Chapter 23
Chapter twenty-three
Elizabeth rose early the next morning. The sun had only just begun to rise, and the fire had not yet been built up. Her clothing was packed, her travel dress hanging neatly on the door.
Millie entered quietly. “Would you like to dress, Miss Elizabeth?”
Elizabeth nodded, and Millie assisted her, fastening the buttons at her back.
Elizabeth glanced at her. “You are packed as well?”
“Yes, ma’am. That was done last evening. My trunk has already been taken down.”
Elizabeth nodded thoughtfully. “I have a box in the library with the ledgers. They are important. Please ensure they are placed in my carriage.”
Millie smiled. “They have already been loaded, ma’am.”
Elizabeth gave a small laugh. “I should have expected no less. Thank you, Millie.”
It was still early, but Elizabeth made her way down to the dining room. She was pleasantly surprised to find the sideboard already laid out.
She prepared a small plate, poured herself a cup of hot chocolate, and took a seat.
Jane entered soon after. “Good morning, Lizzy.”
Elizabeth smiled over her cup. “Good morning.”
Jane filled her own plate and sat beside her.
With quiet happiness, she said, “Charles told me they will be going to London as well.”
Elizabeth’s lips curved. “Charles told you so, did he?”
Jane blushed. “We have been using our given names.”
“Then am I to wish you joy?”
Jane shook her head, though she could not suppress her smile. “No… not yet.”
Darcy entered the room. “Good morning, ladies. Do you expect the others soon?”
Elizabeth looked up. “Good morning. I do not think my mother will be down just yet. They will be traveling in their own carriage. In fact, there will be several. I hope that will not be inconvenient.”
Darcy smiled. “Not in the least. If necessary, I may make use of my uncle’s carriage house.”
Mary entered quietly, took up a scone and a cup of tea, and looked between them. “When are we to leave?”
Darcy glanced toward Elizabeth. “I understand the three of you will be traveling together.”
Elizabeth smiled. “Yes, though I believe we could make room for one more, if it were wished.”
Darcy met her gaze for a brief moment. “Then I shall be most obliged to accept.”
Bingley hurried into the room. “Oh good, I was afraid I might miss you all before you set out.”
His gaze went immediately to Jane and his expression brightened.
***
The journey to London passed without incident, though Elizabeth felt a growing sense of anticipation as the countryside gave way to busier roads and, at last, to the ordered streets of the city.
Their carriage turned into Grosvenor Square and came to a smooth halt before a large, elegant house. Elizabeth glanced out the window, taking in its quiet dignity rather than any show of grandeur.
“Well,” she said lightly, “we have arrived.”
A footman stepped forward to open the carriage door. Darcy was already descending and turned at once to assist the ladies.
“Welcome,” he said, his tone warm though still composed. “I hope you will be comfortable here.”
Elizabeth accepted his hand as she stepped down. “I think that very likely, sir.”
The rest of the party followed, and they were soon ushered inside.
The entrance hall was spacious and well-appointed, though not ostentatious.
Everything spoke of order and careful management rather than display.
Elizabeth observed it at once, the quiet efficiency of the household, the readiness of the servants, the ease with which everything was conducted.
Before they had gone far, a young lady entered the room. She paused just inside the doorway, as though gathering her courage, then came forward.
“Miss Bennet,” she said, with a slight curtsey. “I am very happy to make your acquaintance.”
Elizabeth returned the gesture with equal warmth. “Miss Darcy, the pleasure is entirely mine.”
Georgiana’s expression brightened, though a touch of shyness remained. “My brother has spoken of you so often that I feel I already know you.”
Elizabeth glanced briefly toward Darcy before returning her attention to Georgiana. “I hope I shall not disappoint such expectations.”
“I do not think that possible,” Georgiana replied, with a sincerity that brought a smile to Elizabeth’s face.
Darcy stood slightly apart, watching the exchange with apparent satisfaction.
Georgiana turned to him. “Shall I show them to their rooms?”
Darcy inclined his head. “I am certain they would be glad to settle themselves.”
Georgiana smiled, a little shyly. “If you will come with me, I have chosen the rooms myself.”
The ladies followed her upstairs.
As Elizabeth passed Darcy, he said softly, “If you are not too fatigued from traveling, perhaps we might walk in Hyde Park later.”
Elizabeth’s smile was immediate. “I shall look forward to it.”
Georgiana led them along the upper corridor. “These rooms are for Miss Bennet and Miss Mary,” she said, opening a door. “They share a sitting room between them.”
She closed the door gently and turned to Elizabeth. “Yours is a little farther along.”
They walked a short distance before Georgiana opened another door. “I hope you will like it.”
Elizabeth stepped inside. The room was decorated in soft green with touches of cream, both elegant and serene. She paused, taking it in. “It is very pretty,” she said.
Georgiana’s smile deepened. “I thought it might suit you. My brother said you were fond of the outdoors.”
She moved to an adjoining door and opened it. “This leads to a small sitting room. It is shared with my own chamber.” She hesitated slightly. “I hoped… that we might sit together there in the evenings, if you would not object.”
Elizabeth turned to her with genuine warmth. “I should like that very much.”
***
Elizabeth changed only what was necessary, exchanging her slippers for sturdier boots and adding a warm pelisse and gloves before returning downstairs. She had no wish to be unprepared.
Darcy looked at her with quiet approval. “You are well prepared for the weather, I see.”
He hesitated, a trace of concern in his expression. “I have received a note from my aunt. She requests that we attend dinner this evening.”
Elizabeth nodded at once. “Then you must certainly go. We shall be quite well.”
Darcy smiled faintly. “I fear I was not sufficiently clear. She wishes for all of us to attend.”
Elizabeth paused. “Oh… I am uncertain when my parents and sisters will arrive. My father does not enjoy traveling, and I think it unlikely he would welcome plans for this evening.”
Darcy inclined his head. “I would not expect it of him. If you, Miss Bennet, and Miss Mary will accompany Georgiana and myself, my aunt will understand your parents’ absence.”
Elizabeth’s expression softened with relief. “That would be much better. I am still amazed we persuaded my father to come at all, but to ask him to go out on the very day of his arrival would be asking too much.”
Darcy’s smile returned. “Then shall we go?” He offered his arm.
Within minutes, they reached Hyde Park.
“You were not exaggerating,” Elizabeth said, looking about her with pleasure. “You are very near the park. I think town will be much more tolerable with this so close at hand.”
Darcy glanced at her. “You do not care for town?”
She shook her head. “It has its pleasures. I enjoy the shops and the booksellers, and I admire the museum and the theatre. But I value walks in the country more, seeing the land and the people who tend it. That matters to me.”
Darcy’s expression warmed. “It matters to me as well.”
They walked for some time, though their progress was occasionally interrupted by acquaintances of Darcy’s, who insisted upon being introduced.
At last, as they were able to continue uninterrupted, Darcy exhaled quietly. “That is why I generally come here earlier in the day.”
Elizabeth laughed softly. “Then next time, we shall do the same.”
After some time, Darcy suggested they return so there would be sufficient time to dress for dinner.
When they reached the house, the butler admitted them at once. Something in Darcy’s expression changed at once. “What is it, Simmons?”
“Lady Catherine and Miss de Bourgh have arrived, sir.”
Darcy sighed, though his tone remained controlled. “Of course she has. Thank you, Simmons.”
He turned to Elizabeth. “I am not surprised she has come to London, though I had expected she would remain at Matlock House.”
Elizabeth gave a small shrug. “She does not alarm me.”
Darcy’s expression softened. “I admire that about you. You are not easily unsettled.”
Elizabeth colored slightly. “Yes, well…” She glanced toward the drawing room, where Lady Catherine’s voice could already be heard. “Once more into the breach?”
***
Elizabeth was in her room when a knock sounded at the door from the adjoining sitting room. She nodded to Millie, who went to answer it.
Georgiana entered, her hands clasped tightly together. “Oh, I am quite concerned. Lady Catherine arrived after you left with William, and she was displeased he was not at home to receive her. She did not approve of the rooms I selected for her and Anne.”
Elizabeth slipped an arm around her shoulders. “You must not allow her to see that she unsettles you. That only encourages her.”
Georgiana’s voice dropped. “I am not brave, as you are.”
Elizabeth laughed softly. “That is the secret, my dear. You need only appear brave. Think of it as a coat you put on. When you are wearing it, you are brave.”
She gave her a reassuring squeeze before stepping back toward Millie, who resumed fastening the last of her gown.
“And if you practice, it becomes easier,” Elizabeth continued. “Now, as for Lady Catherine, there are only two rules. Pause before you answer, and do not react. Treat her as though she were a second thought, not the whirlwind she wishes to be.”
Georgiana looked at her as though she found such a feat nearly impossible.
Elizabeth smiled. “Do not worry. I shall not allow her to devour you.”
Georgiana managed a small smile. “Shall we go down?”