Confounding Caroline Page 4

  “No, I do not find it to be a fault. I prefer directness to prevarication and pandering.” He watched the light dance in the eyes of the woman before him. “Her eyes sparkle and dance just as yours do, and her brow raises in much the same fashion as yours is now.” A smile spread across his face. “And, her lips purse and twitch just like that when she is trying to contain her amusement.”

  Mrs. Gardiner clapped her hands in delight. “Oh, you do love her!”

  Darcy nodded. “But –” He stopped as Mrs. Gardiner held up a hand.

  “She would not dislike you so much as she does if she did not like you.”

  Darcy’s brows furrowed. How could dislike equate to like? “I beg your pardon?”

  Bingley chuckled.

  “Do you understand her meaning?” Darcy asked his friend.

  “I think I might,” Bingley replied. “The lady doth protest too much, me thinks.”

  Darcy’s eyes grew wide. “Shakespeare?”

  “I said I read occasionally,” Bingley retorted.

  “He has the right of it,” said Mrs. Gardiner, “does he not, Jane?”

  Jane nodded. “Oh, indeed. Lizzy avows her dislike far too much for it not to indicate how much she wishes for your good opinion.”

  Darcy’s brows furrowed as he shook his head trying to rid himself of the perplexity such statements brought. “But she has my good opinion; she does not have to wish for it.”

  “Oh, she knows she has your tolerably good opinion,” Mrs. Gardiner said as she rose and gathered empty cups. Both of her brows rose as she took Mr. Darcy’s cup from him. “I am afraid she heard your comment at the assembly. In fact, I am quite certain everyone who knows and is close to Lizzy has heard your comment from the assembly. I had it in a letter not two days after it was spoken.”

  Darcy blew out a breath and closed his eyes for a moment. “Then, if she is so set against me, do I have any hope?”

  Mrs. Gardiner placed the cups she held on the tea tray and then, as she crossed the room to summon someone to clear the things away, she stopped and lay a hand on Darcy’s shoulder much like Richard’s mother would at times when attempting to reassure him of something.

  “Hope is not lost until she is married to someone other than you. Until that time, we must not faint.” She gave his shoulder a pat and then rang for the maid.

  “Now, we must decide how to proceed,” she said as she returned to her seat. “I am not a matchmaker, mind you. However, I do long to see my nieces well-settled.”

  Her smile and accompanying laugh were infectious, filling the room with a lightness it had not had for several minutes.

  “I might be able to persuade her to visit,” Mrs. Gardiner said. “And then you can call just as you are now, and she will see that you are not as she thinks.” She winked. “I will be certain to sing your praises if she should disparage. An unhappy Lizzy is known to allow her tongue to get the better of her good sense. Aside from getting Elizabeth here and allowing Mr. Darcy to confuse and then charm her, are there any other contentious items that need our forethought?”

  “I am positive she has heard some very disparaging stories about me,” Darcy said. “Mr. Wickham is not a champion of the Darcy name. I am right, am I not?” he asked as he noted how Jane drew her lower lip between her teeth and dropped her gaze.

  Jane nodded.

  Darcy shook his head. “I cannot tell you all that has passed between us, but I can assure you that it is not Mr. Wickham’s normal wont to speak truthfully regarding how things now stand between us. He is not to be trusted.”

  “Indeed, he is not,” Bingley affirmed gravely.

  “I have not believed him,” Jane said with a smile. “He spoke too freely with an acquaintance of a short duration. I told Lizzy to be wary, and I do not think she is completely convinced by his words. Did she not ask you about him at the ball?”

  “She did.”

  “If you would but answer her, her opinion might be swayed. I know you could not on a dance floor, but she is not thinking clearly. You have unsettled her.” Jane paused and then continued. “There is, however, one item about which I should like to ask.”

  “Whatever you wish to know, Miss Bennet,” Darcy offered.

  “Are you betrothed?”

  Darcy shook his head. “No matter how much my aunt insists that it happens, I am not betrothed to her daughter, nor will I ever be betrothed to her daughter. It will come as a great disappointment to her, I suppose,” he added sardonically.

  Jane’s broad smile at the comment was, Darcy recognized, the equivalent of another more vocal lady’s chuckle. He was beginning to recognize in the short time they had spent together this afternoon that her emotions were conveyed in small, subtle ways that required greater attention than he had given them in Meryton. She was not a fawning lady of the ton but a gracious and demure lady of quality. His friend would do well to secure her.

  “My mother was quite disappointed with Elizabeth in such a fashion recently.”

  “I beg your pardon?” Darcy asked as his heart began racing and his stomach twisted. Wickham would not offer for a lady of little wealth — not even to spite Darcy. Would he?

  “Mr. Collins, our cousin, made an offer. My mother was beside herself demanding that Elizabeth retract her refusal. The whole house was in an uproar until Mr. Collins removed himself to Lucas Lodge, where he found a lady who was more amenable to his offer.”

  “Mr. Collins? The large man with an excess of words and an inability to dance without injuring his partner?”

  At this, Jane actually giggled as she nodded. “Yes, that Mr. Collins. A most ridiculous match, is it not?”

  “Indeed,” Darcy muttered. How would anyone with half a morsel of sense think that a lady as intelligent and quick-witted as Elizabeth would make a good match for a bumbling fool like Mr. Collins? The idea was far beyond ridiculous. It was ludicrous, and he was happy that it appeared Elizabeth’s refusal had stood.

  “He married Miss Lucas,” Mrs. Gardiner added. “But it is not Mr. Collins we wish to see married, now is it?”

  Darcy found himself chuckling at her pointed look.

  “No,” he replied. He hoped to see both Bingley and himself happily leg-shackled before his annual trip to Rosings at Easter, where he would both have to endure his aunt and Mr. Collins. A smile settled firmly on his lips. Perhaps if he were fortunate to secure a bride before Easter, he would not be required to visit Rosings at all since his aunt’s displeasure would undoubtedly take some time to quell.

  “Do you think you can persuade Miss Elizabeth to visit soon?” Darcy asked. “It may take some time for me to convince her that I am not so unworthy as I portrayed myself.”

  “Oh, I should think she would be very willing to visit soon. I imagine that there is a fair bit of unpleasantness to be endured at home since her mother is displeased to know that Longbourn is not to fall to one of her daughters but to Miss Lucas. I will write today, and perhaps Jane will add a note of invitation as well?” She cast a questioning look at her niece.

  “Please tell her that I came to call,” Bingley said as he rose to leave. “And that it was at Darcy’s insistence. In fact, it is through Darcy that I learned of Miss Bennet’s being in town. That should do some good in shedding a bit of a rosy glow on my friend, should it not?” He looked from one lady to the other.

  “It will,” Jane said quietly.

  Mrs. Gardiner, followed by Jane, rose to see their guests out of the room, and after a few words of parting and Bingley managing to get the directions to Mr. Gardiner’s warehouse, the two gentlemen stepped out onto the street, feeling very hopeful.

  Chapter 6

  “Gentlemen,” Mr. Gardiner rose and greeted the two men who entered his office. “How might I be of service to you today?” He made a sweeping motion to the chairs that stood before a desk, covered with a few small boxes on one end and a stack of account books and papers on the other. He tucked his ink and pen away and straightened the few documents
that were before him into a neat pile.

  Darcy noted the emblem that graced the tops of several of the papers and was stamped on the side of one box that was facing him. Though the lady who looked at him from that box did not always appear in the same dress ─ what lady did — there was no mistaking her identity. Mr. Gardiner was, apparently, a member of the Mercers’ Company.

  “We have just come from calling at your home,” Bingley began.

  Mr. Gardiner, a good-natured-looking gentleman of no more than five and thirty, leaned back in his chair, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “Indeed? I hope you were not too disappointed to find I was not home.” His lips twitched with barely contained amusement.

  Bingley laughed. “Seeing as my goal was to call on your niece, I was not disappointed in the least.”

  A grin spread across Mr. Gardiner’s face. “I had hoped you were calling for her and not me,” he replied. “I also hope you are calling on me now because of her.” He tipped his head and smiled. “I am not a man to shake the bushes in hopes that for which I am searching falls out. I prefer to come to the point where it is prudent.” He propped his elbows on the arms of his chair and clasped his hands in front of him. “We have heard much about both of you gentlemen.” He grimaced. “I wish I could say it has all been good, but I am not the sort to bear false tales.”

  “Well-deserved criticism,” Darcy assured him, causing the gentleman’s eyebrows to raise.

  “Indeed?”

  Darcy nodded. “I have made my full confession of folly to your wife.”

  “As have I,” Bingley added.

  “And was your folly forgiven?” Gardiner’s eyes shifted from Bingley to Darcy and back.

  “Yes,” Bingley replied with a grin.

  “By your wife and Miss Bennet,” Darcy added. “And I hope, eventually, to be forgiven by Miss Elizabeth as well.”

  “Hmm,” Gardiner muttered as he nodded his head in a pleased fashion. “I am certain my wife will apprise me of the details when I return home this evening.”

  “I am certain she will,” Darcy agreed.

  “So, you do not dislike our Lizzy, then?”

  The smile he wore told Darcy he knew the answer to that question, but Darcy answered anyway. “I like her very much.”

  Gardiner chuckled and turned to Bingley. “And I assume you like Jane?”

  Bingley’s cheeks grew noticeably red. It was one of the hazards of having a fair complexion. “I love her,” Bingley answered, “and I would like to have permission to court her.”

  “Done,” Gardiner said with a sharp nod of his head.

  “Done?” Bingley repeated. “Do you not wish to ask me my intentions or about why I have not called before now or … or … or … something?”

  Gardiner chuckled and shook his head. “My niece is not foolish. I trust her judgment and that of my wife. You would not be here if you had not gotten past Addie and been sent to me; therefore, you have passed the only test I require.”

  “But what of my wealth and standing?” Bingley questioned.

  “You have five thousand a year, your father was in trade ─ something that does not concern me in the least — and you are planning to purchase an estate eventually ─ although might I caution you not to consider Netherfield. Is there anything else I should know?”

  Bingley shook his head. “No, I believe that covers the high points. Why should I not consider Netherfield?”

  “You have met my sister, have you not?”

  “Mrs. Bennet?”

  Gardiner nodded. “In my experience, she does not improve with acquaintance, but then, she is my sister. However, I know she will be on your doorstep every second day at least.” He grimaced. “I was not blessed with sensible sisters.”

  “Neither was I, ” Bingley commiserated.

  Gardiner shifted forward in his chair. “It is best to see them married and well-settled as soon as possible and at a distance that allows them to grow dear to you.” He winked. “A half-day’s journey is the least I would recommend. Now, was there anything else I could do for you, gentlemen?”

  “There was a matter of some delicacy that we had hoped to discuss with you at some point,” Darcy said.

  Mr. Gardiner pulled his watch from his pocket and after giving it a quick glance, said, “I have an hour before I have to be anywhere, and I would welcome the diversion from my books.”

  “Have you heard of Mr. Wickham?” Darcy asked.

  Mr. Gardiner nodded. “Elizabeth has mentioned him in her letters, and Jane has told us some about him.”

  “He is not what he appears,” Darcy began, “but in revealing his nature, I will have to expose some things that are very personal and which I would not reveal for any other reason than to see Miss Elizabeth and her sisters safe.”

  Mr. Gardiner’s features grew grave. “He is so bad?”

  Darcy nodded. “I am afraid he is.”

  For the next half hour, Darcy related to Elizabeth’s uncle all the details of Wickham’s dissipated predilections, his refusal of the living at Kympton, the squandering of his fortune, and finally, his scheme to elope with Darcy’s sister.

  “This is very serious indeed,” Gardiner said at the end of Darcy’s narration. “You think he has singled Elizabeth out to befriend because of you?”

  “At the risk of sounding arrogant, I do,” Darcy replied. “I do not deny he might have selected her for her beauty and wit, but I fear that I might be an added reason for his preference.”

  Gardiner’s head bobbed up and down slowly as he thought. “I am not certain how I can help.”

  “Mr. Bennet seems a sensible sort of man,” Darcy began. “Perhaps, a few words of caution regarding Wickham’s tendency to acquire debt might set him on guard.”

  Gardiner shrugged. “It is worth an attempt. I shall find a way to mention it.” He paused. “Might I hint that Mr. Wickham is a seducer? I would not mention your sister, of course.”

  Darcy nodded. “It is a general fact.”

  Gardiner blew out a breath. “And this is the man that has captured Elizabeth’s attention?” He shook his head. “She is usually discerning.”

  “He is very practised. It is no fault of hers.”

  Gardiner shook his head. “Practiced he may be, but there is some fault on her part. She has chosen to listen. I blame my sisters for that. They are the worst gossips ─ always listening for some tantalizing tale to share and then imparting their stories with great embellishment. A child should not be subjected to such a demonstration from her mother.” He rose from his chair. “I have cautioned Bennet about that on more than one occasion. Even the brightest will be influenced to err on occasion.” He took his great coat from a hook on the wall and smiled reassuringly at Darcy. “Do not fear; Elizabeth is not like her mother. She has just forgotten her good sense in her dislike of you.” He held the door open. “Not that she actually dislikes you, according to Addie.”

  “So, I have been told,” Darcy replied.

  Gardiner clapped him on the back. “Do not be discouraged. The female mind it is a delicate and complex thing. It is my belief that we gentlemen could study it all our lives and still only feign an understanding.”

  Darcy and Bingley added their agreement as they accompanied Mr. Gardiner out to the street.

  ~*~*~

  A light rain was beginning to fall as Bingley reached his home after delivering Darcy to his and spending an hour or so discussing the afternoon and the changes that they hoped would soon be coming. Darcy was, understandably, more concerned for his fate than Bingley would ever be, now that he knew Jane would welcome his addresses. Bingley climbed down from the carriage and, pulling his collar close, hurried into the house.

  “The Hursts are here,” Jenkins said as he greeted his employer. “And Miss Clark. They are having tea in the drawing room with Miss Bingley, sir.”

  Bingley thanked him for the information and then stood for a moment in the corridor pondering what he should do. It
would be the polite thing to greet his guests and relations, but he had very little desire to do so. His day had been rather pleasant to this point, and Caroline was guaranteed to put a damper on his mood.

  “Colonel Fitzwilliam called earlier.” Jenkins’ voice penetrated Bingley’s deliberation.

  “Will he be returning?” Perhaps if he were, it could be an excuse to see Caroline for a very brief amount of time without raising her suspicion that he was put out with her — which he was.

  “No, sir. He grumbled something about his mother forcing him to attend a soiree and asked if I would allow him to leave you a message. The missive is on your desk as he requested.” The butler gave Bingley a significant look and lowered his voice. “He did not wish for the information to be seen by any but you.”

  Bingley smiled. “Very good. Then, I suppose I shall have to attend to that before I greet my sister?”

  His butler shook his head. “I should think it would be better to greet your guests for a few moments before begging off to attend to duty. Your name has been bandied about a good deal.”

  Bingley cocked his head to the right and studied his butler. “My sisters are scheming?”

  Jenkins’ brows lifted and lowered, nothing else on his person or in his expression shifted, but it was enough of an answer for Bingley.

  “Miss Clark?”

  Again, the butler’s brows gave his acknowledgment.

  Bingley sighed. “Very well, I shall make my appearance and be gone as quickly as I can be. See that some tea finds its way to my study and ensure there is a bit of brandy to add to it.”

  Jenkins bowed and went to do as instructed.

  “Blast,” Bingley muttered as he straightened his sleeves and prepared to enter the drawing room. Caroline would never be satisfied until she had directed every last morsel of his life. First, she kept him from returning to Hertfordshire with suggestions that Miss Bennet did not like him — a fact which Miss Bennet had made perfectly clear was false with her admission that he should not have been persuaded away from Netherfield.

  Then, Caroline had treated a friend, as she had insisted Miss Bennet was, in such a contemptible fashion. Most likely, it had been in an attempt to embitter Miss Bennet against him in case they should ever chance to meet.