Page 19 of See, Hear, Speak No Evil, Mr. Darcy
“If you can usurp Richard’s position as her favorite, I will purchase you any bottle of cognac you select.”
“Ah, yes, him. How can anyone eclipse a man who defends his country and makes her laugh at a whim? Quite the deuced unfair advantage.” Bingley closed the door to the billiards room behind them.
“Quite.” Darcy took the first shot to scatter the balls.
“Avoiding the question?” Bingley assessed the table for his shot.
“I enjoy Miss Elizabeth’s conversation. I have never had a female acquaintance who berates and praises me in equal measure. She taunts me while complimenting me. I fear changing the nature of our relationship might change how she interacts with me,” Darcy said.
“A weak excuse. I see her behaving the same with everyone she cares for. She brightens when she spies you, so if you will accept a bit of unsolicited advice? I have never seen you laugh twice in a week. You’ve done it thrice in two days. It is not just Ana who draws you into doing so,” Bingley said, surveying the table.
“I am all too aware.”
“You are willing to let another man, perhaps one we know, claim her? If you choose to walk away, she will be with Jane—Miss Bennet—and me in Town. Often. She will haveoccasion to meet our friends.” Bingley did not bother to disguise his enjoyment upon seeing Darcy’s scowling expression.
“It would not be so very often.”
“Come, man. She is attractive and vivacious. It is inevitable someone will ask for her hand. I have no intention of allowing another man the opportunity to gain Miss Bennet’s admiration. I will soon request a courtship. I refuse to think of her being tied to anyone else, or worse, someone cruel. We are well aware those sorts exist.”
“I would warn Miss Elizabeth of anyone who might harm her.”
“Ifwe know of his darker natures. Most keep those vices well hidden, Darce.”
“I take your meaning.”
“Then I shall change the subject to give you time for your prolonged and, I think, unnecessary ponderance of it all. By the bye, I thank you for suggesting I inform those shops that my sisters frequent that I am no longer covering their bills.”
“It is unfortunate such a step was necessary,” Darcy said and then proceeded to sink two balls in succession before failing to put another in a pocket.
“You suspected they would attempt it. I had hoped they would comprehend my gravity, but they did not. That they think me so weak is a humiliation I no longer need address. I am standing firm in this. Caroline’s attempt to usurp your future in such a way was reprehensible.” Bingley forced himself to be calmer, choosing a more pleasant topic for them. “I believe the ladies intend to have tea at Longbourn tomorrow.”
“I think we should send a footman to escort. With the soldiers encamped, one cannot be too careful.”
“Perhaps three?” quipped Bingley.
“I think four. Four should be enough.”
“Just so.” Bingley clapped Darcy on the back.
A knock on the door signaled the arrival of the Miss Bennets.
Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy Converse in Netherfield’s Gardens
“Well, Mr. Darcy, it has been a week. Your sister thrives with Charlotte guiding her to do more than she had been comfortable with before. Tomorrow at Longbourn, she will blend her own tea. It is a useful thing for a young lady to learn. It is a time-consuming yet satisfying task that can otherwise fill the dull and tedious hours of a solitary day,” Elizabeth said as they walked along a pathway weaving through the flowerbeds.
“I appreciate your suggestions. Miss Lucas has encouraged my sister to make decisions based on what she knows of Bingley and me, rather than to ask our preference at every turn. Her confidence rises when we assure her any choice she makes will be perfect. The meals are quite enjoyable, rather varied, even unpredictable.”
“Charlotte encouraged each of us in the same manner when we left the schoolroom. She even invited my sister Jane to accompany her whenever they visited a neighbor. And urged my then-shy sister to initiate conversation.”
“She does the same with my sister,” said Mr. Darcy. “I confess, if she were a governess or a companion, I would triple her wages. Miss Lucas makes Ana decide the course of the day when they do not have plans, such as today. There were fifteen young women and matrons at Netherfield yesterday, you amongst them, and I saw no reticence in my sister. It was a triumph for Ana. Particularly because none of the ladies came with the intent to gain Bingley’s or my notice.”
“True, you were not the focus of the conversation. A sure sign none were desperate for your notice. Though I must confess, it was also the novelty of including Netherfield in our calls and enjoying a new acquaintance, you see. But perhaps, you were the greater reason why some accepted the invitation.”
“Even if that were true, which I do not believe, it would mean you spoke of me. What was it you said?” Mr. Darcy raised a single brow in question.
Elizabeth tamped down her amusement as she felt her cheeks warm. “I was one of those delighted by the unexpected pleasure of having tea in Netherfield.”
“Ha. Shall we continue trading stories of our childhood, Miss Elizabeth? When we were last on Oakham Mount, we spoke of the times we knew our greatest fear, those of surprise, and our favorite seasonal memories.”
