by Jann Rowland
“That must be a matter of much anticipation.”
“It is daunting,” replied Miss Darcy, though in a voice softer. “Though I shall have my brother’s assistance, and my aunt’s, I cannot help but think it is a pleasure I might prefer to avoid.”
Elizabeth nodded, seeing for the first time the shyness in Miss Darcy her sister had hinted at. “Much the same as it is for me, stepping into a society where I have no experience and know no one. If my sister can endure me for another season, perhaps we should face it again next year.”
“I should like that very much,” replied a beaming Miss Darcy.
Before they could speak more, the girl’s brother joined them, greeting them in his sincere but understated way. “I see you have found the Bennet sisters, Georgiana.”
“Yes, Brother,” replied Miss Darcy. “And I have been introduced to Miss Bennet.”
“I can see that,” said Mr. Darcy with a smile. “I suppose I need not ask as to your purpose, for if my sister is anything to go by, all ladies love to shop.”
Elizabeth laughed. “I think you are hard on our sex, Mr. Darcy, for I must declaim all such notions. My mother has often lamented my distaste for what I consider a necessary evil.”
The two Darcys laughed, and Jane added: “But remember, Lizzy, you gave me a good name with respect to shopping. It is only Mama who brings that sentiment out in you.”
“That is true to a certain degree,” replied Elizabeth. “While I agree shopping with you is much more pleasant, you shall not move me from my position. I prefer to do it and get it over with as quickly as possible, to move on to other, more important activities.”
“That begs the question, Miss Bennet,” said Miss Darcy. “What activities do you consider more important?”
“Reading and walking,” replied Jane in Elizabeth’s stead. “She will do both every day if she gets the chance, and together, if the opportunity presents itself.”
They all laughed at Jane’s characterization, Elizabeth laughing the loudest. “Jane knows me well!” Then Elizabeth turned to Miss Darcy. “Are there any activities you find enjoyable, Miss Darcy?”
“That is a simple question to answer,” interjected Mr. Darcy, “for Georgiana loves nothing better than her pianoforte.”
“Ah, of course!” cried Elizabeth. “I should have known, for Miss Bingley has spoken of your skills at length! Should Herr Beethoven be concerned you will show him up?”
Georgiana laughed, though Mr. Darcy appeared a little confused at Elizabeth’s sally. “I do love to play, Miss Bennet, but I am not all that Miss Bingley claims.”
“Do not allow her to demur,” replied Mr. Darcy. “Georgiana plays very well, and she should, for she practices all day long!”
They shared laughter at Mr. Darcy’s jest, though Georgiana swatted at her brother, who remained unrepentant. Elizabeth watched this with interest, for Mr. Darcy, out of a social situation and in company with those with whom he was comfortable, was personable. Nothing was wanting in his behavior.
The thought struck Elizabeth, and she paused to think about it. Mr. Darcy comfortable with the Bennet sisters from Hertfordshire? Yes, it seemed it was so, for his behavior was as different as night from day from the evening of the ball. And Elizabeth decided she wished him to be at ease in her presence, for he had shown her another side of his character, one she found intriguing. And then it became important for Elizabeth to know more of this quiet gentleman.
Their conversation did not last much longer, for it was time for the Bennet sisters to return to the house. Farewelling their new acquaintances, they excused themselves to return to the coach. It was some moments of travel before either sister spoke, for both were considering their meeting with the Darcys. It was Elizabeth who broke the silence.
“I believe, Jane, that I like the Darcys very much.”
“I agree,” replied her sister. “There is something estimable about them. I would like to know them better.”
“So that is Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”
Pulled from his study of the woman as she walked away with her sister, Darcy regarded Georgiana, wondering what she was saying. “You knew of Miss Bennet before making her acquaintance?”
“Mrs. Bingley mentioned something of her,” replied Georgiana. “And more than that, you spoke of her when you returned from Mr. Bingley’s wedding.”
Darcy’s brows drew together into a frown. “I do not recall.”
“And yet you did,” replied his sister, as they turned and made their way back to their carriage. “It was not much—only a few words about how you had met her and how she stayed with you at Mr. Bingley’s wedding breakfast. As you rarely mention a woman in any context—other than Miss Bingley, with exasperation—I took notice.”
Fixing his sister with a steady look, Darcy said: “You did not think I admired her, did you?”
“No,” replied Georgiana with a shrug. “There was not enough time for you to have come to such a determination. But I thought she impressed you, even after so scant an acquaintance.”
“That is true,” said Darcy. “To be so self-possessed at such a tender age was something I noted at once.”
As the carriage stood before them, Georgiana allowed Darcy to hand her in, then taking his seat across from her, he tapped the roof, giving the driver the signal to depart. Comfortably situated, Darcy turned his attention back to his sister.
“Did you like her?”
“Oh, yes,” replied Georgiana. “Before we had said anything, Miss Bennet made a jest which put me at ease. Thereafter I had little difficulty in talking to her, for her manner was inviting; it disarmed my shyness before I knew what was happening.”
That was Darcy’s impression too, for he had much the same experience as his sister. “It seems she has the talent of drawing all Darcys out of our shells, for I experienced the same.”
“Then I hope you will approve of her as a friend.”
Darcy fixed his sister with a light gaze, amused at what he was hearing. “Do you think she will wish to become a friend?”
“I think there are few alive with whom Miss Elizabeth would not wish to be friendly.”
Laughing, Darcy agreed with her. “It seemed to me that she cut a swath through the gentlemen at Davidson’s ball, though the ladies might not have appreciated her so much.”
“You saw her at Davidson’s ball?” asked Georgiana, her eyes filled with the light of interest.
“I did,” said Darcy. Thinking back on that night, he added: “I also danced with her.”
That caught his sister by surprise. “But you never dance with any young lady on so short an acquaintance!”
“And yet I did with her,” replied Darcy. “As we have agreed, she has charmed us both—do you think I could resist her call?” Darcy paused, feeling unaccountably nervous, and chuckled. “I may have done her a disservice, for not only did I dance with her, but I also danced with no other. Miss Bingley, in particular, felt my incivility keenly.”
“No wonder the ladies did not appreciate her,” said Georgiana. “It does not matter to me what other ladies or Miss Bingley think about her. I hope we become better acquainted, for I wish to come to know her better.
“Do you think it would be acceptable to visit the Bingleys?”
“I cannot imagine why it would not be,” said Darcy. “Bingley is my close friend, and she is a guest in his house. You are acquainted with Mrs. Bingley—there can be no impediment, I should think.”
Georgiana nodded, though she pinked a little. “I would not wish to forget about Mrs. Bingley, for she is a lovely woman. But Miss Bennet . . .”
“Is a young woman your age with whom you got on at once,” finished Darcy when his sister trailed off.
“That is exactly it,” said Georgiana, smiling to show Darcy her appreciation. Then her look became a little vulnerable. “I should wish . . . That is, I very much hope that she will be a friend, for I have so few. It is difficult to make new acquaintances when . . .”
“When you do not know if a young lady wishes an acquaintance with you or with Georgiana Darcy, niece of the Earl of Matlock, member of a prominent family.”
“Or sister to Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, one of the most eligible men in society.”
Darcy laughed, drawing his sister into his amusement. “That is all too common, Georgiana. It is unfortunate but true.”
“But Miss Bennet is not that sort.”
“No, I should not think she is. There is something . . . genuine about her, something authentic and good. I cannot imagine Miss Bennet ever crowing to her friends about her acquaintance with the Darcys.”
“Then I shall feel I have all the leave I need to like her as much as I wish. When shall we visit her?”
“Perhaps tomorrow or the day after?”
“I shall look forward to it, Brother.”
Darcy realized he would look forward to it as much as his sister. A part of him wondered if he were not coming to esteem Miss Bennet in a manner far too precipitous for his cautious nature. A larger part, however, could find no reason to hold himself back.
Chapter X
“I see you continue this habit of walking you displayed in Hertfordshire.”
Miss Bingley’s voice, filled with contempt as it usually was, assaulted Elizabeth when she entered the sitting-room, fresh from a walk to Hyde Park, which was only a few minutes’ stroll from Mr. Bingley’s townhouse. As her experiences in London had been brief, her father’s distaste for town resulting in their visits being infrequent, Elizabeth had never visited Hyde Park, as her aunt and uncle did not live close to that famed bit of wilderness in the city. While Elizabeth could not think it compared to the wonders of nature, it was an acceptable substitute until she could return to that which she loved best.
“Did you think I would cease to do something I love so much because I am in London visiting Jane?” asked Elizabeth.
“I expect you would take care for your reputation,” was Miss Bingley’s patronizing reply. It was nothing Elizabeth had not expected. “Perhaps you have not apprehended this, but London is not Hertfordshire. There are dangers in the city which threaten not only your wellbeing but the respectability of this family, considering my brother is responsible for you. In light of those facts, do you not think you should act to curb your wanderlust?”
“Walking in the city is not unheard of, Miss Bingley,” replied Elizabeth, doing her best to tamp down on the hilarity she was feeling at the woman’s expense. “I am reliably informed that many people walk in Hyde Park, among them the highest of society.”
“Yes, but they do so at certain times and with precautions which mitigate the risk.”
“And you think I have taken no such steps?”
Elizabeth would have welcomed the liberty to let out a cathartic laugh and abuse the woman for her stupidity. But the peace must be maintained.
“Though I am from the country, I am not unaware of the dangers. I have visited my uncle and walked in the park near his home, and I know to ensure someone accompanies me when I leave the house to see to my protection.”
“Then you have arranged to have this protection when you go out?” The raised eyebrow with which Miss Bingley regarded her suggested she had not thought Elizabeth sensible enough to have thought of it herself.
“Of course, I have,” said Elizabeth, her temper beginning to fray. “Do you think your brother would have allowed me to go out without that protection, considering the dangers you have so helpfully mentioned?”
“Then it is well that you have taken some thought for the danger.” Miss Bingley paused, tapping her lip in thought, before stating: “Is it wise to tax my brother’s staff? They have enough to do without you making demands on them.”
It was all Elizabeth could do to avoid losing her countenance. Miss Bingley speaking of the comfort of the staff? The woman’s behavior suggested she considered their existence as nothing more than a means of seeing to her every need!
“Caroline,” said Jane, interrupting Elizabeth’s angry retort, “it does not unduly affect the staff if one of them accompanies my sister for an hour while she walks.”
Though she sniffed with disdain, Miss Bingley ceased that line of attack, instead opting for another. “Perhaps you do not understand how these things are done, Miss Eliza, but those who walk in Hyde Park do so at a fashionable hour. Perhaps you should wait until that time and walk with my brother and your sister.” Again she paused, seeming thoughtful, before adding: “Then again, perhaps it is best you do not. It may be best to limit your exposure to society, after all.”
“Miss Bingley,” said Elizabeth, her patience exhausted, “if I cared for such things, I would walk at the fashionable hour, dressed in all my finery, followed by a veritable army of attendants proclaiming my identity to the masses. As I do not, I walk at a time of my choosing and in circumstances which bring me pleasure.
“Furthermore, this practice of walking to see and be seen shows a certain narcissistic vanity of which I wish to have no part. If you choose to indulge in such things, that is your concern; I walk because I enjoy the activity and to exercise. Thus, I would ask that you refrain from subjecting me to your opinion.”
Miss Bingley sniffed with disdain. “I apologize if you feel I have been officious. My advice was kindly meant.”
“And I thank you for it,” replied Elizabeth. “In the future, however, I would hope you trust me to at least be sensible. I do not wish to bring any infamy down on your brother’s head or danger on mine, and I will act accordingly.”
“Very well,” said Miss Bingley. The woman then turned and addressed Jane, announcing her intention to spend the day with her sister, and then swept from the room. When she had departed, Jane turned to Elizabeth.
“That was an amusing bit of restraint on your part.”
Elizabeth was more than a little surprised that Jane had seen something in Miss Bingley’s manner she could not explain away, but she covered it with her reply. “Matters will proceed more smoothly if I maintain my poise and try to affect good relations with Miss Bingley. Thus, I restrain myself when I might wish to respond in kind.”
“Do you prefer to cling to formality, Elizabeth.”
“Yes, because it is safer, for Miss Bingley does not invite warmth. And her continual use of the condescending ‘Miss Eliza’ might provoke me to respond in kind if I did not restrain myself.”
Though Elizabeth thought Jane wished to protest, she could not deny the truth of her words and settled for a sigh instead. As the two ladies were to go to their aunt and uncle’s house that morning for a visit, they exchanged the disagreeable subject for one more palatable. A short time later, the sisters rose to depart.
The Gardiner family did not live in a fashionable neighborhood. Contrary to what some others thought, this was by choice, for Mr. Gardiner found the proximity to his warehouses to be convenient, rendering the less than desirable location acceptable as a result. If he wished it, Mr. Gardiner could afford to move to a more affluent neighborhood.
Though Miss Bingley often waxed poetic concerning a house she had never seen, referring to their residence “in the bosom of Cheapside,” the reality was that Gracechurch Street was near Cheapside. The neighborhood Miss Bingley so gleefully denigrated was pleasant, with houses arranged in neat rows, well-maintained, and if not sprawling edifices like one might find in Mayfair, they were respectable.
Upon entering the Gardiners’ home, the first impression was of the pride and respect of home and family. Mrs. Gardiner had decorated her home with taste, keeping it free of the gaudy ornaments Elizabeth sometimes saw as prominent with those who pretended to be fashionable. There was a certain element of that in the Bingley home, for Miss Bingley had been the mistress for some years, her taste in furnishings reflecting her pretensions toward superiority.
Elizabeth’s aunt and uncle were the best of people, their intelligence pleasing, their attitudes liberal and just, and their manners were above reproach. Aunt Gardiner wa
s the daughter of a parson from Derbyshire, who was himself the third son of a gentleman, while Mr. Gardiner’s relations to the gentry were more distant. Sarah, their eldest child, was a bright, pretty girl of thirteen, and she had two younger brothers and a younger sister. With Kitty also in residence, it made for a large family, one reason Elizabeth had refrained from asking her uncle for shelter.
“How have you enjoyed the season, Lizzy?” asked Aunt Madeline when they sat down to tea. “Kitty has had some interesting stories to tell, including a dance with a wealthy and prominent gentleman at a recent ball.”
“As you might recall,” said Elizabeth, “I made Mr. Darcy’s acquaintance at Jane’s wedding.”
“And the gentleman has a reputation for reticence in company and a disinclination to socialize with anyone other than those whom he considers his friends.”
“We also met them on the street while shopping yesterday,” added Jane.
“That is interesting,” replied Aunt Madeline. “I suppose, however, as Mr. Darcy considers Mr. Bingley to be his great friend, he must stop to speak with the man’s wife.”
“Miss Darcy was also there,” said Elizabeth.
“And how did you find Miss Darcy?”
“Perfectly amiable and nothing like Miss Bingley suggested. Then again, I suspect Miss Bingley must have some ulterior motive for speaking of the lady as if she were a Grecian goddess.”
“Lizzy!” scolded Jane to Kitty and Aunt Madeline’s laughter.
“While I would not risk your displeasure, Jane,” said Aunt Madeline, “I shall say that I am of Lizzy’s opinion in this matter. Miss Bingley is more than a little high in the instep, as I am certain you must agree.”
Jane could have nothing to say to that. Nodding, Aunt Madeline turned back to Elizabeth.
“What you do not know is that I am familiar with Mr. Darcy’s home, though I am not acquainted with the family. Pemberley, Mr. Darcy’s estate, is no more than five miles from Lambton, the little town in which my father was the parson.”
