Page 13 of Master of Himself

However, her quiet demeanour and troubled brow gave him pause. “How does your sister fare?” he inquired.

She released a soft sigh. “I’m worried about her. Jane has never been so unwell. She begs your pardon for being such a burden.”

“No, indeed, our friends can never be a burden.”

She briefly glanced across the table at Charles. “Mr Darcy may have a poor opinion of me, but no one can find fault with Jane, who’s the sweetest, most unassuming woman I know.”

Dear Lord! Darcy cringed at her assumption of his opinion, based on his hasty comment at the assembly. “I apologise on behalf of my friend. He was in a foul temper on the night of the assembly and ought not to have spoken out of turn. I’m certain he holds you in the highest regard,” he said, hoping this would improve her opinion of him.

She regarded him with sceptical eyes. “Your friend could learn a great deal from you, Mr Bingley.”

Darcy knew not how to respond to this comment. Was she suggesting that he should adopt Charles’s carefree, impulsive demeanour? Did she also admire Charles?

He reverted to the previous subject. “Mr Jones has promised to return in the morning, and I’ve instructed Mrs Nicolls to provide everything you and your sister require.”

She heartily thanked him. “I’m a poor nursemaid and must rely on Mr Jones’s judgement.”

“Should I summon my physician from town?”

She offered a sad smile. “Thank you for your kind offer, but Mr Jones has always cared for us when we were ill, and I’m certain his draught will help Jane to sleep. Mrs Nicholls has brought a steady supply of bone broth, which is exactly what our housekeeper would do were Jane at home.”

“Housekeepers always seem to have their own secret elixir for whatever ails us,” he said, thinking of his longtime housekeeper, Mrs Reynolds.

“True.”

“You must advise me if you or your sister need anything, and I’ll see to it immediately,” he said, determined to do everything in his power to ease her burden. In all honesty, he would do nothing less in his own home.

“Thank you, Mr Bingley,” she said, then lowered her voice. “I hope you’ll pardon me for barging in on your hospitality. I arrived without a proper invitation from you or your sisters.”

“I believe you’re a devoted sister and couldn’t bear to think of Miss Bennet being ill while away from home.”

“It’s no less than what Jane would have done for me. You must feel the same about your sisters,” she said, gazing at Mrs Hurst and Miss Bingley, who chattered relentlessly with their unfortunate brother.

“I would never let any harm come to mine,” he said, thinking of his dear Georgiana.

As the meal continued, he became lost in a brown study. What would become of his sister if he never resumed his true form? Would he ever see her again? How would he explain his absence? Would Charles dance with her at her coming out party? Would he escort her down the aisle on her wedding day?

“You must forgive me for being a poor supper companion, Mr Bingley. I’m terribly worried about Jane.”

“You need not apologise, Miss Elizabeth. I also worry about my sister.” He caught his mistake a moment later, but she seemed not to have noticed.

“Are they frequently ill?” she inquired, glancing over to Caroline and Louisa.

“A loved one need not be ill to worry about them.”

She fixed doleful eyes on him. “I agree completely.”

Without question, Miss Elizabeth Bennet was unlike any woman of Darcy’s acquaintance. Not once had she drawn attention to herself. Her only concern had been for the state of her sister’s health. He doubted that either of Bingley’s sisters were capable of showing such compassionate regard for each other, or for that matter, anyone else.

Chapter 7

During the supper hour, Charles cursed his bad luck as Caroline peppered him with endless questions.

Was the beef roast cooked to his satisfaction? Would he care for more potatoes? Should she call for more rolls? Did he prefer green peas to green beans? Was the fire too warm? Should she instruct the servants to light more candles?

In her entire life, Caroline had never cared one whit about Charles’s comfort or meal preferences, but she went out of her way to ensure that Darcy had everything prepared to his liking. How infuriating.

At least Darcy appeared content to sit with Miss Elizabeth.