His Uncle's Favorite (37 page)

Lady Sinclair needed a long moment to reply.

“I am an excellent rider and an excellent hunter,” she stated impetuously.

“Nobody doubts your hunting skills, Eve,” said Lord Matlock, approaching and patting her shoulder. “You need not share it so openly. I would suggest more discretion, dear.”

The colonel’s laughter burst out like a gust of wind while all the others seemed dumbfounded. Darcy properly hid his laugh behind his glass while Bingley looked completely lost, uncertain whether he should laugh or not. Jane’s apparent discomfort forbade his being amused.

Lady Sinclair’s anger changed her countenance; she looked pointedly at Elizabeth and demanded a glass of wine as she struggled to regain her composure.

“Why are you laughing, Robert? More discretion would do you no harm either from time to time, boy,” Lord Matlock continued, oblivious to the tension around him. It was difficult to ignore that he had already enjoyed a few more brandies than he should have.

The colonel laughed louder; this time, Mr. Bingley considered it safe to join him.

“Eve was questioning Miss Elizabeth about why she came to the party,” explained Lady Selina. “It seems Eve is equally displeased with the children attending the party and with Miss Elizabeth, but unfortunately we can do little to improve her comfort.”

“Well, I can easily understand Eve being displeased with Miss Elizabeth’s presence. Come, let us go the dining room; dinner is waiting. I am starving; brandy always makes me hungry. Eve darling, do not be upset; hunting skills are not always successful,” the earl concluded, attempting to take Lady Sinclair’s arm.

But she turned her back to the others, walked alone to the dining room, and then seated herself towards the middle of the table without asking whether there were fixed arrangements.

Elizabeth remained a few steps behind while the pairs followed Lord Matlock: Jane and Bingley, Lady Selina and her husband, the colonel and his brother.

The Darcy siblings stayed with Elizabeth. Mr. Darcy was silent and seemed preoccupied while Miss Darcy was positively worried.

“Eve is very impolite; she always has been,” whispered Georgiana.

“Miss Bennet.” They turned and looked at Mr. Darcy, surprised by his intervention. His eyes were locked on Elizabeth’s face.

“I understand your wish of my not interfering, but if this kind of conversation continues, I shall not remain silent.” He seemed severe and preoccupied, and Elizabeth smiled at him.

Dinner passed uneventfully as their attention was deservedly directed towards their plates and the skilfully prepared dishes meant to satisfy the most pretentious and severe tastes.

Afterwards, the entire party returned to the drawing room, where coffee and drinks were served together as Lord Matlock declared he was not inclined to separate from the ladies; shortly, he kindly asked the ladies to play and sing for them.

Georgiana instantly paled, looking at her brother with obvious worry. However, she had no reason for concern. Miss Bingley, Mrs. Hurst, and Lady Sinclair instantly responded to the request, eager to entertain the gentlemen.

Elizabeth could not help wondering why such a beautiful woman as Lady Sinclair was trying so hard to raise Mr. Darcy’s interest—and with apparently so little success. She slowly turned to watch his expression closely. He was speaking with his uncle and his cousins without a trace of interest in the performer at the pianoforte. He caught her glance and their eyes locked an instant; a small, barely visible smile appeared at the corner of his lips. She smiled back, slowly averting her eyes from him.

After the ladies performed, the guests took their places around the card tables. Mrs. Gardiner declined playing as did Elizabeth.

“Miss Eliza, you still despise playing cards?” asked Miss Bingley.

“I do not despise playing cards, Miss Bingley, as I previously had the pleasure of informing you last year at Netherfield. I am simply not inclined to play at the moment.”

“Miss Elizabeth Bennet always prefers reading to cards.” Miss Bingley smiled with irony.

“I am not surprised,” Lady Sinclair replied. “Reading is exceedingly boring. Mr. Darcy, why are you still standing, sir? Will you not come and play with us?”

“No…no thank you. I am not inclined to play cards at the moment, either. In fact, I would rather read if I could only find a book to raise my interest.” He then turned to Elizabeth and said with perfect composure:

“I am considering searching for a book in the library. Miss Elizabeth, Georgiana, would you care to join me? I am sure you will find something to interest you.”

Lady Sinclair and Miss Bingley stared at him, anger and offence mingled in their expressions. Elizabeth bore the surprise as well as she could, but she did not answer immediately. Finally, as he waited patiently, she simply rose and followed him together with Georgiana. She heard the disapproving voice behind her but did not turn to listen.

If she believed Mr. Darcy was somehow joking, he proved her wrong. He directed them to the library and opened the massive door to invite them inside.

“So, Miss Bennet, what kind of book would you prefer? You may choose whatever you like; here are…” He spoke calmly, presenting her each section of the library with an inviting gesture. Georgiana remained a little behind, taking a seat near the window.

Elizabeth followed his gestures, curiosity mixed with disbelief that he actually left the other guests to escort her from the room. Slowly, her passion for books overcame the discomfort she felt. She became more and more fascinated by the shelves, and she approached so she could examine each book as she gently brushed her fingers over them.

Darcy took a few steps back, watching Elizabeth with vivid interest.

At some point, as she stretched to reach a book, Elizabeth’s eyes were caught by three small pictures near each other on a high shelf; she could not see too well, but she discerned a beautiful woman near a young boy, pictured at different ages,. With surprise and wonder, Elizabeth recognised a younger Mr. Wickham, smiling charmingly at her.

“So, you really are looking at books? I thought you planned to compromise Miss Bennet and force her to marry you. Really, Darcy, I am quite disappointed” The earl, entering impromptu, was followed by the colonel, who started to laugh; Georgiana turned pale while Elizabeth’s cheeks and neck coloured instantly.

“Uncle, for heavens’ sake—that was a poor and offensive joke!” Darcy said severely.

“Dearest Miss Elizabeth, you must not be offended,” the earl said with amusement. “I have the greatest affection for you. I was just thinking that I easily could understand a man trying to make you marry him by any means.“I am not offended, sir. I know you are very of jests though they are not always entirely proper.”

“That was very harsh but well deserved.” The earl laughed. “Please forgive my rudeness… So, what are you doing here? I am sorry to interrupt you, but I would suggest returning to the other guests before more gossip arises. If you want to take a closer look at the books, I would suggest you do it tomorrow, Miss Bennet. Please consider Matlock your home, and do not hesitate to do anything you like.”

“Thank you, your lordship, your kind generosity is much appreciated. I will be happy to keep the company of the children and of your library in the next days.” She laughed.

They eventually returned to the other guests, who were still engaged in playing cards.

Not long after that, Mrs. Gardiner and Lady Selina declared they were tired and wished to retire; Miss Darcy joined them, and after a short hesitation, the Bennet sisters said good night and followed the other ladies.

Just before she left the room, Elizabeth dared a glance at Mr. Darcy; he was looking after her insistently with no attempt to conceal his interest. It was almost midnight.

***

Elizabeth spent nearly an hour talking to Jane until her sister gently suggested that she could keep her eyes open no longer, and then she returned to her room.

Jane was happy—that was beyond any doubt—even if Mr. Bingley seemed undecided or not courageous enough to propose. She did not allow Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst to deceive her with their pretensions of friendship any longer, but she managed to keep an amiable relation with them, and she seemed content with that state.

Elizabeth fell asleep when it was almost dawn; the sunshine gently caressed her face through the window, and she almost jumped from her bed. It was past seven, and though she knew her behaviour was childish and slightly ridiculous, she panicked—first, because she was afraid he might presume she would not come and second, because she had not time enough to prepare herself as she would like.

While hurrying to put on her gown and fix her hair, she briefly considered that he might not even be there. He surely had stayed later the previous night, and it was likely that he did not wake up earlier.

The house was still and silent; not even a servant could be heard. She needed only a few minutes to trespass the front garden and reach the small grove where they had met a day earlier. Even before she was close enough, she sensed that her worries about his not being there were groundless. Her doubts had been unjustified once again.

Darcy turned to face her as she approached. He took a few steps to meet her, and his welcome smile spoke eloquently of his delight in seeing her. She laughed nervously.

“I am sorry for being late. I slept longer than usual.”

“You are not late—in fact, I do not remember having a fixed hour to meet.”

“That is the most perfect answer.” She laughed again as she slowly regained her spirits.

“Shall we?” he asked while offering her his arm, which she took and held instantly. Thunder followed them at a few steps distance.

“It is a beautiful morning,” she said.

“Indeed—it will be a warm day. Did you sleep well, I hope?”

“To be honest, neither very well nor very long. I spent quite some time speaking with Jane.”

“Is Miss Bennet well? She seemed quite well, if I might say.”

“Yes, she is, thank you. And I think Mr. Bingley is quite well, too,” she replied meaningfully.

“Yes, I noticed. I do not remember seeing him as happy before.”

“It was fortunate that some of his friends advised him to return to London and then to Netherfield…back in January, I mean…” she said, choosing her words carefully.

He did not respond immediately.

“It would have been even more fortunate if his friends had not advised him to leave Netherfield in the first place. Some advice should not be given even if it is required.”

“But then again, there are times when one can be wrong though one means well. It is important to recognise one’s own error and to correct it if possible.”

“You are too kind. I cannot help wondering what would have happened had we not met in London and had you not given me sufficient information to correct my error.”

“And I also wonder what might have happened had we not met in London and had
you
not given me sufficient information to correct
my
error…”

A long pause followed as they began to climb the hill; neither dared to say more.

He gently covered her hand, which was resting on his arm, with his palm.

“I hope you will have a lovely time with the hunting party,” she finally broke the silence.

“Yes… To be honest, I am not quite so fond of hunting… I…” he turned his head and looked at her; she could feel his gaze and turned her eyes to meet his. He looked as though he was not certain whether he should continue.

“I would not have come had I not known you would be here,” he said.

She held his gaze, speechless, her heart beating wildly and her cheeks burning.

“I do not ride, and I surely do not hunt. The only reason I came was for the company…and for long walks,” she whispered, flustered, then laughed to hide her embarrassment.

“Lady Sinclair was correct in asking me why I came.”

“Lady Sinclair was not correct in anything she said,” he replied severely. “I apologise for her; she is rude and spoilt, and she believes everybody outside her circle is beneath her and not worthy of civility. She is accustomed to having her own way in everything. She needs to be put in her place; I shall not allow her to offend you again.”

He seemed troubled by the difficult situation in which she was put; Elizabeth was equally amused and pleased with his reaction. He suddenly stopped again and turned to her.

“I was the same, was I not? When I first came to Hertfordshire, I mean.”

The question took her by surprise, and she searched a long moment for the proper answer.

“Yes, I was. Your silence answers my question.”

“You were haughty and aloof, and yes, I imagine you believed everyone to be beneath you,” she eventually admitted. “You were not the most pleasant company, but you have never been rude in such a way.”

“Yes, I imagine I was not the most pleasant company…”

“But it is important that you recognised what was wrong and tried to make amends. As for Lady Sinclair, please do not feel you need to intervene. I am quite amused; she reminds me of Miss Bingley, and I dare say I am quite capable of handling them both.”