Chapter Four

Darcy

T he carriage rattled along the road leading towards Meryton. Darcy took a deep breath, watching as the countryside passed by in a blur of green. In the distance, he could discern the outline of Longbourn, the home of Miss Jane Bennet, who had so captivated his friend Bingley. The more time Darcy spent observing Miss Bennet, the more genuine and unaffected she appeared to be, if not exactly moon-eyed over Bingley. Yet, the more he learned of her family, the greater his unease became.

“I see you gazing at Longbourn,” remarked Mrs Hurst, drawing Darcy out of his contemplations. “I daresay you are thinking what I am—that Charles is making a grave mistake.”

Darcy glanced at Mrs Hurst, seated across from him, her husband, Mr Hurst, was fast asleep beside her as usual. It was remarkable how frequently Mr Hurst found himself in the land of nod, as though napping was his chief occupation. When awake, he was hardly more energetic. In contrast, Mrs Hurst, much like her sister Caroline Bingley, was perpetually alert, missing nothing in her sharp observations. And when it came to the subject of Jane Bennet, neither sister left a single detail unexamined.

“Indeed, I have expressed similar concerns,” Darcy admitted. “At first, it was primarily Miss Bennet’s family that gave me pause. But now, it is her reserved manner that worries me most. While it is evident that she enjoys Bingley’s company, I cannot say with certainty that she returns his affection as ardently as he does hers.”

“I simply do not understand why Charles cannot set his sights on a young lady of higher standing,” Mrs Hurst mused, casting a glance out of the window. “Do you remember Sir William Lucas’s daughter—what is her name? Charlotte? Or the other one? Mary? I cannot recall the girl’s name. Either would be more suitable. At least the Lucases have some connections, and Sir William is a knight. And then, there is the matter of the entailment.”

“Entailment?” Darcy raised an eyebrow.

Mrs Hurst gave a small, knowing smile. “Ah, Mr Darcy, you must have missed it. My husband has done a little research into the Bennet family’s affairs. It seems Longbourn is entailed away from the daughters to a distant cousin, a Mr Collins, who resides in Kent. I wonder whether Miss Bennet’s attentions to my brother are not somewhat inspired by this unfortunate situation.”

Darcy pressed his lips together, unwilling to engage in idle gossip, yet the knowledge troubled him, nonetheless. A family of five daughters, no male heir, and an estate entailed away to a stranger. He could hardly fault a young lady for seeking a favourable match under such circumstances.

Mrs Hurst clapped her hands lightly. “Would it not be marvellous if we could arrange a match between Charles and Miss Darcy?” she exclaimed suddenly.

Darcy started, his gaze sharpening. “My sister is far too young to be thinking of marriage, Mrs Hurst.”

“Well, she is seventeen, Mr Darcy,” Mrs Hurst replied, undeterred. “In another year or two, certainly. Have you begun planning her debutante ball?”

Darcy felt the warmth rise at the back of his neck, a sign of discomfort that rarely escaped him. He dabbed his handkerchief against his brow, prompting Mrs Hurst to chuckle.

“I did not mean to make you perspire. I was merely saying it would be rather delightful if we could become family, you and I.” She paused, her smile turning sly. “Of course, there is another way you might join the family.”

Darcy regretted his decision to share the carriage with Mrs Hurst. He had hoped to make the journey to Meryton alone, but when the Hursts had learned he was travelling to collect his sister Georgiana and her companion Mrs Annesley, they had insisted on accompanying him.

“I fear I must disappoint you,” he said coolly. “I have no interest in marriage at present, and neither does my sister.”

It took a moment for her to absorb his words. “Of course,” she replied, though her smile faltered.

“How long are you and your sister to remain at Netherfield?” Mrs Hurst enquired, deftly changing the subject.

“Mrs Annesley will only stay the night. Tomorrow, she departs for Leicestershire to visit family. Georgiana and I will collect her on our return to Pemberley.”

“Your sister must be so pleased to be reunited with you after her time in London, and then Ramsgate before that,” Mrs Hurst remarked.

“Indeed,” Darcy replied, though his attention had already wandered to the window. Thankfully, the distance to Meryton was a mere three miles, and with Bingley’s fine horses, they arrived swiftly.

***

Once in Meryton, Darcy wasted no time in parting ways with the Hursts. He made his way to the coaching inn, where the carriage bearing Georgiana and Mrs Annesley was expected to arrive.

Positioning himself outside, Darcy adjusted his waistcoat and ensured his top hat was straight. However, before he could compose himself fully, he felt a sudden impact against his side.

“Do be careful!” a familiar voice exclaimed.

Darcy glanced up and saw Elizabeth Bennet, hurrying in his direction with a pale face and one hand securing her bonnet. Glancing down at the source of the impact, he saw a small, dark-haired girl with wide blue eyes brimming with unshed tears. Darcy’s protective instincts were immediately aroused.

“Are you hurt?” he asked the child gently.

The girl shook her head but pointed at him in response. Darcy recalled a previous conversation with the Bennet sisters, when they had informed him that their young ward did not speak.

“I am not hurt at all. Do not worry, child,” he said, attempting to soothe the girl’s obvious distress.

“I must beg your pardon, Mr Darcy,” Elizabeth said breathlessly, approaching him with an apologetic smile. “Maggie saw something that excited her and was running towards it—I know not what. At times, she becomes rather animated.”

Darcy shrugged lightly. “No harm done, Miss Bennet,” he assured her, though his gaze moved curiously from Elizabeth to the child and back again. “You are well? And your family?” He was not one for civil whiskers but he knew he had to say something, lest an awkward air descend upon them again.

“They are, thank you, Mr Darcy,” Miss Bennet replied. She gestured towards her younger sisters, who lingered in the distance, engaged in conversation with some officers, but Jane was noticeably absent.

“I trust your older sister is in good health?”

“Jane is very well, thank you,” Miss Bennet replied, though Darcy detected a flicker of something in her expression that suggested she was withholding a thought. “Mr Darcy, I did not expect to see you here in Meryton. I thought you were engaged in hunting with Mr Bingley?”

“I was supposed to join Bingley, but I had other business to attend to. I am here waiting for my sister.”

“Ah, yes,” said Elizabeth, with a slight smile. “I recall now that your sister was to visit. My sister mentioned it after her walk with Mr Bingley yesterday.”

Darcy’s brow furrowed slightly, his voice edged with an uncharacteristic sharpness. “You seem exceedingly well informed about my activities, Miss Bennet.”

Elizabeth’s eyes flashed briefly with amusement, though her tone remained calm. “It is hard to remain uninformed when one is in such company. I assure you, Mr Darcy, I have no particular interest in your affairs. They are not interesting enough to tempt me.”

Darcy’s stomach dropped. These were almost the exact words he’d used when he had spoken of her to Bingley at the Meryton assembly weeks prior. Was this why she always acted so coolly towards him? Had she perhaps overheard him? That night he had been feeling rather weary and not inclined to socialise, and he was aware that he had probably been more abrupt than he should have been when Bingley had prompted him to ask the young woman to dance.

Just as Darcy prepared to respond, a small tug on his waistcoat diverted his attention. The little girl had grasped his watch fob, her large blue eyes filled with wonder.

“Forgive me,” Elizabeth said, quickly stepping forward to stop the child. “Maggie, do leave Mr Darcy’s watch alone, it is impolite.”

Darcy looked down at the girl, surprised at her boldness. “Maggie?” he repeated, a note of curiosity in his voice. “Is that her name? Have you discovered it at last?”

Elizabeth gave a rueful smile. “No, we have not. We simply read her a great many names and let her choose one. Maggie was the only one that seemed to please her.”

“Ah,” Darcy said thoughtfully. “I see. My own sister, when she was younger, was determined to be called Georgie for a time. She would allow nothing else. It was, of course, a passing fancy, but such inclinations are often very strong in children.”

Darcy knelt down, holding out his watch so that Maggie could examine it more closely. “Would you like to hold it, Maggie?” he asked, his tone softer.

The little girl reached out, her small hands touching the watch with a gentleness that surprised Darcy. “You know this is valuable, don’t you?” he said quietly. “I daresay you have held a watch like this before.”

Before Elizabeth could respond, the sound of carriage wheels turning into the square drew their attention. Darcy rose as the coach stopped before them, he could see his sister through the carriage window, her face lit up with glee. He handed his sister and her companion out. It was reassuring to see that Georgiana was as animated and cheerful as she had been before she’d fallen prey to Wickham the year before.

“Fitz, I am so pleased to be here at last. And you’ve brought friends to greet me?” she asked, looking at the little girl and Elizabeth.

“Georgiana,” Darcy said warmly, “Please allow me to introduce Miss Elizabeth Bennet and her young charge, Miss Maggie. This is my sister, Miss Georgiana Darcy, and her attendant, Mrs Annesley.”

Georgiana curtsied politely. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Bennet.”

“And you. Might you be staying with us for long, Miss Darcy?”

“I plan to. I have heard much wonderful things about Meryton and Netherfield and I am eager to see it all,” she said with a bright smile. “And we shall have a ball I heard. I do hope to see you there, I hear it will be rather splendid indeed,” she said with a kind smile. Her gaze then fell on Maggie, and her expression softened further. “And how do you do, Maggie?” Reaching into a basket that Mrs Annesley held, she produced a sweetmeat and offered it to the child.

“She does not speak,” Elizabeth Bennet said quickly, stepping beside the girl with one arm around her shoulders in a protective manner Darcy found admirable.

“Oh,” Georgiana replied. “One does not need to speak to enjoy a sweet, does one?” she said and placed a piece of candied orange peel into her mouth before withdrawing another from the basket.

Maggie hesitated at first, but then accepted the treat. It was a rather large piece, and Darcy watched as Miss Bennet helped her break it apart and eat it. Darcy noted how Elizabeth’s expression softened as she tended to the child, her manner more tender and kinder than he had ever seen it before.

At length, Darcy broke the comfortable silence. “Miss Bennet, we must take our leave. But I trust we shall meet again at the ball?”

Elizabeth glanced up, her usual lively expression returned. “Indeed, Mr Darcy. I am sure we shall.”

With a polite bow, Darcy offered his arm to his sister. As they departed, Georgiana waved cheerfully to Maggie, who waved back with one sticky hand, while Elizabeth smiled in quiet amusement. Darcy, casting one last glance back, could not help but admire the unusual softness in the woman’s demeanour, a side of her he had not known before.