Page 5 of Darcy's Guarded Heart
“We shall arrange it then,” Mr Bennet said while Darcy ground his teeth. He did not like how quickly this man was working his way into Bingley’s good graces. He had to have ulterior motives.
They arrived at Netherfield in due course, and Bingley promptly summoned two of his grooms to explain the situation.“Please, take Mr Bennet around to the back quarter, attend to his horse, and ensure his carriage is retrieved,” he instructed.
Turning to the young man, he added, “I look forward to seeing you at the assembly, along with your entire family.”
“And I anticipate the pleasure of meeting yours,” Mr Bennet replied, nodding before turning to Darcy, who offered a slight acknowledgement as well. “And yours, of course. It has been a delight.”
“Likewise,” Bingley responded, and Darcy forced a smile, though he found it somewhat lacking.
“It has indeed. Good day to you, Mr Bennet.” With that, the young man followed the two grooms around to the stables.
Once Mr Bennet was out of earshot, Bingley cleared his throat.
“What good fortune that we should make an acquaintance so soon after our arrival. And what a nice young fellow he was. I had hoped to cultivate a rapport with the local populace, especially if I am to make Netherfield my home. Yet you led me to believe that the people of Meryton were beneath notice.”
“I do not believe one positive encounter defines the disposition of an entire town,” Darcy replied. “Besides, I fail to see what you find appealing in this young man. He appears hardly refined, more suited to the role of a farmhand than that of a gentleman’s son.”
“Simply because he is tanned and his hands bear the marks of labour, you ought not to be so judgemental,” Bingley countered. “I found him rather entertaining.”
Darcy suppressed a sigh and followed Bingley inside, glancing over his shoulder in the direction where Mr Bennet had departed, though he could no longer see him.
He could not quite articulate why, but something about the young man unsettled him. Or perhaps it was more accurate to say he understood precisely what troubled him. Bingley’s evident fondness for Mr Bennet. Darcy did not possess a great many close friends—among those he did, Bingley had always stood as his best friend. The only other gentleman to whom he was as closely bonded was his cousin, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, though familial ties afforded a certain predisposed affinity.
Yes, perhaps he felt a twinge of jealousy regarding Bingley’s instant camaraderie with the young man. However, it was not solely that.
The mention of five sisters had instantly raised his suspicions; Darcy was well aware that Mr Bennet might very well be seeking a suitor for at least one of them. The idea of being taken advantage of was far from agreeable to him. Nevertheless, he resolved to keep his thoughts to himself for the time being, recognising that voicing them would only lead to discord, which he wished to avoid.
Chapter Three
Elizabeth
“What a lovely gown,” Arabella Smythe cooed.
“I had my maid lay out the very best, it is not every day that an eligible bachelor comes into town,” Anne Underwood replied and Elizabeth shook her head. The Meryton Assembly was far busier than she’d anticipation. So much so that there was hardly room for moving about. There hadn’t been a dance for some months now and of course, the arrival of two young unattached gentlemen in need of wives had bolstered attendance further.
“I beg your pardon,” Lady Lucas said as she bumped into Elizabeth, jostled by someone else pushing past.
“There is no need to apologise,” Elizabeth replied. “It is quite crowded.”
“Indeed it is,” Lady Lucas responded. “Everyone is eager to see Mr Bingley and his friend. I hear that young Thomas has already had a chance to speak with them.”
Elizabeth nodded, but before she could convey anything to Lady Lucas, her mother called to her, waving her white handkerchief erratically.
“Please excuse me,” she said, making her way past Lady Lucas to her mother.
Her mother had been most enthused ever since Thomas told her of his encounter with their new neighbour. Presently,Thomas stood beside Mrs Bennet, slightly bent at the waist to bring his ear closer to her mouth, no doubt in an effort to keep her from shouting loudly enough for all to hear. Still, Elizabeth caught most of what her mother was saying, even from a fair distance away. Subtlety of conversation had never been one of Mrs Bennet’s accomplishments.
“Now tell me again. You are quite certain that Mr Darcy is a bachelor? My sister told me he has ten thousand pounds per year!”
At that, several attendees turned to observe the Bennet family, while Elizabeth closed her eyes in mortification, feeling her cheeks grow hot.
“Mother,” she managed to say, “must you entertain all of Meryton with such proclamations?”
“Oh pish, let them hear!” Mrs Bennet declared, waving her hand dramatically, while Lydia and Kitty giggled to her left. Jane, positioned beside Lydia, smirked and shook her head, as if to advise Elizabeth to let it go, but there was little point in debating with her mother.
“Thomas? Well? Are you sure?” Mrs Bennet urged him.
“Yes, ma’am,” Thomas replied. “That is indeed what I was told. I cannot confirm his income, of course, but I am certain Mrs Philips would be quite accurate. She rarely is wrong on any account.”
