“Ihave addressed the matter,” she amended, riled at his overbearing manner.
“We agreed to let bygones be bygones, Miss Bennet. I hope we can continue to do so.”
It seemed to her that all the ‘bygones’ he was referring to were insults she was supposed to forget about.
“It is easy to say, less easy to put into practice,” she remarked, “since all the burden falls on me. But I will endeavor to do so.”
He ran his hand across his face. “I very much appreciate it, Miss Bennet, and I appreciate your honesty. I hope it has cleared the air between us.” He paused. “And back to the question you raised about accepting Georgiana’s generosity. It is all very awkward, and it is certainly new territory for me. I cannot tell you whether or not you should accept it, and I fear that if I offer you pin money to spend while you are with us it will only make matters worse. I will give it some thought and perhaps we can discuss the matter further in a day or two?”
Elizabeth nodded. He was right that offering her pin money would be a problem. She was supposed to be a guest. “I agree. I would not be willing to accept pin money because that would put me in the category of a paid companion, which I do not wish at all. I do have pin money of my own.”
It was not much, but it was enough to cover any essentials she might have. Papa had given her the usual pin money, and then extra funds ‘in case of other expenses’.
“Let us talk about this again by all means,” said Darcy. “Meanwhile, I hope you will accept a gift of new gloves from my sister, since those are completely ruined. It is entirely my fault, since, as you pointed out, my carelessness caused the accident.”
“I did not say you were careless,” she said, meeting his gaze.
“I am trying to apologize, Miss Bennet. Please accept my apology.”
“Very well, sir. I accept it.”
“Good. I will explain the situation to my sister, and she will help you acquire new ones.”
“Thank you.”
Elizabeth curtsied and left the room, feeling more in charity overall with Mr. Darcy than ever before. They had engaged in civil conversation. She had expressed her concerns, and he had listened intently. He had apologized. He had understood her concerns about gifts and pin money.
Perhaps she had misjudged Mr. Darcy after all.
Chapter 14
Darcy’s interactions with Miss Bennet so far had not given him any more clarity about Miss Bennet and her character than he had before. Sometimes, he thought she might be flirting with him. Certainly, her occasional playful manner as she spoke to him suggested it. Then moments later, as she confronted him about one thing or the other, he was forced to consider the likelihood – admittedly remote – that she might dislike him, or even hold him in disdain. It boggled his mind. He had no idea what to make of it, and he found himself wondering about it much more than he should.
A few days later, when he met with his cousin Richard at the club, his cousin asked him about Miss Bennet.
“How is Georgiana faring? Are you satisfied now that Miss Bennet is the right person to befriend Georgiana? I have not had the chance to call on her yet at her new home. I have been very occupied with my duties. I really must pay a visit to Cavendish Square. I hope she does not think I am neglecting her.”
“You need not worry on that score. I doubt she has noticed. She has thrown herself into redecorating the place, which is a good thing, especially since it is likely she will be living there until her coming out, three years from now. It gives her something to occupy her instead of pining away over that villain.”
“Excellent news! I am so relieved to hear she is in better spirits.” He studied Darcy. “What about Miss Bennet. You have not mentioned her. Are you satisfied now that she is the right person to befriend Georgiana?”
Swirling his brandy more vigorously than he should, Darcy stared into the ensuing whirlpool he had created.
“I have yet to reach a conclusion. Georgiana is happy around her, but is Miss Bennet a good influence? I am not so certain.”
The colonel sent him a bemused look. “Really? How so? What makes you question her integrity?”
The brandy sloshed over the side of his brandy glass and Darcy was forced to put it down to take out his handkerchief and dab at the corner of his sleeve.
“What has you so agitated, Darcy?” His voice was alarmed. “Has anything happened?”
“No, no, nothing like that. I did not mean to suggest it. I am just having difficulty understanding her character.”
His cousin leaned back again with a sigh of relief. “Surely it cannot be that difficult. She is a country miss. You are accustomed to far more complicated interactions with young ladies who have made it their life’s mission to cast their net around you.”
“That is the point exactly. I would not dismiss her as a country miss, Richard. She is far from that. My impression is that she is very clever, and well-informed to boot. It would not do to underestimate her.”
The colonel chuckled. “Is there a reason you have concluded this, or is it pure speculation? Are you still convinced she is a conniving thief out to steal all your silverware?”
