“Not at all,” Darcy replied automatically, as they walked to thedrawing room. He stopped Mrs. Reynolds and called for refreshments and tea service. “Although I’m expecting visitors for tea time.”
“Visitors?” Bingley beamed as if finding Darcy dancing like a pet monkey. “By jove. I would not have expected you to entertain in such a grand fashion.”
“It is merely a formality.” Darcy’s teeth ached as his jaw tightened.
“May I inquire about the identity of your visitors?” Bingley asked. “We may want to invite them to our All Hallows’ Eve Assembly right here in Pemberley.”
Darcy remained standing as the company settled in the drawing room. “I wasn’t aware that we celebrated All Hallows’ Eve at Pemberley.”
“Oh, but Caroline has been planning it on our journey north, haven’t you, sister?”
Caroline, of course, preened prettily, blinking and pleased at being the center of attention. “Nothing extravagant, Mr. Darcy. A day of shooting for the gentlemen, and autumn games for the ladies. A modest masquerade dance, not a full-fledged ball. It would be so rustic and seasonal.”
Darcy winced at the presumption. Caroline had been angling for the position of mistress of Pemberley ever since their childhood, when Darcy’s uncle John did business with Bingley’s father. The families visited frequently back when John and Rose were alive. Another loose end from the days before his father inherited Pemberley.
“Caroline has been longing to play hostess.” Bingley clapped his hands together. “An All Hallows’ Eve house party would be a splendid opportunity to bring together the local society. Perhaps even extend invitations to interesting visitors in the area.”
Something in Bingley’s tone caused Darcy to look at him more sharply. “What visitors do you mean?”
“Well, as fortune would have it, I encountered Mr. Bennet before leaving Hertfordshire,” Bingley replied. “He mentioned that hisdaughter Elizabeth was visiting distant connections near Lambton. I thought it neighborly to include her in our festivities.”
Darcy stared at his friend, a chill running through him that had nothing to do with the autumn air. “You spoke with Mr. Bennet about Miss Elizabeth’s whereabouts?”
“Certainly.” Bingley smiled brightly. “In fact, I secured his permission to pay her particular attention during our stay in Derbyshire. Most encouraging, he was.”
Darcy felt his chest tighten around his heart. He struggled to maintain his composure as an unexpected surge of possessiveness washed over him. “You intend to court Miss Elizabeth Bennet?”
“If she proves receptive to my attentions,” Bingley confirmed, his eyes gleaming with something that approached fervor. “She is a delightful young woman, is she not? So intelligent and spirited.”
“She is certainly spirited,” Darcy admitted. “Though I confess myself surprised by this development. I had thought your interest lay with her sister.”
“Miss Jane Bennet is indeed a lovely young woman,” Bingley acknowledged with a slight shrug. “But I find Miss Elizabeth’s liveliness more compelling. You disagree?”
“My opinion is immaterial,” Darcy replied stiffly. “You must follow your own judgment in such matters.”
Caroline, who had been following this exchange with narrowed eyes, stepped forward. “We have heard Miss Elizabeth Bennet is staying with that widow—what was her name? Mrs. Wickham? At some cottage on your estate?”
“Rose Cottage,” Darcy confirmed, wondering how the Bingleys had obtained this information so quickly.
“How charming,” Caroline said, though her expression suggested she found it anything but. “A rustic retreat. Though surely such accommodations must be… limited in comfort.”
“Mrs. Wickham has been a tenant for many years,” Darcy replied, his mind working rapidly. “Though I have been considering reassessing that arrangement.”
Bingley raised his eyebrows. “Oh? Some difficulty with the good widow?”
“Nothing specific,” Darcy hedged, unwilling to reveal his suspicions. “Merely a routine review of tenancy agreements.”
Glances were exchanged by the entire party, with even Mr. Hurst rousing himself from his slumber to blink.
“What do you know about Mrs. Wickham and Elizabeth?” Darcy demanded.
Bingley’s perpetual smile dimmed. “Mr. Bennet seemed to believe his daughter might be manipulated into dangerous situations through the Wickhams. Miss Lydia reports that George Wickham lent Elizabeth five pounds to escape her intended marriage to Mr. Collins.”
The pieces fell into place with sickening clarity. Elizabeth had taken money from Mr. Wickham. An unforgivable ruination to her reputation. “And your role in this arrangement?”
“Mr. Bennet has asked me to locate Elizabeth and ensure her safety until she reaches her majority. He believes that with proper protection and guidance, any… unfortunate entanglements she may have formed can be resolved without lasting damage to her reputation or prospects.”
“Really, Charles?” Darcy could not keep the incredulity from his voice. “You as her guardian? The man who cannot decide between fishing and shooting without changing his mind thrice in an hour?”
