Page 4 of Stranded at Michaelmas

“Lizzy,” her aunt said, her tone chiding but still amused, as though this were something they had discussed before.

For his part, Darcy could hardly imagine any parent speaking of a child in such a negative fashion. Still, Miss Bennet was laughing as she said it, and he imagined her statement was at least partly hyperbolic rather than a true indication of how her mother regarded her.

“Lizzy is prone to exaggeration at times and takes particular delight in teasing, especially where her mother is concerned,” Mrs Gardiner said, though the amusement in her expression did little to reassure Darcy. “But perhaps not so much as I would like in this particular instance. Mrs Bennet has five daughters, as my niece has said, and can be a little excitable at times.”

Miss Bennet laughed. “You see? Even my aunt admits I am not entirely exaggerating.”

Darcy regarded them with amusement. “Then I shall reserve judgement until I have the pleasure of meeting Mrs Bennet myself.”

Something in the way both ladies looked at him made him wonder whether he had just said something exceptionally foolish. Shaking off such thoughts, he excused himself to speak with the proprietor about their meal. He also discovered that the ladies had only a footman and driver with them and took it upon himself to ensure that arrangements had been made not only for his own servants, but for theirs, and that both carriages and teams were properly cared for.

His attentions were unnecessary, for it seemed Mrs Gardiner was every bit as conscientious as he was himself, but he was nevertheless pleased to offer the small service. In his mind, he justified it as being due to their connexion, however slight that connexion was in truth. Before long, he had concluded his business and rejoined the ladies in their parlour.

“Dinner will be served in an hour,” he said. “I trust you do not mind, but I took the liberty of ensuring that arrangements had been made for my servants as well as yours, and all is as it should be. I would like to think that, were my younger sister stranded at an inn, someone would take similar care to ensure that she and her servants were properly attended to.”

Mrs Gardiner regarded him again with that knowing look of hers, almost as though she suspected that his motivation was something entirely different. Still convinced that she was not mercenary, Darcy decided perhaps he was reading too much into her behaviour and asked if he might remain until the meal arrived.

“Of course, Mr Darcy,” Mrs Gardiner replied. “We should be delighted with your company.”

Soon, they were deeply involved in a conversation about books. Miss Bennet had read widely, and while Mrs Gardiner contributed on occasion, she mostly occupied herself with her sewing while Darcy spoke with Miss Bennet.

Never had an hour passed more swiftly. He found that, in most instances, they agreed, and at times he wondered if Miss Bennet was like so many other ladies who would agree with him regardless of what he said. However, when he changed his opinion of one of Samuel Johnson’s works in the middle of the conversation, she did not hesitate to point out the inconsistency.

When he opined that Rasselas had spent far too much time searching for happiness rather than learning to be content with what he had, Miss Bennet narrowed her eyes at him. “Mr Darcy, I believe you have just argued precisely the opposite of what you said not a quarter of an hour ago.”

He had. Earlier, he had argued that the prince had been right to examine every possible course before coming to a decision, but Darcy had wanted to test her.

“Have I?” he asked innocently.

To his amusement, although he did his best to hide it, Miss Bennet glared at him. “You know very well that you have,” she accused, though there was no heat in her tone, only a hint of annoyance.

“Perhaps I have reconsidered the matter,” he said with what he hoped was nonchalance.

“In fifteen minutes?” She was arching her brow at him now and clearly disbelieved him.

“I am capable of changing my mind, Miss Bennet,” he said with perfect seriousness, though he felt anything but. He was delighted to have met a lady who would question him rather than simply agree with whatever he said.

“How fortunate,” Miss Bennet replied, leaning back in her chair as though she was now in on the joke. “I had begun to suspect you merely wished to discover whether I was listening.”

This last was said in such an impertinent manner that Darcy could no longer hide his amusement. He let out a loud laugh.

“Forgive me, Miss Bennet,” Darcy said when he had stopped laughing and saw the annoyed look on her face, “but I confess that, while I found our conversation engaging, I have become entirely too accustomed to ladies who would agree with me regardless of what I said. We seemed to share many opinions, but I… I suppose I wished to see whether you would notice when I contradicted myself.”

“So I passed this little test that you contrived for me?” she asked, once again raising her expressive brow.

He had only met her that afternoon, but already he was beginning to recognise that particular expression—and to suspect that it usually meant trouble for its target.

Still, he found it impossible to maintain his solemnity. “Indeed you did,” he replied. “Forgive me if I offended you in doing so, but believe me when I say that I have met entirely too many ladies who would not have dared to challenge me as you did.”

For a moment, Miss Bennet did not speak, but only continued to glare at him. Darcy expected Miss Bennet to answer, but Mrs Gardiner spoke instead, directing her comment to her niece.

“Lizzy, you cannot be angry at the gentleman for doing what you have done on many occasions yourself. I have heard you engage with other gentlemen, young and old, only to tangle them up in their own contradictions—or, as you have phrased it, their idiocy—when they pretend to know what they do not.”

“Yes, Aunt, but that is usually men who believe they are more intelligent than I simply because they are men,” Miss Bennet huffed, clearly not ready to be done with the matter.

“I have met many such gentlemen,” Darcy interjected, hoping to soothe her. “But I would never assume a man more intelligent merely because he is a man. And I can say with some certainty that I have rarely found a lady as well read as you, and more than a few gentlemen who could not have argued their point nearly so well.”

Miss Bennet was still not smiling as she had done earlier, but at least she looked less put out.