Page 9 of The Wager
“If that were true, it would certainly be his loss, for you are a treasure. You, Jane, and Trenton are all I have left of my brother Timothy and I love all of you dearly.”
Elizabeth took her aunt’s hand in hers.
“And you, Harold, and Sophia are all we have left of our father’s family.”
“I have the better part of that deal; I have been blessed with a nephew and five beautiful nieces as my son and daughter have yet to marry and give me grandchildren.”
“I do not believe you understand how much we appreciate the fact you embrace Mary, Kitty, and Lydia as part of your family.”
“They are your sisters, Elizabeth, and share your blood. Therefore, they belong to us as well.” Aunt Sarah picked up a lemon biscuit and placed it on her plate. “Never forget that. We are family.”
Chapter Three
“ImettheinfamousMr. Darcy that Aunt Sarah always goes on about.”
Elizabeth had arrived at Longbourn and the confines of her family home the day after Mr. Darcy’s insincere apology and was now in her bedchamber with her beloved sister.
“Truly?” Jane held one of Elizabeth’s newest perfumes to her nose. “Was he as handsome as she claimed?”
“Unfortunately, yes.”
Jane’s eyebrows rose in surprise and after placing the perfume back on her sister’s vanity, she settled on the bed to watch Elizabeth wash the dust from traveling off her face.
“Why, unfortunately?”
“Because his character does not match his looks.”
“I suspect there is a story here.”
“There is. While I change out of my traveling clothes, I will tell you all.”
Jane dutifully remained on the edge of her sister’s bed and listened, eyes widening upon hearing Mr. Darcy’s egregious insult toward her beloved sister.
“Poor Mr. Darcy,” she murmured. “To be so uncomfortable in public.”
“Only you, dear Jane, would sympathize and not join my rallying cry to string him up by his thumbs.”
“I am not excusing his behavior, only commiserating with him.” Jane plucked the counterpane of Elizabeth’s bed between her fingers. “I know what it is like to be watched and have my worth cataloged based solely on my looks. Such a man as Mr. Darcy, with a noble family, fortune, and seemingly everything in his favor, I am not surprised he thinks highly of himself.”
“Be that as it may, I could easily have forgiven his pride if he had not mortified mine,” Elizabeth quipped. “On the surface, it looks as though his life is ideal, but what makes one person happy can be a prison for others. I would not wish to live my life in the fishbowl of society with every curious person tapping on the glass to see how I react.”
“You, my brave little sister, would go the edge of your fishbowl and tap back.”
“Maybe, but I would rather not be in the fishbowl in the first place. I like living in Meryton with a more relaxed society. What do I care for gossip about who danced with whom, or the endless chatter over which lord or lady has fallen in society’s esteem? There is more to life than all that.”
“I agree.” Jane stood and smoothed down the front of her skirt. “Unfortunately, when our brother reaches his majority and takes over the reins of his estate, one of his duties is to participate in the House of Lords. He will need his family to help navigate the ballrooms and parlors of society, and that job will fall to us as Mamma is unable.”
“Aunt Sarah and Uncle John will also be his staunchest supporters. Trenton will not be solely on his own.”
“True, but the Earl of Tiverton will require a hostess and as his eldest sister, the duty will fall upon my shoulders.” Jane shook out her skirts and made to leave Elizabeth’s room. “We must prepare ourselves to be in the fishbowl of theBon Tonuntil Trenton finds a wife and marries.”
“Well then,” Elizabeth said just as her sister opened the door to exit her bedchamber. “It is a good thing both you and I know how to swim.”
“True.” Jane chuckled and stepped out into the hall. “Dinner will be in an hour; I will see you then.”
Afewmonthslater…
“Darcy, old man. ‘Tis good to see you.”
