Page 44 of Mr. Darcy's Complex Courtship

Fitzwilliam shook his head at Mr. Miles in a show of feigned disapproval. Mr. Miles raised his hands in an equally playful gesture of mercy. I followed their antics, testimony to their easy rapport, with a broad smile. After spending much of his youth as an only child, Fitzwilliam must take delight in the close bond he shared with Mr. Miles.

When we entered the drawing-room, Lady Matlock greeted Fitzwilliam and me. She manoeuvred us to a short, slight elderly gentleman, whom she introduced as Mr. Talbot. The genial, grey-haired man exchanged a few remarks with me before initiating a conversation with Fitzwilliam regarding a mutual acquaintance. The countess took the opportunity to lead me away.

We went throughout the room to meet the others: five well-dressed ladies ranging in age from about forty to sixty. After I met the final pair—Lady Ayles, a short, plump lady with a jovial visage, and Mrs. Barton, a tall, thin, grey-haired lady—the countess prompted the former to describe a play she had attended on Saturday.

Lady Ayles agreed to the suggestion with enthusiasm. In the midst of Lady Ayles’s detailed review of the performance, Lady Matlock slipped away. On the other side of the room, the other lady guests engaged Mr. Miles in conversation. At one point, Lady Ayles stalled in her recital, unable to recall the name of one of the actors in the play.

Mrs. Barton inched closer to me. “I am puzzled as to why you are here, Miss Bennet.”

Goodness, this lady wasted no time on a pretence of politeness. “Well…um…Mr. Darcy introduced me to Lady Matlock, and she was kind enough to—”

“Ah yes.” Mrs. Barton held her palm up. “Lady Matlock already explained that you met her nephew in Hertfordshire and your sister married a friend of his. Nevertheless, you stay at the home of atradesman—that is a significant disadvantage for the countess to have dismissed. There must be another reason for her to introduce you to us. We are her most prominent and influential peers.” Her grey eyebrows drew together. “It struck me that one of her sons could be courting you, yet I do not imagine she would approve of you as a match for either of them.”

How dare she? And yet…she spoke the truth. With a steady breath, I quashed my indignation. “I have no romantic association with either of the countess’s sons. Lady Matlock shows extraordinary kindness to have invited me today. I suppose she is fond of me.”

“Hmm.” Based upon Mrs. Barton’s crinkled nose, she viewed my explanation with scepticism.

Lady Ayles set her teacup on a nearby table and licked her lips. “Miss Bennet, maybe you have no designs upon the viscount or the colonel, but you must admire this new Darcy cousin. What a delight he is—so handsome and urbane, yet mysterious as well with those unusual and striking eyes. He is certain to be a darling of thebeau monde.” She glanced my way as she selected a biscuit from the desserts on the table. “And yet…I noticed you arrived with Mr.FitzwilliamDarcy. What may we infer from that?”

With a short laugh, Mrs. Barton gave Lady Ayles’s shoulder a playful push. “Oh no, you cannot thinkheis courting her. The master of Pemberley is known to be proud—he would never settle for a lady in Miss Bennet’s situation.” She looked over her shoulder at Fitzwilliam. “He appears to be in a sociable moodtoday, which is singular. It has been rare for him to attend parties or balls—and when he has, he has often been aloof and neglectful. Perhaps Lady Matlock has provided her guidance to ensure he will find a wife.”

“That is a fanciful notion.” Lady Ayles arranged her scarf. “Why would a desirable bachelor like him need her assistance?”

“Lest you forget, he bungled his opportunity to court my niece Miss Mary Ann. You must remember—he danced with her at Almack’s in February and then never called upon her.”

Lady Ayles raised her napkin, obscuring her simper. “Oh yes, that instance had slipped my mind.”

“Soon thereafter, Mary Ann met her future husband, the baronet.” Mrs. Barton turned back to me. “In any case, you would make an adequate match for Mr.MilesDarcy. He spoke of you in complimentary terms before your arrival.”

“Why yes.” Lady Ayles’s head bobbed in a fervent style. “He praised you to the skies!”

Mrs. Barton touched my arm. “Of course, maybe you are unnerved by his appearance. I admit to having been uneasy when I first noticed his mismatched eyes. I did not know this occurred in people—unless they suffered from disease or injury, and that does not seem to be the case.”

“Not at all. I have not known Mr. Miles Darcy for long, but I consider him to be a fine man, both in appearance and in essentials.” While I could not reveal the truth, I could at least clarify the platonic nature of my friendship with Mr. Miles. “Nevertheless, he is not courting me”—I waited a beat—“and neither is anyone else.”Thanks to my father’s dictate.

Mrs. Barton took a sip of negus as she studied me. “With a bit of effort on your part, you may be able to change that. Mr. Miles Darcy already likes you, so a little encouragement from you may be all that is necessary for him to consider you in a romantic vein. As an artist, he is not the best of matches, but withouta substantial dowry, you cannot expect to entice a wealthy landowner.”

“Take care now—you do not want to raise the young lady’s hopes.” Lady Ayles’s gaze moved from Mrs. Barton to me. “Although it is obvious Mr. Miles approves of you, the Darcy name and the support of his cousin and Lady Matlock may allow him to marry better than he would otherwise. He may set his sights upon a wealthy society lady.”

I bit down to suppress a grin. “I appreciate the warning.”

But Mrs. Barton showed no sign of being swayed by her friend’s admonition. “Do not be discouraged, young lady. Although Mr. Miles Darcy may become popular, he will remain an anomaly. Therefore, he isnotabove your station.”

“I assure you that I have no—” My mouth snapped shut as Lady Matlock appeared at my side and touched my shoulder.

“Pardon me, ladies, I must steal Miss Bennet away for a moment.” With a nod to Mrs. Barton and Lady Ayles, I followed Lady Matlock to an alcove on the other side of the room. She turned towards me. “Thus far, has anyone been discourteous to you?”

“No, they have all been gracious.”

“That is well. I thought as much but wanted to be certain. Lady Ayles and Mrs. Barton have sharp tongues at times. From what I have observed, you have made a fine first impression upon the group. However, keep in mind once the news of your engagement spreads, you may encounter a different sentiment. Certain people of our acquaintance, including the aforementioned two ladies, are apt to take offence you secured such an advantageous match—especially those who have a daughter, cousin, or niece who failed to attract him. I shall do my best to smooth your way, but you must be prepared when the time comes for a degree of animosity from them.”

“Very well. I understand.”

“London society tends to retain the appearance of civility, but it can become malicious at times. Think carefully during these next weeks if you truly want to enter this world. Mr. Bennet, whatever his motives may have been, has provided you a rare opportunity. You may decide you are better off marrying a gentleman with a more modest situation. If so, you may break from my nephew without harm to your reputation.”

My breath caught. Did she intend to scare me off? “It seems you do not approve of me as a spouse for Mr. Darcy.”

Her lips curved in a wry style. “In truth, I am undecided whether my obstinate nephew made a disastrous mistake he will not realise until it is too late or if he made a clever choice. Regardless, it is in the family’s best interest that Darcy’s future wife be accepted in London, and I shall do my part to ensure that happens.” With a parting nod, she strode away.

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