Chapter 23

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

C aroline entered the drawing room with her bearing straight and her features arranged just so in the event that Mr Darcy happened to be within. Her maid had brought her the news that the master had returned safely to the house just before she had left her rooms, so she could not be too careful in how she presented herself. She had hoped that she might encounter Mr Darcy on her way downstairs but had not been so fortunate.

And her luck continued in the same vein. The Hursts, Gardiners, Miss Darcy, Mrs Annesley, and her brother were all present but not Mr Darcy or that country chit Eliza. Caroline relaxed her stance; there was no one here to impress.

As she moved to where her sister sat, Caroline observed the room with a sneer. More blue! Did Lady Anne know any other colour? At least Egyptian blue was better than the celestial of the saloon, having the advantage of brightness if nothing else, but this space would have been far more impressive done up in a warm sienna or coquelicot with touches of gold, like her gown. Cool shades were dreary and uncultured, in her opinion. No matter, she would enjoy making Pemberley—and Mr Darcy's London house—more au courant .

"I do love the colour scheme in this room," announced Mrs Gardiner to no one in particular, proving Caroline's point; only those of the lowest spheres still preferred blue over more fashionable hues. "I should like to decorate our smaller parlour in a similar shade, though perhaps a bit lighter."

"My bedroom at home is this colour," replied Louisa, to Caroline's shock. "It is a most soothing place to relax. I can see how it would put your guests at ease."

"Exactly what I was thinking!"

The two ladies carried on in this manner, much to Caroline's increasing disgust. To engage on equal footing with the wife of a tradesman was to denigrate all the advantages their parents had fought to provide them with. Even Hurst, who preferred to snore away his evenings in solitude, was speaking animatedly with Mr Gardiner about fishing. Charles would add something to the conversation here or there, which was what Caroline expected from him; but the Hursts? They had always been so much more mindful of their positions in society than this. What is it about Eliza and her lowborn relations that entrances everyone so?

Well, they would remember their dignity once Caroline induced Mr Darcy into matrimony with her feminine wiles. Regardless of what Louisa cautioned, and no matter that she did not support Caroline's intention to better their standing in the world, it was time to act. If she waited much longer, everything she had ever wished and worked for would be snatched away by that grasping Eliza. Pemberley will be mine!

"Well, I say that we should not hold dinner for her sake." Miss Bingley's voice floated into the hall from the ajar drawing room door as Elizabeth approached it, careful not to tread on the length of skirt that exceeded her height. Now that Mr Darcy was returned safely to the house, her amusement at the lady's expense had returned, and she bit her lip against the assault of laughter bubbling up within her chest. The presumptuous woman complains as if she were mistress of the house! "Guests should be courteous enough to their hosts to arrive downstairs on time for a meal. Perhaps her countrified manners are too lax for the fashionable world."

Mr Bingley's voice rose in Elizabeth's defence. "You have only just appeared yourself, Caroline. I think we can grant Miss Elizabeth a few minutes' mercy. Darcy himself is still above stairs."

Miss Bingley did not respond to this, but Elizabeth could imagine the haughty expression on her face as if it were before her. The lady's nose would be tipped upwards into the air, of course, and her eyes would be half-lidded in a show of affected ennui as she gazed off into the middle distance. And her mouth—those thin, pale lips—would be pressed together into a firm line. Altogether, she would give the impression of an excessively particular cat refusing to acknowledge a dead mouse.

Elizabeth entered the room in a swish of satin and was greeted by most with warm cordiality. "Lizzy! There you are," called Aunt Gardiner, patting the cushion on the sofa next to her. "I had wondered whether you had got lost again."

"Not at all, Aunt," Elizabeth replied, accepting the invitation to sit. "I happened to encounter Mr Darcy in the hall upstairs as he was returning to his chambers. He bid me to inform you all that he is quite well, though also quite wet, and will be down directly."

Mr Gardiner's lips pressed together, hiding his laughter. "Been swimming with the spirits again, eh?"

"Hardly," Elizabeth replied, her own irrepressible smile spreading across her face. "But I admit that he looks as if he might have been. I daresay if the rain does not stop soon, we shall all be required to paddle about."

"‘Swimming with the spirits again'?" Miss Darcy asked, her head tilted at a curious angle.

"Did he not tell you?"

"Tell me what?"

"Why, the other day when we were touring Pemberley…"

Miss Darcy and most of the other guests seemed to enjoy Elizabeth's recounting of her inauspicious reunion with their host. The tale demanded a great deal of animation and exaggerated expression, which she did her utmost to provide to her audience. Mr Bingley openly guffawed at his friend's expense as Mr Gardiner added little asides to her tale—amusing details Elizabeth either forgot or glossed over and that added greatly to its hilarity. His wife shook her head and rolled her eyes up to the ceiling, but there was a thin smile upon her features that belied her exasperation. Mrs Annesley hid a grin behind her fan, and Miss Darcy, likely used to considering her brother as a paragon of all that is proud and serious, kept both hands cupped over her mouth as if she could physically contain her laughter.

Even Mr Hurst abandoned his usual laissez-faire disposition to comment, "I say, do you suppose he was attempting to catch his next meal with his bare hands?" This earned the indolent man some general laughter .

"Certainly not."

All eyes turned to the doorway to find Mr Darcy standing within it, framed by its contours. His expression was grim.

Elizabeth bit her lip, having only considered for the first time that Mr Darcy, so unused to being teased, might not appreciate having their shared awkward experience canvassed amongst the company. Is he angry?

She glanced about the room and saw matching looks of trepidation on Miss Darcy and Mrs Annesley, chagrined smiles on the gentlemen present, another shake of the head from her aunt, and an embarrassed titter from Mrs Hurst. Miss Bingley, who had been vociferously offended on Mr Darcy's behalf throughout the retelling, smiled as if in great anticipation of being entertained. They all turned their attention to Mr Darcy and awaited the set down that was surely coming.

"I was trying to catch it with my teeth."

The drawing room was silent for a long moment as Mr Darcy's jest was absorbed by all present. Then, almost as one, the company began to laugh. Elizabeth turned to Mr Darcy and clamped her jaws together, though she knew that her mirth was shining out of her eyes. Upon his own face, a smile was sprouting as he returned her gaze. She felt a bashful flush rise in her cheeks as they continued to look at one another for some extended seconds.

"Ahem," a stiff voice interrupted. The butler, standing just behind Mr Darcy, bowed as he announced, "Dinner is served."

"Speaking of which," murmured Mr Darcy loudly enough for everyone to hear and earning a few more chuckles. "Shall we?"

The occupants of the room rose, each of the gentlemen offering his escort to at least one lady, and proceeded towards the dining room. Miss Bingley hovered by the door, clearly waiting for Mr Darcy's arm and watching as he instead approached Elizabeth.

"Miss Bennet, may I have the honour of escorting you in to dinner?" Mr Darcy asked with a bow.

Elizabeth gathered a portion of her long skirts in one fist and placed her other hand upon his proffered arm. "I would be delighted, sir."

Hearing a snort from across the room, Elizabeth peeked over Mr Darcy's shoulder to see Miss Bingley's back as she stalked out with her nose in the air. Apparently, she would have Mr Darcy's undivided attention or nothing at all.