Page 43 of Mr. Darcy and the Mysterious "Miss B"
She fixed her gaze upon Darcy with what he could only describe as calculated desperation. Unable to summon a reply that was not exceedingly rude, he turned and departed.
Darcy possessed the most uncomfortable sensation that the morrow would bring tidings far worse than today’s trials.
Chapter 15
Elizabeth
29th April 1811
Elizabeth found Lydia in the Gardiners’ small sitting room, curled in the window seat with what appeared to be every scandal sheet in London spread around her like a fortress of gossip. Her youngest sister’s eyes held a gleam Elizabeth had not seen since before their father’s death—a spark of mischief that was both welcome and worrying.
“Lizzy!” Lydia looked up with undisguised glee. “You must see this. It is the most delicious scandal.”
“I hardly think we need more scandal in our lives,” Elizabeth replied, settling into the chair opposite.
“Oh, but this is different. This is about Mr Darcy.” Lydia’s grin could have lit the entire room. “It seems the high and mighty gentleman is about to receive his just deserts.”
Anxiety coiled within her. “What do you mean?”
“Look here.” Lydia rustled through the papers with obvious satisfaction. “Mr Darcy caught in a compromising position with some mysterious Miss B. The gossips are in absolute raptures.”
She held up a particularly lurid publication. “‘Sources suggest the gentleman may be forced into marriage to preserve the lady’s honour.’ Can you imagine? Mr Darcy, who thinkshimself so far above everyone else, trapped into marrying someone he probably despises.”
“Lydia, that is hardly something to celebrate.”
“Is it not?” Lydia’s eyes flashed with uncharacteristic hardness. “He forced Jane into an impossible situation with his meddling. Now someone is forcing him into one. I call it fitting justice.”
Elizabeth took the paper, scanning the brief but damaging paragraph. The language was vague but suggestive, designed to titillate readers whilst providing just enough detail to seem credible.
“Do we know who this Miss B might be?”
“Oh yes.” Lydia’s smile turned positively wicked. “Georgiana told me all about it yesterday when we went to Hyde Park. Miss Caroline Bingley is in absolute raptures—she thinks the notice refers to her.”
“Miss Bingley?” Elizabeth looked up sharply. “But surely—”
“Georgiana says Mr Darcy holds Caroline Bingley in dislike since they first met. Finds her grasping and tiresome.” Lydia leaned forward conspiratorially. “But Caroline has been throwing herself at his head for over a year. And now, with this scandal, she thinks she has finally caught him.”
An ache she could not identify rushed through her. “That seems rather calculating.”
“Oh, it gets better.” Lydia’s voice dropped to a whisper, though they were quite alone. “Georgiana says the Hursts havebeen pressuring Mr Darcy to marry Caroline for ages. The scandal is giving them all the ammunition they need.”
The implications struck Elizabeth with startling force. This was not merely social embarrassment—this was a carefully constructed trap designed to force Darcy into an unwanted marriage.
“How dreadful,” she murmured, surprising herself with the sincerity of the sentiment.
“Dreadful?” Lydia stared at her in amazement. “Lizzy, this is the same man who destroyed Jane’s happiness because he thought our family beneath his notice. Now he is about to be forced to marry someone he cannot stand. I find it rather poetic.”
Elizabeth could not argue with Lydia’s logic, yet something about the situation disturbed her. She had seen enough of Darcy at Netherfield to know he was proud and often wrong-headed, but not cruel. The idea of him trapped in a loveless marriage to Caroline Bingley seemed a punishment that exceeded his crimes.
“Uncle Gardiner mentioned he would bring the morning papers with his coffee,” she said, changing the subject. “Perhaps we should see if there are any new developments.”
As if summoned by her words, Mr Gardiner appeared in the doorway with a fresh stack of publications under his arm.
“Ladies,” he said with a slight smile. “I see you have been keeping abreast of the latest entertainment.”
“Is there more?” Lydia practically bounced in her seat.
Mr Gardiner handed over the newest papers with obvious amusement. “I fear Mr Darcy’s troubles are escalating rather than diminishing.”
