It would not do. He was the master of Pemberley. This was his home. Miss Bennet was the interloper.
“We will continue this conversation later, Miss Bennet,” he stated, firmly. He did not mean to make it sound like a threat, but it did.
She raised an eyebrow. “Naturally. I expect no less.”
Again, a disconcerting answer. He could swear she had looked amused, but it was so fleeting he could not be sure. What was wrong with him? Why was he reacting like this to a mere slip of a girl barely out of the schoolroom?
Bingley, who had started sitting down, stood up straight. “I had forgotten you keep country hours here, Darcy,” he said. “Ihad better dress for dinner, too. I will see you in the drawing room in a few minutes, Miss Bennet?”
She nodded graciously. “I am looking forward to it.”
Darcy strode out of the room, exasperated. He knew his friend well and could already identify the signs of one of Bingley’s pointless, short-lived infatuations. Not only had Georgiana fallen under the spell of Miss Bennet, but now his friend was charmed by her as well.
Darcy practically thumped his way up the stairs. “Please tell me you do not intend to pursue my sister’s new friend, Bingley.”
Thoughfriendmust surely be an exaggeration. Three weeks was not enough to seal a friendship.
Bingley did not have the chance to answer, since Miss Bingley was waiting for them at the top. She had changed from her travel clothes, but her hair was hastily made up. For once, she was more eager to discover the latest gossip than to improve her appearance.
“Well, Mr. Darcy? Tell me. I am all agog! Who is this new friend of Miss Darcy’s? What is she like?”
“We have only just been introduced,” said Darcy, in a quelling tone. He did not want to encourage idle gossip about his sister. “I suppose we will learn more about her over dinner. Come Bingley. Let us ready ourselves, and see what dinner has to offer.”
He was about to walk on, but it occurred to him that Miss Bingley might go downstairs and cause trouble. Better safe than sorry.
Turning back to Miss Bingley, he remarked. “I noticed a strand of your hair has come loose, Miss Bingley. Maybe the maid can adjust it for you?”
Miss Bingley put her hand to her hair in dismay. “Oh! I will do so at once. Thank you for letting me know, Mr. Darcy.” The dismay turned into a cloying smile.
No doubt she would interpret his words in a dozen undesirable ways. Still, if she stayed away from the minefield downstairs, then he had achieved his goal.
He nodded his head stiffly. “You are very welcome.”
Elizabeth had already formed a poor opinion of Mr. Darcy based on what Georgiana had said about him. She thought him harsh and indifferent to poor Georgiana’s pain. She had formed the impression of a portly man with gray sideburns. As he entered the room, the mental image she had of him died a quiet death. He was not at all portly. Far from it. He was tall, with a fine figure, and dark curly hair. She might even have called him handsome, except for the arrogant, condescending expression that marred his face.
His manner was obviously meant to intimidate her, but it provoked exactly the opposite reaction. The mischievous part of her was gripped by a desire to take him down a peg, and she found a perfect opportunity to poke fun at his manners.
She was even more pleased when she succeeded in discomposing him. She ought not to take such pleasure in it, but she could not bear his conceited disdain for those around him.
“How do you find my brother, Miss Bennet?” Miss Darcy was looking at her hopefully.
“You can hardly expect me to make a judgment so quickly, Miss Darcy,” she said, smiling at her young companion.
“Quite right, Georgiana,” retorted Mrs. Annesley. “You have only just introduced Miss Bennet to him.” The older lady turned the conversation to something more general, and they maintained polite conversation until the mantle clock chimed the sixth hour.
“I believe it is time for dinner,” said Mrs. Annesley. “Shall we join the others in the drawing room?”
Elizabeth nodded in agreement. She was looking forward to confronting his haughtiness, Mr. Darcy. She had the feeling she would enjoy teasing him.
She gestured to Georgiana and Mrs. Annesley. “Please lead the way.”
The only voice she heard as they walked towards the drawing room, belonged to a woman. It sounded as if the lady – Mr. Bingley’s sister, presumably – was flirting with Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth was curious to see what kind of lady might appeal to Mr. Darcy. She could only conclude he must have had a good reason to invite her to stay with them at Pemberley.
They were just about to reach the drawing room, when Georgiana put her hand to her throat.
“Oh, no!” she exclaimed in dismay. “I think I dropped the gold chain I was wearing! It must have fallen when I went to meet William.”
“Would you like me to help you look for it?” Elizabeth offered.
