Chapter 21 Fridays Are for Gardens
Fridays Are for Gardens
Bingley’s idea of going to Kew Gardens was agreeable to all, and soon they arranged a large party.
Mr. Darcy’s landau would convey Elizabeth, Miss Darcy, Lady Clara, and Mrs. Annesley, Miss Darcy’s companion.
Bingley would drive his curricle with Jane, and Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam would ride alongside.
Elizabeth was delighted with the opportunity to get to know Georgiana and Lady Clara better.
Darcy had originally asked if she would like to ride along in the curricle with him, and while she found it delightful, she thought it important that she come to know his sister, so she declined.
He was disappointed but heartened by her reason.
They were not ten minutes away from Gracechurch Street before Elizabeth knew she would have an uphill climb in befriending Georgiana.
The poor girl was so shy she could barely utter a word.
She sat next to Lady Clara, nodding along to whatever that lady said, and looking about at the scenery.
Elizabeth asked her about the countryside, whether she had been to Kew Gardens before, and whether she preferred town or country.
To each of her inquiries she received the shortest answer possible and eventually, she decided to speak with Lady Clara instead.
She was just as in need of a friend, but far more ready to converse.
Perhaps Georgiana was like her brother and preferred to observe.
Mayhap she would speak once she felt she knew Elizabeth better.
They reached the gardens without incident and before they could walk five steps, Lady Clara had taken Elizabeth’s arm and pulled her ahead of the others.
“Lady Clara, what is it?”
“Miss Elizabeth, I must ask for your assistance in a personal matter.”
“Of course, I will help however I can. What do you require?”
“Would you help me walk with Colonel Fitzwilliam? I know you have seen that I enjoy his company. If I orchestrate something—”
“You will look like you are scheming.”
“Exactly. But if you do it…”
“It will appear I am scheming,” teased Elizabeth.
“I am sorry to put you in this position. If it is too awkward, pray forget I said anything at all.”
“I am only teasing, Lady Clara. Of course I shall help you. Only, I know for a fact Colonel Fitzwilliam must marry with fortune in mind…” She hesitated and looked inquiringly at Lady Clara.
“Oh, that is of no concern. My dowry is forty thousand pounds.”
Elizabeth’s eyes grew wide. “It is a wonder you are not yet married.”
Lady Clara looked at her pleadingly.
“Right, this is not the time for that discussion.”
“Thank you.”
“Join him with Georgiana and I will call her away shortly.”
Clara squeezed her arm and smiled brightly. “Thank you, Miss Elizabeth. I will not forget your kindness!”
Elizabeth smiled and pressed her arm, then moved to join Mr. Darcy where he was watching them rather quizzically.
“Do I want to know what you are up to with my cousin, Elizabeth? You have a glint in your eye that is quite frightening.”
“Frightening! You do exaggerate, Mr. Darcy. What could possibly be frightening about me?” She smiled teasingly at him and he pulled her a little closer.
“You are positively terrifying when you choose to be, and you know it.”
She laughed gaily. “I am no such thing! I can hardly be held responsible if a great man such as yourself is frightened of harmless ladies.”
“Where are these harmless ladies you speak of?”
Elizabeth laughed again and leaned into his arm. “You are delightful when you tease, Fitzwilliam. I do hope you will continue to practice.”
“I intend to, my love.”
A few minutes later, she said, “Do you think Miss Darcy would like to walk with us?”
“I do not imagine she would object. Did you speak much on the ride?”
Elizabeth sighed. “No, we did not. I had thought she was merely shy, but perhaps you are correct and I have frightened her.”
Darcy looked at her with a frown. “Are you teasing, Elizabeth? You know I cannot always ascertain your intentions.”
“Only a little. We did not speak much, that is true. I eventually thought she might prefer to get to know me as you did—by watching instead of speaking. So I spoke with Lady Clara and she seemed to listen attentively. Perhaps when there are fewer women about she will speak more.”
“Perhaps,” he said thoughtfully. He looked over his shoulder and said, “Excuse me, my dear,” and trotted off to join his sister and cousins.
Soon he was back with Georgiana on his arm. He offered Elizabeth the other and she smiled brightly at him.
Darcy then proceeded to surprise Elizabeth in the most pleasant way.
He spoke. He talked of the flowers and plants they were seeing, the peacocks visible under a tree nearby, and the geography of the river that ran beside them.
He spoke to Georgiana and herself in turn, eliciting more than one enthusiastic response from the young girl.
He was very nearly charming! To add to the joy of the day, Mr. Bingley had fallen so far behind with Jane they could barely be seen, and Lady Clara looked exceedingly pleased with her position on Colonel Fitzwilliam’s arm.
Elizabeth was enjoying the company of her beau and his sister and feeling quite proud of the assistance she had given Lady Clara when there was a rise of voices behind them. She stopped to look over her shoulder.
“Who is that?” she asked.
“I do not know. The gentleman looks vaguely familiar,” responded Darcy.
A gentleman roughly Darcy’s age and a woman with her back to them were talking to Colonel Fitzwilliam and Lady Clara. Colonel Fitzwilliam looked delighted; Lady Clara appeared mildly ill.
“Darcy!” The colonel waved them over. “You remember Jonathon Covington and his sister, do you not?”
Darcy looked at his cousin suspiciously, but he greeted the newcomers politely.
Everyone was introduced, and the Covingtons were invited to join their party.
They walked along as one large group for a time, but eventually Georgiana fell back to walk with Mrs. Annesley, who had been keeping to the outskirts of the group.
Mr. Darcy and Mr. Covington seemed to be discussing some sort of horse race, and Miss Covington walked at her brother’s side.
Lady Clara was beside Darcy, looking disappointed.
Colonel Fitzwilliam looked around to make sure everyone was distracted, then grasped Elizabeth’s elbow and led her to the side of the path.
“I need your help, Miss Elizabeth.”
“What is going on? You look like you’ve been caught sneaking into the larder.”
He gave her an eloquent look that said she was not far off. “I wish you to befriend Miss Covington.”
“Me?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“I cannot explain now, but I am asking you, as my friend, to do this for me. I would not suggest it if I did not think highly of her.” His eyes locked on hers, blue meeting brown, and she nodded.
“Of course, Fitz. You have done a great deal more for me. I am happy to help.” She had her suspicions, but she would keep them to herself—for now.
He squeezed her arm and smiled. “I will be calling you Lizzy soon enough, I’m sure.” He ignored her look of surprise and added, “Thank you. I promise I will explain all in due time.”
She nodded and made her way around the group, thinking how best to handle the situation. Hoping she was doing the right thing, she approached Mrs. Annesley.
“May I ask a favor?”
“Of course, Miss Elizabeth.”
“Would you walk with Lady Clara? She is in need of companionship today,” she said quietly. “I hope I may trust in your discretion?”
“Of course,” said Mrs. Annesley with a nod. She and Georgiana quickly made their way toward the opposite side of the group.
Elizabeth sidled up beside Miss Covington.
“Have you been to Kew Gardens before, Miss Covington?”
“Yes, but not in some time,” she answered quietly.
“I have always been partial to gardens myself. I could attend such an outing every week and never grow tired of it.”
“I quite agree. My mother has always had a partiality for gardens. Her rose garden was quite extraordinary.”
“It sounds lovely. My aunt is similar. Her garden is not large, but it is one of my favorite places in Town.”
“Do you live in London, then?”
“No, I live in Hertfordshire on my father’s estate. I am in Town visiting my uncle and aunt with my sister.” She nodded behind her toward the two shadows that were Jane and Bingley. “She is the one strolling as slow as treacle with her besotted suitor.”
Emma followed Elizabeth’s gaze and smiled. “There are worse places for a romantic stroll.”
“That is very true. Now, since my own suitor is glaring at me for abandoning him, I must insist you tell me all the interesting things about yourself and half the dull ones so that when I return to him, I will be able to say I was well and truly coming to know Miss Covington.”
Emma Covington laughed and began to speak as Elizabeth looped her arm through her new friend’s and pulled them ahead of the group.
“What are you up to?” growled Darcy at Fitzwilliam.
“Whatever do you mean?” said Fitz innocently.
“I saw you take Elizabeth aside and speak to her, right before she suddenly began walking with Miss Covington, a lady she has never seen before in her life and whom she has no reason to seek out. Your Miss Covington. Confess, Cousin. What is going on?”
“Very well,” said Colonel Fitzwilliam testily. “I asked Miss Elizabeth to assist me in making Miss Covington feel welcome.”
“Because?”
“Because after I spoke with you the other day, and seeing how my mother has taken to Miss Elizabeth, I thought things might not be as hopeless as I had thought they were.”
“So you arranged for them to meet us here?”
“I mentioned to her brother that we would be here today and that I would like to see them.”
“You are certain you wish to pursue this? You will not raise her hopes and change your mind?”
“Of course not! What do you take me for? I am not cruel!”