Page 20 of Darcy's Guarded Heart
Her father smiled. “But issued it was. I am glad for it. As for Thomas, you would do well to remember his good judgement. He has always had a way about him when it comesto people. Remember when he told me Mr Glasgow was not trustworthy?”
Elizabeth did recall. Mr Glasgow had replaced their former steward some years ago, and Thomas, only thirteen at the time, had voiced a dislike for the new man from the start. Nobody had taken it seriously at the time, given Thomas’s young age, but in due course, he had been proven right. Mr Glasgow had been stealing from Longbourn and was exposed and sacked at once.
Thomas’s judgement had been held in much higher esteem since then.
“I had a mind of making Thomas my steward, you know?” her father said then. “He has a good head for estate running. But alas, I think it would do him a disservice.”
Elizabeth understood. Since the estate was entailed away from the family, making Thomas their steward would not have been beneficial to him in the long term. Once Mr Bennet died, the entire family would have to leave Longbourn to make room for Mr Collins, their distant cousin and heir. He had already made it clear more than once that he would take charge of Longbourn when the time came. In addition, Mr Collins and Thomas had never been close.
During Collins’s dreaded annual visits, Thomas often found reason to be away, visiting friends in Hertford or London in order to avoid him. Collins appeared pleased whenever he found Thomas absent, and thus it was clear making Thomas steward would not work.
“I wish he could have better prospects,” Elizabeth said, and her father rubbed his temple.
“As do I. I have done all I could for him thus far. I like to think he has been treated well.”
“Undoubtedly,” Elizabeth said, not wishing for her father to feel badly, for he truly had treated Thomas like a son.
“It is unfortunate that more cannot be done. I do wish he would choose a profession, however. If he decided to read the law, Mr Phillips would take him under his wing, I know he would. Or even the military.”
“I think Thomas struggles with his worth,” Elizabeth argued. “I know he would like to make a life for himself, but he worries being seen as a ward will overshadow him all his life. Perhaps if he knew who his father was it may be different.”
Mr Bennet shook his head as he got up and walked to the window.
“It would make no difference, Elizabeth. My cousin made a mistake and had a child out of wedlock. There is nothing to be done other than what we are doing. In due course, Thomas will find a profession that suits him and hopefully make a life for himself that will allow his unfortunate circumstances to be forgotten.”
“As long as there are people like Mr Darcy in the world, none shall forget,” Elizabeth said bitterly.
“I dare say, Thomas may yet charm even Mr Darcy. Mr Bingley appears fond of him. They do go hunting, you said?”
Elizabeth nodded. “In the morning, yes. All three of them.”
“Well then, let us hope Thomas can sway Mr Darcy’s favour not just for himself but for the entire family. I would hatefor him to have such influence over Mr Bingley as to perhaps cause trouble for Jane. Although I would imagine if he were a true gentleman, he would not interfere.”
Elizabeth rose and bade her father goodnight, though as she walked to her chamber, she could not help but reflect on his words.
It seemed he too wished to give Mr Darcy the benefit of the doubt. Thomas had said much the same. Why were these men so willing to think there was good in Mr Darcy? Could it be she was wrong?
He was, after all, quite revered by his sister; that much was clear from the way she had seen them interact with one another.
Mr Bingley was exceedingly fond of him also. Then there was Mr Wickham—although given Mr Wickham’s past actions, could the fact he spoke against Mr Darcy actually be something that could be seen as in Mr Darcy’s favour?
Whatever it was, she knew she had to stop thinking about the matter. Otherwise, sleep would never find her, and after a long evening of dancing, she needed her rest more than ever.
Chapter Ten
Darcy
“Icannot wait to try the partridge tonight. Have you arranged with the housekeeper to have it prepared, Louisa?” Bingley asked Mrs Hurst.
“Of course, Charles,” his sister replied with a weary smile. “It shall be prepared this evening with stuffing, gravy, roasted potatoes, turnips, and parsnips.”
“Quite the feast,” Caroline marvelled. “And all due to your shooting skills, dear brother.”
“Not at all,” Bingley replied as Darcy observed the exchange from the armchair. He was already bracing himself for what was to come next.
“It was all due to Thomas Bennet,” Bingley declared, at which Darcy closed his eyes, having heard quite enough of that gentleman. Both Bingley and Georgiana had spoken of him at length. Georgiana had praised his dancing skills and his quick wit, which he had evidently demonstrated at the ball at Lucas Lodge. Meanwhile, Bingley had spent the morning hunting with the man. It is true that Darcy and Mr Hurst had accompanied them, along with Mr Bennet and a gamekeeper, but Bingley and Thomas—as he insisted on being called—had engaged in deep conversation throughout the day.
When not shooting, the younger Mr Bennet had regaled the group with amusing tales of his exploits on the lake and in the woods. He had warned them of assorted pitfalls in the forest,such as unexpected dips in the paths, as well as where one might find the very best deer for shooting.
