Chapter Nine #3
The trio began to walk out of the grove as Georgiana described what was in store—a bevy of games starting with battledore and shuttlecock.
“I almost wish you had arrived a little later, William,” she said as they approached the group arranged in the clearing.
A servant was handing out the battledores.
“Why is that?” Darcy asked.
“You know you are not only skilled at all of our games but also very unwilling to lose at anything. Just let the guests win at something.” She sounded genuinely worried.
“I am insulted, Georgiana,” Elizabeth declared. “I do not need your brother to let me win. I will earn my victories, thank you very much.”
“It is good to know some things about you have not changed,” Darcy said, looking past his sister and directing his steady gaze and soft smile at her.
The step she missed as a result was covered by Georgiana, stopping their progress.
They had reached the others. Everyone exclaimed at Darcy’s arrival, and enthusiastic greetings were exchanged.
He told the story of his decision to come and travel from a coaching inn in Nottingham on horseback several times before Georgiana called them to order.
“I am sorry to interrupt the conversation,” she said, some traces of shyness evident, but as she looked about at all the smiling faces and saw the encouraging nods from both her brother and Elizabeth, she continued more boldly.
“However, it is time to begin our games.”
There were general sounds of approbation as everyone waited for instructions.
“We will begin with shuttlecock. Find a place with your partner away from others. The goal is to get the most hits—without dropping the shuttle. Though we trust you all not to cheat, I will be walking around to keep you honest.”
John Robertson came forward to claim his partner. In the commotion of friends and neighbours welcoming Darcy, he had not had an opportunity to offer his greeting.
“Darcy, it is good to see you. Georgiana must be thrilled you made it in time to partake in the celebrations she planned.”
“I believe she is. It is good to see you, John. I had not realised you would be here. How long are you home?”
“Only a sennight, I am sorry to say.”
“We plan to do some fishing this week. I hope you will consider joining us.”
“I would be delighted, thank you. Now if you will excuse us, I am told my lovely partner takes these games quite seriously, and so I hope if I am able to contribute to a victory, she will think well of me.” He held out his arm, which Elizabeth took and, with one parting nod at Darcy, set off with her partner.
Had she imagined he looked confused? She felt confused.
John was a delightful companion, and he was clearly set on charming her.
She enjoyed his company and was flattered by his attention.
But it was hard to remember any of this in Darcy’s company.
Fortunately for her muddled mind, she had a game to concentrate on.
Many of the pairs dropped out rather quickly.
It was not as easy as it looked—particularly if you had little experience with the unpredictability of the shuttle’s movements after a hit.
After about three minutes, four pairs were left: Jane and Mrs. Ashley; Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner; Edmund Robertson and Darcy; and Elizabeth and John Robertson.
The rest gathered on the edges of the small circle where the pairs continued to hit back and forth.
Some taunting (Mr. Barlow mostly—teasing his four relatives who remained in the hunt) and some encouraging (Mr. Ashley—assuring his beloved bride she could do all things and Mrs. Robertson insisting her sons would both triumph though they were on different teams).
When Mrs. Ashley missed the shuttle, Jane was quick to reassure her partner.
“I am so sorry, Jane!” she declared.
“It was a bad pass, think nothing of it. I enjoyed partnering with you.”
“You will prevail next time, my dear!” her husband insisted.
The ladies made their way to the spectators’ circle with Mr. Ashley adding his assertion of her good play to Jane’s and placing her arm in his, pulling her close to him to watch the remainder of the pairs.
It wasn’t long before the Gardiners were eliminated.
Mr. Gardiner made a dramatic dive to try to save a stray hit, rolling to the ground in his attempt.
“Well done, my boy,” Mr. Barlow declared as Mr. Robertson offered him a hand to help him rise.
“We are down to two teams,” Georgiana declared as the four remaining players continued batting the shuttle back and forth within their pair.
“Shall Mr. Robertson and I forfeit, as it is your birthday?” Mr. Darcy asked after running down an errant hit.
“I appreciate your gallantry,” Elizabeth responded, executing a perfect hit right to her partner.
“We will win without any assistance.” She had turned with her last hit, as had he.
They faced one another across a short expanse of lawn, and before spinning to hit the shuttle, Elizabeth gave him a knowing, teasing smile.
Edmund’s pass hit Darcy in the face. He did not move at all.
Everyone exclaimed at their victory. Elizabeth turned back around, and by the time she did so, Darcy was under good regulation.
Unlike their indoor picnic games years ago, this time around there was a different winner for every game.
By the time Georgiana invited her guests to make their way to the awaiting conveyances to be taken back to the house, Mrs. Gardiner, Mrs. Ashley, John Robertson, Darcy and Elizabeth had all claimed a victory.
Amelia Gardiner, too, was the winner of a game of tag designed with rules exactly tailored to bring about that conclusion.
Spirits were high as everyone followed Miss Darcy’s instructions, recounting their favourite moments from the competitions that just took place.
Elizabeth walked arm in arm with Jane, laughing and listening to the tales being told all around them, which seemed to be already magnifying and exaggerated events.
The length of bowls became longer, a pall-mall hit rounded several trees and the time it took to be tagged out in blindman’s buff seemed to be more than the entirety of the afternoon had lasted.
The Gardiners, along with Mr. Barlow, Abigail, Cora and the children, would take the Gardiner carriage back to Barlow Hall.
Though Amelia’s chatter made it appear as though her nearly boundless energy was at its peak, those more familiar with her knew the signs which indicated she would soon fall fast asleep.
Her sister provided no such resistance and already dozed in her great-uncle’s arms.
“Enjoy your evening, ladies,” Mrs. Gardiner said to her nieces who stood beside Georgiana to bid the family farewell. “Georgiana, you are an exceptional hostess. Thank you for having us.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Gardiner. I am so happy your whole family could be with us.”
“You are the best,” Amelia declared, throwing her arms around Georgiana’s legs as high as she could reach.
“I object to that,” Elizabeth teased as she plucked Amelia into her arms.
“You are the best too, Lizzy,” Amelia said with an indulgent smile, her eyes just beginning to droop.
“You better take her now so the carriage can lull her the rest of the way,” Elizabeth said as her uncle came to claim his daughter.
Once the carriage began its way up the small path to the road, the girls turned to the rest of the party.
Darcy was speaking with the Robertsons, minus John, who stood with the Ashleys.
Mrs. Ashley quickly claimed the girls’ attention with questions about their plans for the evening.
In truth, their plans involved little more than a dinner tray and likely conversation well into the night.
They would all sleep in Georgiana’s bed, as had become tradition.
“You will be missed,” Georgiana assured her former governess and companion.
“Yes indeed,” Jane agreed.
“Miss Darcy, Mr. Darcy,” Mr. Robertson said as he stepped into the space between the two groups, “we appreciate your hospitality.”
“Yes,” his wife agreed. “We are grateful to have been included in this joyful celebration.”
“We are so glad you were able to join us,” Georgiana responded. “Given your closeness not only to the Darcys but also the Gardiners and Miss Elizabeth,” she paused for just a moment and looked at John before continuing, “of course we would not think our birthday celebration complete without you.”
“You are too kind,” Mrs. Robertson said and then turned to her husband. “Shall we make our way home?”
“Please let us take you in the carriage, we have more than enough room,” Georgiana insisted.
“It is not too much trouble?”
“Of course not. If no one objects, Jane, Mr. and Mrs. Ashley and I can go in the phaeton. William has his horse, and Elizabeth can accompany you.”
Elizabeth’s suspicions were immediately aroused. The phaeton was large enough that she could have fit with the others. Was Georgiana playing matchmaker?
“Yes, a perfect arrangement, Miss Darcy. I know it has been said by others throughout our time together, but I must add my voice to the cacophony—you are an accomplished hostess, and I thank you for this wonderful afternoon.”
Georgiana blushed slightly at this praise from Mrs. Robertson.
However, she recovered quickly and began ushering everyone to their appointed conveyances.
Elizabeth looked back as John handed her up into the carriage.
Darcy stood beside his sister, but his gaze seemed to be focused on her, his look one of confusion.