Page 6 of To Win Her Affections

“When I arrived at Pemberley, I came across an acquaintance touring the estate,” replied Darcy. “A lady from Hertfordshire who is also known to the Bingleys.”

“A lady?” echoed his sister, appearing interested. “Is she elderly? Does she have a mole on the tip of her nose? Otherwise, I cannot imagine she will be welcome at all to Miss Bingley.”

Darcy chuckled, taking his sister’s elbow and leading her up the stairs, knowing their guests must be in their rooms by now. “You do not know the half, Georgiana. In fact, Miss Bingley does not like this lady at all. Do you recall a letter I sent you in November in which I described a testy exchange between Miss Bingley and a guest staying at Netherfield for a few days?”

Georgiana considered this, and offered a slow nod. “Yes, I recall something of that. Was she not staying to nurse an ill sister?”

“She was,” agreed Darcy. “It is that young lady who is in Lambton, touring the countryside with her aunt and uncle. They are to remain for a few days. If you are amenable, I should like to introduce you to her.”

Georgiana regarded him. “You have never proposed to introduce me to a young lady before.”

“That is because I avoid most young ladies,” replied Darcy. “Miss Bennet is unlike most ladies of my acquaintance. I should think that you will find her agreeable, for she is a witty, lively young woman whom no one can find displeasing.”

“Except for Miss Bingley,” said Georgiana, suppressing laughter.

“Indeed,” said Darcy.

“I have no objection.” Georgiana regarded him with a knowing expression he had not expected. “Might I assume you intend this introduction to take place soon?”

“Now, if you are of a mind.”

“That is precipitous.”

“Not at all,” replied Darcy. “You will understand when you make her acquaintance.”

“Then allow me a few moments to refresh myself,” said Georgiana.

“I shall call the carriage.”

CAROLINE BINGLEY WAS annoyed. No, she was seriously displeased.

After returning to Pemberley at last, she felt that everything was as it should be. When everything had seemed so bleak the previous year, she had extracted her brother from the clutches of that odious family, the Bennets, and pulled Mr. Darcy away from his fascination with Miss Eliza Bennet, of all women. Now that they were to be at Pemberley for three full weeks, she was certain all her plans would come to fruition.

Or perhaps not all. Caroline did not suppose that any alliance between Charles and Georgiana Darcy was imminent, but that did not matter anyway. So long as Caroline married Mr. Darcy, the connection between their families would be secure. Caroline could then guide Charles to some suitable lady of society, thereby cementing the Bingley family’s position in society forever. This visit to Pemberley was to be her crowning achievement—Caroline’s acceptance of Mr. Darcy’s proposal of marriage.

Why, then, had she descended the stairs only to see Mr. Darcy’s carriage depart, two figures ensconced within? She could distinguish neither occupant before the carriage disappeared from view. Mr. Darcy was so proper and attentive that the notion he would leave his house less than half an hour after his guests arrived was entirely at odds with her understanding of him. Caroline did not mean to tolerate it.

“Mrs. Reynolds,” said she when she spied the housekeeper making her way toward the sitting-room.

“Miss Bingley,” said the woman, curtseying before her betters as was proper. “How may I assist you?”

“You may tell me why Mr. Darcy has departed from the estate and where he has gone.”

It may just have been a trick of her heightened emotional state, but Caroline thought she caught just a whiff of satisfaction from the matron. “The where is Lambton, Miss Bingley,” replied Mrs. Reynolds before Caroline could consider it. “The why is unknown to me.”

Caroline regarded her with no little suspicion. “Mr. Darcy did not state his reasons for leaving so soon after my family arrived?”

“The master is not in the habit of explaining himself,” replied the housekeeper. “If he feels it is necessary, he will inform me, but he keeps his own counsel more often than not.”

“Did he say when he would return?” asked Caroline after considering this for a moment.

“No, Miss Bingley, he did not. Given the recent arrival of your family, I suspect he will not be long, but he made no mention of how long he expected to be absent.”

In fact, Caroline was certain that Mrs. Reynolds knew what had taken Mr. Darcy from Pemberley. Whether he had instructed her to remain silent, Caroline could not say. For a moment, she considered pressing her further. What deterred her was the certainty that her questions would make their way to Mr. Darcy’s ears.

“Very well,” said Caroline. “When Mr. Darcy returns, I shall speak to him.”

“That would be for the best, Miss Bingley,” agreed Mrs. Reynolds. “Now, if you will excuse me.”