Page 37 of An Accidental Meeting
“I do not believe I have ever witnessed you lose a game.”
“Apparently I ought to prepare to lose two, for I have promised to play Mr. Gardiner.”
Bingley laughed delightedly. “You have met your match at last.”
Darcy gazed at Elizabeth, who was looking down and shaking her head. “I believe I have.”
“Miss Bennet,” Bingley said brightly, offering her a bow, “I am glad to meet you again.”
“Thank you, sir,” she replied as she lifted her chin. She did not return the sentiment. “It has been several months since we have had the pleasure of your company.”
“It has been eight months at least. We have not seen one another since we all danced together at Netherfield.”
Elizabeth’s smile was tight. “I think you must be right.”
Bingley shifted, a little uneasy, for Elizabeth had never been anything but encouraging in his presence. “Your family, they are all well?”
“They are, Mr. Bingley, I thank you.”
He glanced nervously at Darcy before asking, “And are all your sisters still at home?”
She looked him up and down, not unkindly, but as though she was determining how she ought to answer. “All but one.”
Darcy hoped it was not Miss Jane Bennet who was gone.
“My youngest sister Lydia is gone to Brighton.”
Bingley’s relief was palpable, but now Darcy was the one who was concerned, for he had heard the militia had moved on to Brighton. “Is she visiting friends, Miss Bennet?”
She frowned, and Darcy knew he must tread carefully.
“She is staying with Mrs. Forster and the colonel.”
He nodded, relieved. Even Miss Lydia Bennet must be safe in the care of the colonel’s household, and in any case, Miss Lydia was not his to worry for—he was not the girl’s father. He might one day be her brother . . . He told himself to focus on the woman before him, for he had enough work to set things right with her.
Bingley appeared as though he was eager to engage further with Elizabeth. Darcy thought that might not end the way his friend desired, so he spoke to intervene. “Miss Bennet, you say that your uncle taught you chess, but I would have thought your father would be the one to do so.”
“He taught me a little,” she said, “but Uncle Gardiner had more patience for a child who was learning. And I still play with him more often, for my father calls my style of play barbarous.”
Darcy chuckled. “It certainly is not subtle.”
“Then it suits Miss Bennet perfectly, do not you think?” Miss Bingley asked her sister, who nodded approvingly.
He felt his ire growing hot, but Elizabeth was not offended, or at least did not show it. “Sometimes a direct approach is the best. I must own I do not have much patience with subterfuge.”
The arrows were flying about the saloon, but Elizabeth was clearly the better archer. How had he ever thought she would not do well in society? With her quick wit and innate decency, she had the weapons she required to hold her ground anywhere.
“Miss Bennet,” Georgiana said, approaching the group, “would you like to see the music room? We were just discussing having a bit of a concert, since so many of us play.”
“I would enjoy that very much,” Elizabeth said.
Darcy was both amused and pleased when Georgiana took Elizabeth’s arm on one side and Mrs. Gardiner’s on the other and strolled with them through the wide doorway towards the music room, leaving Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst to follow.
Mrs. Annesley rose to join them.
Darcy stared down at the remains of the chess board and heard Elizabeth’s words ring in his ear.Sometimes a direct approach is the best.
Very well. He would know how to act.
