Darcy hesitated before adding, “She has permitted me to call upon her when she returns to London.”
Hurst’s brandy glass froze halfway to his lips.
“What! Call on her! Have you taken leave of your senses? Your acquaintance is barely established.”
“I know her character sufficiently to recognise that I must not let such a woman slip away.” Darcy’s voice softened. “She inspires me to better myself.”
“Not initially,” Hurst reminded him.
“The fault was entirely mine. She deserves my respect and admiration, and the fact that I find her beautiful is merely a fortunate addition.”
“Those ‘fine eyes’ are not her only charms, then?”
“Definitely more than fine eyes, and I will thank you to maintain propriety in your observations.”
“My devotion to Louisa remains absolute,” Hurst said, his expression growing tender. “Since we have distanced ourselves from Bingley and Caroline, we are more than content. In fact,” he lowered his voice, “I suspect my wife is with child. She is completely unaware, but I recognise the signs from my mother’s confinement.”
“Then, may I offer cautious congratulations?”
“You may. I speak of it guardedly, knowing how quickly joy can turn to sorrow in such matters.”
Darcy fell silent as he recalled the infants lost between his and Georgiana’s births, and his parent’s quiet grief that followed each time. The creation of life remained perilously uncertain.
“What news of your brother and sister?”
“My brother David does quite well, thank you,” Hurst teased.
Darcy gave him a look of long-suffering.
“You know I do not ask of the Hurst family, but of the Bingleys.”
“I have it on good authority that Charles and Carolinepursued Miss Eldridge to Bath, despite the lady’s evident displeasure. At Lady Dalrymple’s musicalsoiree, she quite pointedly turned away from him. Can you blame her, after his shameful display at the Theatre Royal?” Darcy inclined his head in agreement. “My informant in Bath keeps a watchful eye on their activities. Following Miss Eldridge’s rejection, Charles spends his days haunting the Pump Room and Assembly Rooms like a man possessed, bowing over every gloved hand attached to a substantial dowry. Caroline, as you might expect, undermines his every effort. She surpassed even my expectations of incivility. She made a disparaging remark about a woman’s bosom, and hinted broadly that she was a gentleman’s mistress within earshot of the young lady’s mother, who I understand is married to a Baron of considerable means.”
“Miss Bingley has decided opinions and is not afraid to voice them.”
“It is one thing to have opinions; it is another to have correct opinions. Caroline only sees that which suits the crazy world in which she lives within her mind. There are times I think she is a candidate for Bedlam. Louisa has gleaned from her sister’s letters that their funds are running low, and they plan to retreat to Scarborough and the family seat to stretch their remaining assets. Personally, I think Bath has become uncomfortable and they know their welcome is non-existent.”
“That might be for the best. The society in Scarborough might also be more forgiving of their blunt nature.”
Hurst emitted a heavy sigh.
“They are both so objectionable, I do not think any society will accept them. There are times when I think Bingley should quit England and make his way to the New World. Start afresh.”
“Miss Bingley will not accept that as a solution to theirmonetary problems.”
“I care not. She can rot either in Scarborough or across the ocean. It makes no difference to me; I just want her gone from our lives. Louisa deserves some peace after all the years she has suffered with that termagant.”
Chapter Fourteen
Elizabeth’s spirits lifted whenthe carriage halted before a charming town house. Twenty-three Gracechurch Street, its red brickfaçadewarmed by the late afternoon sun, was as dear to her as Longbourn. After enduring an additional two weeks at Hunsford, where every meal with Mr. Collins had been a fresh exercise in forbearance, she finally made her excuses to Charlotte, claiming the necessity of visiting relations in London prior to joining Jane for their journey to Bedfordshire, though in truth, her sanity demanded the change.
“At last, we arrive,” she remarked to her maid. “Perhaps not too late for tea?”
“I believe we are quite on time, my lady,” Danvers answered with characteristic poise.
As they ascended the steps, the butler opened the heavy oak door, its polished brass knocker gleaming in the sunlight.
“Welcome, Lady Elizabeth,” he said in greeting before stepping aside to allow them entry. “Your aunt and sister await you in the family parlour.”