Page 83 of Master of Himself

“You are always welcome at Longbourn, Mr Darcy,” his hostess said with subdued civility.

Mr Bennet crossed the room and sat beside her. “My wife and daughters are fully aware of your role in retrieving Lydia. Both you and Mr Bingley.”

Mrs Bennet whimpered and waved her vinaigrette under her nose. “At least now, Lydia will have someone to take charge of her.”

To Darcy’s way of thinking, Lydia’s parents ought to have taken charge of her, but he kept that thought to himself. If Georgiana had been as headstrong as Lydia, he doubted he would have known how to manage her. What’s more, without the ancient sage’s intervention, he would have lost her.

“And Lydia will have no further influence on her equally foolish sister. For her failure to disclose her knowledge of the scheme, Kitty is confined to her chamber for a fortnight,” Mr Bennet said, to which his wife released a beleaguered sigh. “All of this might have been prevented if she had disclosed Lydia’s plan to run away.”

Until that moment, Darcy hadn’t noticed Kitty’s absence; however, Elizabeth’s quiet demeanour didn’t escape him. As she kept her steady focus on the carpet, he wondered if she had suffered any ramifications for sending her note to Netherfield.

“I can’t sufficiently thank you for what you have done for our family, Mr Darcy,” Mrs Bennet said in a quiet voice.

Overpowered by regret, he shook his head. “I’m afraid I should have done much more, Mrs Bennet. Had I properly warned you of Wickham’s deceit, Lydia would never have been in any danger.”

“But to subject yourself to the scorn of the community by courting our Lizzy—” She paused to inhale her vinaigrette. “You are far too kind.”

Darcy rejected this notion. “Nothing of the sort, madam. I suspect your neighbours wouldn’t wish to incur my disfavour by snubbing my favourite lady,” he said with a fond smile at Elizabeth. “With your permission, I will accompany your family to Sunday Services.”

Upon this request, Elizabeth stole a brief glance at him. He’d never seen her quite so shy and wondered what had caused her hesitance.

Her mother continued, “I never would have imagined that Lizzy would catch your notice.”

“I hope I sufficiently acquitted myself at the recent assembly.”

She waved her hand, as if to dispel that notion. “Oh, yes, you may be certain of it. Everyone was delighted with you.”

This praise did nothing to reassure Darcy. Unfortunately, she had observed Charles Bingley’s excellent conduct that night, not his own. While his business skills might be far superior to that of his friend, Charles never failed to adhere to the dictates set by polite society. Of course, Darcy had been schooled with those same standards, but had chosen to regard them only when it suited him. Perhaps the ancient warlock hadn’t been the only man who had taught him a valuable lesson.

The butler entered to announce supper, and Darcy followed the family into the dining room.

“How does Miss Darcy fare?” Elizabeth inquired once they were seated.

“Georgiana is enjoying her studies with her companion. Music and pianoforte are her favourite subjects,” he said, which prompted a discussion of Lydia’s potential subjects of study at Miss Huntington’s seminary.

They passed a quiet supper hour, carefully avoiding any unpleasant topics, especially Wickham, Mr Collins, or the neighbours. Afterwards, Darcy and his host agreed to forego the usual drinks and remove with the ladies to the drawing room.

When Elizabeth gestured to an empty space on the sofa, Darcy sat beside her but couldn’t help noticing her quiet demeanour. “Are you truly well, Miss Elizabeth? I fear you may have suffered consequences for sending your note to Netherfield.”

“Nothing of the sort,” she said in a quiet voice. “I’m merely concerned for my mother’s fragile state of mind. She was very much overpowered by…recent events and still fears for our future safety.”

“I’m confident that her fears will be put to rest, and all will be well.” His presence at Sunday Services would assure the neighbours that he had not forsaken the family.

“I hope you may be right, Mr Darcy.”

Chapter 25

Sunday 1 December

Darcy followed the Bennets into the church and sat beside Elizabeth in the family pew. As usual, he ignored the hushed whispers and gaping stares. Despite Kitty’s misdeeds, she had been permitted to attend, and she kept her head bowed, as did her sisters. The service proceeded as usual, and Darcy lent his voice to the hymns and well-known prayers.

When the vicar made the morning announcements, one struck with stunning effect.

“I publish the Banns of Marriage between Mr William Collins of Westerham and Miss Charlotte Lucas of Meryton. If any of you know cause, or just impediment, why these two persons should not be joined together in holy Matrimony, ye are to declare it. This is the first time of asking.”

Knowing that Mr Collins had maliciously spread the story of Lydia’s flight before leaving the neighbourhood, Darcy was now shocked to learn that the despicable parson had stayed long enough to pay his addresses to Miss Lucas and receive Sir William’s consent.

He seethed with contempt at this confirmation that the Lucases had repeated the story, prompting the neighbours to snub the Bennets in public.