Page 41 of The Wager
“He did not injure us, sir. My sister and I had already assessed his character and found him wanting,” she replied softly.
“I am impressed,” he murmured and then chuckled at her raised brow. “I am not impugning your intelligence, but Wickham has a way with women that defies explanation. I would love to know how you saw through his gilded lies.”
“Jane and I have learned how to separate the dross from silver with a few strategic questions that reveal a person’s character.”
“Have you done this with me?”
Elizabeth nearly laughed out loud at his look of abject horror and dismay.
“Oh no, you are in a category all of your own. You have never attempted to be anything other than who you are. Good or bad, you reveal all.”
She glanced across the room and noticed the rest of the Netherfield party had arrived, late as usual. Miss Bingley impatiently scanned the room, stopping when her gaze lit upon their happy group.
“I believe our reprieve is over. Your ardent, yet unwanted admirer is about to come upon us.”
WhileDarcyappreciatedElizabeth’sbrand of humor, he dearly wished it did not have deadly accuracy concerning Miss Bingley, who was determined to remain at his side and distract him from enjoying his lady’s fine eyes.
“How I long to see the earl again.” Miss Bingley said within minutes of joining them, her brother, sister, and a sober Hurst in tow. “He would surely liven up this dreadfully dull party.”
“Which earl was that sister?” asked her faithful sidekick, giving Darcy a hint the two scheming harpies had planned this conversation long before their arrival.
“You remember him, Louisa. He is great friends with your husband’s brother, Gilbert.”
“Of course, the Earl of Tiverton!” Mrs. Hurst declared with great excitement. “What a handsome young man, and so attentive to all of us, especially my dear sister.”
“You must stop.” Miss Bingley lifted her fan and flicked it in front of her face, behaving as though she were embarrassed. “You know I do not encourage his attention. Our conversations revolve around mutual acquaintances, nothing more.”
Darcy could not help but notice the smug look on Hurst’s face as his wife and sister told blatant lies in front of Jane and Elizabeth. It was clear he had reminded his wife of their tenuous connection to the young earl, fully aware that she and Miss Bingley would never pass up the opportunity to boast about their elevated social connections, particularly in the presence of the Hamilton sisters whom they held in such disdain.
“Did I hear you reference the Earl of Tiverton?” Darcy had to turn his head to hide a smile upon hearing Elizabeth’s question. “When and where did you meet him?”
Miss Bingley visibly preened, lifting her chin high, elongating her neck to look down at the impertinent miss.
“I met him several times at the Hurst family estate in Dorset. He has become aparticularfriend of mine.” She lowered her chin and gave Elizabeth a coy look. “I do not believe I am telling false tales when I share that he was greatly disappointed by the fact he would not see me until the new year when we both will be in Town. Although, Mr. Hurst did say something about the earl coming to Hertfordshire for Christmas.”
“The earl is coming here?” Miss Elizabeth asked, seemingly wide-eyed with wonder at the Banbury tale Miss Bingley was crafting from thin air. “Is he coming to Netherfield to court you proper?”
“He is not.” Miss Bingley brought her fan up to touch her left ear and Mrs. Hurst gasped. “I am aware he will soon take over his ancestral estate in Norfolk and would not be at all surprised if an invitation to visit him there is forthcoming.”
“Does he have any family?”
“He does not speak extensively about them, but when he does, it is with great warmth and affection.”
“What is the family name? Mayhap Jane and I have heard of him.”
Miss Bingley emitted a derisive snort while Darcy choked back another chuckle.
“You could not possibly have heard of him. We do not move in the same social circles, Miss Eliza.”
“That is true,” Elizabeth admitted.
Bingley’s younger sister continued to burrow further into her den of lies.
“I have heard Mr. Gilbert Hurst call the earl by his given name when not addressing him as Tiverton.”
“And…?” Elizabeth canted her head to one side and waited. Miss Bingley gave her a blank look, which prompted Elizabeth to ask, “What does the younger Mr. Hurst call the earl?”
“I believe it is Travis.” Miss Bingley flicked a glance at Mrs. Hurst who had regained her composure and gave a serene nod. “The earl admires me greatly and will have frequent opportunities to see me on the most intimate footing when we visit his estate. I am certain when I meet his sisters, we shall become bosom friends.”
