by Jennifer Joy
Holding out his arm for Georgie to take, Tanner said, "You have a challenge before you, then, Miss Darcy. I am a stubborn man who never backs down from an argument and does not accept change easily.”
“Oh.” Georgiana’s eyes widened, uncertain how to react to Tanner’s forthright and unflattering assessment of his own character.
“Do not let him startle you, Georgie. Tanner is the best of men, though he huffs and puffs like a dragon.”
She turned to Darcy. “But I am not startled in the least. I merely lack practice in making arguments and fear I shall not be very persuasive when I need to be.”
Darcy could not detain his laughter. “You will enjoy Elizabeth’s company then. She is an expert in debates.”
Georgiana showed no eagerness at the mention of Elizabeth. Odd.
Tanner patted Georgiana’s hand, which still rested on his arm. “Would you like to freshen up after your journey before joining us for a simple meal?" He led her to Mrs. Molly, who waited for them at the bottom of the stairs.
Georgiana flashed her big, blue eyes at Tanner. “Will you not address me by my Christian name?”
Tanner resisted better than Darcy would have. “It is for the best I not do so. You will have plenty of opportunity to practice your persuasive skills with me, young lady, if you would convince me to take such a liberty.”
Mrs. Molly led the ladies to the upper floor where Tanner had set up a room for their use until they should depart for Longbourn.
When the door closed behind them, Tanner heaved an exhale and leaned heavily against the banister. “Tis a good thing she will not be staying here, Darcy. If my secret became known in your circles, I could ruin her chances of ever making an advantageous match. I would never forgive myself for it.”
Darcy could not be happier with Georgiana’s reaction to Tanner. She was not quick to trust anyone, being dreadfully timid, but Darcy had attempted to reveal as much of Tanner's character as he could to her in his letters. Evidently, it had worked. However, Darcy now realized he ought to have given equal effort to prepare Tanner for his sister and her companion. The man before him was a ball of raw emotion.
“She holds no ambitions in society. If she captures the heart of an honorable man, I care not if he is our social equal so long as he will love her honestly and enduringly.”
“Do not make this more difficult for me, Darcy, I beg you.” Tanner clutched his shirt over his heart, his face contorted in anguish.
“Make what more difficult? Explain yourself and I will gladly ease your burden.” It grieved Darcy to see his brother pained, but he did not understand it.
Mrs. Annesley appeared at the top of the stairs before Tanner could answer, not that Darcy thought Tanner would speak openly with him anyway. She floated down the stairwell, addressing them. “You have selected our rooms most advantageously. Miss Darcy is pleased with the arrangement and would like her things brought up so she might change from her travel articles into something more suitable.”
“You have no objection to the room?” Tanner blurted in astonishment. Darcy, too, was surprised as only one room had been set aside for their personal use during their brief stop at his inn.
“We shall be very comfortable,” she replied, with no hint of sarcasm in her tone.
“Ah, there it is. You think it cramped,” Tanner insisted.
“I think no such thing. There is ample space for us,” Mrs. Annesley said calmly.
“Then you think it sparsely furnished,” pressed Tanner. It was as if he wished for Mrs. Annesley to find fault with his inn.
“Not at all, Mr. Tanner. It is practical of you to allow room enough for Miss Darcy’s trunks. Too much furniture would only crowd the space and create more work for your maids.”
“And I suppose you find their work deficient?”
Darcy heard Mrs. Annesley draw in breath slowly and steadily before she answered. “Though you may wish it, Mr. Tanner, I find no fault in your establishment. The rooms are impeccably clean, the furnishings in good taste, and I would not change a thing. Your kindness in receiving us, when anyone can discern how difficult it is for you to accept your family as such, is admirable and I thank you, sir. Miss Darcy has missed Mr. Darcy very much and is happy to have the privilege of the constant company of both of her brothers. I have never seen her this content.”
With a nod of finality, she turned away from a red-faced Tanner to Darcy, who was growing increasingly uncomfortable, and said, “Now, I do not understand why Miss Darcy’s belongings are not in her room.”
What had seemed like a brilliant plan minutes ago had lost its sheen. And yet, surely, it was much better for Georgiana to stay at Longbourn. “I have made arrangements for you to stay at Longbourn so Georgiana might have the opportunity of acquainting herself with Miss Elizabeth before we marry.”
Other than a hard swallow, Mrs. Annesley betrayed no criticism of Darcy’s plan.
Clasping her hands together, she forced a smile. “How lovely. Miss Darcy will benefit greatly from the association of strangers.”
Strangers. Georgiana was terrified of strangers. Darcy’s heart fell. How could he have been so foolish?
Tanner jabbed him in the arm. “Do not blame yourself, Darcy. It was I who forced you to seek lodging for Miss Darcy elsewhere.”
Mrs. Annesley said cheerfully, “I am certain both of you were motivated by nothing but interest in your sister. If you felt she would be more comfortable in the company of your betrothed and her family, then you have nothing to regret.”
“Regret?” asked Georgiana from the top of the landing.
Mrs. Annesley turned to her. “Mr. Darcy has given us the most wonderful news. We have been invited to stay as guests at Longbourn so you may establish an acquaintance with the lady who is to become your sister. Is that not thoughtful?” She smiled widely enough for both of them … to no avail.
Panic spread over Georgiana’s face. “I thought I was to stay here with you, William.” She walked slowly down the stairs, stopping beside Mrs. Annesley, who opened her arm to draw Georgiana closer to her side like a mother hen protecting her chick.
“I daresay you shall be so often in your brothers’ company, you will hardly notice the difference. You will have the advantage of the superior association to be had at Longbourn more so than you would with the travelers passing through Meryton, not to mention the more enjoyable ways of passing the time available in a home … unless you had your heart set on games of darts with the coachman?” Mrs. Annesley asked.
That earned a half-hearted smile. A smile which, Darcy could not help but notice, did not reach Georgiana’s eyes.
Chapter 9
"I had not realized how shabby our furniture is," Father said, taking a seat in a chair by the fire. It squeaked and shimmied under his weight, but as with most of their possessions, it held strongly though its appearance was the worse for wear. "It is a miracle we have not fallen to the ground thus far. I hope Miss Darcy is not very plump."
Elizabeth giggled. "You need not concern yourself, Papa. William has described her to me as tall and thin. I shall feel like a miniature beside her."
"So long as Mr. Darcy has no complaints, it hardly signifies, my dear." He rose from the chair, eyeing it in consternation. "I think it is time to replace some of our chairs. I am seeing to the stables — a lot of good that does us when we have only carriage horses — but I now see where I should focus my efforts inside our home."
Elizabeth's throat squeezed around the tears choking her. Unable to speak any louder, she whispered, "Mother would have rejoiced to hear it."
Father smiled tenderly. "It gives me a measure of happiness to know she would approve of my actions now. It makes the regret bearable." He sniffed and straightened. "Of course, she had the most ridiculous taste and would have filled our drawing room with gaudy furniture I would have despised."
His light-hearted comment appeased the melancholy in Elizabeth’s heart. "There is that."
"I know the
haberdashery recently received some furniture. Perhaps I shall go into the village later and have a look."
"Oh, but not today. Miss Darcy is coming." Elizabeth hated the panicky edge in her voice.
"Fear not. I will not leave you and Lydia alone with the young miss."
Mr. Collins joined them, like a fly whom one could wave away for a few brief moments of peace before he found his target again.
"Did you tire of the fine weather, Mr. Collins?" asked Father.
"It was good of you to recommend I take my reading out of doors, Mr. Bennet. You are kind to show such consideration to my health. You ought to join me next time."
Elizabeth bit her tongue. She doubted Father had been motivated out of concern for his cousin’s health more than a need for some space. When Mr. Collins had said he would not leave Father’s side, he had meant it.
Father winked at her, then said in a grave tone to Mr. Collins, "I find my study more suitable for my needs, but I thank you. We all must discover our means of acquiring peace."
It had been rather peaceful in the house with Mr. Collins out of doors.
"And there is nothing superior to God's works of nature to give a man a sense of tranquility. Again, I thank you for your thoughtfulness, Cousin. Such consideration I have only ever experienced to a superlative measure by one other lady of whom I often speak."
He paused and Elizabeth hoped for a fleeting moment he would cut his speech short.
Mr. Collins continued, "Only Lady Catherine de Bourgh, my exalted patroness, has such aristocratic manners which she displays so naturally as to convince me she must have been born possessing the noble qualities of kindness, goodness, and mildness."
If ever there were three words to describe Lady Catherine, those were not them. Stubborn, conceited, and impossible … haughty, unyielding, and assuming…. The list in her mind grew longer as Mr. Collins expounded on the grandeur and excellence of Lady Catherine.
Father went to the window, explaining, “The room has grown heavy with attributions.” Stiffening, he added, "They are here."
Thank goodness! Elizabeth could bite her tongue only so hard, and she was finding it increasingly difficult to hear of the wonders of Lady Catherine when her experience had been drastically different.
Mr. Collins bowed his head and placed his hand over his heart. "The niece of my esteemed patroness. What an honor she has condescended to accept the hospitality of our humble home."
"Our?" asked Mr. Bennet with an arched eyebrow. "You have not inherited Longbourn yet, Mr. Collins. Patience, man, patience."
Mr. Collins' complexion deepened and he bowed lower. "Of course. I apologize profusely. I did not mean to imply I am in possession of Longbourn in any way, but rather that you have made me feel so at home—"
A knock on the door stopped him short, for which Elizabeth was grateful. She had reached the limit of foolishness she allowed herself to endure in one day.
William entered the room with two ladies. The companion swept her eyes over the room — judging it, its contents, and its occupants efficiently but with enough warmth not to set Elizabeth on edge. Miss Darcy looked at William, clasping onto his arm possessively. Her large, blue eyes skimmed over the room, briefly settling on Elizabeth and just as quickly looking away again.
Father invited them to sit, trusting Mrs. Hill to show the servants where to put Miss Darcy's trunk in the bedchamber that used to be Kitty's. It was a cheerful space and conveniently situated between the end of the hall and Mary's vacant room, which would serve well for Mrs. Annesley.
"I hope you had a pleasant trip and the roads were not too muddy," said Father after introductions were performed.
In a voice so soft, Elizabeth had to strain her ears to hear it, Miss Darcy said, "Thank you, Mr. Bennet. We had a pleasant journey and we are pleased to be received so kindly by your household." Her even tone lacked emotion.
What a polite answer. Elizabeth wondered what the young lady really thought of their outdated home and antique furniture. She especially wondered what Miss Darcy thought of her.
Elizabeth's first impression of Miss Darcy was that of a young lady properly formed by society to please the matrons who demanded perfect deportment. She was not so expert as her brother at hiding her expressions, or perhaps Elizabeth's intense study of him gave her an advantage in understanding his sister, but it was clear Miss Darcy hid her reactions. Which meant she was not so pleased to be in their home as she had said.
Mrs. Annesley took her duties seriously, paying more attention to Miss Darcy than to anyone else in the room. She discreetly inspected Mr. Collins, but soon dismissed him. He was not a threat to her miss.
William was too merry. He smiled and exchanged witty remarks with Father, but it was forced. It was as if he believed that if he was jolly enough, he could make everyone else feel at ease. Only, it did not come naturally to him. He was too sincere for his forced happiness to be believable and it confirmed Elizabeth’s suspicion that not all was well more than anything else.
Elizabeth smiled at him and his vain effort to help his sister feel at ease in a house full of strangers — one of whom would marry him and distract his attention away from her.
Lydia, who had been out of doors with Chloe, joined them. The little spaniel trotted to Miss Darcy, sat down in front of her, and raised one of her paws in introduction.
Miss Darcy stifled her pleasure, but she reached down to shake the puppy's hand. "What an adorable little dog," she admitted.
Her approval of Chloe won instant approval from Lydia, who lived for the care of her canine friend. "She likes you," said Lydia, flopping down in the chair nearest Miss Darcy.
Chloe's display of good behavior ran its course. The puppy jumped onto the settee, placing herself between Miss Darcy and Mrs. Annesley, completely ignorant she had not been invited.
Lydia, of course, thought Chloe's action delightful. She praised her and stated she would soon become the best of friends with Miss Darcy — who appeared to have her doubts, but acted infinitely more discreetly than Lydia by not admitting as much.
Elizabeth snapped her fingers and pointed to the ground when she had Chloe's attention. "Down. You may believe yourself a beautiful lady, Chloe, but you must not force intimacy on those whom you would befriend. You must wait for an invitation first."
Chloe hopped down from the settee, allowing the ladies to smooth their rumpled skirts. She wagged her tail happily and watched Miss Darcy with hopeful anticipation for her "invitation."
Mrs. Annesley nodded at Elizabeth. Well, at least one of the ladies approved of her. She should take comfort in that.
"You are such a killjoy, Lizzy. Chloe was only having a bit of fun," pouted Lydia. "If King Charles allowed spaniels into the Houses of Parliament, I hardly think it appropriate for you to forbid her a place on the settee."
Father chuckled. "While it is true King Charles preferred the breed, that decree is merely a legend."
"Have you proof?" challenged Lydia.
Father's eyes squinted in thought. "I would have to write to a colleague about it, but in all of my reading I cannot recall seeing it confirmed in writing."
“Have you seen it denied?” demanded Lydia.
“I cannot say I have.”
"So you do not know for certain?" insisted Lydia.
Elizabeth was about to change the subject when Miss Darcy said shyly, "One of my friends in finishing school had a spaniel. The dog was so well-behaved, she was allowed to attend certain classes with her."
Lydia clapped. "How delightful! That is just the thing. My Chloe must attend a fancy ladies’ school to learn proper deportment."
Chloe was not the only one who stood to benefit from improved manners.
Elizabeth opened her mouth to ask Miss Darcy's opinion of Hertfordshire, when the clattering of horses’ hooves over their gravel drive reached them in the room.
Father brightened. "It would appear we have another caller."
Mrs. Hill, her cheeks rosy an
d her smile wide, stood in the doorway. "Mr. Bennet, Mr. Darcy, if you please, a surprise awaits Miss Darcy in front of the stables."
"A surprise? For me?" asked Miss Darcy, looking at William for an explanation. Only, he appeared as confused as she was.
"Let us see," he said, extending his hand to her.
Father led the way out to the hall, followed by William and Miss Darcy, Mr. Collins and Lydia (who clutched Chloe to her chest and mumbled for her to bite should the clergyman attempt anything untoward), and leaving Elizabeth to fall into step beside Mrs. Annesley.
Visible from the doorway were three horses. One big, black stallion Elizabeth knew to be Mr. Tanner's Brutus, a chestnut mare, and a pretty, bay filly with a white star under her forelock.
They filed out of the house. Mr. Tanner had handed Brutus off to the stable boy, keeping the delicate mares at a safe distance while his stallion snorted and pawed at the ground, trying to impress them. The poor stable boy, unaccustomed to anything larger than their carriage horses, advanced in years (there was more than furniture in need of replacement at Longbourn), struggled to show his mastery over the brute he held with two thin, leather straps.
Miss Darcy turned to William and leapt into his arms. "Oh, William, I ought to have known you would buy me a horse." Releasing her hold, she went over to the filly, instinctively knowing that of the two, the bay was hers. Holding out her hand and rubbing against the soft velvet muzzle, she said, "She is perfect!"
William shook his head, opening his mouth to correct her, but Mr. Tanner spoke before he could. "Your brother is a fine man, Miss Darcy, and an excellent judge of horse flesh." The hard look he gave William clearly communicated to William to keep his mouth shut.
William hated disguise. Elizabeth knew this. He would no sooner take credit for a gift which brought happiness to his sister than admit to a fault he did not have.
William said, "Your brother, Georgiana, does not like to take credit where it is not deserved."
