Chapter Twenty-Four #2
Late afternoon of New Year’s Eve brought the carriage carrying Edward and Anne, along with Mrs. Jenkinson, to Pemberley. Darcy met them in the courtyard. “Edward, I had feared you would not come.”
“We had some difficulties, but we are happy to be here, Fitz. May we stay several days at Pemberley? Anne and I must make plans before we venture to Matlock for my parents’ anniversary party.”
“Without a doubt. You do not need to ask.” Darcy shook his hand. Then he turned to assist Anne from the coach. “Anne, it pleases me to see you looking so refreshed. I hope you are well.”
“Edward keeps me from dwelling on my illnesses. I feel so much stronger when I am on his arm.”
Darcy smiled with the knowledge that Lady Catherine’s hold on Anne would soon be over. “Let us go into the house, shall we?” He offered Anne his arm, and she actually smiled up at him.
“Darcy, where are Mrs. Darcy and Georgiana?” Edward asked.
“Elizabeth seeks Georgiana in the music room. They will join us shortly. We have several other house guests. Permit me to introduce you.”
“Elizabeth, there you are,” Darcy called as she entered the room on Mr. Harrison’s arm, a fact which should not have bothered him as much as it did. Thankfully, she quickly left Harrison and slipped into Darcy’s outstretched arms.
“I am sorry, love. I instructed the staff regarding the colonel and Anne’s arrival.
I did not mean to be so long.” She slid her arm around his waist as she turned her attention to their guests.
“Colonel, you are most welcome, and Miss de Bourgh, we cannot tell you what joy you brought to this household today.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Darcy. Edward and I have been anticipating the pleasure.”
Turning back and gesturing to Harrison to join them, Elizabeth said, “Colonel Fitzwilliam, Miss de Bourgh, this is one of our house guests, Mr. Chadwick Harrison of Hines Park. I have just been explaining to Mr. Harrison, Colonel, that you serve as Miss Darcy’s guardian, along with her brother.
” Darcy noted an unusual exchange between Harrison and Elizabeth, but he trusted her judgment in the gentleman.
Edward made his bow. “I know Hines Park, but I did not realize you had taken possession of the estate, Harrison.”
“I have, Colonel. My father passed away recently.”
“We offer you our condolences, sir,” Anne added softly. Harrison made an acknowledging bow and then offered his excuses to leave them to their reunion.
“Georgiana, why do you not show Anne and Mrs. Jenkinson to their rooms? I am confident your cousin would like some time to freshen up,” Elizabeth instructed.
Anne turned to Edward. “I will return shortly.” He smiled and squeezed her hand.
“Edward, I realize the trip was exhausting, but would you do me the favor of taking a stroll through the garden before going to your room?” Elizabeth smiled knowingly.
“I … I would love the exercise, Mrs. Darcy,” he stammered, not understanding her impetuous request. “A few moments to stretch my legs would do me well.”
Darcy looked offended. “May I not join you?”
“Colonel, your cousin always was jealous of our private ramblings,” she teased. “Should we include him today?”
“I believe he has earned that right, Mrs. Darcy.”
Elizabeth smiled up at Darcy and caught his hand. “Come, love, we must hear all of Edward’s news.” Realizing she had wanted some privacy, both men followed her outside.
They walked a short distance from the house before Darcy caught her hand to bring her to the point of this extemporaneous walk. “Elizabeth, Fitzwilliam should return to his room. Would you care to tell us the purpose of this sudden need for the outdoors?”
“I spoke to Mr. Harrison this morning. His interest in Georgiana grows.”
Quick to react, Darcy began, “I will not have it, Elizabeth.”
She caught his arm to stop his thoughts. “I also spoke to your sister. Georgiana believes she holds feelings for the man,” she continued. “We spoke at length as to what she should be asking herself of any man before she considers accepting his hand.”
“Do you not think that Georgiana is too young for marriage?” Edward questioned.
“In age, she has reached a common time for marriage, but I agree she is too vulnerable to recognize her worth. Harrison, I concede, would treat her well—he would value her fine mind. I wish only for Georgiana to find real love, and I have told her so.” Darcy paced as she talked.
“William, please. I have told them both you would not approve of such an alliance at this time, and I would not attempt to persuade you otherwise.” Her words lessened some of his concern.
“What else did you tell Harrison, Mrs. Darcy?” Darcy despised it when his cousin acted with calm while Darcy stewed.
“I forbid Mr. Harrison from requesting a promise of Georgiana until after her next birthday. I suggested the man secure the future of Hines Park to prove to you, William, that he sought Georgiana’s love and not her fortune, and I suggested that if someone were to harm Georgiana, you, Colonel, were skilled in the ways of killing.
” Because of the oddity of her words, both men laughed at this last reference.
“William, Mr. Harrison has agreed to my suggestions, but he will present himself to you when Georgiana turns eighteen. Between now and then we should learn all we can of Harrison’s past and of his prospects.
Meanwhile, we should expose Georgiana to various social gatherings.
If an alliance between Harrison and Georgiana is meant to be a match, time will tell of its success. ”
“Mrs. Darcy,” the colonel began, “you are wise beyond your years. No wonder my cousin wished to keep us apart at Rosings. He feared I might realize your worth.” Edward slapped Darcy on the back as he started towards Pemberley. “We will talk more later, Fitz,” he called over his shoulder.
Thoughts of losing Georgiana agitated Darcy, but Elizabeth’s manipulation of the situation had brought him some relief. “My cousin is correct. Although I always appreciate your wit, your astute insights are often unexpected.”
Elizabeth hastened to his waiting arms. “You are not upset with my interference into Georgiana’s life? I should not have intruded in your family’s affairs. Did I do anything correctly, William?”
“First, Georgiana is your sister, so what is there to censure? You have gained her trust while forestalling Mr. Harrison’s attentions.
You earned a promise from Harrison, providing us time to assure the truth of his feelings for Georgina, as well as his ability to provide for her.
I am glad you are not a man with whom I must do business regularly.
You handled this situation more capably than I.
” He hugged her tightly to him and kissed the top of her head.
“Did you really threaten to have the colonel kill Mr. Harrison?” He seemed befuddled by the implications.
“First, you threaten Mr. Wickham and now Mr. Harrison. I begin to fear for my safety, Elizabeth,” he taunted.
“You have nothing to fear from me, William.” She kissed him warmly. Elizabeth looked about nervously. “I am looking forward to this evening. Are you not, love?” she said tentatively.
“Any evening which ends with you and me in our bed is a glorious occasion,” he beamed.
“Then we require no company, sir. We should send them all away.” Her teasing always aroused him, and Darcy felt sensual warmth creep into his body.
“Do not tempt me, Elizabeth,” he warned.
Although he would prefer otherwise, they returned to the house. There would be time in the evening to prove his love for her.
The last of the party joined everyone for supper: the new vicar, Mr. Winkler had arrived.
The gentleman was somewhat of a novelty to many in his parish, for he was nothing of the previous clergyman’s nature.
Darcy noted how the females of the parish brought the gentleman food goods in hopes of claiming his attention, and although some called Winkler’s manners distant, he set an example for others in the neighborhood.
His polite conversations addressed the needs of his parishioners, but he was easily distracted and rarely initiated the discourse.
His sermons filled the church with his passion for the scriptures, sometimes bordering on the evangelical, but the villagers seemed to enjoy his efforts in the pulpit.
Darcy still wondered if he had made the right decision by presenting the man the living.
Winkler’s aloofness sometimes bothered Darcy because it reminded him of his own dislike of social gatherings.
“Welcome, Mr. Winkler,” Darcy offered the vicar his hand in greeting before handing the gentleman off to Mrs. Darcy for introductions.
“We are pleased you could join us, Mr. Winkler. With your permission, I would give you the acquaintance of my eldest sister and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. Bingley, my aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, and Mr. Darcy’s cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, as well as our Dove Dale neighbor, Mr. Harrison.”
“I am pleased for the acquaintance,” Winkler said.
At length, Elizabeth directed the man to the last of the party. “You know Mr. Darcy’s sister, Miss Darcy, and this is my sister, Miss Catherine, and Mr. Darcy’s cousin, Miss de Bourgh.”
Darcy noted his wife’s raised eyebrow, and so he studied what occurred.
He prayed Winkler had not set his sights on Georgiana, for Darcy wished a better marriage for her, but it was not Miss Darcy the man watched nor his cousin Anne.
It was Elizabeth’s sister. When Georgiana asked the man to join them, he did.
Although Darcy would not easily welcome the match for Kitty, Winkler would be a viable candidate for the girl’s affections.
Elizabeth smiled knowingly at Darcy, and he returned her raised eyebrow before joining his cousin and Bingley for a conversation on shooting and the season.