Page 19 of The Wager
“Easy person to like or not, Brother, your beloved Miss Hamilton in naught but the near-orphaned daughter of a deceased, impoverished rector, and the stepdaughter of a minor gentleman with no social standing of worth. You are better off courting the aged Miss Lucas. At least her father is knighted.”
“Impoverished?” Ash leaned closer to Darcy and said in a low voice, “Does she have any idea how much of a cake she is making of herself?”
“Not one iota and I am not going to be the one who tells her the truth. She will find out eventually and for once I will enjoy the show.”
“...her mother’s family is all in trade,” Miss Bingley continued. “The attorney who drew up the lease for this crumbling pile of timber and rock is her uncle by marriage.”
“Enough, Caroline!” Bingley exclaimed. “Must we hear every invective that passes through your mind? What does it matter if the citizens of Meryton are not wealthy and high on the social ladder? They are generous in character and show us uncommon kindness. We are strangers in their midst. It is up to us to behave and fit in, not the other way around.”
The housekeeper appeared and announced the viscount’s room was ready. Ash rose to his feet and addressed Miss Bingley directly.
“Daughter of an impoverished rector or step-daughter of minor landowner, Miss Hamilton is above any daughter of a tradesperson. Be careful where you step with your blustering, Miss Bingley, you are in the country now and may end up with more than mud on your shoes.”
With that, the viscount pivoted and left the room. Darcy also stood, bid goodnight to the open-mouthed siblings, and followed his cousin. He found Ash waiting for him at the bottom of the main staircase and clapped him on the shoulder before they began to mount the stairs.
“I have wanted to say something like that for years,” Darcy muttered.
“What has stopped you?”
“Fear of hurting Bingley. They are his sisters and he does love them.”
“You hurt him more by not setting that woman in her place.”
By this time, they had reached the top of the stairs and continued down to their adjoining suite of rooms. Darcy’s thoughts were consumed with his biddable friend.
“I believe it is time I remove thecarte blancheBingley and I have enjoyed as friends. He is incapable of denying his sisters anything. Even when I explicitly invite only him, his sister manages to tag along.”
“Darcy, think of friendship like an overgrown rose bush. You must prune back the excess to achieve a healthier plant.”
They stopped in front of Darcy’s door and he gave his cousin a quizzical look.
“When did you take an interest in the care and upkeep of gardens?”
“I have always liked the grounds at Wyndhaven and when I escape town for Derbyshire, I dig in the dirt alongside our head gardener. Very relaxing. You should try it sometime.”
“There are times, Ash, I feel I do not know you.” Darcy opened his door and before stepping inside, tossed over his shoulder. “Mayhap I should join you. Given my latest debacle, there is much about gardening I should learn.
ThenextmorningfoundElizabeth writing a letter to her Aunt Sarah, detailing the latest meeting with Mr. Darcy when the door to her bedroom crashed open.
“Lizzy! You will never guess what has happened.”
“I dare say you are more than impatient to tell me. Now take a breath before you collapse from lack of air.”
Her youngest sister dropped onto a small chair by the window and fairly bounced on the seat. Catherine, the next eldest had come into the room by this time, and her nervous energy added to the atmosphere of barely contained excitement.
“Have you told her?” she asked Lydia.
“Not yet, you interrupted.”
“I did not. I have just come in the room and said nothing.”
“You did not say nothing, you asked if I had told her.”
“That is not interrupting—”
“Girls!” Elizabeth said sharply. “If you are going to natter over who interrupted who or other such nonsense, depart from my room and come back when you can behave like young ladies.”
“But I have not told you my exciting news!” Lydia exclaimed and folded her arms across her chest before slouching down in the chair.
