Chapter 15
The news of the imminent return of the party from Brighton led to a flurry of activity at Longbourn.
Both Mrs. Gardiner and Miss Darcy planned their departure so as not to intrude on the family or be in the way of Lydia's recovery.
Mrs. Gardiner was also looking forward to the reunion with her husband; they were not in the habit of living apart, making this separation much harder.
Since she wanted to meet Lydia before leaving, it was decided that both she and Miss Darcy, with Mrs. Annesley, would leave for London the very next day after the Bennets' arrival from Brighton.
Georgiana would have preferred to be close to her brother but more than that she was hoping that he and Elizabeth would come to an understanding.
Her brother had hinted that once Miss Lydia recovered, she may hear some good news about him and Elizabeth.
Georgiana could not help but wait excitedly for Elizabeth to become her sister.
It was now a little over a month since she had met Elizabeth, in that time, she had come to adore her nearly as much as her brother.
Her compassion for everyone around her was admirable but more than that it was her intelligence, her grace, and her strength to deal with every situation without flinching that Georgiana appreciated most. In the weeks she had been at Longbourn she saw her take care of both Miss Bennet and Miss Mary, shielding them from the inquisitive questions of the Meryton ladies.
The other day Lady Lucas with Mrs. Goulding had called, both were broadly insinuating that Mr. Bingley’s leaving for Brighton and staying for so long was because Jane could not hold his attention.
“Netherfield is an expensive property to let and then leave every time he gets an opportunity,” Mrs. Goulding had said with a smile as she had sipped her tea.
“Maybe he comes with some expectations but is always disappointed. That would be a shame, for he is a good neighbour to have,” Lady Lucas had slyly added.
Georgiana could easily feel Jane's tension even though they were seated at a distance. But Elizabeth had just smiled, offered some biscuits, and casually answered that Lady Lucas was correct that Mr. Bingley was a charming neighbour.
“Why, he rushed off to Brighton the moment he saw Jane in tears after she received a letter from Kitty. His friend remains a guest in his house without the host present; very graciously bringing us news from Brighton which Mr. Bingley writes to him every other day.”
The ladies had then changed the topic and left as soon as politely possible.
Georgiana had seen Elizabeth walk up to Jane and quietly offer her support as she stood next to her pressing her hand to her shoulders.
At that moment she had craved for the same sisterly affection and support for herself.
She would soon be making her debut in society, the thought of which always made her anxious but if she had Elizabeth next to her, she was sure she could manage it all.
Then there had been another incident with the tenants that she recalled.
Longbourn had a steward which they shared with a couple of other neighbouring estates.
As such Mr. Whitaker was not always available to deal with small tenant disputes.
He had come one morning disheveled and profusely apologizing for disturbing the ladies but had said that someone from the house needed to speak to Johnson and Parker as he had to go to Haye Park to take care of a situation with a mortally sick tenant child.
Elizabeth was out of the house before Mr. Whitaker finished.
She had come back late in the evening looking all exhausted but smiling.
Georgiana had later heard from Mrs. Hill how she had lectured and put to shame two grown men for behaving as children.
When she had later asked Elizabeth about the situation, she had waved it away.
“It was nothing, the problem was not Parker's cattle that had escaped. That happens all the time. He was furious as he had seen his young daughter with Jonathan in the woods.”
Georgiana's eyes had grown as big as saucers. “That is scandalous!” she exclaimed.
“Well yes if they were caught, but they are engaged now. Parker is still not very happy for he had hoped his daughter might marry someone younger and more capable, but I explained that since his daughter had decided to marry Jonathan there was no use in creating a fuss. Having her on the next farm would actually work in his favor as she would always be on hand to help him.”
Georgiana could not ever imagine having such a conversation with anyone.
She visited the tenants at Pemberley, but it was always the ladies and children.
She would hand them the care basket that Mrs. Reynolds gave her, speak to them a bit and that was all.
Her brother had always taken care of any actual problems. For the first time it struck her that he must have been very lonely handling all the responsibilities by himself.
While she could never conceive herself being useful in such a manner, if he married Elizabeth, he would gain a true partner in all his responsibilities.
With all these thoughts in her mind Georgiana was quite sanguine about her separation from her brother.
That she would be in London which was only half a day's journey from Hertfordshire added to her comfort. She already had Elizabeth’s permission to write to her and was sure that they would meet again soon enough.
The Bennet carriage pulled into Longbourn’s drive at the expected time.
The sisters were all standing out to greet their family and escort them inside.
Lydia was repeatedly hugged by all three of her sisters as they settled in the parlour to have some tea before retiring.
Mrs. Gardiner was quick to offer all her consolation and comfort to her sister, as Mrs. Bennet had again dissolved in a fit of nerves on seeing her family.
Georgiana had just stood quietly taking in all the commotion.
She had never been used to such chaos; her inherent shyness made her incapable of saying even a single word.
She had been introduced to the family as they had come and had just nodded to them all only stammering her awkward wishes for Miss Lydia when she met her.
Mr. Bennet had made a comment, while he looked her way, that his family’s reunion may even upstage the Meryton market day in noise.
She had frozen, not knowing how to respond without being insulting.
Elizabeth noticed the poor girl's discomfort and taking pity on her, had escorted her upstairs. The family was too busy in their own chaos to notice except for Mr. Bennet who had quietly stared after the girls as they had walked away without a word spoken by Miss Darcy. He resented his second daughter feeling embarrassed in her own home because of the superior girl’s presence.