Page 34 of Compromise & Consequence
“Other than his cousin, whom I told you of earlier, I have met no one else. I am sure, once the weather permits, he will haul me off to Derbyshire and leave me there until he feels the need to beget an heir.”
“He has not come to your bed?”
“No, he has not and at this point I am grateful. The thought of being intimate with him is beyond my capabilities at the moment. I will take as long a reprieve as I can.”
She flicked another quick glance at the girl and again wondered why she seemed so familiar.
“I must admit,” Elizabeth finally said, “I do not mind that he is absent from the house, although I am not used to the quiet solitude. Longbourn was always filled with conversation and laughter.”
“What will you do when he finds out you have refurbished the mistress’ chambers?”
“Truly aunt, he barely darkens the door of his own home. Ihave no fear of him peeking into my bedchambers, and even if he did, I have used my own funds.”
“When, and I say when because sooner or later he will discover what you have done and wonder how you paid for all the furnishings and accessories. He is not a stupid man, Lizzy. When he receives no outstanding bills, he will ask you where the money came from.”
“Maybe in some way, that is why I am doing this. I wish to inform him, on my terms, that I do not need him or his vast wealth. I am still very angry over his behavior. I told him I would never ask him for money.”
The door to the shop jangled again.
“Marriage is for life, Lizzy. Please try to reconcile before it is too late—”
“What areyoudoing in here!”
A haughty voice sliced through their conversation. Elizabeth and Aunt Madeline looked up to find Miss Bingley standing next to their table, her face flushed in anger.
“As you can see, I am enjoying a cup of Oolong tea.”
Elizabeth held Miss Bingley’s gaze with unflinching resolve. To drive the point home, she raised her cup and took a sip before placing it back on the saucer.
“I demand the proprietor throw this wanton hussy from the premises,” Miss Bingley cried out in a loud voice, looking toward the rear of the shop.
An older gentleman came through a curtained entrance and approached them.
“I would ask you to lower your voice, Madam. You are disturbing my other guests.”
He cast a furtive glance toward the woman behind thecolumn, hinting at her importance.
“Do you always serve courtesans in this establishment?”
Aunt Madeline’s mouth dropped open in surprise while Elizabeth sat stunned. The proprietor turned to face Elizabeth; his face showing disgust.
“I must ask that you leave immediately, and never enter these premises again.”
Elizabeth stayed seated, refusing to even look at Miss Bingley.
“I am not what she has intimated and frankly, very disturbed you would take the word of a virtual stranger without first finding out the truth of the matter.”
She could tell the man was surprised at how well she spoke and he looked toward Miss Bingley, who responded with, “I know for a fact that Mr. Darcy, nephew to Earl Matlock and aparticularfriend of mine, refused to marry this chit after she tried to compromise him.”
Elizabeth closed her eyes in embarrassment. Miss Bingley was not lowering her voice and now everyone in the shop could hear the venom she spewed.
“I shall ask you one more time to exit my shop and not return.”
The owner had obviously decided Miss Bingley held more sway. Unbeknownst to them, the lady had come to stand beside Elizabeth’s table. Miss Bingley audibly sucked in a breath at the arrival of the elegant woman, to whom the owner gave a deferential nod and began to apologize profusely.
“I apologize, my lady. If you return to your table, I will have Agatha bring out an assortment of sweets to make up for all this unpleasantness.”
“I do not want more biscuits, kind sir. I have come here to ask this person” – she indicated Miss Bingley – “why she accostedmy niece in such a dreadful manner.”
