Chapter 3 Invigorating Interaction #2
“In the case of Rosings, my brother’s loyalty was first to Sir Lewis de Bourgh. He was a nice man. Very gentle and warm. And of course, my brother is immensely fond of Cousin Anne. Not as he is fond of you, Miss Elizabeth. Never was it like that!”
Lizzy laughed and waved away Georgiana’s wide-eyed concern. “No need to worry, dear girl. Mr. Darcy has unraveled the misunderstandings on that relationship with extreme clarity. I envy you both, if you must know. Jane and I have few cousins our age, and none live close to us.”
“Neither do I. Cousin Richard is the only one, really, but he is older still than my brother. I have no female friends my age.”
Georgiana handed the cup to Jane, speaking without sadness or rancor in stating the facts as they were.
Her nonchalance struck Lizzy harder than if she had whined pitiably about the loneliness of her childhood.
Guiltily Lizzy thought of all the times she had wished there were fewer flighty females crammed into Longbourn annoying each other.
How many hours had she spent away from the manor for no reason other than to gain minutes of peace?
Only in the past weeks as she prepared to leave Longbourn, and especially now, with Georgiana’s youth in mind, did Lizzy begin to recognize how blessed she was to have four sisters.
“Soon that will change, Miss Darcy,” Jane stated.
Georgiana looked at Jane with creases of puzzlement marring her brow.
Jane smiled and patted Lizzy’s hand, speaking tenderly, “In a matter of weeks you will have a sister.”
“Absolutely!” Lizzy fervently concurred. “And one who comes with an army of sisters in tow! Jane you already know is wonderful”—Jane blushed and demurred—“and I am certain you will like Kitty and Mary too.”
In truth, she was certain of no such thing. Best to be positive at this juncture, however. Not that it appeared to work.
Georgiana’s expression was equal parts hopeful and alarmed by the prospect. Probably not wanting to dig further into the subject, she rapidly changed the subject. “How was your tour of Mr. Bingley’s townhouse at Berkeley Square, Miss Bennet?”
“Delightful, thank you. It is an excellent house with generous proportions to the rooms, tall windows, a pleasant garden, and a parlor on the uppermost floor with a superb view of the square. The location is fortuitous as well.”
“It is within blocks from Darcy House, which will surely be advantageous. How did you find the decor?” Georgiana’s seemingly innocent query and serene gaze at Jane were almost convincing—if not for the lips twitching as they fought a smile.
Lizzy hid her smirk by sipping slowly on the hot tea.
“The decor is…unique,” Jane stammered. “There are plenty of furnishings, no doubt of that. Some are not quite my taste.”
Lizzy burst out laughing. “Some? What my sister is too polite to say, Miss Darcy, is that aside from Mr. Bingley’s specific rooms, it was garish and cluttered.
Miss Bingley has been mistress of the house for some time now, has she not?
” Georgiana affirmed with a single nod. “Oh, my dear Jane! I foresee endless fun and challenges ahead! Do not fret over my sister managing, Miss Darcy. We are quite familiar with Miss Bingley’s peculiar personality. ”
Lizzy went on to amusedly describe the Bingley townhouse decor as Jane had revealed to her in shocked dismay. Jane added the random comment, always with a tone of kindness even when reporting something ghastly, and soon all three of the women were laughing.
“I must beseech you to change the subject or I shall surely say something unkind, earning more scolding from my brother! Tell me about the wedding plans. That should be a safe topic, yes?”
“You would think so, yes.” Lizzy wiped at the tears pooling in her eyes. “Then again, you have yet to meet our mother.”
“Now, Lizzy,” Jane began, but Lizzy forestalled her by clasping her hand.
“I am teasing. Mama has been surprisingly reserved, once she finally accepted that neither Mr. Bingley nor Mr. Darcy intended to apply for a special license or insist on being married in Winchester Cathedral.”
“There was no need for the expense of a special license, of course,” Jane added, ignoring the Winchester Cathedral nonsense. “Plenty of time to announce the banns. In fact, the first call was this past Sunday in Meryton, as I presume it was at Saint George’s for Mr. Bingley.”
“I cannot say on that, but the first banns were called by Reverend Bertram two Sundays past.” Georgiana pressed her palms against her chest, smiling radiantly at Lizzy.
“Oh! I cannot begin to express my joy at hearing them read. ‘I publish the banns of marriage between Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Lambton Parish, and Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Meryton Parish. If any of you know cause or just impediment why these two persons should not be joined together in Holy matrimony, ye are to declare it. This is the first time of asking.’ And of course, no one had a word of objection, only delight. I was overwhelmed with congratulations and thankful Cousin Richard was at my side to assist.”
“Well,” Lizzy murmured, feeling fairly overwhelmed herself, even hearing of it second hand. “I am pleased to learn that the local citizens enthusiastically greeted the news of Mr. Darcy’s betrothal.”
“Indeed so! Stability and continuity of the Darcy family are essential for so many who depend on us. Granted, they are probably not as concerned about my brother’s personal happiness as they are the technicalities.
” Georgiana reddened, belatedly remembering certain aspects of the “technicalities” involved with family continuity, then rushed on.
“You will adore living at Pemberley, Miss Elizabeth, I know you will. Now you must describe your wedding gowns. Is the train four feet and of the spun silk you wanted?”
Lizzy snorted a laugh, nearly spewing a gulp of tea. “Mr. Darcy told you about that? Oh my!”
“He was utterly amused, of course. As he is with everything you say.”
Lizzy blushed and, once she caught her breath, went on to describe her gown. Jane did as well, Georgiana as interested in her details as she was with Lizzy’s. This surprised Jane, and when she obliquely remarked as such, Georgiana was swift to reassure.
“Indeed, I am very interested, Miss Bennet. Mr. Bingley has been our friend for over five years now. More a friend to my brother, naturally, but I defy anyone not to like him immediately.”
Georgiana proceeded to recount her first meeting of Mr. Bingley.
The high-spirited, gawky nineteen-year-old university student from a family one generation past actively engaging in trade had astonishingly gained favor from the stern, humorless Mr. Darcy, already Master of Pemberley at twenty-three.
Not too long after their fledgling friendship began, Darcy had invited Mr. Bingley to dinner at Darcy House, and it was then that Georgiana met him.
She vividly described the initial introduction and her impressions with a hitherto unknown wittiness and dramatic skill that had Jane and Lizzy breathless with laughter.
Into this near hysteria, Mr. Darcy returned from his visitation with Colonel Fitzwilliam.
Attempts were made to halt the laughter long enough to listen attentively to his formal welcome, but mirth had taken root.
He finally bowed and, with a shake of his head and resonant chuckle, left them to their madness.
For over an hour more they chatted as only females who are wholly at ease with each other can.
Topics ranged widely, serious at times but mostly gay and trivial.
Lizzy was impressed by the intelligence Miss Darcy hid behind her shy exterior, and with each passing minute, her delight in acquiring such a sweet young lady as her new sister grew stronger.
Amid the casual conversation, she and Jane learned innumerable tidbits about the men soon to become their husbands. Innocent comments about Georgiana’s brother revealed a wealth of information Lizzy tucked away.
Georgiana’s suggestion to leave the stuffy parlor for a stroll about the rear yard was latched onto enthusiastically. Crossing the broad foyer toward the wide corridor leading to the terrace doors, the trio encountered the butler Mr. Travers carrying a tray upon which sat a silver pot and lone cup.
“Ladies,” he greeted, managing to perform a stately incline of his head while holding the tray steady. “A walk in the garden appears to be on the agenda?”
“It is a fine day for it,” Georgiana acknowledged.
“Indeed, it is, Miss Darcy. Carry on, and call if you wish for a cool beverage after ingesting pots of hot tea.” After another polite nod toward each of them, he resumed his careful trek toward the side of the house where the library was located.
“My brother has tea in the afternoon if he is at home. He is such a creature of habit.”
Lizzy glanced away from the retreating butler, the placid smile on her lips slipping upon encountering the surprisingly calculating expression Miss Darcy wore.
“I think you should deliver his tea, Miss Elizabeth.”
“Oh no! I could not impose upon him uninvited.” Even as she spluttered the negation, her eyes swung back to the butler.
“He will welcome the interruption from you, trust me.”
Jane’s subtle shrug decided the matter. Dwelling on the idea no further, Lizzy scurried after the butler and ignored the giggles floating behind her.
“Mr. Travers?”
“Yes, Miss Bennet?”
Suddenly feeling utterly ridiculous, even with his calm face and the faint smile, she pointed to the tray and stuttered, “Is this…I understand this is for Mr. Darcy? In his office?”
“Indeed, Miss Bennet. He always has tea this time of the day. And I am always the one to deliver it. An expectation he has undoubtedly grown weary of. Might I impose upon you to tend to the task for me? Just this once, of course.”