One Minute More by Jan Ashton

Author:Jan Ashton [Ashton, Jan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Quills & Quartos Publishing
Published: 2020-07-16T22:00:00+00:00

And so it continued the next day, and the next. The gentlemen arrived after breakfast, stayed through tea, and returned for dinner. Jane glowed, and Caroline preened. Elizabeth struggled not to glower.

How dare Mr Darcy lie to her! She had heard their words; he was rightly angry with Caroline, but to extend his fury towards Longbourn? He saw her family as little more than a houseful of hoydens and harpies. If that is what he thought, perhaps that is how she had best present herself.

Except she could not. Mr Darcy’s good opinion still mattered to his friends, and Mr Bingley would listen to the insufferable man’s views on Jane Bennet. He could not alienate the friend whose cousin had been forced into a marriage he did not want but had acquiesced to. Yes, Mr Bingley was in debt to Mr Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam. She looked up from her hands and the handkerchief she had severely abused to find Mr Darcy’s eyes resting on her. Quickly, he looked away.

Watching the hoydens? He was insufferable.

The colonel, with whom Elizabeth had previously enjoyed easy conviviality, now attended Miss Bingley’s conversation, what little there was of it. He praised Mrs Bennet for the table she set, refrained again from fully answering questions on his family by steering conversation to some war story that enthralled and delighted most of the company, and applauded loudly when she or Mary played. But his praise was especially effusive for Miss Bingley’s performances, which he credited with improving the talents of those in her midst. His flattered betrothed was irritated at Elizabeth’s teasing defence of herself and her sister.

“Unlike my sisters and me, Miss Bingley has had the privilege of masters and a fine instrument.” Elizabeth smiled sweetly at her least favourite guest. “How could she not play the most beautiful notes and render the sweetest sounds from our pianoforte, abused as it is by five sisters, two of them silly and only one of them keen to practise?”

The colonel guffawed. “You seek equal acclaim for your struggles and accomplishments, Miss Elizabeth!” He leaned forward, waving a finger in the air. “I speak as an army man when I tell you not every deserving soldier will go home honoured and medalled.”

Miss Bingley appeared pleased by his statement, Mrs Bennet perplexed.

“My girls can dance and sing,” she protested. “Lizzy and Mary have often entertained our parties and assemblies. Our company appreciates their talent.”

“Mary plays too long and plays too many hymns,” Lydia said.

“The illustrious Mr Bach would approve.” The colonel smiled at Mary, who blushed deeply. “You ladies play very well, Miss Bingley plays beautifully, and Darcy’s sister plays exquisitely.”

The mention of his sister seemed to unsettled Mr Darcy, who brought himself to bow his head when attention turned in his direction.

“Georgiana is greatly gifted at the pianoforte,” Caroline exclaimed. “Her real gift is the harp, is it not, Mr Darcy?”

“Er, yes. She applies herself prodigiously to her music.”

Does he love no one? This is the reply he gives about his sister?

“What age is your sister, Mr Darcy?” Lydia looked at him eagerly.

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