Georgiana smiled at his words, no doubt relieved that her soon to be sister-in-law was not the hoyden Miss Bingley had made her out to be. Her smile soon turned into a frown. “But why would Miss Bingley--”
Fitzwilliam cut her off. “I am afraid that Miss Bingley is not happy that we are engaged, Georgiana. She was not overly fond of Miss Elizabeth before the engagement, and I am ashamed to say that I did little to discourage her. Since then she has demonstrated on a few occasions to me that she believes Miss Elizabeth to be at the source of the rumours.”
“Why did you not discourage her from such talk?” Georgiana was confused.
“I did not behave as I ought.” Fitzwilliam admitted. “And I felt some concern over feeling an attraction to someone of low connections and fortune. Miss Bingley understood this, and teased me for it. Except now it has gone beyond teasing.”
“But why should she not trust your judgement?” Georgiana wished to know. “I had noticed that you enjoyed Miss Elizabeth’s company before, as she was the only lady you have ever written about to me. So, despite the circumstances, why should Miss Bingley care, when the two of you are happy?”
Fitzwilliam leant forward and took his sister’s hand into his own, brushing a kiss across her knuckles. He looked to her, his smile, as such he could muster, now wan. “It is a difficult situation, Georgie.” he murmured, his use of her childhood nickname slipping out.
“How can it be difficult, William? You are the best brother in the world, and I know that you will make a wonderful husband...”
Fitzwilliam struggled for words to explain. “Miss Elizabeth and I did not have the best introduction, Georgie. I had not been in the kindest of moods, and it showed. The people in Meryton thought me proud.”
“Proud?” Georgian repeated, her brow furrowed. “You are not proud, you are---”
Fitzwilliam lifted a hand to silence her.
“I was proud, Dear Sister. I was not willing to interact with many of the populace, and I am afraid that I behaved quite rudely.”
“Not with Miss Elizabeth.” Georgiana insisted.
“Not as much.” Fitzwilliam admitted softly. “I had been unaware of her true feelings for me. I believed that she had some regard for me, and that she would agree to all of my decisions in regards to our marriage.
Georgiana did not know what to say, as she could not comprehend anyone who was kind and good as disliking her brother. “What do you mean, Fitzwilliam?”
“I do not wish to involve you in my personal affairs, Georgiana. You are a young woman, yes, but there are some things that you will not understand until you are older. This is one of them. Suffice it to say that I have made some mistakes in how I have treated Miss Elizabeth, and made assumptions when I should have asked her opinion. I have come here, because I want to bring you to London to meet her, before the wedding is to take place at her family Parrish.”
Still confused, as she could never imagine her brother as anything but kind and caring, Georgiana nodded carefully in agreement.
“What is she like?” she asked, wanting to know something about the woman who had caused her brother to admit such a thing.
Fitzwilliam smiled. “She is strong.” he stated, his mind going back to their last encounter, when she had declared that she would not tolerate his bullish behaviour. “Very pretty, with vibrant, intelligent eyes, and a ready wit. She is also very determined. When she visited her sister at Netherfield, she walked three miles through backwoods mud to do so.”
Georgiana smiled in pleasure at his description.“Is she a great walker?" at Darcy's nod, she offered, “Perhaps we shall be able to go walking together. I do not mind it.” she stated quietly.
“She also has four sisters. One is elder, and the other four are younger. I believe her youngest sister is about your age.” Fitzwilliam finished.
“I had always wished for a sister, when I was younger.” Georgiana confessed, shyly.
“Perhaps one of Miss Elizabeth’s sisters will become your friend.” Fitzwilliam prodded carefully, slowly realizing that his previous declaration that Miss Elizabeth, as his wife would not be allowed to receive any of her sisters, would harm his sister. She was lonely, but even more, she wished for female company. Miss Elizabeth would be his wife, but she would also be an authority figure, not an equal. “Her next youngest sister, Miss Mary, also enjoys playing the pianoforte.”
“I hope she likes me.” Georgiana said, her hands twisting together again.
Fitzwilliam stood, reaching out for his sister’s hand as he did.
“You will not be alone in Hertfordshire, Georgiana.” he soothed gently. “I will be there, the Colonel shall be there, and Aunt Addie shall be there.”
Georgiana hugged him again, her face buried in his chest. “Thank you, Fitzwilliam!”
Fitzwilliam stayed there, relaxed in his sister’s embrace, her love.
Everything that he had failed to give his betrothed. Instead of care and security, he had offered her nothing but instability and mistrust. He had believed them to be of the same mind, both eager to escape Hertfordshire and all those connected with it.
He had believed them both to be above their company, that they both felt the sting of embarrassment as they walked into a room. Her embarrassment at their engagement had been the result of not wishing to appear as vulgar and ill-mannered as the rest.
But no.
Her embarrassment had come from thinking the very worst of him, and now he had reinforced her prejudices against him.
He could only imagine how she felt now. How she would have felt, had he insisted that she go to his aunt’s home, and instructed a servant from his townhouse to bring her, without her sisters or relations. He would change, had changed, and could only hope to God that it was not too late.
Chapter Fifteen
Elizabeth fidgeted by the window helplessly, as she attempted to study the comings and goes of Gracechurch Street casually. Her aunt, Jane, and Mary were with her, the children taking their tea with their mother and cousins. The evening before, she had received a letter from Mr. Darcy, stating that he had arrived at his London townhouse with his sister, and would call the next day.
Elizabeth could hardly believe it. His letter mentioned nothing about his aunt, the Countess of Matlock, or her own residence. When Mr. Darcy had first written that he was retrieving his sister from his estate, she had been relieved. Relieved that he had not scolded her through his own letter, or revived the argument between them. Her relief had given way to worry, as the terseness of both their letters revealed nothing but the feelings of anger between them, and of that she was already aware.
Her papa had not said anything about his talk with Mr. Darcy, and so Elizabeth could draw no conclusions from there. She could only hope it meant that her papa had not fallen back into his old ways of non-interference, although the whining letters that Kitty and Lydia had been writing dissuaded her of that notion. Through everything, she would always need her papa, just as much as she needed her sisters.
But still--she did not know what to make of his letter, which did not hint at his feelings at all towards her. Was he still angry? Perhaps he had decided that he would not argue at all with her, prior to the wedding, and would simply do as he wished after they were married. It was his right, after all.
“Lizzie,” her aunt called, “please sit down and drink some tea. You are starting to make me nervous.”
Although she wished to stay in the window, for foreknowledge was forearmed, she did as her aunt bid, and sat down. After a few minutes, the children’s nanny collected them, as it was quite close to the time that the Darcys would call.
Elizabeth inhaled evenly. She was surrounded by her aunt and sisters, and she was in a place where she was loved. Not even Mr. Darcy’s aunt had been able to take that away from her.
Two days before, the honourable Lady Catherine de Bourgh had arrived at the Gracechurch residence before breakfast had even been served. If Elizabeth had not been fond of walking
, she would not have been up and dressed to walk the circuit in the nearby park, and would not been ready for Lady Catherine’s onslaught.
Lady Catherine was a woman with less tact than Miss Caroline Bingley, Elizabeth had been shocked to see and hear, as she had not thought it possible. The great lady had insisted on speaking to Elizabeth alone, whereupon she then tried to bribe Elizabeth into breaking off her engagement to Mr. Darcy.
Even if Elizabeth had been inclined to ruin the reputations of her sisters with the snare of money, ten thousand pounds would not have tempted her. She could only assume that Lady Catherine believed Elizabeth to be a country girl who lived in something akin to a cave and had never seen that much money before in her entire life. Elizabeth had not, but she was not stupid, and she would have made a very poor mercenary figure if she had accepted so paltry a sum, she thought sardonically. Of course, she did not tell the lady that, as Elizabeth knew that it would be the first subject that Lady Catherine would bring to her nephew, as soon as she was able. Elizabeth also had no desire to start her married life under such difficulties. Her relationship with Mr. Darcy was already fraught, but mercifully he had not yet accused her of orchestrating the rumours for her own benefit. Neither he, nor his relations needed to hear one shred of proof in that regard.
When her bribery attempt had failed, Lady Catherine had then tried to shame her into ending the engagement, citing the same reasoning Mr. Collins had given on his first evening at Longbourn. Elizabeth paid her no mind. The banns for her and Mr. Darcy’s engagement been read already.
Nothing would stop their marriage now, Elizabeth thought with an unhappy sigh.
***
Almost before Elizabeth was aware of it, for it had only seemed to be but a few moments since she had sat down, the butler was in the doorway, announcing a “Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, and a Miss Georgiana Darcy.” Her aunt had reached out and firmly grasped Elizabeth’s hand for a moment, giving her a small nod, in an effort to help her compose herself.
“Yes, please send them in.”
Elizabeth stood nervously, smoothing out the nonexistent wrinkles of the skirt of her gown. Despite everything, she hoped this visit would go well.
A moment passed, and soon Mr. Darcy, Miss Darcy, and Colonel Fitzwilliam stepped into the room. Elizabeth studied them intently. Mr. Darcy looked as he always did--imposing, stern, and proud. He did not shrink from her gaze, but returned it, yet she could not help but feel as though he were looking right through her. The other gentleman, his cousin if she remembered correctly, had a more relaxed air about him. He wore his uniform, a sight that Elizabeth would have to describe to Lydia and Kitty when the visit was over. He was not particularly handsome, but she could already tell that he was charming and gentlemanly by the grin he had given her upon seeing her for the first time. Miss Darcy was the last to enter the room, and she almost seemed to shrink behind her brother and cousin. Or wished to. She was small, and although she looked far older than fifteen, she carried herself as someone younger. She had the same features as her brother, but had blonde hair, which proved to make her a very pretty young lady.
An unbidden thought surfaced briefly. Was Elizabeth looking at the visage of her own daughter? Before this moment, she had never particularly considered children, let alone children with Mr. Darcy!
“Miss Elizabeth.” Mr. Darcy took a step forward and bowed low. He then introduced his sister and cousin to their assembled party, and Elizabeth did the same with her relations. She was gratified, that although his expression was serious, that it did not change. Nothing would have mortified her more if he had shown his displeasure at meeting her lesser relations.
Their guests sat down, and Elizabeth instantly felt awkward. Miss Darcy was seated next to her brother, and looked at them through timid, almost scared eyes. Elizabeth instantly felt sorry for her, as she was reminded of Charlotte’s younger sister, Maria. Although treated as though they were full-blooded sisters, Maria was the niece of Lady Lucas, and had come to live with them at the age of ten after both of her parents had died of pneumonia, nearly five years ago. Lady Lucas had not gone into specifics, but she had implied that Maria had been taking care of her parents for many months before they died, and had not been in any sort of gentle society prior to her coming to live with them. Her mama had taken Lady Lucas’ words as a challenge, and for the following winter, spring, and summer, had arranged for private dinners and parties held within Longbourn and their Aunt Philips home to make Maria at ease. Lydia and Kitty had taught her how to dance, as well as how to play card games, and even Mary had loaned her some books on comportment and manners for young women. In the first few months of visits, Maria had the same look of fear and worry that Miss Georgiana Darcy carried, and Elizabeth was reminded that before her was the child that Mr. Wickham had attempted to seduce.
Elizabeth smiled gently at her new sister. “How was your journey here, Miss Darcy?”
Miss Darcy seemed surprised at being addressed directly. Briefly, she glanced at her brother, perhaps for reassurance, and then responded to Elizabeth’s query. “It was very well, Miss Elizabeth. My brother always makes sure that our carriage is comfortable enough for me.” Her speech ended with a hesitant smile, that Elizabeth returned wholeheartedly, despite feeling false for doing so. She did not wish to smile, and her cheeks were already beginning to hurt.
“You are very lucky to have a caring brother,” Elizabeth did not dare to chance a glance at Mr. Darcy as she said these words, “I had always wished to have a brother, but I only have four sisters.”
This caused Miss Darcy to give her another smile, this one a little less timid. “My brother has told me about them, I am very glad to meet two of them today,” here she smiled at Jane and Mary, “and will be glad to meet the rest of your family when we arrive at Netherfield.”
Elizabeth’s eyes widened a fraction, for the briefest of moments. Beside her, Jane shifted slightly. “At Netherfield?” Elizabeth questioned, this time looking directly at Mr. Darcy.
For his part, Mr. Darcy seemed slightly embarrassed as he considered his sister’s remarks. “I called on Charles this morning,” he confessed to her, “and he informed me that he would be returning to Netherfield later this week, although he offered to wait until our departure time. He expressed intent to call at least once before leaving, although I am not sure when that will be. Initially, I had planned for Georgiana and me to travel with Charles, but since then she has expressed a wish to travel with you and your sisters. That is, of course, if you do not mind it, Miss Elizabeth.” he added.
Glancing between the two siblings, their features and expression similar, Elizabeth found she could not say anything. Thankfully, she was not alone.
“I think that would be wonderful, Mr. Darcy.” Jane stated, smiling beatifically at the pair of siblings, and Elizabeth found her voice and echoed her.
Mr. Darcy--the man without fault, the man with pride, the man of many contradictions--had surprised her again. If he brought his sister to Netherfield, then he would most certainly be allowing his own sister to interact with her youngest, wild sisters.
What had her father said to him?
Desperate to say something, anything, Elizabeth spoke on the first subject that came to mind, “Mr. Bingley is very kind to alter his original plans. I should not be surprised, for he was a very gracious host when Jane and I stayed at Netherfield. It is not startling that he would do the same for his close friends. I know that you will be very comfortable while you are at Netherfield.”
Miss Darcy smiled again, and replied, “I am very excited, Miss Elizabeth. I have never been to Hertfordshire, and although I will be very glad to visit Mr. Bingley’s estate, I confess that I am curious about your own.”
Elizabeth did not know how to respond, as she did not wish to begin even the barest hint of an argument with Mr. Darcy, in front of his sister and cousin, so she settled for changing the subject. “I understand that you enjoy playing the pianoforte,
Miss Darcy. Miss Bingley was full of praise at your talent; I wondered if you might oblige us with a brief piece? I know that you shall have to leave soon.”
At her words, Mary, who had been sitting very quietly, listening to all of the conversation that surrounded her, spoke quite suddenly. She recognized the abashed look on Miss Darcy’s face, at the mention of her playing for the assembled party.
“I also play the pianoforte, Miss Darcy. Perhaps you would like to turn the pages for me.” Miss Darcy gave her a relieved smile, as did Elizabeth, and Elizabeth watched as the two young women walked over to the small pianoforte that had been tucked into the corner. Mary often practised in the mornings and early evenings.
Mary began to play, with Miss Darcy very studiously turning the pages for them, and Elizabeth was pleased that she had something to direct her attention to, and not have to feel like an awkward fool, sitting across from Mr. Darcy with nothing, yet everything to say. She could not be as her aunt was, and speak to anyone and everyone. Thankfully, her Aunt Gardiner had taken it upon herself to entertain Colonel Fitzwilliam.
Consequence of Jealousy: A Pride and Prejudice Variation Page 17
