Page 25 of Sweet on Mr Darcy

“Well, whatever the reason for this largess, I anticipate a dish of candied lemon peel with pleasure.” Mr Bennet’s voice was heard from behind his newspaper. “Mrs Bennet, you must enjoy a generous serving. Remember what Mr Jones said. You must nourish yourself with a variety of foods.”

“I certainly will not refuse,” answered Charlotte agreeably. “I believe any medicinal cure must be improved by great quantities of sugar. I do enjoy marzipan. What clever little sculptures!”

“But not too much for Lydia, who enjoys sugar until she becomes ill,” Mary said severely. “You must exert control, little sister. Charlotte, you have been out all afternoon with Papa. You must rest. Jane and I will pour and serve.”

Elizabeth observed their guests as cups of tea and dishes of sweets were passed about the room and enjoyed. Lady Barry’s words rang in her ears as she perceived how Mr Darcy was solicitous to her without being intrusive or excessive. Even after his unfortunate outburst the day they met, his sister clearly adored and trusted him implicitly. His cousin Priscilla was a great deal more worldly than Georgiana, and even she agreed that Darcy was the very best of men.

What was it that she said? Oh yes. “The sooner you forget his silly outburst and bestow your good opinion upon my cousin, the better.”

Elizabeth was subdued as she listened to the conversations in the room and felt Darcy’s quiet attention upon her. She did not yet know if his notice would extend beyond obtaining her complete forgiveness and friendship, or if she would encourage him if it did.

Mr Wickham called during the visit, and Elizabeth could see that Charlotte received him grudgingly, eyeing Mr and Miss Darcy as if worried that she might insult them if she had him turned away at the door.

Darcy scowled as the young lieutenant was announced to the room, and Elizabeth noticed that when the young man had greeted everyone and headed for the youngest ladies as was his usual wont, her father followed him and seated himself between Mr Wickham and his most vulnerable daughters.

Her father inserted himself into their conversation, making it clear to Mr Wickham that if he was visiting, that he was there to visit Mr Bennet and not the young ladies. Elizabeth wondered if this was only because of her father and Charlotte’s edict that Lydia and Kitty were not to socialise with officers, or if Mr Bennet had sensed something of Darcy’s warning in the man’s behaviour.

“We also came bearing some news,” Darcy announced to the room eventually. “My friend Mr Bingley has taken a cottage here in Ramsgate for the remainder of the summer, and I believe that his family will take up the empty cottage next door to you all.”

“That dull chap, Darcy? The arrival of Bingley and his sisters is hardly news,” Mr Wickham was heard to say from across the room.

Darcy ignored him entirely as Charlotte responded politely. “How pleasant to meet your friend and his family, Mr Darcy. Is he a married gentleman, then?”

“He is not, Mrs Bennet,” Darcy replied as if Mr Wickham had not spoken at all. “He is a gentlemanly man, two years my junior, whom I met at Cambridge. He has been considering taking a lease on an estate before eventually purchasing one, which was his late father’s hope for him. His family hails from Scarborough, where his father was in trade many years ago. He comes with his married sister and her husband, Mr and Mrs Hurst, and his younger, unmarried sister. Miss Bingley is of an age with Miss Bennet or Miss Elizabeth, I believe. Miss Bingley will act as his hostess.”

“How nice it will be to have the society of two more ladies just next door.” Jane refilled her stepmother’s cup. “I look forward to meeting them.”

Elizabeth noticed a dubious expression upon Miss Darcy’s face and wondered what sort of ladies Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst would be.

“If they have arrived by the early afternoon, I will be glad to introduce you, that is, if Miss Elizabeth is amenable to accompanying Georgiana and me on our next adventure to the confectioner’s,” Darcy promised.

“Say you will join us again, Lizzy. You cannot abandon our scheme because of one badly behaved gentleman,” Georgiana implored.

“I see no reason to refuse, that is, unless my stepmother requires me to chaperone my sisters somewhere.” Elizabeth looked to Charlotte.

“I would not dream of interfering with any plan of yours, Eliza.” Charlotte appraised Darcy and Elizabeth speculatively. “If Kitty and Lydia would like to go out tomorrow afternoon, they can accompany Mr Bennet to the library.”

“How fortunate am I,” Mr Bennet observed. “A trip to the library with my two youngest daughters? At last, my education will be complete.”

Kitty turned to Miss Darcy. “Since we have finished Sense and Sensibility, I will search for something new for us to read, Georgiana.”

“I would like that above anything!” Georgiana enthused. “Perhaps when we return, you could accompany me home to begin reading, if you find something interesting.”

“I cannot imagine anything more melancholy than spending a fine day amongst old gentlemen and even older books,” Lydia grumbled.

“Can you not, my dear?” Charlotte asked meaningfully, discouraging Lydia from saying anything more impolite.

“It is a shame the young ladies must be sentenced to spending a fine day at the library. I commiserate with you, Miss Lydia,” Mr Wickham drawled as the youngest Bennet daughter batted her eyelashes at him.

“I believe that we have quite overstayed our welcome.” Darcy stood as Mary rose and rang for the maid. “We look forward to seeing you tomorrow, Miss Elizabeth. Come, Wickham, you have also been here far too long for a polite call.”

As they left, Lydia and Kitty watched from the window for a last glimpse of Mr Wickham. “Well, is that not the rudest thing you ever saw! To demand that Mr Wickham leave with them, only to snub him and not offer him a ride in their carriage!”

“I knew that Darcy lad was intelligent.” Mr Bennet rose from his chair. “I hear my son waking from his nap. I believe I shall go and read to the boy.”

Chapter Thirteen

Wednesday 8 July 1812