“No, we stayed in London this year,” said Miss Darcy when Mrs. Bennet asked her if they were on their way to Pemberley. It was clear to Jane’s eyes that the girl had become a little uncomfortable at the questioning. “I do not know what my brother’s plans are for the rest of the summer.”
The way she hesitated told Jane that Miss Darcy likely knew something of what had brought her with her brother to Hertfordshire, but did not wish to speak of it. Given Elizabeth’s summons to the study, Jane could not but wonder if something had provoked them to leave London, and later than they usually quit the city. Whatever it was, it suggested Mr. Darcy’s interest in Elizabeth was not extinguished.
“Please consider yourself welcome in Hertfordshire,” said Mrs. Bennet, shifting at once to flattery to make her case. “Merytonisnaught but a small neighborhood, but we are fond of it. I hope you are pleased with your new acquaintance with my family.”
“Very much,” said the girl in a shy tone, her eagerness not hidden under her reserve. “I wish to be the greatest of friends.”
“That would be wonderful, my dear,” replied Mrs. Bennet. “You seemed to get on at once with Lizzy, and I do not think you could find a better friend. Lizzy is, you understand, the cleverest of my daughters, though I do not hold with such book learning in ladies. A young girl in your situation would do well to emulate her, for Elizabeth’s ability to put others at ease is legendary in these parts.”
This, unfortunately, was only the beginning, as Mrs. Bennet extolled Elizabeth’s virtues to the young girl she now suspected of being a future relation by marriage. It was clear in Miss Darcy’s face that she understood the overt flattery and was made uncomfortable by it. Some of Mrs. Bennet’s statements were nonsensical, some were overt misrepresentations, and others had no discernable relevance to the subject. After a time of this, salvation came from a most unexpected source.
“Do you spend much time in London, Miss Darcy?”
Kitty, who had spoken, received a scowl from her mother for her trouble, yet Miss Darcy responded at once and with a certain measure of relief. “Perhaps half the year. When I am not at Pemberley with my brother, we are often in town.”
“I have not been to London often,” said a wistful Kitty. “My sisters go frequently to stay with my aunt and uncle.”
“You could go more often if you wished it, Kitty,” said Mary, a clear reference to the girls’ frequent complaints of boredom when visiting Gracechurch Street. Then Mary fixed her attention on Miss Darcy and said: “I understand you have access to masters? I have had some instruction but have largely taught myself to play. Greater training would improve my playing.”
Miss Darcy directed a tentative smile at Mary. “It sounds like you enjoy playing as much as I do myself.”
As the younger girls warmed to their conversation, Mary and Georgiana speaking of music while Kitty attempted to draw her into a discussion of subjects more to her taste, Jane reflected that the worst of the crisis had passed. Miss Darcy appeared more at ease speaking with girls her age, which Jane reflected was no great surprise.
Mrs. Bennet, it appeared, was content to allow her daughters to cultivate friendships with the girl, despite her wish of eliciting information from her. With Elizabeth the recipient of Mr. Darcy’s admiration and Mary and Kitty becoming friends with her, Mrs. Bennet would expect the imminent announcement of an engagement. Whether that would come to fruition Jane could not say, though she espoused greater doubts given the information she possessed that her mother did not.
Yet, Jane had detected a softness in Elizabeth’s manners toward Mr. Darcy when he had appeared, and a general sense of greater approval since her return from Kent. There was no telling if that improved opinion would lead anywhere, regardless of their mother’s assurance. Jane was hopeful, for the thought occurred to her that Elizabeth marrying Mr. Darcy might put her in Mr. Bingley’s company again. Then she could discover if Elizabeth’s opinion concerning the Bingley sisters’ scheming to separate them was the truth.
Chapter X
Amost disruptive and disagreeable influence arrived when Darcy, in the company of Mr. Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, and his cousin left Mr. Bennet’s study. They had no sooner left the study when they heard footsteps on the stairs at the end of the hall, and Miss Lydia Bennet appeared. The girl halted at the sight of them, a look of utter shock affixed to her features.
“Mr. Darcy!” exclaimed she with more confusion than sense. “What canyoube doing here?”
“Lydia,” said Mr. Bennet, his tone warning. “Is that how you talk to a guest in this house?”
“Good day, Miss Lydia,” said Darcy at once, not waiting for the apology he was certain she would not offer.
“Come with us,” said Mr. Bennet, beckoning to his daughter.
The girl wished to say something more, but some well of discretion made itself known and she held her tongue. By her movements, however, she informed them all of her dissatisfaction with his presence, as she flounced the rest of the way down the hall and let herself into the sitting-room before anyone else moved. Darcy felt his cousin’s eyes on him and turned to look, noting Fitzwilliam’s knowing expression—clearly, she was everything he had expected, unsurprising since he had experience with young girls enamored with officers.
When they entered the room, Darcy noted Miss Lydia’s curiosity at seeing Georgiana seated with Miss Mary and Miss Kitty, with Miss Bennet and their mother looking on. Sensing a possible means of avoiding unpleasantness, Darcy stepped forward.
“Miss Lydia, if you will allow me, I believe you are yet unknown to my relations.”
Not waiting for the girl’s acquiescence, Darcy performed the civilities, easily recognizing her interest when he mentioned Fitzwilliam’s rank. The look did not last long, for she seemed to recall something, which set her to scowling. She seemed to have little control over her facial expressions, for whatever she felt was at once announced in her features. Mr. Bennet, he noted, regarded her, unhappiness unmistakable, but he sensed now was not the time to argue and settled for observing her.
“I did not expect to see you in Meryton, Mr. Darcy,” said the girl as she sat at her sister’s side. “Given your eager flight last November, I might have thought it was the last we would see of you.”
Darcy’s defense came from a most unlikely source, though when Darcy considered the event after the fact, he knew he should have expected it.
“Mr. Darcy’s return is a pleasing circumstance, Lydia,” snapped Mrs. Bennet, directing a quelling look at her youngest.
Miss Lydia did not get the hint. “Given the damage you have caused here, I wonder that you would presume to show your face.”
“I echo your mother, Lydia,” said Mr. Bennet, fixing his daughter with a look most unsatisfied. “These are guests in our house, and you will treat them accordingly or you will return to your room.”
It was no less than obvious the girl did not wish to cease her attacks, but she remained silent, though she glared at him with mutiny in her eyes. Darcy knew there was little enough chance of persuading her, but he could not help a single comment.
