Her brother nodded his approval of the chosen wine and she relaxed a little except she dared not look directly across the table at Mr. Kent. Instead, she peeked at him, barely able say thank you when he gave her a compliment and when he smiled at her, she had to place her hand on her chest, almost as if to stop her racing heart. She nodded for the meal to commence the moment Darcy squeezed her hand. Kent turned his discussion to Darcy about exhibits currently at the London museum; still, he took care to include her in the conversation. She snuck a peek at her brother who did no more than nod. Kent made her smile at a little joke about the city air while his greatest success came when he asked about music. She sat upright and became fearless when describing her favorite composers.
“Hayden sounds like Bach to me. Not to mention Vivaldi, Mozart, and Pachelbel, although I admit I do like his Canon in D.” Kent sighed. “I cannot tell the difference in their music.”
“No, surely you can tell the dissimilarity.” Georgiana’s face lightened as she offered Kent her biggest smile.
“Have pity on me; I must be tone deaf. I admit, I do like a good melody.”
Georgiana giggled. Her brother stared at her.
With his hand on his heart, Kent leaned in to Miss Darcy. “I request you enlighten me each time you play. Otherwise, I will surely name the wrong composer. Only you can save me from myself.”
Georgiana agreed by nodding her head. Without looking up she said, “Tonight I have chosen Johann Sebastian Bach. There was also a Johann Christian Bach, his son, although his work is not of the same quality.”
“Thank you, Miss Darcy. I shall flourish under your tutelage.”
Georgiana moved to the music room while the men remained for the customary brandies. After the briefest of time, the two men joined her. Kent turned the pages as she played.
“You play magnificently, Miss Darcy. I have never heard anyone play so well.” He smiled. “I wish my sister Sarah had learned. She is your age and I am most fond of her. I… miss her.”
Georgiana watched the young man whose expression had change from joy to sadness. She touched his arm. He attempted a smile, although the previous gaiety was gone. The moment she completed the performance, he took his leave. He had told her he wanted to hurry home and send his sister a letter suggesting she come to London. Georgiana’s heart jumped when he asked if he could introduce her. She chose not to warn him, however. Her brother would object. Instead, she nodded and when his eye light up, she smiled.
***
The next day, Georgiana took charge of her first large dinner—all the men in her brother’s alliance would be attending. Mrs. Geoffries lead her through the process, and she was able to accomplish a dinner worthy of Darcy House. Her brother had suggested serving a mutton dish for Bingley, and he vowing it was his friend’s favorite. He recommended she serve this every time he would be joining them.
That night, her brother again voiced his admiration and quietly pronounced her proficiency as a hostess. The men enjoyed the meal and her choices of wines with the food. Georgiana avoided the lively conversation. Kent tried to include her, unsuccessfully. She was content to watch the as the others ate, talk, and teased.
By listening, she learned much about the men. Being shy did not make her an unobservant person, the opposite, in fact. She discerned Mr. Bingley and Lord Blake were less animated than the other men were. She was not acquainted with the marquess to know if this was his manner. Mr. Bingley’s quietness surprised her. He had always been so friendly. Although, he did grin when the footman served his mutton; and she was aghast when her brother laughed at his reaction.
“You said Pemberley, Darcy. You would serve mutton at Pemberley. This is London.”
“I still cannot putt. When you have taught me to putt successfully, I will serve you beef.”
The men raised their voices at Darcy’s jest; Kent leaned towards Georgiana, revealing to her the threat her brother made during the golf game.
“I cannot believe you would do such a thing, Fitzwilliam. Mr. Bingley, this is the last time you will be served mutton, I assure you. I will not be misled again by my mischievous brother!” She cared not at the blush rising on Darcy’s face. He finally laughed along with everyone else, promising there would be no more mutton, for a while.
After a time, Georgiana sensed there was a prohibition against discussing certain subjects. Whenever one man recalled certain ladies they met during their trip to Hertfordshire, another would cough and the subject was quickly changed. Lord Blake grew even more restrained at those times.
She did not merely observe the guests throughout the meal. Mr. Kent, having chosen to sit near her, regaled her with his own stories. Now relaxed, she engaged in conversation with him. Once, her brother looked at her sharply when she laughed a little too loudly. Kent had shared a story of one of his sister’s pranks.
“Yes, Miss Darcy, Sarah did put a live adder in my bed, but that was not the most horrible part.” Kent waited until his young friend pleaded with her to continue. “She put mice in the bed as well. You know snakes eat mice? There was quite a battle raging when I retired that night!”
“Tell me about your sister, Mr. Kent. Is she very young?”
“Sarah is a few years older than you, and she is most mischievous. We both have mischievous siblings! Now, she does not fear anything, which explains how she could handle snakes and mice. It is just the two of us since our parents died.”
“Oh, that is the same for Fitzwilliam and me. We share that in common, too, Mr. Kent. I believe she has wonderful older brother too. Where does she reside?”
“She has lived with my uncle and aunt since she was six. That was when our parents died in a carriage accident. My sister will not leave my aunt. They are more like mother and daughter. They even look similar. One day, I hope she will join me in my home and act as my hostess, much the same as Miss Bingley does for her brother, and you do for yours.” Kent gazed over Georgiana’s shoulder at nothing in particular. Sighing, he sipped his wine quietly. “For the moment, Sarah is contented to be where she is.”
Georgiana, experienced at wishful thoughts, allowed Mr. Kent a moment of contemplation. She turned to the other guests and discovered they too were speaking of family.
“Tomorrow I will be shackled to Wolverley House. I have received a command to attend dinner.” Rawlings swallowed his wine, and then, inclining his head to the hostess, added, “Now, I would, of course, prefer to dine here, with such a lovely young lady to grace the table.” Glancing around, he announced with gusto, “Even the men at this table are more entertaining.”
“Will your brother attend as well?” Darcy asked.
“He is our father’s shadow. Where the earl goes, Thomas follows. Now he, being such a sycophant, did help me though.”
“How so?”
“I was free to roam about unimpeded.” Rawlings paused and then laughed heartily. “My youth was educational.”
Georgiana caught sight of her brother sending Rawlings a cautioning look directed at her.
“Ahem,” Kent said. “Cambridge was an education for us all. I miss those days.” Turning to Georgiana, he asked, “Do you attend a seminary?”
“No. I have had a governess and masters, Mr. Kent,” she answered timidly.
“Well, I do not miss Cambridge. I prefer a world beyond the books,” Bingley said quietly. For the first time, his grin appeared. “Unlike you, I look forward to tomorrow. I will dine with my Uncle Watt.”
“I did not know he lived in town, Bingley?” Darcy asked.
“He does not, he lives in Birmingham. He has come to town to speak to the Royal Society, or perhaps it is to listen to a speech. I do not recall exactly.”
Blake spoke up. “Tomorrow I also dine at my father’s house and I do not look forward to yet another boring dinner. Nonetheless, I am looking forward to dining next week with my uncle, Lord Harrowby. I shall press him about the—
Darcy coughed and glanced around at the footmen. Blake tipped his
head. Conversations returned to the more mundane matters normally found at such a dinner. The men even gossiped a little about common acquaintances. The talk turned to business once Darcy sent the footmen from the room and Georgiana had left for the music room, except her curiosity kept her lingering near the door. She fiddled with the flower bouquet wondering what had been left unsaid. Her brother had changed.
“You said you would be dining with Lord Harrowby,” Rawlings asked. “Do you think the opportunity will present itself to bring up the gun orders?”
Georgiana caught her breath. Guns? What is this about guns? She pulled a rose from the vase and then returned it to the exact place.
Blake nodded. “Most assuredly. I specifically explained the need to my uncle. He has invited the crème de la crème of politics. He then turned to Kent. “You did not mention your family. Are you planning to see them soon?”
“Yes, indeed, it is no different for me,” Kent said. “My aunt has arranged a large dinner, which includes everyone in the family involved with the import and export trade business. Of the greatest interest to us, next week I will be dining with an old family friend—Mr. Samuel Galton. If anyone knows anything about distribution logistics for the guns, it would be him.”
“Will he be a competitor, Kent?” Rawlings asked.
“No, he is involved more in the slave trade. His guns are inferior. We are not going into that venture, so there will not be any problems.”
“Well, Bingley and I will precede with the steam engine pursuits. There are many factories and mines that are not powered by steam engines.” Darcy explained they would also spend time discovering more about the improvements and new uses. Kent offered to help, since his late uncle Boulton had been a partner of Bingley’s uncle Watt. Boulton had been responsible for the successful selling of the steam engine.
Georgiana gasped. Steam engines, guns! She grew more curious and moved closer to the slight opening of the door. She held her breath.
Bingley nodded agreement with commitments Darcy made for him.
Rawlings gazed at Darcy. “And you? You did not say earlier if you have plans to spend time with your relatives.
“Tomorrow I intend to visit with my uncle, the Earl of Cheswick.
Georgiana smiled. Wonderful. Tomorrow I will visit with Victoria and ask for her opinion. She hurried to the music room when she heard the chairs pushing back from the table.
Chapter Four
The bright sun was unusual for a wintry morning in London, where gray skies blanketed the city most days. Before dressing, it was Darcy's usual habit to drink his coffee and read the London Times. He was fortunate that day; the sunlight streamed through the window behind his comfortable chair, making the fine print easier to read. Considering all the papers published, the Times had the most subjects crammed on its four pages. Articles were brief and to the point, limited to the most useful information. And since it rarely provided society news, he considered it superior.
This morning, he quickly scanned the paper, identifying several interesting items.
The Scientific Institution on Princes Street, Cavendish Square, will host its annual lecture Tuesday at eight on the Mechanical Arts by Mr. E Lydiatt. He might reveal something worthwhile to the alliance. Bingley mentioned this man; I will suggest he attend.
The next scheduled meeting for the Directors of the National Society for Education of the Poor throughout England and Wales is Tuesday next at twelve noon at St. Martin’s Library. I must tell Mr. Rogers to place this on my calendar.
Darcy read the next article: the rumor of an embargo in the American ports was revived again yesterday. We notice it to say it rests on no foundation. He scoffed. When they make promises like this, it is not true. I shall ask Blake to look into this.
Two important publishing announcements caught his eye. Lord Coke announced the publishing of his second, third, and fourth part of the Institutes of the Laws of England Dealing with High Treason. He read the full article. He supposed he must spend an afternoon reading these laws. He decided to stop in Lincoln’s Inn on Portugal Street to purchase the volumes along with the 'Digest of the Statue Law covering shipping and navigation' by John Reeves, Esq. This work discusses the plantation trade and the commerce with Asia, Africa, and America.
Finally, one last item caught his eye; 'The Kiss' by Stephen Clark, Esq., a five-act play he had seen at the Lyceum, was now available for purchase at the theater. This will amuse Georgiana. I am sorry she was not well enough to attend with me last summer. I shall obtain a copy and surprise her.
Not finding anything else noteworthy, Darcy finished his coffee and rang for his valet. His uncle had requested he meet with him today, although he had not mentioned the reason.
His journey to his uncle’s house was swift since the traffic on the road was light. He sighed while he recalled Georgiana storming from the breakfast table. He had denied her request to go with him today. No, he shook his head. She was not yet fully grown. She acted as a child would have behaved when denied something. And then, when he gave in and rushed to the music room to tell her, she insisted she needed to practice. Her bottom lip stuck out further with each note she pounded on the pianoforte. Humph. She is still a child.
Although, the night before she did not pout or sulk when he announced he would not be leaving for Pemberley this winter, business responsibilities kept him in town. She had always before made a fuss when he did not spend time with her. This time she argued against going—he needed her in town to act as hostess. She reasoned with a mature argument. But after he agreed she demanded to purchase gowns reflecting her new status. Did she plan the whole scene just to finagle a new wardrobe? She, as are all women, is a mystery. Perhaps she is becoming adept at the female manner of persuasion. His little sister was growing up. He debated this until he reached Cheswick house.
Darcy entered his uncle’s home, removed his coat and hat, and headed to the breakfast room where the family was gathered. His uncle and eldest son Brandon were arguing about politics, Lady Cheswick and Brandon’s wife were avoiding each other, while Richmond was reading the latest society news in The Morning Post and did not look up until his mother cried out—
“William. You are here.” Lady Cheswick smiled. “Come, sit down with us.”
Darcy found a seat near his aunt and next to “Richmond, Where is Victoria?”
“She is not feeling well, and will not be joining us this morning. In fact, she rarely joins us anymore.” He shrugged. “She will not even attend any at home receptions.”
Darcy was well aware that Victoria was two and twenty, and still unmarried. She needed to marry soon to avoid the whispers of her approaching spinsterhood. She could not meet any prospects without spending time at social events or the theater. Refusing to accept any at home reception invites indicated the depth of her unhappiness. Unlike balls, soirees, and parties, where guests remained for the evening eating, conversing and being entertained with music or cards, at home receptions required nothing more than milling your way through a crush of people at the host’s home before heading to the next one until the wee hours of the morning. The entire effort took no more than fifteen minutes, thereby presenting oneself as available. Many grand homes held their receptions on the same evening, when the full moon allowed the most illumination for roaming the London streets, causing the invitees to scurry from one home to another. Hence, a brief attendance.
“She believes her heart to be broken,” his eldest cousin said without emotion. “Your rake of a friend was responsible, Darcy.”
“My friends are not rakes, Brandy.”
Richmond snicker at Darcy’s jest and lowered the paper to observe his brother’s reaction.
“Do not call me that. You know I hate being called by my childhood name.” Lord Brandon said. He banged his fork down.
“Exactly which one of my friends are you calling a rake?” Darcy asked, using his deeper voice and his face scrunched into a scrowl.
Brandon glared at his co
usin. “Lord Blake, of course. He is a seducer of women. I do not think he ever met an unmarried lady that was not to his liking.” He relaxed his stare and allowed the corner of his mouth to rise. “Of course, I never minded watching his flirting as he was most entertaining.”
A World of Expectations_Book 2_The Confrontation Page 4
