by Linda Wells
Elizabeth gripped her hand, seeing a memory intruding, the anniversary of her flight with Wickham was approaching. “He will be happy; I am sure of it, and frightened, too.” Georgiana was distracted from her memory with Elizabeth’s statement.
“He fears being like Papa.” She said perceptively.
Elizabeth nodded. “That, and many other things, I will simply have to reassure him!” She smiled and laughed at Georgiana’s rolling eyes. “What does that mean, young lady?”
“I know what your reassuring him will entail; I might as well go and plan another afternoon alone with Mrs. Annesley, because we will certainly not be seeing you two!”
“Georgiana!”
“Oh, I was blind to you disappearing all of the time before, but not any more!” She giggled and stood, then spun around. “Lizzy loves Will!” She sang and ran out of the room, leaving her sister behind to ponder the education Georgiana was gaining.
“AHEM.” Darcy cleared his throat and watched Mary’s blush and Richard’s posture straighten. He looked over to Elizabeth who reached under the table and pinched him. “Ow!”
“Leave them be!” She whispered.
“What did I say?” He smiled at her pursed lips. “I am acting in place of your father, dearest. How many times were we admonished at the table?”
Elizabeth relaxed and laughed. “Well, if that is your purpose, I suppose that I can tolerate some correction.” She looked over to Mary and Richard and shook her head. “But it seems that any words from you will have a very short effect.”
He took her hand and kissed it. “I believe that your father’s had none on us, either.” Raising his voice he startled the couple. “What news have you of your brother, Richard? The last I heard he may have made a selection from the debutantes?”
“Oh, yes, James.” Richard tore his eyes from Mary and blushed with his inattention to the company. “Indeed he has, I believe, chosen a lady from the crowd. I have not met her, but of course, Mother and Father have, and they like her. She is two and twenty, not a child, and I think that is a good decision on his part. He is only a year older than me, but he needs a mature woman, not a girl.”
“Then what does that make me, Richard?” Mary asked softly, smiling at him.
“You, my dear, have more maturity in your little finger than most debutantes have in their entire bodies. Their intelligence is lost in their hair. You have spent your time far more productively with your books, and were not distracted by frivolities; it is one of the qualities that I admire greatly in you.” He raised her hand to his lips and bestowed a kiss, as Mary blushed furiously.
“So tell us of this girl, what is her name?”
Richard let go of her hand to begin eating again and looked up at Georgiana. “Her name is Rebecca Farnesworth, yes one of those Farnesworths.” He saw Darcy’s eyes close and then looked to Elizabeth. “They include several sisters who chased Darcy quite determinedly last spring. Fortunately Rebecca was not one of them. I suppose you will have to meet the others, still unmarried by the way, at the wedding. She has turned down many a good offer, and was quite worrying her mother, but it seems she and James met at St. James’s and, well, they were instantly attracted, or enough to decide to begin paying calls; and it has proceeded from there. I expect the wedding will take place in August, just at the end of the Season, at her parent’s estate in Devonshire. Of course you will be invited.” He glanced up at Darcy, whose brows were knit, then at Elizabeth who was biting her lip. “Is something wrong?”
“That is the height of the harvest, Richard, I should not be away. James was not at our wedding, well hardly anyone was, but I am not sure that we can be travelling then.” He looked to Elizabeth whose countenance had been restored. “What do you think, dearest?”
“You know what your responsibilities entail William, this is my first harvest here.” He smiled and nodded.
“I look forward to having you by my side.” He squeezed her hand and she smiled.
“There they go again. Between them and now Richard and Mary, I believe that I will be invisible soon!” Georgiana observed.
“Not at all cousin! I propose that you impress us all with your playing, and we,” Richard again kissed Mary’s hand, “may dance!”
“Are you willing, Georgiana?” Elizabeth asked.
“If I might have a dance with my brother and my cousin in trade.” She bargained.
“Well done, Georgiana!” Richard applauded. “I agree, and I am sure that your amorous brother will be delighted to acquiesce.”
“I am, and I thank you.” Darcy stood. “Shall we retire to the music room?” The remainder of the evening was spent in happy company. Surprisingly it was Elizabeth who ended the frivolity, begging for sleep after a tiring day. Darcy saw that Richard desired a private farewell for Mary, and giving him a stern look, which was promptly ignored, he escorted his wife and sister upstairs to retire.
Richard turned to Mary, who had blushed crimson and sat back down at the pianoforte. He took a seat by her side, and watched her fingers touching the keys. He placed his right hand over hers, silencing the instrument, then drawing her to him with his left; he looked down into her lifted face, and smiled softly into her warm, gently sparkling eyes. “You are trembling.”
“I … I do not know what I am supposed to do.” She said nervously.
“Close your eyes.” He whispered. “Let me teach you.”
GATHERING UP the papers scattered over his desk, Darcy neatly arranged them in a pile and handed it to Mr. Barkley, thanked him, and watched as he left the study, closing the door behind him. He settled back in his chair and a small smile appeared. “Well Douglass, I am glad to have had the opportunity to speak with you today, but surely this business could just as easily have been addressed through a letter. Was this a special trip? I know that you are taking over the brewery and your father has kept the duties of visiting the taverns.”
Marshall shook his head and met Darcy’s eye. “Why do I feel like a schoolboy waiting to be rapped on the knuckles?”
Darcy’s brows rose in amusement. “Your troubles are that difficult?”
“Mr. Darcy, you were once my age …”
“I am eight and twenty; please to not paint me as a man with one foot in the grave, and please, we are family, you may address me as Darcy.”
Flushing with embarrassment he nodded. “Thank you, sir. I meant to say that you probably faced the attentions of eager mamas and daughters at one time, and you would understand how overwhelming it is.”
“Ah, you do not enjoy the attention you receive?” Darcy smiled.
“I know it is not of the same circle as yours, but I expect there is a similarity in the experience.” Darcy nodded his understanding. “My father never experienced this so where he offers excellent advice in other arenas, in this I am on my own, perhaps even more alone due to his enthusiasm for me.” He paused and sighed. “Sir, could you offer some advice?”
Smiling wider, Darcy laughed. “Why me?”
“You obviously resisted the fray for years, and I observed your happiness with my cousin. I have the example of a happy marriage in my parents, I want that for myself. You could tell me what to do.”
“Well, that is quite a gratifying compliment.” Darcy considered the young man. “Are you in a hurry to marry?”
“No, I wish to work and concentrate solely on the brewery for another year or so, but I do not wish to live in seclusion either.”
Darcy considered his words. “I was, and in many ways remain, a recluse. Obviously I am vastly different from you in that aspect. You can attend the balls and parties and enjoy yourself. You are a social being, how can you not be with such a gregarious father and pleasant mother? My advice would be to simply be sure not to give attention to any lady in particular. Dance only once with each, and for other needs, keep it to a reputable establishment. Surely you are aware of any behaviour that would be deemed as a compromise and you will avoid such. Keep yourself under good regulation. I might note though
that a day may arrive when you do find the woman you love, and you will have to consider your past behaviour and if you will regret it, and further, if you will confess it to her.”
Marshall’s eyes grew wide. “Did you?”
“That is a subject between me and my wife.” Darcy was not smiling.
“Forgive me, sir.” Marshall said hurriedly.
Darcy relaxed. “Is there anything else?”
Biting his lip he asked, “How is Miss Darcy getting on? Mother has shown me her letters from Elizabeth. Is she recovered?”
He regarded the young man appraisingly. “You know the whole story now?” Marshall nodded. “She is improved. Mary has been here since February and was a good companion and friend during that time, however, when we returned at the end of April, she clung to Elizabeth, and it seemed what progress she had made was erased. Elizabeth said it reminded her of her nieces and nephews when their parents would return from a trip. She refused to tolerate the reversal, and made it clear over the past month that she expected growth, not stagnation from Georgiana.” He laughed quietly. “Elizabeth has a strength about her … well; in any case, I would say that Georgiana is well on her way to recovery. Elizabeth will accept nothing less, and Georgiana has risen to the challenge. The transformation has been breathtaking. As you can probably tell, I admire my wife’s ability a great deal, after all, I can testify to her improvements to myself.” He smiled, thinking of his wife’s love. He remembered his guest and met his fascinated gaze. “We will not be leaving Pemberley again until next spring, so Georgiana will have a great deal of uninterrupted time in the company of her sister. She will likely be a far more confident person in a year’s time.”
“She will be seventeen then?”
“Yes, she recently celebrated her sixteenth birthday, but we will probably delay her come out until the following year. We are hoping for the ton to have moved on to greener pastures by then. Now, why are you interested, this is more than a polite inquiry, I assume?”
Marshall twisted his hands and looked down. “I like her. I enjoyed our time at Christmas. She seems so fragile, like a delicate flower …”
“A delicate flower is pleasant to observe, but do you truly wish to live with one?” Marshall’s brows knit. “I do not wish to discourage you, but she needs time to come into her own, and knowing her as I do, I realize that she will never be the strong woman my Elizabeth is, but she will undoubtedly be far more than she ever would have been without her. I suspect she will likely end like your cousin Jane. If you are going out to experience society, do not hold back in anticipation of Georgiana’s entrance. You do not know her well enough to limit your social life. Perhaps in a year, with this misery behind her somewhat, that will be the time to come courting. And do not use the idea of perhaps winning Georgiana as a way to avoid the demands of society. You must face that regardless, it is an important learning experience, and one that will give you a sound basis for deciding if, in fact, your interest does belong with my sister. For now, be a friend. If you have not found someone by then and remain interested, I will not discourage you.”
“I suppose I was a bit premature in my hopes.” He could not hide his disappointment.
“Perhaps, but as neither of you are in a hurry … well, it is not necessary to discuss this further. I hope that you are free to visit with us for awhile. You are very welcome to stay.” Darcy raised his brows and smiled.
Marshall relaxed. “I would like that, thank you.”
“I believe that Mary, Richard, and Georgiana are at the stables. I am sure that they would welcome your company.” The men stood and Darcy led the way out of the study. Mrs. Reynolds had already prepared a room for Marshall at Elizabeth’s direction and the surprised young man was led away to change his clothes.
Darcy laughed softly watching him go, thinking that Elizabeth had no doubt of this alliance someday taking place, and was not about to discourage it. He walked the short distance down the hallway to her study. She was bent over the desk, a quill trapped in her teeth as she read over a letter. The windows were wide open and a warm breeze drifted in, gently blowing the curtains. Darcy stood behind her and rested one hand on her shoulder, and entwined the other in the curls at her nape. Elizabeth looked up and saw his eyes focussed on the view, watching the gardeners tending the newly planted lavender border. A serene expression was on his face, and she smiled, continuing her letter, and leaned into his gently caressing fingers. Darcy did not speak, he simply enjoyed touching her and waited for her to finish. When the letter was at last folded and sealed, he leaned down and kissed her. “May I steal you away now, dearest?”
“Where will you take me?” She asked, rising to her feet and holding both of his hands. She smiled seeing the glee in his eyes.
“Why, on an adventure, of course!” Grinning, he squeezed her hand and escorted her out of the house towards the stables. “Douglass asked me for advice on love.”
Elizabeth laughed. “So that is to be our lot is it? We shall advise on all spectrums of love. Well, at least it was not another family with a ruined daughter. Did he enquire after Georgiana?”
Darcy tilted his head and his eyes twinkled. “How do you know his feelings?”
“Well, I saw how he looked at her; it reminded me of someone I know.”
Darcy stopped their walk and bent to kiss her. “You are very perceptive, my love.” Elizabeth caressed his cheek and they continued on. “Do you know her feelings?”
“She thinks him very handsome, but she is not ready …”
“That is what I told him, and I said not to wait.” He sighed. “He is precisely the type of man I would hope for her.” Elizabeth’s hand squeezed his and they exchanged resigned smiles. It would have to wait a little longer.
They arrived at the stables to see Mary and Georgiana laughing while Marshall regaled them with some story of his travels. Richard stood with his arms folded, looking at the young man speculatively. Again Elizabeth squeezed William’s hand. “Friends first, correct?”
“It certainly worked for us.” He smiled and kissed her hand.
Approaching the group, Darcy laughed. “Richard is acting as a guard dog.”
“He suspects Marshall’s feelings?” Elizabeth asked.
“Well they are obvious to us, why not Richard? He has a heightened sense of how romance appears, now that he is embroiled in it himself.”
They arrived and Elizabeth said to Mary, “I thought that you were hoping to show Richard the new foals in the pasture. Why not take a walk over?”
“Oh, I was not sure if Georgiana and Marshall would wish to come …” She looked at Richard who was beaming at Elizabeth’s suggestion.
“No, I am sure that they are not at all interested.” He said instantly, and stepped up to Mary’s side. Darcy smirked.
Georgiana saw the hopeful expression on the couple’s faces and spoke up. “Mr. Douglass and I will just have to get on without you.” She then looked quickly at Darcy. “Is that all right, Brother?”
“You will keep to the stables or the house?” He said sternly, directing his gaze to Marshall.
“Yes, sir.” Marshall answered. “We will not stray. I am enjoying talking with Miss Darcy. We have discovered a similar sense of humour, have we not?”
Giggling a little nervously she blushed and glanced at him then at Elizabeth. “Yes, it is far more entertaining than Richard’s, he teases too much.”
“Well, he knows you better, Georgiana. If you and Marshall become good friends, you may have to refine your assessment of his worthiness as a companion.” Elizabeth smiled.
“Oh I think that I will continue to like him.” Her eyes grew wide and she blushed. “Forgive me, I did not mean to imply …”
“It is quite all right, Miss Darcy, I will own to liking you, too.” Marshall smiled warmly and she looked back up at him, her confidence restored. Darcy felt Elizabeth’s hand squeezing his again and with a tug, she told him it was safe to go.
“Very well then
, enjoy your visit.” He smiled and decided to get in a dig. “Perhaps my sister would enjoy your tales of pursuit by the matchmaking mamas?” Marshall shook his head and Elizabeth laughed while Georgiana looked at him expectantly.
“Remind me not to tell your brother any secrets again.”
The couple continued to the stables and were met by Danny. “Sir! I will have Benedick and Beatrice brought out right away!” He went inside and ordered the grooms to fetch the two animals. Darcy leaned against the paddock fence and pulled Elizabeth to rest her back against his chest, and loosely wrapped his arms around her waist.
“He seems to have made the transition to his new position quite readily.” He observed. “I was afraid that he would feel constrained after so many years of essentially being his own man, and not answering to anyone but me.”
“I think that he sees the opportunity and appreciates the chance to perhaps establish a home and have a family. Besides, Mr. Greeley is getting old, and will wish to turn over the responsibilities to a younger man in a few years. By then Danny will surely be well trained to take over. And Susie will be wishing to start her own family.”
Darcy laughed and kissed her cheek. “Greeley will always be hanging about the yard, dispensing advice whether wanted or not, but that is not a bad thing. I am happy to do this for Danny.”
The horses arrived and Darcy gave Elizabeth a leg up to her mount and seeing her seated, leapt up onto his favourite stallion. The grooms had attached the saddlebags filled with their picnicking supplies and with a nod, they set off. He grinned over to her. “Where shall we go?”
“This is your adventure, Will. You tell me.” She smiled and kicking her horse picked up the pace and rode in front of him. Darcy watched with appreciation as her bottom bounced slightly on the saddle and began to consider where they would have the most privacy. Nodding his head he caught up with her and took a slight lead. They rode for over an hour, still well within the boundaries of Pemberley’s park, steadily climbing through pasture and meadows, up steep paths and through the walnut groves, until finally they arrived at a seeming dead end. “Where do we go now?” Elizabeth asked, knitting her brow. Darcy jumped down, and following his lead, she did as well.
