Darcy had to bite his lower lip to keep from smiling. Bingley had often been steered by his elder sisters, but he could see in the last few weeks and months that he was growing tired of their needling. He was coming into his own as the man of the house, and Darcy was glad of it.
The butler entered through the open door and bowed just as Bingley was overruling his sister. “The Bennets have arrived, sir,” he said.
“Ah, very good. We shall come out and greet them,” Bingley said. “Darcy?”
Darcy did not have to be asked twice. He followed his friend out to the foyer and stood beside him as the Bennet family was welcomed into the house.
“Mr Bennet. Mrs Bennet. How good of you to grace us with your presence this evening,” Mr Bingley said. He shook Mr Bennet’s hand warmly, and Darcy was glad to see that the elder gentleman seemed to be much more at his ease than he had at the Netherfield Ball. Perhaps they were alike in that way. If Mr Bennet, too, detested large crowds, Darcy could hardly blame him. He could only hope this evening would prove less eventful.
“It is an honour to be invited. Thank you, sir,” Mrs Bennet said, her voice friendly and respectful, if rather high and grating. She gave a short laugh. “You are very kind.”
“Please, do come in,” Bingley said. After a veritable army of footmen stepped forward and took their cloaks, the guests filed into the parlour. Darcy waited for Elizabeth and offered her his arm.
“You look well this evening,” Darcy commented. And indeed she did. His betrothed was a picture of loveliness, dressed in a simple green gown with a cream silk ribbon tied about the high waist.
“You flatter me, Mr Darcy. Strange, I thought you were above such notions,” she teased. “Ah well, I will allow it.”
“Is not a fiancé entitled to a little flattery?” Darcy asked, matching her playful mood.
“I suppose you are,” she replied under her breath. She lifted her gaze to his and for a moment, he could not draw breath. She was overwhelmingly beautiful in her simple elegance. He had been entranced by her loveliness on the night of the Netherfield Ball. But this evening, she seemed to shine with an unassuming inner light that made him want her all the more.
“Darcy?” Bingley said, clearing his throat as he stood at the door of the parlour. “Will you and your lovely fiancée join us?”
Darcy shook his head to clear it, gave a short laugh, and led Elizabeth into the parlour. He led her around to a seat on the settee, then stood beside her as the conversation got underway while they waited for dinner to be announced.
“Thank you for inviting us here tonight,” Miss Lydia said, her hands clasped demurely in front of her.
“Yes, thank you,” Miss Kitty chimed in. He looked at them in surprise. Both girls had spoken with simple courtesy and elegance, far from the silly, giggling manner that Darcy had come to expect. It would not have been too much to say that both the younger Miss Bennets sounded downright poised and controlled. Of course, they were still all smiles, but with a gentility that had been lacking in past encounters.
“It is my pleasure,” Mr Bingley said with a broad smile. “Good friends are always welcome at my home.”
“Has the shooting been good of late, Mr Bingley?” Mrs Bennet asked, and the conversation soon turned to that of hunting and all things to do with outdoor sport. Mr Bingley was all too eager to oblige her by answering questions about one of his favourite pastimes. All the while, Miss Bennet hung on his every word, seeming to lean in any time that he spoke. Darcy wondered why he had not seen it before. No doubt her more subtle tells had been overshadowed by her sister’s behaviour, and even that of her mother. Thankfully, the youngest Miss Bennets had found some measure of restraint.
When dinner was announced, Darcy took Elizabeth aside. “If you will forgive me for commenting on the matter, I should like to say that your youngest sisters are very well-behaved this evening, I must say. Their manners are strikingly improved.”
Elizabeth smiled mischievously. “Yes, I am afraid I had a bit to do with that.”
“Oh? How so?” he asked, intrigued.
“I told them they would not be allowed to visit me in London after we are married if they do anything to embarrass me.”
Darcy could not help but chuckle. “And that is all that was needed to bring them to heel?” he asked.
“I instructed them a little in what I considered to be good behaviour, and what would be better avoided, but no more than that. My sisters are most eager to experience all that London has to offer,” she whispered. “I hope you do not mind — ”
“Not in the slightest,” Darcy interrupted her. “Quite the contrary. I am very pleased to see such a beneficial change. You have arranged matters marvellously, and to the benefit of your sisters as well as others.” Darcy hardly knew how to compliment Elizabeth’s cleverness and skill in handling her sisters. She had effected a remarkable change. While some might call it underhanded, the results spoke for themselves. Miss Kitty and Miss Lydia would be the better for it if they could rein in their overexuberance, even to a small degree.
Darcy was seated between Miss Mary and Miss Kitty at the dinner table. He could not help but cast longing glances at his fiancée across the table, but he knew it would do him well to get to know the rest of his soon-to-be relations better.
“You are a great proponent of the pianoforte, I think, Miss Mary?” Darcy asked. “I have heard you play several times—first at the Netherfield Ball and on various occasions when I have come to call at Longbourn.”
Miss Mary’s face brightened immediately. “I do love to play, Mr Darcy. I would not say I am a great scholar of the art, but I am trying.”
“Music is a worthy endeavour. My sister Georgiana is also a great lover of music. Tell me, would you be willing to recommend some pieces that I might purchase for her when I am next in London? Being cloistered away at Pemberley is a frustration to her at times, for she practices and perfects a piece almost as soon as I bring it home. And I confess, I am no musician. I would be very grateful if you could steer me toward some recommendations that a young lady would enjoy.”
Miss Mary’s eyes shone. “I would be honoured to give some suggestions, Mr Darcy.” Her smile was more brilliant than he had ever seen it, and for the first time, he could see some resemblance between her and Elizabeth. “Tell me, does your sister ever play two-handed pieces?”
“I am sorry to say she has likely never had the opportunity. But when she arrives for the wedding, I am sure she would be most eager to try a two-handed piece with you, if you will ask her. My sister is sometimes rather retiring among new acquaintances, but when it comes to music, she would be most happy to oblige.”
