by Jennifer Joy
No words could express her gratitude and affection for the girl who would become her sister. So Elizabeth reached over the side of Georgiana’s chair and embraced her. “Thank you,” she whispered as they squeezed each other as tightly as recently reunited friends do.
Georgiana had given her a cherished gift. She had gained another loyal sister — and even better, another friend — and Elizabeth knew they would be happy at Pemberley. How she would delight in observing Georgiana come to know her brother as he truly was.
And it struck her. Why wait? Why not allow Georgiana a deeper glimpse into the softer, more playful side of William?
Sitting back and catching her breath (leaning over cushions and armchairs to embrace is never comfortable), Elizabeth said, “Thank you for explaining Lydia’s plan and your involvement in it. Now, I have some news which might surprise you. I think it best you hear it from William, though.”
She rose and asked Betsy to request that Mr. Darcy please join them in the drawing room when he was ready.
Elizabeth returned to her chair by the fire.
Mrs. Annesley looked at the door, then smoothed her skirts and gripped the sides of her chair as if she would stand.
Holding her hand out, Elizabeth said, “You may stay with us, Mrs. Annesley.”
“If it is a family matter, I do not want to intrude.”
“Have you met Lady Catherine de Bourgh?”
Mrs. Annesley’s face never lost its composure, but her shoulders shivered. “Yes. I have met the great lady,” she said, her voice stiff.
Elizabeth smiled at her. “Then you will certainly wish to hear of the scheme Lord Harvisham developed against her and her nephew’s role in it.”
Georgiana gasped. “William? He despises disguise! I cannot imagine him participating in a scheme against Aunt Catherine.”
“Then prepare to be shocked, Georgiana.”
Chapter 27
Georgiana jumped up to meet him as Darcy entered the drawing room. The news from London had left him stunned, and he did not yet know how to proceed other than pray Bingley’s horses conveyed him home in short time.
Bouncing on her toes, Georgiana exclaimed, “Elizabeth says you have participated in a plot against Aunt Catherine!”
Darcy blinked. He had dreamed of Georgiana and Elizabeth becoming the best of friends so many times, he feared Georgie’s use of his betrothed’s Christian name was a consequence of his wishful imagination.
“Come, Brother, sit beside Elizabeth and tell me how I, too, may help.”
He had not dreamed it! Darcy knew he grinned like a fool, but he was too overjoyed to care. The two females he cared for above all others were now friends.
Following Georgiana’s lead when she pulled on his hand, he sat beside Elizabeth on the settee to which she had moved. Keeping Mrs. Hill’s admonishments in mind, he situated himself at an appropriate distance from Elizabeth. Not so close their knees touched, but not so far to deny himself of her closeness. He rested his hand between them … on the chance their fingers might brush against each other. Surely, Mrs. Hill could have no objection to a happy coincidence such as that.
He soon felt Elizabeth’s fingers beside his. When he looked at her and their eyes met, he saw nothing but happiness and light in her fair countenance and warm gaze. There was no worry creasing her brow nor restraint thinning her plump, upturned lips.
The room fell silent and he noted how the chins of all three women pointed at him, their hands clasped together to hide their impatience as they waited.
Clearing his throat and his thoughts, he began, “I am glad you called me. I have more news to share, but first, I will tell you of Lord Harvisham’s plan.”
After a brief history to explain to Georgiana and Mrs. Annesley who Lord Harvisham was as well as his past with Aunt Catherine — which received several gasps and exclamations from Georgie — he continued, “When I traveled to London, whom should I cross paths with but the earl himself? He was at Lincoln’s Inn conversing with two old judge friends. When he saw me, he called me over and related their plan and their motive for effecting it.” Which reminded him….
“Pardon the aside, but is the mystery of the mistaken identity resolved to our satisfaction?” he asked.
Georgiana giggled nervously. “If Elizabeth agrees, I think it better for her to tell you later.”
“Only if you are present for the telling. I would not do the story justice as you would, and I think you will be surprised with your brother’s reaction,” answered Elizabeth. To him, she said, “Suffice it to say, the matter is settled and all the anxiety we have felt over the past week was for naught. You will laugh at Lydia’s plan, but you will come to appreciate, as I have, how fortunate we are in our sisters.” Elizabeth displayed her pride and affection to his sister openly, and Georgiana responded like a blossoming flower to sunshine.
Darcy felt giddy with relief. He could still trust his sister. And while he would never trust Miss Lydia, he took comfort that her greatest flaw was the benign silliness borne of ignorance. “Then I shall proceed. There is still much I have to relate to you, and I will not keep you from your father’s sickroom longer than necessary,” he said.
With a pat of her fingers on top of his hand, Elizabeth said, “Thank you. I am anxious to return to him.”
“Aunt Catherine,” he began, “as you know, has one fear which Lord Harvisham seeks to exploit in a rather ingenious manner. She fears being the source of idle talk amongst the first circles. Her fear of gossip, if all goes according to plan, will be both her undoing and her salvation.”
Elizabeth chewed on the corner of her mouth, leaning forward in unrestrained interest. Georgiana stared at him wide-eyed and loose-jawed. Mrs. Annesley listened disinterestedly, as a proper lady would (though Darcy knew not one word escaped her notice).
“The news Lord Harvisham pretends to spread is based on a true event. Aunt takes great pleasure in making recommendations as to how others ought to live their lives, going so far as to impose her opinions upon others on a wide variety of subjects from the correct raising of poultry to which servants to employ in which capacities. She has been rather outspoken over the years, insisting she possesses a more superior knowledge of character than most.”
He clasped his hands together and shook his head at the consequences of Aunt’s imposition.
“A lady she had recommended as a governess to one of her neighbors in Kent and who, based on the persistent praise of our aunt, had been welcomed into their home, was arrested for stealing items of value. The family, being of a kindly nature and unwilling to disturb themselves or cause unwarranted problems to Aunt, have kept silent on the connection to Aunt Catherine. However, Lord Harvisham recalled a boastful conversation not long ago where Aunt Catherine mentioned her good deeds toward her neighbors, and she named the governess with pride. When that same name came up in conversation with his friends, the judges, he saw an opportunity.”
“Aunt does not know the governess was arrested?” Georgiana asked.
“Who would tell her? She refuses to read of current events in the newspaper, declaring the contents vulgar and unladylike.” He could practically hear Elizabeth rolling her eyes. One of his many dreams consisted of them drinking coffee and reading the newspaper together in the morning.
Georgiana said, “I know it is not common for ladies to expose themselves to material a gentleman would consider appalling for a lady to read, but I prefer to know the state of the world in which I live. After all, were Napoleon to reach our shores, it would affect the ladies of England just as much as the gentlemen. Should we not prepare ourselves and our minds the same as informed men do?” She received an approving smile from Mrs. Annesley, from whom, Darcy had no doubt, such sound reasoning had originated.
“I am glad you do not share in Aunt Catherine’s views. Her haughty manners and insistence that her opinion is the highest authority has left her exposed. Fortunately, it was Lord Harvisham and not some beau monde harpy who disco
vered the circumstance.”
Georgiana gasped at his relaxed speech. It occurred to him that she had many more surprises regarding his character with which to accustom herself. There were times when he surprised even himself.
Continuing, he said, “The day before I departed from London, Lord Harvisham approached her with the news. The governess she had recommended and insisted the family take in, had been charged as a thief; a common criminal. Her sentence was transportation where she will live the remainder of her days in a penal colony in Australia. He warned Aunt of the consequences to her own reputation should it become known she had been the one to recommend a criminal for a trusted position of service — a conclusion she, no doubt, had drawn without Lord Harvisham’s help.”
“After jilting him as you said she did, he probably took great pleasure in seeing her reaction! I know I would,” said Georgiana, gripping the sides of her chair.
“You will love Lord Harvisham when you finally meet him,” Elizabeth interjected.
“I can hardly wait! I am curious to meet the man who would dare take Aunt Catherine down a peg without being mean about it. The plan is not mean, is it, William? I cannot imagine you would take part in it were it so.”
“No, Georgia. Aunt will be too occupied calling at the homes of the society matrons to ascertain if they have heard her shameful news to cause further difficulties to Anne, who has developed an attachment to Lord Harvisham’s third son. She does not know that no one outside of Lord Harvisham, his two friends, and the occupants of this room know of her misstep. And so it shall remain. Aunt Catherine would never admit to her mistake and give fodder to the gossips. Her secret is as safe as she will keep it.”
Georgiana clapped her hands. “How romantic! The son of the man Aunt Catherine refused. Oh, she would hate that, but I am delighted for Anne! Her life has been miserable, living under Aunt Catherine’s thumb. If anyone is deserving of happiness, it is she.”
Darcy was happy too, but for another reason altogether. To see his shy sister speaking as excitedly as she did to him privately before Elizabeth provided a glimpse of what their life at Pemberley would be together.
“I could not agree more,” said Elizabeth, adding, “Anne’s health is improving under Dr. Hammond’s care and I daresay it shall continue to improve without Lady Catherine’s constant criticisms to weigh down on her.” To Darcy, she added, again resting her hand atop his, “We are indebted to Lord Harvisham for distracting her so effectively. I have had nightmares of her declaring me unfit to marry you at the reading of the banns, bribing the Archbishop to refuse your application for a special license, and purchasing every horse at every inn between here and Gretna Green to keep us from marrying.”
Darcy chortled. “I will admit to the same dreams waking me at night. She will not triumph. I aim to purchase a common license on the morrow so we may marry the moment Bingley returns. Between Lord Harvisham and his judiciary companions to prod Aunt Catherine on, we have some peace.”
Elizabeth grew serious. “Which means we have less time to discover who has attempted to kill Papa. We cannot leave him in danger.”
Darcy turned his palm up and held her hand. How well her fingers fit between his own.
“I had, until today, believed the fault to lie with Mr. Bilford. His hostile character and dishonesty make him appear guilty, although he has yet to speak against Mr. Bennet. However, my suspicions now lie in another direction. The news I received today and the appearance of Inspector Seymour with his vague questions regarding an unnamed gentleman confirm it.”
Elizabeth raised her free hand to her chest. “Mr. Hurst?”
Darcy nodded slowly. “It is why Bingley must return immediately. I pray he does not delay.”
Unlike Aunt Catherine’s consequences, which would only affect her, the results to Bingley would be made much more public. The trade his father and grandfather before him had labored to establish could suffer and Mrs. Bingley, so recently raised to higher circles, would be looked down upon merely because of the unwise action of Bingley’s brother-in-law.
“Mr. Hurst is bankrupt. He is ruined,” he said bluntly.
There were no gasps of astonishment, only shaking heads. He had not been surprised either. At least, not at that bit.
“The reason he and Mrs. Hurst departed so soon from London had nothing to do with Aunt Catherine’s set down to Miss Bingley,” he added.
“What?” gasped Georgiana.
Darcy, having preferred to speak of pleasant subjects (of which Miss Bingley and Aunt Catherine were decidedly not included) in the company of his sister, had not told her of the enmity between the two ladies.
He explained, “Miss Bingley presumed a friendship with Aunt Catherine which did not exist. Unfortunately for Miss Bingley, she attempted to involve herself where she was not welcome and Aunt Catherine let her know in no uncertain terms she would endure no further attempts by Miss Bingley to force an unwanted intimacy. Aunt wrote to the ladies on the committee of Almack’s requesting they refuse Miss Bingley’s application for a voucher as well as any attempt to gain entry through a sponsor. Doors she had worked her entire life to open are forever shut to her … along with her precious social aspirations.”
“That is cruel. Deserved, but cruel,” Georgiana said softly.
Elizabeth asked, “Is that why they do not call every day? Miss Bingley had boasted how she adores Georgiana so much, I had expected them to call more often.”
Darcy shrugged. “It could be. However, I think it has more to do with the Hursts’ situation than anything. You see, they only narrowly escaped the collector, leaving behind the rumor they had gone North to attend to some business affair entrusted to Mr. Hurst by Bingley. It must have proved successful, otherwise the Hursts would be in debtor’s prison by now.”
“How awful! Mr. Bingley knows nothing of this?” Elizabeth asked.
“Bingley would never invite them to hide at Netherfield Park if he was aware of their crimes against several merchants. Without knowing it, he is harboring criminals. But that is not the worst of it.”
Darcy saw Elizabeth’s worry written plainly across her face, and he squeezed her hand in support. Until Bingley returned, there was little else Darcy could do — especially with Mr. Hurst gone to London (or so he was told. Who knew where the gentleman really was?).
“My man was able to discover Mr. Hurst’s plan to not only repay his debts, but become quite wealthy in the process.” He paused, still unable to understand how a man such as Mr. Hurst could think of the bold plan, much less bring it to fruition.
Shaking his head, Darcy continued, “Mr. Hurst recently purchased an armed schooner with black sails.”
Elizabeth fell against the cushions, the fingers covering her mouth hushing her words. “A smuggler’s ship?”
Chapter 28
Elizabeth thought she would burst before Mr. Collins would leave Father’s bedchamber. It was not yet time for Father to take his laudanum tea, and she only had a few minutes until the medicine would dull his senses, making conversation — and comprehension — impossible.
Carefully selecting what she could share in Mr. Collins’ presence, she mentioned the arrival of Inspector Seymour and his warning about a certain gentleman.
Mr. Collins pinched his chin as he pondered this new information. “Could it be Mr. Hurst after all? Far be it from me to judge a gentleman, but he does not seem to be the sort of man to raise his finger against his fellowman.”
Mr. Hurst did not seem to be the sort of gentleman to raise his finger for anything, thought Elizabeth. The more time she had to think about his smuggling schooner, the more she was convinced he had not originated the plan. He had a partner. But whom?
Father shifted his weight and groaned, pretending to listen to Mr. Collins expostulate on the dangers of extricating the straw from a neighbor’s eye when there was a rafter in the counselor’s eye.
Elizabeth shook her head, refocusing her attention on Father’s plight. He was her mor
e immediate concern. And right now, he looked as if he had had his fill of Mr. Collins.
To be truthful, she had too. She missed Mary’s calls, she hated having to peek into a room to see if he was present before entering, his tendency to sermonize on every topic dulled her senses, and his lack of skills with a firearm had caused Father more harm than good. In fact, their household might be safer without Mr. Collins. Surely, William would have no objections if Mr. Collins became convinced his presence was needed elsewhere. He did not offer any level of protection.
“Mr. Collins,” she said, interrupting his speech and bringing him to a stuttering halt. Continuing before he could, she said, “I cannot help but feel guilty at keeping you here at Longbourn when Lady Catherine is in need of your invaluable guidance.”
At the mention of his esteemed patroness’ name, Mr. Collins sat upright and at attention, forgetting his injuries in his distress. “Lady Catherine needs me? My dear cousin Elizabeth, what news do you have? I daresay Mr. Darcy has been too occupied to consult with me directly, and I thank your discernment in bringing the matter to my attention.”
Elizabeth could not look at Father, lest his smile prove contagious. She must be gravely serious.
“I am uncertain of the particulars, but Mr. Darcy did mention that his aunt is in a great deal of distress. The ladies in the first circles can be cruel in their treatment.”
Mr. Collins was appalled. “But her ladyship is above reproach!”
Elizabeth nodded. “She has been so long away from town, who knows what stories were allowed to circulate unchecked? I have no doubt but that Lady Catherine will set everyone right in no time, but the strain must be great and she, no doubt, would appreciate the support of her most loyal friends.”
