Page 89 of Master of Himself

“I was pleased to see you dance at the assembly, Mrs Fletcher, and shall hope to lead you through a set at the next,” he said.

“Oh, Mr Darcy, you must be the kindest man in the world,” Mrs Fletcher said, tears springing to her eyes. “To court Miss Lizzy, even though her sister—” Her voice failed, and she pressed an embroidered handkerchief to her trembling lips.

“Yes, her youngest sister is young and impulsive, and a bit too naïve for her own good.”

When Mrs Fletcher sobbed inconsolably, he suspected that something wasn’t quite right and asked Elizabeth to wait outside with her sisters. “May we speak privately?”

When Mr Fletcher nodded his approval, she led him to the back of the shop.

“What troubles you, Mrs Fletcher?”

“I know exactly how Miss Lizzy and her sisters are feeling,” she said in hushed tones. “My father is a successful barrister in town. When I came out to society, I danced at every assembly with my admirers and was hopeful of marrying one of them.”

Recalling the lady’s accomplished dance steps at the assembly, Darcy knew he had guessed correctly.

“Ten years ago, my eldest sister ran off with a soldier. When the fellow abandoned her without a farthing, my father cut her off and left her to her fate. He arranged for my other sister to marry one of his law clerks and settled them in Birmingham. On Sir William’s recommendation, he arranged for me to marry Silas,” she said, dabbing her face with her handkerchief.

Darcy decided that once he had finished here, his next stop would be Lucas Lodge. “You’ve heard of my courtship with Miss Elizabeth?” he inquired, and she nodded her tearful agreement. “I intend to marry her, and you may soon hear news about her elder sister.”

“Oh, Mr Darcy,” she said, overcome with sobs.

Darcy could well imagine the lady’s heartache at being separated from her sisters and forced to marry a stranger. Knowing she wouldn’t wish the same fate for the younger Bennet girls, he continued, “I hope we may depend on your good offices, Mrs Fletcher. Miss Lydia is currently enrolled at a ladies’ seminary in town, and we have great hopes for her transformation. Her sisters will remain at home until they find suitable husbands.”

She dabbed at her tears. “Yes, yes, that is what my sister and I should have been allowed to do, not that Silas hasn’t been the most excellent husband I could ever hope for. We married soon after his father passed, so we helped each other heal from our losses. I don’t regret my fate, Mr Darcy. I only wish I might have had some say in the matter.”

Darcy supposed that in her youth, Mrs Fletcher had been no different from any other hopeful young lady who came out to London society. “Did you have many dresses when you were a girl?”

A smile illuminated her face. “The loveliest gowns and pelisses of the finest fabrics, with ribbons and lace and matching slippers, too numerous to mention,” she said with a dreamy air.

“Yes, many a young girl has lost her head over her desire for the perfect gown. She might even sneak off to town to beg her wealthy uncle to buy one for her,” he said with a meaningful tilt of his head, hoping she understood his suggestion.

“Yes, yes,” she said, her eyes now firmly fixed on his. “Lydia never had any more sense than a newborn lamb, and that’s precisely what she would do.”

“May I rely on you to advance that theory?” he inquired, knowing of the lady’s particular skill in that regard.

“I shan’t fail you, Mr Darcy.”

“And you may rely on me to keep your secret safe.” They shook hands, and he returned to the front of the shop where the butcher awaited him. “You’re a good man, Mr Fletcher,” he said, shaking the man’s meaty hand.

“’Twas my wife that made a man of me, Mr Darcy. None better than my Charity, and that’s the honest truth.”

Darcy truly believed that Mr Fletcher was a better man than the wealthy barrister who had abandoned one daughter and failed two others.

***

Charles Bingley’s pulse quickened as his carriage turned onto Meryton Road. At long last, his business affairs had been set into order, and once he had arrived at Longbourn, his personal affairs would also be settled. He planned to throw himself at Miss Bennet’s feet and beg her for the honour of her hand.

Bursting with anticipation, he gazed out of the window at the familiar shops and was arrested by the presence of his dearest angel. He knocked on the roof to signal his driver, sprang from the chaise before it came to a stop, and called out to her.

“Mr Bingley,” she said with a radiant smile.

Miss Mary and Miss Elizabeth were also with her.

“How fortunate to encounter you all here. I was just about to call on Longbourn.”

“Are you well, Mr Bingley, and your sisters?” Jane inquired.

“Yes, we are all well, and I hope to find you all in good health.” The troubled glances exchanged between the three ladies gave him pause. “May I offer you a ride home?”