Chapter 13. Elizabeth’s Better Days in London
Following a long letter from Mr Darcy to Mr Gardiner, Elizabeth was once again allowed to visit Georgiana at Darcy House, though she did not see Mr Darcy for the remainder of that week.
It was only in the following week that he joined the ladies for tea once again and Elizabeth made certain to pay him attention and tease him until he smiled and joined the conversation in full.
“And how do you like the sonnets?” Darcy asked his sister, waiting for her to return her teacup to the saucer before she answered.
“I like them very much, but I do not understand the emotions Mr Shakespeare names in his verses–the love and the pain of love. They are so intertwined; I find the idea of love to be...”
Mrs Annesley and Mr Darcy waited for Georgiana to continue but Elizabeth spoke up, “...frightening!”
“Frightening Miss Bennet?” asked Mr Darcy. “I wonder that anything frightens you!”
“You forget sir, I have met Miss Bingley,” Elizabeth replied, and all three ladies were surprised to hear the master of the house begin to laugh; a laughter that was infectious and brought giggles from both Elizabeth and Georgiana.
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“What is the news from Hertfordshire? How does your family fare this fall?” Mr Darcy asked Miss Bennet as he escorted her to the door of Darcy House at the conclusion of tea with Georgiana.
“I am concerned for my sister Jane. She writes of everything except for the most important item in her life–her engagement to Mr Collins,” Elizabeth replied.
“She writes of our sister Mary’s courtship with Mr Lucas, the heir of a neighbouring estate.
My father has lectured my mother severely to not anticipate the engagement with purchases for Mary’s trousseau. ”
“Your mother is in favour of these matches?” Mr Darcy asked, and he watched Elizabeth Bennet’s fascinating face scowl–a look he had never seen on her face before.
“Are you well Miss Bennet?”
The young woman paused in her steps to the door, and she looked anywhere except at the handsome man who had begun to occupy her thoughts during the day as well as haunting her dreams at night.
“Our mother loves my sisters and me dearly, but she is very much afraid of my father’s death before a daughter is well-married.
My father’s estate is entailed from the female line and thus the engagement to Mr Collins is appealing. ”
Darcy nodded, remembering the tale from the night of their supper at Darcy House. “And the engagement of your eldest sister to Mr Collins ensures that your family’s future is secure. Your mother may remain at the estate...” he paused searching his memory for the name of her home.
“Longbourn,” she said, naming her home.
“...Longbourn after your father’s death. It appears to be a suitable arrangement. Forgive me, but Georgiana told me that your dowry is very small–a thousand pounds after your mother’s death.”
“But my father’s own words to Uncle Gardiner name Mr Collins to be a fool. How is a fool to manage an estate and make my sister a good husband? He already has refused to hear her comments on our tenants and fields. What security will there be if he ruins Longbourn?”
Darcy indicated that they should continue walking to the door while he thought for a moment.
As they neared the door, he suggested. “Your uncle told me that Mr Collins is the pastor at Hunsford, my aunt’s estate in Kent.
Next Easter, I shall take the man in hand and require him to train with my aunt’s steward in the coming years.
If he is intelligent enough to take orders and become a parson, he can learn to follow an almanac and to listen to his experienced tenants. ”
They had just reached the door as he completed his offer of assistance and Elizabeth’s gratitude made her grace Fitzwilliam with the most brilliant smile he had ever seen. The young lady’s eyes glimmered with tears, and she reached out but drew back before touching his hand.
“Your thoughtfulness and kindness to my family does you great credit sir,” she said.
Darcy smiled, reached for Elizabeth’s hand and brushed it with his lips. “It is my pleasure to be of service, Miss Bennet.”
For a long moment, there were no other person in the world but the handsome, kind man who had just kissed her hand; Lizzy Bennet, the girl who climbed trees and read too many books, was lost. And the gentleman was also lost in the eyes bright with fire and beauty; Darcy forgot to release the young lady’s hand.
“I say Darcy! Will you do me the honour of an introduction?” asked a booming voice. Both Elizabeth and Darcy startled back to the foyer of Darcy House where Mr Jones and the footmen were staring at the walls above their heads while a colonel in his bright red coat stood at the door.
“Richard!” Darcy called pleased and exasperated at the same time. “When did you return to town?”
“Just today! The Earl and Countess are away, and I thought to bed down here for a week,” the king’s officer replied. “But please, do not let me interrupt your conversation with the young lady.”
“Be nice!” Darcy growled at the man and Elizabeth blushed once again. But Darcy turned back to Elizabeth and made the introduction.
“Miss Bennet, please allow me to introduce my cousin, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam of His Majesty’s Battalion.
” The colonel bowed and Elizabeth curtseyed as Darcy completed the introduction, “Cousin, allow me to introduce Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Hertfordshire, Georgiana’s dear friend and partner on the pianoforte this fall. ”
“Miss Bennet, I am pleased to meet you. I shall look forward to becoming acquainted this week if you return. I can tell scandalous tales of my cousins that will curl your hair.”
“Thank you, Colonel Fitzwilliam but my hair curls to excess already. Perhaps we can discuss Byron or Shakespeare?”
“Enough!” Darcy said. “Miss Bennet’s uncle insists that we keep a strict schedule with her visits, so her aunt does not worry for her safety.”
“Does your family have problems with vagrants or pickpockets, Miss Bennet?” asked the colonel.
Glancing at Mr Darcy, Elizabeth teased, “It is not my family colonel, but we are concerned that the Darcy acquaintances and connections are largely contentious. Are the Darcy relations a problem also?”
Colonel Fitzwilliam stared speechless at the girl as Darcy grinned and helped her with her pelisse before he escorted her to the carriage and assisted her inside. Richard smiled as his dour cousin remained on the street until the carriage was out of sight before he returned to the house.
“Well, it appears that life in Darcy House has been interesting this fall. Can you tell me any tales?”
“There are many tales to tell but you must promise to remain the perfect gentleman with Georgiana’s guest before we go further into the house,” Darcy said.
“Georgiana’s guest?” Richard asked sarcastically before noticing the seriousness of his cousin’s gaze. “Very well, I shall remain the perfect guest and entertain Miss Bennet with only appropriate stories of your youth.”
Snorting at the outrageousness of Fitzwilliam’s straight face, Darcy smiled. “Come along, I shall take you to Georgie and then allow you to refresh after you are made welcome.”
“How is she?” Richard asked. “I have not had a letter from her in two months.”
“Come and see,” Darcy said, leading his cousin to the music room.
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“…and Elizabeth has taught me how to look for the author’s meanings in a book and then pose questions that my brother enjoys discussing for an hour or more at a time.”
During supper, the colonel had watched in fascination as his cousins had detailed Miss Bennet’s goodness and intelligence, her wit and interest in the affairs of business, war with the French, and current government politics.
Afterwards, the three cousins retreated to the music room where Georgiana played two difficult pieces with more feeling than Richard remembered hearing in the past.
At the end of the evening, when Georgiana said good night and departed above stairs, Richard had no doubt that Miss Bennet was an accomplished lady; she was bringing Georgiana out of her shell as well as making his dour, brooding cousin smile and laugh. The young woman was a marvel.
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With Georgiana safely above stairs, Richard joined Darcy in his study for a taste of his best whiskey.
“Not too much,” Richard said when Darcy poured. “I need my head about me tonight to conduct my inquisition and tomorrow morning for my interview at the war office.”
“What inquisition will you conduct tonight?”
“The real discussion of Miss Bennet,” Richard replied. “I know you cousin. I have never seen you so affected by a young lady.”
Darcy smiled and answered. “She is truly different; unafraid of George Wickham, unafraid of Caroline Bingley and unafraid of me.”
“What has George Wickham to do with Miss Bennet?” Richard asked sitting up with some alarm.
“There was some plot by George with Mrs Young to importune Georgiana last summer. Now that I have had time to think on it, Mrs Young continued to suggest that I allow her to take Georgie to the seaside at Ramsgate for the summer. I imagine that they intended for George to approach her there.”
“Oh, good lord! What happened? Where is Wickham now?”
Darcy paused; his face becoming the stoic mask of business. “He was arrested for the murder of his wife.”
“Murder of his wife? Who married George Wickham?”
“He married a widow and once he had his fingers in her inheritance, he poisoned her.”
“And the constabulary arrested him?”
“Arrested, tried, convicted and hung.”
“Wickham is dead?”
Darcy nodded. Richard remained quiet for a few minutes before he asked, “And so, how far along are you with falling in love with Miss Bennet?”
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