Page 24 of Her Whole Heart
Mr. Darcy leaned over to say, very quietly, “Simpleis not something I would ever think of in regard to you, Miss Elizabeth.”
Whatever did that mean? “Excellent.”
He tipped his head to one side and assessed her again. “Good.”
“Mr. Darcy,” she said with a huff, “must you always have the final word?”
“Miss Elizabeth,” he responded, “I was wondering the same about you.”
Whatever one could say about Miss Elizabeth and her sister, the Bennets had not arrived at this lecture unprepared. Darcy quite approved of that.He had been among the first to attend Sir Humphry’s lecture on his arc lamp during his short season two years ago—he had, in fact, delayed his departure by a week to do so, and had not been disappointed.
The ability to rid society of candles and open flames for lighting was very appealing, and the lamp did seem to work. However, no one would want a lamp whose light flickered and hissed, at least not inside a home. And until those matters were sorted out, Sir Humphry had a wonderful idea, a prototype, and not a great deal else. It would be worked out, eventually, but it would take years, perhaps decades. In time for his children or grandchildren. But it was unlikely to alter his own life in any significant way.
That being the case, he could not understand why the Bennet girls were so enthusiastic. A working light that did not require fire was . . .
He closed his eyes briefly.Fire.
They had been at Lady Henrietta’s school at the same time as the fire. Ofcoursethey would want to attend a lecture on the Davy lamp, to see its workings. He would apologise for being such an oaf, but there truly was no excuse, and would it even help? No, his best, most compassionate response would be to stop talking. Remaining silent had never been a problem for him before, but for some reason, hewantedto speak with Miss Elizabeth. Even when the words she spoke in return were sharp.
She was forever surprising him. Sometimes he just wished to hear what she would say next.
Sir Humphry invited those in the room to step to the table and examine the lamp up close.
Miss Elizabeth nearly fled from him into the aisle. Miss Bennet rose more slowly and cast a wary look in his direction before joining her sister.
Darcy watched them stroll together to the front of the room, and his conscience smote him. Fitz had been correct. Hehadbeen in a foul mood since arriving in town, and Miss Elizabeth had borne the brunt of it. Hewould have to show her he was a gentleman, no matter how poorly he had begun.
Darcy stood and made his way over to Lady Carlisle, sitting in the chair next to her when she motioned to it.
“I presume my husband spoke with you?” she inquired.
He sighed. Lord Carlisle had sent word to his uncle, and Darcy had been ordered to attend this lecture. His cousins had been dispatched to make certain he arrived without incident. Had there been more than one available chair, he believed Fitz would have sat with him to be certain he did not say anything stupid and incite a Shakespearean war between the houses of Darcy and Carlisle.
Too bad there had not been another open chair.
Fitz and Milton were standing now and made their way down to the Bennet ladies.
Darcy watched as they were received with more pleasure than he had been. “He spoke with my uncle.”
She chuckled. “As well he should, given the behaviour of Lady Henrietta. Well, were you proving recalcitrant, Mr. Darcy? I must warn you that my husband is not in the habit of brooking refusal, not even from dukes, let alone untitled gentlemen.”
Darcy frowned at the pointed reminder of his place. “So I have learned.”
This produced a chuckle from the countess. “I did enjoy your little note about coins. Surely you are aware that most women carry coins for incidental purchases, even in town?”
“My mother never did, and I have told my sister as much.”
Lady Carlisle smiled wistfully. “I do miss your mother. She was witty, kind, a wonderful musician—but you must know that refusing to carry coins was merely one of her little quirks, in which she was encouraged by her sister Lady Catherine.”
He hadnotknown it—his mother was the woman he judged all other women by. But she had died when he was only eleven. She and Lady Matlock were long dead, and he could barely tolerate Lady Catherine. Even Lady Henrietta had little use for him. He ought to have considered his lack of experience with women before offering his advice. He tugged at his cravat. How Miss Elizabeth must detest him.
Lady Carlisle must have seen his mortification, for she did not wait for him to respond.
“Dear Anne.” She waved her fan before her face. “Your mother was an excellent friend, but she was not perfect—none of us are, you know. She was a little proud, though of course she had a right to be. That pride, it seems, she has passed on to you. Whether your father was the same, I do not know.” She studied him before saying, “You will be pleased, however, to hear that we have instructed Miss Elizabeth to place any purchase of note against the Carlisle name for as long as she remains with us. She has a stubborn aversion to taking advantage. I fear she would deny herself many pleasures we are pleased to provide for her. I thank you for calling it to our attention.”
Darcy nodded stiffly. The countess was clearly offering him a few different pieces of information. First, Miss Elizabeth was not a fortune hunter. He had already surmised as much. Second, she was more than just a guest to the Carlisles.
The countess studied his countenance before her own expression softened. “Mr. Darcy, your mother was a good friend to me, so I hope you will accept what I am about to tell you with the understanding that I offer it in kindness.”
