Page 29 of The Heroic Mr Darcy's Bad Manners
“I have surmised that they are worried about fortune hunters.”
At that ridiculous assertion he barked an incredulous laugh.
“Yet they do not reject Mr Bingley’s obvious pursuit of their eldest daughter. He is from trade…”
“No, but Miss Elizabeth has enquired about him amongst the servants. She harbours doubts about his constancy.”
“Preposterous! And why is she on such intimate terms with Netherfield’s servants as to enquire about personal matters?”
“The estate’s owner is a relation. The same one who requested Mr Bennet’s earldom be created.”
He had to know, just to quash the unease.
“The Earl of Longbourn. A rather modest estate for an earl, would you not say?”
“No, sir. He is the Earl of Glentworth. It is a free-holding of significant size, and the current holder leaves no heir apparent, so Mr Bennet was given the estate when the earldom was created.”
“Glentworth… Is that not in Ireland?”
The whole scheme sounded strange because the Bennets had held Longbourn for generations.
“Yes, in Limerick. The previous owner’s health is believed to be failing, though the Prince of Wales elevated him to marquess this spring.”
Memories of a masquerade ball assaulted his senses. The pair of emerald-green eyes in the face of a delightful dance partner, to be precise. Lord Limerick’s niece, whom the viscount and the colonel had egged him to engage with a despicable wager. Could Queen Elizabeth and Miss Elizabeth Bennet be the same person?
Oh God! I hope not…
No, it could not be. His lordship’s sister had addressed her as Eilís, not Elizabeth. Besides, the lady he had spent that evening with had been considerably taller than Miss Elizabeth. He was familiar with growth spurts from his own youth, but never had he seen or heard about anyone shrinking three inches. It was simply not possible.
He expelled a harsh breath and assumed that Eilís and Miss Elizabeth must be related. It was not so strange that they shared the same eye colour if that was the case.
Yet, the jolt that had passed through him as Miss Elizabeth had met his eyes in the ballroom had not only been from admiration of the most intelligent and gorgeous eyes he had ever seen, but it had also been one of recognition.
Darcy stumbled into a chair and rested his head in his hands.
“Pray! Are you unwell, sir?”
His valet’s concerned words barely penetrated his clouded mind. Had he insulted and disparaged the one lady he could not forget?No! Fate cannot be this cruel.Miss Elizabeth’s pleasing figure was not as plump as the current fashion, and he doubted she had dimples in her thighs, but she did have a full…um…backside, which was a sign of wealth. He admitted that her dark, curly hair closely resembled the ancient Greek and Roman ideal, not that she ever wore the elaborate coiffures he had so often seen copied from ancient busts and paintings. She had a natural quality to her face through no use of cosmetics, but her complexion bore a slight tan and a light dusting of freckles.
Despite the distinct disadvantage of never seeing the face of the apparition he had encountered at the masquerade, it was not only her height that distinguished her from Miss Elizabeth. Queen Elizabeth had an ebullient nature Miss Elizabeth lacked, and the hair colour was different as well. Eilís had copper red hair, whilst Miss Elizabeth’s was mahogany brown, and though he could admit to himself that he was in slight danger from the enticing siren, she was nothing to the mind of Queen Elizabeth. If he compared the two, Miss Elizabeth appeared rather dull and definitely more reserved.
Darcy wondered whether he was being fair. His conversations with the lady had been few, short, and had not touched upon profound existential questions as they had with Eilís.
Miss Elizabeth had, on rare occasions, proved to have a quick wit that one could not fail to observe.
“I hardly know…”
“To answer your previous question, sir, Mr Bingley is generally liked, Mr Hurst generates indifference, but Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst’s supercilious airs and propensity to look down upon everyone they meet have not induced Meryton’s residents to be explicit or forthcoming.”
He noticed that Grey had not mentioned the inhabitants’ perception of him, for which he could only be grateful. He had not promoted himself to anyone because he had not thought it necessary in this town of little to no consequence.
Chapter 10 To Beat a Hasty Retreat
Elizabeth
The night following the ball had opened to a new scene at Longbourn. Mr Bennet’s elevation into the peerage had been discovered after they had returned from Netherfield, when her father had finally found time to read the evening’s gazette. The havoc had prevented everyone from finding any rest, and come morning, most of the residents were still abed.
Mr Collins’s leave of absence extended only to the following Saturday, and time was of the essence. Having no feelings of diffidence to make it distressing to himself, and considering the encouraging news about Mr Bennet’s elevation into the peerage, he set out in an orderly manner. Finding the newly appointed Lady Glentworth, Lady Elizabeth, and none of the younger girls in a parlour after breakfast, he addressed the matron.
