Page 35 of The Work of a Moment

Do not be a muttonhead. While it seemed Elizabeth no longer despised him, she certainly showed no signs of esteeming him—and certainly could not after the abrupt way in which he had left her following their last conversation.

More likely, it was an emergency with her relations. Perhaps Miss Bennet had written to her, upset over Bingley’s renewed attentions. But if the issue concerned someone at Longbourn, she would not remain long in town.

“Darcy,” called a familiar voice. He spun round impatiently to find an acquaintance he knew from matches at Angelo’s. Gaines, he recalled—a cocky young buck too sure of his talent with a foil.

“I have not seen you here before.” Gaines’s cheeks, so smooth it was likely he had yet to sprout whiskers, widened into a smile. “Have you come to see Bingley? I understand he is to be your brother.”

Despite the ire that rose in him, Darcy merely frowned as he feigned astonishment. “My sister, who is but sixteen, hardly out of the schoolroom, and more interested in the new foal in my stables than in marriage? Why on earth would she, the granddaughter of an earl, wed the son of a tradesman?”

Gaines looked abashed. “Carried away by youthful notions of romance, I suppose.”

“You are a gentleman,” Darcy said, stepping closer. “I had not thought you the gossiping sort. From whom did you hear such calumny? Whoever slandered my sister will pay in court!”

“My… um,” Gaines stammered, growing pale. “I doubted the news as well when my mother asked me about it. Mama has told no one herself, as she is quite a sceptical sort, especially when her friend said the news came from Bingley’s sister, the unmarried one who keeps her nose high in the air.”

“Miss Bingley should keep my sister’s name from her lips.” Darcy scowled. “I beg you and your mother do the same and repudiate any rumours you hear. Miss Darcy would be greatly affected to know others are speaking of her in such a manner.”

“Of course. I beg your pardon and can only hope to be of service in putting down such nefarious lies.” Gaines bowed and, turning back in the direction from whence he had come, hurried off.

Feeling a churlish mix of anger and anticipation, Darcy took the last few steps to his carriage. His anger at the Bingleys was unabated, but his thoughts returned to Elizabeth. Her relations in trade reside near Cheapside. Dare I go there and offer my assistance should Bingley be the nuisance I suspect?

Yes, that is exactly what he would do, although he would exhibit his manners and wait for a more suitable hour to call. He would not wait too long, though, he thought, glancing at his watch. What if Elizabeth were to leave today for Hertfordshire?

Such worries consumed him for the mile to his house, where—moments after entering his chambers to inspect his appearance—an express arrived from Fitzwilliam. Upon learning the messenger had come not from Rosings but from the nearby town of Westerham, he tore it open.

Darcy,

I hope all is well with Georgiana and you have punched the smile off at least one Bingley. Things are ugly here. Lady Termagant is on a tirade, and I cannot trust any letter to reach you if sent from Rosings.

I was delayed yesterday in calling at the parsonage to deliver your message, spending too much of my day mediating a near brawl between two tenants—Coombs and Mason, as you might suspect. When I returned to Rosings, I learnt of Lady Catherine’s extreme vexation that you had left for town. She had taken her anger to Hunsford, where she charged Miss Bennet with conduct unbecoming a lady and expelled her from the Collinses’ home. My aunt accused me of scheming to assist you in your ‘base stupidity and betrayal of your name in pursuing that trollop’ and has taken to her bed. I include her vulgar insult only as a warning of her accusations. I shall provide you the disgusting particulars of her slanders when I arrive in town tomorrow—and you will tell me the tale of whatever has occurred between you and Miss Elizabeth Bennet.

RF

Darcy slammed his fist on the table. How dare she! Fury at his aunt warred with angry self-recrimination. How could he have allowed such a situation to develop—of course Lady Catherine had her spies, and the toad-eater Collins and his household clearly existed at her pleasure as well.

He leant over the table, trying to calm himself. He must go to Gracechurch Street now, to the… what was the name? Gardiner. He would beg Elizabeth’s forgiveness for Lady Catherine’s horrid behaviour and tell her that he had spoken to Bingley and warned him away from Miss Bennet.

What a bloody mess! he reflected. And he had yet to deal with Miss Bingley.

CHAPTER 26

Unexpected Callers

It was just past noon when the knocker was heard, and Elizabeth’s aunt, who had assured her the day prior that no callers were expected, rose to look out the window. When she expressed surprise over the unfamiliar but elegant carriage parked in front of her home, Elizabeth could only be struck with momentary dread that Lady Catherine had come to further berate her, even to threaten Mr Gardiner’s business. Or perhaps, she thought, it was Miss Bingley, come to taunt Jane with lies about her brother’s attachment to Miss Darcy.

It was insupportable how the ‘lady’ toyed with the truth to manipulate the happiness of others. When she was barely thirteen, Elizabeth had bloodied the nose of Jacob Goulding for stealing her and Mary’s bonnets, throwing them in the mud and laughing at her sister’s tears because the first new bonnet she had ever called her own was ruined. Elizabeth was sorely tempted to throw another punch should she encounter Miss Bingley. She prayed Jane was strong enough to dissuade Mr Bingley from his pursuit and that Miss Darcy’s name and peace were unharmed.

’Tis better my name and peace are again under siege. She prepared herself for the announcement of the visitor.

The footman appeared in the doorway. “Mr Darcy.”

“Mr Darcy?” Her aunt darted a surprised look at Elizabeth before telling the servant, “Please show him in.”

“Lizzy?” Jane murmured, hurriedly tucking away her sewing and rising.

“Worry not. He does not come on Mr Bingley’s behalf,” Elizabeth whispered, her assurance for herself as much as for her sister.

A moment later, she could hear the sure, steady step made by the leather soles of fine boots in the corridor. When it stopped, she looked at the tall figure standing just inside the room. He was staring at her fixedly in the same manner as he had when first they had met, his gaze shifting only briefly as he greeted Jane and was introduced to Mrs Gardiner. They all sat, and he spoke to her aunt and sister. Whatever words they exchanged were lost in the thrumming sensation enveloping her at the sound of his voice. It was not until she felt Jane gently pulling her down into the seat beside her that sentience returned.