Page 29 of The Wager
“Thank you, Mr. Bingley. You are most gracious,” Elizabeth said with a smile.
“Well, you are a gentleman’s daughter−”
“Oh, for heaven’s sake! Her father was nothing but Longbourn’s rector. It is not as if he was a duke!” Miss Bingley exclaimed, clearly upset her brother dared chastise her in front of a perceived enemy.
“Her father may not have been a duke,” Ashton interjected in a firm voice while Hurst choked on his tea. “But the daughter of a rector is still higher on the social ring than a tradesman’s daughter.”
Miss Bingley, her cheeks red with anger – or embarrassment, Elizabeth could not be sure of which – began to cut her meat, her lips pressed tightly together.
“I apologize for my sister, Miss Elizabeth,” Mr. Bingley began.
“You need not apologize, Mr. Bingley.” Elizabeth felt a tug of compassion. The poor man’s face was nearly as red as his sister’s. “When your sister has calmed and remembers the lessons she was taught at her seminary, I know she will form her apology. Until then, I shall keep my distance until Mary and I can return home to Longbourn.”
“Speaking of Longbourn,” the viscount said as he reached into the inside pocket of his waistcoat and brought out a folded note, which he extended toward Elizabeth. “I offered to play the messenger for Miss Hamilton after seeing her this morning.”
“Thank you, Mercury,” Elizabeth teased, referencing the mischievous god of eloquence and communication.
“You have been to Longbourn?” Bingley asked the viscount.
“I have, indeed.”
Darcy watched Bingley’s expression turn from surprise to anger. Ash had drawn a line in the sand, daring the younger man to cross into his territory.
Laterthatevening…
“Are you worried?”
Darcy was seated across from Elizabeth while the others played cards across the room.
“About what?”
“Your connections to our family inadvertently coming to light before you are ready. They have been a closely held secret for many years.”
“Not necessarily a secret. Father’s elevation to earl was obscured by the fact he died within a day of inheriting the title and left behind a young widow with three children, two of whom were infants.”
“I see,” was all he said.
“I do not think you do. Mamma struck her head upon learning of my father’s death and nearly died. Because of her injuries, she never lived at the earl’s ancestral seat of Twelve Oaks, nor was she introduced into society as Countess Tiverton. When she came out of mourning, she and Papa married and she happily became Mrs. Bennet.”
“Is there a plan as to when you and Lady Jane assume your rightful place?”
Elizabeth took a deep breath and released it slowly, marshaling her thoughts.
“Along with Mamma’s brother and sister, Sir William and his family are the only ones in Meryton who know our full history. At first, no one spoke of it to protect my mother. I am told she was quite fragile the first year or two. Afterward, Papa did not wish for Jane and I to become a target for fortune hunters. As it is, all will be revealed when Trenton comes home for the Yuletide season. It is only proper he is introduced by his rank and title.”
About to add that she and Jane would be traveling with him to Twelve Oaks in the new year, they were interrupted when her father's man entered the room and came to her side.
“My lady,” he began in a low voice that would not carry. “Miss Danvers has arrived from Longbourn. She brought a trunk with some essentials for you and Miss Bennet.”
“Thank you, Matthews. Tell Danvers I shall be up shortly. I must bid goodnight to my hosts.”
“Very well, my lady.”
Matthews gave a polite half-bow and withdrew from the room. Darcy bid Elizabeth goodnight and took this opportunity to move to a small desk whereupon he brought out writing supplies and began crafting letters. Elizabeth wandered over to the card table and waited for the foursome to finish their current hand. From what she gathered, Mr. Hurst and Miss Bingley were winning.
“I see your hulk of a footman came with some news. All good, I hope?” Miss Bingley said while Hurst shuffled the cards.
“Yes, my family sent a change of clothes for Mary and me. May I request a bed for my lady’s maid? We will likely not stay longer than one night.”
