All eyes turned to the young man standing near Lord Hopewell’s chair with a mischievous grin on his face.He was wearing a bright green jacket with a garishly embroidered gold waistcoat.His hair was on the long side and fashionably disarranged, and he stood in such a way that bespoke confidence and entitlement.
Elizabeth instantly disliked him.
“Bertie, you knew perfectly well we were having Darcy’s friends to dinner this evening.”
“So I did.Forgive me for being late, Darcy.”He looked about the table, ignoring Darcy’s frown, and smiled widely.“But I am here now, so no harm done.”
His eyes lit on Jane and his expression brightened.“You must be Darcy’s lady love.”He took her hand from where it rested on the table and kissed it after an elaborate bow.“I am very pleased to meet you.”He winked at her on rising and Jane’s mouth dropped open in surprise.
“Do stop your little show, Winters.You are making Miss Bennet uncomfortable,” said Sir Daniel, his raspy voice suddenly strong and authoritative.
Lord Winters straightened immediately.“Forgive me, Uncle.I was only trying to be friendly.”
“That is rather too friendly,” said Mr.Darcy.“And I am afraid you have the wrong Miss Bennet.Miss Elizabeth is seated next to your mother.Miss Jane Bennet is her elder sister.”Darcy looked to Elizabeth with an apology in his eyes for sending his cousin her way.
She tried to convey with her expression that he had done the right thing.It would be better to redirect the viscount’s attention to herself instead of Jane.
“Well, in that case, I shall keep Miss Bennet company.”He smiled roguishly and signaled a footman to bring him a chair.“Move over, Clara.”He unceremoniously pushed his sister over so he could fit comfortably between her and Jane.
“Bertie!You are like an ass someone has let in from the barn,” huffed Clara.
“Clara, watch your language at table,” corrected Lady Hopewell.
Clara gasped and looked at her mother in astonishment.
Elizabeth understood her perfectly.It seemed Mrs.Bennet was not the only mother who had a favorite child she would allow to get away with anything, no matter how egregious the action.
Dessert was brought out as soon as Lord Winters was settled, and Elizabeth could only be glad the meal was coming to a close.
“My son has high spirits, Miss Elizabeth.You mustn’t mind him,” declared Lady Hopewell with an indulgent smile for her son.
“I understand perfectly, my lady.My mother feels the same for my youngest sister.She is in possession of a similar disposition.”
Mr.Darcy’s head shot up from his study of his dessert and their eyes met for a moment.Elizabeth felt an odd desire to smirk at him, like she would have done before they were friends, before she had come to know him better.Before they were courting.
She restrained herself and focused on finishing her dessert so that they might leave this wretched dining room as soon as possible.
Finally, after what felt like an interminable amount of time to eat a fruit tart, Lady Hopewell rose to lead the ladies to the drawing room.Poor Jane was bright red and clumsy, first knocking her fork to the floor with a clatter, then catching her skirt on her chair as she turned to go.Lord Winters leaned down and released it for her, and she stammered an apology as he watched her walk away with a wide smile.
“Darcy, what on earth are you thinking?”cried Winters once the ladies had departed.
“Pardon me?”he replied coldly.
“Miss Elizabeth is lovely in her own way, I’m sure, but how can you even notice her when her sister is in the room?Have you lost your mind, man?”
“Miss Bennet is an attractive woman, but she does not suit me as Miss Elizabeth does,” said Darcy succinctly.
“Attractive woman!Are you blind?She is Aphrodite herself!”
“You are drunk, Albert,” said Darcy in disgust.
“I am not!”This was followed by an untimely hiccup.
“You cannot blame him for noticing a beautiful woman, Darcy,” defended Lord Hopewell.
“Noticing, no, but commenting crudely and making her uncomfortable, yes.”
“She was not uncomfortable!”cried Winters.
