Vol 1, Chapter 6
When Georgiana Darcy arrived in the breakfast parlour at Matlock House, her aunt, Andrew, and Richard were all seated and enjoying that morning’s fare.
Seeing her niece’s questioning look at the Earl’s empty chair, the Countess explained, “Uncle Reggie had an early meeting with Lord Jersey this morning.” Then she noticed the letter in her niece’s hand. “Is that from William, Gigi?”
“Yes, it is, Aunt,” Georgiana replied as she sat.
“What did that reprobate of a cousin of mine have to say?” Colonel Fitzwilliam teased.
“Richard, William is nothing of the kind,” his ward replied indignantly. “He is having a good time with Mr. Bingley, except for those sisters. There is something that I do not quite understand, though.”
“What is that Gigi?” Andrew asked, truly intrigued as there is little their Gigi did not understand.
“He had mentioned the same lady three times over the last two letters that I have received from him. William never mentions any particular lady but once in effort to share his day, except when he complains about Miss You-Know-Who!” Georgiana frowned as she scanned a sheet to make sure she had stated her concerns accurately.
“And what is the name of this mystery lady that seems to have caught your brother’s attention?” the Countess enquired.
“A Miss Elizabeth Bennet,” came the answer. Georgiana thought she had said the wrong thing when all three of her relatives froze, Andrew with a loaded fork halfway between his plate and his waiting mouth.
“Could it be?” the Countess asked.
“Of what are we talking?” a thoroughly confused Georgiana asked.
“The lady that Andrew met is a Miss Jane Bennet,” the Countess informed her niece.
“I wonder if they are related,” Andrew asked no one in particular.
“Would you like me to ask William if his Miss Bennet has a sister Jane?” Georgiana volunteered.
“No Gigi, please refrain. I do not know if the lady has any interest in me, and I would rather not have mine broadcast to anyone else yet, even if my younger cousin is normally the soul of discretion,” Andrew averred.
“Would that not be a coincidence if she is the same Jane Bennet as Edward Gardiner’s niece?” the Colonel opined.
“Andrew, dear, I almost forgot. I was at a committee meeting with Mrs. Gardiner. She let it slip that her niece Jane will be in residence from early December until they all leave to spend Christmas together with some of their family, so mayhap you may gain answers to a few of your questions at last,” his mother smiled as she gave him the news she knew he longed for.
As suspected, the information brightened Lord Andrew Fitzwilliam immediately; the object of his attention would be at Portman Square in but a fortnight! “If it is the same family, let us hope that William is not being his normal self,” Andrew stated.
“My brother is always a gentleman,” Georgiana defended. Not wanting to disillusion their Gigi, none of the three Fitzwilliams responded, and the subject was deftly changed by the Countess.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Thankfully, the rain ceased during the night; but unfortunately, the bridge that led to Netherfield remained uncrossable by a vehicle.
After breaking her fast, Elizabeth changed into a hunter green riding habit and made for the stables where a groom was holding Mercury and Mars, as well as his own mount, all of them already saddled.
Elizabeth gave her horse a carrot and a piece of apple, and Mercury rubbed his muzzle against his owner’s shoulder in appreciation.
After rubbing his neck, Elizabeth led her stallion to the mounting block.
Once she was seated, she nodded to the groom, who followed her into the field that led to Netherfield Park.
Once in the field, Elizabeth allowed Mercury to run, and oh how her horse could run!
Darcy himself was enjoying his morning ride when he saw the black and white horse flying across the field toward the boundary fence.
About a hundred yards behind her, he spied a groom leading another fine horse.
The rider of the first horse was a lady, and it took some seconds to identify her—but it was Miss Elizabeth!
‘How do the Bennets keep so many fine horses?’ Darcy ruminated angrily.
‘Resisting my feelings for Miss Elizabeth is becoming harder, but I must remind myself of the unacceptable connections the Bennets have.’ He again forgot, most conveniently, that a significant portion of his wealth was invested with Mr. Edward Gardiner, and the same tradesman he disdained in the Bennets’ connections was helping pay for his lifestyle.
He also seemed to have forgotten that Bingley’s roots also were in trade.
Unlike her father and brother, Miss Elizabeth did not jump over the fence, but waited at a gate until the groom arrived and opened it. Once the groom had remounted, they headed towards the manor house.
“Good morning, Miss Elizabeth,” Darcy lifted his top hat as she drew near him.
“Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth inclined her head, saying as little as she could and still remain polite to the rude, proud, and arrogant man.
“I assume you have brought that horse,” he pointed at Mars, “for Miss Bennet as the drive is not open yet.”
“You are correct, sir. Very astute,” she replied.
While she inwardly chastised herself for being so sarcastic, Darcy’s mind was whirling with the excitement of her being so playful with him.
For the rest of the short ride to the manor house, Elizabeth pushed Mercury ahead and did not look toward the insufferable man again.
At the stables, one groom held Darcy’s black stallion as he dismounted while another brought a mounting block to Miss Elizabeth’s side. “Thank you, Greg,” Darcy heard her say.
‘That is most singular; how does she know a servant’s name here at this estate?
Of course, her father keeps an eye on the estate, or mayhap he used to be employed at their estate,’ Darcy rationalised to himself.
“May I show you to the breakfast parlour, Miss Elizabeth? I believe your sister is breaking her fast,” Darcy asked aloud.
Elizabeth very nearly told the man, who she very much disdained, that she knew the way, cutting herself off just in time.
“Yes, please do, Mr. Darcy.” She replied politely.
As she looked down, Elizabeth noticed that she had a little mud on her hem from her gallop across the fields.
It did not bother her; she accepted it as a consequence of the pleasure she had indulged in without care, as she would be returning home soon.
She turned to the Longbourn groom and asked, “Jack, do you have the valise with my sister’s clothing? ”
“‘Ere, Miss Lizzy,” the groom said, handing a valise to the young miss.
When the two entered the breakfast parlour, Bingley and Hurst stood and bowed, while the supercilious sisters scowled.
Miss Bingley got a decidedly pinched look on her face when she saw Miss Elizabeth walk in with Mr. Darcy.
Darcy stood slightly closer to Miss Elizabeth in hopes Caroline would get his message.
“Miss Eliza, how did you get here when the bridge is still not ready for use?” Miss Bingley asked, ignoring the expectation that as her brother’s hostess it was her task to welcome a guest. “I see from your muddy hems that you must have gone tramping in the mud to get here.”
“Actually, Miss Bingley, Miss Elizabeth rode here and has Miss Bennet’s horse for her to return home,” Darcy interjected before Elizabeth could respond. Rather than appreciate his help, Elizabeth found his answering a question put to her patronising.
“Jane, are you ready to change?” Elizabeth asked, ignoring Miss Bingley and Darcy as they obviously needed no input from her.
“I am, Lizzy. Will you accompany me?” Jane responded as she stood and pushed her chair back, relieved that she could soon leave.
“Are you sure you both need to leave so early?” Bingley’s voice was filled with obvious disappointment.
“Our mother requires us at home, Mr. Bingley,” Jane replied, and before the man could object again, the sisters made their way up to Jane’s bedchamber. Not a quarter hour later the Bennet sisters returned to the breakfast parlour.
“I thank you all for the hospitality that I was shown,” Jane addressed the room and Elizabeth covered her mouth to hide her smile.
The others may have been ignorant, but Elizabeth easily detected the sarcasm in her sister’s tone.
The two sisters curtsied and left before any of the seated party could respond.
“How uncouth, to come calling at such an hour!” Miss Bingley started.
“I assume you would not allow dear Georgiana to go riding across the countryside unaccompanied. It shows an unseemly independence. I would dare say you do not find her eyes so fine any longer, do you Mr. Darcy?” Miss Bingley tittered at her own perceived wit.
“You are correct, Miss Bingley. I would not allow my sister, Miss Darcy, to ride unaccompanied,” he allowed, intending to continue to explain the truth of the matter, but before he could continue the shrew cut him off.
“You see, Louisa, Mr. Darcy would never allow dear Georgiana…” Darcy returned the favour and cut Miss Bingley off.
“As your brother seems to have omitted telling you, I will do so now.” Bingley lost the colour in his face, thinking his friend was going to repeat all he had said in the study the previous night.
“Neither my sister nor I have given you leave to address her so familiarly. She is Miss Darcy to you; do you understand, Miss Bingley?” Her mouth gaped open, as she realized her actions had angered the last person in the world she would wish angered. Miss Bingley nodded.