Page 22 of Mr. Darcy and the Mysterious "Miss B"
“The Earl of Matlock, yes,” he confirmed. “And my aunt, his sister, was married to a knight. As you can see, the company we keep is rather formal.”
She was not sure what to make of this. Darcy appeared proud of his heritage. And given how high in the instep he had been until recently, she could picture him in such society with ease. Yet, he appeared to want a change for his sister.
The truth was, if Lydia had been her old self she might have been concerned that a sheltered young lady such as MissDarcy might fall under her spell but as Lydia had been of late, perhaps such a friendship would be beneficial for both.
“Lydia will be delighted to have a new friend, I am certain.”
“Good, I am glad,” he replied.
They made their way back towards the house, the conversation having created an unexpected sense of connection between them. As they entered the front hall, Elizabeth could hear Lydia’s voice drifting down from upstairs, bright with laughter.
But what she had not expected was to find Caroline Bingley in the drawing room, apparently having arrived whilst they were walking. Through the open doorway, Elizabeth could see her sister engaged in what appeared to be pleasant conversation with their hostess.
“Good heavens,” Elizabeth murmured.
“Indeed,” Darcy replied, his tone carefully neutral. “That is… unexpected.” He looked at her once more. “I ought to let you enter first. Lest there be a comment about our walking together unaccompanied.”
She gave a nod and climbed the stairs, Elizabeth’s curiosity overwhelming her caution. When she reached Jane’s chamber, she found Caroline seated in Elizabeth’s usual chair, listening with apparent interest as Lydia recounted some tale from Meryton.
“Oh, Miss Bingley,” Lydia was saying, “you would have found it most amusing. Mrs Phillips was so flustered she could barely form a complete sentence.”
Caroline tittered. “How delightful! Country society does produce the most entertaining situations.”
Elizabeth’s eyebrows rose. What an odd pairing.
“Elizabeth!” Lydia caught sight of her in the doorway. “Miss Bingley has been telling me about London fashions. Did you know that Spencer jackets are quite out of style now? And that the new bonnets are much smaller than what we wear in Hertfordshire?”
“How fascinating,” Elizabeth replied. “Pray, I thought you were with Jane.”
“I was, but she was tired so I came here and came upon Miss Bingley as I waited for you.”
Caroline rose. “Miss Elizabeth, I trust your walk was enjoyable? The gardens here are quite charming, though nothing compared to what one finds in town, of course.”
“They were lovely, thank you.” Elizabeth settled on the window seat, noting how Lydia’s eyes sparkled with animation. Whatever Caroline’s motives for this visit, it was clearly having a beneficial effect on her youngest sister.
“I was just telling Miss Lydia about the exhibitions at Somerset House,” Caroline continued. “Perhaps when she visits London, she might enjoy seeing them.”
“I should like that above all things,” Lydia said with enthusiasm. “I have never seen proper paintings, only the miniatures at Lucas Lodge.”
Elizabeth watched the exchange with growing bewilderment. This was not the Caroline Bingley she knew—condescending and sharp-tongued. This version seemed almostkind. There had to be some sort of reason for this. Women like Caroline did not befriend girls like Lydia.
Mr Darcy appeared in the doorway then, and Caroline’s demeanour shifted subtly. Her smile became more studied, her posture more deliberately graceful.
“Mr Darcy! How lovely to see you. I trust you enjoyed your morning constitutional?”
“Indeed,” Darcy replied with polite reserve. “The fresh air was most refreshing.”
“Miss Lydia and I have been having the most delightful conversation,” Caroline continued, though her attention was clearly focused on Darcy now. “She has such refreshing opinions about everything.”
Lydia beamed at the praise. Despite her dislike and general suspicion of Caroline, Elizabeth was grateful. Being among company was doing Lydia a world of good.
“Miss Bingley has been most entertaining,” Lydia said. “She has promised to show me the proper way to arrange flowers when we return to Longbourn. Apparently, there are rules about such things.”
“There are indeed,” Caroline agreed.
“Mr Darcy,” Lydia said suddenly, turning towards him with bright eyes. “I never properly thanked you for your kindness the other day. Your words helped more than I can say.”
“There is no need for thanks, Miss Lydia. I was glad to be of service.”
