“You see, Caroline, it is perfectly natural for ladies to drive such a vehicle in the country.”He ignored his sister’s irritated expression and turned back toward Elizabeth.“Did Lady Whitcombe live here long?”
“Yes, my entire life until she moved two years ago.The house is owned by a cousin of hers, and she lived here at Netherfield for more than twenty years.Sir David Whitcombe died five years ago and, after a few years on her own, she decided to live with her daughter in Town.”
“So you were close with the family?”
“Somewhat.Sir and Lady Whitcombe had three daughters and two sons.The eldest girl was a few years older than Jane—she is the one Lady Whitcombe lives with now.Her eldest son lives on an estate he inherited in Devon.The next daughter recently married a gentleman from Shropshire.She and Jane were always good friends.”
“I am surprised she moved away with a son to help her manage the property, but I suppose he had to tend to his estate in Devon.”
Elizabeth turned to Mr.Darcy in surprise again.Was he not attending Miss Bingley’s conversation?She had heard the other lady speaking of something inconsequential.“Yes, we thought so at the time as well, but Mr.Whitcombe had other responsibilities, and she wished to be near her daughter and her new grandchildren.I suppose Netherfield is rather large for only three ladies, but we were all sad to see them go.”
“Do you keep up a correspondence with the family?”asked Bingley.
“Yes, quite regularly.”She was happy to continue talking about the Whitcombe family.It would avoid discussion of her own, and she knew she would not have half of Jane’s patience with their impertinent questions.“The third daughter is of an age with myself and staying with her mother and elder sister in Town.She is an amusing correspondent.The youngest son is in Cambridge, but he occasionally sends my father a letter.”
“Do you see them often when you go to Town?”
She smiled at Mr.Bingley’s subtle way of asking how often they went to Town.“We do.I have been Miss Amelia’s guest a few times in Mayfair, and they are friendly with my aunt and Uncle Gardiner.”
“Your relations in Cheapside?”asked Miss Bingley in a snide tone.
Elizabeth straightened her spine.“Near Cheapside, Miss Bingley.And yes, they enjoy a friendship with Lady Whitcombe and her children.”
Miss Bingley smirked as if she had scored a point of some kind and attended her meal.Elizabeth pursed her lips and cut her pheasant.She would not give the woman the satisfaction of showing her annoyance.
“What time of year do you generally visit London?”asked Mr.Bingley—his voice quieter so only she could hear him.
“We often go in mid-winter and stay through the beginning of spring.Occasionally we visit in autumn.It depends on our hosts’ travel schedule.”
“Do your relations travel often then?”
“Yes, my aunt is very fond of new places, and my uncle is very fond of her.They generally take an extended holiday each summer.Last summer they visited the seaside for a month, and Jane accompanied them.I will attend them next summer.”
“Ah.Do you know where you will visit?”
“They have discussed the Lake District, but Scotland has also been mentioned.I have some cousins there so it is a possibility.”
“What is the name of your Scottish cousins?”Mr.Darcy’s voice interrupted her quiet conversation with Mr.Bingley again.
She looked at him in surprise.She had heard him conversing with Mrs.Hurst and Miss Bingley, and she had not thought he would be able to distinguish what she and Mr.Bingley spoke of since they had lowered their voices.“The Gordons and the Kerrs.We have not seen them in many years, but we maintain the connection.”
Darcy nodded, his expression impossible to decipher.What is he thinking so deeply about?
“Are they your mother’s relatives?”asked Miss Bingley.
Elizabeth took a breath to answer, but before she could speak, Mr.Darcy said, “The Gordons are one of the oldest noble families in Scotland.They are not far from the border with England.Pemberley does business with one of the current estate owners.”He turned to face Elizabeth again.“Perhaps he is your cousin.”
She thought she saw his lip twitch, but she did not know him well enough to decipher whether or not he was teasing.She sipped her wine before responding.“Perhaps.Do you know his given name or the name of his estate?”
“I do not recall his given name, but his estate is called Greenbriar Hall.”
Elizabeth’s eyes lit up.“That is Uncle Colin’s estate!I have not visited it since I was a child, but it is very beautiful.Have you seen the waterfall upstream from the loch?”
Darcy suddenly appeared inordinately interested in the conversation and leaned forward.“I have.It is indeed lovely.He is your uncle, you say?”
“In our family, we tend to call all the cousins of the generation before us our uncle or aunt even though they are actually cousins of some degree.If I recall correctly, he is my second cousin once-removed.His grandfather was my great-grandmother’s brother.She and her brother were very close, and she used to visit every other year.She took my father everywhere with her in his youth, and he and Uncle Colin enjoy a close friendship.I began accompanying Granny when I was five years old, but I have not seen my uncle since she died five years ago.”
Darcy’s brows raised.“She must have been of an advanced age.”
