Chapter 9
Darcy rode back to Netherfield with an anticipation he had not felt for years.
Earlier that morning, he had hurried to the established meeting being certain he had missed the encounter, that Miss Elizabeth was rightfully angered and offended by his delay and had left — if she had ever been there at all.
Finding her and being allowed to accompany her home, having the chance to speak to her at length, had exceeded his expectations.
He knew she was genuine in her worry for his sister and in her grief for his late parents.
Thinking of her warmed his heart in a strange way that he had never experienced before.
The tenderness in her voice as she spoke of his mother, the light expression in her eyes when she had tried to make light of her brave gesture from ten years ago, her natural, unaffected manners, and that smile that at times brightened her entire face were simply enchanting, and he could easily understand why his mother and sister had been so readily charmed by her.
Apparently, her liveliness was like a breath of fresh air, and her sparkling eyes remained unchanged, just as his mother had described them.
He was grateful for her eagerness to re-establish a connection with Georgiana, for deeper and more worrisome reasons than ensuring his sister had a friend.
The previous evening, he had received another letter from Mrs Annesley and one from the family doctor, who had been fetched to examine Georgiana.
Both expressed worries in regard to the girl’s apparent loss of weight and pallor.
Mrs Annesley related his sister’s low spirits and appetite and her refusal to leave the house willingly, while the doctor mentioned that Georgiana would not allow him to thoroughly examine her, claiming she was in good health.
Furthermore, Georgiana herself had written to him again, in a forced cheerful tone, encouraging him to stay longer in Hertfordshire. He was equally hurt that his sister did not trust him enough to disclose the nature of her suffering and that she preferred him far away from her.
After reading the letters, Darcy had faced a night of distress.
His first temptation had been to order his carriage and return to London immediately.
But what good would his presence bring? He could not force her to accept the doctor’s involvement, nor forbid her from distancing herself from other people.
Wishing her the best, he could easily worsen her state.
Overwhelmed by worry and unable to decide the right course of action, fearful that Georgiana might have inherited their mother’s illness and be hiding it from him, Darcy spent the night restless until dawn, when tiredness had defeated him and he had fallen asleep, almost missing the encounter at Oakham Mount.
After the conversation with Miss Elizabeth, which had truly delighted him, he now saw a glimpse of hope, if it was true that his mother and sister had been so fond of the lady as a child — even if only for a short period of time.
If Miss Elizabeth had saved Georgiana’s life, it was unlikely that his sister would show no interest and have no desire to hear from her.
Perhaps bonding with a young woman with whom she had shared happy memories would help Georgiana’s spirits.
He arrived at Netherfield anxious but knowing what he must do.
He attempted to avoid breakfast entirely and escape to his chamber — a plan that failed immediately.
As soon as he entered, he saw Bingley was waiting for him, worried, puzzled, and claiming he was starving, as they had postponed breakfast due to his absence.
“Forgive me for not informing you. I took a ride. I am not really hungry, Bingley. I have some letters to complete this morning, so please eat without me.”
“I will not have it, Darcy. You must join us for breakfast and then write your letters as you wish. I assume you will not join me in Meryton?”
“No, not today,” Darcy replied, surrendering to his friend’s insistence and entering the room where his sisters were waiting.
“Mr Darcy, where have you been?” Miss Bingley enquired immediately. “We expected you, and then your valet said you had been gone for some time. You gave us quite a fright!”
“I deeply apologise if that was the case, Miss Bingley. It is my habit to refresh my mind with an early morning ride, but I should have left word.”
“So where have you been?” Miss Bingley continued as breakfast was served.
“Just riding around the area.”
“Forgive me for saying so, but you have seemed out of spirits lately, Mr Darcy. I am almost as worried about you as I am about Charles. I trust you are wiser than him, however, and I know you have no particular friends in this county.”
“Actually, Darcy seems quite friendly with Mr Bennet,” Bingley intervened joyfully. “They share a love for books and other similar traits, some of which are not so interesting.”
“Oh, hush, Charles. Mr Darcy cannot have anything in common with anyone in Hertfordshire. This is nonsense.”
“Actually, Miss Bingley, your brother is not wrong,” Darcy replied. “I have found some mutual interests with Mr Bennet.”
Miss Bingley stared at him for a moment, then she frowned and sipped some tea, leaving Darcy content to eat in peace.
As soon as it was polite, he excused himself and hastened to the library, reflecting for a moment on what he should say in his letter to Georgiana. In truth, he was curious to know her response, and he chose his words carefully.
Dearest Georgiana,
I have some interesting news to share with you, which is pleasant and unexpected at the same time.
I might have mentioned in my previous letters a Mr Bennet, who owns an estate near Netherfield.
He has five daughters, and you may imagine my astonishment when I spoke to his second eldest daughter, Miss Elizabeth, and she confessed to me that she visited Pemberley ten years ago and claimed a close acquaintance with our mother and a childhood friendship with you when you were five years old and she was ten.
I was told that she has an aunt, a Mrs Gardiner, who was the niece of Mrs Clarke, our mother’s seamstress.
Apparently, during that summer, they visited Lambton, and Mrs Gardiner helped Mrs Clarke with some gowns for our mother — an occasion which brought Miss Elizabeth to Pemberley too.
As you may imagine, I was so intrigued that I wrote to Mrs Reynolds, and she replied enthusiastically.
She gave me a highly favourable report of young Miss Lizzy, whom she claimed was a particular favourite of our mother and a dear friend of yours.
Mrs Reynolds even remembered a dangerous accident when you fell into the lake and Miss Lizzy jumped in to save you.
I spoke to Miss Elizabeth at length about this matter, and while she dismissed any praise for her gesture, she recollected you with genuine tenderness and apparent affection.
I was impressed by how fond she seemed to be of you and of the memory of our mother, after all this time.
Miss Elizabeth told me she enquired after you many times after that summer and after our mother’s tragic departure and even attempted to meet you in London.
Mrs Reynolds also confirmed that Mrs Clarke sent news about our family to Mrs Gardiner in London many times.
I am not certain why you never met again, but I suspect at that time, your governess, as well as some of our relatives, considered it to your benefit not to maintain such a connection.
Regardless, Miss Elizabeth still holds tender memories of you, and she expressed her desire you meet you or at least to write to you. I chose to write to you first and inform you of this coincidence, so you may decide what you wish to do.
If I may offer an opinion, I would gladly approve of a correspondence with Miss Elizabeth, whom I find to be an educated and spirited young lady with pleasant and unaffected manners and with a caring, affectionate nature.
However, the decision is entirely yours. Please do not feel obliged to proceed either way. Whatever you choose, I shall support you.
To end on an amusing note, you should not be worried that Miss Elizabeth pretends a fondness for you just to impress me, as you have mentioned on several past occasions.
Quite the contrary. I behaved rather rudely on several occasions, and Miss Elizabeth boldly but fairly scolded me. I dare say only her affection for you and our mother induced her to pardon my faults and allow me the opportunity for some friendly conversations with her.
I look forward to your reply, and please know I miss you very much.
Your loving brother,
F
He re-read the letter and was satisfied with the contents before he sealed it and asked for it to be delivered express.
Then he wrote another letter to Mrs Reynolds, and only afterwards did he withdraw to his room, lying on the bed in the hope of some rest and quiet before being forced back into the company of Bingley’s sisters.
***
During breakfast, Elizabeth had to answer many questions that were more tiring than the walk to Oakham Mount and back.
Accordingly, she had to bear many disapproving glances, both from her mother and Mr Collins, who several times mentioned Lady Catherine’s opinion about a young lady’s proper manners.
From her father’s side, she only noticed a trace of curiosity and amusement.
“Mama, Kitty and I are going to Meryton,” Lydia declared. “I have heard that Lieutenant Denny has returned from town with a friend who intends to join the regiment too. We must go and greet Denny and make the acquaintance of this new officer.”
“You intend to go only with Kitty?” Mr Bennet asked, his eyebrow arching disapprovingly.
“I am sure Jane and Lizzy will come too,” the girl answered hastily.