Page 12 of Her Whole Heart
“Miss Bennet is the very picture of grace and elegance, but neither gullible nor easily manipulated. While she admitted that her nature tendedto naivety, she stated unequivocally that her time at school had cured her of it. She spoke of being scorned for her beauty because, and I quote, ‘it is wasted on a penniless nothing.’”
Had not Lady Henrietta said something similar only last night? Darcy cleared his throat as his discomfort grew.
“As for Miss Elizabeth . . .” The earl’s expression softened. “Do you like Shakespeare, Mr. Darcy?”
“I do,” Darcy said uncertainly.
“Though she be but little, she is fierce.” Lord Carlisle’s smile faded. “She has been the protector of all her sisters and even her mother, little though the woman seems to appreciate it. But you and I know she cannot protect her sister or herself in London.”
Of course he knew. That was why the Bennets were in town under the protection of the earl and countess.
“I will demand your confidence for the rest. It is not a great secret, but there is no sense in being indiscreet.”
No. Darcy did not want to keep any confidences. Theapologywas why he was here. He wanted to make it—it would be sincere, genuine—and then he wanted to go home and try to decide if this was the year he ought to remain for the season after all. Perhaps next year he could begin again. His uncle would understand.
“Mr. Darcy?”
There was no escaping, it seemed. “Of course, my lord.”
“Do I have your word?”
He did not want to give it. “Yes.”
The earl nodded and leaned back in his chair. “Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth are the eldest two sisters of five. No son, and the estate entailed away. Miss Elizabeth explained to me that her father had placed theresponsibility of finding husbands and raising the family's consequence squarely on the shoulders of the two of them.”
Lady Henrietta had already related most of this information. It was not a new story—fathers and mothers alike did the same every day in the ton. However, it had always struck Darcy as terribly unfair. He had been required to take up all his father’s responsibilities, but he had been raised to it. He had not been prepared to take on the mantle so young, but his father had assembled good men around him who had been and still were of invaluable assistance.
“The heir is a distant cousin and is unlikely to take on the care of so many relations whom he does not even know. Their father does little to improve their situation. Their best hope is their mother’s brother, who is in trade.”
Darcy pursed his lips. He had been right. Deplorable connections.
“I have met them. Estimable people. Prosperous, fashionable, clever. The uncle owns several warehouses. Not your typical merchant.”
“Yet you would not host him at a dinner,” Darcy said bluntly, and again found himself under the scrutiny of the earl’s penetrating gaze.
“Prejudices being what they are,” Lord Carlisle said evenly, “I would not host them before Amelia is married. But afterward, I believe I would. We in parliament have much to learn from those who are rising in wealth like Mr. Gardiner. And I rather like the man.”
Darcy did not believe it, but he nodded.
“You would not deign to eat at the same table as a man in trade, even if he is the owner of the enterprise and not a mere clerk?”
“Not at my own home, sir, but of course when dining in the home of another, I would be gracious.”
“Gracious,” the earl repeated, as though the word amused him. “I see. Well, Mr. Darcy, let us put yourgraciousnature to the test, shall we?”
This could not bode well for him. “My lord?”
“You humiliated Miss Elizabeth, Mr. Darcy. She laughed it off, but I assure you she felt every bit of the shame you meant to heap upon her. And as an insult to any member of my household is also an insult to me, a mere apology will not suffice.”
Darcy swallowed hard.
Lord Carlisle sat back and studied him. “I have decided that for the rest of the season, you will be Miss Elizabeth’s friend.”
Friend? Was the man mad? Men and women who were not related could not be friends. “I beg your pardon, Lord Carlisle?”
“Do not sound so affronted, Mr. Darcy. You will not be required to do anything that might engender gossip about a deeper connection between you. But it is clear after last night that I shall be fully occupied keeping an eye on Miss Bennet, and I am no longer a young man. Therefore, you will help me. You will be pleasant, polite, offer to dance with Miss Elizabeth should she have one of the less significant dances available when you are in company together at a ball, dine with her when there is a meal if she is otherwise without a partner. You will quietly and efficiently see to her comfort.”
“My lord—”
