Page 20 of Master of Himself

“A proper hostess would see to her guests’ comfort rather than making snide comments about them while they’re out of the room. Henry may tolerate such conduct under his roof, but I won’t abide it under mine. I trust I’ve made myself clear.” Although Darcy had no qualms about voicing this observation, he doubted Hurst would thank him for it.

“You need not take that tone with me,” Caroline said with an indignant sniff. “Papa never spoke to me that way.”

“If you must gossip like a pair of fishwives, I would beg you to do so privately. Don’t embarrass me in front of Darcy again.”

He stormed out of the room and left the house through the side door. Once outdoors, he paced, cursing himself for losing command of his temper. Hurst would certainly disapprove of his latest outburst, and Charles would never have resorted to such behaviour, but his sisters had put Darcy all out of patience. A cool breeze soothed his ire as he turned towards the stables. Perhaps a short visit with Bart would put him in a better frame of mind.

A familiar voice drew him towards another stall where he found Elizabeth speaking in a soothing tone to a chestnut mare while feeding her apple wedges.

She smiled at his approach. “Jane asked me to check on Ginger,” she said. “The poor girl hates the rain.”

“She seems content now.”

“She’s a gentle soul,” she said, offering another treat.

“Do you ride?” he inquired, thinking she looked perfectly at ease in the stables.

She shook her head. “Jane is the only rider in the family. I prefer to walk.”

Yes, she had made that obvious by trudging three miles through the mud to reach her sister. “If you wish to learn, I can instruct you on the basics,” he said, anticipating a pleasurable outing with her.

“You need not trouble yourself, Mr Bingley.”

“It would give me a chance to make amends,” he said, then quickly added, “for my friend.”

Her carefree air vanished, along with her smile. “No, indeed. I wouldn’t expect that from you, and besides, it would hold no sway with me. Mr Darcy has offered no apologies so I doubt he suffers the smallest remorse for his unkind comments at the assembly,” she said, averting her eyes. “He’s probably forgotten all about it.”

Darcy flinched at her undisguised revulsion of him. Now desperate to secure her pardon and make amends, he resolved to discuss the matter with Charles.

“I should go,” she said, backing away. “Jane will worry if I don’t return with a good report.”

“I’ll see you at supper,” he said, and she rushed off.

As he watched her retreating form, he cursed himself for allowing a single derogatory comment about her to enter his mind or cross his lips. He had done her a grave disservice, and she deserved better treatment from a gentleman of his standing.

***

Charles stared out through the library window, silently berating himself for never correcting his sister’s bad behaviour. Over the years, he had overlooked her snide comments, but she could have no possible excuse for insulting a guest in his home. He could only suppose that he had Darcy to thank for Caroline’s latest misstep. His imperious, thoughtless, and cruel comment about Miss Elizabeth at the assembly must have inspired her to resort to the same poor conduct.

She must suppose that her fortune allowed her the privilege of disregarding common courtesy, but she couldn’t be more mistaken. Unlike Caroline, Miss Elizabeth was a gentleman’s daughter and worthy of every respect. The community may forgive Darcy for his social lapses, but they wouldn’t extend the same allowances to a mill owner’s daughter, regardless of her fortune.

Although Charles had witnessed similar distasteful conduct at the club, he was ever mindful of his roots in trade and strove to extend every common civility to all people in his path. Doing otherwise wouldn’t go unnoticed in the first circles, and his fortune wouldn’t protect him from social ruination. Caroline would do well to follow his example.

Once he had restored his composure, he left the library and observed a footman heading to the sitting parlour with the morning post.

“The post has arrived, sir,” Philip said, offering the tray to Darcy.

Darcy scanned the two letters. “Ah, one for me and one for Darcy,” he said, passing one to Charles. Not wishing to open Darcy’s personal correspondence, Charles slipped it into his pocket, until he could exchange it in private.

“A letter from Miss Darcy, perhaps?” Caroline said with an expectant air.

“I’ll read it later,” Charles said, refusing to play into her schemes. “Shouldn’t you attend to your guests?”

After exchanging meaningful glances with Louisa, Caroline offered an indulgent smile. “I doubt Jane wishes us to hover over her every minute of the day. She or Miss Eliza will ring if they need anything.”

Charles had no desire to spend the morning with his sisters. “Shall we adjourn to the billiard room, Charles?”

Without hesitating, Darcy rose and headed for the door.