Chapter X
A most disruptive and disagreeable influence arrived when Darcy, in the company of Mr. Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, and his cousin left Mr. Bennet’s study.
They had no sooner left the study when they heard footsteps on the stairs at the end of the hall, and Miss Lydia Bennet appeared.
The girl halted at the sight of them, a look of utter shock affixed to her features.
“Mr. Darcy!” exclaimed she with more confusion than sense. “What can you be doing here?”
“Lydia,” said Mr. Bennet, his tone warning. “Is that how you talk to a guest in this house?”
“Good day, Miss Lydia,” said Darcy at once, not waiting for the apology he was certain she would not offer.
“Come with us,” said Mr. Bennet, beckoning to his daughter.
The girl wished to say something more, but some well of discretion made itself known and she held her tongue.
By her movements, however, she informed them all of her dissatisfaction with his presence, as she flounced the rest of the way down the hall and let herself into the sitting-room before anyone else moved.
Darcy felt his cousin’s eyes on him and turned to look, noting Fitzwilliam’s knowing expression—clearly, she was everything he had expected, unsurprising since he had experience with young girls enamored with officers.
When they entered the room, Darcy noted Miss Lydia’s curiosity at seeing Georgiana seated with Miss Mary and Miss Kitty, with Miss Bennet and their mother looking on. Sensing a possible means of avoiding unpleasantness, Darcy stepped forward.
“Miss Lydia, if you will allow me, I believe you are yet unknown to my relations.”
Not waiting for the girl’s acquiescence, Darcy performed the civilities, easily recognizing her interest when he mentioned Fitzwilliam’s rank.
The look did not last long, for she seemed to recall something, which set her to scowling.
She seemed to have little control over her facial expressions, for whatever she felt was at once announced in her features.
Mr. Bennet, he noted, regarded her, unhappiness unmistakable, but he sensed now was not the time to argue and settled for observing her.
“I did not expect to see you in Meryton, Mr. Darcy,” said the girl as she sat at her sister’s side. “Given your eager flight last November, I might have thought it was the last we would see of you.”
Darcy’s defense came from a most unlikely source, though when Darcy considered the event after the fact, he knew he should have expected it.
“Mr. Darcy’s return is a pleasing circumstance, Lydia,” snapped Mrs. Bennet, directing a quelling look at her youngest.
Miss Lydia did not get the hint. “Given the damage you have caused here, I wonder that you would presume to show your face.”
“I echo your mother, Lydia,” said Mr. Bennet, fixing his daughter with a look most unsatisfied. “These are guests in our house, and you will treat them accordingly or you will return to your room.”
It was no less than obvious the girl did not wish to cease her attacks, but she remained silent, though she glared at him with mutiny in her eyes. Darcy knew there was little enough chance of persuading her, but he could not help a single comment.
“It would be best, Miss Lydia, to protect yourself by not accepting everything you hear at face value.”
Miss Lydia huffed her annoyance and folded her arms across her body, but she did not deign to speak again, which was just as well.
Georgiana, Darcy noticed, regarded the other girl with barely concealed astonishment, likely not understanding how anyone could speak to him in such a fashion.
That Miss Lydia had not spoken of Wickham—even she seemed to possess some discretion—was a matter for which to be grateful.
How Georgiana would respond to such a comment he could not say.
“I hope, Mr. Darcy,” said Mrs. Bennet, as much to direct the conversation away from her daughter as from any interest, “that you have concluded your business with Mr. Bennet satisfactorily.”
Then again, Darcy realized the question was of the greatest importance to Mrs. Bennet, given her ambitions for her daughters.
The way the Bennet matron glanced at Fitzwilliam, he knew she could not understand why he might have been present.
That did not prevent her from the hope that his errand concerned Miss Elizabeth.
It did, of course, but not in the manner she suspected. Not yet.
“Our business is still ongoing, Mrs. Bennet,” said Darcy. “But yes, I believe it has proceeded agreeably to this point.”
Mrs. Bennet regarded him, confused at what business might be ongoing. “Then you will stay in the neighborhood and are not simply passing through?”
“I believe we will be here for a few days at least,” replied Darcy.
“Where are you staying?”
“At the inn in Meryton,” said Darcy.
A frown settled on the woman’s face. “The inn in Meryton? Surely you jest, Mr. Darcy, for that inn is most unsuitable for gentle families. It is nothing more than a drinking establishment with a few rooms attached to it.”
“Aye, that is nothing less than the truth,” said Mr. Bennet. “Those who wish to stay near the neighborhood usually take lodgings in Stevenage, though Luton is an equally acceptable alternative. Even Hatfield would be preferable.”
“We have already settled into the inn,” said Darcy, thinking that they could not have firsthand knowledge of the place.
It was worse than they claimed, for the rooms were small, the floorboards creaked alarmingly, the food was barely tolerable, and the beds so lumpy, he was not certain he would get any rest.
“The nature of our business dictates that we must remain nearby.”
“I have stayed in many a rougher accommodation,” added Fitzwilliam, grinning at the Bennet matron for her concern. “A soldier cannot always choose where he spends his nights. When on a campaign, I have slept with only a blanket between myself and the heavens.”
At this, Miss Lydia’s ears appeared to perk up, but Mrs. Bennet was shaking her head. “Oh, no, no, no, that will not do! I shall not have it said that Longbourn’s hospitality is inferior to that of our small inn. While you are in residence, you must stay with us.”
Darcy hesitated, uncertain what he should do. When Mrs. Bennet saw this, she must have understood something of obstinacy in his manner, for she huffed and amended her invitation.
“If you can withstand the inn, I have nothing to say. But surely your dear sister must not endure such lodgings. Longbourn is not your excellent estate, Mr. Darcy, but it is comfortable and clean and has more than enough room to host your sister. I must insist she stays here with us while you are in the neighborhood.”
Georgiana appeared surprised, then a shyness fell over her that Darcy took to imply no unwillingness to accept the invitation. Uncertain how he felt about it and not knowing if this would foil their plans, Darcy looked to his cousin, who he noted was weighing the matter.
“Actually,” said he, “that is not a poor notion at all. It would allow Georgiana to be comfortable while in residence and remove her from . . . other potential pitfalls.”
Fitzwilliam’s significant look at Mr. Bennet reminded Darcy they were to stay in the nearby cottage, and as he would not wish to leave Georgiana at the inn alone, it was Longbourn or the cottage.
At Longbourn, she would have the Bennet sisters close to hand, a footman, the butler, and several stout stable hands for protection.
This would allow Darcy to assign Thompson, his largest and most intimidating footman to stay until they had word of Wickham.
When it came time to apprehend the libertine, Darcy wished for Thompson’s assistance, as he knew it would be invaluable.
“What do you think, Georgiana?” asked Darcy.
“If Mrs. Bennet will have me,” said Georgiana, visibly gathering her courage, “then I should be happy to accept.”
“Then it is settled,” said Darcy.
Misses Kitty and Mary appeared pleased with the development, and Kitty whispered in Georgiana’s ear, prompting a nod and a wider smile than Darcy had seen from his sister in many months.
“We shall retrieve your effects and return before dinner.” Darcy turned to Mrs. Bennet and bowed to her. “Thank you for your kind invitation, Mrs. Bennet. My sister will be much more comfortable at Longbourn.”
“Oh, it is nothing, Mr. Darcy,” said the Bennet matron. “We are happy to have your dear sister with us, I am sure.”
Darcy nodded. “Might I also trouble you to host Georgiana’s companion?”
“Of course, sir. I should not dream of depriving your sister of her companion.”
With that settled, Darcy and Fitzwilliam soon took their leave.
––––––––
“Now, Miss Darcy,” said Mrs. Bennet when the gentlemen had departed, “let us see about establishing you in a guest room for your stay. Do you have any preference for colors and décor?”
“No, Mrs. Bennet,” said Miss Darcy. “I shall be perfectly happy whatever the appointments of the room.”
“Oh, surely you must have some favorites you prefer,” clucked Mrs. Bennet. “Let us go upstairs now and you may choose your room, for we have three guest rooms, though one is appointed more as a nursery.”
Mrs. Bennet led the girl from the room, chattering with her all the way, Kitty, Mary, and Elizabeth following behind.
Jane, Elizabeth noticed, stayed in the sitting-room while her father departed for his study, though Elizabeth did not hear his door closing.
That Lydia would not accompany them was not a surprise, given the belligerence with which she had greeted the Darcys.
Perhaps Jane would speak to her after they were gone, imparting a little tact.
It had never worked before, but surely there must be a first time for everything.