Chapter 3 Invigorating Interaction
Invigorating Interaction
Mr. Gardiner’s carriage halted before the blue door of Darcy House on Grosvenor Square promptly at one o’clock, as the invitation for Jane and Lizzy Bennet detailed. Cheeks rosy and hands fidgety, Georgiana stood in the foyer as Mr. Travers successfully gathered doffed bonnets and cloaks.
“Miss Bennet. Miss Elizabeth,” Georgiana greeted as she rose from a graceful curtsy. “I am so pleased to welcome you to Darcy House. Thank you for graciously accepting my invitation.”
“An invitation to pass the afternoon in your company, Miss Darcy, is an honor. Jane and I can conceive of no greater delight. Can we, Jane?”
Jane affirmed this as sincerely as Lizzy, causing Georgiana’s blush to spread to her temples. “You are both far too kind. I know London boasts innumerable entertainments more fascinating than a luncheon at Darcy House. Why, you could be shopping, for heaven’s sake!”
Lizzy laughed gaily and laced her arm companionably through Georgiana’s.
“Frankly, I am sick to death of shopping.” Lizzy steered them gently toward the parlor, emphasizing when Georgiana gawked incredulously, “Indeed I am! After a while, all the fabrics and lace look the same, and I can no longer distinguish between sable or fox. On top of that, I am quite certain my feet shall never be the same after walking miles over rough stones. It is tragic.”
“Now I am positive you are teasing me, Miss Elizabeth. I am suspicious of your claiming sore feet, given how often my brother has mentioned your fondness for walking. However, the evidence of jesting is that everyone knows the difference between sable and fox.”
Amid the three women’s laughter, they sat on the settees surrounding the low table already laden with a three-tiered silver plate rack and two porcelain salvers piled with an assortment of edibles.
Decorative plates and shining silver cutlery pieces sat atop a crochet-edged linen tablecloth.
The housekeeper Mrs. Smyth trailed behind them, delivering a tray with three porcelain cups on saucers, a steaming teapot, and sugar and cream in matching servers.
“Shall I pour, Miss Darcy?”
“Thank you, Mrs. Smyth, but I wish to attend to my guests.”
The housekeeper gave a single nod and silently exited the room without acknowledging Lizzy or Jane in any way.
Lizzy’s brows lifted, and she shared a startled glance with Jane, but neither said a word.
Georgiana’s concentration was on the precision pouring of the hot tea into the cups, either heedless of the housekeeper’s lacking manners or accepting it as normal.
Shrugging it aside as unimportant, Lizzy replied as to tea-drinking preferences and helped herself to the snacks.
“May I ask if Mr. Darcy is at home?”
“Not presently, Miss Elizabeth,” Georgiana answered without glancing up from her task.
“He left early for an appointment with his tailor. I suspect by now he is either fencing at Angelo’s or the track riding his horse.
He mentioned needing exercise, and those are his preferred choices to expend energy.
I am not sure when he will return. Oh!” Concern etched upon her face, Georgiana jerked her eyes to Lizzy.
“How inconsiderate of me! Naturally, you wished to see my brother! I do apologize for not being clearer in my invitation and causing your disappointment.”
“Miss Darcy, it is I who should apologize. Your invitation was perfectly clear, and we accepted for the sole purpose and pleasure of your company. I asked of Mr. Darcy merely out of curiosity. In truth, it is a boon that he is elsewhere. Female conversation is far more interesting, to my way of thinking, and having a man about would only disrupt. Is that not so, Jane?”
“Absolutely. At the first mention of gowns or hair accessories he would run screaming from the room.”
“I will take your word for it since my experiences are minimal, although William made the same claim this morning. It is true that his eyes glaze over whenever I mention garments or the like. He immediately sends me to Mrs. Annesley or Lady Matlock.”
“As I suspected.” Lizzy nodded sagely before biting into a sandwich wedge.
“To be fair,” Jane added while Lizzy chewed, “my mind wanders the second the topic of cigars or firearms is broached.”
“Oh! How true that is! You have sisters, but I only have my brother. Visitors to Pemberley are predominantly male, such as my Cousin Richard, Mr. Bingley, and other gentlemen friends of William’s.
Not that I am often present at their private gatherings, mind you.
Nevertheless, a lone female adolescent is easily forgotten when sitting silently in a corner.
Despite my disinterest, I probably know more about popular sporting events, the top horses on the racing circuit, and strategies for winning at billiards than most females do. ”
“Think what an advantage this will be, Miss Darcy, when the time comes for you to find a suitor.”
Rosiness once again touched Georgiana’s cheeks, but she laughed at Jane’s comment. “An advantage or disadvantage, depending on the man, I suppose. If I unearth one who likes what I do, such as music, dancing, and ladies fashion, we would be an anomaly to behold!”
“Something to toast too, I say.” Lizzy held the delicate china cup in the air. “To Miss Darcy someday finding her male anomaly!” Ringing clinks and sips followed, along with laughter. “See, we are having tremendous fun and have barely started!”
Jane leaned forward to brush a finger over the teapot. “This is a beautiful tea service, Miss Darcy, and these tarts are exquisite.”
“Credit for the food I cannot claim, nor the tea set since it has lived in this house longer than I have. But I am gladdened to hear you are satisfied. I confess to being quite nervous.” She peeked at her guests through her lashes, murmuring, “This is the first tea party I have hosted myself.”
The sisters shared a smile, Jane assuring, “I am stunned to hear this, Miss Darcy. You are an excellent hostess. My guess was years of practice.”
“You are most kind to say so, Miss Bennet. I assure you that is not the case, although I have attended numerous social gatherings, mostly small ones,” Georgiana disclosed in a firmer voice.
“I have assisted my aunt frequently, that is Lady Matlock. She has taught me the proper etiquette, of course, yet the greater benefit is in observation. She is elegant, confident of hand, and immensely skilled in the art of casual conversation. Wait until you meet her, Miss Elizabeth, then you will know of what I speak.”
“You are fortunate to have a gifted, and willing, relative living near you, Miss Darcy. Her influence shows.”
“Indeed, Jane is correct.” Lizzy patted her sister’s hand.
Then she cocked her head and smiled archly at Georgiana.
“On the other hand, Miss Darcy, think how improved the fortune of your education if you lived closer to Lady Catherine de Bourgh. She is prodigiously knowledgeable on every subject, you know, and by her admission greatly accomplished. Oh! To be frequently exposed to a grand house decorated with imposing sophistication and refined style. Rosings Park, where quality is visible even in the windows and glazings. Just imagine how improved your manners as hostess and stimulating our conversation if she were the aunt fate settled nearer to you.”
“Lizzy,” Jane softly admonished.
Georgiana, however, had pressed the back of her hand against her mouth and her shoulders were shaking with silent laughter. Lizzy winked over the rim of her teacup.
“Indeed, it is quite all right, Miss Bennet,” Georgiana finally squeaked out. “Surely William would scold me for unkind thoughts, but I confess my sentiments refuse to behave properly where Lady Catherine is concerned. She has terrified me since I was a child!”
“Mr. Darcy would scold because that is what responsible, grown brothers are required to do. I can almost guarantee his heart would not be fully engaged in the reprimand, Miss Darcy. As for me, well surely you have gleaned by now that I tend toward impertinence as a general attitude? I did warn Mr. Darcy of the risks involved in allowing me to corrupt your gentle nature.” She sighed and set her face into an overblown mournful expression. “Alas, he did not heed my warning.”
“I daresay he would not, Miss Elizabeth! There is not a risk of corruption but rather hope for improvement. Your impertinence, as you name it, my brother defines as boldness and confidence, both of which I need more of.”
“I do confess that our time together, Miss Darcy, is insufficient to render a verdict as to the levels of confidence and boldness you own. My preliminary judgment, however, is that you are better disposed to each than you warrant. As for Lady Catherine, I suspect impertinence is a foolhardy maneuver while being terrified is an indication of good sense.”
“Perhaps.” Georgiana bent to pour fresh tea into their cups, eyes on the task as she talked.
“My father was neither foolhardy nor terrified, yet he hated Rosings. He rarely visited, the last time when I was very young. My last memory of the manor is a vague one of dim corridors and frightening tapestries. One of the few times I recall Father angry was when Aunt criticized me about something. I no longer remember what, but he was furious. After that, on those occasions she visited Pemberley, he never forced me to interact beyond the basics of hospitality. William has never asked me to accompany him to Rosings.”
“So he frequently travels to Kent?”
“At least twice yearly since our Uncle Lewis passed on. My brother is acutely loyal to family and friends, Miss Elizabeth. I am sure you have learned this yourself.”
Lizzy nodded and took the cup from Georgiana’s hand.