Chapter Forty-Seven
July 1812
I t was a full week before Georgiana and her brother were able to speak to each other as before. He was patient with her, knowing she had been deeply hurt by the revelation of Wickham’s failings, as well as by his own rough speech. Word came from the head gardener that Wickham had indeed been seen on Pemberley grounds, and a warning shot had been fired over his head. He had scampered away and had not been seen since.
Lady Anne joined the family at meals more frequently. Her behaviour toward Elizabeth, while hardly warm, was less vituperative; her children were delighted to see her making such an effort, but Elizabeth preferred to reserve judgement. There was something in the woman’s eyes that told Elizabeth trouble was brewing.
Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth had decided to make Master Bianchi’s upcoming visit a birthday gift for Georgiana, who would turn sixteen the week before his arrival. A birthday celebration was arranged for the girl, which Lady Anne attended. Georgiana was given the entire day to herself, with no lessons with Mrs. Annesley. Dinner was comprised of all her favorite foods, and a large cake was presented to her at the end of the meal, compliments of Mrs. Thurston and the kitchen staff.
She beamed at everyone throughout the meal and demanded a “Very large, thank you!” slice of cake. Finally replete, she sat back and said, “Sixteen! I am very grown up now, am I not?”
Mrs. Annesley replied, “Very grown up indeed; now that we have made a start on French, and continued your lessons on geography and history, we must add etiquette to your studies.”
Georgiana made a face.
Lady Anne said, “I will sit in on some of those lessons. I am the daughter of an Earl and know everything about what is acceptable in polite society and so will correct your errors.”
There was a brief silence; then Mr. Darcy cleared his throat and said, “Elizabeth and I have a special gift for you. Elizabeth?”
Elizabeth could hardly speak for smiling. “Your brother has arranged for Master Bianchi to come to Pemberley for a week. He will arrive Monday next.”
Georgiana went pale, and her hand went to her throat. “Master Bianchi? Coming here?”
“Yes; and you will have him here for a week.”
“But – but how?”
“Your brother made him a very generous offer.”
“Oh, Brother!” Georgiana leapt from her chair, ran to Mr. Darcy, and threw her arms around his neck.
Elizabeth saw Mrs. Annesley open her mouth to reprove her charge for her manners, but then clearly changed her mind and sat back with a smile on her face.
“It was Elizabeth’s idea,” Mr. Darcy said, voice muffled by his sister’s embrace.
“Lizzy!” Georgiana flew to Elizabeth and enveloped her in a hug. Then she straightened, a look of consternation on her face. “But, oh! I must practice and practice so that he is not disappointed to have come all this way! Mrs. Annesley, I must be allowed practice time!”
“We will adjust your schedule to suit, Miss Darcy. Come now and sit back down.”
***
Master Bianchi’s arrival at Pemberley caused quite a stir; he was about forty, and quite good-looking in the dark Italian mode. “Far too handsome, if you ask me! Nothing but trouble!” was Mrs. Reynolds’ opinion on the matter.
Elizabeth was briefly concerned that Georgiana, having shown herself ready to be in love, might fall for the attractive foreigner, but it was soon clear that both Master Bianchi and Georgiana were only interested in Miss Darcy’s progress on the pianoforte.
Mrs. Annesley, assured that the man would spend only a week at Pemberley, rearranged Georgiana’s schedule so that she could spend as much time as possible with the most sought-after music master in the country.
“Mrs. Annesley, perhaps you would consider making some plans of your own for the week that Master Bianchi is with us? Is there a relative you might wish to visit? A Darcy coach can take you wherever you might wish to go.”
“My connections are all in London; by the time I arrived, it would be time to return. I thank you, Mrs. Darcy, but I will sit in the music room with Miss Darcy while they play; she must be chaperoned, you know.”
“Of course; but you must ring for a maid to take your place once you have heard enough of their scales and arpeggios.”
“I shall, Mrs. Darcy.”
“Oh, and one more thing, Mrs. Annesley. You must let me know if Lady Anne becomes a nuisance. I recall her stating that she would attend the etiquette lesson.” Elizabeth managed not to roll her eyes at the prospect.
“You think her unaware of proper etiquette?” Mrs. Annesley spoke carefully.
“I think her unaware of simple manners, let alone anything more!” Elizabeth replied with some heat.
“I do understand that she has made things difficult for you here at Pemberley,” the woman replied diplomatically.
“Difficult? Difficult! The word is a masterpiece of understatement.” She saw Mrs. Annesley open her mouth to speak and then think better of it. “Please – what were you about to say?”
“Only this: now that you understand what it is to be mistress of Pemberley, you can surely see why she would object to abandoning that post.”
“But – but that is the way of our world, Mrs. Annesley! The father dies, the son takes a wife, the wife takes on the mother’s role. And, if I am honest, I would have welcomed her instruction, had she been willing to offer it. Instead, she has been – no, no. I apologise, Mrs. Annesley, for involving you in such a way. My troubles are my own to bear.”
“Mrs. Darcy, I am here for you, in the event that you wish to share those troubles with another woman.” And with that, Mrs. Annesley curtsied and left the room.
***
Georgiana’s week with Master Bianchi flew by. At the end of it, Georgiana entertained her family with a concert. Elizabeth’s eyes were wet at the end of it; she had never heard such music in all her life. As everyone stood and applauded her, Master Bianchi spoke with Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth. “I will be honest and tell you that it was the extraordinary fee you were willing to pay that brought me here; but now that I know this young lady, I will be happy to return for no fee at all. Such a love of music! Such a gift she has!” He shook his head, unable to continue.