Page 14 of The Cheapside Runners
Everyone else at the table looked at her in confusion, as she was implying her circle of acquaintance was considerably larger than anyone expected.Perhaps she was not such a country mushroom after all.
She had finished her scone by then. “My mother loves to boast that we dine with four and twenty families. It makes sense that at least some of them would match either definition. London has well over one million inhabitants, so if you can only find a half-dozen accomplished women, you really should get out more.”
She stood to leave, but as was becoming her custom, she turned just before she exited.
“I probably should mention that, using Miss Bingley’s definition of an accomplished lady, at least five from my list are orphans or natural daughters raised in a girls’ school.”
Then she left with a slight laugh, leaving the rest shaking their heads.
~~~~~
The gentlemen spent most of the day shooting. They managed to bag some grouse and woodcock, much to their approval.
Hurst cared little for anything save food, drink, cards, and sport. Between the exciting contest with Miss Elizabeth the previous evening and a good day of shooting, he was as contentas he ever was.
Bingley was happy to have something to distract him from worrying over Miss Bennet, which was doing nobody any good.
Darcy was ambivalent. He enjoyed hunting, but thought he might have preferred hunting for conversation with Miss Elizabeth. On the other hand, getting her attention while avoiding the other female members of the household sounded like more trouble than it was worth; particularly when it seemed obvious the Bennet sisters would be there for several more days at least, and several weeks if Mrs Bennet had any say in the matter.
Darcy’s cheerful mood lasted right up to the moment they rode into the forecourt at Netherfield, where he spotted a crested coach in front of the house, at which time he cursed a bit under his breath, then a bit louder just to vent his spleen.
Bingley and Hurst looked over quizzically, so Darcy answered the implied question, with a nod toward the carriage.
“My cousin Andrew… Viscount Fitzwilliam. The only reason he is not my least-favourite relative is because my aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh is worse.”
“What is wrong with him?”
“He is overbearing, rude, flirtatious, and as his presence clearly indicates, presumptuous.”
“Caroline will have kittens over the idea of a viscount in the house, so I think I may have to put up with him.”
“I suppose,” Darcy said in rather poor humour.
He wondered what Miss Elizabeth would make of his cousin. Darcy knew she could apply a satirical wit when she felt like it, though he had yet to play the part of her victim, since that would require her to speak to him. He supposed time would tell.
“Let us see what he is about,” Bingley said rather energetically, and pushed his horse forward.
They arrived a few minutes later to find the viscount alreadyensconced in the parlour with a glass of Bingley’s finest brandy in hand, and Miss Bingley fawning over him much like she typically did with Darcy.
“Darcy, old man! Good to see you,” his cousin boomed, then jumped from the chair, spilling a bit of his brandy in the process, and strode over to greet him with far too much enthusiasm and too little decorum for Darcy’s taste.
“Andrew, may I make introductions?” Darcy asked with a frown, just barely refraining from asking what the devil he was doing there, and how soon he could leave.
“It would be my pleasure.”
Darcy made the introductions in the usual manner, then sat back to see what his cousin was about. He did not have to wait long.
“Bingley, I do hope I am not imposing. I could use lodging for a few days… no more than a week, my word on that.”
“Why?” Darcy asked emphatically. He was not the least bit enthusiastic about having his cousin visit, and was hoping to curtail him, though with dusk long past and full dark fast approaching, he doubted he would succeed.
“Bit of a disagreement with a fellow in town. Just want a few days for tempers to cool,” the viscount replied blithely.
Darcy was nearly certain the ‘argument’ was probably related to gambling losses, and the ‘tempers to cool’ amounted to his father telling him to rusticate somewhere until he managed to pay off some of his debts of honour (as usual).
“You are very welcome, my lord,” Caroline purred far too quickly, and with entirely too much enthusiasm.
Darcy gritted his teeth at the display until he realised having another target for Miss Bingley’s approbation for a few days might just be worth the aggravation of his cousin’s company.
