by Wells, Linda
“He is very serious, and very busy, but Darcy is a friend of the like I have never hoped to have before.” Bingley smiled and tilted his head. He did not miss the quick intake of breath from his companion; or the expression of … something … that appeared in her eyes when he spoke. “Miss Bennet?”
She blinked and focussed on him. “I am very happy for you, Mr. Bingley, congratulations on your presentation. Now you say that you are not a great reader, yet you wish to choose a book of poetry for Mr. Darcy?”
“Yes, well, he has a library that would put any great collection to shame, not just in town but at his estate Pemberley in Derbyshire. I was sure that a book would be the gift he could not refuse.” He lifted his chin to the shelves. “The problem is that I have no idea what to purchase, and he likely has it already.”
“May I make a suggestion?”
“I was hoping that you would, I had a feeling that you enjoyed reading.”
Elizabeth reached to a shelf and pulled out a pocket-sized copy of Shakespeare’s Sonnets. “This is small, but it is also something that he can easily carry with him. You can never go wrong with the classics.”
Bingley took it from her and paged through with a smile. “Excellent idea!” He grinned. “Thank you so much!”
“I hope that he enjoys it.”
“Lizzy?” Elizabeth heard her name called and she turned.
“Oh, my uncle is calling for me, I should go.”
“Mr. Gardiner, well I should go and greet him.” He offered his arm and Elizabeth smiled and took it. They appeared from the shelves and Mr. Gardiner’s brows rose as he bowed. “Good afternoon, Mr. Gardiner. Imagine my surprise to meet Miss Elizabeth here. It is such a pleasure to see you again!”
“Likewise, Mr. Bingley. I hope that you and your family are well?”
“Indeed we are.” He looked up and saw Jane standing silently nearby. Mr. Gardiner noticed and stepped back to her side.
“Mr. Bingley, this is my niece Miss Jane Bennet.”
“Miss Bennet. It is a pleasure.” He stared at her, and Elizabeth watched Jane blushing and staring back.
“The pleasure is mine, sir.” She said softly. Bingley looked at Elizabeth who had tilted her head, then back at Jane.
“I hope that you found a book to your liking.”
“I … no, I am afraid that this shop was my sister’s choice.” She smiled and he smiled back.
“How fortunate that she chose it then. She has aided me in finding two beautiful things today.” He bowed and looking to Elizabeth who raised her brow at him as he winked. “Perhaps we will meet again sometime?”
“Anything is possible, Mr. Bingley.” Elizabeth smiled.
“You are welcome to our home in Gracechurch Street, sir.” Mr. Gardiner offered.
“I will remember that, sir.” The group departed and Bingley watched them walking down the sidewalk, and noticed Jane looking back at him through the glass. He sighed.
“An angel.”
“GEORGIANA I HAVE TO LEAVE.”
“You are never home!” She cried. “Why can you not be here?”
“I know that this is difficult for you to be here alone every evening. I do not enjoy the constant dinners and balls either. I only enjoy the theatre performances to be honest with you. But I must go!”
“Why?”
“Georgiana, you know full well why. I have to do my duty. I have to find a wife. Would you prefer that I just select the first woman who smiles at me tonight and then you will have her as your sister? You asked me to find someone who will care for me when you left home, did you not? Well finding that person takes time.”
“I am sorry, Fitzwilliam.” Georgiana sighed and hugged him. “I was being selfish. I miss you.”
“I miss you, too. We are both more accustomed to evenings at home together. Father certainly was rarely out and when I was home from school I played with you. We are both learning our responsibilities.”
“Must you stay out so late? I hear you return then you sleep until nearly noon, then you work and go out again. Perhaps if you returned earlier we could see each other a little more.”
Darcy sighed with frustration. “You are exaggerating, Georgiana, I could not sleep until noon unless I was medicated. These events do not start until nearly ten, you know what town hours are like! This is not Pemberley!” He saw her pleading expression and sighed again. “I will try, dear.” He kissed her forehead and a footman knocked.
“Sir, Mr. Bingley is here.” Darcy felt Georgiana startle and straighten up, and look eagerly to the door. He suspected his sister had developed a little crush on his friend and smiled.
“Would you like to greet him, Georgiana?”
“Oh yes!” They walked out to the front hallway where Bingley stood studying the bowl of calling cards. He turned at their entrance and grinned.
“Good afternoon! Miss Darcy, how pretty you look!”
She blushed bright red and whispered. “Thank you, Mr. Bingley!” She opened her mouth to speak again and looked at her brother for help. Darcy smiled.
“I think that Mrs. Somers is waiting for you in the Library, is she not?”
“Oh, oh yes, she is. Excuse me.” She smiled shyly at Bingley and he returned it with a huge smile of his own.
“It was a pleasure to see you again.” The men exchanged amused glances as she floated down the hall and went to take seats in Darcy’s study. “She is getting prettier by the day.”
“She is rather fond of you, I think. You charm every lady you see, it is an interesting talent. In the hands of a scoundrel it could be quite disturbing.”
“Well then luckily I am no scoundrel!” He laughed and settled into his chair. “Funny that you should mention charming ladies though, I met the loveliest angel today …”
“Another angel, Bingley? Do you make a habit of falling in and out of love?” Darcy smiled at his friend.
“Hmmm, well I am certainly fond of ladies.” He shrugged. “I am in no position to offer marriage to any woman yet. So for now I will admire the beauty that surrounds me.”
“Poetry is not your strong point.” He chuckled.
“Ah, speaking of which, this is for you.” He handed Darcy the parcel from the shop. “It is a small token of thanks for all you have done for me.”
“I do not require gifts. I value your friendship.” Their eyes met and Darcy looked back down immediately. “Well, it seems to be a book. Let me guess, the history of horse racing in Britain.”
“No, try again!”
He opened the paper and smiled. “Sonnets! Why this is a very handsome volume Bingley, thank you!”
“You are welcome, but I merely purchased it. The book was chosen by another.” Darcy’s brows rose in inquiry. “Miss Elizabeth Bennet found it for me. She thought that you would like something that was portable and what did she say? Oh, you can never go wrong with the classics.” He watched the same expression appear on Darcy’s face as had been on hers.
“You …you saw her in the bookshop?”
“Yes, and I actually did say your name this time and she fairly gasped.”
Immediately Darcy’s mind began to race, how did she know his name? It hit him like a bolt; he could see Georgiana running to him in the park calling his name, followed by Mrs. Somers doing the same. She wanted to remember me!
“Darcy?” Bingley smiled and laughed. “Come on man, wake up!” Darcy was enveloping the small book within his hands and staring at it as he unconsciously caressed the cover. “Darcy?” Bingley said quietly.
“I …I thank you for this gift, Bingley.” He looked up and held his gaze this time. “I will treasure it.”
“You are very welcome.” He paused and took a stab at his theory. “She looked very well.”
“I am glad of it.” Darcy’s eyes dropped down to the book.
“Her uncle invited me to visit their home, you were correct, it is in Gracechurch Street.” Bingley watched and waited for some sort of a response, a remonstration
not to mix socially with tradesmen, perhaps even a request to accompany him, but Darcy remained silent and held the book. When the silence became uncomfortable, Bingley moved on.
“You are still going to the Whitcomb’s tonight?”
“Yes, unfortunately.” Darcy sighed and rubbed one hand over his face. “I cannot understand how people do this for months. I am exhausted.”
“Well, that is not surprising; you have been out nearly every night but Sundays for over a month. I enjoy socializing, but even I am growing weary of the Season. Forgive me Darcy, but when I have attended these events with you, I cannot help but notice your lack of enjoyment.”
Darcy sat back in his chair, still holding the book. “It is my duty.”
“To be miserable?” Bingley laughed. “Truly Darcy, you present the most forbidding countenance, it is a wonder that any woman smiles in welcome at you.”
“They smile because of what they see as their reward for marrying me.” He glanced around the finely appointed room. “They know the prestige of being Mrs. Darcy.”
“Surely some of them actually might like you, if you let down that frown of yours.” Darcy shrugged. “Do not tell me that not one lady has caught your eye or had something interesting to say?”
“Of course there were, Bingley. I am not such an egoist that I reject every woman in London.”
“That is not what I see.” Darcy glared at him. “Look, if you hate it so much, why go?”
“Because I am the head of this family, and I am responsible for its legacy and its continuity. I have been charged with doing my duty and that means marrying well. You are in the same position, might I add.”
“Yes, but I like the ladies!” Bingley laughed. “I am sorry, I only wish for you to be happy. I also overheard your aunt speaking with your uncle.”
Darcy’s brow creased. “What was said?”
“They worry that you are retreating deeper into yourself. I do not know you from the time before your father died, but from their conversation, I would say that the change has been marked. You do not impress me as ever being an outgoing individual …” He saw Darcy close his eyes and shake his head. “Well I suspected as much, but it seems that your relatives considered you to be more amiable.”
“It seems that I need to speak to my uncle.” Darcy smiled a little. “So have you become my advisor, now?”
Bingley stood. “I am hardly qualified to give advice on any subject; I simply want my friend to be happy. I will see you this evening.” Darcy walked him to the door. “By the way, Caroline is determined to win you.”
“And you wonder why I frown at the ladies.” Bingley laughed and departed. Darcy returned to his study and sat back down, taking the book in his hands and feeling the leather, imagining Lizzy touching it as well. A knock on the door startled him and he looked up. “Come.” The door opened. “Mrs. Somers, what can I do for you?”
An hour later Darcy was sitting in his uncle’s study in Matlock house. “What should I do?”
“When does Mrs. Somers wish to leave?”
“By August.” Darcy ran his hand through his hair. “She has been with Georgiana since she was eight, she helped her through Father’s death, taught her …I have relied on her care more than I can say. I cannot blame her wish to aid her father and return to her family, in fact, she indicated to me several months ago that this may happen. I cannot be everything to Georgiana that she is.”
“Why not hire a new governess?”
He sighed. “Well, Richard and I have discussed sending her to a finishing school. I thought that the exposure to other girls would be good for her.”
Lord Matlock nodded. “There is merit in that. Audrey attended for a year, but she was a little older than Georgiana is now.”
“Well she is far too young to have an establishment formed for her. She needs more than simply a companion at this point, and honestly, I think that she would learn little from another governess.”
“Have you spoken to her about this?”
“No, she will do as she is told, of course.”
“Of course she will.” He considered his nephew, not agreeing with his decision, and saw the worry etched in his face. “We would still be willing to let her live with us.”
“I am afraid that she would see that as more objectionable than me sending her away to school. That would seem like a personal rejection.”
“Hmm, possibly, but I believe that she already feels rejected by your being out every night.”
“What exactly am I supposed to do, Uncle? I must be her brother, but find a wife. I must care for Pemberley, but also play the game of society. Father doted on her so she expects a great deal more attention than most children receive from their parents. I cannot live up to his example and fulfil everything else at once! I am just barely feeling confident in my duties now!” Darcy stood and began pacing the room. “Her behaviour of late has been increasingly upsetting to me as well. I know that she is unhappy with my town hours and socializing. I have hardly been happy with it either, but she does not understand that. She does not understand the pressure …I am doing my best Uncle, but I should not be taken to task by a barely thirteen-year-old girl!”
“I agree, but are you correcting her behaviour or just letting it go? Do your feelings of guilt for her losing your father and your fear of not measuring up to him translate into anything more than the gifts you constantly purchase for her? Indulgence is not the way to correct her. She needs parenting.”
“I am not her father!”
“Yes you are.”
Darcy hung his head and shook it. “Then she will go to school. She will be safe, she will learn, she will make friends. I think that is what she needs above everything. She is going to have to learn how to get along with ladies, and that can only be learned with girls of her own age.” He stopped and nodded. “Yes, I have made my decision. Is Richard at home?”
“No, but I will speak to him when he returns. When will you speak to Georgiana?”
“I must attend this damn ball at the Whitcomb’s tonight, tomorrow I have no engagements. It will be as good a time as any to tell her the news.”
Lord Matlock nodded and studied his nephew’s strained expression. “I hope that you manage to repair your humour before you go to the ball, and for once go with an open mind. A wife would be good for you and your sister. Perhaps the pressure you speak of would be relieved.”
Darcy’s hand slipped into his pocket and touched the book of sonnets, then slowly withdrew. “I know what I must do.
Chapter 9
“Richard, please join your mother and me in the study.” Lord Matlock sent him a pointed look. Fitzwilliam handed his hat to the servant, and straightening his uniform, walked curiously into the room. “Shut the door.” He did as he was told and stood before his seated mother and pacing father. “I did not break it, whatever it was.” He smiled.
“This is not a moment for levity.” His father barked.
“Then please inform me of my offence.”
“It is not an offence, dear.” Lady Matlock said then glanced at her husband. “It is Darcy.”
“Darcy.”
“What the devil is wrong with him?” Lord Matlock exclaimed. “Do you know that he intends to ship Georgiana off to school?”
“We had discussed it. What is the problem? Many girls start school at ages younger than Georgiana. Aunt Catherine thought it was a sound idea.”
“And when exactly did you start listening to her?”
“You disagree with your sister’s pronouncements?” Richard laughed and saw his father’s glare. “Forgive me; I just do not understand the problem. My sister attended school until she was sixteen and you formed an establishment for her, why should Georgiana be any different?”
“Your sister had not just lost her father. We are concerned that sending her away will make her feel even more alone at a time when she needs her family.”
“Uncle George died over a year and a half ago. I think that i
f we continue to mollycoddle her, it will do more damage than good.” He saw his parents exchange glances with his harsh words and he sighed with frustration. “Well what do you suggest Father? I assume that Mrs. Somers has informed Darcy of her departure date?” He saw the nod and continued. “I see. Well, what do you expect of the man? Can you not see how utterly overwhelmed he is? He is working so hard to satisfy the requirements that have been showered on him to operate Pemberley and the townhouse, he has Georgiana, and on top of that he has you two pushing him out in the marriage mart every night! He is so concerned about doing his duty that he is not taking time to consider the consequences of the methods he uses, and on top of that, he is so afraid of making a mistake. Everywhere he turns it is another person demanding his attention, no wonder he chose Bingley as a friend.”
“What do you mean?”
“Bingley is grateful for his help and makes it clear. He is guileless and undemanding. Darcy is willing to overlook his ties to trade and from what I hear, an abominable family, just for the safe harbour of his friendship. And then when it comes to marriage …” Richard stopped. He would not betray Darcy’s fascination with Miss Bennet.
“Yes?” Lady Matlock pressed. “Richard, he has been absolutely unwelcoming to every woman …”
“Every woman you have pushed at him.” Fitzwilliam laughed. “He is clearly not interested in the game; he has too much on his plate. I asked him to look carefully at the ladies, but I am relieved he has not made some rash move to achieve peace.”
“A wife would solve his problems with Georgiana.”
“You would expect his wife to teach her?” Richard sat down and crossed his legs. “I would like to see a woman’s reaction to that idea. A lady of the ton would not be marrying Darcy to become a governess. If anything, the future Mrs. Darcy would expect a whirlwind of activity, glittering social engagements and appearances with her prize on her arm.” He shook his head. “Darcy hates his life now; I cannot imagine how dour his visage will become after marriage. I pity the man.”
Lord Matlock looked at his wife who had closed her eyes. “Perhaps we have been pushing too hard.”
