Page 16 of To Win Her Affections

“That is the dream of many a man of business.”

“Is it one you share?” asked Mr. Darcy with evident curiosity.

Mr. Gardiner gave a resigned shrug. “I might be content with my lot, Mr. Darcy, but if you were to ask my wife’s opinion, I suspect you would receive a different answer.”

“Knowing my love of Lambton,” said Mrs. Gardiner, “you can hardly suppose that I would refuse the opportunity to return to the neighborhood.” She fixed Mr. Darcy with a sly smile. “Tell me, sir, do you know of any estates nearby available for purchase?”

“That is premature!” said Mr. Gardiner, though he did not restrain his laughter.

“Not at present,” said Mr. Darcy. “But if one casts one’s net a little wider, there may be such estates for sale.”

“Should the opportunity ever arise, I shall be certain to seek your advice.”

The company continued to banter for a few more moments, then Mr. Hurst cleared his throat, reminding the gentlemen of their planned sport. They soon excused themselves, though Mr. Darcy stepped close to Elizabeth before they left the room.

“Tell me, Miss Bennet—do you suppose you will survive the coming ordeal unscathed?”

“Do you doubt me?” asked she, teasing rather than offended.

“Not at all.”

“Then trust me.”

“Always,” said the gentleman.

Then he excused himself and led the men from the room. Miss Bingley regarded Elizabeth with suspicion, but she said nothing, a circumstance Elizabeth considered a mercy. Soon after, the servants delivered refreshments, providing the ladies with some occupation. Conversation consisted of subjects that would not provoke discord, and was primarily carried on between Mrs. Hurst and Mrs. Gardiner, though Elizabeth added a few comments, and Georgiana even ventured an opinion or two. Miss Bingley stayed silent, determined not to favor Elizabeth with her attention.

“Excuse me, Mrs. Gardiner,” said Mrs. Hurst, appearing a little uncomfortable, “but you have mentioned a connection to Lambton. Were you previously acquainted with Mr. Darcy?”

Mrs. Gardiner offered a warm smile. “No, Mrs. Hurst, I was not acquainted with Mr. Darcy until we came across him by chance yesterday at Pemberley.”

“You were touring Pemberley?” asked Miss Bingley.

She managed to sound both insulting and superior at the same time. Even this did not pierce Mrs. Gardiner’s good humor.

“We were. It is not the first time I have seen the estate.”

Then Mrs. Gardiner turned her attention back to the elder sister. “I lived in Lambton for a time when I was a girl. My father was the rector of the parish.”

“Oh!” said Mrs. Hurst, appearing startled. “Then do you have some connection to the gentry?”

“I do,” said Mrs. Gardiner. “My father was the youngest son of a landed gentleman thirty miles to the east. We are also connected to a family northwest of Lambton, though the relationship is distant.”

Mrs. Hurst appeared impressed to learn this, and Elizabeth thought she understood—the clergy were as good as gentry, their ranks including many a younger son of landed families. Though Aunt Gardiner had married a tradesman, her manners were beyond reproach in polite society. Miss Bingley, however, remained unimpressed.

“It is fortunate that you possess such connections.” Then Miss Bingley turned an insolent sneer on Elizabeth. “And are you known to your aunt’s connections?”

“They are not my connections, Miss Bingley.” Elizabeth gave the woman a nonchalant shrug. “My aunt has introduced me to her family, though I am not well known to them.”

Miss Bingley appeared to consider this enough encouragement to pursue her own agenda. “Tell me, Miss Eliza, how are your family?”

“All well,” replied Elizabeth. “Thank you for asking.”

“And your sisters? Are they all still at Longbourn?”

There was a searching quality in Miss Bingley’s questions, the reason for which Elizabeth did not misunderstand. The notion amused her—the woman seemed to think that she could learn something scandalous from Elizabeth, which was, of course, absurd.

“We are all still comfortable at Longbourn,” replied Elizabeth. “I was from home for a time in the spring when I traveled to Kent, and my sister was in London early in the year. But of course, you are aware of Jane’s residence in London.”