Page 60 of The Heroic Mr Darcy's Bad Manners
“As a second son, he must be, or does he have an elderly uncle who has left him a fortune?”
“No, I do not believe so. He is an honest and honourable man but not wealthy,” she reiterated in a matter-of-fact manner.
“I thought you admired Mr Bingley,” Lord Glentworth mocked.
Elizabeth’s ire rose, but Jane looked into her father’s eyes, unperturbed.
“Mr Bingley is an agreeable man, but to be deemed excellent one must show steadfastness and resolve. Mr Bingley has proved to be capricious in his esteem and too easily persuaded by his sisters.”
Lord Glentworth eased his rigid stance, and a gleam of mischief shone from his eyes. “I always supposed Lizzy to be the studier of character.”
“We all must apply ourselves in the treacherous waters of society, and occasionally err to become wiser,” Jane replied.
Lord Glentworth bowed to his eldest’s wisdom and allowed his daughters to remove their wet and cold riding habits whilst he conversed loudly with his mother for more than an hour.
#
Miss Eudora Darcy called on Maeve Bennet the next morning, and Elizabeth joined them upon returning from her morning stroll in the park.
“You are glowing, my dear. Pray what has put such a delightful blush in your cheeks?” Miss Darcy enquired.
“That must be due to my walk through Hyde Park this morning. The air was brisk but invigorating.”
“Do you walk every morning?” Miss Darcy looked amazed.
“As long as the weather permits,” she admitted.
The next morning, whilst Elizabeth was strolling the park, a familiar figure approached on the path. Mr Darcy tipped his hat, mis-stepped, and continued his walk with a sigh. He truly had an air of shyness about him that Viscount Crawford had expounded upon on their first encounter.
She thought nothing more about it until she encountered Mr Darcy escorting Miss Eudora Darcy the very next morning.
“Lady Elizabeth, I have adopted your morning ritual and must admit that it is refreshing to take the air in the morning.” Miss Eudora Darcy finished her sentence with a light cough.
“Pray! Are you well, Miss Darcy?”
“Oh yes, I have the constitution of an ox, but I would not mind the support of an extra arm…”
Elizabeth was skilfully manoeuvred back to Darcy House, on the corner of Grosvenor Square.
“Would you join us for tea, Lady Elizabeth?” Mr Darcy asked in a mellow voice.
“Please do,” his aunt urged.
Elizabeth looked up at the large stone building. As the third in a row of Darcy, Matlock, and de Bourgh houses, the family reigned over the majority of the west side of the fashionable square. She accepted the invitation, sent her footman downstairs to warm himself at Mr Darcy’s behest, and followed the master into an opulent entrance hall of marble, painted ceilings, and gold trimmings. She then better understood his exalted position in society and why he was sought after by the eligible ladies and revered by the gentlemen.
He had changed since his sojourn to Hertfordshire—his manners had certainly improved, and he treated her with deference. Mr Darcy held himself under good regulation, but he was so very formal compared to the gentleman she had met at the masquerade. That man had delighted her with witty banter and delicious amorous trifling.
“I hope you will not mind me calling for Georgiana to serve our tea. She is still practising, but you are too generous to resort to ridicule if she should happen to make a mistake.”
“Certainly not, Mr Darcy. We all had to learn at some time, and preferably with someone capable of overlooking our blunders.”
“Which is exactly what I would expect from you, Lady Elizabeth. As long as the mistakes are not too egregious to forgive.”
“I can assure you that my temper is not resentful, and I am determined to disregard any little blunders. It is only tea, after all. There are no mortal sins to commit,” she magnanimously allowed.
“Since Lady Elizabeth is in such a forgiving mood, may I suggest that you and Georgiana entertain your guest?” Miss Eudora Darcy probed.
“Me?” Mr Darcy replied in an unnaturally high tone.
