provided an unusual opportunity, and he’d do all he could to bring fruition to his hopes.
“The second of five sisters,” Mrs. Joseph gasped. “How ever did your mother manage?”
“Mrs. Bennet has a tenacious spirit,” Darcy growled.
Elizabeth laughed ruefully. “My mother,” she explained, “did not consider Mr. Darcy a viable suitor.”
“You jest?” Mr. Joseph asked incredulously.
Darcy mockingly smiled. “It seems that Mrs. Darcy’s cousin Mr. Collins and his rectory on my aunt’s estate tempted my mother in marriage. She sat her sights on the dear clergyman for my wife’s mate.”
“Be fair, Fitzwilliam,” Elizabeth offered a half-hearted reprimand. “My mother thought only of my future. Besides, Mr. Collins shall inherit Longbourn, and Mrs. Bennet wished to preserve the family connection. And even I had no idea of your regard at the time.”
Mrs. Joseph squeezed Elizabeth’s hand in affection. “How did you ever find your way to Mr. Darcy?”
Darcy responded in Elizabeth’s stead. “Thankfully, my wife’s own tenacity won out. She refused her cousin’s plight and gave me an opportunity to win her hand.”
“A true love story,” Mrs. Joseph declared. “Just like in the Minerva Press novels of which Mr. Joseph says I shouldn’t pollute my mind.” She laughed softly. “But I’m of the persuasion that when a man loves a woman he can conceive of no other in her place; and even though men still run the world, it means nothing without that particular woman by his side.”
“That’s my wife,” Joseph chuckled. “The incurable romantic.”
Mr. Manneville bowed to the Bingleys and to Kitty Bennet. “Might I join you?”
“Certainly.” Bingley gestured to a nearby chair. “We’re enjoying some early morning tea. Mrs. Bingley must work up her appetite,” he said with loving amusement. “Would you care for some?”
The man’s nose rose in displeasure. “I would prefer coffee if it’s available.”
Jane Bingley motioned a footman forward. “Allow me to order some, Mr. Manneville. I fear neither Mr. Bingley nor I have developed a taste for the beverage.”
Manneville straightened his jacket as he sat. “What of you, ladies?” He addressed Caroline and Kitty. “Have either of you taken to the so-called bitter taste of coffee?”
Kitty answered immediately. “Although Mr. Darcy’s staff always makes it available, I’ve not had the nerve to sample the brew. It does have a robust aroma though.Very tempting.”
“That it does, Miss Catherine,” Manneville agreed.
Caroline sniffed audibly. “The only way I could tolerate the drink would be to weaken it with plenty of cream and sugar.”
Manneville challenged, “That’s my sentiment when it comes to tea.”
Manneville noticed how Bingley squirmed, indicating his discomfort with the conversation’s tone.
“I hope you found your accommodations adequate, Manneville,” Bingley said.
“My unknown host does himself proud, Mr. Bingley. Of course, a ship’s onboard accommodation is always lacking unless one captains the vessel; yet, my American home has the best, and I’m accustomed to such luxury.”
“Mr. Darcy’s home is one of England’s finest,” Bingley asserted.
However, before the man could finish, Caroline interrupted. “I wouldn’t have thought, Sir, that one might find anything as grand as Pemberley in the Americas.”
“Then you would assume incorrectly, Miss Bingley. I don’t pretend that my own house can rival Mr. Darcy’s, but my simple plantation house does boast twenty chambers and a more than adequate ballroom.”
“Twenty bedchambers?” Kitty gasped.
“Yes, Miss Catherine,” he said proudly. “And of course, I’ve a home in Charleston, overlooking the bay.”
Manneville expected Bingley’s caution. “You’ll find that in British society, Manneville, people do not discuss their wealth or lack thereof.”
Self-mockingly, Manneville chuckled. “I’m well aware of British norms, Mr. Bingley. My father made certain of my education in such matters. However, I don’t plan to tarry in England. I’m in the country to see to family matters and to test the marriage market. And, as far as announcing my wealth in British society, Sir, I’m at a disadvantage. When you or Mr. Darcy or the colonel walks into a room, everyone already knows you and your family history.”
“You mean to seek a wife, Mr. Manneville? A British wife in America?” Jane asked with more than a little curiosity.
“It is my wish, Mrs. Bingley. A British wife would rule South Carolina’s society, and I’m an ambitious man. Such a wife could bring me glory,” Manneville said bluntly.
Bingley sputtered, “You’re… you’re very direct, Sir.”
Manneville’s smile widened. “I suppose that I am. It’s my American upbringing. I simply never saw any reason to hide the obvious. It would give me no advantage.”
“Is having the advantage important, Mr. Manneville?” Caroline asked suspiciously.
“It’s an
“Will you, ladies, be well while Mr. Joseph and I examine the road conditions? We thought we might take a walk in the main road’s direction,” Darcy said as he stood and put on his gloves.
“We’ll finish our tea and then return to the room, Fitzwilliam. Nothing ill shall occur during broad daylight.” Elizabeth stated the obvious.
Darcy squeezed her hand. “We shan’t be long — less than an hour.”
Darcy and Mr. Joseph walked along the rural road, scrutinizing the area carefully. Although some thawing had occurred, the icy conditions remained. “This could refreeze overnight and make travel slower.” Joseph indicated the water accumulating in the ditches lining the road.
Darcy made his own observations. “But the road is graded well. See how it curves down to allow the runoff.There’s little water on the road’s surface. Another day should permit our escape. I imagine the main road has already opened to limited service.”
“It will be a slow go, nevertheless,” Joseph added. “Between the resumed traffic and the storm’s remnants.”
Darcy turned toward the inn. “I suppose we should start back. I wish to speak to Mr. Simpson regarding his assessment of the dangers before discussing our plans with Mrs. Darcy.”
“You seek your wife’s opinion, Mr. Darcy?” Joseph’s eyebrow rose in disbelief.
“As my wife is very astute, I’d be a fool to ignore her fine mind.” Darcy suspected that his marital bliss came not from his seductive prowess but because he treated Elizabeth as his partner rather than as chattel. He was of the mind to believe that she’d never have consented to marry him if he hadn’t admitted that she had taught him about selfishness. He remembered well his confession to Elizabeth:
“I have been a selfish being all my life, in practice, though not in principle. As a child I was taught what was right, but I was not taught to correct my temper. I was given good principles, but left to follow them in pride and conceit. Unfortunately an only son, I was spoiled by my parents, who allowed, encouraged, almost taught me to be selfish and overbearing; to care for none beyond my own family circle; to think meanly of their sense and worth compared with my own. Such I was, from eight to eight and twenty; and such I might still have been but for you, dearest, loveliest Elizabeth! What do I not owe you? You taught me a lesson, hard indeed at first, but more advantageous. By you I was properly humbled. I came to you without a doubt of my reception. You showed me how insufficient were all my pretensions to please a woman worthy of being pleased.”
