Chapter 4 #3
William frowned at that thought. “The events of last summer hurt her tremendously and have caused her to be even more timid than she was before.
Her experiences at school, I am afraid, did not help either.
She was too much in company with girls similar to Miss Bingley—always sniping and biting—and Georgiana struggled to find real friends.
She overheard some girls speak about befriending her only to gain access to me.
All of these experiences have made it more difficult for her to be willing to open up to others.
And the lack of girls her age near Pemberley has prevented her from forming friendships nearer to home.
“I am hoping your influence will help her find and make some real friends—not people like Miss Bingley but other women like you who are open and honest. Anne is my only female cousin, and she’s never been to town—and Aunt Catherine makes visiting difficult.
She and Georgiana exchange letters, but Anne is not the easiest correspondent either. ”
“I wonder …” Elizabeth trailed off, looking at her toes.
“What?” He asked softly. “You can ask me anything, Elizabeth.”
“Well, I just wondered how your cousin felt about the idea of marrying you. Did she ever wish for it? Is there no one she has ever wanted to marry?”
“Anne has always believed she would never marry. She had no desire to marry me—partly just to circumvent her mother.” He laughed a little at that thought.
“While we rarely interact in front of her mother, Anne and I are quite friendly, and Georgiana has facilitated several conversations through her letters.”
“I am glad to hear that,” Elizabeth admitted.
“I was hoping to announce our engagement at dinner tonight, Elizabeth. What do you think? I realise we do not yet have your father’s blessing, but we do have your uncle’s, and you are of age.” Darcy hesitated briefly. “But if you would prefer to wait, we can.”
“Let us talk to my uncle and see what he thinks. I also would like to announce it—to warn Miss Bingley off, if nothing else.” She grinned at him as she said the last. “Of course, she will not be at dinner tonight to hear the announcement.”
They walked toward the Gardiners and noticed that Bingley and Georgiana had also joined them.
Bingley announced to the group, “The Hursts will be dining in their rooms tonight as well. I spoke with Caroline earlier, and all three of them will leave for Scarborough in the morning. The Hursts will be leaving Caroline with our aunt and continuing to his family’s estate for the rest of the summer. ”
Then, turning to Darcy, he said softly. “I will leave sooner than planned as well, Darcy. I will return to Netherfield Monday when my carriage returns and perhaps help Miss Bennet with her excuse to go to London.”
Darcy nodded his understanding. Then Bingley turned to Elizabeth. “Miss Elizabeth, Darcy told me that he was wrong in November about how Miss Bennet felt—do you think that if I were to go there now, she would receive me?”
Elizabeth smiled at him. “Yes, I think Jane would be pleased to see you again.” Bingley beamed back at her and stepped away to speak to the Gardiners.
She looked up at Darcy and smiled at him. “Well, I guess everyone in this room knows our news, William.”
“It seems they are, my dear,” he replied, smiling down at her before taking her hand in his and kissing it lightly before setting it on his arm and leading her to a settee. The couple sat down, and the conversation turned more general.
“William,” Georgiana said as her brother sat. “What would you say to a picnic in a day or two? We could all ride to that lovely grove we found a year or two ago.”
“One small problem with that idea, Miss Darcy,” Elizabeth interjected before he could reply. “My aunt and I do not ride.”
“At all?” Darcy asked, surprise evident on his face.
“I attempted to learn as a child, but when I fell from the horse once, my father never allowed me to try again. I have never learned.” Elizabeth said.
“Horses terrify me,” Mrs. Gardiner added. “I am fine in a carriage, but I have never desired to learn to ride.”
“A pony cart could make the trip if that would be acceptable,” Darcy offered. “But, Elizabeth, would you allow me to teach you to ride? There is much of the estate that is only accessible by horse, and I think you would enjoy the freedom it offers.”
“I, I do not have a riding habit,” she said a bit sadly.
“I think I have one that could fit you if you would like to try it,” Georgiana offered. “And I have a gentle mare that I think you would enjoy riding.”
“Perhaps, tomorrow, you can try it on and see if any alterations are needed, Lizzy,” Mrs. Gardiner suggested. “Miss Darcy, can your maid make minor adjustments as needed?”
“Yes, Mrs. Gardiner,” Georgiana answered.
“Well, then we will take care of that in the morning and perhaps in the afternoon, Lizzy; you can have your first lesson,” Mrs. Gardiner organised.
“That sounds lovely, Aunt,” Elizabeth said. “Would that work for you, William?”
“Yes, I have some business to tend to in the morning, but I will ensure my afternoon is free for your lesson,” he replied.
Dinner was announced then, and the group entered the dining room.
Darcy escorted Elizabeth and sat her next to him on his right.
Bingley escorted Georgiana to Darcy’s left and took the seat beside him.
Elizabeth’s aunt and uncle were seated beside her.
The group chatted amiably and continued to discuss some ideas for activities over the next several days.
While the Gardiners had plans to visit a few of Mrs. Gardiner’s friends and family in the area, the rest of the group discussed visiting a few of the peaks in the area, and Georgiana suggested a shopping trip into Lambton in a day or two.
The gentlemen discussed sport, with Gardiner revisiting the idea of fishing one afternoon as well.
When dessert was served, Mrs. Reynolds brought in a chilled bottle of champagne and glasses.
Mr. Darcy spoke. “All of you here know our news, but I asked Mrs. Reynolds to bring in a bottle of champagne tonight so we may celebrate together.” The bottle was opened, and glasses poured, even to Georgiana, with just a splash in her glass.
Darcy stood, ready to toast to his fiancé when the door opened. “What are we celebrating?” Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam asked loudly, glancing around at the assembled guests and raising his brow at his cousin when he recognised the woman to Darcy’s right.
Darcy grinned. “Richard, not that you are unwelcome, but what brings you to my door? I thought you were at Whitehall for the duration.”
“A brief leave to take care of some business for father at Matlock. I knew you were expected here and thought to drop in for a meal, for which I am obviously late. But you were about to make a toast, dear cousin. What news?”
At this, Richard was handed a glass of champagne by a footman.
“I was about to offer a toast to the woman who has made me incredibly happy by agreeing to be my bride. To Miss Elizabeth Bennet!” Darcy said, raising his glass.
“Congratulations, cousin, Miss Bennet!” Richard cried as the group drank to the health of the couple. The look in his eyes made it abundantly clear to his cousin that they would discuss this development later.
Colonel Fitzwilliam was introduced to Elizabeth’s aunt and uncle, and soon after, the ladies separated from the gentlemen. Richard was brought a plate of food while the gentlemen drank port and discussed their fishing expedition for the next morning.
In the music room, the three ladies chatted about music and books and everything Georgiana had been learning during the spring.
Mrs. Gardiner and Elizabeth helped put Georgiana at her ease, and when the men joined them, both Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam smiled to see how talkative their charge was in these ladies’ company.
Darcy went and sat next to Elizabeth while Bingley and the Colonel sat next to his cousin. Mr. Gardiner joined his wife.
“Will you play for us tonight, Georgie?” Fitzwilliam asked. “It has been an age since I have had the chance to hear you play.”
“I will agree if Miss Bennet also plays. My brother and cousin both spoke of enjoying your playing while in Kent,” Georgiana suggested.
“Since your playing is contingent upon mine, I will agree,” Elizabeth said, arching her brow at Darcy. “However, I plead with you to allow me to go first. As I have heard often of your superior talent at the pianoforte, I fear I would not show well if I had to follow you.”
“But my brother said he enjoyed your playing both in Hertfordshire and in Kent. I can scarcely imagine that your playing is anything lacking,” Georgiana protested.
“I am afraid that you will find your brother has exaggerated my talents for some mischievous reason. However, I do love to play, so I will gladly play a song. This company will no doubt forgive any lack in my performance.” With this speech, she smiled archly at Darcy before rising to go to the piano.
Elizabeth sat at the piano and selected a familiar piece to play. The company applauded when she finished, so she rose and indicated to Georgiana that it was her turn. Just as she made to sit again next to Darcy, Caroline Bingley came barging into the room.
Pushing past Elizabeth again, she commandeered the seat beside Darcy, sitting far too close to the gentleman.
“I am sorry to have missed you all at dinner,” she cooed.
“The journey today; it was too much for my poor nerves. I am so looking forward to enjoying all that Pemberley has to offer on this trip.”
Rising, Bingley stalked toward his sister. “Caroline, come with me back to your room. We have already discussed that you are leaving in the morning with the Hursts.”
“We were invited to stay for the month. Why are you suddenly insistent on our leaving, Charles? Really, it is rude for us to depart so soon after our arrival,” Caroline pouted.