Page 23 of Master of Himself

“Hmm.” Despite not having read a single word, he turned the page.

Still, she persisted. “Will she remain in town for Christmas or will she go to Pemberley?” she inquired, allowing her skirts to brush his legs as she passed by.

Charles inhaled sharply at her overt gesture. Despite his disgust of her forward behaviour, he remained silent.

“Is it not wonderful that the holiday season is already drawing near?” Louisa inquired.

“Oh my, yes,” Caroline said in the highest spirits. “I do so look forward to the Montgomery’s Christmas ball every year. Will you be attending, Mr Darcy?”

Charles could scarcely believe that she continued to pester him when he had made it abundantly clear that he was otherwise engaged. This, of course, should come as no surprise since she had done exactly the same to Darcy these past few weeks. Accustomed to tuning her out, Charles had paid little heed to her in the past, but now with her encroaching behaviour brought so forcefully to his notice, he couldn’t deny that he had erred. It was no wonder that Darcy faulted him for not taking better control of her.

“How lovely Pemberley must be in the summer.”

Charles wondered if there was some way to make himself invisible. After all, if a fellow could change places with someone else, didn’t it also stand to reason that he could make himself disappear altogether? If he’d been given the choice, he certainly would have chosen that option over being Fitzwilliam Darcy.

But then, hadn’t he wanted to be master of his own estate, just like Darcy? Had he brought this entire fiasco on himself by aspiring to a gentleman’s lifestyle?

Caroline passed by again. “How refreshing it is to take a turn around the room, especially after sitting in one attitude for so long. Will you not join me, Mr Darcy?”

Darcy finally intervened. “You’re quite the chatterbox this evening, Caroline. I’m sure Darcy appreciates your constant interruptions while he’s trying to read.”

Caroline released a beleaguered sigh, abandoned her exercise, and sat down. Unfortunately, her silence was short lived. “Will you play for us, Miss Eliza?”

Miss Elizabeth glanced up from her embroidery. “If you like.”

“Oh yes, you play so delightfully,” she said in a cheerful tone.

Miss Elizabeth sat at the pianoforte and played a piece from memory. With peace finally restored, Charles closed his eyes and relaxed as music filled the room. How satisfying to have a tranquil moment when Caroline was not the centre of attention.

Miss Elizabeth’s playing was not as precise as his sisters’ but still quite pleasing. Of course, since he had no music skills of his own, he could hardly criticise hers. He could well imagine that she must have devoted hours to perfect her skills, as all students of music must do. At one point, she stumbled through a chord, but she persevered.

“We are blessed with such accomplished guests, are we not?” Caroline said with a serene smile.

Although perturbed by his sister’s pretentions, Charles could only blame himself. He knew what Caroline was about when he had asked her to join him at Netherfield and serve as his hostess. He ought to have known that she would embarrass him with her polite disdain.

To make matters worse, he had invited Darcy to stay with them, knowing that Caroline was keen to attract his notice. Naturally, he couldn’t have predicted that Darcy would prefer Miss Elizabeth, or that Caroline would be jealous of her.

How exhausting.

When Miss Elizabeth relinquished the instrument to Caroline and Louisa, Charles sat beside her, hoping to clear the air with her on Darcy’s behalf. He waited until the singing began and spoke in a quiet voice. “Miss Elizabeth, you must allow me to apologise for my intolerable behaviour at the assembly.”

Her face flushed pink, and she averted her focus to the carpet. “There’s no need, Mr Darcy. It’s better forgotten.”

“No, no, my incivility was unconscionable, and I sincerely beg your pardon. I shall not repeat the offence.”

She winced. “Of course. You must think nothing of it.”

He persisted, refusing to allow Darcy to escape accountability for his despicable actions. “I can’t bear to have sunk so low in your esteem.”

She finally met his gaze.

“You are everything lovely. Never doubt it.”

Her eyes held a lingering sorrow. “Thank you, Mr Darcy. I accept your apology, and now we may be comfortable with one another.”

“You’re too kind. I deserve your harshest reproach.”

Pursing her lips, she shook her head. “I’m afraid I must disappoint you, sir.”