Page 11 of Darcy's Guarded Heart
“Did he? I recall him telling us that he is Mr Bennet and lives at Longbourn, and that there are five lovely young ladies there. All of that seems accurate,” Bingley said.
Darcy wasn’t sure why, but it bothered him that Bingley was defending the young man. He wasn’t wrong. Mr Thomas Bennet had never declared himself master of Longbourn, or indeed referred to the young ladies as his sisters. Still, there had been a deception there; he had allowed them to assume…
“All we are saying,” Louisa said now, putting on her most sensible voice, “is that you should tread carefully. You do not know her. You do not want to lose your heart and your head just yet. We are to be here for months upon months; there is plenty of time to get to know her.”
“Indeed,” Darcy said. “And many other young ladies wish to dance with you,” he reminded.
“You are one to talk. You danced only with Louisa and Caroline. It was rather uncharitable of you to deny other ladies the opportunity to dance,” Bingley said.
Darcy looked out of the window. “I was not in the proper frame of mind.”
“I must say, it was rather ungracious of you to refuse to dance with Miss Bennet, Darcy,” Bingley continued.
Darcy curled his hands into fists and tightened his shoulders. He did not take kindly to such insinuations, and it was rare for Bingley to rebuke him. Although he wasn’t necessarily wrong in saying what he did.
“Did she truly not meet with your approval?”
“She was tolerable,” Darcy said. “Not handsome enough to tempt me. But tolerable. But you know I do not like strangers.”
“Acquaintance must begin somewhere if one hopes for friendship,” Bingley said.
“Good heavens, he is at it again,” Louisa remarked, “our brother the philosopher.”
“Love will do that to a man,” Mr Hurst mumbled, causing the ladies to look at each other in amusement.
“Well, I shall take your advice and get to know the lady better. Starting this very Friday. We have all been invited to a tea at the home of Sir William and Lady Lucas. Anyone who is anyone in Meryton will be there.”
“So, just it will be just us and the Lucases?” Caroline asked, and her sister and Mr Hurst chuckled. Darcy said nothing on the matter and simply looked outside. It still bothered him that Miss Bennet had overheard their conversation earlier. He regretted nothing of what he had said, but still, he knew he should have been more discreet.
“I do expect all of you to be in attendance,” Bingley said. “You too, Darcy.”
He turned and nodded. “Very well, I shall. But do be aware that next weekend I am going into London to fetch Georgiana and Mrs Annesley. I will not be available for whatever social excursions you have planned.”
“Dear Georgiana,” Caroline said, “It will be such a delight to have her here. I always think of her as a younger sister,” she said, and looked at Darcy, who regarded her without blinking. He knew what the comment meant but also understood that it would be best not to respond.
“How old is she now? Sixteen?” Louisa asked.
Darcy shook his head. “She is seventeen. She will be eighteen in May.”
“Time certainly flies,” Caroline mused. “I remember when she was just a tiny little girl. And now it’s almost time for her coming-out ball. Have arrangements been made, Mr Darcy?”
Darcy shook his head. “Not yet. My aunt will take charge of it, I’m sure.”
“It will be grand,” Caroline said. “A coming-out ball for Miss Darcy. It will be a society event. You should hold it in London. A shame Darcy House does not have a ballroom. But perhaps you can find a suitable venue.”
“Oh, I am certain of it,” Louisa agreed, and the two ladies went off on a planning expedition of their own, leaving Darcy to his peace and quiet. For the rest of the journey, the men were left to their own devices, Bingley lost in thoughts of his enchanting Miss Jane Bennet, and Darcy fretting about what such a connection would mean for Bingley. Mr Hurst, meanwhile, had taken a journey of his own to the land of nod.
By the time they arrived, the two ladies were still talking about Georgiana’s upcoming debut when Darcy spotted a carriage pulling away.
“Were you expecting a visitor, Bingley?” he asked, and Charles shook his head.
“No, I was not.” He looked at his sisters, then the carriage, and as they alighted, the party of five made their way to the front door.
Immediately upon arrival, the butler cleared his throat. “Mr Bingley, sir, a caller is here. It’s Miss Darcy and her attendant.”
“Georgiana?” Darcy said, utterly confused. What was his sister doing here? “Where are they?”
“The footman has seen to the attendant. The young lady is in the drawing-room,” the butler replied.
