Page 48 of See, Hear, Speak No Evil, Mr. Darcy
Darcy had to clear his throat to suppress his humor. With that expression, he might easily cast Miss Bingley as the figure of the ice queen in a home theatrical. He could all but see the icicles shooting from her eyes to impale her brother for daring to detract the attention from her by speaking of other young women in his presence.
“Five daughters? Surely I might make at least one friend from among them,” Georgiana said with a wistful look.
“I am remiss in not asking how you like your room, Miss Darcy?” Bingley asked.
“It is much like Mother’s room at Darcy House,” Georgiana said with enthusiasm. “The rose-colored accents are just what I believe she might have chosen. I am certain to be very happy here. Thank you, Mr. Bingley.”
“My room, I believe called the blue room, and our adjoined sitting room, are also quite comfortable, Bingley,” Darcy said. “All the more after I learnt your sister had intended I stay in the yellow room next to her own, but there was no key to give my valet.”
“No key?”
“When they were not accounted for, your housekeeper placed me in a different room and, at my request, made certain we had all copies to our rooms and the sitting room between them.”
Seeing Miss Bingley’s pinched expression, Darcy knew he had ended her schemes where he was concerned. Furthermore, he would have to find a way to reward Georgiana for asking himto consider his future in earnest. He was often thought serious when contemplating every matter, but only now realizing he was too serious in matters that were not nearly so important as those he had long ignored.
“Oh, I do so look forward to meeting the Miss Bennets, Brother. Did you learn any more about the family, Mr. Bingley?”
“Very little, so I cannot speak long on the subject at dinner. I should warn you, Hurst will discuss shooting ad nauseam if we do not introduce other topics. It has been his favored since our arrival,” Bingley said when dinner was announced.
“Too right. Fine shooting,” Hurst said as he and his wife followed Bingley and Miss Bingley to the dining room.
Darcy felt his sister tug his arm, holding him in place.
“I have charged you to seek a wife in earnest, Brother. You claimed it a difficult process, but in truth, it is quite simple. Miss Bingley’s opposite is who you must find.”
“A wise suggestion. And though I am pleased your spirits are returned, do not allow yourself to follow Miss Bingley’s example by disparaging even her character.”
“I apologize, Brother.”
“Come, let us go, or Bingley will again accuse me of locking you in an attic.”
As Darcy led his sister to the dining room, neither noticed Miss Bingley had been close enough to overhear their conversation.
The Fallout from the Darcys’ Short Conversation
Caroline knew that listening at doors was the height of bad manners, but she had expected to hear them speakingfavorably of herself in Darcy and his sister’s private exchange. Perhaps even when she would be invited to Pemberley again. Nothing could have been more in opposition, her expectations and what was spoken.
Her handpressed over her racing heart, Caroline was forced to accept that Georgiana had seen through her stratagem to gain any advantage with her brother. That was bad enough. But to hear Darcy agree that her opposite would make an excellent wife? That he said his sister should not follow her example? Her darkest nightmare had come to fruition.
Caroline hurried to an adjacent room. She picked up a small pillow from a settee, pressed it to her face, and screamed.
“I am being foolish. He is only frustrated because my brother has forced us to attend this country assembly,” Caroline said to herself.
Away too long, she joined the others in the dining room, though Caroline had little appetite. After dinner, she returned to her apartment to change for the assembly. She chose one in a color she knew none in Meryton would dare wear. But on her in particular, the burnt gold satin overlay highlighted the red in her hair. As a final coup de grâce,she applied extra scented water. Caroline examined herself in the looking glass whilst smoothing her gown, believing how little effort was required to outshine these rustics. But she could no longer ignore that her being in a room mattered little to Darcy, if at all.
Smiling at her reflection, Caroline was certain she would rouse Darcy’s interest. To secure his attention, she would accept every request to dance, give every appearance of enjoying herself that the evening afforded. Oncehe was driven to jealousy, Darcy would, no doubt, offer for her. Perhaps even before the holidays.
Chapter 2
The Assembly in Meryton Commences
Elizabeth Bennet was the second daughter of five born to the sardonic and amusing Thomas Bennet and his effusive and indecorous wife, Francine Bennet. Theirs was a match made in haste, one Elizbeth knew her father had regretted almost every day since their vows had been spoken.
She and Jane, the eldest sister, often felt obliged to smooth over the idiosyncrasies of their family whenever in company. Mr. Bennet was known to make sport of his wife and their youngest sisters. Kitty, seventeen, and Lydia, fifteen, lacked decorum. Yet their father made no effort to check their behavior. Because he did not, it was left to Jane and Elizabeth to divert or suppress their mother’s effusions and the follies of their two youngest sisters.
Their middle sister, Mary, never behaved improperly but did quote Scripture at every opportunity. Unskilled in the art of conversation, Mary’s blunt, somewhat pedantic attempts to provide moralistic wisdom occasionally caused offense.
As neighbors greeted one another at the monthly assembly, Elizabeth crossed the room to stand with Charlotte Lucas. Her friend was twenty-eight, and many looked on herwith sympathy for never having caught a husband. The lack of eligible bachelors in their society was well known, but it did not lessen the pity from her neighbors. Her family owned the smaller neighboring estate known as Lucas Lodge.
