, Viscount Bramwell, along with his parents and brother, would treat her the way she deserved.
“When do you anticipate they will come to Hertfordshire?”
“Oh…” Caroline looked about, hoping for something she could use to distract Darcy. At the same time, she searched her memories for what Bingley had told him. “I-I believe Louisa said later this month. Or perhaps it was early November. I am having such fun, I cannot order my thoughts well enough to remember exactly.” She giggled.
Despite her best smile, his lips did not even twitch upwards. He only nodded, while she struggled not to roll her eyes.Goodness,she thought,I know he dislikes balls of all sorts, but he could at least pretend not to be so dour.There was a brief silence before he spoke again.
“I anticipate exploring your new neighbourhood. I have spent little time in this county before, and from what we saw earlier, the grounds are quite pleasant, if tamer than what I am accustomed to. I expect you and Bingley will be occupied arranging the house to your liking tomorrow, since we arrived only in time for dinner today, and I shall take myself off for a long ride. You need not worry about entertaining me.”
“There is no occasion for that. Charles will value your assistance, and I dare say, I shall want your opinion too.”
“That is kind of you, but I do not want to interfere. It is your home. I have already told your brother what tasks he should undertake first, how he should familiarise himself with the estate, and I am sure I can have nothing of value to say about the decoration and such. Besides, there will be time to consult me in the afternoon or the days ahead, if you truly believe I have anything to offer.”
Caroline bit her tongue before speaking. She had been counting on him staying inside to witness her industriousness and help her when she feigned indecision about the best course of action. It had been an altogether disappointing day, mostly because she disliked leaving town, though Mr Darcy reading for most of the carriage ride to Netherfield was another source of displeasure. His present behaviour was not improving her mood at all either. Was it too much to ask that he at least smile at her? In truth, Caroline would settle for one vaguely teasing remark. She surreptitiously sighed. Perhaps the day had been fatiguing for him too. Knowing how much he liked being in the open air, she would not attempt to tease him into changing his plan for the morning. If she were fortunate, and she meant to be, he would be more attentive to her after his exercise.
Still, she would like some sign of his regard for her. “I know how little you like to dance, but you might consider asking another lady for a set. You must have seen there are not enough gentlemen here tonight. Even now, a number of ladies are sitting out. Do not, if you would truly hate it, but I do so wish to give our new neighbours a good impression of us. Oh, forget I mentioned it. It is a silly idea, and unforgivably presumptuous of me to suggest it.” She pretended embarrassment, averting her eyes and trying to will herself to blush.
