Page 9 of Master of Himself

“Needless to say, she was soaked to the skin,” Mrs Hurst quipped.

“How terrible,” Charles said. “Will she join us for breakfast before she returns home?”

Caroline shook her head. “Sadly not. She is quite unwell this morning.”

A worried crease formed on Charles’s brow. “What do you mean?”

“She has a cough and a sore throat,” she said, then released a perturbed huff. “I’ve sent John out to summon the apothecary and deliver a note to Longbourn.”

“But why—”

“Thank you, Caroline.” Before his friend said another word, Darcy interrupted, knowing Charles was worried about his favourite, but had apparently forgotten that he was supposed to be Fitzwilliam Darcy. “I’m certain her family will appreciate your kindness.” Of course, she had done nothing to earn that praise, but had merely done what was expected of the mistress of the house.

“Is your face bruised, Mr Darcy?” Caroline inquired, now studying Charles’s chin.

Charles rubbed his jaw where Darcy had struck him. “We ran into a bit of trouble last night.”

Henry Hurst made a choking noise and gulped down his coffee.

“It’s nothing,” Charles said, then tucked into his breakfast.

Darcy did the same, skimming the newspaper, as was Charles’s usual morning habit.

“I can’t imagine why Jane didn’t come by carriage,” Mrs Hurst said. “She must have known that rain was expected.”

“She probably doesn’t have a conveyance at her disposal,” Darcy said.

Caroline scoffed. “Nonsense, Charles. Mr Bennet has a coach.”

Louisa Hurst clicked her tongue. “She probably meant to stay the night but didn’t plan on getting sick in the bargain.”

Darcy was by no means devoted to the Bennet family, but the ladies’ mocking banter irritated him past all bearing. “Why must you be so suspicious?”

“Come now, Charles, she’s made no secret that she has designs on you,” Caroline said.

“She’s done no such thing,” Charles quickly retorted.

Alarmed by Charles’s un-Darcy-like outburst, Darcy covered for his friend. “Can’t a man enjoy his breakfast without being subjected to idle gossip,” he said, to which Caroline sneered.

Darcy passed the newspaper to Charles, as was their usual morning habit. “My thoughts exactly,” Charles said, accepting the paper and giving it his full attention.

Darcy directed his most withering glare at Bingley’s sisters, and they finally dropped the subject. They really were the most horrid creatures. Why had Charles never corrected them? Or Hurst, for that matter. He would never allow Georgiana to disparage others, especially at the breakfast table.

To his vast satisfaction, the only sounds in the parlour were the tapping of silverware, rattling of teacups, and the rustling of newspaper pages.

“What shall we do today, Louisa?”

“I imagine we’ll spend the day playing nursemaid, Caroline.”

Darcy exchanged annoyed glances with Charles. By this performance, he must surely acknowledge that his sisters were insufferable. They had invited a neighbour to dine with them, and when their guest had taken ill, their only thought was for their own inconvenience.

Was it now up to Darcy to denounce their behaviour?

Chapter 5

Charles was mortified by his sisters’ conduct at breakfast. Jane Bennet, the sweetest angel in the world, had come at their behest, and all they could do was complain. He had become accustomed to their constant sniping over the years and preferred to tune them out, but seeing them expose themselves in front of Darcy was beyond all bearing.

Of course, neither sister had ever cared one whit for his opinion. Even Henry had given up trying to keep them under control. Obviously, Papa had spoiled them both, indulging them and catering to their every whim. It was no wonder they lacked discipline.