Chapter 5
Georgiana and the Gentlemen Return to Netherfield Park
“I was wrong, Brother. I apologize,” Georgiana said when her brother walked into their private sitting room.
“You were not wrong, Ana. In truth, you are one of us who is, in every way, correct.” William sat next to her on the settee.
Georgiana leaned closer to rest her head against him.
He wrapped his arm around her, and she was tucked into his side.
Georgiana whispered, “Thank you,” though she was uncertain he had heard her.
She wanted him to know how much she appreciated him.
“I had thought the worst possible thing would be the loss of our parents, but what if our parents had treated us so?”
“They still have time,” he said, resting his cheek on the top of her head. “They know not how fortunate they are for those opportunities they have to make amends.”
“I should never have demanded you apologize. You were correct in that they are an unfit society.”
“Miss Bingley and I were wrong. I stand by my assertion that you are correct.”
“How can you say so?”
“I just met with Miss Bingley to let her know that she will never be my bride. Hearing Mrs. Bennet’s cutting remarks, I recognized a similarity to Miss Bingley.
Mrs. Bennet did not even comprehend that she had insulted her daughter, testament to a habit.
I wish such insults on no one, in particular not with such frequency as they expect it,” her brother said, pressing a kiss to the top of her head, reminiscent of their father.
“I would never forgive your wife should she insult your children in such a way. Miss Elizabeth, even after being so insulted, walked across the room to extend comfort to me. Should she marry, I cannot think she would ever address her own children in such a manner.”
“I, too, cannot imagine it of her. Her mother’s insult gives your warning every merit.
I intend to apologize again. Miss Elizabeth does not consider herself beautiful.
I can think of no one who, when spoken to in such a way, would care for another’s feelings.
Could ignore the hurt such words must occasion to help another smile.
Miss Elizabeth showed an uncommon character and thoughtfulness. You were correct to admonish me.”
“Though it resulted in a difficulty I did not intend, thank you for attending me. Please do not force me to admonish your actions again.”
“I cannot promise it. And I believe you have made our mother far prouder of you than I have done these last weeks and months, Ana. And your admonishment of my not sharing my thoughts or concerns with you? About Wickham, yes, but it includes so much more. In this way, I failed you. How can I expect you to discuss your thoughts with me when I have not shared any of my own? Your question about what I might have done had it been you who was insulted made me understand how unacceptable my own behavior has been. I am heartily ashamed of myself.”
“I understand there are things with which I cannot assist. And I understand I am unwise in the ways of estate management, but I want to, in some small way, ease your burdens.”
“I shall let you. We will add to your tasks when we are home. I will give you so many that you will beg for time to play the piano.”
“I am in earnest. I want to learn more.”
“Then you shall. I saw something extraordinary today. I recognized that Miss Elizabeth has no viciousness in her. She is everything good.”
“La! I would not suggest you speak ill of her siblings.”
“I suspect her sisters are the same.”
“And the Miss Lucases.”
“And the Miss Lucases. I will work to earn Miss Elizabeth’s good opinion. She put your pain above her own.”
Georgiana lifted her head to find her brother blinking away the evidence of his emotions.
“If Miss Bingley allows, I will invite Miss Elizabeth and Miss Bennet for tea. Then you might have an opportunity to speak again.”
“I am certain they will be pleased to know you better. I imagine they are, even now, worried they have made an unfavorable impression. To our benefit, Mr. Gardiner told Bingley and me his two eldest nieces are both delightful.”
“Careful, Brother. You are close to admitting you have associations in trade rather than just investing in one.” Georgiana sipped her tea, enjoying William’s conversation.
“How did you discern this? I ask because I do not want it known by everyone.”
“Perhaps not announce an intention to attend matters of business, then leave the Darcy coach to walk the street in front of the warehouses. Aunt Rebecca and I were at The Emporium, owned by Mr. Gardiner, and saw our coach in front of Bingley Woodworks. We went in to order a beautiful and mystifying jewelry box. Wonder of wonders, I was not allowed to pay for it.”
“I could more easily keep my actions clandestine if you and our aunt were not such busybodies. The carriage gave me away, did it?”
“Now, tell me the truth. How does business fit with this stay in this shire?”
“An adept and admirable transition in conversation.” Georgiana began to count seconds, and her brother was not long under her expectant gaze before he cracked. He retold the whole conversation between Mr. Bingley, Mr. Gardiner, and himself.
“Then the greater intent was to give Bingley the opportunity to learn estate management? And in addition to what? Was there also a wager made?”
“A fortuitous wager. He knew he would win, of course. His eldest nieces are all he claimed and more. Now we shall mind his business so he can take his family, and perhaps one of his nieces, on a long holiday. I see you plotting something, but do not forget we met the Miss Bennets just last evening. Do not hope for anything more than friendship.”
“To assist your efforts to know the Miss Bennets better, I shall request use of the drawing room. If Miss Bingley is unkind toward either, we will remove to another sitting room.”
“Mayhap you should request the use of a smaller sitting room at the back of the house. My anger intensifies each time I think of how Miss Bingley used you to learn more about me. I believed her to be sincere in her claim to be your friend. I saw for myself today that the Miss Bennets have already proven to be, and I am glad you have met them. Perhaps a heavy rain might fall, so they will have to stay the night.”
“Such a scandalous suggestion, Brother.” Georgiana laughed into his arm. “Now, I notice you are intrigued by Miss Elizabeth, though you only spoke two sentences to her. How has this happened?”
“She accepted my apology. Why do you withhold?”
“Maybe she is more generous than I,” said Georgiana.
Her brother looked at her thoughtfully. “I disagree. But I will let her see I approve of your becoming friends. She must have an impressive amount of mettle to have remained so kind in such a difficult situation. And though I am proud of you for taking me to task, do not make it a practice. I am still your guardian.”
“I can make no promises. You see, I have this dunderhead of a brother who believes I should tell him everything when he tells me nothing.”
“You are perfectly correct. I am a dunderhead, while you are reasonable. And your perspective is more discerning while having none of my prejudices.”
“Given that Miss Elizabeth has your attention, will you tell me what draws you in?” Georgiana asked. “You may not wish to discuss so intimate a subject with me, but I am years out of the schoolroom. And I have known heartbreak if not love.”
“I think her the loveliest lady I have ever met. Uncommonly so when she laughs. As I rendered my apology, her eyes held a myriad of emotions, but her confidence did not falter. Despite her mother's insult.”
“While I noticed that she was wholly focused on you.” Georgiana tilted her head toward her brother.
“If I am grateful, it is because my eyes are now open, and I see in you the wonderful, caring, and intuitive young lady you have become. A rather terrifying intuitiveness, in fact. Do use it against Richard at his inconvenience.” He tapped her cheek affectionately.
“With every opportunity.”
“I regret my presuming you have less understanding than I at your same age.”
“So a cane this Christmas is more appropriate than embroidered handkerchiefs?” Georgiana slid her hand into his.
“Ha. Were I wise and old. Today, I am proven unwise, and I am not yet in my dotage.
I presumed any lady who hears my name would swoon into my arms, that my reported income would do all the wooing for me.
I have never needed to make an effort to gain a woman's attention. But I would like to become better acquainted with Miss Elizabeth, gain her good opinion.”
“Even if she may not be your wife, I hope to claim her as a friend.”
“Indeed. Regardless of your schemes, have I told you how pleased I am you are here with me?” Her brother picked up her hand and then held it between his.
“Thank you, Brother. Now, I shall write my invitation to Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth. I believe you and Mr. Bingley are to dine with the officers tomorrow evening. I shall include that, if it rains, they might stay the night. If they do, you and Mr. Bingley can see them come morning. I shall supply the opportunity, but it will be up to you to find a way to use the moment to your advantage.”
“You scheme like a London mama. I would prefer to discover if we will suit in my own way.”
“Which would take years of planning and an understanding of what a lady wishes, the latter being a skill you cannot currently claim.” Georgiana rested her other hand over his, then tapped the back of it.
“I know you do not speak of a compromise.”
“Of course not.” Georgiana tapped his hand with a bit more force than she had before. “But it would be quite easy to manage if you were already friends. We know not her wishes. Therefore, I must meddle. With or without your permission, Brother. Accept my assistance with grace.”
Georgiana kissed her brother’s cheek, then sat at the small writing desk. She laughed for herself alone when, through the mirror on the wall, she saw him shake his head. With that, she knew she had his acceptance, if not his approval.
She knew he did not protest because of his certainty in circumventing her efforts. Having underestimated her abilities for so many years, she relished the thought of helping her brother in this manner.
And one thing Georgiana had known to be an indelible truth: a younger sibling had advantages which were impossible to qualify or quantify, but there were advantages nonetheless.
Underestimating made an older sibling more likely to miss the guidance they received.
And though she had admitted to precisely what she would do, he would think it his indulging her when it was he who knew the greater benefit.
Georgiana had no intention of informing the inscrutable Fitzwilliam Darcy that his pride in knowing more of the world also made him less observant.
It had been reinforced during the tea she had enjoyed in Meryton.
She watched other older siblings make every effort to see their younger siblings happy. Any small requests are acceded to.
It is in these ways that younger siblings could lead their elder sister or brother.
It seemed a universal truth that all those with older brothers and sisters expect those which are younger to follow their directions.
Thus far, she had seen that those which were older were alike, never recognizing that they also needed assistance, so vigilant they were over those younger sisters and brothers they loved so dearly.