Page 44 of Cousin Elizabeth
“Colonel Fitzwilliam! Welcome to Netherfield! We are honored to have you here!”
Richard had left London at dawn. He was cold, and stiff, and hungry. Bingley had entirely ignored Ratcliff, even though he had met his batman several times. He tried to ignore that they were both tradesmen’s sons, and treated John like a lowly servant. Technically, a batman was a servant, but they were so much more, and John was his friend. “Yes, nice to be here Bingley, thank you for invitingus.It was quite a cold ride, so might you show Ratcliff and I to our rooms? Are we too late for breakfast?”
“Um…Nichols can show your batman to his quarters. I will show you to your room.”
“I believe I wrote that I prefer Ratcliff to be in an adjoining room. Did Miss Bingley ignore my request?”
Caroline heard the last as she entered the vestibule. “Of course not, Colonel! I gave you a suite with an adjoining sitting room. Let me take you up now. There will be fresh breakfast items on the sideboard after you have freshened yourselves. Welcome Seargent Ratcliff. It is good to see you again.”
Bingley was fuming but plastered on his most obsequious smile. “Ah! I should have known Caroline had everything in hand. See you at breakfast!”
John Smith justhappenedto be walking down the hallway when Richard was being shown his room. “Ah, Smith! Do come in and catch me up while I wash the road dust off.”
John did exactly that.
“I never did like that puppy! Thought he was a bootlicker from the very first, but Darcy could never see it. Can you tell who he plans to compromise? Miss Bingley seems different.”
“Beth took Miss Bingley in hand the first week. Bingley has been cozying up to both Miss Darcy and Beth the past few days. At least he stopped flirting with Miss Bennet.”
“Theo was hit by cupid’s arrow in Ramsgate. It’s a good thing Bingley left the field for that one. I will ask you honestly, John, is Miss Bennet a fortune hunter or social climber? Does she prefer my brother over Bingley for that?”
“Miss Bennet appears to be as enamored with your brother as he is with her. No one else exists once they catch each other’s eyes. I know the feeling.”
“Ah! So, cupid has found you also? Is there something in the water here? Love potions in the wine?”
“Not that I know of. I was as surprised as anyone. You will meet my betrothed at the ball.”
“Engaged?! Not just courting? You move fast, my friend. It seems I will be the one keeping my eye out. Has my cousin fallen also?”
“Ha! Maybe there is something in the water! He is courting Miss Elizabeth Bennet…not officially…but everyone knows.”
Richard was stunned. He had never known his cousin to even flirt with a woman. “Thank you for warning me. I suppose I am not surprised. She is pretty and witty. Any other shocking tidbits before we go down? I’m famished.”
“Not really. Your ward has continued her close friendship with the younger Bennet girls. The Hursts have been keeping to themselves. Mrs. Russell and Mr. Bennet are engaged also.”
“I noticed they eyed each other a great deal in the short time I was in Ramsgate. At least that does not surprise me. I’m glad Gigi has friends. I had hoped it was not just a summer friendship. She needs girls she can trust.”
Ratcliff had finished unpacking their things, and all three men were ready to go down for a family meal.
Chapter Thirty-six
“No, sprite. I cannot agree to you attending the ball. You are not out, and the younger Miss Bennets will not attend. You will be out in two years. That is soon enough.”
Gigi looked pleadingly at her brother who had been uncertain. Bingley had made a good argument that his own sisters were allowed to attend dances with the family at Miss Darcy’s age, and they danced only with close family and friends. It had made their come outs easier. “I will bend to Richard’s opinion. He has a younger sister too, and as your co-guardian, he has the right to overrule me once in a while.”
Lizzy and Jane, who had come for tea, nodded approvingly. “I know! Why do you not spend the night at Longbourn like you did the night of the assembly! Mrs. Greaves can play dance music; you girls can dress up this time and have a ball of your own! We can have cook make you all a special dinner and have cakes! You can come early and help us dress, and you girls can do each other’s hair. It will be quite fun!” Lizzy smiled enthusiastically and winked at William so Gigi could not see.
“Now that sounds like a wonderful idea!” Richard boomed and noticed the fake smile on Bingley’s face.
Charles was trying very hard to maintain his cheery façade. If Miss Georgiana would not be at the ball, that left him with the elder Miss Darcy. She was less refined of the two, but more beautiful he supposed. Generally, he preferred blondes, but she would do. “I had intended to ask Miss Georgiana to dance the supper dance, but might you reserve that dance for me Miss Darcy?”
“You have already reserved the opening set with me Mr. Bingley. Did you wish to switch dances? Maybe you should open the ball with your hostess.”
‘Damn.’ He thought to himself. ‘It would have been best if she had agreed to two sets.’ “Capitol idea! I should have thought of that myself! Caroline, if your first set still unspoken for?”
“It is. Thank you brother. I will be happy to open the ball with you.” Caroline sighed in relief. She did not know what Charles had planned, but there was something in his eyes she did not like.
Charles tried not to grimace but look as vapid and jovial as always. Once he was married, he would slowly let the pretense go. Being firmly tied to the Darcy family would raise his whole family up. Maybe they could find Caro an earl! A baron at least. He’d buy anestate and stick his wife on it. Get a couple of children on her and leave her in the country while he continued his life in town. Miss Darcy was raised in the wilds of America. Surely, she could run an estate. He could finally get himself a mistress and stop visiting the brothels. His feigned smile grew into a real one as he thought about how his life would be.
