New Beginnings Page 8

  Caroline blanched at this knowledge. “Wh-Who are the nieces that are visiting the Gardiners?”

  “Miss Bennet and her sister Miss Elizabeth.” Charles nearly laughed at the look of horror which passed quickly over his sister’s face. “They have been joined these last two weeks by Miss Lucas and her sister Miss Maria, and Sir William is coming to collect his daughters. The dinner is in their honour. A going away soiree, so to speak.”

  Caroline was stunned. “And the Bennets? Do they return to Hertfordshire with Sir William?”

  “No, they shall remain in town for another week. Then the Gardiners will go with them to celebrate the season with family.” He picked up some papers and moved them to a new pile on the desk as he braced himself for his sister’s reply to the next bit of news. “I have asked Darcy and Georgiana to celebrate Christmas with us at Netherfield.”

  “Netherfield? We cannot spend the holidays at Netherfield.” Rising to her feet, she slapped her calendar down on his desk. “You were not going to return until spring.” She crossed her arms and glared at him. “Mr. Darcy has family in town or at Pemberley. He cannot possibly wish to spend his Christmas in Hertfordshire!”

  “Darcy has concluded the business keeping him in town. To travel to Pemberley at this time of year can be tricky.” Charles leaned back in his chair. “Darcy insists it is important to spend at least part of the winter at Netherfield to determine the soundness of the house and agrees that it is only proper he visit so he can offer his opinion. However, if you prefer to stay in town with Louisa, I will understand and will not be offended. I know you find the society here more agreeable than in the country.” Charles quietly hoped that Caroline would decide to remain in London. “I do not think you should decide in haste, Caroline. I do not plan to travel to Netherfield for a fortnight. You can give me your decision next week.

  “We will, of course, be hosting a dinner for the Gardiners and their relations while they are in Hertfordshire. It is only proper. Without Gardiner buying out Father’s share of the business, I would not have been able to consider owning an estate, and you would not be able to move in the society in which you do. And your dowry would not be what it is.”

  Caroline gasped. Her eyes widened in understanding and revulsion. Relations of the Bennets were the source of her good fortune? It was almost more than she could countenance. In her haste to exit the room, she nearly collided with Mr. Jennings, who was on his way to announce the arrival of Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam. Caroline mumbled a greeting to the gentlemen and hurried on her way.

  “I see she took the news well?” quipped Richard.

  “Well enough for the present, but I am sure I will hear more about it later once she finds her tongue.” He motioned for them to take a seat. “I do not remember the last time she was speechless.”

  “Nor has she ever said so few words in greeting to Darcy,” said Richard with a laugh.

  “Perhaps I told her too many disappointing pieces of information at once,” said Bingley.

  “Exactly what did you tell her?” Darcy eyed his friend suspiciously.

  “I did not tell her that,” said Bingley. “I merely acquainted her with the idea that Father’s business partner is related to the Bennets, and that I would be returning to Netherfield with you and Georgiana for the holidays rather than staying in town. I have given her until next week to decide if she will travel with me or remain here. Of course, I would rather that she stays in town, but I have left the decision up to her.”

  “And will she be attending dinner tomorrow evening?” Darcy took the glass of brandy Bingley offered.

  “I did not ask her. I just told her we were attending. I think she needs to see certain people in company to prepare herself for future disappointments,” said Bingley with a grin. “And are your aunt and uncle attending?”

  “Yes, they will be there tomorrow night. My aunt is especially interested in meeting everyone. Uncle Matlock has told her about the various people he met yesterday, and his account seems to have her intrigued.”

  “I believe it was the account of a particular young lady that has piqued her interest,” said Richard.

  Caroline, who had come to retrieve her calendar, paused outside the study. She felt faint. Lord Matlock had already met the others who would be attending the dinner? And his wife wanted to meet one young lady in particular? Were they talking about—no, it could not be. Certainly Darcy had not fallen for that chit Elizabeth Bennet, had he? This would not do. No, this would not do at all. Leaving her calendar until later, Caroline stalked off to her room to plan tomorrow evening’s attack. The first order of business was making sure that her best dress was ready.

  ~*~*~*~*~*~

  Elizabeth sighed in frustration as she attempted to smooth her gown and check her hair. Jane gave her a knowing smile and finished the tasks for her.

  “Do not fret, Lizzy. You look beautiful,” she whispered.

  “Thank you,” Elizabeth whispered back. “But, I shall never be as beautiful as you.”

  “I think you outshine me in at least one person’s eyes,” Jane teased as the carriage door opened, and they saw Mr. Darcy waiting to assist them.

  Elizabeth’s cheeks flushed.

  “So good to see you, sir,” bubbled the effervescent Sir William. “It is such an honour to be asked to dine with you tonight.” He exited the carriage and handed his daughters out. Then, with a wink at Elizabeth, he stepped away to allow Mr. Darcy to assist first Jane and then Elizabeth.

  Darcy took Elizabeth’s hand and carefully guided her out of the carriage, keeping a watchful eye on her injured arm. Then, instead of releasing her hand, he placed it firmly in the crook of his arm. “We must not risk further injury,” he said in a low voice.

  “Quite right, sir. Having only one arm can throw off one’s balance.” He placed his free hand over hers and led her into the house. Elizabeth took in the grandeur of the house. The ceilings were high, and the furnishings were elegant but not overly so. She caught Darcy watching her.

  “Do you like it?” There was a hint of nervousness in his voice.

  “Very much.”

  “I am glad.” He helped her with her wrap and then stepped away so that his sister might greet her.

  Several footmen scurried out the door as two more carriages arrived. The first carried the rest of the Gardiner party while the second belonged to Lord Matlock. Soon the grand entry hall was filled with laughter and talking as introductions were made, and outerwear was removed. Just as the group was moving into the drawing room, Mr. Bingley’s carriage arrived, and introductions were made a second time.

  “I see the doctor has allowed you to start walking, Master Andrew,” said Bingley.

  “Oh, yes, I can walk on my leg a bit, but I mustn’t put my full weight on it for a few more days. That is why I have this crutch,” explained Andrew in a most serious tone. “My Lizzy is also able to walk around now, but she mustn’t use her arm yet. Bone takes longer to heal than skin—that is what the doctor said.”

  “I am very glad to hear that you are listening so closely to the doctor’s instructions,” said Bingley. “I see your sisters and brother are heading upstairs to play, do you require assistance?”

  “Yes, sir. I am not very good at using my crutch on the stairs. I just started using it today, and it is going to take some practice,” said Andrew.

  “May I carry you up the stairs?” asked Bingley.

  Andrew smiled. “I would like that.”

  ~*~*~*~*~*~

  “They are set up for a right proper good time up there. I was tempted to stay and play with the soldiers.” Bingley took a chair next to Jane in the drawing room.

  Conversation had flowed freely about the room for some time before Caroline decided to attempt her first try at disparaging Elizabeth. She had noticed Elizabeth’s injured arm and was certain it was the result of some unladylike behaviour.

  “Miss Eliza, whatever have you done to your arm?”

  “Oh, I
have done nothing to it, but the doctor has stitched it up and confined it to this sling. Of course, he has only done that because someone else decided to shoot me,” said Elizabeth playfully.

  “Shoot you?” cried Caroline, her hand flying up to her heart in astonishment.

  “Yes, Miss Bingley. But, I assure you I was not his actual target at the time. My cousin Andrew was.”

  “And Miss Elizabeth was shot while protecting Master Andrew and disarming the villain.” Bingley, fully aware of what his sister was attempting, glared at her. “It happened just three days ago.”

  “Oh, how fortunate,” Caroline muttered.

  “Indeed it was,” said her brother.

  “I quite agree,” said Darcy. “Now, Mrs. Gardiner, would you and your nieces like a tour of Darcy House?”

  “Thank you, Mr. Darcy. I should like that very much, and it would give me an excuse to check on the children before we dine.”

  So it was decided, and the tour began with a stop on the upper floor at the nursery.

  After a few moments in the nursery and satisfied that her children were behaving, Mrs. Gardiner was ready to begin the tour in earnest. However, they were delayed by the insistence of the children –Andrew, in particular, –that Elizabeth see the game that he and Michael were playing. Patiently, she stooped to look at the fort they had built and commented on the fine arrangement of toy soldiers that were encamped among the pillows and blocks. Then, with a quick kiss for each, she hurried to join the other adults who were waiting at the door.

  Lady Matlock smiled and ticked off the quality of capable and caring mother in her mind. Her husband had come home extolling the virtues of a country miss that had captured their nephew’s heart. As much as she believed his report, she needed to see the girl herself to assess her appropriateness for the nephew who was as much a son to her as her own boys. She had already noted the humor and humility Elizabeth had displayed when responding to Miss Bingley regarding the injury to her arm. She had given only the facts and had blushed when Mr. Bingley had mentioned her rather heroic actions.

  Lady Matlock continued to watch the reactions of Elizabeth to the fine features of Darcy House. She looked for any indication of fortune hunting, but none appeared in Miss Elizabeth—Miss Bingley, on the other hand, caused Lady Matlock to shake her head in dismay on more than one occasion. Miss Bingley hinted at the expense of several items while Elizabeth commented only on their aesthetics or asked genuine questions of interest about them. Genuine, Lady Matlock checked off another quality in her mind.

  They had reached the library on the first floor by this time, and Lady Matlock could almost feel the excitement that exuded from Elizabeth before the door to the library had even opened. A lover of books, she checked off. Darcy was an intellectual and a marriage to a woman without the love of reading and improving her mind would only bring him misery. The door to the library opened almost as wide as Elizabeth’s eyes at the sight of the rows of books lining the walls from floor to ceiling. She gasped, and her hand flew up to her mouth. Slowly, reverently, she stepped into the room and began to walk the perimeter, noting the titles on the books, running her fingers along their spines, and occasionally stopping to pull one out just enough to look at its cover.

  Darcy watched her from the other side of the room while he talked with Mr. Gardiner about the collection. Without thinking, he busied his hands straightening a chair here or a book on a table there. Elizabeth noted his actions and leaned toward Georgiana and asked, “Is he always so fastidious?”

  Georgiana laughed. “Yes, Fitzwilliam does like order a bit too much at times.” Lady Matlock agreed with this statement wholeheartedly; Darcy was on the obsessive side of order.

  Elizabeth’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Perhaps we should give him something to do?” she asked conspiratorially. She pushed the book she had been looking at on the shelf back into place, stopping short of pushing it flush with the others. She moved down a shelf and pulled out three more books, just far enough to make them appear out of place.

  “There, enough to give him something to do, but not enough to put him in a foul humour,” she said to Georgiana, who giggled. “Shall we watch to see how long it takes him to fix it?”

  She and Georgiana took seats in two overstuffed leather chairs and watched as Darcy and Mr. Gardiner drew near to the sabotaged shelves. They both erupted into soft peals of laughter as Darcy still in conversation with Mr. Gardiner, straightened the books making sure the spines were just flush.

  Lady Matlock watched the events as she moved to join Mrs. Gardiner, who was studying an atlas on a nearby table. A pleasant tease and a companion for Georgiana, Lady Matlock ticked off two more from her list of criteria. During dinner, she noticed the grace and good manners that Miss Elizabeth displayed as well as her ability to converse easily and draw everyone around her into conversation, including the normally reticent Darcy. Lady Matlock only had two major concerns left. One was regarding the ability of Miss Elizabeth to run a household as large as Pemberley, which could not be fully discerned in an evening; however, with Elizabeth’s obviously keen mind, the skills could be learned. The second remaining concern was regarding how she would handle the disapprobation of certain members of the ton. Again, it was something that might not easily be determined in one evening–especially amongst friends.

  Caroline had been out of sorts all evening. Elizabeth had occupied all of Darcy’s attention, and his relatives seemed to be falling for her charms as well. Every attempt to discredit her had failed. Trying not to be utterly discouraged, Caroline decided to try one more time to disgrace Elizabeth in the eyes of Lord and Lady Matlock.

  “I understand the militia remains in Meryton,” she said coyly. “I imagine that is a delight to your family. I remember there were certain members who were favourites of your sisters.”

  Elizabeth’s eyes flashed, but not with amusement. She clenched her jaw just slightly but forced herself to smile. “All of Meryton has enjoyed having the militia encamped there. It is quite an economic advantage to most merchants, and Sir William has arranged many events to provide entertainment, not only for those who serve His Majesty, but also our friends and neighbours. However, not all of the officers remain,” she spoke in a friendly fashion with just a hint of coolness in her tone.

  “Not all remain?” Caroline had a sense that this conversation, like all the others that evening, was not going to go in her favour.

  “Yes, one, in particular,” said Richard, who had just returned to the room after having been summoned to talk to a caller at the door. “That was one of my men; he called to inform me there is a frigate sailing out of Portsmouth within a week.” He looked to Darcy with a slight menacing smile. “It seems there is a captain, with a reputation for being extremely exacting, in need of men before he sails toward the Americas, so Wickham will be on his way to join it in the morning. He may be engaged in battle before long.”

  “Mr. Wickham has joined the navy?” Caroline was confused.

  “Not of his own accord, but it seems he preferred that option to hanging.” Richard dared not look at his mother for he was sure to see her displeasure at his broaching such a topic with ladies present, but his patience with Miss Bingley had been stretched to its limit. “It was Wickham who shot Miss Elizabeth and her cousin.”

  Caroline gasped; this conversation was not going as she had planned. She knew she should let it drop, but curiosity got the better of her. “Why ever would he do that?”

  “Misplaced vengeance,” replied Elizabeth. “It seems he holds Mr. Darcy responsible for his situation in life, but he is too smart to attack the man himself. So, he attacks those who are his friends. I suppose he figured abduction of a child or a woman would play on Mr. Darcy’s sensibilities most effectively, would you not agree?”

  Unable to refute the question, Caroline allowed it to be so.

  “And by playing on those sensibilities, Wickham purposed to acquire that which he desired.” Elizabeth sat quietly and
considered Caroline for a moment. “People like Wickham have always been a part of society, I suppose. You do not have to look far into a history book to find stories of nefarious individuals willing to destroy whatever or whomever they chose to get what they desire.” She held Caroline’s gaze. “Sadly, such actions are not just confined to the rich and powerful figures of history. These actions surround us every day on a smaller scale. It is, I believe, our Christian duty to rise above such scheming, for doing so is the only true way to improve society.” Elizabeth looked Caroline levelly in the eyes.

  Able to handle the ton. Lady Matlock checked off the last item on her list. She had witnessed the cattiness of women like Miss Bingley portrayed time and again within the ton, but never had she seen a more diplomatic and thorough set down. She smiled at Elizabeth and shared a knowing look with her husband. This was the only woman her nephew should marry.

  “And that, my friends, is why she is one of the brightest jewels in the county—beautiful and clever. Quite a dangerous combination.” Sir William stood and gave her a fatherly pat on the shoulder and a knowing wink. “I hate to put a stop to a fine time, but we are leaving quite early in the morning. Now, Charlotte, do you remember where the music room is? I believe your sister is there with Miss Darcy and the two Miss Gardiners.”

  Charlotte nodded. “I believe I do. Shall I fetch Amelia and Margaret for you, Mrs. Gardiner?”

  “Thank you, my dear. That would be most helpful.”

  “I would be happy to be of assistance, Miss Lucas,” Richard offered.

  Charlotte smiled as she accepted his proffered arm. “I am quite sure I can find my way by following the music, sir, but your company would not be unwelcome. You are aware, we shall be bombarded with exclamations of delight from three young girls?”

  Richard laughed as he led her from the room. “I believe I can sustain such an unpleasant attack for a few moments.”

  A flurry of activity followed their departure. Bingley called for his carriage while his sister sought her wrap, and the Gardiners made for the nursery to collect their children. Lord Matlock extended his wishes for a speedy and safe journey to Sir William, and Lady Matlock extended an invitation to Elizabeth, Jane and their aunt to join her and Georgiana for tea the following week.