Chapter 10 Georgiana Darcy
By one o’clock, Elizabeth drew near to her sister and asked, “Jane, will you assist me with my corset? Sarah will be up shortly to arrange my hair.”
Jane rose to do as bidden.
“Lizzy, I am much taken with Mr. Bingley, and I fear it may be too late to guard my heart. He is a most personable gentleman and has shown me marked attention.”
Elizabeth regarded her with concern. “Then do not conceal your feelings as carefully as you have done before. I am persuaded that Alexander Lucas withdrew from you because he was never certain of your regard, or never knew it at all. You must show Mr. Bingley more than you are accustomed to show. If you will not advance your own cause, you must not complain of the result. Why invite disappointment?”
Jane’s color deepened. “Lizzy, that would be most improper.”
Elizabeth shook her head. “Very well, sister, then prepare yourself for disappointed hopes. Mr. Bingley cannot read your mind.” She turned to face her sister, her eyes narrowed in reproach.
“Furthermore, it is unkind to leave him in suspense. A gentleman requires encouragement to give him courage to proceed. I never suspected you could show such severity, my dear sister.”
At that moment, Sarah entered, and Elizabeth took her place at the dressing table while her hair was arranged. When both sisters were dressed and coiffed, they went down to the drawing room to wait.
“Lizzy, shut the door, if you please. I would speak with you both.”
When they were seated, Mrs. Gardiner continued.
“Lydia does not yet know that she is to be placed at school. She understands only that she was removed from Longbourn to safeguard her from Lieutenant Wickham. You must not mention school until your uncle returns. Lydia might attempt some rash scheme to gain her own way if she dislikes the idea.”
Both sisters signified their agreement.
“Where is Lydia, Aunt?”
“She is upstairs with Edward. He is much attached to her, and she to him. I must say he has shown remarkable conduct in her company, though I cannot account for it.”
Jane lifted her head. “Aunt, I believe Mr. Bingley has arrived.”
They kept their seats until sounds at the front entry reached them, and soon Samuel showed the gentlemen into the drawing room.
Mr. Darcy moved to Mrs. Gardiner’s side, with a young girl on his arm. “I should like to present my sister, Georgiana. She came to me from Derbyshire yesterday.”
Introductions were made, and Mrs. Gardiner offered tea.
Mr. Darcy accepted. “We were detained at Hatchard’s, a favorite shop of the Darcy family, and I fear we remained there nearly two hours.”
Elizabeth turned to the young girl. “Miss Darcy, will you sit with me and tell me of the treasures you have found?”
Mr. Bingley entered into conversation with Jane and Mrs. Gardiner, while Mr. Darcy devoted himself to his sister’s ease among new acquaintances.
“Pray tell me, did you discover any new novels to read, Miss Darcy? Or perhaps you prefer scholarly works?”
The young lady’s temperament was naturally reserved.
Elizabeth concluded that it must be a family trait, and that perhaps Mr. Darcy was not so much proud as he was reticent.
However, upon further observation, Elizabeth saw that the child spoke with evident pleasure.
“My brother permitted me to purchase my first novel by Ann Radcliffe. He judges me old enough to understand her writings and to determine for myself what is proper.”
“She is one of my favorite authors. I have read A Sicilian Romance and The Mysteries of Udolpho. Which work did you select today?”
“I purchased the first volume of The Mysteries of Udolpho. What is your opinion of it, Miss Elizabeth? Will it give me nightmares?”
“Not in the least.”
Mr. Darcy relaxed into the cushioned chair when he saw that his sister was comfortable, and Elizabeth noticed that he occupied himself with tea and more cakes than were probably good for him, his expression one of satisfaction.
The sight of him thus engaged caused her to smile to herself, pleased to see him so entirely at ease.
When the tea things were removed, the small party set out for the gardens. Once they were seated in the carriage, Georgiana turned to her new friend.
“May I call you Elizabeth?”
“You may, or you may call me Lizzy, as my family does.”
“Then it shall be Lizzy. Please call me Georgiana. My brother often calls me Georgie, but only he and Richard use that name. Have you met my cousin Richard?”
“I have not.”
“You will like him very well when you do. He is a colonel and has lately returned from France. The ladies admire him at first sight.”
“Indeed? And what recommends him so strongly?”
“He is amiable, very witty, and remarkably handsome. Many say he and my brother might be taken for twins.”
Elizabeth glanced toward Mr. Darcy and thought his face looked pinched; his lips were compressed into a tight line. She turned the subject.
“Was he long in France?”
“More than two years. He was summoned home because my cousin Philip suffered an injury, and Aunt Helen has taken him to Matlock for rest, in hopes of his recovery.”
Elizabeth again lifted her eyes to Mr. Darcy, and this time his eyes met hers.
“Philip was thrown from his horse during a hunt and struck his head. The physicians cannot say whether he will return to consciousness.”
The news engaged the attention of all within the carriage.
“Darcy, I had not understood the matter to be so grave. I knew of the fall, but nothing more.”
“It occurred almost two weeks ago, and he has not yet shown any response. There is no injury upon him except where his head struck a large rock. The swelling has diminished, and the bruising has faded, yet he has neither opened his eyes nor answered in any manner.” He shifted in his seat.
“My uncle required my cousin to return home in the event that Philip does not recover.”
Georgiana’s composure faltered, and Elizabeth took her hand.
“Georgiana, young men often hazard themselves and yet recover without lasting harm. Your family will know more in a short time. I recall the eldest son of one of our tenants, who persisted in climbing trees despite every warning from his father. One day, a decayed branch gave way beneath him, and he fell. He did not wake for almost three weeks, but his mother sustained him with sweet tea and broth, using a toddy lifter. He recovered his strength in due course and left for the city last year to take a post as a legal clerk. He prospers there now.” Georgiana pressed Elizabeth’s hand.
“One would never suppose he had stood so near death. In truth, he slept while his mind recovered.”
Georgiana took comfort from the account, and Elizabeth returned the conversation to The Mysteries of Udolpho. They continued in pleasant discourse until the carriage drew up near the bank of the River Thames.