He was right, of course, and Caroline took a deep breath, preparing herself to face the object of her matrimonial scheme. “We should go into the drawing room and await Mr Darcy there. How shall we spend the day? Will you ask for his assistance with something or other? I shall impress him with my attention to the mistress’s duties without showing I am acting for his approbation. You will be sure to praise my efforts?”
Bingley nodded, and they went to await their guest.
* * *
My first impression of Miss Elizabeth Bennet as an attractive, interesting young lady was only reinforced by meeting her this morning. Attractive? Interesting?Darcy laughed.She is far more than that. She is…enchanting. Uncommon.What exactly he meant by the last, he did not know, but never had he met another lady like her. Seeing more of her while he remained at Netherfield Park would be no hardship. Darcy had no expectations beyond enjoying her company for a few weeks. After the difficulties with Georgiana that summer, he needed cheering up, and he believed seeing Miss Elizabeth on occasion over the coming weeks would manage the task quite easily. It might put him in a better state of mind to find a woman to marry.
Bingley and he had never talked about how long Darcy’s visit would be, but he imagined it might stretch to a month, depending on how much assistance and reassurance Bingley required of him. Darcy was already dreading the end of the autumn, not sure what he could expect by then regarding Georgiana’s recovery. He dreaded seeing how much Wickham, that damnable rake, had injured her. The events at Ramsgate affected Darcy as much as they did—more than they should, according to his cousin Fitzwilliam—because he blamed himself for not taking better care of her or preparing her to meet men such as his former friend.
Darcy’s eyes turned from the mirror, in which he had been checking his appearance after changing out of his riding clothes, to the window. He let his thoughts wander and was startled when his stomach growled loudly. After glancing about to ensure no one had heard, which would have been embarrassing, he chuckled. He was so distracted recalling how lovely Elizabeth had looked that morning that he had forgotten he was alone and failed to notice how ravenously hungry he was.
Miss Bingley tended to order too much food, whatever the meal, even when there were no guests beyond Darcy. He had told Bingley to tell his sister it was not necessary on his account, but either Bingley had failed to impart the message or Miss Bingley simply liked being generous. Whatever the reason, this morning Darcy did not mind. He quickly made his way to the breakfast room and joined his host and hostess. After filling his plate with meats and baked eggs and muffins, he sat down and began to eat.
“Did you have an agreeable ride, Mr Darcy? What do you make of the neighbourhood?”
He regarded Miss Bingley, who seemed tired. Her features were slightly heavy, and her voice sounded as though she was forcing herself to be cheerful. If she were fatigued, it was hardly to be wondered, between travelling the previous day, the assembly, and undertaking the arrangement of a new house.The best way for Darcy to help was to stay out of her way and make himself as easy a guest as possible.
“The county has its charms. I believe you will enjoy exploring it, once you are at liberty. I cannot imagine there is very much for you to do with the house, other than ensure the servants understand your wants and requirements. It is in good repair and comfortable as it is.”
Darcy observed her as he sipped his tea, noting that she appeared hesitant to answer.
“I find there are always so many little things to do when one arrives at a new place,” Bingley said, drawing Darcy’s attention away from the lady. “Caroline is very diligent, as you know, and she will not rest until she knows every servant as though they had been with us for years and she can navigate the house blindfolded.”
Miss Bingley produced a noise somewhere between embarrassment and a titter. “My brother is correct. I see how hard-working you gentlemen are, and I seek to emulate you with those duties that fall to me.”
Both his host and hostess were watching him. Not certain what response they wished of him, he said, “Very admirable. Bingley, I am at your disposal, should you want my opinion of anything. Otherwise, I have letters to write and a supply of books, and shall occupy myself. Do not be concerned with entertaining me.”
Brother and sister chatted about Netherfield, how glad they were to be in the country, and he knew not what else. While not entirely ignoring their conversation, Darcy let his thoughts wander. Somewhat to his surprise, they took him back to the time he had shared with Miss Elizabeth that morning. She had been pretty at the assembly, but seeing her outdoors, surrounded by trees and flowers and rocks, the blue sky behind her, sunlight making her skin glow and enhancing the colour of her eyes was… He did not have words to describe how he had been touched by the vision she created. Some people might regard Miss Jane Bennet as the more beautiful sister, but there was something alluring about Miss Elizabeth that made it easy for him to overlook the eldest in favour of her.
Evidently, she had made more of an impression on him than he had first reckoned.
Surreptitiously, he shook himself and issued a silent, stern warning to guard against liking Miss Elizabeth too well. An instant later, he decided he was making too much of it. What did it matter if he had enjoyed his time with her? It was harmless enough. After all, they had only just met, and once they knew each other more, he might realise they had nothing to talk about, or he might discover her opinions or aspects of her character were disagreeable.
Whatever happened, it would be no great hardship to say farewell when he left the neighbourhood the following month. For the present, he would consider her an acquaintance, someone whose company when they happened to meet was not irritating or tedious, and someone who, thus far, had struck him as being well informed and in possession of a lively mind. What could be the danger in that?
CHAPTERNINE
Darcy was reading in his apartment an hour later when his manservant brought him that morning’s post. One letter was from his solicitor, who was overseeing a contract between Darcy and a man who was developing a fertiliser he claimed would greatly boost agricultural productivity. Darcy had agreed to fund his ongoing research in exchange for a share of any future profits. Unfortunately, it appeared that there were several misunderstandings regarding the terms to which Darcy thought they and two other gentlemen had agreed.
Crushing the paper into a tight ball, Darcy went to find Bingley. Descending the stairs, he first saw his hostess. She grinned broadly.
“I am glad to see you, sir. I have been so busy all morning, and I was just about to leave aside my work for a time and take tea. Please say you will join me.”
It had not been long since breakfast, but Darcy was aware how difficult it could be to judge the passing of time when one was occupied.
“You will excuse me. I was searching for your brother. I must have a word with him.”
Her eyes grew round. “Charles? I believe he is in his study. May I ask what about, or do you intend to be mysterious, sir? Nothing is amiss, I trust?”
“Not at all, but a matter has arisen to which I must attend.”
“What is this? To what matter do you refer?”
Both Darcy and Miss Bingley turned to face Bingley when he spoke. He had appeared from around the corner.
Darcy suggested they go into the closest sitting room rather than stand in the draughty corridor. Once Miss Bingley was seated, Darcy told them about the letter.
“I believed the matter was all arranged, and I was expecting to receive the completed contracts in a few days. Instead, I find there is a disagreement between the parties involved. I must go to town to resolve it.”
