Page 44 of The Matchmaker’s Mistake

His eyes wandered back to the other side of the room.

Miss Elizabeth was now smiling at something Lord Broward was telling her. Just smiling this time, not laughing, but clearly enjoying herself. This was all very well, for Lord Broward was in his fifties and a married man. Miss Elizabeth could remain with him all night, though he would still wish he might have some of those smiles and laughs for himself.

As he continued his conversation with Lady Euphemia, he watched from the corner of his eye as his mother approached Miss Elizabeth, took her by the hand, and, with a kind word to Lord Broward, led her away.

His mother turned her head the smallest degree and said something over her shoulder. Darcy did not catch the words, but he caught their effect. Miss Bingley, who had been standing at a little distance in a state of what he thought of as elegant readiness, lifted her chin as if a string had been drawn.

A moment later she was in motion.

She crossed the floor with every appearance of independent purpose, though Darcy had the strongest impression that his mother might have set Miss Bingley dancing with the movement of a single finger. By the time Lord Broward had completed his survey of the room, Miss Bingley was already at his elbow, smiling up at him with that bright, polished attention gentlemen were always pleased to accept.

Lord Broward smiled and resumed his conversation.

Darcy, who had seen his mother arrange flowers, guests, footmen, and once, with rather alarming success, a bishop, could only admire the economy of the thing. Miss Bingley had been positioned and put to use before anyone but himself had perceived there had been a need.

His mother glanced at him again. This look was quite different. This one said that Miss Bingley, whatever her faults, could at least recognise an opening when one appeared.

“Mr. Darcy.”

He startled, then turned back to Lady Euphemia. “Forgive me, madam. You were saying?”

“Nothing of consequence, but I fear I am competing with the entire western side of the room.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“I beg you do not. I am a widow, Mr. Darcy. We are permitted to notice things.”

Before he could determine whether an answer existed to this, his mother arrived at his shoulder.

“My dear Euphemia,” she said warmly, “I am in the greatest need of you.”

Lady Euphemia’s eyes brightened. “Of me?”

“I am.” His mother held out her hand. “Lady Melbury has placed herself by the card table, and Mrs. Anstruther is advancing upon the same chair.”

He turned, and across the room, Lady Melbury was indeed lowering herself into a chair while Mrs. Anstruther paused beside it, fan half raised, her expression arrested between possession and surrender.

“Oh,” Lady Euphemia said. “That will not do.”

“I would not wish to call attention to it as the hostess, but I know I can count on you to prevent any bloodshed.”

Lady Euphemia nodded, clearly feeling the compliment of being asked. She released Darcy without hesitation. “Mr. Darcy, you will excuse me.”

“Of course.”

His mother’s eyes met his as she bore Lady Euphemia away. There was no severity in them. Somehow, it made him feel worse.

A minute after Lady Euphemia reached the table, Mrs. Anstruther had been persuaded to admire the view from a different chair, Lady Melbury had discovered she had never wanted the disputed one, and Darcy was alone.

Lady Euphemia was certainly skilled in the art of negotiation.

“Fitzwilliam,” his mother said on her way to speak with someone else, “do find Sir Henry. I believe he has been waiting upon you to settle a question about the partridge.”

Darcy sighed and went to find Sir Henry, who proved to have settled the question of the partridge a quarter of an hour ago and was now in pursuit of a glass of Madeira. Darcy was drawn into the new conversation.

Miss Bingley left Lord Broward to other company and crossed to them. Sir Henry stepped back to make room. She greeted them both, and then Sir Henry was pulled away.

“One so seldom sees a hostess of your mother’s consequence take such pains to make every guest feel they belong,” Miss Bingley said.