The Perfect Bride for Mr. Darcy (17 page)

“Miss Elizabeth, may I inquire after your family? Are your parents well? And all your sisters? And Miss Bennet? Of course, Miss Bennet is one of your sisters, so I have already asked that question.”

“All is well at Longbourn, Mr. Bingley. Just today, I received a letter from Jane, and she tells me that everyone is in good health.”

“A letter from Miss Bennet. Very good. Just as I had hoped.”

Before Bingley could further trip on his tongue, Darcy interrupted to say they needed to return to Pemberley. After greeting the Culvers, the owners of the inn, and chatting with the villagers who had gathered around him, Georgiana and he were finally allowed to leave. On the ride home, Darcy went over in his mind all that had transpired and felt reassured. The damage he had done in Kent was not irreparable. It was possible he had been given a second chance.

Elizabeth joined her aunt and uncle in the front room and spun around so that they might comment on her dress and hair.

“Truly lovely, my dear,” her uncle said. “But I shall leave you ladies to compliment each other, and I shall have the carriage brought ’round.”

“If I had known I was to see Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy on our visit, I would have brought another dress. They have seen this frock a number of times and look at the creases,” Elizabeth said, pulling the fabric away from her body to examine just how bad the wrinkles were. “I am sure all of the ladies will be wearing the finest silk, while I wear muslin.”

“There is nothing wrong with muslin,” Aunt Gardiner said, “and surely they would not expect you to pack your finest dresses to go on a tour of the countryside. Besides, a dress is only good for a first impression. It is the person in the dress that matters, and if your reception is half as warm at Pemberley as it was this morning, then you have nothing to be concerned about.”

“Yes, it has been a pleasant day. I liked Miss Darcy very much, and it was wonderful to see Mr. Bingley again. I have hopes there, Aunt. As soon as he learned that we were at the inn, he came immediately, and you must have noticed how he twice asked after Jane. I am confident that Jane and he will have a courtship after all.”

“And what about you, Elizabeth?”

“I shall wait for events to unfold,” she said, without any of the confidence she felt on behalf of her sister.

“I understand your caution, but I believe Mr. Darcy’s interest in you could not be mistaken.”

“Nevertheless, I shall remain on guard because I saw how hurt Jane was when she realized Mr. Bingley had left Netherfield Park with no intention of returning. And there is the matter of Mr. Bingley’s sister. I do not know how much progress can be made as I am sure Miss Bingley will be listening and watching everything I say or do.”

“I think you are underestimating Miss de Bourgh. She has already proven herself to be an expert in masterminding and executing a plan. I cannot imagine she went to all the trouble of having Mr. Darcy and you meet, only to give way to Miss Bingley. And I suspect you have made a friend of Miss Darcy.”

“It should be an interesting evening. I almost feel sorry for Miss Bingley. She wants Mr. Darcy so very badly, but everything she does diminishes her chances of that happening because he finds her so annoying.”

“If that is the case, you may have a secret ally: Miss Caroline Bingley.”

***

“Well, what do you think, Mercer? Am I presentable?” Usually, Darcy allowed his man to lay out his clothing, but tonight he had picked out each piece himself because he wanted to look his very best for Miss Elizabeth.

“If I may comment, sir.”

“Of course, Mercer. Speak freely. Have I chosen unwisely?”

“Oh no, sir. You have chosen to great effect. However, your expression is that of a man going to the scaffold, not supper.”

“Hah! It is easy enough for you to say that it is just a supper, but you do not have to face a room full of women, each of whom believes she should have some say in my future. I was so looking forward to dining with Miss Elizabeth, but now that the time is near, all I can see are the problems created by having Miss Elizabeth, Anne, and my sister in the same room as Miss Bingley and her sister. It is as if I invited two warring parties to fight it out in Pemberley’s dining room. I do not think it will go well.”

“I believe Jackson anticipated the situation, sir, and I think you will be pleased by the seating arrangement. The warring parties, as you call them, have been separated to minimize damage.”

“That is all well and good during the meal, but does Jackson have a plan for after supper?” Looking in the mirror one last time and after straightening his waistcoat, he told Mercer, “Well, what will be, will be. Onward into battle.”

***

Before going down to supper, Darcy asked Bingley to join him in the study. It was his intention to apologize for his interference in his affairs with regard to Miss Bennet. He felt confident of his forgiveness, not only because Bingley was not one to hold grudges but also because there had been such a change in his friend. He was exuding a confidence that Darcy could only attribute to one thing: He had already made up his mind to call on Miss Bennet.

Charles was waiting in the study and had poured a brandy for both of them. He already knew the reason why Darcy had asked for this meeting. His friend had changed his mind regarding Miss Bennet because, if any reservations had remained, he would never have revealed that Miss Elizabeth was staying at the inn. It was evident that Darcy now approved of the match, and an unfortunate episode in their friendship could be put behind them. Charles was confident there would be a time in the not-too-distant future when Mr. Darcy would be welcoming Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bingley to Pemberley.

Taking the brandy from Charles’s hand, Darcy got right after it. “You know me well enough to know I do not beat around the bush. The reason I have asked you here is to apologize for my interference in your affairs with regard to Miss Bennet. I completely misjudged the depth of her affection, and it was presumptuous of me to assume that I knew more than you did as to matters of the heart. I did not understand how quickly one could fall in love, and I regarded it almost as an affliction that one would eventually recover from. However, I now recognize that it is a force that reaches into every fiber of your body, and that it is something not to be resisted but embraced.”

“Well said, Darcy. But are you talking about me or you?”

“The matter at hand is your love for Miss Bennet.”

“Darcy, I understand you were acting in my best interest, but you arrived at your decision based upon how you would have acted. But I am not a Darcy. I do not have Norman blood running in my veins, and my ancestors were not earls. I am a simple man with simple tastes. I want no more than to be surrounded by family and friends and to have horses to ride about my property on a fine day. And who knows what the future holds? I have just learned that my brother, George, is on the king’s birthday list for a knighthood, so the Bingleys are rising.

“In the early days of our friendship,” Charles continued, “I looked to you as an older and wiser brother, but in the intervening years, I have grown up. I now trust my own judgment and am confident that I am capable of making wise decisions. Not that I won’t need your counsel from time to time, but it must be a contributing factor, not the deciding one. So if it is my forgiveness you are seeking, you are forgiven.”

“I readily agree to your conditions,” Darcy said and hoped that Bingley would feel the same way when he had finished. “However, there is one other matter I must acquaint you with. A few weeks after our departure from Hertfordshire, Miss Bennet visited her aunt and uncle, whom you met this morning, in London. I knew she was in town but said nothing. I now know from Miss Elizabeth that her sister thought you knew she was staying with the Gardiners, but chose not to call. As a result, she was deeply hurt. Fortunately, Miss Elizabeth was able to reassure her sister that you were completely unaware of her presence. At the earliest opportunity, it is my intention to apologize to Miss Bennet. And now you know it all.”

Bingley started to pace about the room, saying nothing, and as the silence lengthened into several minutes, Darcy was less sure that his friend would forgive him now that he knew the full extent of his interference.

“I should be angry with you, Darcy, but I am angrier with myself. I should not have taken your advice regarding Miss Bennet nor given in to the pressure from my sisters. However, I cannot change the past, and since you are sorry for what happened in Hertfordshire and London, how can I not forgive you?” Charles stood next to Darcy and clapped him on the back, a gesture the older Darcy often did to his friend. It was the first time Charles had ever done it to him.

“Now, that we have cleared the air, in a gesture of friendship, I shall do you a favor. I know how much my sisters, especially Caroline, annoy you. Don’t pretend that they do not. If it was ever a secret, it came into the light of day at Hulston Hall. Caroline’s behavior towards our hosts put a permanent scowl on your face. So this evening, I will suggest that tomorrow we all go for a ride in the Peak District, knowing full well that neither of my sisters nor my bloated brother-in-law will get on a horse. Caroline will be unhappy, but she will be unhappy with me and not you. Of course, you must invite the Gardiners and Miss Elizabeth to go riding. I would be very surprised if Miss Elizabeth’s aunt and uncle accepted the invitation, which will leave Georgiana, Miss Elizabeth, and you. While you are showing Miss Elizabeth the wilds of the Peak, I shall offer to drive the ladies to the various lookouts that require no exertion whatsoever.”

“You are making it sound as if you are deliberately throwing me into the path of Miss Elizabeth, or am I mistaken?”

“Darcy, it will not do,” Charles said, laughing. “You are finally able to understand my love for Miss Bennet because
you
are in love. I had guessed as much when I saw how you looked at Miss Elizabeth at the inn this morning, but when you confessed that love fills every fiber of your body, only a man in love could utter such words.”

“It seems that I am easily seen through these days. Apparently, love lays bare your soul. It is quite a humbling experience.”

“Yes, but there is nothing like it on earth.”

***

Darcy’s heart was keeping time with the gait of the horses as Elizabeth’s carriage came up the hill. He was still unaccustomed to the physical change that came over him whenever he was in her company. It wasn’t only his heart racing, but the feeling of being caught up in something beyond his control, and it quite overwhelmed him.

When the Gardiners and Elizabeth were introduced, everyone was in the music room listening to Mrs. Hurst play one of her pieces on the pianoforte. She lacked the precision of her sister, but her playing was heartfelt, and it led Darcy to believe that if she ever broke free of her younger sister, Mrs. Hurst would be quite a different person.

Anne immediately went to Elizabeth and greeted her warmly, which did not go unnoticed by Caroline Bingley. Just how well did these two ladies know each other? It had been her impression that they had only recently been introduced during Elizabeth’s visit to Kent. If that was the case, why was Miss de Bourgh greeting her as if they were sisters? Caroline suspected a conspiracy, and the evidence was building.

“Miss Elizabeth, it has been too long,” Caroline said, making no pretense at sincerity. “I believe it was last autumn at the ball at Netherfield when we last saw you and your family. If I recall correctly, we returned to London shortly thereafter.”

“Was it only last autumn, Miss Bingley? How the months do pass when one is engaged in enjoyable pursuits in the midst of a loving family.”

Georgiana was already so in tune to Miss Bingley that she could tell by her inflection just how cutting any particular remark was. She knew nothing of the ball at Netherfield, but she had no doubt it was the first arrow out of Miss Bingley’s quiver.

“Miss Elizabeth, you must come and sit by me and tell me everything you have done since arriving in Lambton,” Georgiana said.

“Gladly. This morning, we went to a well dressing,” Elizabeth said enthusiastically. “The workers were still creating their design when we left, but when it is done, it will be of four children dancing around a maypole. It was wonderful. There is nothing like it in Hertfordshire, so we found it to be very interesting.”

Georgiana explained to Miss Bingley and the Hursts that a well dressing was a design made up entirely of flowers and other things taken from Nature, such as moss and leaves and pieces of wood.

“Oh, Will, we must tell our friends about the one we saw last year. It was the largest I had ever seen. It was a replica of a local ruin and very like.”

By the time she had finished her description of various well dressings, Caroline could hardly believe that such a thing had merited fifteen minutes of discussion. Miss Darcy had barely uttered the final word on the subject when Miss Bingley said, “Miss Elizabeth, I understand you were touring the gardens of Pemberley when Mr. Darcy arrived. What a happy event. Did it require much alteration to your plans?”

“There was no alteration on our part, Miss Bingley. Our plans have been in place for several weeks. I came to Pemberley at the recommendation of Miss de Bourgh, and if any alteration was made, it was made by your party, not mine.”

That was the second arrow out of Caroline Bingley’s quiver, Georgiana thought. But from that exchange, she decided Miss Elizabeth was quite capable of taking care of herself, and her brother was of the same opinion. The parties had engaged, but Elizabeth had got the better of Miss Bingley. And it looked as if it was going to be an interesting evening.

As the current mistress of Pemberley, Georgiana had met with Jackson to discuss the seating arrangements for that night’s supper and had requested only one change. She wanted Miss Elizabeth to sit on the same side of the table as Caroline Bingley. In that way, when her brother spoke to Elizabeth, Caroline would be unable to hear her responses, and if things went as Georgiana hoped they would, her role as mistress of Pemberley would be short-lived, as her brother would soon be marrying Elizabeth Bennet.

As soon as Caroline entered the dining room, she saw how it would be. Caroline was seated to Miss Darcy’s right, next to her brother-in-law, and diagonally across from Miss de Bourgh. With Mr. Gardiner sitting opposite to her, she was completely boxed in. While at the other end of the table sat Mr. Darcy, and to his left, Eliza Bennet. She was sure Miss de Bourgh was responsible for the seating arrangement. It had been just the previous day when Caroline had declared Mr. Darcy’s cousin to be a fool, but now she knew that she was anything but. Once Caroline learned that it was Miss de Bourgh who had suggested Elizabeth’s visit to Pemberley, she remembered what Mr. Darcy had said when he came to the Bingley townhouse: “I would ask that the date for our departure be moved up at the request of my cousin, Miss Anne de Bourgh.” That whole stupid conversation about yellow frocks, favorite flowers, and Elizabeth’s disagreement with Mr. Darcy concerning bathing resorts, was part of an act to disguise her efforts on Miss Elizabeth’s behalf.

Caroline had no doubt Miss Elizabeth and Miss de Bourgh were in collusion, and that the plot had been hatched when the two women became fast friends during Elizabeth’s visit to Kent. It was only after Mr. Darcy’s return from his visit with Lady Catherine that Caroline was told Miss de Bourgh was to accompany them to Derbyshire, a place she had not visited for two years because of her supposed ill health. But the success of their plan was thwarted when she had agreed to the sudden change in their departure date.

Caroline did not understand why Mr. Darcy’s cousin would encourage such a match. There was nothing to recommend Miss Elizabeth. She was considered to be a beauty only because she lived in a backwater village and moved in a society of the meanest sort. If she attended the grand balls in London, she would not have merited so much as a passing glance from anyone in polished society. And her clothes! How many times had she seen that yellow frock when they were in Hertfordshire? And her complexion! At least her sister had the good sense to protect her skin from the sun, but apparently Miss Elizabeth thought that being brown complemented “her fine eyes,” when all it did was make her look as if she worked out of doors.

In addition to the more obvious drawbacks to such a match, there was the matter of her inferior birth and lack of connections. The daughter of a gentleman farmer to be the mistress of Pemberley. Impossible! Or did Miss Elizabeth think her association with Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner would provide her with an introduction into London society? Equally ridiculous. The Gardiners could have the finest china and crystal in all of London, but what did it matter if the only people to dine at their London home were shopkeepers and merchants?

Mr. Darcy was completely innocent in all of this and would have been offended if he knew what the two women had got up to. She was sure he would be outraged if he had discovered that his sister had been drawn into their intrigue by appealing to her love of drama, which was so evident at Hulston Hall when Georgiana had gone up into the attic in search of ghosts. Her brother would not have approved of that either, but Anne had found it to be a lark.

“Miss Bingley, I think you and my wife may have something in common,” Mr. Gardiner said after a prolonged silence by his dining partner. “Mrs. Gardiner’s grandfather was born in Edinburgh, and I understand from your brother you too have some Scots blood in you. Have you ever visited Scotland?”

“No, I have not, and it is my intention to keep it that way. My grandfather moved to Durham when he was still a young man, and the Bingley connection to Scotland is so remote, I am surprised my brother mentioned it at all.”

“I know the Scots have a reputation for being a bit rough at the edges,” Mr. Gardiner said with a laugh, “but we all owe a debt of gratitude to some Scotsman. They are men of science and industry and medicine. If London is ever to be lit by gas, it will be because of Mr. William Murdoch. Have you not seen the public lighting at Pall Mall?”

“Of course, I have. But as you say, Mr. Gardiner, the Scots are men of science and industry and are not gentlemen.”

Fearing that his attempt to engage the lady in conversation had only served to annoy her, he thought it best to change the subject. “I understand your oldest brother is to be knighted, Miss Bingley.”

“Yes, I hope this will be the first of many honors for George.”

“May I add my congratulations to your brother being so honored,” Anne said, “but before we leave the topic of Scotsmen, since we are at Pemberley, we might add Robert Adam’s name to the list of sons of Scotland to whom we are indebted, as he designed all the public rooms here in the manor house. Mr. Darcy would know more about that than I do because he had actually met the man when he was a child.”

“Miss de Bourgh, the statement regarding Scotsmen not being gentlemen was not meant to be universally applied,” Caroline said. “There are always exceptions, and I cannot think of one more thing to say about Scotland or its inhabitants.”

Mr. Darcy had heard nothing of their discussion because he had been otherwise engaged in a conversation with Miss Elizabeth and Mrs. Hurst. Without embarrassment, Mrs. Hurst had shared the story of how she had got lost in the maze during her visit to Pemberley the previous summer. “I probably should not tell that story as it makes me look foolish, but I did so enjoy it.”

Instead of being ridiculed for her inability to navigate the maze, Elizabeth complimented her on her desire to find humor in an awkward situation.

“I am glad you think so, Miss Elizabeth. Caroline was quite upset with me, especially when I got lost a second time. But Mr. Darcy assured me that it was a complicated design, and he did not know of anyone who had not got lost at one time or another. It is just one of the many pleasures to be found at Pemberley.”

Darcy smiled at the compliment. Mrs. Hurst’s relaxed attitude and pleasant conversation served to confirm what Darcy had already suspected. Mrs. Hurst was a follower, and unfortunately the leader was her sister, who seemed to find little joy in anything except carving up perceived rivals.

“Miss Elizabeth, Mrs. Hurst has expressed her opinion of Pemberley, but I was wondering if you had any comment to add.”

“I do not think I do, Mr. Darcy. I am ill equipped to describe your own Garden of Eden. I have never been to a manor house that was so happily situated with its incredible views of the Peak and the gardens and the lake. You once said to me that your thoughts are clearest when you are at Pemberley, and I can well believe it. Who could think anything but happy thoughts when in the midst of such beauty?”

“I agree wholeheartedly with that statement, but such beauty should be shared. Would you agree, Miss Elizabeth?”

“Yes, I would agree.”

Darcy smiled at her answer. He took it to mean that she would be receptive to another offer of marriage. Could it be interpreted in any other way?

After the pudding was served, Jackson asked his master if he intended for the gentlemen to withdraw to the study. Darcy decided that leaving the women alone for even a short period of time was not a good idea, and he told Jackson they would all adjourn to the music room and asked that coffee be served immediately.

Caroline was relieved when supper finally ended. Now, they would go into the music room where she would outshine everyone else. There was no doubt she was the most talented musician, and that included Miss Darcy, and her skills would be further enhanced because she would be playing on a pianoforte that was as fine an instrument as she had ever seen. But once she was mistress of Pemberley, she would have the piano moved to the other end of the room to allow for more intimate entertainments.

“Miss Bingley, perhaps you will favor us with a tune?” Mr. Darcy asked almost as soon as they had entered the room.

“Will, if I may make a suggestion?” Georgiana said. “Miss Bingley is such an accomplished musician that if she plays first we shall all pale in comparison. Perhaps, Miss Elizabeth could entertain us with a ballad, and Mrs. Hurst might accompany her.”

Anne and Georgiana had anticipated that Miss Bingley would sit as close to Will as possible and would remain there until forced to move. If she was asked to perform later in the evening, she would have to get up, allowing Will and Elizabeth more time to engage in conversation.

Darcy was convinced his sister’s request had nothing to do with musical proficiency, but he acceded without trying to puzzle it out. After the two ladies had completed their first piece, Caroline made no comment on the performance, but used the break to compliment Mr. Darcy on the design of the music room.

“Your cousin shared with us that Robert Adam was the designer of the public rooms at Pemberley. I cannot think of anyone else who brings such a light touch to his work. It is the perfect design for this room—so peaceful, so serene.”

“Will, you could not hear our conversation, but we were discussing our debt to Scotsmen and Mr. Adam’s name was mentioned,” Georgiana explained.

“Absolutely, we owe them a debt. Watt’s steam engine is being used at a coal mine in the Derwent Valley not twenty miles from here. The man’s a genius. Granted, Scotland can be a rough country. I can speak to that personally as our cousin married into the Hamilton family, and last year Georgie and I went to her wedding near Stirling. That was quite an experience. We ventured out on our own for a few hours, dipping our toe into the Highlands, so to speak, but it was worth it as we were surrounded by incredibly beautiful scenery.”

“Mr. Darcy,” Caroline said, “I mentioned earlier to Mr. Gardiner that my grandfather was born in Scotland. I think it would be a very easy thing to convince me to go there for a visit.”

Georgiana just looked away, but Mr. Gardiner was now completely confused. At supper, he had the distinct impression that when he had mentioned the Bingley connection to Scotland, it was not appreciated by Miss Bingley. He must have been wrong and made no comment. Instead he said, “When I think of Scotland, I think of salmon, Mr. Darcy.”

“I have not forgotten, Mr. Gardiner. I have arranged for Wilkins, the man who is responsible for stocking the ponds, to take you and Mr. Hurst to the finest fishing spot on the property. If you do not catch anything tomorrow with Wilkins as your guide, you will have no one to blame, sir, but yourself.”

“Mr. Darcy, it is my intention to fill my creel to overflowing.”

Mr. Hurst just grunted. He was not sure why he was being included in this fishing adventure as he had not been fishing since leaving Oxford. He must have said something to Darcy at Hulston Hall when he was in his cups.

As soon as Louisa and Elizabeth rejoined the party, Charles kept his promise to Darcy and suggested that everyone visit the Peak the following day on horseback.

“Charles, do not be so tiresome,” Caroline said. “You know I do not ride nor does Louisa.”

“Yes, of course, I know that, but others do. So I was thinking that, for those who do not ride, I shall take them into the District by carriage on well-traveled roads.”

“Just because you race curricles, does not qualify you to drive a carriage,” Caroline said, continuing her protest.

“Good grief, Caroline! Must everything be so complicated? Mercer is an old hand at driving a team of horses, and he will be beside me. You may choose to remain at Pemberley, but I believe Miss de Bourgh, Mrs. Gardiner, and Louisa would like to do this.”

Even though the last thing Darcy wanted was for Miss Bingley to go riding, he still had responsibilities as host, and as such, courtesy demanded he extend the invitation to all of his company.

“Miss Bingley, Mrs. Hurst, before you decide whether or not to venture out with your brother, you should know we have a horse named Sugar, who is as gentle an animal as was ever born. Even the most timid riders are comfortable when seated upon her.”

“Thank you, Mr. Darcy, but neither Louisa nor I have ridden since we were children and…,” Caroline said, fumbling for an excuse.

“May I add, Miss Bingley,” Darcy continued, “that this particular mare was not named Sugar because of her color, but because of her disposition, and since we will be riding a narrow trail, we will be going at a snail’s pace?”

“Sir, I wish I could reward your persistence, but I do not choose to ride.” She had no intention of getting on any horse no matter what color, no matter how sweet her disposition, not even for Mr. Darcy.

Darcy had now fulfilled his duties, and he turned to Miss Elizabeth to make her the same offer after her aunt had declined.

“Since my Aunt Gardiner does not ride, Mr. Darcy, I think it only proper to accept Mr. Bingley’s invitation to ride with him in the carriage. In any event, I am not a very good rider, and I would only delay the party.” Unlike Caroline, Lizzy had no fear of horses. It was just that she had never mastered riding sidesaddle.

“Miss Elizabeth, it would be impossible to delay the party,” Charles insisted. “You will be going clippity clop, clippity clop, and no faster. The trail will not allow it, which is why I shall not be going. I cannot stand riding at that pace. No matter how splendid the views, I have no patience for it.”

Lizzy was about to repeat her decision to remain with her aunt, when she looked at Anne and Georgiana. Their looks said it all. What was she thinking? This was her opportunity to spend some time with Will free of Miss Bingley’s interference. Anne decided that the situation called for a dramatic intervention.

“If Miss Elizabeth does not choose to ride, then I shall be very brave and ride Sugar.”

Now all eyes were on Anne, who had not been on a horse in ten years because of her fear that she would have a coughing fit that would cause her great embarrassment.