Page 16 of A Most Unwelcome Acquaintance

Louisa poured a last half-cup of tea and sipped it in peace.

Caroline watched Darcy as he read, though his eyes had not moved down the page.

Hertfordshire would require more vigilance than she expected. She let her gaze rest on Darcy a moment longer, then turned to her tea, which had gone cold.

Louisa turned her spoon through the tea while she considered the family’s prospects. Hurst lingered over the cold ham, cutting another slice. At the end of the table, Darcy held the county paper open before him while his coffee cooled.

Caroline sat back. Louisa had withdrawn into thought, Hurst cared only for his breakfast, and Darcy had not turned a page in several minutes.

Bingley’s departure left the room quiet.

Louisa said, “Did you find the company at the assembly less tedious than in Town?”

“It was much as I expected. Miss Bennet was the best, but there is little variety. One sees the same manners from family to family,” Caroline said.

Hurst, working a sliver of orange from the rind, said, “Nothing repeats like a mother with five daughters.”

Louisa’s spoon slowed. “I feel for Mrs. Bennet. She is so eager to see them well settled, though she struggles to direct them.”

Caroline’s smile tightened. “She directs nothing. Her voice is everywhere, but her daughters do as they like.” She let the words land, then added, “It is a failing.”

“Miss Bennet is pleasing,” Louisa persisted.

Caroline allowed it. “Yes, she has excellent prospects. She will marry, if not well, at least to someone respectable.”

Darcy’s gaze flicked from the paper to the table. Caroline waited for him to speak, but the silence grew until Hurst, fork in hand, filled it.

“The second is the sharper one. Miss Elizabeth, the one with the dog.” He popped a morsel of ham in his mouth and chewed with relish. “She would have made a better officer than a daughter.”

Louisa’s eyes brightened. “I liked her. She makes one feel at ease, without trying.”

Caroline frowned. “She puts you at ease because she misses nothing. You will see. Miss Elizabeth does not take direction well.”

Darcy, still reading the same page, said, “She observes everything, but says little.”

Caroline shifted in her chair. “She watches everyone and forms her opinions. I do not care for it.”

Louisa was unmoved. “She is not so formidable.”

“Then you did not see her after Mr. Darcy’s remark,” Caroline said. “She made nothing of it at first, but I do not think she forgot it.”

Hurst smirked. “She put Darcy in his place last night. Ignored him, and he could do nothing about it. That is more than half the men in Town ever managed.”

Caroline glanced at Darcy. He had not moved, but his fingers had closed around the cup.

Louisa softened the moment. “It was very funny. She never raised her voice, not once.”

Darcy said, “Miss Elizabeth is quick. She turns everything to a jest.” He paused, set the cup down and closed the paper. “It does not always please.”

Caroline concealed her satisfaction. She looked at Louisa, hoping for the old easy alignment, but found her sister’s expression neutral. “You admire her, Louisa?”

“I think I do,” Louisa said. “But I like Miss Bennet better. She is... quieter.”

Caroline nodded, and for a moment the table was at peace.

Bingley returned, cheeks flushed from the wind, his hair still uncombed. He carried a book under one arm. “I thought I might take this with me. Do you think Miss Bennet would care for it?”

Louisa glanced at the title. “Perhaps.”