“How does he occupy himself when not making all the intellectuals in the county quake in fear?”
“That is the odd thing. His elder brother will inherit, but he made a bargain with his father and brother. He works at the estate purely to increase its income. Each year the income improves, he keeps the difference for three years. He cannot win at that game forever, but at the moment, he is doing well for himself.”
Anne still considered him fearful handsome.
Leaning over, Jane whispered, “He would make a very fine estate master, with the right wife.”
Anne’s smile lit up her face; she was uncommonly pretty with the expression. Jane might boast of having done a good service for two people, but she would never forgive Anne if she did not at least get herstartedon a London season.
On the other hand, Jane doubted she would lack for London connections when Lizzy resurfaced. Even Lizzy’s legendary stubbornness had limits. She took Anne’s arm, led her over to the gentleman, and performed an introduction worthy of Fordyce himself.
“Miss Anne de Bourgh, allow me to introduce you to Mr Jason Goulding, a lowly third son without much to recommend him, but smart enough on a good day. Jason, Miss Anne de Bourgh—heir to the Rosings estate in Kent, which is about a third the size of Longbourn’s kennel.”
Jane smiled broadly and added as she walked away. “You can put your eyes back into your head and ask Anne to dance now, Jason. Goodbye!”
“Did you misplace her, Mr Darcy?”
He looked at the lady who had spoken to him but did not recognise her. She must have been introduced to his evil twin, but he was struggling to recall her name.
“Be at ease, sir. We have not been introduced, but you seem to have abandoned propriety altogether, so I imagine you are more resilient than you were last autumn.”
Darcy decided that impertinent women were to be his lot in life, and he was not necessarily opposed to the plan.
“Shall I make up an arbitrary name, Miss… or perhaps I can limp along with ma’am or madam?”
The lady gave a brilliant smile and curtsied. “Rebecca Goulding. I think your friend Jane just attached my brother to your cousin right under Mrs Bennet’s nose.”
“Do you approve of the scheme?”
“Of course! Jason needs leg shackling before he drifts away. I overheard the introduction. What did you do to my Jane? She is hilarious.”
Darcy furrowed his brow in concentration. “We both helped each other shed our reserve, but—”
“—do not finish that sentence, good sir. I deduced your entire scheme. My brother is not the only intelligent person in my family.”
Darcy looked concerned, and she added, “He is also not the only one who knows how to keep his mouth shut.”
“I appreciate it. Can I do anything for you?”
“Perhaps eventually, but tonight my aim is to help you. I presume your presence and Lizzy’s absence are related?”
Darcy’s eyebrows rose in surprise.
“Do not worry. I doubt anyone else will work it out or start any gossip, but I wish to shore up your plan. You have only danced with your cousin and Bennets. You should dance with someone else who is at least theoretically eligible. Then, a bit of the gossip will focus on a possible connection with that lady, even though it is only one meaningless dance.”
“Are there anyothergenius women in Hertfordshire?”
“I do not know, sir, I can only speak for myself.”
Darcy chuckled. “I applaud your ruse. I believe you have done me a service, and I will remember it.”
“You owe me nothing. I just enjoyed the exercise.”
“There is a quite eligible woman before me. Perhaps, she could be convinced to serve as the decoy?”
“It will be my pleasure,” she replied with a laugh. “Tell Lizzy she owes me a letter.”
Some Explaining
