Before long, the gentlemen returned. “Georgiana, have you tired of my presence so soon that you would abandon me even as I fought the crush to bring you refreshment,” Richard teased.
Georgiana smiled, “I have not abandoned you, Cousin, but Miss Bennet and I were speaking of the prior act.” Georgiana glanced at Saye whose chair she now sat and her shoulder’s drooped. She smoothed her dress and prepared to rise. “However, I will not inconvenience, Colonel Saye, so you will have my company for a while longer, Cousin.”
Saye smiled. “No, Miss Darcy, I can well imagine your preference for Miss Bennet’s company over this old scoundrel’s,” Saye said with a nod in Richard’s direction. “I insist that you remain where you are, and I will endure the company of your cousin. After all, I am much more equipped in handling unpleasant assignments.” Richard clutched his heart and scowled. Everyone laughed, except for Darcy.
Chapter Nine
“Good Morning, Georgiana,” Darcy smiled as he looked up from his paper. “You are down early.”
“I woke early and thought to break my fast with you.”
“A wonderful surprise. What are your plans for today?”
“My music master comes and my German master.” Georgiana made a face, “Must I continue with German, Brother? I find it so very difficult.”
Darcy smiled at Georgiana’s deep moue, “If it means that much to you, I will discuss it with your German master.”
“Thank you, Brother!” Georgiana’s face erupted into a grin. Content, she ate happily. After a while, she looked up, “Brother?”
“Hmm?”
“Do you approve of Miss Bennet?” she asked softly. Darcy stilled. “I know you met her in Hertfordshire, and you mentioned her in your letters. I thought you liked her. I liked her very well; she seemed kind.” Georgiana looked steadily at him. “But do you like her?” Darcy cut his eyes away. “I mean, do you think she would make me a proper friend?”
Darcy exhaled, “Yes, Georgiana. I think you could not find better.” Georgiana stared at him with her head slightly tilted, then she nodded and smiled.
“Brother,” she piped up again, “do you think it too soon to pay her a call today? She did say that she would like it if I called on her.”
Darcy’s heart rate elevated. “Not at all,” he cleared his throat. “If you like,” he paused and sipped his coffee slowly and wiped his mouth with his napkin, “I could accompany you as you have not been there before and…”
“Oh, Brother! You would come with me?”
“Of course, I would, Georgiana.”
“That would be a relief! I do want Miss Bennet to like me, and I will feel much more comfortable with you there! You are the best brother!”
“I am happy to accompany you, dearest,” Darcy said calmly, trying hard to modulate the joy that made him want to run.
Darcy and Georgiana sat in the Bingley drawing room having arrived at the earliest possible hour for a morning call. Jane was detained by the housekeeper, and Caroline had left before the Darcys arrived. Elizabeth and Georgiana sat together and talked while Darcy looked on.
“Mr. Darcy,” Darcy’s countenance brightened as Elizabeth addressed him, “Miss Darcy and I were speaking last night about the addition of female actresses in theater productions and how droll we imagine it might have been to have male actors perform the parts of us poor females as they once did. What an interesting spectacle it must have been.”
“Indeed, Miss Bennet, it must have been quite droll as I cannot think what justice my sex could have brought to the fairer one. However,” Darcy’s face lit with a huge smile, “I do recall a time when Viscount Hardston, Colonel Fitzwilliam’s brother, forced him to wear our cousin Anne’s bonnet out of doors!”
Georgiana gasped, while Elizabeth’s mouth formed a perfect ‘O.’ “No, Mr. Darcy, surely you jest!” Both ladies laughed.
Darcy’s chest expanded with air – he had made Elizabeth laugh! “Indeed,” he smiled, revealing large white teeth and deep dimples, “it was no more than he deserved.”
“What had he done brother?” Georgiana asked leaning slightly forward.
“He had placed a toy soldier,” Darcy chuckled and shook his head, “with its bayonet raised high on Lady Catherine’s favorite chair. Our aunt walks very,” Darcy waved his hands as he sought the word, “very, shall we say with dignity and did not look down as she sat. Lady Catherine sat down very heavily and, um, well, she unwittingly engaged the toy soldier in a battle.” Georgiana and Elizabeth looked at one another and burst into laughter. “Aunt Catherine leapt up and shrieked so loudly that we thought she would crack the plaster on the walls.” Georgiana and Elizabeth by now were laughing through tears.
“Hardston, Richard, and I were peeking from the door that led to another corridor. When Aunt Catherine shrieked, well, Richard and I did the only sensible thing that could be done – we ran,” Darcy smiled. “But Hardston guffawed loudly, dropped to the floor, and rolled on his back, laughing and kicking.”
“Truly, Brother! What did Aunt Catherine do?” Georgiana asked, barely able to speak through her laughter.
Darcy chuckled, “I shall not expose our aunt, dearest, but suffice it to say, her dignity was severely toppled, and Hardston took the brunt of her fury.”
“Mr. Darcy, how mischievous!” Elizabeth wiped her tears. “But wait,” she said, creasing her brow, “the Colonel was the mischief maker, why did Viscount Hardston take the punishment?”
“Ah, you see Miss Bennet, when Lady Catherine ceased her shrieking and berating everyone near her, she heard noises and stalked to the corridor to find Hardston still laughing and rolling on the floor. That was enough for our aunt; she did not care to investigate. No amount of protest could change her mind; her dignity could not suffer another blow. When Richard, who is two years younger, stepped forward to take the blame, Aunt Catherine would not listen. Hardston felt that Richard had not tried hard enough to convince her, and his bribe to not inform Lord and Lady Matlock, who had warned Richard to cease his mischief-making with Aunt Catherine, was to see Richard parade around out of doors in Anne’s bonnet, while Hardston and I bowed and called him, ‘M’lady.’ Also…”
“Wait!” Elizabeth said through tears, “there is more?”
Darcy beamed. “I am afraid so, Miss Bennet. Because unbeknownst to Richard or me, Hardston knew that Aunt Catherine expected visitors for tea. So, he chose one of Anne’s bonnets that was adorned with more flowers then a garden and he waited until just before the guests were scheduled to arrive and forced Richard to wear it and walk the entire length of the front lawn. Richard stomped down the porch stairs, looking utterly ridiculous and shouting invectives not fit for ladies’ ears. When Hardston saw the guests’ carriage coming up the drive, he forced Richard to sing Lavender Blue in a high falsetto! After the guests ceased gawking and tut-tutting and entered the house, Hardston and I, who were hiding behind some bushes and laughing so hard we thought we would never breathe again, suddenly felt large stones being hurled at us. We jumped up and ran, laughing until we cried as Richard pelted us – still wearing Anne’s bonnet! It was very amusing!”
The ladies were now leaning upon one another as they laughed and cried, “Brother! I will not be able to see Richard again without laughing.”
Just then, Jane entered the room to find Darcy watching the ladies and smiling softly, while Elizabeth and Georgiana wiped tears from their eyes. Smiling at the scene Jane spoke, “Mr. Darcy, pray, forgive me, I am loathed to do this for this seems to have been a most pleasant conversation, but Charles has requested that you join him in his study on a matter of business.”
“Of course, Mrs. Bingley.” Darcy stood quickly, warmth radiating through him like hot coffee on a cold day as he cast one last glance at Elizabeth and exited. Elizabeth, her face a mixture of joy and surprise, stared at the door for a long while after Darcy left.
January 1806, approximately six years ago
The wind howled as the snow fell like angel’s wings upon the landscape. The weather had worsened in the last half hour, and even at the slow pace, the carriage swayed and slid about. Francesca, already convinced of the madness of the scheme, was sure the carriage would crash, and that she would be immediately ushered from the coldest snow in Derbyshire to the hottest flames in Hell. She huddled in the corner and cast quick looks at her companion who rested her head languidly on the seat, her body swaying as one with the carriage.
“Cousin,” Francesca sounded small, almost like a child, rather than a widow of twenty and seven. Lily Hayden glared at her. “I apologize,” Francesca said quickly, “I meant to say, Mrs. Hayden. Should we not turn back? The weather is becoming harsher.”
“No, foolish girl! This is nothing, and besides, we are closer to Pemberley than to your friend’s estate. It would be ridiculous to turn around now. Stop your fretting.” Lily Hayden adjusted her position and laid back on the carriage squab and closed her eyes. Francesca hugged her body, looked out the window, and rocked.
“Have you heard from Darcy?”
Francesca jumped as she was whipped from her memories. She wiped her mouth on the napkin, “Good Morning to you, Hayden. Would you care for tea?” Francesca asked an ill-looking Hayden who sported dark circles beneath the eyes. Hayden glared at her and Francesca swallowed and spoke, “Yes, I have heard from Darcy,” she continued quickly, “you will be delighted to know that he intends to call on Friday,” she smiled.
Francesca yelped as fists slammed upon the table causing the silver to clang and liquid to slosh in her cup. Her chest heaved, and she turned large eyes toward Hayden whose face was twisted in fury. “Why the delay? Matlock will not remain on the continent forever, and we have already lost time while Darcy whiled away in that country village. You must move quickly!”
Francesca twitched; she wanted to kick a hole in the wall every time she heard that warning. Yet, looking into Hayden’s glare, she knew better than to unleash her frustration. Instead, she smiled and said softly, “I am aware of that, but Darcy will not be brought round if he feels as if he is being coerced; he will dig in his heels and refuse to move, then where will we be?” she raised a brow. “You must trust me; I know what I am about,” she smiled brightly and refreshed her tea; Hayden glared.
“Darcy! You are calling early this morning, my friend,” Charles grinned the Bingley grin – wide and full of joy – as Darcy sat. “But tis fortunate for me as I need your advice.”
“At your service.”
“I have discussed this with Jane and Lizzy this morning. As you know, my uncle has maintained a share in the family business. I received a letter informing me of his imminent demise. He is one and eighty, and his affairs are chaotic. His only son was a drunkard, and it was always presumed that my uncle would disinherit him. Uncle’s solicitor wrote to me that my cousin is now demanding access to all his father’s affairs, and uncle is too weak to resist him. The solicitor requests my presence since those holdings will revert to me upon my uncle’s demise. Uncle has made provision for my cousin to receive a sum that will enable him to live well, but my cousin has requested more funds. I do not mean to pry, but I know you met with similar circumstances at your father’s passing with, with, um,” Charles glanced at Darcy, “um, with the steward’s son. Do you have any advice on how I should handle my cousin’s demands?”
“If your uncle’s will is as you say, you are under no obligation to grant the request, Bingley.”
“Yes, I know, but I have been told that my cousin has matured in the last year; however, uncle has been too ill to amend his will.”
After ascertaining the amount to be awarded by the father and assessing the amount of the son’s request, Darcy advised Bingley to place the requested funds in trust, and if the son continued to improve, Bingley could release trust funds incrementally until the funds were exhausted.
“Excellent, Darcy! I will do that!”
Darcy nodded, “When do you leave?”
“As soon as I can make arrangements. I will take it slow and cover the distance in three or four days. I will likely remain a fortnight once we are there to give Jane a chance to know my relations.”
“So, you will be away for about three or four weeks?”
“About that.”
Darcy shifted in his seat and tapped his foot on the floor. “Does Mrs. Bingley look forward to the trip?”
“Yes. Jane is eager to meet her new family.”
Darcy cleared his throat, crossed, and then uncrossed his legs. “I am certain Mrs. Bingley also looks forward to traveling with Miss Bennet,” Darcy asked with a raised brow and slight smile.
“Oh no, Elizabeth will return to Hertfordshire.”
Darcy sat forward.
“We have told her that she is welcomed to travel with us, but she insists that this should be a special time for Jane and me, and she will not impose,” Bingley laughed. “For one so small, she has a strong will. She is not one to be refused.”
Darcy swallowed. “There is much more left to the season. I expect that Miss Bennet will return once your trip has concluded?” His voice sounded louder than usual.
“No, Jane suggested that, but Elizabeth is convinced that once home for three weeks, Mr. Bennet will be reluctant to have her return. She has been a great strength to my Jane, but she is determined that once she returns to Longbourn, there will be little sense in traveling back to London for the remainder of the season.”
“But there will still be much of the season to attend. Perhaps Mrs. Bingley has found her comfort by now,” Darcy asked as he rapidly rubbed together his thumb and index finger.
Bingley creased his brow. “No, Jane is very delicate, and I do not know if she will ever be easy navigating the ton. She has gained a measure of confidence, but it is still her first season. Elizabeth has been a great help, I would have liked for her to have remained for the complete season though,” Bingley said, rubbing his chin.
“Hmm, does not Mrs. Bingley have relatives in London?” Darcy asked.
“Yes, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, very amiable people. However, they are expecting a house full of guests next week who will remain with them a fortnight. They will have no room for Lizzy until their guests depart.”
Darcy rose and walked to the window, he stood erect, his hands clasped behind his back, peering at the greying skies that seemed to mimic his mood. Darcy cleared his throat, “Georgiana is keen to know Miss Bennet better,” he spoke into the window, “I am certain that she would benefit from furthering the acquaintance. As you know, Georgiana is also delicate and not easy in society. Perhaps Miss Bennet’s presence could strengthen both of the women in our lives?”
Bingley looked up quickly, “What are you saying, Darcy?”
Darcy schooled his expression, turned to Bingley, and shrugged, “Miss Bennet could be Georgiana’s guest.”
Bingley creased his brow and tilted his head.
Darcy spoke quickly. “Of course, Mrs. Annesley will be there, so there will be no impropriety. Georgiana has had school friends stay over the years, and there has never been a hint of scandal.”
Bingley looked upward for a moment and rapidly blinked his eyes, then he looked at Darcy and his face relaxed into the Bingley grin, “Excellent, Darcy! That could solve our dilemma! Oh, wait,” Bingley stilled and frowned, “Lizzy does not…” Bingley snapped his mouth shut and cut his eyes toward Darcy, his face ashen as he realized that he was on the verge of revealing to Darcy Elizabeth’s dislike of him. “Um, Lizzy does not like to have things arranged without her input,” Bingley offered instead.
“Of course, we will have Georgiana extend the invitation by letter. Miss Bennet will have every opportunity to decline.”
Bingley grinned again, “Excellent, Darcy. Excellent.”
Chapter Ten
“A missive for you, madam, and a lad awaits a response.”
Francesca snatched the missive from the houseke
eper and gazed at the seal. She inhaled and ripped through it, bracing herself for the news.
Mrs. Waters,
I regret that I must reschedule my call until Friday next. Important business has come before me. If your matter cannot be delayed, I can make my solicitor available to you, at no cost. I trust his advice categorically. Send word with the messenger should you need the assistance of my solicitor or if Friday next is not convenient.
Regretfully,
F.D.
Hands trembling, Francesca quickly reread the note. Then sighing heavily, she shook her head at the housekeeper. Once the housekeeper exited, Francesca lowered her head into her hands. She groaned; she would have to wait.
After his visit with Bingley, Darcy sat in his study. He still felt warm from his and Georgiana’s morning call with Elizabeth, but now, something even greater had occurred. Elizabeth may soon be in his home! If so, he would see her daily for at least a fortnight! Darcy leapt from his chair and paced. He would have a chance to earn her friendship and her love. Darcy’s heart pounded. To earn Elizabeth’s love would be sublime. Darcy stilled and closed his eyes to savor the ecstasy. However, as wonderful as it felt, Darcy’s excitement was tempered with caution, for he knew that first, he would need to change her opinion of him. Darcy remembered the conversation he had heard the night of the theater. He had invited the party back to enjoy refreshments and had escaped briefly into the night to calm his excitement. He had been leaning against a tree when he heard voices on the balcony.
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