Chapter 3
Georgiana Returns to Netherfield Park After Taking Tea in Meryton
Georgiana spent a full hour with the ladies in Meryton.
The lack of manners displayed by the youngest two was certainly shocking.
Still, she admired the gentle way the older ladies forestalled the exuberance of their younger sisters, even when they caught sight of an officer.
And how Miss Elizabeth, called both Eliza and Lizzy, was often the source of laughter in their party.
Georgiana had always assumed having a sister would be wonderful.
The time she spent with these ladies proved it everything she had imagined such a situation might be.
They laughed at one another’s faults while lauding good deeds and achievements.
They were candid with one another in a manner she had never experienced or would dare attempt with her older brother.
Some tempering was needed for the youngest Miss Bennets, but Georgiana would give a great deal to having such a sister who would stand beside her during her first Season or accompany her on a shopping trip to Bond Street.
She was certain she would worry less about others’ criticisms if diverted by a sister’s company.
Georgiana wondered what they might have said had they not known she was Miss Georgiana Darcy.
The few additional times she heard one mention her brother’s insults, the older sisters were quick to quiet the speaker.
She also saw Miss Elizabeth’s smile slip with every intimation.
Her hurt was evident in the way she lowered her head or forced herself to laugh.
They kept to questions about her and her favorite pursuits.
Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, and Miss Lucas had remanded their sisters not to speak of the assembly or the party at Netherfield once they learned who she was.
Georgiana was pleased when the carriage turned down the drive for Netherfield.
She had outgrown believing her brother was perfect, but she had not imagined him unkind.
His comments that morning proved he thought all the ladies she had met unworthy of his courtesy, and she needed to speak with him about her encounter in Meryton and what she had learned.
“Brother?” Georgiana spoke when she stepped into the drawing room.
“Dear Ana, you are returned in time for tea,” Miss Bingley drawled.
Georgiana did not doubt Miss Bingley had hoped to keep her brother’s attentions on herself. And that brought to mind another irritation: I am sure I never permitted her to use my Christian name. Most certainly, not Ana.
“We need to discuss matters private first, Brother. Mr. Bingley, may we use the study?”
“Of course.” Bingley gulped. He glanced at her brother, then allowed that sheepish grin when he saw her brother, too, seemed uncertain.
“Thank you, sir. Then, Mr. Bingley, might I also speak with you, privately, in my brother's presence, of course? Say in half an hour?” Georgiana inclined her head toward Mr. Bingley and then looked at his sister.
“If it is no trouble, my brother and I will take a tray in the study, Miss Bingley,” Georgiana said with all the superiority her formidable Aunt Catherine used.
Georgiana whirled around with such vigor that her skirts lifted, then she marched to the study. After opening the door, she closed it with the greatest of authority.
The Conversations Following Georgiana’s Departure and in the Study
“Whatever has affected dear Georgiana?” Caroline suggested.
To Darcy, her grating voice was all the more scratchy with the saccharine-sweet tone she used in her attempt to affect a warmness and familiarity with him. That ruse was now obvious, and he felt the fool for ever thinking her genuine with his sister when she was disingenuous with everyone else.
“I believe she just hinted she would prefer you not address her so familiarly, Miss Bingley,” Darcy said without glancing at the woman he spoke to.
“Perhaps it might have been done with greater finesse. Then again, she recognizes that you have called weekly at Darcy House in an obvious ploy to see me and is incensed. I cannot fault her frustration.”
“Caroline, you told me she sends an invitation every week,” Bingley cut in, looking at his sister with alarm.
“I—”
Miss Bingley swallowed as if with great difficulty while looking from him to her brother.
Evidently, Miss Bingley did not expect Ana to tell me.
Now, she has no opportunity to manipulate the facts to her benefit.
With such intelligence, he intended to put an end to any further thoughts of his ever offering for her.
“We will speak of this when the study is free, Caroline.” Bingley’s gaze then shifted back to his friend. “I admire your allowing your sister to know her mind and speak the truth to you. And I do admire it, Darce. My sisters speak in circles to manipulate. We see another such attempt today.”
“I appreciate the intent, if not how she made her request. I wonder what is so dire that it must be discussed privately.”
“But I do. Appreciate how she made her request, that is. Direct, concise, forthright. Quite reminiscent of yourself. Ah, you did not consider that, but it was obvious to me. Remember that, and if she must change her approach, so must you.”
“Thank you, Bingley.”
Darcy did not think his friend could better expose his displeasure and was annoyed at Bingley’s grin for having painted him into the most difficult of corners.
He did not like thinking that was how he treated Georgiana.
In considering that being how he treated his friends and others, he did not find it aligning with the image he portrayed of himself.
“I will celebrate her for standing up to you. She deserves to be commended, given how few would dare. I will join you in half an hour as she requested.”
Is it possible she heard someone speaking of the assembly?
Impossible. None would dare speak of me in such terms. Darcy thought, then winced at his foolishness.
Gossip in small neighborhoods spread with the same swiftness it did amongst the ton.
“It will please her to know I find your Miss Bennet suitable company and approve of their acquaintance. I saw no others whom I would deem acceptable.”
Bingley again cleared his throat. “Some advice, my friend? Knock before you enter.”
It was a well-timed reminder. Darcy had summoned her to the study numerous times and expected her to knock. His forgetting would have been a marked disrespect, one he had admonished her for not adhering to, soon after their father died.
Darcy regretted his excessive enforcement of the rule. Learning of her loneliness, he suspected she may have, at times, only wanted to be near him, in the room where she had many memories of their father. Standing before the door to Bingley’s study, concern knotted in his chest.
Darcy knocked and then waited for her to allow him entry. He found her sitting not on the couches, where he often sat. She sat behind the desk, just like he did when he wanted to reprimand her. Darcy vowed, We will henceforth have all conversations in the family sitting room.
Having thought to keep his address light, the solemnity he saw in her expression altered his voice toward gravitas. “You requested to see me, Ana?”
The desk did not make her seem small. He was certain the last time she had sat at their father's desk, it had all but swallowed her whole. He wondered, When had she grown into this formidable young woman?
“Did you, or did you not promise me you would make an effort with the ladies in the area so I might make a new friend here in Hertfordshire?” Ana folded her hands as if she were to judge all before her.
“I did, and I have. She is a little older than you, but she seems quite pleasant,” Darcy said, settling into a chair across from her.
“I did not ask what ladies Mr. Bingley approved of and made an effort to acquaint himself with. I ask after those you took the time to acquaint yourself with, which you only yesterday promised to do.”
“The ladies at the assembly were unfashionable, uncouth, and not fit company for anyone. They should be in the nursery. That is to say, with the exception of Miss Bennet,” Darcy said, checking his temper. It took no small amount of effort. She was his charge, not the other way around.
“I did not find any of the Miss Bennets or Miss Lucases unfashionable, nor so uncouth as you claim. Your opinion aligns with Miss Bingley’s? I had not thought you two so well matched.”
“What is this about, Ana?”
“Then with whom did you dance?”
“I danced with my hostess, as was required of me,” Darcy said, looking away from her knowing gaze.
Hoping she knew nothing else of his behavior the previous night, Darcy recognized that if she did, she would know disappointment.
He never imagined he might act in a way that would disillusion her, having always thought of himself as an upstanding gentleman in every manner.
He never would have acted thusly if she or his aunt and uncle were in attendance.
Ungentlemanlike behavior was unseemly to him. This situation forced him to recognize the truth of having presented himself in a manner other than as he ought to have done.
“Did you enjoy doing so? I recall your saying you avoided dancing with her in Town. Do you intend to single her out? Shall I emulate her?” Ana asked, satisfied when he grimaced. “I heard a most alarming report while in Meryton today.”
“Young ladies here have nothing else to do than to gossip? Confirmation that they are unfit company,” Darcy bit out.