Elizabeth wore a false smile, but was saying everything polite to Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst. What happiness could she have while being judged, condescended to, and gossiped about by strangers?
Bingley followed his eyes to the ladies and then nodded to himself before joining them. “Forgive me for interrupting, Caroline, but I had a thought for Mrs Darcy.” He forced himself past his sister to sit across from Elizabeth. “You said you were from Hertfordshire? I had a friend recommend a property to lease near to Ware. I hope you can tell me something about the area. The house is called Netherfield, and they?—”
“Netherfield!” Elizabeth gave an animated smile that brightened her eyes. “Netherfield is but three miles from my home. Not only can I tell you about the country, I can tell you about the house itself. It would be so good to have a family there.”
While they talked, Miss Bingley cast Darcy glances that implied she would welcome him sitting by her. He pointedly remained standing.
“Mrs Darcy, you have convinced me,” Bingley cried. “I will take the chaise on Monday to look at it.”
Mrs Hurst and Miss Bingley stood to end the visit, with Mrs Hurst saying, “We must have you to dinner when Charles returns from Hertfordshire.”
“That would give Mrs Darcy time to have a gown made and perhaps a visit to a jeweller,” added Miss Bingley. “I notice you have no ornament for your hair, nor any necklace. Easily fixed, now that you are in town. I will gladly accompany you. You could not know what the latest fashions are.”
Elizabeth’s eyes widened, but she only said, “I could not trouble you. I am glad to meet such good friends of Mr Darcy’s.”
When the footman showed them out, Elizabeth told him they were no longer at home to callers and Darcy added, “Nor are we at home tomorrow.” When Elizabeth gave him a curious look, he said, “You appeared to need a break.”
She settled onto the sofa with a relieved smile. “Miss Bingley wants to show me the best warehouses in town because she assumes I must not know where to go.”
He appraised Elizabeth’s gown. Her mother had sent her belongings from Ramsgate. Although he had seen all her gowns many times, he had always supposed her small collection of clothes to be perfectly current for country and resort living. But what could she spend if he gave her no money to do so? He had been too occupied withGeorgiana’s situation and his own thoughts that he had not considered his wife’s financial circumstances. He must rectify that quickly.
“Perhaps Miss Bingley wanted to ingratiate herself for the sake of keeping her acquaintance with me.”
“When you spoke with Mr Bingley, I civilly informed her that her recommendations and introductions were unnecessary. Even if they were, I would not takeherhelp.”
“Why not?”
Elizabeth gave him a long look and an indulgent smile. “Do you not see it? Your marriage mortifies her, and she wants to put me in my lower place.”
“Miss Bingley’s fortune came from trade, so she ought not to criticise your place. I do not see why my marriage mortifies her.”
“My dear Darcy, she wanted to marry you herself,” she insisted. “She may be civil to me for her brother’s sake, but do not mistake for a moment that she will not insult me whenever she can.”
He was accustomed to trifling interest from women, but he had never thought there was anything of substance behind it. He carefully crossed the room to sit next to her. “She is more interested in the house in town and being able to spend more than she needs to thanme.”
“I think you underestimate your appeal.”
He knew he turned red. He felt the heat from his cheeks to his neck. Should he thank her for the compliment? Part of him wanted to ask what she found appealing about him, but perhaps she only meant it to be kind rather than meaning anything substantive.
Darcy had to clear his throat before answering. “I still say she wants ten thousand pounds a year more than anything else.”
“Whereas I only needed your good name. Would you rather be married for your income or for your respectability?”
Elizabeth seemed more amused than jealous. “In this case, with the choice between her and you? I pick you.”
“That is the correct husbandly response.”
Her arch look faded, and he wondered if Miss Bingley’s barbs injured her more than she let on. “I will not let her disparage you. I will tell Bingley?—”
“No, I can handle her. And I do not want your friendship with MrBingley challenged. Besides, he and my family might be neighbours. We must all get along.”
“She implied you have no money for your expenses, and I realise I must make arrangements for you and change my will.” His sister was currently heir to all he had, and the thought of Elizabeth’s and Pemberley’s care falling into Wickham’s hands was repellent. “I will arrange it all tomorrow when I meet with the attorneys about Georgiana’s fortune.”
“I thought women who elope forfeit the right to a proper marriage settlement.” She wore a grateful look, and he regretted not realising she needed this before now.
“They just have no bargaining power since the deed is already done,” he teased. “It is too late for your father to argue with me to give you more. Fortunately for you, I would rather not have you trouble me every time you need something or have to take from the household expenses whenever you need a…a…”
“Are you struggling to name some feminine article?” A smile at his ineptitude was near to bursting from her lips.
