CHAPTER 28 Trip Home #2
They resumed their journey and about one and a half hours later, they arrived at Darcy’s house in London.
It was a large house with light stone and stood on Park Lane overlooking Hyde Park.
The entry hall was large with a curving staircase and marble floors.
Everything was elegant but nothing ostentatious.
Elizabeth looked at her mother who was staring at her surroundings in awe.
They were met at the vestibule by a young girl of about sixteen whom Darcy introduced as his sister, Georgiana, and her companion, Mrs. Annesley.
“I am very happy to you, Miss Darcy, Mrs. Annesley,” said Ellizabeth, as Jane and her mother expressed similar sentiments.
Georgiana Darcy was tall, like her brother, but had blond hair. She was not a great beauty like Jane or even Diana, but she was nevertheless pretty and seemed quite pleasant. Elizabeth hoped that they would someday be close.
“I am pleased to meet you as well,” said Miss Darcy. “And I hope you find your stay here pleasant.”
“Oh, I am certain we shall, Miss Darcy,” said Mrs. Bennet, “for you have a very fine house indeed.”
Georgiana Darcy blushed but looked quite pleased. “I have also taken the liberty of having dinner trays sent to each of your rooms, and hot baths are being prepared even as we speak.”
“Thank you so much, Miss Darcy,” said Jane. “We greatly appreciate it after such a long journey.”
Darcy smiled warmly at his sister, then indicated a couple in their middle years. “This is Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, the butler and housekeeper of Darcy House. They shall assist you with anything you should need. And your belongings are already being taken to your rooms.”
Jane and Mrs. Bennet were shown up to their rooms by Mrs. Taylor and Mrs. Annesley, while Elizabeth took the opportunity to give her uncle’s address to Darcy. He told her he would inform Mr. Gardiner of their arrival, then encouraged his sister to show Elizabeth to her rooms.
“Bingley and I shall be in the study,” he told her. “Come find us when you have eaten and refreshed yourselves.”
Georgiana Darcy smiled. “Come, Miss Elizabeth, you must be quite fatigued after your long journey.”
“Yes, I confess that I am. And I thank you for having us to stay.”
“It was really nothing, Miss Elizabeth. For my brother sent a note ahead informing us of your arrival. So you see, it was not hard to make our preparations. And please call me Georgiana, or even Georgie.”
“Thank you, Georgie. And you may call me Lizzy or Elizabeth. I am glad to finally meet you and I am certain we shall be great friends.”
They walked up to the second floor and Elizabeth was shown into a room with white wainscoting, green toile wallpaper and a thick cream coloured rug.
“Do you like it?” asked Georgiana.
“Like it! How could I not? It is a lovely room.”
Georgiana smiled. “My brother said you might like it.” She frowned and added, “He also told me about your father and…I am sorry that we had to meet under such trying circumstances. I do hope he gets better soon.”
“I hope so as well, Georgie.”
Elizabeth took a quick bath and changed with the help of her assigned maid, Mabel. She quickly ate the hearty soup and fresh fruit that had been sent up, then went to her mother’s rooms, only to find that she was already preparing for bed.
“Have you eaten, Mamma?”
“Yes, indeed I have. And have had a bath as well. I must say, Lizzy, that Mr. Darcy’s idea that we spend the night here was truly inspired. For I could not have imagined better accommodations.”
“But do you not miss going to Aunt and Uncle Gardiner’s house?”
Mrs. Bennet shrugged. “I do miss them, Lizzy but…it just feels so nice to be waited upon hand and foot, and to spend the night in such a grand and well-maintained home. It truly is heavenly, Lizzy.”
“I am glad you find it comfortable, Mamma.”
“Listen, Lizzy,” said Mrs. Bennet more seriously, “I am aware of what may await us at Longbourn…and that our lives may change in unexpected - and perhaps unhappy - ways some time in the near future. I do worry for us…and have not thought of anything else since that express arrived at Rosings. But for now - for just tonight - I truly appreciate the rest and comfort that Mr. Darcy’s home affords us. Do you understand, Lizzy?”
“Yes, Mamma,” said Elizabeth, giving her mother a quick embrace, “of course I understand. And I hope you have a very restful night.” A pause, then, “However, Uncle Gardiner will likely come tonight. Shall you meet with him?”
“Yes, dear,” said Mrs. Bennet sleepily, “just wake me when he gets here.” She looked around the room appreciatively. “Such an excellent idea Mr. Darcy had of having us stay here, and such a sweet sister he has. Promise me you shall invite me often when you are married.”
Mrs. Bennet crawled into bed and closed her eyes.
“Yes, Mamma,” said Elizabeth softly, as she blew out the candles and quitted the room, “I shall certainly do that.”
Elizabeth went to Jane’s room to check on her sister, then they went together downstairs to find their betrotheds.
Her Uncle Gardiner was already in the study with Darcy and Bingley when she and Jane arrived.
“Lizzy, Jane, are you well?” he asked, embracing each of them.
“Yes, Uncle,” she said, “we are well. Mamma is sleeping and, though she wished to see you, I thought it best to allow her to sleep.”
“Yes, of course, Lizzy. It is best that Fanny sleeps. Furthermore, your Aunt Madeleine considered going to Meryton to assist Mary and Kitty but decided to remain, thinking that she might be of more use to Lydia once she is recovered. And I have begun to discuss our plans with Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley.”
She and Jane sat on a settee side by side and tea was brought in by a footman. Once they were settled, Darcy outlined his plan to find Wickham through Mrs. Younge, Wickham’s longtime friend and accomplice.
“I have had her watched over the past year and know that she runs a boarding house in Camden Town. It is there that I shall go tomorrow and attempt to obtain Wickham’s whereabouts.
Once I have obtained it, your uncle and I - and hopefully Colonel Fitzwilliam whom I expect will arrive tomorrow - shall meet with him and see what can be done about Miss Lydia. ”
“Do you think they are together, Mr. Darcy?” asked Jane.
“I sincerely hope they are,” said Darcy gravely.
Elizabeth realised that Wickham may already have abandoned Lydia and, when she thought about it, understood that it would be better if they were together, despite her abhorrence of that man. For at least there would still be a way of obtaining some respectability for Lydia.
After another half hour of working out the particulars, Elizabeth and Jane expressed their intent to retire while Mr. Gardiner and Bingley departed.
However, before she left, Darcy asked if he might speak to her in private for a few moments. Jane threw her one final glance before saying, “Do not tarry too long, Lizzy.”
Once alone with Darcy in the study, Elizabeth found herself suddenly ensconced in his arms. “I really did not have anything in particular to say,” he admitted.
She sighed into his chest and closed her eyes. “I have nothing to say either.”
They remained in that position, taking comfort in one another’s proximity.
At length Elizabeth pulled back and said, “I thank you for having us here tonight. You were correct about my mother. It seems that her nerves have been quite taxed and she greatly appreciates having such fine and luxurious accommodations. I believe she will rest quite well tonight.”
“I am glad to hear it,” he murmured.
She stepped back but still held his hand. “I suppose I had better go.”
He gave her hand a lingering kiss then let go of it completely. “Goodnight, Elizabeth.”