Page 26 of Darcy's Guarded Heart
“I do hope there will be sufficient provisions,” Caroline added, her tone laced with condescension.
Mr Bingley waved his hand dismissively. “Do not be absurd, the cook invariably prepares enough to satisfy double our numbers. She will take pleasure in everything being consumed, but I daresay, even with three more mouths to feed, that will not be the case.” He clapped his hands together. “Now, we must find you something in which to change; your garments are quite damp.”
“I venture to say my gowns shall not fit. I am quite taller and possess a different shape altogether than either of you,” Miss Bingley pronounced, and Elizabeth raised her eyebrows in response, noting her faint implication that her own form was more elegant, hence superior. The assertion was, of course, absurd, as Caroline was but an inch taller, and her posture was by no means superior to that of either Elizabeth or, certainly, Jane.
Miss Darcy once more came to their rescue. “I possess a number of gowns that shall fit you both splendidly. I daresay the three of us are of a similar size. If not, we shall make it work. Shall we gather some attire, whilst my brother procures something suitable for Thomas?”
“I have but one pair of tails,” Mr Darcy interjected immediately, clenching his jaw.
“Fear not,” Mr Bingley replied, “I have a second pair, I shall find something for you to wear. Georgiana, if you would assist the Miss Bennets, Caroline, you shall see to dinner.” He made to ascend the stairs, the three ladies following behind, when he turned back to look at Mr Darcy. “And Darcy, if you could ensure that one of the footmen tends to the Bennet’s horse, I would not wish it to remain outside in the rain, tied to a post in such poor weather.”
Though his tone was commanding, it bore no rudeness; however, Elizabeth could perceive from the narrowing of Mr Darcy’s gaze that he was not pleased with his friend’s words, nor with their unexpected visit.
Despite this, she could not deny finding his indignation somewhat amusing, and a small part of her felt an odd sense of gratitude for the dismal weather.
Chapter Thirteen
Darcy
“What very unfortunate turn of events,” Caroline said later that day after the party had finished dinner. “We had hoped that Charles would spend less time with Miss Bennet, not more. And now she shall be here all evening—and who knows how long in the morning?”
“Indeed, it is not ideal,” Darcy conceded. “Alas, it cannot be helped. They are here now. We can only hope it will not lead.”
Bingley was captivated by Miss Bennet throughout dinner, Caroline remarked, and Darcy noted that this had not escaped his attention either. Dinner had been scrumptious as always, yet he found himself unable to eat as much as he might have otherwise because the company left much to be desired.
The more time he spent around the Bennets, the more it became apparent that Bingley took to them, especially to Jane. But it was not just Jane Bennet with whom he had conversed at dinner. There was also Thomas and Miss Elizabeth. Miss Elizabeth, who had vexed him during tea with her seemingly unending challenges, had proven herself to be far wittier and cleverer than he had credited her for. To make matters worse, he found himself rather transfixed by her undeniably handsome face.
What troubled him even more was how quickly Georgiana was taking to the Bennets. She had been utterlydelighted to have them back again so soon, and now, as he settled into the drawing room intending to read his book, he saw Georgiana once again huddled with Elizabeth near the pianoforte.
As he observed them, Miss Elizabeth raised her eyes, and for a moment, they were locked in a gaze that felt almost like a battle.
Beside him, Caroline chattered on, but he found it nearly impossible to focus on anything else. Unable to avoid distraction, she averted her eyes and followed his gaze with a small, almost imperceptible click of her tongue.
Then she cleared her throat. “Miss Eliza, are you going to delight us with some music this evening?” she asked.
Elizabeth smiled sweetly at Caroline, although Darcy suspected it was not a genuine smile. Her eyes, which he had noted were usually quite bright when she spoke sincerely, remained dull.
“I should imagine that my playing would not delight anyone in this room,” she said, “for my fingers do not move swiftly over the instrument—not as swiftly as I would like.”
“But we could play a duet! I play rather well,” Georgiana suggested humbly, her tone fitting her station.
“Miss Elizabeth,” Darcy chimed in, “why not play for us alongside Georgiana?”
A part of him wanted her to play so that he would not be drawn into yet another verbal sparring match with her, but another part genuinely wanted to hear what she could play.
“Yes, Miss Bennet, please do play,” Bingley said from the table, looking up. “And Darcy, while the ladies play for us, why don’t you come and sit with us? We need a fourth.”
Darcy cleared his throat. Bingley was sitting at a table with Miss Bennet, and the young Mr Bennet, setting up for a card game. He truly did not wish to keep company with the younger Mr Bennet, but he also could not decline, as that would have been exceedingly rude.
He looked at Caroline. “Will you forgive me?”
“Just this once,” she said with a sweet smile, placing her hand over his for a brief moment. Darcy made his way to Bingley’s table and settled into a chair as the sounds of the pianoforte floated across the room.
“Are you quite musical, then?” Bingley asked his companions at the table as he spread the cards.
“I am afraid I am not. Like Elizabeth, my fingers refuse to bend properly to play. I play the flute a little,” the lady replied.
“The flute?” Bingley exclaimed. “What an underrated instrument! What beautiful melodies it can produce.”
