Page 62 of The Heroic Mr Darcy's Bad Manners
“You mistook my meaning, Colonel Fitzwilliam. I was referring to his heroic action. You see, he once saved my life when I was a child.”
She could see the colonel’s mind churning and was for the first time happy to receive the company of Miss Bingley, who hardly waited for the butler to announce her. She glided into the room and seated herself next to the younger Miss Darcy.
“Dear Georgiana, and ever in the company of your esteemed colonel. He takes prodigiously good care of you, and one might wonder whether there is to be an announcement in the future that will bring much pleasure to your families.”
Elizabeth wondered what she was at suggesting a connection between the cousins beyond the relationship of a guardian to his ward. What could she possibly mean to accomplish?
“Dear Jane, I have come with a message from my brother, who was exceedingly grieved he could not accompany me on my call on you today. As you know, business has taken him away for a few days, and he is worried you might forget him. I immediately put him at ease and declared that sweet Jane would not soon forget her dearest friends.”
Miss Bingley’s smile was sickeningly affected, and Elizabeth fought not to shudder. The colonel clearly believed it was time to change the subject.
“Miss Darcy,” he addressed his ward more formally than was his wont. “I believe you have brought an invitation with you.”
“Oh yes, I had almost forgotten.” She rummaged through her reticule and found an elegant invitation that she presented to the lady of the house. “I would be much obliged if you would attend my small dinner party and bring all your family.”
“It is her first time hosting an event,” Miss Eudora Darcy boasted. “I thought it was best to enter this stage of her education with only our closest friends present.”
Her grandmother expressed her gratitude most endearingly, the colonel eased his rigid stance, and Miss Bingley’s mouth turned into a most unbecoming pout.
The lady of the house called for entertainment, and Miss Bingley launched herself towards the pianoforte with alacrity. She chose an Italian love song that she performed scientifically, but her voice was not pleasing. It was obvious that she had studied with a master, but nature had not been charitable.
“Would you take a turn about the room with me?” Elizabeth enquired of Miss Eudora Darcy, affording the colonel and Jane a moment of privacy whilst Miss Bingley was distracted.
The older lady readily agreed and laced her arm with Elizabeth’s. “The colonel is very agreeable and gentlemanlike. His admiration for Jane does not prevent him from being polite and attentive to me, as so often happens with ill-bred young men these days.”
“You believe the colonel admires Jane?” Elizabeth questioned in astonishment. Though she should not be surprised; Miss Eudora Darcy had been little in their company, but she was a keen observer.
“Of that there can be no two opinions!” the lady exclaimed. “Although he is not overt in his regard, it is clear to me, as I have known him all my life.”
“You need not convince me, as I heartily agree, but Jane has several suitors and must be allowed to choose. I shall admit, if only to you, that the colonel is my favourite.”
Miss Darcy smiled. “I am relieved to hear it. I supposed you would prefer the amicable Mr Bingley.”
“I have lately come to appreciate a more steadfast nature than one who is agreeable without the presence of mind.”
Once their morning callers had left, the anticipation of dining at Darcy House was the order of the day. Especially since all the current occupants of the house were included.
Chapter 20 Dinner at Darcy House
Mr Darcy was waiting on the steps of his house, in the freezing cold, to greet his guests when they arrived. Miss Georgiana Darcy clearly had the wisdom to remain inside on the frigid February evening. She welcomed them warmly in the entrance hall with Miss Eudora Darcy at her side.
“Do come in,” she whispered timidly.
Elizabeth smiled to encourage the girl. It was certainly easier to focus her attention on the sister than on her brother, whose rigid stance made her uneasy.
Miss Darcy escorted her guests to a well-appointed parlour. She served the ladies a glass of sherry and the men a tumbler of port while they waited for dinner to be announced.
Lady Glentworth, always effusive in her praise, was complimenting the room and the furniture when the knocker resonated through the house. Whoever was at the door was certainly eager to be inside, which was not so strange when one considered the weather.
“It is probably our cousins,” Mr Darcy informed his sister. “I shall greet them whilst you entertain our guests,” he offered and hastened out of the room.
Miss Georgiana Darcy looked at her aunt for guidance, and Elizabeth realised that the young girl was unprepared to induce conversation. To help her she commented upon the flower arrangements and was so fortunate that her hostess had made them herself. A discussion about the outrageous prices of hothouse flowers followed—a topic that everyone was in consensus about.
“We are leaving!” Lord Limerick’s voice boomed, shocking everyone.
His eyes were fixed on the door, where a distinguished elderly couple followed Viscount Crawford and Colonel Fitzwilliam. The Matlocks!
Elizabeth was close enough to hear her grandmother insisting that they stay and behave with decorum. They were, after all, Miss Georgiana Darcy’s guests, and it was her first time entertaining. The reasoning seemed to work upon her brother, who had the decency to look abashed at his host. Poor Miss Georgiana Darcy seemed to be on the verge of tears.
