His Uncle's Favorite (11 page)

“Miss Darcy, I am afraid to ask what else Mr. Darcy told you about me. I am amazed that, after hearing so many preposterous stories, you can still speak to me.”

Miss Darcy seemed disconcerted for a moment, looked at her cousin, then turned her attention to Elizabeth again, and a huge smile of relief spread over her face.

“Miss Elizabeth, I confess at first I was puzzled by your remarks regarding my brother, but now that I have come to know you better, I understand you are only speaking in jest. It is amusing that, for some reason, you always joke when referring to William while he is always serious when he speaks about you.”

Elizabeth was at a loss for words at such a statement, and as happened on their first meetings, she could not be certain whether Miss Darcy was serious or not. She noticed some looks exchanged between her aunt and Lady Selina, but this was neither the moment nor the place to inquire further.

***

The party had begun half an hour before, and Caroline Bingley was still uncertain whether it had been wise for her to attend Lady Brightmore’s dinner with Louisa and her husband. She knew Lady Brightmore to be a difficult widow with extravagant tastes and weird notions and habits. Once her ladyship came to dislike someone, that person would never be on her guest list again, so Caroline wisely chose to remain silent and watch the others, hoping to see a friendly face. There were a few young gentlemen with whom she would like to become better acquainted—if only someone might introduce her into their animated conversations. On such occasions, Charles had always been helpful. However, she would rather not talk to anyone the entire evening than risk having Charles in London and meeting some…undesirable persons.

She was slightly impatient, and she knew she did not look her best since she did not feel her best. The worst thing was that she was in town, Georgiana Darcy was in town, Mr. Darcy himself was in town, and instead of enjoying time in their company, she must find a way to avoid them! What in God’s name came over Mr. Darcy that he would inquire so insistently about Charles’s location? Could he not see the danger? And Georgiana—she could not forget Georgiana’s unusual chitchat about the time she had spent with Mrs. Gardiner and the Miss Bennets. Had they all lost their reason? How had the Bennets become the most popular family in Town?

As if all her prayers had been heard, with unconcealed pleasure Caroline Bingley saw Mr. Darcy and his sister enter the room. Only a few moments passed before Lady Brightmore hurried to them. Caroline had always wondered why the Darcys treated Lady Brightmore with such apparent warmth when they were not even real family.

Finally, the Darcys approached her. “Miss Bingley…such a nice surprise to meet you here.”

“Likewise, sir… I have—”

“Miss Bingley! What a pleasure to see you. I did not know you were on my mother’s guest list of. Are you alone?”

“Lady Selina…Lord Brightmore…” By that point, Caroline Bingley turned from frustration to anger. She was certain Lady Selina was purposely trying to interrupt the lovely conversation she started with the Darcys. “I came with my sister and my brother Mr. Hurst.”

“Oh, I see… I know Lady Brightmore is closely acquainted with Mr. Hurst’s mother. I hope Mrs. Hurst is in good health—the elder Mrs. Hurst, I mean.”

Caroline was vexed and at a loss for words. How on earth would she know if Mr. Hurst’s mother was in good health? She had barely seen the old lady in the last five years.

“I hope Charles will be here tonight. He has been missed at the club. Where is he?” Lord Brightmore intervened, and a glance at Mr. Darcy told Caroline that he was about to ask the same question. She breathed deeply and was about to reply when she was stopped by Louisa’s desperate gaze and improper waving.

When she turned towards the main door, the entire room became dark and began to spin. It was Caroline’s worst nightmare: in the middle, closely attached to the arms of Colonel Fitzwilliam and the viscount, were Jane and Eliza Bennet! She hoped and prayed her eyes were deceiving her, and she staggered a few steps to the nearest chair. She sat, shocked to see her companions abandon her for the newly arrived guests. She was too distracted to notice Louisa’s approach.

“I do not really know, sir. My brother left town a month ago, and all I know is that he is visiting friends; he will likely remain at their estate for the next few months,” she answered, but Lord Brightmore was too far away to hear.

“What on earth are the Bennets doing here? And with Lord Matlock and his sons? How could the earl allow country nobodies to enter on the arms of his sons? Does he not know what rumours will arise? And why is their aunt from Cheapside on the earl’s arm?”

“Caroline, mind your temper! This is not the time to make a scene! And stop looking at Eliza Bennet that way,” Mrs. Hurst scolded her furious sister.

Caroline Bingley did heard no more than a couple of words; her complete attention was engaged in following the Bennet sisters around the room. She saw Eliza Bennet sitting with Lady Brightmore on one side and Georgiana Darcy on the other. She hesitated a few minutes and then began to move, closely followed by her sister, and did not stop until she was a few steps from the object of her despair.

“My dearest Jane, how happy I am to see you here! And Mrs. Gardiner! Miss Eliza! I could not hope for a lovelier surprise.”

“Miss Bingley, Mrs. Hurst…” Mrs. Gardiner replied with polite composure. Jane was slightly embarrassed by the friendly approach but greeted the ladies with her usual kindness.

Elizabeth forced a smile. “Miss Caroline Bingley… I confess I had lost any hope of meeting you again after we waited in vain for you to return my sister’s call. It seems fate wished for us to renew our acquaintance. And Mrs. Hurst…so nice to see you.”

Caroline was lost for words in the face of such impertinence, and she failed to notice Lady Selina’s chuckle. How could she respond to Eliza’s preposterous suggestion that she should have called on them in Cheapside?

“Well, I confess I was surprised myself to see Miss Bingley here tonight,” Lady Brightmore intervened. “I would not have guessed that you know each other, my dear Mrs. Gardiner.”

“We had the pleasure of meeting Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst in Hertfordshire; Mr. Bingley leased an estate near our father’s property,” explained Elizabeth, smiling at her ladyship while Caroline Bingley struggled to appear indifferent in the face of Lady Brightmore’s veiled offence. The old lady seemed to find great enjoyment in suggesting—again—that she had not invited Caroline personally. What a horrible person!

“Oh, by the way, where is that dear boy Charles, Miss Bingley?”

“My brother is not in town, Lady Brightmore. He left with a party of friends, and it is likely that he will spend some time with them.” She could not help but look with satisfaction at her sister when she noticed Jane Bennet’s sudden pallor. This was a battle Caroline surely would not lose!

“Such a pity. I have rarely liked anyone from the first moment as I liked Charles. Although, he might have some companions in that competition, as I just met Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth, and I liked them instantly. Now, if you will excuse us, Miss Bingley, Mrs. Hurst, I want to introduce my new guests to the others.”

They had little choice but to return to their previous place near Mr. Hurst, who had already enjoyed a few glasses of brandy, while on each arm, Lady Brightmore bore a Bennet sister to their introductions.

***

“I am sorry if I was rude, dear girls, but Caroline and Louisa always bring me to the edge of my patience. It is a shame; their father was a worthy man, and so is Charles.”

“You must not apologise, your ladyship. I can well understand your feelings.” Elizabeth laughed. “You met Mr. Bingley’s late father?”

“Yes, I did. He took care of some of my business for a few years. He was a great help to me and my son. After he passed away, I was a little lost until I had the good fortune to meet Mr. Gardiner. Such an extraordinary gentleman… What a loss for us all. I am so happy to see Madeleine here tonight after such a long time. But who could blame her? Losing such a husband as Edward so early in her life… My dear husband, God rest his soul, could have learned a thing or two from Edward Gardiner if they had ever met. Oh well, we should not allow the Bingley sisters to ruin our appetite. I trust you will enjoy my dinner. Oh, and girls—do any of you play or sing? I would love some music. I have three musicians to play in case anyone might want to dance. My dearest Selina is so fond of dancing, but still, I would love to hear you.”

Half an hour later, Elizabeth and Jane had been introduced to the other guests—all of them relatives of her ladyship or Lord Matlock—and a few old family friends. There were many illustrious names, and Elizabeth could remember only a few.

What remained vivid in her mind, though, were the reactions to their introduction as most of the guests were not as friendly or as pleased to meet them as Lady Brightmore was. The ladies in attendance especially received them with restraint and prudence, barely addressing a few words to them.

“I absolutely need to rest a little,” said Lady Brightmore, and Elizabeth and Jane took her to the settee where Mrs. Gardiner was waiting.

“Mother, you should not make so much effort, you know that,” said Lord Brightmore reproachfully while Lady Selina offered her mother-in-law a cup of tea.

“Oh, nonsense… Selina dearest, please give me a glass of wine. I am tired of tea.”

“Mother! Selina, no wine for her!”

“Matthew, mind your own business, son. You may have tea if you want! Selina sweetie, please indulge your mother…or must I ask a servant?”

With obvious disapproval and a meaningful shake of her head, Selina obeyed. Lady Brightmore enjoyed her wine and looked around with a contented smile.

“Such a joy to have so many young people around! So much youth, so much liveliness… You have the liveliest eyes I have seen in a long time, Miss Elizabeth?”

“That is a fair statement,” approved Lord Matlock, approaching with his sons and Mr. Darcy. “Lively and bright, much like Miss Elizabeth herself.” Elizabeth felt her cheeks warming and averted her eyes for a moment. From behind the colonel, she saw Mr. Darcy staring at her, and for a moment their eyes met; to her greater surprise and embarrassment, Mr. Darcy smiled at her, approving the earl’s words.

“Your lordship is purposely trying to make me feel uncomfortable, I can see that,” Elizabeth said, attempting a joke. “Or, you are trying to flatter me in order to ask something of me.”

“I declare myself defeated, Miss Elizabeth. Indeed, I plan to ask you something; I would appreciate it if you play and sing something for us tonight. I dare not ask Georgiana, but I hope you might be easier to persuade.”

Elizabeth looked at Miss Darcy for a moment, looked around the enormous ballroom, and then turned to the earl. She tried to keep a smile while replying seriously.

“Lord Matlock, I would gladly respond to any request you may have in the future, but I have no desire to perform tonight; there is no way I could be persuaded.”

“But Miss Elizabeth, we—”

“We would be happy to listen to you play and sing on another occasion in the future, Miss Elizabeth, but by no means will we insist upon a situation that might make you uncomfortable.”Elizabeth stared at him, surprised at his unexpected rescue. What
could
she answer?

“Darcy is right, Father,” said the viscount.

“Of course he is right,” accepted the earl after a moment of hesitation. “Though not surprising—Darcy is always right.” The earl laughed.

Mr. Darcy shook his head in mocking reproach at his uncle’s teasing; then he turned his eyes for another moment to Elizabeth. With surprise, she saw another smile on his face—so she smiled back.

The uncomfortable moment passed. At Lady Brightmore’s request, four young ladies offered to play and sing, eager and proud to display a small measure of their accomplishments acquired during years of diligent study.

During the entertainment, most of the guests moved about the room, trying to approach—as much as propriety allowed—those of the opposite sex who were the recipient of their interest and hoping that, during the coming dinner, they would be seated as close as possible to the favoured lady or gentleman.

Elizabeth spent most of the time talking with Lady Brightmore and Miss Darcy. Jane—due to the kindness of her heart—accepted small talk from Caroline and Louisa, closely watched by Mrs. Gardiner who was speaking with Lady Selina and her husband.

In another corner of the room, the viscount, the colonel, Mr. Darcy, and a few other gentlemen, seemed overwhelmed by a group of beautiful young ladies who were skilfully trying to gain the gentlemen’s attentions.

Elizabeth’s eyes were diverted in their direction, amused by the difference between Mr. Darcy and the other gentlemen. He appeared as aloof and silent as he was in Hertfordshire, despite the fact that his companions were superior to those in Meryton. From time to time, her eyes met his, and each time, she was certain she could see a forced, uncomfortable smile on his face.

“He is handsome, is he not? He looks much like his father,” Lady Brightmore whispered to Elizabeth. She startled, then smiled and whispered back, noting that her ladyship was enjoying a second glass of wine.

“Of whom are we talking? I have to confess I see many handsome gentlemen here.”