Caroline did not understand why Mr. Darcy’s cousin would encourage such a match. There was nothing to recommend Miss Elizabeth. She was considered to be a beauty only because she lived in a backwater village and moved in a society of the meanest sort. If she attended the grand balls in London, she would not have merited so much as a passing glance from anyone in polished society. And her clothes! How many times had she seen that yellow frock when they were in Hertfordshire? And her complexion! At least her sister had the good sense to protect her skin from the sun, but apparently Miss Elizabeth thought that being brown complemented “her fine eyes,” when all it did was make her look as if she worked out of doors.

In addition to the more obvious drawbacks to such a match, there was the matter of her inferior birth and lack of connections. The daughter of a gentleman farmer to be the mistress of Pemberley. Impossible! Or did Miss Elizabeth think her association with Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner would provide her with an introduction into London society? Equally ridiculous. The Gardiners could have the finest china and crystal in all of London, but what did it matter if the only people to dine at their London home were shopkeepers and merchants?

Mr. Darcy was completely innocent in all of this and would have been offended if he knew what the two women had got up to. She was sure he would be outraged if he had discovered that his sister had been drawn into their intrigue by appealing to her love of drama, which was so evident at Hulston Hall when Georgiana had gone up into the attic in search of ghosts. Her brother would not have approved of that either, but Anne had found it to be a lark.

“Miss Bingley, I think you and my wife may have something in common,” Mr. Gardiner said after a prolonged silence by his dining partner. “Mrs. Gardiner’s grandfather was born in Edinburgh, and I understand from your brother you too have some Scots blood in you. Have you ever visited Scotland?”

“No, I have not, and it is my intention to keep it that way. My grandfather moved to Durham when he was still a young man, and the Bingley connection to Scotland is so remote, I am surprised my brother mentioned it at all.”

“I know the Scots have a reputation for being a bit rough at the edges,” Mr. Gardiner said with a laugh, “but we all owe a debt of gratitude to some Scotsman. They are men of science and industry and medicine. If London is ever to be lit by gas, it will be because of Mr. William Murdoch. Have you not seen the public lighting at Pall Mall?”

“Of course, I have. But as you say, Mr. Gardiner, the Scots are men of science and industry and are not gentlemen.”

Fearing that his attempt to engage the lady in conversation had only served to annoy her, he thought it best to change the subject. “I understand your oldest brother is to be knighted, Miss Bingley.”

“Yes, I hope this will be the first of many honors for George.”

“May I add my congratulations to your brother being so honored,” Anne said, “but before we leave the topic of Scotsmen, since we are at Pemberley, we might add Robert Adam’s name to the list of sons of Scotland to whom we are indebted, as he designed all the public rooms here in the manor house. Mr. Darcy would know more about that than I do because he had actually met the man when he was a child.”

“Miss de Bourgh, the statement regarding Scotsmen not being gentlemen was not meant to be universally applied,” Caroline said. “There are always exceptions, and I cannot think of one more thing to say about Scotland or its inhabitants.”

Mr. Darcy had heard nothing of their discussion because he had been otherwise engaged in a conversation with Miss Elizabeth and Mrs. Hurst. Without embarrassment, Mrs. Hurst had shared the story of how she had got lost in the maze during her visit to Pemberley the previous summer. “I probably should not tell that story as it makes me look foolish, but I did so enjoy it.”

Instead of being ridiculed for her inability to navigate the maze, Elizabeth complimented her on her desire to find humor in an awkward situation.

“I am glad you think so, Miss Elizabeth. Caroline was quite upset with me, especially when I got lost a second time. But Mr. Darcy assured me that it was a complicated design, and he did not know of anyone who had not got lost at one time or another. It is just one of the many pleasures to be found at Pemberley.”

Darcy smiled at the compliment. Mrs. Hurst’s relaxed attitude and pleasant conversation served to confirm what Darcy had already suspected. Mrs. Hurst was a follower, and unfortunately the leader was her sister, who seemed to find little joy in anything except carving up perceived rivals.

“Miss Elizabeth, Mrs. Hurst has expressed her opinion of Pemberley, but I was wondering if you had any comment to add.”

“I do not think I do, Mr. Darcy. I am ill equipped to describe your own Garden of Eden. I have never been to a manor house that was so happily situated with its incredible views of the Peak and the gardens and the lake. You once said to me that your thoughts are clearest when you are at Pemberley, and I can well believe it. Who could think anything but happy thoughts when in the midst of such beauty?”

“I agree wholeheartedly with that statement, but such beauty should be shared. Would you agree, Miss Elizabeth?”

“Yes, I would agree.”

Darcy smiled at her answer. He took it to mean that she would be receptive to another offer of marriage. Could it be interpreted in any other way?

After the pudding was served, Jackson asked his master if he intended for the gentlemen to withdraw to the study. Darcy decided that leaving the women alone for even a short period of time was not a good idea, and he told Jackson they would all adjourn to the music room and asked that coffee be served immediately.

Caroline was relieved when supper finally ended. Now, they would go into the music room where she would outshine everyone else. There was no doubt she was the most talented musician, and that included Miss Darcy, and her skills would be further enhanced because she would be playing on a pianoforte that was as fine an instrument as she had ever seen. But once she was mistress of Pemberley, she would have the piano moved to the other end of the room to allow for more intimate entertainments.

“Miss Bingley, perhaps you will favor us with a tune?” Mr. Darcy asked almost as soon as they had entered the room.

“Will, if I may make a suggestion?” Georgiana said. “Miss Bingley is such an accomplished musician that if she plays first we shall all pale in comparison. Perhaps, Miss Elizabeth could entertain us with a ballad, and Mrs. Hurst might accompany her.”

Anne and Georgiana had anticipated that Miss Bingley would sit as close to Will as possible and would remain there until forced to move. If she was asked to perform later in the evening, she would have to get up, allowing Will and Elizabeth more time to engage in conversation.

Darcy was convinced his sister’s request had nothing to do with musical proficiency, but he acceded without trying to puzzle it out. After the two ladies had completed their first piece, Caroline made no comment on the performance, but used the break to compliment Mr. Darcy on the design of the music room.

“Your cousin shared with us that Robert Adam was the designer of the public rooms at Pemberley. I cannot think of anyone else who brings such a light touch to his work. It is the perfect design for this room—so peaceful, so serene.”

“Will, you could not hear our conversation, but we were discussing our debt to Scotsmen and Mr. Adam’s name was mentioned,” Georgiana explained.

“Absolutely, we owe them a debt. Watt’s steam engine is being used at a coal mine in the Derwent Valley not twenty miles from here. The man’s a genius. Granted, Scotland can be a rough country. I can speak to that personally as our cousin married into the Hamilton family, and last year Georgie and I went to her wedding near Stirling. That was quite an experience. We ventured out on our own for a few hours, dipping our toe into the Highlands, so to speak, but it was worth it as we were surrounded by incredibly beautiful scenery.”

“Mr. Darcy,” Caroline said, “I mentioned earlier to Mr. Gardiner that my grandfather was born in Scotland. I think it would be a very easy thing to convince me to go there for a visit.”

Georgiana just looked away, but Mr. Gardiner was now completely confused. At supper, he had the distinct impression that when he had mentioned the Bingley connection to Scotland, it was not appreciated by Miss Bingley. He must have been wrong and made no comment. Instead he said, “When I think of Scotland, I think of salmon, Mr. Darcy.”

“I have not forgotten, Mr. Gardiner. I have arranged for Wilkins, the man who is responsible for stocking the ponds, to take you and Mr. Hurst to the finest fishing spot on the property. If you do not catch anything tomorrow with Wilkins as your guide, you will have no one to blame, sir, but yourself.”

“Mr. Darcy, it is my intention to fill my creel to overflowing.”

Mr. Hurst just grunted. He was not sure why he was being included in this fishing adventure as he had not been fishing since leaving Oxford. He must have said something to Darcy at Hulston Hall when he was in his cups.

As soon as Louisa and Elizabeth rejoined the party, Charles kept his promise to Darcy and suggested that everyone visit the Peak the following day on horseback.

“Charles, do not be so tiresome,” Caroline said. “You know I do not ride nor does Louisa.”

“Yes, of course, I know that, but others do. So I was thinking that, for those who do not ride, I shall take them into the District by carriage on well-traveled roads.”

“Just because you race curricles, does not qualify you to drive a carriage,” Caroline said, continuing her protest.

“Good grief, Caroline! Must everything be so complicated? Mercer is an old hand at driving a team of horses, and he will be beside me. You may choose to remain at Pemberley, but I believe Miss de Bourgh, Mrs. Gardiner, and Louisa would like to do this.”

Even though the last thing Darcy wanted was for Miss Bingley to go riding, he still had responsibilities as host, and as such, courtesy demanded he extend the invitation to all of his company.

“Miss Bingley, Mrs. Hurst, before you decide whether or not to venture out with your brother, you should know we have a horse named Sugar, who is as gentle an animal as was ever born. Even the most timid riders are comfortable when seated upon her.”

“Thank you, Mr. Darcy, but neither Louisa nor I have ridden since we were children and…,” Caroline said, fumbling for an excuse.

“May I add, Miss Bingley,” Darcy continued, “that this particular mare was not named Sugar because of her color, but because of her disposition, and since we will be riding a narrow trail, we will be going at a snail’s pace?”

“Sir, I wish I could reward your persistence, but I do not choose to ride.” She had no intention of getting on any horse no matter what color, no matter how sweet her disposition, not even for Mr. Darcy.

Darcy had now fulfilled his duties, and he turned to Miss Elizabeth to make her the same offer after her aunt had declined.

“Since my Aunt Gardiner does not ride, Mr. Darcy, I think it only proper to accept Mr. Bingley’s invitation to ride with him in the carriage. In any event, I am not a very good rider, and I would only delay the party.” Unlike Caroline, Lizzy had no fear of horses. It was just that she had never mastered riding sidesaddle.

“Miss Elizabeth, it would be impossible to delay the party,” Charles insisted. “You will be going clippity clop, clippity clop, and no faster. The trail will not allow it, which is why I shall not be going. I cannot stand riding at that pace. No matter how splendid the views, I have no patience for it.”

Lizzy was about to repeat her decision to remain with her aunt, when she looked at Anne and Georgiana. Their looks said it all. What was she thinking? This was her opportunity to spend some time with Will free of Miss Bingley’s interference. Anne decided that the situation called for a dramatic intervention.

“If Miss Elizabeth does not choose to ride, then I shall be very brave and ride Sugar.”

Now all eyes were on Anne, who had not been on a horse in ten years because of her fear that she would have a coughing fit that would cause her great embarrassment.

Lizzy understood what Anne was doing, and was so moved by her efforts, that she took her hand in hers and said, “Mr. Darcy, I would very much enjoy riding to the Peak tomorrow, and since only one person can ride Sugar, I am afraid I must usurp your position, Miss de Bourgh.”