Chapter 7
SKETCHING HER CHARACTER
Darcy arrived at his sister’s Mayfair establishment very early the next morning. He had in mind something other than a social call. He had barely taken his seat before embarking upon the purpose of his visit.
“Georgiana, I know you and Miss Elizabeth Bennet have corresponded regularly since you first met at Pemberley, but what do you really know about her?”
“Whatever do you mean, Brother?”
“Are you aware she is acquainted with George Wickham?”
“I am aware of it. She mentioned having met him in Meryton when he first arrived. I understand he has joined the militia.”
“Are you saying it does not disturb you knowing someone whom you deem a dear friend considers the likes of George Wickham a trusted acquaintance?”
“Brother, George is your enemy. He is not mine.”
“After the way he treated you, how can you say such a thing?”
“With great ease, for I choose not to dwell upon that aspect of my past. I am equally to blame for the misunderstanding.”
“Does Miss Elizabeth know of our family’s dealings with the scoundrel? Have you confided in her?”
“I have told her nothing of my shame, nor do I intend to. I simply conveyed to her there is a breach in our relationship and that I would rather not speak of it. Miss Elizabeth has honoured my wish, and we have had no further discussion of the gentleman. She need not know I was once foolish enough to consider myself in love with a much older man who did not return my affections.” A slight flush crept across her cheeks.
“What benefit would be derived? This is a secret I wish no one to know—not even our aunt, Lady Ellen. I expect you to honour my wish.”
Darcy squeezed Georgiana’s hand. “Your secret is safe.” Indeed, Darcy had secrets of his own, for he had never shared with his young sister, the true nature of what all had happened with Wickham.
He could not bear to have her learn that Wickham had admitted his only purpose in wooing Georgiana was to obtain her dowry of thirty thousand pounds as well as spite Darcy in the process.
What a blow to her esteem that would be.
“Thank you, Brother.” Georgiana tilted her head to the side and raised her eyebrows. “Pray, what do you think of Miss Elizabeth, having met her at last? Is she not the kindest, most generous young lady you have ever met?”
Darcy regarded his sister’s glowing endorsement of her friend with silence.
Georgiana gave him no notice and continued her soliloquy. “Oh, and I must thank you for your willing participation in my scheme. It worked just as I had planned. Did you not notice as one gentleman after another took his place in standing opposite her on the ballroom floor?”
He had noticed. For whatever reason he had yet to explain, it bothered him exceedingly, especially since he dared not request Miss Elizabeth’s hand for a second set.
He had been so caught off guard by her mention of George Wickham and her declaration of wishing to sketch his own character that he had not used the fleeting moments between sets to his best advantage.
I would by no means suspend any pleasure of yours. He had not intended to challenge her in that way, but he had meant every word of it.
Darcy reached over and retrieved the book his sister had been reading when he arrived. “When are you planning to see Miss Elizabeth Bennet again?”
“She will be my guest at the Richardson’s ball. You do recall, you promised to attend that one as well.”
The Richardson’s ball is three days hence. I need—no, I want to see her sooner than that. “Perhaps, you might call on her. I would be happy to accompany you.”
Georgiana bolted from her seat, raced to the window, and peered outside. After a moment, she turned to face her brother.
“What has got into you? Are you expecting someone?”
“No, Brother, but you in Cheapside? I merely wanted to see if the sky was falling.”
Darcy’s mouth fell open. When had she learned to tease him in such fashion? Her attitude recalled him to Miss Elizabeth’s teasing manner the evening before.
Georgiana said, “Forgive me, but you hardly spoke a single word to Miss Elizabeth last evening. I doubt that you have ever even ventured to Cheapside before. Why would you want to call on Miss Elizabeth?”
“Have you ventured to Cheapside before, young lady?”
She bit her lower lip and dropped her eyes. She said nothing.
“Do not fret, Georgiana. That is even more reason I wish to accompany you. I think I am well within my rights to know with whom you are spending your time and where.”
“Of course, you are correct. When shall we plan to leave?”
“I say there is no better time than the present.”
What an improbable turn of events—Mr. Darcy calling on me?
When the guests were settled and the tea served, she said, “It is my pleasure you two have called on me. I certainly never expected such an honour.” It will surely take a week for him to remove the stench of having come all the way to Cheapside.
“My aunt and uncle will be sorry to have missed you.”
After some time had passed, where Mr. Darcy had barely lent a word to advance the conversation, his purpose in being there that morning dawned on Elizabeth.
He means to find fault. Then he will forbid his sister to have any further association with me.
Elizabeth’s courage always rose with any attempt to daunt her.
Let Mr. Darcy sit there and brood and judge all he likes.
Georgiana evidenced enough enthusiasm for both her and her brother. “Elizabeth, as I have no sisters of my own, I am compelled to live vicariously through your many accounts of your own sisters. Pray, what news is there from Longbourn?”
Elizabeth enjoyed a most advantageous view of both her guests. Try as she might, she could not help but discern the grimace that graced Mr. Darcy’s countenance. “Georgiana, all my sisters are exceedingly well.”
“And what news is there of your eldest sister, Miss Bennet, and Mr. Bingley?”
There it is again! Clearly, Mr. Darcy is troubled by his sister’s questions. Elizabeth’s question was why! “I received a missive from Jane this morning. She speaks as fondly of Mr. Bingley as ever. I can only suppose they are getting along perfectly well.”
“Oh, I do hope there will be a wedding.”
Mr. Darcy’s face turned a disturbing shade of pale as he tugged at his crisp white cravat. For Heaven’s sake, breathe, Mr. Darcy. “Pardon me, Mr. Darcy. Is your tea to your liking?”
He nodded his head and set his porcelain cup aside. “Yes—thank you, Miss Elizabeth.”
Georgiana looked back and forth between Elizabeth and Darcy. “You never said, Elizabeth, how my brother was received in Hertfordshire.”
Here is a chance to rattle Mr. Darcy even more than I did last evening, but do I dare?
He was not at all impressed with my making mention of Mr. Wickham’s name.
“You will recall I did not have the privilege of meeting Mr. Darcy in Hertfordshire.” Elizabeth and Darcy’s eyes met.
He is far too serious! What this conversation needs is a bit of liveliness.
“However, from what I heard, I beg you to prepare yourself for something very dreadful, Georgiana. You see, your brother danced with no one at the assembly save those of his own party, and there were several young ladies sitting about with no partners.”
Wide-eyed, Georgiana turned to face him. “Brother!”
He cleared his throat. “Aside from Mr. Bingley’s sisters, all those in attendance in want of dance partners were strangers.”
“Your circumstances were no different from Mr. Bingley’s, and yet he danced with many,” cried Elizabeth. “He suffered no difficulties at all forming many new acquaintances.”
“If I may be allowed to speak frankly, Mr. Bingley is very amiable and flows readily into conversation with all whom he meets, whereas my brother often boasts of a hesitance to engage in conversation with people he does not know.”
Elizabeth said, “Or perhaps your brother does not consider it is worth his time to speak to those whom he deems unworthy.”
Darcy crumbled his brow. “You seem rather fond of ascribing opinions to me as though they were my own, Miss Elizabeth. I can only imagine you enjoy doing so as a means of provoking me.” He leaned forward. “I am not afraid of you.”
Elizabeth pressed her hand to her chest. “Heavens, Mr. Darcy! You have painted me in such an unflattering light in which I would want no one to regard me, and here I meant to pass myself off as one is who is in equal parts perceptive and endearing.”
“On the contrary, Miss Elizabeth. No one who has had the privilege of standing opposite you on the dance floor will find you lacking.”
Elizabeth, having rather expected to affront him, was amazed at his gallantry.
Not wishing to be denied her share in the conversation, Georgiana said, “What a beautiful pianoforte.”
“It is a gift from my uncle to my aunt and has only arrived mere days ago. I shall tell my aunt you approve. After having seen for herself the magnificent instrument at Pemberley, I am certain that she will surely appreciate the weight of your compliment.”
Barely able to contain her enthusiasm, Georgiana shifted impatiently in her seat.
“You are welcome to exhibit.”
Georgiana blew out a long breath before smiling. “As much as I would love to exhibit, I fear my brother may be growing restless.”
Darcy cleared his throat. “If Miss Elizabeth has no objection, then we might stay a bit longer.”
Georgiana walked quickly to the instrument and took a seat. “Will you join me, Elizabeth?”
Elizabeth would do anything to escape Mr. Darcy’s penetrating stare. “It will be my pleasure.” She stood, scurried over, and sat next to her friend.
Georgiana could not help observing that Darcy had his eyes fixed upon her friend. In a voice only Elizabeth could hear, she said, “How goes your list? Would you say you met anyone worthy of consideration at last evening’s ball?”
Elizabeth hushed her friend. “Imagine what your brother would think if he knew my secret.”
The younger woman raised her brow. “Perchance my brother shall find his way on the list.” She knew her brother well enough to know he did not regard women in the manner in which he regarded Elizabeth as a habit.
Before Elizabeth could respond, one way or another, Darcy approached the instrument and recommended a lively duet.
Georgiana and Elizabeth readily conceded.
Georgiana saw and suspected enough to be intrigued, and her great affection for her friend Elizabeth and her ardent esteem for her brother kindled her desire in seeing the two of them in company more often.
When the clock struck two, the time had come for the Darcys to take their leave.
While Georgiana had been rather effusive when speaking of their upcoming outing, Darcy was rather reserved.
When at first he had arrived, Elizabeth’s nearness overwhelmed him; he was finding it hard to breathe—hard to concentrate, hard to find the words.
Having sat patiently through the young ladies’ chit-chat on the affairs of the evening before, including all the fashions and the like, Elizabeth’s charm and her witty conversation put him at ease.
She had likened some of the young ladies at the ball to Caroline Bingley on more than one occasion.
No doubt Caroline used her time with Miss Elizabeth in Hertfordshire to plant seeds of a possible alliance between the two of us.
It would have not have been the first time.
Miss Elizabeth meant to test me to ascertain the veracity of Caroline’s claims. At least, Miss Elizabeth saw fit not to mention George Wickham’s name again.
The more he thought about it on the carriage ride home, the more he considered that Elizabeth was flirting with him with her witty repartee and her teasing smile. Darcy had never been more bewitched by any woman as he was with her.
Were it not for the inferiority of her connections, I might be in some danger.