by Wendi Sotis
Once the footman had helped her with her chair, Darcy waved him off, settling into his own chair and waiting until they were alone to speak again. “Did you sleep well, Poppet?”
She replied as she reached for a slice of toast, “It is always nice to return to one’s own bed.” She looked up from spreading marmalade. “Do you think it is silly to miss Lizzy already?”
Darcy’s breath caught, but he did not look up from his plate. Is it that obvious? Several moments passed while he took a sip of coffee to cover his discomposure before he dared to glance at Georgiana. When he did, he realized with relief that she had spoken of her own discomfort, not his. “It cannot be silly to desire the company of a friend.”
“May I ask Mrs. Gardiner, Jane, and Lizzy for tea today, Brother?”
“Are you quite sure you are well enough after travelling for two days?”
“I believe so,” Georgiana replied enthusiastically, but at seeing her brother raise his eyebrows, she continued in a more subdued manner, “but perhaps it would be more polite to send an invitation for tomorrow, instead.”
Darcy nodded. Although I have too many business letters requiring a response to leave home today, tomorrow I will make certain to be at my club until well past tea time. I must distance myself from Elizabeth.
The butler entered the breakfast room with a silver tray holding a letter. Recognizing the handwriting, Darcy thought aloud, “James certainly made good time from Matlock!”
Cassidy replied, “James has not yet returned, sir. The letter came by a servant from Matlock House in London.”
“London?” Darcy broke the seal and scanned the missive as Cassidy bowed and retreated from the room. He read it aloud to his sister:
Dearest Nephew,
My informants tell me that yesterday you were seen at church in Town. Although I am quite surprised at hearing of Georgiana’s accompanying you, I am pleased, as well.
I write now to invite you both to dine with us this evening at Matlock House, at which time you may inform us of your reasons for revisiting London so soon.
Yours etc.
Aunt Adelaide
Georgiana’s sudden pallor betrayed her thoughts. She was not up to company just yet.
“Georgiana, you know I must explain the reason for our early return to Aunt Adelaide. Although she will not judge you harshly, for your sake, I will go alone this evening. You may pay a call on her tomorrow.”
~%~
August 19, 1811
Expecting a family dinner, Darcy groaned when his coach experienced a delay in approaching Matlock House while another party stepped down from their carriage. At least he had a bit of warning to steel himself against the onslaught of single ladies his aunt had surely schemed to throw at him.
After greeting his aunt, uncle, and several others, Darcy stopped to address a friend from university who was standing among a group of gentlemen, one of whom asked, “What is your opinion of the latest news, Darcy?”
“I am sorry, Lord Allington; I have been out of town. Has there been a new development on the continent, perhaps?”
“No, no, I speak not of France, but closer to home,” Lord Allington replied. “Here in London there has been quite the scandal! I believe you are acquainted with Jules Alcock, are you not?”
“Yes, I do have that pleasure.” Darcy was confused when his comment amused the gentlemen.
“Alcock has attached himself to Miss Ramsey!”
Darcy searched his memory. “Do you mean Miss Muriel Ramsey of Toldsford Hall?”
“Aye, but apparently you are uninformed—she was left penniless when her father died, and she subsequently took up a position as a companion to Alcock’s daughter.” Lord Allington wiggled his eyebrows. “Apparently, she was companion to Alcock, as well.”
His spine stiffening, Darcy’s countenance displayed his outrage at the statement. “Excuse me.” Darcy bowed slightly and walked away, overhearing snippets of similar conversations from almost every grouping he passed. The ladies were even less forgiving than the gentlemen.
As he reached the window looking out over the Matlocks’ garden, Darcy wondered why their gossip bothered him more this evening than at any time in the past. His thoughts answered, If I should marry Elizabeth, this is how they would speak of her—assuming she had married only to increase her social standing and wealth. It had always struck him as amusing as they all did the same, while criticizing anyone who was not high-born.
Seeing his own pained expression in the reflection of the window, he was relieved to be facing away from the crowded room. A shudder ran up his spine.
Up until now, he had considered all ladies only in reference to how their connexions could improve his own or to what extent their dowries could add to his wealth. At each social engagement, he had paid close attention to each unmarried lady’s manners and accomplishments and had admired several for their beauty, exactly as he had been taught to do, but never could he imagine any of them at Darcy House or Pemberley as his wife. Since meeting Elizabeth, he often envisioned her by his side. Socially, she is too far below me.
He felt a presence behind him and turned. “Aunt Adelaide—I apologize. I am... distracted... this evening.”
“Do not worry, my boy. Although we like it about as much as you do, your uncle and I endure the passing along of gossip as well as we can. We have become accustomed to your hiding at windows whenever conversation turns to hearsay.” Lady Adelaide paused before continuing, “Inviting you without mentioning there would be other guests was a mistake, I see, and, of course, you would not wish to discuss what brought you to Town in company. Will you come to see me tomorrow before tea—alone?”
“Yes, of course; I was about to suggest the same.”
“Good.” She kissed his cheek and whispered, “Why do you not slip away as the others go in for dinner? I will make your excuses.”
“Thank you, Aunt.”
~%~
August 20, 1811
The following afternoon, after settling in at Matlock House, Darcy said, “It was a surprise to find you in London, Aunt. I had written to beg an invitation to Matlock so that we could discuss this matter.”
As Darcy often came to his Aunt Adelaide for advice concerning Georgiana, she made no effort at politeness and began to interrogate him directly. “Tell me what happened at Ramsgate to cause you to bring Georgiana home so soon.”
Darcy thought he had thoroughly braced himself to the subject, but he still cringed as he answered, “Do you remember George Wickham?”
“Wickham... the former steward at Pemberley?”
“I speak of his son, actually.”
“Ah—yes, I do remember him. I never understood why your father took him under his wing the way he did. He was unworthy of your parents’ attention from the very beginning. I have heard that he turned out even worse than I had expected.”
“Your information is correct,” he answered, wondering what she knew of him. “I am not aware by what means he came across the information that Georgiana was at Ramsgate, but I believe he went there on purpose, knowing that I was not with her.”
“The gall of that man! I hope Georgiana sent him on his way immediately.”
“She did not.” He sighed. “As I did not think she would ever see him again, I had not felt it necessary to blemish her innocent mind with tales of George Wickham’s misdeeds. She remembered him only as a favourite of my father’s and as my friend. After reminding her of happier times and gaining her trust, he then proposed that she elope with him.”
“Good heavens!” Her hand fluttered to her throat.
Darcy had never seen his aunt’s complexion pale as quickly as it did then. Because his stomach turned any time he thought on the subject himself, he imagined her pallor matched his own.
“If not for the intervention of the lady we met at Ramsgate, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, and her aunt and sister, Georgiana admits she would be lost to us.”
Lady Adelaide gasped. “One hears of the
se things happening in other families but never one’s own!”
“Nothing did happen, Aunt, but I am sure I do not have to stress to you the importance of this subject never being mentioned to anyone else. They were chaperoned by Mrs. Younge at all times, except the few minutes it took him to make this offensive proposal. Georgiana insists he did nothing more than kiss her hand—probably playing the gentleman to attract her.” He closed his eyes.
“I happened to go to Ramsgate as a surprise and found Georgiana with Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth, who I now know were doing their best to distract her after Wickham broke her heart following Georgiana’s explanation of the condition on her dowry. After I had escorted them home, Georgie told me what had happened. The melancholy that came over her afterward frightened me more than did her condition during her bout with influenza. Miss Elizabeth helped her through it. Since her family was soon leaving Ramsgate, Miss Elizabeth stayed with us for several days until we reached London. She has been an excellent friend for your niece, Aunt—and to me, as well.”
If anyone else had said those words about a young lady, she would have discounted it as empty praise, but Darcy? She had rarely heard him say anything positive about a young lady—his ticking off a girl’s negative qualities always counteracted any positive traits he might have allowed her. That he did not do so now piqued her curiosity. Her suspicions rose at the way he looked away from her gaze and lowered his voice to almost a whisper when he had said she was a friend to him.
“Tell me more about Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”
Barely missing a beat but doing his best to seem disinterested, he stated, “She is a gentleman’s daughter... intelligent, witty, attractive, and well informed, as well as an excellent conversationalist.”
Lady Adelaide almost choked on her tea, but Darcy was too distracted to notice. I must find out more about the lady who has bewitched both my nephew and niece!
“And her sister?”
This time, he hesitated for a few moments—seeming to his aunt that he had barely noticed her and was trying to remember. He had no trouble looking his aunt in the eye when he said, “Miss Jane Bennet is the eldest daughter. She is a beauty in the classic sense of the word, generous and courteous. I was not much in her company, but I came away from the experience thinking she would be a tolerable friend for Georgiana.” He hesitated again, tightening his eyes before saying, “Though she smiles too much and speaks so softly that one must exert himself to hear what she says.”
Well, that was more like her nephew’s habit. At least she could be confident that he was not considering both Bennets! “What of their aunt?”
“I had been acquainted with both Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner before meeting them again at Ramsgate. Mrs. Gardiner’s father owned a shop at Lambton, and both my father and I thought highly of him. A few years ago, Mr. Gardiner found himself in need of my services as magistrate in his efforts to collect a few unpaid accounts at his father-in-law’s shop—which quite coincidentally included Wickham’s account. If we had met under different circumstances, I would have thought him a gentleman.” Knowing how much the next statement would tell her about the man, he looked her in the eye and stated quite firmly, “Mr. Gardiner has dined at Pemberley twice, and, in fact, Georgiana and I accepted an invitation to dine at their house at Ramsgate.”
“Ahhh!” She nodded. “Being raised at Lambton, one would think Mrs. Gardiner knew of Wickham.”
“Yes. As unfortunate as it is for Mrs. Gardiner to have known him, I must say it was a blessing for us, Aunt, and most kind of her to share that information with Georgiana as a warning.”
Here he was at it again—complimenting ladies! Surely, he was not in love with a married lady. But these compliments were nothing compared to those he had showered over the name of Miss Elizabeth. “And you approve of your sister’s acquaintance with these ladies?”
“Aunt, tell me, how can I not approve?”
“If a wash-woman at Pemberley had warned your sister away from Wickham, would you approve Georgiana’s becoming dear friends with her?”
Darcy straightened his back. “These ladies are not in the same class as servants, madam.”
Lady Adelaide pressed her lips together to keep from smiling as her nephew began to speak again.
“Mrs. Gardiner might be the daughter and wife of a tradesman, but again, I would have mistaken her for a lady if I had met her unaware of her station. Mr. Bennet is a gentleman—”
“From what you say, Mrs. Bennet’s brother is a tradesman. Who was Mrs. Bennet’s father? Does she have any other family?”
“I know nothing of her mother’s parents.” For a moment, Lady Adelaide was confused, but then she realized that the word her pertained to Miss Elizabeth. “The only other information I have is that Mrs. Bennet’s other brother is an attorney in a village close to their estate. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet have five daughters.”
“Five daughters!” Lady Adelaide exclaimed. “Well, I suppose they kept trying for an heir.”
He chuckled. “My thoughts exactly.”
“Is it a large estate?”
“I do not think it is.”
“Oh, dear! Their dowries must not be sizable. Poor Mrs. Bennet—she must be beside herself with worry for her daughters’ futures and for herself should her husband pass before her. I hope Mr. Bennet is in good health!”
The things ladies think of! “As I have met neither, I cannot answer.”
“I have heard nothing bad of them, Fitzwilliam. Actually, I have heard nothing at all.” She shook her head.
“It sounds to me as though the Bennets spend most of their time in Hertfordshire and visit London infrequently. I believe the daughters come only to stay with the Gardiners on occasion, in Gracechurch Street.”
“Has Miss Bennet been presented at court? Surely she has been in London for the Season.”
“I do not believe they have.”
“I did not say ‘they,’ Fitzwilliam. You said that Miss Jane Bennet is the eldest. It would not be proper for a younger sister to be out whilst the eldest remains unmarried.”
“Miss Elizabeth is out.”
“Are you certain?”
“Aunt, if I know nothing else about ladies, I know how to determine whether or not they are out.”
Lady Adelaide seemed a bit shocked. “How old is Miss Bennet?”
“I do not know exactly. Miss Elizabeth had mentioned that she is not yet one and twenty, but Miss Bennet cannot be much older.”
“I do not understand these Bennets. How do they expect their daughters to marry if they do not have a Season in London?”
He shook his head.
“Do the Bennets differ from the ladies you meet in London?”
“Miss Elizabeth is different from anyone I have ever met.”
Lady Adelaide bit back another smile. “I hope their manner does not approach the crassness one sometimes sees from those in trade.”
His back straightened further. “Definitely not.”
“Good—for you know it would not do to expose Georgiana to people of that quality.” Again stifling a smile, she watched his jaw muscles work as he ground his teeth—something she had often seen him do to prevent himself from saying something he knew he would regret. Lady Adelaide continued, “I think we have discussed the Bennets long enough for the present time. I will snoop to see if I can discover information on the family’s situation and inform you of any findings.
He nodded. “When they part ways, I will allow Georgiana to write to the Misses Bennet if she wishes, although I doubt she will see them again unless it is by design. We do not move within the same social sphere.”
“Georgiana is your sister and your responsibility, Fitzwilliam.” Lady Adelaide reached for his hand and gave it a squeeze. “But I do not understand why you will allow Georgiana to correspond with them if you believe they will never see each other again.”
“Georgie has made me painfully aware that, up until now, she has had no friends other than Anne. I
am hoping that this time spent with Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth will bolster her confidence enough to make her welcome new connexions when she comes out.”
His aunt raised her eyebrows.
“I think you misunderstand—I will not forbid her from seeing them, either.” Although I might discourage it in the near future, until my heart has hardened towards Miss Elizabeth.
Lady Adelaide examined his countenance for several moments, waiting for the clock’s chiming to end before saying, “We shall speak of this again soon, but for now, I must ask you to leave—unless you would rather stay for my ladies’ tea this afternoon?”
Darcy stood quickly and kissed his aunt on the cheek. “I do not believe so.”
He took a step towards the door and turned back. “Aunt Adelaide, I thank you for your faith in me, but... do you honestly think I am correct in allowing these friendships for Georgiana?”
“I trust your judgment of the goodness of these people most of all, Fitzwilliam. Your opinion of those in your acquaintance generally tends to be more severe than their behaviour warrants. If you think they are worthy, I will not disagree.” Lady Adelaide hesitated before adding, “Before you go, I should inform you that my coming to London for a few weeks served to shorten the journey to Ramsgate. Your uncle prefers London at any time of year, but the city is too uncomfortable for me in summer. I shall be leaving for Matlock on Monday. Of course, you and Georgiana are welcome to join us for a visit.”
“I shall think on it and send a note around in the morning.”
The front door bell rang, and Darcy stiffened. If he were in the room when his aunt’s guests entered, he would be required to stay for a little while, and he could not imagine being the only gentleman among a roomful of women. If he were already in the entry hall whilst they were taking off their wraps, he could make his excuses and leave quickly.
“Enjoy your party.” He bowed and left the house as swiftly as possible.
Chapter 10
August 20, 1811 ~ London
Darcy looked out the window, wondering why his coach had stopped at the curb between Darcy House and the house next door. When the footman opened the coach door, Darcy asked, “Is there a carriage in front of the house, Rupert?”
