Page 3 of Darcy's Guarded Heart
“Yes—the infamous brother prayers,” he said with a chuckle. “It is a shame I am not truly your brother. Perhaps your mother would not be in such perpetual agitation over the matter of finding husbands for you girls.”
“Indeed. Which brings me once more to our current predicament, what on earth has Mother discovered that sent her into such raptures?”
Thomas chuckled. “She has discovered not one, but two eligible bachelors, of course. The gentleman who is to occupy Netherfield Park is Mr Charles Bingley of Sheffield—a man of trade, with considerable means.”
“And how, pray, did she gather this information so quickly when they have only just arrived?”
“They have just arrived by Mr Bingley’s staff arrived days ago. You know how she is. She has her ways,” he said. Then he pulled back his shoulder and heightened his voice with a smirk before speaking in the high tone they all used when imitating their mother. “Oh, Jane, can you imagine? You must set your cap on him posthaste. It will be a delight to have a daughter married so well.”
Elizabeth shook her head but couldn’t help but smile. “Oh, dearest Mama. Of course, it would be Jane she sets to this particular task.”
“She is the oldest and most refined. And by far the most kind-hearted.”
“And prettiest,” Elizabeth added, but Thomas shrugged.
“That is in the eye of the beholder. In any case, you are all to attend the Meryton assembly. None is to be left behind.”
Elizabeth sighed. “Very well. We shall see what this Mr Bingley is all about. But pray, you said there were two eligible gentlemen? Who is the other?”
“I am unsure. A friend of Bingley’s, but Mrs Bennet was not able to find out more just yet. But fear not, she shall not rest until she does.”
Elizabeth shook her head in bemusement, for she knew this was true. She glanced at Thomas. A part of her wanted to ask why he still referred to her mother as Mrs Bennet after all these years, but another part did not want to pry. She knew it must be difficult for him to be a part of this family while also being somewhat on the outside. They shared blood and a name, but he was still not really one of them—not in the eyes of outsiders, anyhow. To her and her sisters, Thomas was like a brother. Indeed, at times she forgot he was not. But to others, he was always the Bennet’s ward.
It was a difficult position to be in; she recognised this and did not want to draw attention to it by asking him questions such as why he preferred a formal address for her parents.
For the time being, she pushed these thoughts aside. It was time to head inside—and hope that for once, her mother had quite exhausted herself with her excitement.
Chapter Two
Darcy
The country air was fresh with notes of lavender from a nearby field and the distinct scent of cow manure. Darcy knew it was strange, but he had always liked the scent. The earthiness invoked something in him—memories of a time when he’d been unburdened by responsibility and had been able to be free. Childish days spent outdoors with his mother and father.
It was rare that he could indulge in such memories these days; his time seemed occupied every moment of every day.
“Darcy?” Bingley called, drawing him out of his thoughts. “You did not answer my question.”
“I beg your pardon, I was lost in thought,” he replied.
“I can tell. Admiring my soon-to-be estate, I hope?”
“I was, actually. It is a fine piece of land you have found, Bingley. Close to London, with tenant farms already established, and lands that will surely serve you well in the future. The only trouble is that it is near that little town.”
“Meryton? It appears utterly charming; I do not know what you mean,” Bingley replied. Darcy sighed.
“It’s far less refined than Lambton. It struck me as rather provincial,” he said.
“Of course, it is rural, Darcy. It is the countryside,” Bingley said incredulously. “You do strike me as peculiar at times.”
Darcy knew it was not an insult on Bingley’s part. His friend was merely stating whatever came into his mind—a habit he had tried to break him of for some years but without success. Bingley was affable, which made him popular with all who met him, but also gullible, leaving him vulnerable to those who might exploit such a trusting nature. Darcy aimed to protect his friend ever since they’d met some ten years prior and had no intention of letting him run afoul of anyone who might do him ill.
“Meryton may be rural, but there do seem to be rather a lot of… well, let me say the people do not appear to be of consequence to me.”
“You’ve hardly met anyone, Darcy,” he observed, the sound of their horses trotting on the dirt road accompanying his words. “But fortunately, that shall change in due course. In fact, Caroline informs me there is an assembly dance this very evening, and she and Louisa will be attending. I trust you will come with us?”
“Must I?” Darcy asked, for he did not like to partake in such events. He preferred private balls and gatherings where he already knew everyone and could be assured everyone was of his station—or at least not far below. In a place like Meryton, one could never know what sort of riffraff one might encounter.
“Yes, you must. Caroline and Louisa will need someone to dance with, after all. You are wary of these strangers, and so are they. But they will be much assured by your presence and mine. And Mr Hurst’s, of course,” he said brightly as they rounded a corner.
