His Uncle's Favorite (6 page)

His uncle and cousins passed nearby, and he heard their laughter from the dining room; Darcy remained motionless in the hall, staring after them and forgetting to breathe.

All hope for a peaceful evening had vanished. He could only pray that his uncle continued to mock him and that none of his words was taken seriously—except for the fact that he would put Elizabeth near him at the table. Could it be true? Would he spend the entire evening only a few inches from Elizabeth?
Miss Elizabeth, of course,
he corrected himself and hurried to the dining room. He did not need the earl’s assistance to make a fool of himself; he had been a fool since the first moment he met her, and neither time nor distance had changed that.

Chapter 3

Taking her place at the dinner table, Elizabeth paid little attention to her surroundings. Her thoughts were preoccupied with the revelations of the last hour.

Aside from the unique behaviour of Lord Matlock’s entire family—which included the earl’s amusing but tiresome insistence on her marrying one of his sons—she was puzzled by Mr. Darcy and, more importantly, his intentions.

Elizabeth had not the slightest doubt that Mr. Darcy convinced Mr. Bingley to remain in London just to keep him from Jane. Mr. Bingley’s sisters must have played an important part in the scheme, but surely, Mr. Darcy had a more powerful influence over his friend. What his reasons were, Elizabeth could not guess.

Elizabeth’s initial suspicion—and Miss Bingley’s own declaration—about a future connection between the Darcys and Bingley was obviously far from the truth. Miss Darcy’s sincere description of her conversations with Mr. Bingley confirmed that she had no romantic interest in him and that Mr. Bingley’s affections remained in Hertfordshire.

It was understandable that Miss Bingley—whose main interest in life seemed to be Mr. Darcy and everything related to him—and her sister would not want Mr. Bingley to enter into a marriage that could bring him neither wealth, position, nor any other benefits aside from the love and honour of a wonderful woman like Jane.

What Mr. Darcy’s interest was in such a dishonourable scheme, Elizabeth could not understand. Was he so selfish and proud that he planned to force a union between his sister and Bingley despite their wishes? Or did he simply despise the entire Bennet family, wanting to be as far from them as possible?

If she were tempted to accept the worst about that gentleman before their brief interaction, the evening revealed some unexpected details.

He had appeared quite surprised—even shocked—to see her and Jane in his uncle’s house, but he showed nothing but politeness towards them, much more politeness than he had shown in all the time he spent in Hertfordshire. To Mrs. Gardiner, his behaviour was not merely proper but almost friendly. Surprisingly, he expressed his intention to talk more about Derbyshire with Mrs. Gardiner, the daughter of a small shop owner from Lambton. Though he was obviously influenced by the earl’s friendship with the Gardiners, it was a pleasant change from his past aloofness and disturbingly proud behaviour.

But the most shocking revelation—one that Elizabeth still could not believe—was the notion that Mr. Darcy had mentioned her—Elizabeth Bennet—in his letters to his sister. She remembered an evening during her stay at Netherfield when poor Miss Bingley insistently begged him to include a few words of admiration from her in his letter to Miss Darcy, and he refused her. Was it possible that he found time and space to put in his letters such things as her playing the pianoforte or her
‘extensive’
reading?

Were these the actions of a man who only looked at her to find fault and whose long, insistent, reproachful stares only made Elizabeth uncomfortable? If he had such a poor opinion of her entire family, why waste time writing his sister about her in an apparently positive manner as Miss Darcy declared? His affection for his sister was beyond any doubt, and his attitude towards her was protective and warm. He would surely be careful regarding news he shared with her and people he introduced to her—even through letters.

And another intriguing thing: He left the gentlemen in the library and came into the drawing room to join their conversation for a few minutes. That was uncommon behaviour, and she certainly would not expect it from Mr. Darcy. Or perhaps he just wanted to see whether his young and painfully shy sister was comfortable amid so many new acquaintances. Yes, that was a logical explanation—and one that gave him much credit as a brother.

Such puzzling information about that gentleman; it almost made her dizzy.

She remembered their conversation from the ball when he asked her not to sketch his character. That night she had said she might not have another opportunity. Well, she seemed to have been wrong about that as there obviously would be many other opportunities after that evening unless he took his sister—as he took his friend—and left London immediately to avoid further encounters. Perhaps that would not be so bad, after all, because she had little interest in discovering his character. No, that was not entirely true; she was interested in knowing him better, so she could understand his reasons for ruining Jane’s chances of happiness and challenge them. Yes, that was what she would do!

Her eyes met Mrs. Gardiner’s worried gaze, and she smiled at her aunt. She did not miss the reproach and silent scolding on her aunt’s face, and once more, she wondered how Mrs. Gardiner seemed to read her mind.

Suddenly, her own thoughts seemed unreasonable as she remembered a previous talk with Mrs. Gardiner. How was it that her anger and reproach for Jane’s situation turned on Mr. Darcy alone? Where was Bingley, after all, and why could he find no other way of securing his happiness than amusing Miss Darcy with pleasant stories of Hertfordshire? Surely, a man should do a great deal more to protect his desires and future happiness.
Unless I misjudged his true wishes and desires as Mr. Wickham misjudged Miss Darcy’s character. Or perhaps Jane misjudged his worthiness and gave him more credit than he deserved.

A moment later, the earl’s voice startled her from her musings. She tried to answer but could not remember the question, so she took her seat and tried to smile as she drank some cold water; she was suddenly very warm. She was about to refill her glass when she noticed on her left the presence of the very person whose character she was so desirous to sketch.

“Mr. Darcy…”

“Miss Elizabeth… Please allow me to pour you a glass of water.”

“I… Thank you, sir,” she said, taking the glass hesitantly and avoiding his eyes.

Situated next to Elizabeth at his uncle’s right, it was not difficult for Darcy to notice the earl’s friendly care for Mrs. Gardiner and consequently for her nieces if for no other reason than the gratitude and respect he had for the late Mr. Gardiner.

He also knew that the earl disapproved of his intervention in Bingley’s situation. He could remember every moment of his conversation with the earl from the previous day, and now he understood why the earl’s tone and expression changed the instant he mentioned the name
Bennet.
Yes, his uncle was displeased, and he would continue to show his displeasure for a while, one way or another.

Still, Darcy was certain that his judgement of the Bennet family’s lack of proper behaviour was correct, and surely, the earl would agree with him if he met them. And he was certain that, despite the earl’s mocking declaration, he would not allow either of his sons to join a family whose situation was so beneath them.

He stared at Elizabeth’s face, and he could see that she was deep in thought. Her eyebrow was arched, and she was biting her lower lip—two sure signs of her preoccupation. He had spent uncounted minutes in Hertfordshire watching her and silently studying every small gesture as she read, played, talked to others or danced. He always watched from afar, and now, suddenly, he was inches away and felt suddenly warm. He needed a glass of cold water, too, he thought, glancing at her again. Her lips were still wet and red and apparently very soft, and he could not look away.

“So, Miss Elizabeth, what have you done these last couple of days? Have you enjoyed London?” asked the colonel, and Darcy suddenly turned his attention to him.

“We have done little, sir. I spend most of the time at home or walking in the park with my little cousins; Lord Matlock and Lady Selina’s visit a few days ago was the only special event since we arrived in London. Oh, and yes—my aunt and sister called on Miss Bingley a couple of days ago, but I did not join them.”

“Do you have some specific plans for your stay in London, Miss Elizabeth? And Miss Bennet?” The viscount’s direct question took both sisters by surprise, and for a moment, they looked at each other, uncertain who should answer.

“No, nothing of the sort,” Jane finally replied. “We intend to spend as much time as possible with our aunt and cousins. We have few acquaintances in London.”

“Oh, you must not worry about that, Miss Bennet,” Lady Selina spoke up. “After the ball next week, a lack of acquaintances in London will be your last worry.”

“A ball? I do not think that… We did not…”

“We were not aware there is a ball next week to which we are invited,” Elizabeth said, her pleased voice covering Jane’s small whisper. “May I ask who will host this ball? Not Mr. Darcy, certainly, as I know he is not fond of dancing.”She knew it was impolite to address such a comment to Mr. Darcy, but Jane’s sad countenance compelled her to punish a
certain person
for her sister’s distress.

“Miss Elizabeth, I am curious to know how you can be so sure of what my nephew is fond! May I dare ask how well you came to know each other during his stay in Hertfordshire?”

The viscount coughed, Lady Selina and her husband chuckled, and the colonel laughed and added, “I would like to ask the same question if I may be so bold.”

“Uncle, we all know you well enough to appreciate your humour, but I do not believe it is fair to expose Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth to such a conversation. Besides, the answer is quite simple. I had the pleasure of first meeting them during an assembly, and I am sure there was no doubt in anyone’s mind that it was not my favourite pastime. More so, if I remember correctly, Miss Elizabeth heard me declare openly to Bingley that I do not enjoy dancing.”

Mr. Darcy’s intervention and his veiled scolding of his uncle took the others by surprise. Even Elizabeth, who bore the earl’s behaviour and questions easily, was startled by Darcy’s long speech, clearly meant to protect her sensibility. Before he ended, her attention and her eyes were fixed on his face, and she could see he was, indeed, solemn. At his last words, he turned his eyes to her, and his gaze locked on hers.

“And to Sir William, if
I
remember correctly,” Elizabeth added, and to her shock, she saw him puzzle a moment before a tentative smile lit his face.

“You do remember correctly,” he answered.

“I thank you for clarifying my dilemma, Nephew. I am also grateful that you brought the impropriety of my question to my attention. It is providential to have such a detached mind among us, always attentive to propriety and decorum. I have often wondered whether it is not tiresome to be a man without fault.”

The earl’s reply sounded offensive, and Miss Darcy, together with Jane, stared at him in shock. Elizabeth did not know what to expect next; she looked worriedly at her aunt, but a moment later, the earl and the colonel began to laugh loudly.

With no little wonder, Elizabeth noticed Mr. Darcy himself shaking his head in disapproval before smiling and turning to his uncle. He laughed, too, and then replied with a small voice, his eyes turned to his uncle but his words clearly directed to her.

“I have enough faults myself, as you well know, Uncle, and I am occasionally inattentive to propriety and decorum; Miss Elizabeth must remember that, too.”

His voice—words with hidden meaning—and smiles she had rarely seen before all suggested to Elizabeth that there could be only one reason for Mr. Darcy’s strange behaviour: he indulged himself with one glass of brandy too many before dinner! Moreover, the earl and the colonel apparently kept him company!

The first course was served, and that briefly put an end to their conversation.

“So, Miss Elizabeth, you met Darcy first at an assembly. That sounds like an interesting story.”

“Yes we did, Lady Selina, but I am sorry to disappoint you. There was nothing interesting, only a common introduction,” Elizabeth said lightly.

She was not certain whether it was only an impression or whether Mr. Darcy suddenly had become tense next to her. Was he worried, perhaps, that she would reveal more of his behaviour during the assembly ball and expose him to additional teasing from his uncle? She smiled to herself and tried to keep her eyes on her plate.

“Well, I hope you are fond of dancing, Miss Elizabeth…both you and Miss Bennet, I mean,” the viscount intervened once more.

“Of that, you may have no doubt, sir,” said Mrs. Gardiner. “I am proud to tell you my nieces are both proficient dancers.”

“Excellent,” added the colonel. “I must ask for at least one dance from each of you ladies, and I intend to secure my dances this very evening.”

Jane gave him a disconcerted look while Elizabeth began to laugh again.