Page 93 of See, Hear, Speak No Evil, Mr. Darcy
“You are fortunate I do not always listen to you. But this I do for my new friend. She is determined. I simply engineer opportunity,” Georgiana said, closing her door against any further protests.
Darcy Sees the End of This Long Day
“I think I liked it better when she was ten and not aware of my moods,” Darcy muttered when he walked into hischambers, giving himself over to the care of his valet, Austen Carpe.
Carpe was a former soldier under his cousin’s command. Hearing Darcy lament the need to find a new valet after the last one had retired, Fitzwilliam, Colonel Fitzwilliam to most, told Darcy he knew a man who could be trusted. Carpe had served as batman to an officer who died in battle on the continent. He had been injured and was lately recovering before he returned home.
“Since you have nothing pressing in the morning, or at all tomorrow, I will wake you at sunrise per Miss Darcy’s request.”
“Carpe, you teeter on the edge of being let go.”
Carpe rolled his eyes. Darcy had issued the same threat to the former soldier more than a dozen times. They both knew it was nothing more than bad temper.
Up at dawn, Darcy attempted to ignore his pounding head. It was made more difficult when Carpe tied his cravat too tight.
“Tell me what you have heard of her.”
“You would find it rather annoying just now, sir,” Carpe said, brushing a piece of lint from Darcy's jacket.
Darcy did not check for any lint. Doing so would require him to move his headandopen his eyes. The sunlight streaming in the window was ever so bright just that morning.
“Tell me.” Darcy beckoned, the gesture permitting the man to be forthcoming with what he knew of the Miss Bennets.
“Servants from Longbourn and those of other estates speak well of Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, and Miss Mary Bennet. They are liked by all. Compassionate with no reference to rank or station, as any estate’s mistress should be. They are known for loyalty to family, amiability, and charity.”
“Concerns?”
“The behavior of their youngest two sisters. The impropriety of the parents. But of the eldest three? Praise. Near excessive praise. And Miss Mary does more than her eldest two sisters, for she also assists those who are ill.”
“Miss Bennet?”
“What you call indifference is anything but.Youaffect a mask of indifference. The lady affects serenity. It is widely known that Miss Bennet is sweetness personified. You are mistaken in believing she looks at Mr. Bingley the same way she does everyone else. Those who know her best say that Miss Bennet has never before shown a preference until she met Mr. Bingley. You would reproach her if she acted like Miss Bingley, yet you disapprove of her for acting in the opposite manner. You cannot have it both ways, man. Just how should a lady act to not be disdained by you?” Carpe challenged with a smug sort of smirk.
“I should fire you without a character. Why do I put up with you?” Darcy said through gritted teeth, the former soldier having backed him into a corner. He must one day take his cousin to task for suggesting a soldier’s batman would make a good valet. Insolence should be a disqualifier. Still, the man’s bluntness had served him far better than a compliant man in service.
“My effervescent personality.”
Darcy left his room, his mind racing as he considered what both Georgiana and Carpe said of Miss Elizabeth. His thoughts circled around and around again on the question of how he expected a woman to act if she hoped to gain a man’s interest. He was certain he knew how a lady earned his disapprobation, Miss Bingley’s actions filling out a list he could recite without much consideration.
How had he never conceived that his hubris made him dismissive of a woman, of anyone, unless he had prior awarenessof an excellent character? He did not like thinking that he might have even criticized Georgiana had she laughed at something he did not consider amusing, were she not known to him.
“The other guest walking out this morning is in the gardens to the east, sir,” said the footman who held open the door.
“Thank you.”
Had he hoped to avoid Miss Elizabeth, or if, in the future, Miss Bingley, it would be easily done with such a warning. Darcy filled his lungs with the crisp autumn air, relieved that the pounding in his head eased slightly but noticeably with each breath.
If he encountered Miss Elizabeth, what should he say? Should he let her speak first? So far, he had done a poor job of recommending himself. Rounding one of the hedges, the very lady he had been ruminating on walked into him.
“Mr. Darcy?” Miss Elizabeth took a quick step back. It had not been a great collision, but they both made the effort to separate from each other. The fates, however, had other intentions.
Miss Elizabeth stepped back into the hedgerow and pitched forward due to the unexpected resistance. He reached out to steady her. They stared at one another, knowing a moment of stark embarrassment, then she laughed. Darcy expected words of concern or anger, yet Miss Elizabeth laughed at the ridiculousness of their situation.
“Miss Elizabeth, I apologize for interrupting your morning exercise so brutishly.” Darcy then realized he had yet to release her and did so with such quickness that it was awkward.
“I do not believe you intended to run me over, Mr. Darcy. Would you be so kind as to verify there are no nettles or signs of my being discomposed? Hawthorn branches are notorious for pulling at a sleeve or ribbon if a lady is too close.”
“May I?” Darcy murmured, drawing her to the center of the path.
