Pride Prejudice and Perplexity

A Proposal Postponed

Chapter Nine – A Proposal Postponed

When the Fairfield Gardens party arrived at Grosvenor Square, they were greeted by Georgiana, who was exceedingly anxious, as this was the first dinner party over which she had ever presided.

Mr Bingley went off to the library in search of Mr Darcy, thus allowing Georgiana the opportunity of begging Jane to stay close, and advise her on everything she must do. She confided how shocked she was that her brother should ask her to arrange her first dinner party at such short notice, thus denying her the opportunity of consulting in detail with a more experienced lady, to confirm what were all of her obligations as the hostess.

“Fortunately, it is to be a very small party,” she said. “Apart from yourselves, there are only three other guests; my cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, Captain Radford and Miss Barclay. My brother instructed me to invite them to arrive a half an hour after yourselves – he said it in such a decided tone that I was afraid to ask his reason. Surely that is not the normal procedure?”

Jane and Elizabeth exchanged a glance at this news. “It is unusual,” agreed Jane, “but it is of no great moment; and it will give us the opportunity of discussing everything before your other guests arrive.”

“Perhaps that was my brother's reason?”

Just at that moment, Mr Darcy entered the room together with Bingley and greeted the three ladies. “Miss Bennet,” he said, “there is something I wish to show you in the library, if you would oblige me for a few minutes?”

Jane and Elizabeth exchanged a meaningful glance. Georgiana looked inquisitively from her brother to Elizabeth, perhaps guessing his purpose; while Kitty looked startled, evidently wondering what it might mean, for she had not the least suspicion concerning her sister and Mr Darcy. Only Bingley seemed oblivious to the expectations that had arisen in the minds of the ladies.

“Certainly,” replied Elizabeth, following him to the library.

Once they had gained the library, Mr Darcy turned to face her. They were standing beside a heavy oak table. He placed one hand on the back of a chair, perhaps to stop it from shaking, and took a breath to steady his charged emotions. “I understand, Miss Bennet, that your sister, Catherine, visited your youngest sister yesterday. I am hopeful that you are now mistress of all the information concerning her, of which you have long been desirous.”

“I am, sir.”

“And may I then hope that any doubts that previously you may have entertained with regard to my conduct in your sister's affairs are now laid to rest?”

“You may, sir; and I wish to thank you, on behalf of all of my family, for your unexampled kindness to my poor sister.”

A charming smile spread over his face as he took a step towards her and reached out his hand. But the smile quickly disappeared, and was replaced by an expression of bewilderment, when instead of stepping towards him and taking his proffered hand, Elizabeth suddenly stepped away from him.

“You will easily comprehend, Mr Darcy, that my sister, Jane, and I considered it unwise to allow our younger sister, Catherine, to travel, all alone, to some unknown destination, when we had not the least idea of what she might find.”

“Oh?”

“And that we therefore resolved that I should accompany her.”

“You also travelled to... err... then you also visited your sister, Lydia, yesterday?” asked Mr Darcy, apprehensively.

“I did,” replied Elizabeth. “Was there any reason why I should not?”

“Why no, none at all,” he said guardedly. “I thought perhaps it was the wish of your sister that Catherine should come alone.”

“I am surprised,” replied Elizabeth, “for my sister, Lydia, appeared to believe it was entirely your wish – but then, since probably you never visit the place, one can very easily comprehend how misunderstandings might arise when communication is done by letter.”

Mr Darcy looked awkwardly away, not knowing how to proceed. Eventually he managed to turn his gaze back to Elizabeth, and enquire, “I sincerely hope that you found the house suitable, and your sister comfortably settled there?”

“Oh yes, it is a very lovely house,” observed Elizabeth, “and exceedingly large – for just one young lady.”

Mr Darcy was becoming increasingly perturbed with Elizabeth's every utterance. Finally, he managed, “Yes, it is a rather fine house; and the park, though small, is delightful. I believe the housekeeper does a most creditable job in keeping everything in order.”

“And well she might – with so many servants, and just one young lady to attend to.”

“Err... yes.”

“After the meal, my sister, Lydia, was eager to hear all the news from Hertfordshire, and so while Catherine was engaged in recounting all the recent events to her, I decided to take a stroll; and found my way down to a most delightful river, where I happened to encounter an equally delightful young lady; who was making a painting of it.”

“Oh,” said Mr Darcy, his face turning visibly pale. Unable to hide his expression of alarm, he attempted to deny Elizabeth the opportunity of observing it by turning towards the table, and resting his hands on the back of a chair.

“I shall not trouble you, Mr Darcy, in attempting to describe the young lady to you; because, although I previously suspected it, your present behaviour now convinces me, that you are far more familiar with the young lady than am I.”

Mr Darcy stood silently leaning on the chair, his eyes fixed upon the table as he diligently avoided Elizabeth's penetrating gaze.

“The housekeeper, Mrs Harrison, did a creditable job of hiding the existence of the other young lady – in fact, my sister, Catherine, is entirely unaware that her younger sister has a companion; for Lydia, too, played her part in the concealment – as indeed did the young lady, who divulged not the smallest piece of information concerning herself – so please do not be angry with any of them on account of my uninvited discovery.”

“I see,” said Mr Darcy, shaking his head, unhappily.

After a long silence, Elizabeth said, “It would seem evident that the young lady has likely been living in the house for quite some time – and very probably she was there well before the arrival of my sister. It would not even seem an unreasonable conjecture to suppose that the very reason for the existence of the establishment is to provide her with a home; and that upon discovering that my sister was in want of seclusion, you brought her there also. Do you deny it, sir?”

He continued staring fixedly at the table, looking most sombre and serious, slowly shaking his head – not in denial of her supposition, thought Elizabeth, but rather at the mortification of having been discovered.

“Who is the young lady?” enquired Elizabeth. When he made no reply, she said, “I am no innocent, Mr Darcy; I am well aware of the ways of the world, and all that is deemed acceptable in society; such as the courtesans one observes entertaining their protectors quite openly at the theatre or the opera.”

“But I will warrant,” said Mr Darcy resolutely, finally turning, and facing her, “that you have never observed me in such company.”

“No, I have not. However, there are gentlemen, I believe, who are less brazen; or, perhaps, simply prefer to conduct their affairs in private, rather than in the glare of the pomp and pageantry of the Ton.”

He said nothing, but continued to regard her intently.

“Please excuse me, if I am so ill-mannered as to speak upon subjects which polite society deems it necessary that a young lady not notice; and certainly never give utterance to. She is expected to pretend that a young gentleman is everything that he wishes the world to believe him to be; and that such furtive goings-on, occur in some imaginary world, which is no concern of hers, or in any way part of that which she, herself, inhabits. And if he chooses to continue in such a manner after he marries, his wife is expected to similarly ignore his dalliances with his mistress – and count herself fortunate if he conducts his affairs in private.”

Mr Darcy, whether through embarrassment or guilt, looked away and chose to remain silent.

“I feel myself obliged to make it known to you, Mr Darcy, that regardless of what might be his other merits, I would never contemplate becoming the wife of such a man. Please excuse my presumption, if I therefore ask you once again: who is the young lady that I encountered by the river?”

Mr Darcy continued gazing at the table, shaking his head despairing; thumping the top of the chair in frustration. Finally he looked up and faced Elizabeth; his countenance stormy and severe. “Miss Bennet, it is with the greatest regret, that I must decline to answer your question.”

“I see,” said Elizabeth, making no attempt to conceal her displeasure. “In that case, it would appear that we have reached the end of our conversation. I think I should rejoin the other guests,” she said, turning to leave.

“Miss Bennet!” he exclaimed urgently.

Elizabeth stopped, and turned back to face him.

“Though, doubtless, you shall think what you will on these matters, I make one earnest request of you.”

Elizabeth nodded, as she regarded him critically.

“Do not speak on the matter of the young lady, whom you encountered beside the river, to anyone – most especially, my sister.”

Elizabeth could well imagine the shame he might feel at having his younger sister, who looked up to him in awe, knowing that he kept a mistress. “I regret to tell you, that I have already spoken of the matter with my elder sister; for Jane and I tell each other everything. Though I am certain she will keep the information in confidence, I will explicitly ask her to do so – as shall I.”

“I thank you,” said Mr Darcy gravely.

Elizabeth curtsied, before turning and leaving the library. Her heart was heavy, as she made her way to join the rest of the party. Though she had doubted that Mr Darcy would be able to provide a satisfactory explanation regarding the mystery lady, yet she had desperately hoped that somehow he might; and now all her hopes were dashed. Elizabeth struggled to overcome her disappointment, and to appear herself before the others. When she joined them, the eye of every lady was upon her, including that of Victoria Barclay; for the remaining dinner guests had now arrived. If her quiet reserved demeanour did not answer the question of those who secretly sought it, then the serious and sombre visage of their host, who soon afterwards joined them, was enough to convince them that no happy announcement was imminent.

It was very soon time to enter the dining room; and Elizabeth discovered, to her dismay, that Georgiana had placed her beside the dispirited Mr Darcy. And when he observed that she had placed Captain Radford beside herself, at the other end of the table, he gave her such a dark look, that poor Georgiana trembled. However, her discomposure was of but a short duration, for the Captain's charming conversation on her one side, and the encouraging and affectionate words of her cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, on her other, soon restored her good spirits – although she assiduously avoided looking towards the head of the table – though well she might have, for her brother was entirely lost in his own unhappy thoughts, and seemed hardly aware of what was passing in the company.

Elizabeth was glad to have Victoria Barclay as her other neighbour; for sensing Elizabeth's low state, she engrossed her in conversation, and succeeded in distracting her from the sad reflection that she appeared to have arrived at the bitter end of what had been a long and eventful entanglement, filled with so many hopes and disappointments. Victoria spoke excitedly of her own dinner party, which she would give in a fortnight, and to which they were all invited.

When the ladies withdrew after the meal, Elizabeth observed Mr Darcy delay his sister to whisper something to her; and when she joined them in the drawing room, Georgiana appeared upset and unhappy. Jane and Kitty were engaged in conversation with Victoria Barclay, allowing Elizabeth to take Georgiana aside. “What is the matter, my dear? Your brother, I fear, is out of sorts this evening; I do hope that he was not critical of your management of the dinner; for I thought it all went off rather well.”

“No, it was not that, upon which he spoke. He was unhappy that I seated myself beside Captain Radford. I do not understand his objection to the Captain; he often hints at his disapproval, and is discouraging of our friendship – even though I have attempted to assure him that there is nothing in the least way romantic in it; and that I have not the least wish to marry either the Captain, or any other gentleman – now, or for the foreseeable future.”

“You are yet young to be contemplating marriage,” said Elizabeth, “and I can well understand your brother not being anxious to lose the frequent company of a beloved sister. Yet, as you say, there is nothing in Captain Radford's behaviour to indicate anything more than an enjoyment of your company. He behaves in a similar manner towards myself; and though, for a time, I was uncertain of his intentions, I now understand them to be nothing more than friendship.”

“Exactly!” replied Georgiana. “My brother has just now informed me that I may not attend Miss Barclay's dinner party. I suspect it is on account of Captain Radford, who will, of course, be present; although he gave a different reason.”

“Oh; and what was that?”

“That Admiral Barclay's lady shall be present, and that I am too young to be in her presence. He instructed me to give a suitable excuse to Miss Barclay.”

“How absurd!” exclaimed Elizabeth, indignantly. It was well known that after his wife had died, many years ago, that the Admiral had taken up with a very beautiful French lady, an opera singer of great renown, by the name of Madam Lasalle; whom he had eventually taken under his roof as his de facto wife. “That is a very thin excuse indeed. I am certain that you are correct in supposing that it is on account of a young gentleman who resides in the Admiral's house, rather than an older lady, that he wishes to prevent you going. Say nothing to Miss Barclay for the moment, Georgiana; I shall speak with your brother.”

When the gentlemen rejoined them, Elizabeth had little difficulty in gaining a confidential conversation with Mr Darcy, for he appeared to have the same intention. As soon as they were seated on a small sofa away from the remainder of the company, Elizabeth spoke. “What word, Mr Darcy, would you use to describe a gentleman who keeps his mistress hidden away from the world in the countryside, and yet finds something so offensive about a another, who takes his mistress under his roof and accords her all that is due a wife, that he should wish to prevent his own sister from going into that lady's society?”

Mr Darcy's face went pale. “You have been speaking with my sister, I think?”

Elizabeth smiled. “The word, in case you are at a loss, Mr Darcy, is hypocrite. However, I shall be kind enough to spare you that appellation; since I believe your reason for instructing your sister to decline Miss Barclay's invitation is not on account of a French lady, but rather an English gentleman – in whom, I believe, you commissioned an investigation which revealed nothing in the least bit dishonourable or disreputable – and, in light of which, I find your attitude to that gentleman most difficult to fathom.”

Mr Darcy sighed. “You are justified, Miss Bennet, in exonerating me on the charge of hypocrisy; and therefore I must, I suppose, own to behaving ingenuously in naming Madam Lasalle as my reason for not wishing my sister to attend Miss Barclay's dinner. But please rest assured that I have my reasons for discouraging my sister from being too much in the company of Captain Radford.”

“Surely you must be aware that your sister is painfully shy – most especially with gentlemen – which is hardly surprising given her history. That she evidently finds herself at ease, and is able to converse comfortably with the Captain, is something I would expect you to rejoice in, and wish to encourage. If you have observed anything of a more intimate nature between them, please be explicit; for I have not.”

“It is the very fact of my sister's ease in his company – which is, as you have just now remarked, most unusual – that gives me cause to suspect a preference – on her side, at least.”

“Then you believe Captain Radford to be a fortune hunter?”

“My sister has a substantial fortune, and it is common knowledge that the Captain has none. Although I genuinely appreciate your sincere interest in Miss Darcy, I do not wish to speak further on the subject; other than to say that I would have very strong objections to his marrying her. However, upon consideration, I suppose there is no great harm in my sister attending Miss Barclay's dinner, and so I shall not forbid it; for I have no wish to offend either Miss Barclay, the Admiral, or his lady.”

“Thank you,” said Elizabeth.

“Miss Bennet,” he said purposefully, after a some moments of silent musing, “I have been searching all through the dinner for some way of saying to you, what I wish to say; and of attempting to reassure you that I am not so bad, as perhaps you suspect me to be. Most regrettably, I find myself, once again, in a situation of being unable to provide you with those assurances that you would wish to hear. I beg your indulgence; and that you allow me time to find a way of satisfying your justifiable concerns.”

“I shall try,” said Elizabeth, rewarding him with a smile. She was deeply touched by the depth of his sincerity, and his evident desire to please her; although she could not presently imagine how he might succeed. Did he mean to withdraw his protection from the mysterious young lady, and throw her out of the establishment he had formed for her? Elizabeth was appalled at the thought that she might be the cause of dispossessing the young lady of her home, and throwing her upon the mercy of men who would very likely treat her far less kindly than Mr Darcy. If only she could talk with him on the subject, and truly comprehend the situation – but he had made it very clear that he did not wish it.

The remainder of the evening passed pleasantly enough. Elizabeth took the earliest opportunity to communicate to Georgiana her brother's change of heart regarding her attendance at Victoria Barclay's dinner party; after which her spirits rose and she was persuaded to play a number of pieces on the pianoforte, and later to sing some duets with Captain Radford while Victoria Barclay accompanied them on the pianoforte. Elizabeth noticed that Colonel Fitzwilliam looked a great deal in Miss Barclay's direction; and when later she played a Bach piano sonata with great virtuosity, he sat enthralled.

~~~~~

The following morning provided the earliest opportunity for Jane to question Elizabeth alone; for Kitty had gone shopping, as she was to return to Hertfordshire the following week. Elizabeth recounted everything of her conversation in the library – including Mr Darcy's request that the existence of the young lady, who apparently lived in the house with Lydia, should remain secret.

“Certainly I shall say nothing – not even to Bingley,” Jane reassured her sister. “I must say, Lizzy, that you were very brave, indeed, to speak upon such matters with Mr Darcy. I should have felt too embarrassed to make mention of such subjects, even to my husband – who would never, I am quite certain, contemplate keeping a mistress – or anything of that nature.”

“I am sure you are correct, Jane, and yet I could not have imagined that Mr Darcy would keep a mistress – had I not seen her with my own eyes. And if his desire, these past several months, has been to pay me his addresses, and he has only been waiting until the mystery concerning Lydia was resolved, then his apparent intention of continuing to keep his mistress, disturbs me greatly.”

“The words you spoke to him last night can have left him in no doubt that in such a situation, you would never accept him.”

“Oh yes, he can be in no doubt of that,” replied Elizabeth. “If he truly wishes to marry me, he is well aware that he must first abandon his mistress. But, Jane, I now worry that she will be cast out from her pleasant home, and be at the mercy of other men who may treat her unkindly. She might very well end up in woeful circumstances, similar to those from which Mr Darcy rescued Lydia. I could never forgive myself if I had that on my conscience – whatever am I to do?”

Jane sighed. “It is difficult, indeed, to know what to do. I am perhaps better informed upon that particular subject than you, Lizzy; for it appears to hold some great fascination for my sisters, Caroline and Louisa, who speak of it often; and greatly enjoy gossiping amongst themselves about those ladies who are known as Cyprians. They are, it would seem, very high-class courtesans. Some of them, apparently, have liaisons amongst the highest levels of the nobility, who provide them with very fine establishments where they live most comfortably, and may become exceedingly wealthy.”

“So Mr Darcy's young lady, who is certainly beautiful, if she be also clever and accomplished, may very likely not descend to the same unfortunate level as our poor naïve sister,” reflected Elizabeth.

“Exactly,” said Jane.

~~~~~

Victoria Barclay's dinner party was a far grander affair than Georgiana's; there were above twenty guests, and there would have been three more had Elizabeth not assured Miss Barclay, upon her discreet inquiry, that Mr Bingley would not be offended in the least if his sisters were not on the guest list, and would likely bear their absence with the utmost complaisance – as would she and Jane – and their cousin, Captain Radford.

Although Madam Lasalle presided over the Admiral's house, it was Miss Barclay's dinner party. She had determined the guest list from amongst her own acquaintance, sent out the invitations, and presided over the whole affair.

When they arrived at the Admiral's house, which was very grand indeed, they were introduced to him and to Madam Lasalle, whom Elizabeth guessed must be nearing forty. She was exquisitely dressed, and very beautiful. She appeared to know who everyone was, and told Elizabeth that she had been eager to meet her, having received such glowing reports of her beauty and charm from Captain Radford upon his return from Hertfordshire.

Admiral Barclay greeted them all warmly; he appeared to be a jovial gentleman, and complimented Elizabeth, “I shall allow my daughter to hold dinner parties as often as she pleases if she fills my house with such beauty.” The Admiral welcomed Mr Darcy with pleasure, happily recounting his fond memories of his father, whom he had known well when they were both young men.

More introductions followed, for many in the party were unknown to Elizabeth, including a cousin of Miss Barclay's by the name of Captain Russell, who looked most handsome in his naval uniform. “I saw you, Miss Bennet, at Miss Darcy's ball, a month or two ago,” said the Captain.

“Oh, yes,” replied Elizabeth, “I recall seeing you dance the first set with Miss Bingley; and a later one with Miss Darcy.”

“And I certainly noticed you, madam, but what gentleman did not? Most regrettably, I could find no one who was able to perform an introduction, for I wished to ask for the pleasure of dancing with you.”

“You had only to ask your partner in the first set, sir; for Miss Bingley is the sister of my own sister's husband,” replied Elizabeth.

“Yes, I knew it, for she told me so herself; and yet I gained the impression that she was no great admirer of yours, and would be most disobliged, were I to request her to perform the desired office.”

Elizabeth laughed at his impolite satire, but doubted that his eagerness to dance with her had been nearly so marked as he implied; for there were other acquaintances in common present, such as his cousin, Miss Barclay, to whom he might have applied. Elizabeth suspected that it was simply gallantry, for he appeared to be a gentleman who was most skilled in charming words and flattery; and she very soon afterwards observed him turning his attentions and charm upon Georgiana.

“I see you have met Miss Barclay's cousin, Captain Russell,” said Captain Radford to Elizabeth, with such barely concealed disapprobation as to greatly surprise her; for she had never heard him speak ill of anyone – not even of his disagreeable cousin, Caroline Bingley.

Speaking softly, so that only she might hear him, he said, “Though Miss Barclay's cousin may make himself pleasing to the ladies with his gallantries, and appear to be the most amiable and genteel of men – there are those who hold a far less agreeable opinion of him.”

“Such as yourself?”

“It was my misfortune to serve under him a twelvemonth, when he was a second lieutenant, and I an ensign. It is a tradition in the navy, that once ashore, a sailor does not speak badly of another, no matter how unpleasant and reprehensible was his behaviour at sea. Furthermore, Captain Russell is the son of Victoria's aunt, so I will simply advise you that he is not a man to be trusted.”

When they entered the dining room, Captain Russell was surreptitiously exchanging two of the place cards, earning himself a reproachful look from his cousin, Miss Barclay, who saw what he was about, but was too polite to comment and draw attention to it. Elizabeth found that she was seated between Mr Darcy and Captain Radford, who, to her brother's displeasure, had Georgiana on his other side; and next to her at one of the places where he had exchanged a card, sat Captain Russell, whose object had evidently been to seat himself beside Georgiana. Elizabeth did not fail to observe that Miss Barclay had placed herself beside Colonel Fitzwilliam.

Though Captain Radford ensured that Elizabeth received her share of his conversation, he seemed most eager to engage Georgiana on his other side; purposefully, Elizabeth suspected, to deny Captain Russell any greater opportunity of subjecting her to his considerable charm.

Mr Darcy, on her other side, made a tolerable attempt at polite conversation. “I understand from Bingley that he and your sister leave London soon, on their wedding tour, and that you are to accompany them.”

“Yes, the weather is warm enough now, I think, and we are anxious to savour the delights of the Lakes,” replied Elizabeth.

“I find I have had enough of all that the Ton has to offer, and will very likely return to Pemberley, myself, in the next week or two.”

“Does Miss Darcy accompany you?”

“Yes, of course; I would not think of leaving my sister alone in town – even with a suitable companion. There are those who might take advantage of my absence – and her innocence,” he said, looking meaningfully down the table beyond Elizabeth. “But to which of the two naval captains did he allude?” she wondered.

“By the time you have completed your tour of the Lakes, my sister and I will be well settled at Pemberley; and I have invited Bingley to visit us there, before returning south. You will receive an invitation from my sister, as is proper. I do hope this will not greatly inconvenience you.”

“It will be my pleasure to accept Miss Darcy's invitation,” replied Elizabeth. She might well have added that after experiencing the beauty of nature in the wild, she could think of no more suitable place to experience it under man's intelligent and sensitive dominion; however, she did not wish to compliment his estate so warmly, for she remained displeased with him.

When the ladies withdrew, Georgiana took the opportunity to give Elizabeth the invitation to stay at Pemberley upon their return from the Lakes. “There are so many delightful places in the park and gardens that I am eager to share with you,” said Georgiana, with a shy smile.

It seemed to Elizabeth that there was an expectation in Georgiana's mind that their sharing of the delights of Pemberley might be something more enduring than that which a brief visit might afford. Elizabeth was conscious of Georgiana's unspoken expectation that her brother and she might very soon wed; it was an expectation, she was aware, that was shared by many in their circle of acquaintance, and no doubt much spoken of and anticipated out of her hearing. And, she reflected, were it not her surprising discovery of the mysterious young lady, two weeks earlier, she and Mr Darcy might very well, by this time, be engaged.

Elizabeth was saved from any further embarrassment on account of Georgiana's expectations, by Madam Lasalle, who, approaching them, said to Georgiana, “Miss Darcy, I have heard wonderful reports about the beauty of your voice. I suspect that you are not accustomed to performing alone before a large audience, and so I wondered if, perhaps, before we are joined by the gentlemen, you might favour me with one or two songs.”

The request was made so charmingly, that Georgiana could not deny her; and Victoria Barclay was happy to accompany her on the pianoforte while she sang two French chansons. Madam Lasalle was very warm in her praise, and begged Georgiana, so earnestly, to sing something together with Captain Radford and herself, for the gentlemen had now entered, that she could not refuse. Their performance was exquisite and the audience listened enraptured. Victoria Barclay then played some Mozart with great virtuosity and passion, and then remained at the pianoforte to accompany Madam Lasalle, who performed the principal parts of the heroine from an Italian opera, in what was the musical highlight of the evening.

“She is wonderful, is she not?” said Captain Radford to Elizabeth when her performance was over.

“Oh, yes, indeed. I do not think I have ever heard anything quite so beautiful.”

“Nor I.” said the Captain affectionately. “I was most fortunate in having her teach me to sing.”

“You were fortunate, indeed,” said Elizabeth, “and I imagine that she must be exceedingly pleased with the result.”

The Captain nodded his head at the compliment. “I am sorry, Miss Bennet, to turn the conversation to a less agreeable matter, but I fear I must.”

“Oh?”

“You will recall my comments about Captain Russell before we dined; and perhaps you did not fail to observe him changing the place names to seat himself beside Miss Darcy, whom he was most energetic in flattering and charming all the way through the meal. And, as you can see, he has again seated himself beside her, and presently continues his attentions.”

“Yes, he is most persistent. If you have misgivings about his intentions, Captain, it might be wise if you speak of them with her brother.”

Captain Radford sighed and shook his head. “While we were at our port and cigars, I took Mr Darcy aside and attempted to do just that. I must tell you that I did not receive a very favourable hearing.”

“I am surprised, for Mr Darcy is generally very protective of his sister. Does he have some reason to hold a good opinion of Captain Russell?”

“He barely knows him. No, it is not on account of Captain Russell that he would not hear me – but on account of his attitude to myself, I fear.”

“You believe he does not like you?”

“Not exactly. In Hertfordshire, I found him amiable enough. There was, perhaps, some rivalry, concerning a particular young lady,” he said with a smile. “But that aside, his behaviour towards me was not at all unpleasant, and he showed some interest in my personal history. When we met again in town, it was much the same, until I made the acquaintance of his sister.”

“So you think the alteration in his attitude it is on account of Miss Darcy?”

“Yes.”

“It is perhaps natural,” said Elizabeth, “that he should wish to protect his sister if he believes that your intention is to make her fall in love with you, in order to gain her fortune.”

“Yes, of course, that would be entirely reasonable. But is it not evident that we simply enjoy each other's company, and that there is not the slightest romantic interest on either side?”

“It is my experience, Captain, that it is not always possible to know what is in the heart and mind of another – regardless of appearances. However, in so far as appearances go, I agree that it appears to me to be just as you describe. However, I am better acquainted with you than is Mr Darcy, and so I am likely to be more trusting.”

“Mr Darcy is a rational man; yet in so far as his sister is concerned, his behaviour is anything but rational. He mistakes my good intentions and entirely overlooks the dangerous intentions of another.”

“By whom? Captain Russell? You think he is a fortune hunter?”

“I do.”

“Does he have no wealth?”

“No, none that I know of. But he is worse than a fortune hunter – he is a man without morals, whose word cannot be trusted. Miss Bennet, I know you are Miss Darcy's good friend and that you care a great deal about her. Her brother will not listen to me – he suspects me of acting from self-interest, and therefore discounts my warning.”

“Do you think that I might succeed in prevailing upon him?” asked Elizabeth.

“Perhaps,” replied Captain Radford, “but I would not ask it of you; and in any case, he would probably believe that you had been duped by me, and were simply representing my interests. No, I wish you to warn Miss Darcy, herself, of the danger. Will you do it – for her sake?”

“I will,” said Elizabeth.