The Darcy Cousins by Monica Fairview Page B
Authors: Monica Fairview
Tags: Jane Austen Fan Lit
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existence."
"I am in a position to assure your family that they need never have a moment's anxiety in that respect."
At the other table, Channing nudged Clarissa, who was not his partner, and she responded mischievously by flashing her cards at him, taunting him with a quick view. Georgiana cursed the luck that had seated Clarissa at his side and not her. She stole glances at him from the corner of her eye. Blue eyes shimmered as he tilted 54
THE DARCY COUSINS
his head backwards and laughed. Fawn hair flew back then fell forward again onto his brow. Supple fingers picked out a card and snapped it onto the table.
It was her turn to set down a card. She put one down at random.
Mr Gatley groaned, while Frederick, who was partnered with Caroline, let out a whoop of joy.
"I do not know why you are being so hen-witted tonight, Georgiana, for when we played a rubber two days ago you were far superior. Of course, I have no objection at all, since it means we have won the game."
"You are her cousin, Mr Frederick Darcy, but is it not rather harsh to call a lady hen-witted?"
For the second time since she knew him, Georgiana did not know whether it was worse to be censored by Mr Gatley or to be at the receiving end of his sympathy.
"My cousin is perfectly entitled to call me hen-witted if he wishes," said Georgiana, "particularly when I know it is only in jest. And to prove I have no ill feelings towards him, I suggest we switch partners."
Determined this time to show Mr Gatley that she was not hen-witted, she gave her hand her full concentration. To her delight, she and Frederick took the first game.
"It seems Frederick has all the luck," remarked Mr Gatley.
"I hope he will not call me hen-witted as well," said Caroline.
"I would never be so bold as to call my new sister any such thing," said Frederick gallantly. "Besides, you did not toss away important cards at crucial moments."
"I believe it was a conspiracy between the cousins to make me lose my money," said Mr Gatley.
"You have a suspicious mind, Mr Gatley," retorted Georgiana.
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"Hardly. I can see no other explanation for your carelessness during your round with me, and your sudden recovery during your round with Mr Frederick."
Both Georgiana and Frederick protested.
The game at the other table ended. A small intermission followed, during which Mr Channing approached their table.
"Is my cousin giving you a hard time, Miss Georgiana? I should warn you that he demands perfection in everyone and that you will find him very difficult to please."
Georgiana smiled. "Does he really? Then I shall not try, for I know my character is far from perfect, and I will be sure to fail."
Lady Catherine now called for the players to return, and Mr Channing drifted off.
"I fail to see what is wrong in expecting the best of others," said Mr Gatley.
"There is nothing wrong in expecting the best of others," said Georgiana, warming to the subject, "provided you will allow for people's weaknesses. To demand perfection is a sure way to be disappointed in everybody, for you will be bound to think ill of others."
"It is you, Miss Darcy, who thinks ills of others, since you are so sure that I will be disappointed."
"You are twisting my words," she said, vexed.
"I am sorry if I have made you angry," he said evenly.
"I am perfectly calm," she replied crossly.
A hint of a smile touched his lips.
"Then perhaps you may allow that I have become too involved in the argument and would rather postpone it?"
"You may do so, of course."
"You are displeased. What if I admit quite humbly that you are 56
THE DARCY COUSINS
the victor in this case, and that I need time to recoup my energies in order to defend myself better?"
A quick laugh escaped from Georgiana.
"Mr Gatley," she said, "you use politeness far too skilful y for me to stand a chance. Let us end the discussion, then, with no one a victor.
But I warn you, I mean to raise the issue again some other time."
"I
"I am in a position to assure your family that they need never have a moment's anxiety in that respect."
At the other table, Channing nudged Clarissa, who was not his partner, and she responded mischievously by flashing her cards at him, taunting him with a quick view. Georgiana cursed the luck that had seated Clarissa at his side and not her. She stole glances at him from the corner of her eye. Blue eyes shimmered as he tilted 54
THE DARCY COUSINS
his head backwards and laughed. Fawn hair flew back then fell forward again onto his brow. Supple fingers picked out a card and snapped it onto the table.
It was her turn to set down a card. She put one down at random.
Mr Gatley groaned, while Frederick, who was partnered with Caroline, let out a whoop of joy.
"I do not know why you are being so hen-witted tonight, Georgiana, for when we played a rubber two days ago you were far superior. Of course, I have no objection at all, since it means we have won the game."
"You are her cousin, Mr Frederick Darcy, but is it not rather harsh to call a lady hen-witted?"
For the second time since she knew him, Georgiana did not know whether it was worse to be censored by Mr Gatley or to be at the receiving end of his sympathy.
"My cousin is perfectly entitled to call me hen-witted if he wishes," said Georgiana, "particularly when I know it is only in jest. And to prove I have no ill feelings towards him, I suggest we switch partners."
Determined this time to show Mr Gatley that she was not hen-witted, she gave her hand her full concentration. To her delight, she and Frederick took the first game.
"It seems Frederick has all the luck," remarked Mr Gatley.
"I hope he will not call me hen-witted as well," said Caroline.
"I would never be so bold as to call my new sister any such thing," said Frederick gallantly. "Besides, you did not toss away important cards at crucial moments."
"I believe it was a conspiracy between the cousins to make me lose my money," said Mr Gatley.
"You have a suspicious mind, Mr Gatley," retorted Georgiana.
55
MONICA FAIRVIEW
"Hardly. I can see no other explanation for your carelessness during your round with me, and your sudden recovery during your round with Mr Frederick."
Both Georgiana and Frederick protested.
The game at the other table ended. A small intermission followed, during which Mr Channing approached their table.
"Is my cousin giving you a hard time, Miss Georgiana? I should warn you that he demands perfection in everyone and that you will find him very difficult to please."
Georgiana smiled. "Does he really? Then I shall not try, for I know my character is far from perfect, and I will be sure to fail."
Lady Catherine now called for the players to return, and Mr Channing drifted off.
"I fail to see what is wrong in expecting the best of others," said Mr Gatley.
"There is nothing wrong in expecting the best of others," said Georgiana, warming to the subject, "provided you will allow for people's weaknesses. To demand perfection is a sure way to be disappointed in everybody, for you will be bound to think ill of others."
"It is you, Miss Darcy, who thinks ills of others, since you are so sure that I will be disappointed."
"You are twisting my words," she said, vexed.
"I am sorry if I have made you angry," he said evenly.
"I am perfectly calm," she replied crossly.
A hint of a smile touched his lips.
"Then perhaps you may allow that I have become too involved in the argument and would rather postpone it?"
"You may do so, of course."
"You are displeased. What if I admit quite humbly that you are 56
THE DARCY COUSINS
the victor in this case, and that I need time to recoup my energies in order to defend myself better?"
A quick laugh escaped from Georgiana.
"Mr Gatley," she said, "you use politeness far too skilful y for me to stand a chance. Let us end the discussion, then, with no one a victor.
But I warn you, I mean to raise the issue again some other time."
"I
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