Page 10 of The Wager
Darcy glanced up to see Bingley enter one of the quieter rooms at their club. He dropped into the chair opposite and signaled a waiting footman to bring him a drink. Since their private discussion at Lady Montrose’s ball, Darcy had not seen his friend Bingley as he had gone to Scarborough for a friend’s wedding.
“Have you just returned?” Darcy asked.
“Yesterday, and according to my youngest sister, not a moment too soon.” Bingley accepted the drink and took a large swallow before placing the cut glass on a side table. “I cannot even count the number of express messages she has sent in the past weeks, hastening my return.”
“Has some gentleman finally made her an offer and she wished you home to start the marriage settlement negotiations?” Darcy teased.
“I wish that were the reason.” Charles took another sip of his drink. “No, she is in a tither over all the gossip being bandied about.”
Panic began to set in. Had word of Georgiana’s near elopement slipped out?
“What gossip?”
“About you and the continual speculation you are actively seeking a bride.” Bingley grinned. “According to a certain gossip column, of which my sister is a religious devotee, since your return from a seaside holiday you have been to at least six balls and never danced with the same lady twice.”
A wave of relief washed over him. His efforts to mitigate any rumors from Ramsgate had been successful. Then, slowly, his mind registered the magnitude of what Bingley said.
“Are you telling me your sister begged your return because a scurrilous rag continually mentions how many times I have danced?”
“Not only that. She also begged my return because she cannot visit your home without my escort.”
“I fail to see why. Georgiana is not yet out and does not accept visitors.”
“She does not attend South Audley Street to visit your sister, she comes to see you.”
Darcy’s drink threatened to make a reappearance.
“I have told you, more than once, I will not marry your sister, even if she stages a compromise. I tolerate her existence because she is your sister. Nothing more, nothing less.”
“Ihavetold her, but she refuses to accept the truth. She will not give up the fight until you have said your vows to another lady and the marriage lines are signed.”
Darcy crossed and uncrossed his legs. His level of discomfort rose with every word Bingley spoke.
“In light of what you are telling me, I must revoke my acceptance to visit your new estate.”
“I wish you would not. I am in desperate need of your sage advice. You are the only experienced landowner I have as a friend, and I give my word that Caroline will not bother you.” Bingley leaned forward. “I am confident she will behave. She wishes to exhibit the skills she learned at that vaunted seminary which cost my father a small fortune.”
Darcy decided to give his friend the benefit of the doubt, and if Miss Bingley continued in her delusion, he would simply leave Hertfordshire and give her the cut direct when next they met.
“If you truly wish to learn about estate management, you should leave her in Town the first few months of your lease.”
“I also wish to meet my neighbors and enjoy the local social life. To that end, I need a hostess, otherwise, I cannot reciprocate any invitations.”
“What about Mrs. Hurst?”
“She is in a delicate situation and Hurst does not want any undue pressure placed upon her.”
“Please give your sister and her husband my heartfelt congratulations.”
“You may tell them yourself. The other reason I sought you out was to invite you to dine with us tomorrow evening.”
Darcy lowered his forehead and leveled a dark look at his friend of five years.
“After what you have told me about your sister, do you think that wise?”
“You have suffered her fluttering eyelashes ever since she met you at the tender age of sixteen, I think you can bear it for one night.”
“Her fluttering eyelashes are not the problem. It is the death grip she has on my arm. One of these days, my hand will drop off from lack of blood.”
