Page 4 of See, Hear, Speak No Evil, Mr. Darcy
“Who would tie themselves toMiss Lydia’sfamily?”
“To gain Miss Bennet’s hand, I well might,” Bingley said drolly.
“You are too hasty. But Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth do have my pity,” said Darcy.
“And will you be her champion? Aid Gardiner’s niece in supporting her meaning to her mother?”
“No, for it would—”
“Frustrate Caroline.”
“The merit of your suggestion becomes clearer,” Darcy said with amusement. “Still, we have only just been introduced.”
“But we have knownofher longer. Gardiner says she is the brightest of his nieces. Go to it, man. I shall divert the gossips with Miss Bennet.”
“You are a white knight.” Darcy rolled his eyes.
“As are you for the rather pretty Miss Elizabeth. Do not forget they are Gardiner’s nieces. He will be gratified to know we had a care for their concerns and found them enjoyable company.”
Bingley clapped Darcy on the shoulder, then crossed the room to Miss Bennet.
Darcy returned to studying the mother and daughter.Yes, Gardiner would like to know that we danced with his nieces. And it will remind Miss Bingley that she has no say over my future. That is reason enough. Not even Mrs. Bennet can drive me away. If only she were not so…
“You have gone to Town many times since you were out, and still not one man has asked for you. You know nothing of—”
Mrs. Bennet continued to harangue Miss Elizabeth, but the matron’s eyes widened when Bingley came to Miss Bennet’s side. Bracing himself, Darcy left his alcove to stand before Mrs. Bennet and Miss Elizabeth.
“Miss Elizabeth is correct. That child,” Darcy said as the youngest Bennet girl laughed and pranced around a young man, “with such propensity to make a show of herself, should not be out of the nursery. Miss Elizabeth, I apologize, I did not recognize your name when we were introduced earlier. I believe we almost met in the spring.”
Chapter 2
Darcy Dances at the Assembly
Darcy noted that the red in Miss Elizabeth’s cheeks deepened. She did not look at the cut of his clothes or the knot in his cravat. Rather, she took his measure by searching his eyes for a moment that lasted both a heartbeat and an eternity. Her appreciation of his timely intervention was obvious, as was the amusement in her brown eyes. He did not know which arrested him more, the near-golden hue around her irises or the pleasure in her expression he alone had bestirred.
“There is nothing to forgive, Mr. Darcy. I also did notrecognizeyour name. Please allow me to apologize for any offense caused by rumors of your wealth circulating this assembly. Your works, private deeds, and charitable actions speak highly of you, sir.” Miss Elizabeth curtseyed. “I confess, I never expected to see so esteemed an acquaintance of my aunt and uncle Gardiner in our small village.”
“Now see, Lizzy? Mr. Bingley has sought out dear Jane. It is just as I predicted,” Mrs. Bennet said with pride.
“Speaking of wealth is thought vulgar, no matter the level of society,” Darcy said quietly for the benefit of Mrs. Bennet. “Miss Elizabeth, I would like an introduction to your sisters whofollow your good example. I saw you standing next to the lovely young lady with a book in hand. Is she one of your sisters?”
He was relying on memory alone, but Darcy believed Gardiner had spoken of a niece who preferred books to dancing.
“My sister Mary. She cannot abide being idle. She brings a book because there are so few men to dance with,” Miss Elizabeth said, her appreciation for his mentioning of her sister unmistakable, and she beckoned her sister Mary to join them.
“Mary, lovely? Hmph,” Mrs. Bennet said, wrinkling her nose. “Now, my Jane and my youngest Lydia are true beauties of the county.”
“Do you attempt to tell me what and whomIshould consider beautiful, madam?” Darcy did not try to mask his umbrage.
“Oh, but of course not,” Mrs. Bennet said, recognizing she had gone too far.
“Miss Elizabeth, I regret that I was unable to meet you at your aunt’s dinner on Gracechurch Street. I have it on the best authority that a conversation with you is quite enjoyable. I am pleased to meet you at last.”
“Yes, I do believe that dinner was in honor of an orphanage committee, which your mother—”
“My aunt, the Countess of Matlock, is on the board with your aunt. My mother was once on the committee, but she passed some years ago.”
“I am sorry for your loss, Mr. Darcy,” Miss Elizabeth said, reaching to take his hand. She squeezed it before letting it go, the intimate gesture kindly meant.
