Page 9 of Lord Lonbourn's Daughter
“He is…”
Mr Darcy was clutching his book so hard his knuckles had grown white. She had not managed to discern which of the twelve volumes he was holding. She would not like to spoil his enjoyment by mentioning what he might not yet have discovered.
“Doyouperceive him as a hero, Mr Darcy?”
“I do not, and neither did Henry Fielding. He also wroteAn Enquiry into the Causes of the Late Increase of Robbers—an attack on corruption that ranged over many topics, from the scandalous drinking habits of the age to inefficiency in combat against highwaymen. He blamed the excess of luxury, which made people indulge in too frequent and too expensive amusements, drunkenness, and gaming. He thought London’s population lacked the education to handle such pursuits. That once exposed to licentious behaviour, they simply could not stop. He was the chief magistrate in Westminster and exerted himself in the cause of justice. He once gave, ahem, a streetwalker who had been apprehended but had committed no crime beyond being poor, funds to…follow her trade in the market.”
Elizabeth was not afforded any time to form a reply because, in the next moment, Mr Darcy grabbed her arm and hauled her off the path. Her boot became caught in her hem by the sudden movement, and she would have fallen but for Mr Darcy securing her with his other arm around her waist.
She would have addressed such an affront in a different manner had not a curricle pulled by a pair of greys, with a chariot with four matched bays following in hot pursuit, passed them at great speed. The path around the Serpentine was wide enough for a carriage but not for a second to overtake it; neither was it possible to use the lawn to the sides, since there were people everywhere. Some had stepped onto the grass to exchange pleasantries with acquaintances, while others had set up tables with tents to shield their pale complexions from the sun. If Mr Darcy had not responded in such a timely manner, Elizabeth would have been run over.
Elizabeth cursed her inattentiveness; she had been much too occupied with besting Mr Darcy in wordplay to be observant of her situation.
“This is all Prinny’s fault, urging these young bucks to race their horses!” the Earl of Longbourn growled before expressing his gratitude to Mr Darcy for his quick thinking. This was followed by an impromptu invitation for dinner at their house the next evening if he was not otherwise engaged.
Jane and Mary flocked around Elizabeth to see whether she was well. There was nothing the matter with her, but her dress had suffered from being trodden upon. The seam of the hem had given way—a fashion calamity. There was nothing else to do but return home.
Mr Darcy turned as well, his tome all but forgotten in his hand.
Chapter 4 Superior Society
Lady Matlock had taken charge and made an appointment with her own renowned seamstress in Bond Street. She was very much obliged to outfit the daughters of an earl with an entire wardrobe.
The earl himself had given in and accompanied, albeit reluctantly, her ladyship and his daughters for an extended visit to his tailor. What could not be avoided should be accomplished in haste, was the earl’s maxim. The sooner he could return to his books while the countess flitted all over town with his progeny, the better. It was an agreement most pleasing to his lordship.
“Of course, you must have a ball!” Lady Matlock entreated.
“Must I?” Lord Longbourn drawled.
“A ball!”Exclamations wafted through his daughters like the plague through St Giles. Their enthusiasm was discouraging, to say the least. These youngsters seemed so fond of what he could hardly abide.
“Most definitely. It will be the event of the Season and the talk of the town. You should keep it simple—not too many guests. It should be small and exclusive,” Lady Matlock suggested.
“Simple is my forte,” the earl smiled, relieved. A dinner party with a few select friends came to mind.
“Yes, about two hundred should suffice—”
“Two hundred!” The Earl of Longbourn voiced with more gusto than was his wont.
“Do not bellow at me, your lordship. Your daughters need the practice, and I shall be most obliged to aid them in the endeavour,” Lady Matlock offered.
“I do not bellow,” Lord Longbourn complained but mellowed his voice to its usual pleasant tone. As much as he wanted to refute the Countess of Matlock’s assertions, he knew she was right. Entertaining in some fashion could not be avoided for an entire Season. It was better to be done with it and to be at leisure for the rest of the spring and summer.
“How soon could your ladyship have the matter arranged to your satisfaction?”
“We need at least a fortnight, perhaps even three weeks.”
“A fortnight should suffice, and I thank you again for your support, Lady Matlock. I accept your offer to aid my daughters. It should be executed with as little inconvenience to myself as possible.”
The countess laughed.
“Yes, I do know how little a gentleman appreciates these things, but I assure you, your daughters and I shall enjoy it very much, and it will keep us occupied until the event is concluded.”
“Excellent! Very well. I shall leave my daughters in your capable hands and hasten to the appointment with my tailor. I shall return to collect you when I have finished.”
“There is no need. I have taken the liberty of requesting that my son escort us home. If you do not mind being at your leisure after your appointment.”
“Even better, milady.” The earl bowed low to his saviour and was gone.
