Page 18 of The Wager
“You start at the beginning. It is like building a house. You need a strong foundation before you can add walls. Become her friend.”
“Good advice. When do you plan on building your house?” he teased.
Ashton gave a small start, then recovered enough to reply smoothly, “I am, at this moment, simply perusing a beautiful plot of land.”
Darcy laughed out loud, which caught the attention of Miss Bingley who had followed them across the room.
“What is it that makes you laugh so freely, Mr. Darcy? Come, I must have my share of the conversation.”
“Merciful heavens, she is very much like Aunt Catherine,” Ash said, in asottovoice.
“We were talking about houses,” Darcy said, ignoring the muffled snort from his now least favorite cousin.
From there, Miss Bingley launched in a rapturous oration about the magnificence of Pemberley, stopping only when the assembly ended and they departed for Netherfield.
Chapter Five
UpontheirreturntoLongbourn Manor, Mrs. Bennet declared herself quite fatigued and went to her rooms. Elizabeth released a heartfelt sigh.
“Mamma is still a little thrown by Mr. Darcy’s height and dark curls. He reminds her of Father.”
Papa looked to his feet before answering, a sign he was marshaling his thoughts. Finally, he raised his head and spoke to his three daughters. One from his body, two from his heart.
“Your father was not only our rector but also my friend and Mr. Darcy does indeed bear a striking resemblance to Timothy Hamilton. When I first saw him walk through the doors of the assembly hall, I felt as though a ghost had joined our festivities. I am not surprised your mother was discombobulated.”
“What shall we do now?”
“Nothing, my dears. Your mother recovered her senses promptly, given the shock she must have felt when she first laid eyes on him.” Papa gave a glance at the grandfather clock in one corner of the room. “The hour is late and I know the ladies of Lucas Lodge will descend tomorrow to go over every aspect of the assembly. Your mother would be horrified if you greeted them looking as though you had not slept in days. Be off to your beds.”
Jane and Mary obediently turned and started to mount the stairs.
“Papa...” Elizabeth began, feeling somewhat responsible for bringing Mr. Darcy to her mother’s attention. He may have ignored them if not for the altercation at Lady Montrose’s ball.
“Your mother will acclimate as she has done with everything else. Let us not make a fuss over this.”
“Then, I bid you good night and shall see you tomorrow.”
“Goodnight, Elizabeth. I am so very proud of all my girls and tonight was no exception. You make an old man very happy.”
“You are not old, Papa.”
She turned and climbed the stairs and before the hands of the clock had marked a half-hour, she was sound asleep, dreaming of a pair of dark blue eyes in a handsome face.
Aftertheassembly,Darcyreturned to Netherfield in Ash’s carriage, thankful they both could avoid an unpleasant ride with Miss Bingley. She had made no attempt to disguise her displeasure with everyone and everything, and her complaints were bound to be loud and numerous.
Although it was late when they all arrived at Netherfield, the six of them congregated in the main drawing room before heading off to their respective bedchambers as the viscount had to wait for a room to be prepared. Darcy and Ash settled into a pair of chairs bracketing a small table as neither of them wished to be trapped on a small couch with Bingley’s younger sister. That lady and Mrs. Hurst sat on the chaise directly across from them. Bingley, still full of nervous energy, paced for a bit before dragging a third chair to join their group. Hurst, already laid out on another chaise lounge, promptly fell asleep.
“I have never met more pleasant people or prettier girls in all my life,” Bingley said, out of the blue. “Everybody was most kind and attentive. I saw no formality or stiffness in manners. And, as for Miss Hamilton, I cannot conceive an angel more beautiful than she.”
“Are you certain you did not meanpeasantinstead of pleasant, Brother?” Miss Bingley said, her lip curling into a sneer. “All I saw were a collection of people in whom there was little beauty and no fashion.”
“No beauty! No fashion!” Bingley’s mouth gaped open. “Were we at the same Assembly? Miss Hamilton is a beautiful woman and if you cannot agree with me, I will put down your comments as petty jealousy.”
“Calm yourself, Charles,” Mrs. Hurst said. “I admire Miss Hamilton and think she would be an easy person to like. She seems like a sweet girl, one whom I would not object to knowing more of.”
“Not that I need your permission, but I am glad you approve of her as I have every intention of furthering our acquaintance.”
Miss Bingley huffed and raised her eyes upward in a dramatic fashion, as though praying for patience.
