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“OH, MERCIFUL HEAVENS! My aging heart cannot bear this level of excitement!” Mr. Bennet declared as he flitted around the drawing room. When a peek from the window revealed the arrival of Bin Li, he could barely contain his joy. “I knew this day would come... I knew it! I never doubted it. I knew one of my boys would attract the young lady's attention.”
Elisander concealed a yawn as he turned a page in his book. His elder brother was sitting beside him, fussing with his golden hair.
“Which one of you was it?” their father breathlessly asked. “I know it must be one of you, because I cannot imagine it was Kier or the silly boys who caught the young lady's eye.”
When their straight-lipped butler entered the drawing room to announce the arrival of Bin Li and Darcy Fitzwilliam, Mr. Bennet dismissed her with an impolite wave of his hand. “Yes, yes... I know already! Send the ladies in. I must confess, however, I am not particularly fond of Miss Fitzwilliam. She seems far too haughty for my liking. Nevertheless, I've heard she's as rich as Croesus, so I will try to withstand her presence.”
A moment later, Miss Li and Captain Fitzwilliam entered the drawing room. When the latter caught his gaze, Elisander quickly averted his eyes. She had been so harsh in her opinion of him, Elisander couldn't bear to make eye contact with her.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Bennet and, uh... the young Misters Bennet,” Miss Li greeted them. “It is lovely to see you all again. I find you in good health and spirits, I hope?”
“Of course, Miss Li!” Mr. Bennet collapsed on the sofa as he answered the young lady's question. “We just saw you! Did you expect my health to suffer in a day?”
“Um... n-not particularly, Mr. Bennet,” Miss Li mumbled, then her obsidian eyes fell to the settee. “Would you mind if I sat?”
“No! Absolutely not! Sit... sit!” Mr. Bennet encouraged her. “And your companion can sit as well. Would you like tea? I would like some tea. Even on a hot summer day, I can never resist the stuff. Should I send for biscuits as well?”
Bin Li's eyelashes fluttered as she listened to the father's rambles. She wanted to speak to Joseph, not the father, but he was dominating the conversation. “Actually, Mr. Bennet, I wanted to ask your son if he would join me for a turn around the garden? I noticed the flora as I arrived, and it looks like a fine place for a stroll.”
Elisander, who had yet to close his book, let his gaze drift back to Captain Fitzwilliam. The lady's downturned mouth and vacant eyes were the definition of disinterest.
“Which son are you asking?” Mr. Bennet asked.
“Both, if they would like to come!” Miss Li exclaimed. “Would either of you care to join me?”
“Yes!” Joseph's answer was so quickly and emphatically given, he looked a bit sheepish about it. “Th-that is to say, I... I would like that very much.”
“And your brother?”
When Miss Li's eyes landed on him, Elisander held back a sigh and closed his book. “I suppose I wouldn't mind a short walk.”
“Good. Let us head to the garden, then... shall we?” As Bin exited, she held the door for both Bennet brothers. Captain Fitzwilliam, who trailed behind, made no attempt to conceal her scowl when they reached the garden. Even roses and nosegays had no effect on her permanently puckered nose.
“How should I address you?” Li asked as they passed a patch of wild poppies. “Referring to you as Mr. Bennet and Mr. Bennet could get a bit confusing.”
It was Joseph who answered the question. Elisander, like the captain, barely uttered a word. They were too busy exchanging secret scowls. “Please, call me Joseph,” the older brother replied. “It might not be entirely proper, as we have only just met, but... if it can save us from confusion, I really don't mind.”
“Very well. When I say Mr. Bennet, I am referring to your brother,” Miss Li decided. “And when I say Joseph, I am referring to you, of course.” Bin Li suddenly plucked a poppy and presented it to the young man at her side. “You look well today... Joseph.” Her smile broadened as her tongue tested his name.
“And you look lovely, as I'm sure you always do.” As he returned a compliment, Joseph blushed beneath his many freckles.
“I mean no offense, but I must confess, I... I don't know which one of you is older!” Miss Li exclaimed.
“I am the older brother. By six years, in fact,” Joseph admitted. “I am six and twenty.”
“Really?” Miss Li gasped at the revelation. “I'm surprised. Your cherubic face made me think you were a bit younger than that.”
“Do you think I'm old, Miss Li?”
“Certainly not! But... I am not quite three and twenty. I hope you don't think I'm too young for you?” It was highly uncommon for ladies to marry older gentlemen, even by a few years.
“I would think no such thing, my lady,” replied Joseph, who couldn't look away from the young lady at his side. Her perfect profile had ensorcelled him.
“And how old are you, Captain Fitzwilliam?” Elisander suddenly spoke up. The captain's nostrils predictably flared at his question. “It might be rude to ask, but you are the only one whose age has not been revealed by this conversation.”
“I am... eight and twenty.”
“So young, and yet so accomplished!” Elisander exclaimed. “You are the captain of your own airship, are you not?”
“Indeed,” the captain replied, though she sounded a bit bored. “It isn't quite as incredible as it sounds. You spend the entire day suffocated by smoke, and the steam engines are so loud, I'm nearly deaf by the day's end.”
“That sounds... unpleasant,” Elisander said.
“It can be. I spend most of my time cowering in my quarters so I don't have to smell the stench or suffer the cacophony.” Captain Fitzwilliam's hands were clasped behind her back as they traversed the cobbled path.
“Isn't it exciting, though... to ride on an airship?” Elisander asked. “I've always wanted to ride on one.”
“The novelty wears off very quickly, I'm afraid,” the captain reported with a sigh. “Still... the fact that humans can now soar through the sky like birds never ceases to amaze me. Humanity has certainly made tremendous strides in the last few years.”
“It certainly has,” Elisander agreed. “And regardless of your opinion of airships, it is still my dream to ride on one, Miss Fitzwilliam.”
“Captain Fitzwilliam,” the lady corrected him. “I prefer it when my proper title is used. Furthermore, you do realize it is ridiculous for you to dream of airships, yes? An airship is no place for a young man of quality. You would be surprised by how vulgar my crewwomen can be. The language they use would be unfit for a lad's ears.”
Elisander could feel himself losing patience with the pompous captain, but he didn't want to ruin his brother's chances with the lovely Bin Li, so he held his tongue, clenched his fists, and kept his unflattering opinions to himself.
Ruining his brother's chances with Miss Li was practically impossible. As they passed the chrysanthemum, the lady quietly professed, “I don't believe I've ever seen a face I like better than yours, Joseph.”
The eldest Bennet failed to suppress his smile. “Oh?”
“Indeed. I could admire your face for eternity, and I know I would never tire of it,” Miss Li said. “I think your freckles are so charming! I don't believe I've ever seen so many!”
“I even have freckles on my arms,” Joseph told her. “But they are, of course, covered by my coat.”
Bin Li's smile turned a bit wicked. “Would it be too scandalous to say I hope to see them one day?”
Her answer made him snicker. “Not at all, my lady. Not at all.”
They were speaking too softly for Captain Fitzwilliam to hear their exchange, but she knew enough to disapprove. They were far too intimate with each other. Clearing her throat, the captain said, “Li, might I have a word with you?”
Li's arm, which was coiled around Joseph's, suddenly fell back to her side. “I suppose.”
As soon as the paramours were disentangled, Darcy snatched the sleeve of her favorite companion and pulled her behind the rosebushes, where the young men wouldn't hear them. “May I speak plainly?” the captain asked.
Darcy Fitzwilliam had such an air of brooding, Li was already expecting a scathing opinion from her. With a heavy heart, she said, “Go on. Say what is on your mind, Darcy. You know I respect your opinion above all others.”
“If that is so, then you must trust me when I say you are being overly attentive!” Captain Fitzwilliam exclaimed. “You're so smitten with that man's face, you're being impetuous! I beg you... take a moment to consider the Bennets' intentions. They're an unremarkable family from the country who swept in like vultures as soon as you arrived! What do you think that means?”
When Bin Li glanced at Joseph, the smile vanished from her lips. “I assume you intend to enlighten me?”
“They are clearly attracted to your status. Do not be blinded by Mr. Bennet's fair face, Li! He is a fortune seeker like any other. I guarantee it.”
Li's lower lip was dangerously close to pouting. “But he seems pleasant enough.”
“Of course he does... because he means to trap you,” Darcy insisted. “I make it a rule to distrust anyone who is not an equal to me in status and in wealth.”
“Per... perhaps you are correct, Captain,” conceded Li, who was trying to ignore the ache in her heart. “From now on, I assure you, I will endeavor to be more careful.”