Contrary to Darcy’s position in society, his great estate, his exceptional looks, his fine clothes, and his wealth, Elizabeth had never treated him with any preference she did not extend to any other person of her acquaintance. If anything, she treated him with less. She had never fawned over him, deferred to him, or gone out of her way to please him, nor, Miss Bingley thought ruefully, did she have to. Elizabeth had succeeded in catching Darcy’s eye with no exertion on her part, but could it have been her open manner, her compassionate nature, and her witty intelligence that had captivated him? Miss Bingley was forced to concede that may have been the case.

She laughed scornfully over the unfairness of the situation. After all those years of trying to win Darcy with her flattery, elegant manners, and constant attention, Miss Bingley now thought it bitterly ironic that the master of Pemberley had never really wanted to be flattered and catered to, but, rather, treated as a simple man with simple tastes, and on equal terms with others. She could kick herself. So blinded was she by what Darcy had represented in terms of status and riches, it had never even occurred to her that he may have wanted to be appreciated and sought for who he was, not for what he had. She now saw with perfect clarity that Darcy had been drawn to Elizabeth in the first place because she had dared to treat him as no other woman ever had—or would, for that matter—and she had accomplished it all with great impertinence. In the end, Darcy had cared not and, in the meantime, had slowly grown to love her for it.

The final piece fell into place, and Miss Bingley knew the only thing left for her now was to come to terms with the fact that, no matter what she did—or would ever do—Darcy would never, ever choose her over Elizabeth. He loved Elizabeth, that much was now obvious, and Elizabeth returned his love, valued him, esteemed him. Miss Bingley had never been in love with Darcy. She had only been infatuated with what he could offer her as her husband—status, wealth, and the distinction of being mistress of a very great estate.

She breathed deeply and raised her hand to her now aching head. Darcy and Elizabeth would become her family in just two days’ time. Family or not, Miss Bingley knew if she could not conduct herself with civility when addressing Elizabeth, it would only be a matter of time before Darcy would no longer invite her to Pemberley or perhaps even refuse to acknowledge her. She knew it would be far worse than it had been that day in Bond Street, for if Darcy happened to snub her again, there would certainly be no healing such a breach. She would never be welcomed among those of his circle. She would never find herself a wealthy husband. She would never be able to show her face in society again.

Chapter 32

Darcy kissed Elizabeth’s cheek, and her eyes fluttered open. “Your nose is cold!” she admonished with a laugh. “That was hardly a gentlemanly way to wake a lady.”

Darcy smirked and eased his fully dressed body onto her unclothed form as she lay beneath the warm counterpane. He buried his hands in her hair and his face in her neck, causing her to retreat farther under the covers with a small squeal. His guessed his cheeks must be cold as well.

Darcy grinned and murmured in her ear, “I cannot recall you behaving as a lady last night, nor any other night, now that I come to think of it, and I do believe I can also recall several afternoons quite recently where your comportment has been questionable.”

Elizabeth gasped in mock indignation. “Are you saying you disapprove of my behavior, sir? I assure you, I am very much a lady.”

“Disapprove?” he asked as he raised his head. “Certainly not. I have nothing but the utmost approval and respect for everything you do, my alluring wife. I will even go so far as to say it has been many months now I have considered you to be the most accomplished lady of my acquaintance, for a multitude of reasons that I shall be only too happy to enumerate for you.”

With a slow, languorous smile, Elizabeth slipped her arms around his neck and fingered his cravat. “Such flattering words, sir! But I am afraid I must confess to having a very attentive instructor. He has been most diligent, you see, in his duties to the constant improvement of my mind. However, it may be time for another, more thorough, lesson.” Then, quirking her brow, she inquired with an air of seduction, “Do you, Mr. Darcy, happen to know of anyone to whom I might turn for such attentive instruction?”

Darcy grinned as he ran one finger across her full lips. “I believe I happen to know of just such an instructor, and I daresay, madam, he is at your disposal.”

*   *   *

By the time they had bathed, dressed, and made their way downstairs for breakfast, it was quite late, and though Darcy had already been up for several hours—he had met Bingley quite early for a ride across the neighboring fields—Elizabeth could hardly contain her embarrassment at the lateness of the hour, especially when she saw that Georgiana, Miss Bingley, and Mrs. Hurst had already finished their morning meal. They were about to rise when Elizabeth and Darcy joined them at the table.

Everyone exchanged pleasantries, and then silence settled over the table as those who had not yet finished continued to eat. Miss Bingley chose to remain and, so, sat quietly clearing her throat and smoothing her gown. After much pause, she ventured to speak. “I trust you slept well, Mrs. Darcy, and are rested and refreshed after your journey yesterday?” Her addressing Elizabeth in such a civil manner caused the others at the table to turn their heads toward her. Her tone and her expression held no hint of the jealousy and contempt she was well known to harbor toward the mistress of Pemberley. It was remarkably out of character for her to address Elizabeth as anything other than Elizabeth, and it did not go unnoticed by those in attendance, either. Darcy’s eyes narrowed.

Elizabeth stared at Miss Bingley for several seconds before she managed to find her voice. “Yes, I thank you. I slept very well, indeed.”

Miss Bingley offered her a strained smile before she turned her attention to Darcy. “And you, sir? Did you sleep soundly, as well?”

“I did, thank you, Miss Bingley.”

“I am glad to hear it.” She offered Darcy a similar version of the same smile, though decidedly more sincere, before she astonished the group further by addressing Elizabeth once more. “I know there is nothing quite like being in one’s own home, but I do hope you are both comfortable here at Netherfield. I shall trust you to notify me of anything particular you may require, Mrs. Darcy. We have an excellent staff here. You may rest assured they would be more than happy to see to your every need.”

Throughout the entire exchange between Miss Bingley and Elizabeth, Georgiana, Bingley, Darcy, and Mr. and Mrs. Hurst could do nothing but stare in wide-eyed astonishment.

“Thank you again, Miss Bingley,” Elizabeth said in what she sincerely hoped was a calm, pleasant voice. “I am well acquainted with the efficiency of your excellent staff. I am certain, however, such attention on your part is hardly necessary. I would not wish to put you to any trouble.”

Miss Bingley straightened her shoulders and sniffed. “Nonsense,” she said dryly but with civility. “We are to be family, Mrs. Darcy. I assure you, it will be no trouble at all. It would be my pleasure.” She cleared her throat once more and rose from her seat. “If you will excuse me, I must see to several last-minute preparations for tonight’s ball. I would like everything to be perfect for Jane and Charles.”

Mrs. Hurst also rose and followed her sister, leaving behind a table full of incredulous people. It was Mr. Hurst, however, who finally broke the silence. “Who was that woman, and what the deuce did she do with our Caroline?”

Georgiana choked on her tea while Bingley merely shook his head and stammered, “I hardly know.”

*   *   *

Elizabeth and Georgiana ventured to Longbourn after breakfast, leaving the gentlemen to themselves for several hours. Though Elizabeth was excited about the prospect of becoming a mother, she dreaded her own mother’s reaction to her news. She had tried, in vain, to persuade Georgiana to remain at Netherfield, but her sister-in-law would not hear of it. Unfortunately, Mrs. Bennet’s joy, as well as her advice on such an occasion, was not to be underestimated.

“Oh! I knew how it would be!” she cried. “You must take after me, Lizzy, for I was with child in no time at all after my marriage to your father. You have done your duty to your husband very well, indeed. Now, if you can just give him a son, then I am sure Mr. Darcy would not mind in the least if you were to tell him you do not wish to do it again.”

Elizabeth was grateful Georgiana was, at that precise moment, engaged in earnest conversation with Lydia and Mary on the other side of the room, especially after she heard her father add dryly, “I would certainly not count on that, my dear, if I were you.” He then retreated behind his paper with a throat-clearing and did not emerge until the end of the visit. Elizabeth blushed.

Upon their return to Netherfield, Elizabeth and Georgiana were astounded to see Miss Bingley’s earlier civility—though whether forced or sincere, they had yet to determine—had survived the course of several hours. Their hostess made a concerted effort at small talk without insulting or disparaging Elizabeth even once, showing the mistress of Pemberley every courtesy in her power. Georgiana made a point of observing Miss Bingley carefully, and upon noticing her staring at Darcy and Elizabeth with what could only be described as an unfathomable expression upon her face, she became even more bewildered by her behavior. Georgiana could detect nothing malicious or calculating in Miss Bingley’s manner, however, so only exchanged a confused look with her brother.