Page 50 of Master of Himself

Glancing over his teacup, Charles observed Darcy’s scowl. He could only assume that the garrulous parson and the girls’ deplorable manners had pushed Darcy to his limit. Jane, too, appeared ill at ease, keeping her focus on the carpet and blushing at the awkward position her mother had forced her into, her long-winded cousin, and Lydia’s boldness. Charles couldn’t help feeling sorry for her.

“An excellent idea,” Darcy said in a measured voice.

Under normal circumstances, Charles would enjoy nothing more than inviting all his neighbours to a ball at Netherfield. It would be a perfect opportunity to establish his solidarity with his neighbours, and, more importantly, to dance with Jane. However, given his present situation, this was impossible.

When Mr Collins spoke at length about her ladyship’s excellent suggestions for improving the parsonage, Charles stole a quick glance at the mantle clock. His precious time in the presence of an angel was being denied by the chatty cleric. Although he didn’t regret the decision to visit Longbourn, he couldn’t have predicted that a man with connections to Darcy’s family would also be in residence. He sincerely hoped he hadn’t raised the parson’s suspicions.

When the hour chimed, Charles rose, eager to make his escape. “We must be going now. Thank you for your hospitality.” He took his leave of the party, observing every courtesy, and led Darcy to the door.

While they waited for their horses to be brought to the front of the house, Miss Elizabeth entered the vestibule with a pained smile. “I beg your pardon for my cousin and sisters, Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy. They can be a bit…much.”

Darcy smiled for the first time since they had arrived. “We all have our foibles, do we not, Miss Elizabeth?”

She pursed her lips together and nodded. “I’m afraid so.”

“Think nothing of it, Miss Elizabeth,” Charles said, knowing his own sisters had not behaved much better during her stay at Netherfield.

Darcy reached out to take her hand. “We hope to see you again soon.”

“We shall look forward to it,” Charles said, repeating the gesture, which evoked an engaging smile from the lady. He lingered for a moment, hoping for one final glance at Jane, but she remained in the parlour.

Once they had claimed their horses and set off through the gates, Darcy vented his spleen. “I can scarcely believe the audacity of that insipid toad eater, bandying my aunt’s name about to elevate his own consequence. Does he now suppose he’s free to do likewise with my name?”

“I daresay he’s not like any clergyman I ever met. According to Miss Elizabeth, he’s the heir.”

“Is he? An encroaching fool, in my opinion, although I can easily perceive why my aunt endures him. She has an exceeding high opinion of herself and encourages everyone who crosses her path to agree with her,” he said, finally relaxing his shoulders. “Thank you for sitting with Elizabeth. From her easy manners, I believe she has truly forgiven me.”

Although Charles had been given no other choice in the seating arrangements, he wouldn’t complain. He had seen his angel and that would sustain him until their next meeting. With any luck, the Bennet ladies would call on Netherfield in a day or so, hopefully without the encroaching toad.

***

After supper, Darcy remained in the dining parlour and accepted a glass of wine from his host.

“You should have come with us to Longbourn this morning, Henry. We met the most absurd creature,” Charles said, grinning broadly.

“Who was that?” Henry said, lighting a cigar.

Darcy shook his head in disgust. “Mr Collins, the rector from my aunt’s parish. Once he heard my name mentioned, he introduced himself.”

Charles chuckled at the memory. “He droned on endlessly about Lady Something-or-Other, but I’d never heard of her.”

“What’s his connection to the Bennets?”

“He’s Mr Bennet’s heir, unfortunately,” Darcy said, recalling Elizabeth’s blushes at the parson’s blatant disregard for propriety. “I never met a clergyman so puffed up on his own consequence. I don’t know how the family endures him.”

“You would have enjoyed yourself, Henry. Darcy was as mad as fire, and I had no idea what to say to the fellow,” Charles said with a laugh. “I doubt anyone has ever seen Charles Bingley in such a foul mood.”

When Hurst and Charles both laughed, Darcy was finally able to see the absurdity of their situation. “I can laugh about it now, but his presumptions put me all out of temper. I wanted to give the encroaching gabble monger a stinging set-down.”

“I wish I had been there to witness the ridiculous fellow in action.”

“You may still have your chance,” Charles said. “He’ll probably be at the assembly next week. He’s bound to make a spectacle of himself.”

“Well then, if you’ll point him out to me, I’ll introduce myself.”

Unable to resist, Darcy laughed with his friends. Despite their disastrous morning call, he’d seen Elizabeth and had shared a few moments with her. Knowing she no longer held him in aversion, he would be content until he saw her again, hopefully soon.

When the men joined the ladies, the housemates agreed to play loo. The game advanced as usual, with comments pertaining only to the cards, until Darcy introduced a new topic.