“Mr Darcy, did you know that all ladies hereabouts sit out two setsvoluntarily?” Louisa enquired.
Darcy’s eyes went wide. Miss Bingley was pointing out the depth of hisfaux paswithout actually mentioning it. She must have heard. If he could have, Darcy would have slunk away to lick his self-inflicted wounds.
“Due to the war with the Corsican Tyrant, there are far more ladies than men. Hence, by all ladies sitting out some sets, it makes sure everyone has a turn to dance,” Louisa continued without giving Mr Darcy a chance to respond. “As to your request, yes, Mr Darcy, I will dance the next set with you.”
Suddenly, the plant in the corner did not seem large enough to hide him. Darcy felt like he was a rude cad. He now knew he needed to apologise, but he could not simplyapproach a lady to whom he had not been introduced.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
After his dance with Miss Louisa Bingley—he had requested the Bingleys’ aunt dance a set but she had refused—Darcy had repaired to the card room. Thankfully the men who were there showed no interest in him. Not until he saw the other men leaving the room, and one of them saying something to the effect that the ball was over, did Darcy leave.
While they waited for the coach, Darcy would not look Bingley in the eye. Had he not suspected that his friend would order him back inside, Darcy would have retreated and sat on the box next to the coachman.
Bingley remained silent until they made the turn towards his leased estate. “Not that it would have been better, but do you realise that the lady you insulted, Miss Elizabeth, was not alone? Her father, my aunt, and sister were all seated with her. The large pot plant made it so you could only see Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”
“I am aware of that. I know I need to make my amends. I would have at the assembly, but I had not been introduced to any members of the family,” Darcy stated.
“And whose fault was that? Had you not stalked off, you would have met them,” Bingley shot back.
“That is true; however, after I was separated from you, that Mrs Kingston, with the three daughters, attempted to have me ask her daughters to dance. I felt disdain at her forwardness, so I walked away before I said something I would have regretted,” Darcy explained.
“Like you should have done when I spoke to you,” Bingley returned angrily.
“Yes, that is what I should have done. I did not, and thereis nothing I can do to change that. That is why, as I said, I will ride to the Bennets’ estate and beg their pardons,” Darcy insisted.
Understanding that his friend intended to apologise sincerely, Bingley was able to relax.
“Mr Darcy, you will not have to ride to Longbourn to see Mr Bennet,” Louisa revealed. She saw the questioning looks from her brother and Mr Darcy. “Mr Bennet will call at ten in the morning. He would like to have a word with you.” She looked at Mr Darcy when she said the last.
Darcy relaxed a little. Bingley was not as angry with him any longer, and he would not have to go to the Bennets’ estate.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
All four occupants of the Bingley coach were grateful that a certain Miss Caroline was not waiting for their return.
They were all able to head up to their chambers in peace.
Chapter 18
As much as she hated rising at the hour the rest of the residents of Netherfield Park did to break their fasts, the morning after the assembly she had missed because of her family’s betrayal, Miss Caroline instructed her maid to wake her in time to attend the morning meal.
When Miss Caroline stormed into the dining parlour, the other four were already seated about the table. None of them looked at her, which only increased her fury. She stood in the doorway, her arms akimbo.
“How dare you…” Miss Caroline began to screech. The tirade ended prematurely when her brother slammed his fist onto the table.
“Think very carefully about the next words which cross your lips, for they may be the last you utter in this house. If you would like to join us and break your fast without any dramatics, then please do so. Anything else will see you begin to pack for your journey north,” Bingley warned firmly. “After we have eaten, if you would like to say something, then we will speak in the drawing room, without screeching or shouting. Am I understood?”
Seeing that she could not afford to be sent away before she secured her future as Mrs Darcy, Miss Caroline headed for a seat next to the target of her matrimonial plans.
“No, Caroline,” Hildebrand said with an icy voice. “As we all did, you will help yourself to the buffet, and then you will sitnext to me, either side, I care not.”
Why would her family not allow her to spend time with Mr Darcy? Miss Caroline was certain that due to her superior education, she was the only one with whom Mr Darcy would want to converse.
Miss Caroline helped herself to eggs, ham, toast, and some butter. All small helpings of course; she did not want Mr Darcy to think her a glutton like the disfigured Louisa. With no good cheer, she seated herself to the left of her aunt. It was the same side of the table as Mr Darcy, but there were a half-dozen empty places between them.
She sat steaming as the anger built, hardly touching her food as she watched Mr Darcy chatting amiably with Charles and even Louisa, though she was without her veil. Was the man blind that he ignored the terrible deformity on her sister’s face?
Their late father had told her and her late mother that it was not the mark of the devil, not an indication of some deficiency, or anything else. He had said it was some sort of wine stain, a birthmark that did not mean anything was deficient in Louisa. However, her late mother and she had known better. No one could be so ugly for no reason.
