Page 17 of The Wager
“Trust me, Mr. Darcy. I came to this conclusion before we had even left London.”
Darcy shook his head.
“I feel sorry for you, Miss Bingley. Having a closed mind is not a strength. It is a willful weakness and you will rue the day you pronounced such harsh judgments on people you had not even met.”
He gave her a curt bow and moved to the other side of the room, where Ash joined him.
“You are in a foul mood,” Ashton observed. “As you have just bolted from Miss Bingley’s side, I can safely assume she spouted more inane balderdash about backwater towns and lack of proper society.”
“You are the master of understatement.” Darcy slid his cousin a sideways glance. “Bingley’s sister has taken a decided dislike to our country cousins.”
“Ah, but she does not know they are our cousins, correct?”
“No, she does not and I am uncertain if we are at liberty to tell her. Until we know the reason why our cousins do not use their titles here, we must abide by the terms as we know them.”
“I have no problem with calling the delectable Jane Hamilton anything she wants. Is not a golden rose still a rose by any other name?”
“Why do you always mangle the bard’s words?”
“Because it annoys you.” Ash tilted his head and perused his somber cousin. “The terms of the wager were met tonight. I shall allow their small reception to stand as the supper set.”
“Thank you,” Darcy replied, his tone as dry as the Sahara.
“No need to get all uppity, I want you to succeed. I know you love that horse and it would gut you to part with him.”
“I am not sure if I should be grateful or terrified.”
“According to my tally, you have two more balls to attend, which you cannot do here in Hertfordshire.”
“Bingley has promised to host a ball in November.”
“He did? Good chap, but that still leaves one. Lady Kildair is hosting her annual Christmas ball on the tenth of December, which is very close to the date you originally planned to return to Town.”
“My plans are fluid right now.”
Ash’s brow lifted in amusement.
“Are they now?”
Darcy watched Miss Elizabeth dancing with Bingley and ignored his cousin as best he could in such close quarters.
“They are,” he stated firmly.
Ash remained silent for a few moments, noting the object of his focused attention, then said, “Frankly, I do not blame you. She is lovely.”
“She does not like me very much.”
“Nothing you cannot fix.”
Darcy slid a glance at his cousin who was trying very hard not to smile.
“I am not known for going around complimenting young ladies.”
“That is true.”
“I do not know where to start.”
Ash gave him a nudge with his elbow.
