Page 54 of The Wager
Mr. Collins involuntarily stepped back and nearly stumbled down the front portico steps.
“Lady Catherine is most insistent in this matter and demands I tell her the name of the woman who has used her arts and allurements to sway you from her daughter.”
“You have not told her of Elizabeth?”
“I thought to save my cousin’s daughter the ignominy of having an earl’s daughter take her to task. Once you come to your senses and accept your future bliss with Miss de Bourgh, Miss Elizabeth will find someone within her social circle to marry.” Mr. Collins brought out an ill-used handkerchief and wiped his perspiring brow. “Of course, she will have to learn how to cook and do laundry. Most farmers cannot afford more than one manservant and a maid of all work.”
“Mr. Collins, I am going to give you one last piece of advice and it would behoove you to follow it carefully.” Darcy paused, wanting to make certain he had the cretin’s complete attention. Satisfied he did, he continued. “When you next write my aunt, please inform her who I am courting.” He held up a hand to stay the reverend’s mouth. “I am courting Miss Elizabeth, not dallying with, not looking to lift her skirts. Courting, as in hoping to ask her to marry me. Make certain you tell my aunt Miss Elizabeth’s father was the son of Trenton Hamilton, married to Lady Minerva Fitzwilliam. I am confident that any concerns she may have about my courtship will be withdrawn upon receipt of this information.”
Chapter Fifteen
Elizabethsatontheedge of the bed near Jane, who handed her an envelope that contained a sheet of elegant, little, hot-pressed paper, well covered with a lady’s fair, flowing hand. At her sister’s urging, she began to read.
November 28, 1811
Netherfield Park, Hertfordshire
“You can be at no loss, Miss Hamilton, to understand the reason for this letter. I was informed after my brother’s ball that you declined an extremely advantageous offer of marriage from Charles. I must admit, my heart leaped with joy upon hearing this.
I have no doubt when a life of penury looms in your near future, you will regret declining his impetuous proposal. Given my brother’s immense fortune, I have no doubt he will marry a worthy woman who can elevate our status in society. It would be unwise for him to tie himself to a penniless, near-orphaned daughter of a clergyman.
Fortunately, my brother left for town as planned and Louisa and I decided to follow him thither. We did not like the idea of him being obliged to spend vacant hours in a comfortless hotel when we have a spacious townhouse on Grosvenor Street, and there is nothing in Hertfordshire to keep us here. Several of our acquaintances have also arrived for the winter season, giving Charles ample opportunity to meeteligibleladies.
Do not follow us into town. Do not attempt to call upon us. We shall not receive or acknowledge you. From this day forward the name of Hamilton shall not be spoken in our homes.”
Cordially,
Caroline Bingley
Elizabeth lowered the letter onto her lap and looked at Jane, the hubris of Miss Bingley causing a smile to dance across her face.
“Dare we hope she honors her promise about keeping our names off her lips, dearest Jane, or am I wishing on the wind like a dandelion fluff?”
She bumped Jane’s shoulder as she teased, knowing her beloved sister was not hurt by the catty woman’s diatribe, Still, no one liked being told how much they were loathed, and if they ever did meet up in London, Miss Bingley herself would be on the receiving end of a cut direct.
“Miss Bingley is a creature of theton. She could no more keep our names off her lips than she could refuse an invitation to a society ball. Gossip is her currency and she will regale all her so-called friends with tales of her brother's near escape.” Jane took back the letter and neatly tucked it into the front of the book she’d been reading. “What I find humorous in all this is the fact that once she begins spouting the name of Hamilton, society’s ears will perk up quite substantially. From there she will discover our illustrious roots and might send her brother back to tend the garden.”
“Thank goodness you already have a faithful gardener, one who is ready to fend off all manner of encroaching weeds.”
“Yes, I do.” Jane had a half-smile on her face as she contemplated her betrothed, then the corners of her lips turned down, and when she raised her gaze to Elizabeth, her expression was one of fierce determination. “I am not without my resources and shall not stand idly by if Miss Bingley comes extending the false hand of friendship. I have no intentions of following in the footsteps of Caesar, Cassius, and Brutus.”
“Good analogy, but Caesar always thought they were his friends. You and I have never held tender thoughts concerning Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst.” Knowing it would lighten the mood, Elizabeth arched a brow at her sister and said with a smirk. “However, let us avoid any functions that fall on the fifteenth of March – just in case.”
Both sisters devolved into a fit of laughter, stopping only when Mary entered the room.
Darcylookedupwhenhis butler tapped lightly on the door to his study.
“Enter.”
“Sir, Viscount Ashton is here.”
“At least he waits to be introduced, unlike Richard.” His butler smiled slightly before smoothing his face into a practiced passivity. “Send him in and ask Mrs. Whittaker to bring up some light refreshments.”
“Very good, sir.”
A few minutes later, Ash sauntered into the room and sank into the closest chair to Darcy’s desk.
“Why are the days dragging by at the rate of a lazy slug?”
