Chapter 1
The Morning After the Assembly
Georgiana rushed through her toilette, unable to temper her anticipation.
She suspected her brother was already in the breakfast parlor, enjoying his first cup of coffee.
She was anxious to hear if he had met any ladies he might be interested in, or if he had made an acquaintance with a lady she might befriend.
Upon reaching the breakfast parlor, however, she found herself alone. Georgiana requested a cup of chocolate and looked over the newspaper left on the table. She found the chocolate drink infused with honey and cinnamon, served with a plate of biscuits and currant jam.
“The cook says these were made especially for you, Miss,” the footman said, placing the plate near her.
“Miss Darcy,” Mrs. Annesley said when she walked in.
“I am told these were baked for me in particular, but you must have one. They are quite delicious with the pieces of apple baked into the top. Today, I intend to shop in Meryton. I am seeking a bit of lace that might suit my aunt or Anne as a Christmas gift. Perhaps I will take the opportunity to shop for him without my brother watching me select his gift.”
“If your hostess has not made other plans, of course,” Mrs. Annesley said, after pouring a cup of tea. “What do you intend if the carriage is not available?”
“Explore the gardens for the first place I might set up an easel to paint.”
“Splendid. Would not your cousin, Miss de Bourgh, appreciate a new watercolor?”
“I suspect she would enjoy seeing something of Netherfield Park.”
“Who would enjoy seeing something at Netherfield at this hour?” William walked into the room, affecting his most severe scowl.
“I care not if you might expire from starvation. You must first tell me everything about the assembly, Brother.”
“Your sweetness is a balm I desperately need. I will answer questions, but first, allow me one of those biscuits that I do not.”
“They were baked especially for me, but do have one. Quite decadent, and I suspect more are to come out soon.”
“Have you any plans for today? If so, might I join you in them?” asked Darcy.
Just then, Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst walked into the breakfast parlor.
Georgiana stifled a giggle at her brother’s raised brows.
The ladies never joined them for breakfast before eleven, preferring to keep Town hours no matter where they were.
When at Pemberley, Georgiana knew that catering to his guests’ time irritated her brother because such activities impeded his duties and delayed meetings with his steward and tenants.
“I hope to go to the market town we passed through. I wish to see what I might find at the drapers. Christmas is mere weeks away. Maybe a bit of lace for Aunt Rebecca or Anne.” Georgiana refolded the paper and then passed it to him.
“There's an amusing on-dit concerning the argument about those cigars our uncle told us about. It continues on.”
“Given their being smuggled in, I imagine the House of Lords will argue about tariffs and more this coming session. The man’s having them at a party would inspire inevitable jealousy, which was very likely to be his aim.
He should have given the old earl one, even if an uninvited guest.” Darcy rolled his eyes.
“I am certain you are right, Mr. Darcy,” Miss Bingley agreed with a dulcet tone, intending to create an intimacy of one mind.
“Why are you certain my brother is right? Are you saying the duke’s having smuggled goods for his private use is acceptable, though unlawful? Or do you posit it is acceptable if all present can partake of what was smuggled in?” Georgiana inquired in a voice that was more reserved than she felt.
So effective and succinct was she in challenging Miss Bingley to defend her simpering words, she felt immense satisfaction when her brother choked on his coffee to hide his ill-timed laugh.
She was pleased he at last caught Miss Bingley’s glaring at her.
Despite her repeated explanations that the woman was no friend to her, he refused to accept it.
Now he saw the truth, and she would no longer have to be at home with this woman. The ruse was done.
“I mean to say whatever your brother’s opinion might be, he is correct. He always knows about these things,” Miss Bingley said, lifting her chin at such an unbecoming angle, Georgiana bit her lips painfully to hide her smile.
“Miss Bingley likens you to be a faultless God, Brother. She claims you are omniscient in your knowledge,” Georgiana said impishly.
“If such were true, I would have again determined how to scowl at you with some degree of effect by now, for it has not been these many hours.” William rolled his eyes at her over the rim of his coffee cup, which gave her no end of delight.
Unable to suppress it any longer, her laugh filled the breakfast parlor.
“That is a wonderful sound to hear this morning,” Mr. Bingley said, walking into the room with his usual good humor.
“My brother laments having lost the ability to make me quiver at the very sight of his scowl.”
“Might you show me the trick, Miss Darcy, for his are fearsome. I am gladdened to see his good humor restored this morning. It was absent at the assembly, to be sure.”
“Charles, you cannot suggest the lack of decorum displayed there is anything but insufferable to Darcy?” Miss Bingley protested.
“It was quite unseemly,” Darcy said in agreement with Miss Bingley.
Georgiana winced at Miss Bingley’s look of satisfaction, yet felt certain her brother's opinions did not fully align with that young lady.
“I would not be so fastidious as you for a kingdom, Darce. I never met with prettier girls or kinder people in all my life.”
“I saw little beauty and no fashion. I also heard murmurings of our fortunes the moment we arrived. Be on your guard, Bingley.”
All traces of the mirth left her brother, and Georgiana did not like this alteration. Too similar to his usual manner, she worried it meant he had already forgotten his promises made on their journey to Netherfield.
He very much requires a wife, and I would like a true friend.
Conversation turned to those they met and with whom Mr. Bingley had danced.
The list included a Miss Lucas, the daughter of Sir William, who seemed determined to introduce Mr. Bingley to all their neighbors.
At least he held some rank. Her brother could have no objection to her being in company with Miss Lucas, though she hoped he remembered her preference for character over rank.
Miss Bingley was the very reason why Georgiana held such prejudices about status, in particular that which was perceived due to wealth.
And, by all accounts, Mr. Bingley danced twice with a woman he likened to an angel, a Miss Jane Bennet, one of five sisters. Given her brother’s displeasure at the mention of that family, Georgiana kept her eyes on her plate but listened with great attentiveness.
Soon, excusing herself to request the carriage, Georgiana fled after the first disparaging comments were leveled against the Bennets.
Miss Bingley thought meanly of all other women who might gain her brother’s notice, so she put no store there.
But her brother claimed the Bennets to be fortune hunters.
Knowing talk was always rampant about the evening’s events on the days following an assembly in Lambton, Georgiana suspected it to be the same in Meryton.
She intended to remain alert. Having herself just experienced such humiliation at the hands of a man she had thought a family friend, she did not wish Mr. Bingley to know the pain of false platitudes from a fortune hunter.
Thus, Georgiana was all anticipation for her outing as she hoped to gather information about the Miss Bennets.
Reaching Meryton, Georgiana’s eyes widened as the carriage slowed near a large group of young ladies. She smoothed her skirts and adjusted her bonnet before stepping out of the vehicle.
“You have not been introduced,” Mrs. Annesley cautioned gently.
Georgiana deflated.
“Do not be downcast, my dear. You know it is not proper for you to speak to them without an introduction.”
“I will not forget,” Georgiana said as a footman opened the carriage door in front of the drapers.
Georgiana’s spirits buoyed when she saw a bookstore three doors away from the ladies. Georgiana thought she heard one of the younger girls comment on her bonnet and gown, declaring them both so very fine.
Mrs. Annesley patted Georgiana’s hand after hearing the compliment. Georgiana verily glowed at this small attention.