Chapter 4
“My coat,” Darcy asked his valet so brusquely that the man who had served him for years could hardly disguise his raised brows.
“The brown one, sir?”
“No, the green one,” Darcy requested irritably, and a moment later he felt embarrassed. He realised he was behaving like a schoolboy; poor Stevens was blameless, and surely the colour of his coat would not affect Elizabeth’s opinion of him.
However, regardless of what the reason might have been, her opinion of him had changed and improved, lifting him from dark despair to bright hope within only a few days.
Her coming to Pemberley was the answer to all his doubts and prayers, although he had abandoned most of them after that dreadful April day at the parsonage.
“Stevens, I shall be away from the house this morning. I have business to attend to in Lambton, and I am not sure how long it will last. Bingley and Hurst plan to go fishing again, but in case they need anything, I am counting on you to be of assistance in any matter. Mrs Reynolds will take care of the ladies.”
“Of course, sir. You may rely on me at any time.”
“Yes, I know.” He glanced at his image in the mirror and, satisfied enough, said, “This will do.”
Then, impatiently, he left his rooms and hurried downstairs, followed by the valet’s disapproving gaze.
In the main hall, Darcy was met and greeted by the housekeeper, Mrs Reynolds, who was instructing two of the upper housemaids and a footman. When they spotted the master, and after curtseying and bowing respectively, the three servants disappeared from sight to carry out their assignments.
“Mr Darcy, do you have any particular requirements for dinner tonight?” Mrs Reynolds enquired.
“No, nothing particular. I expect everything to be perfect, but I trust that will happen, as always.”
“Of course, sir.”
“Is breakfast laid out already? I am in somewhat of a hurry.”
“Almost, sir. It should not be longer than a few minutes.”
“Good. Have you happened to see Georgiana today?”
“She has not come down yet, sir. Nor have your guests.”
“Please inform my sister that I shall be in the library, and I would like a word with her before breakfast.”
“Certainly. I shall send word at once.”
Darcy continued down the hall to his favourite and most used room in the house. In the comfort of his familiar spot, amongst his beloved books, he recollected the Netherfield library and the day when he had spent half an hour alone with Elizabeth, both reading.
It was the time when his infatuation with her had begun, and he had been arrogant enough to assume she was not only aware but anticipating and welcoming his attentions.
Consequently, he tried to disguise his admiration by remaining silent and aloof.
Thinking he had paid her too much attention during those first evenings at Netherfield, he had proceeded to avoid her or squarely ignore her, like he had done in the library.
He had almost congratulated himself on his charity, not willing to give her false hopes in his regard!
What a ridiculous, pompous fool he had been!
He needed a horrible marriage proposal and a dreadful rejection to understand she was not just ignorant of his sentiments, but that he had to fight and struggle more for the privilege of pleasing and bestowing admiration and affection on a worthy woman.
“Brother?”
Georgiana’s little voice drew him out of his thoughts and caught his attention as she entered reluctantly. She was already dressed for the day, but she was pale and seemingly tired.
“My dear, are you feeling ill? You look exhausted!” he said, stepping closer to her.
“I am well, please do not worry,” she whispered. “I have not slept well, that is all.”
“I am afraid all this agitation is too much for you. You should remain in your room and rest.”
“Oh, no, that is not necessary. Quite the opposite, I think some time outdoors would help me.”
He gently took her arm and directed her to a sofa, where they sat together.
“Then will you join me in Lambton? I have business to attend to, but you may call on Miss Bennet and Mrs Gardiner in the meantime. I plan to stop and greet them anyway.”
“Oh, I would like that, but I must visit the Skinners again. Mrs Reynolds has prepared a large basket with food and fruit for the children, since Mrs Skinner is still too ill to even cook. She has also prepared them sheets, blankets, linen, and clean clothes. Mrs Reynolds has taken care of everything.”
“Then I should come with you and go to Lambton later.”
“Oh no, no! There is no need to alter your schedule, Brother. Mrs Annesley and a maid will accompany me. They will take the carriage because there is a lot to be carried. And I shall ride. I…you can trust me.”
“I do trust you, Georgiana, you must stop worrying about that. Do you think the children would be better attended to if we brought them to Pemberley until their parents feel better? There are enough rooms in the servants’ wing and enough maids to take care of them.
It might be easier for the Skinners and safer for the children. ”
“That is so generous of you, Brother! Yes, it might be for the best! I shall speak to Mrs Reynolds, and she will ask the doctor about the Skinners’ present condition. But…I think we must request their parents’ approval for such action,” she added timidly.
“Of course. But dearest, are you sure that the Skinners’ illness is not contagious? I would not want you to be in any danger. Perhaps I should go with you after all.”
“Brother, you have already asked Dr Hammond about them several times. He insisted it was from the bad mushrooms they ate, nothing more! He is confident they will get better soon, but they will likely feel the aftereffects for a while. To be honest, it is a miracle they survived and even more so that they did not feed them to the children too.”
“That was so foolish and irresponsible of Skinner! As soon as he is better, I shall have another word with him! What was he thinking that he did not ask for my support if his food supplies were short?”
“You already spoke to him, Brother, and he told you he did not want to bother you and beg for charity. He said you had already helped him enough. He was just waiting for the harvest and thought they would pass the summer months with what they had and what they could find on the grounds. He is a hardworking, proud man, Brother. You cannot fault him for that.”
“I do not fault him, but I regret that he did not trust me enough, that his worry for his family was not stronger than his pride. Though I do know the feeling of allowing yourself to be guided by pride,” Darcy responded.
“Most of the time, it leads to bad consequences. Hopefully, the Skinners’ suffering will end soon. ”
“I shall inform you of what Dr Hammond says,” Georgiana assured him.
“I might call on the doctor myself when I am in Lambton. And I might stop to visit the Skinners after all on my way back. But Georgiana, are you certain you feel well?”
“Very much so, Brother. You should really not worry about me. I have so many people around to take care of me.”
“I know, dearest. But I do worry about you and always will. And, no, Georgiana, it is not because I do not trust you! I worry because I care about you.” He smiled a little to reassure her.
“If Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst become too tiresome, you may politely withdraw from their company. I wish you to do what pleases you, not only what you feel is your duty.”
“Thank you! I shall keep that in mind. It does please me talking to Miss Bennet and Mrs Gardiner,” she said with a shy little smile. “Richard spoke highly of Miss Bennet when you returned from Kent, and now I see why. She is so kind and unassuming and clever.”
“I am glad to hear your good opinion. I know they hold you in high regard too.”
“I believe they enjoy your company as well, Brother,” the girl replied meaningfully. “I heard Miss Bingley saying that you disapproved of Miss Elizabeth Bennet when you first met. That you despised her company and you argued with her all the time. Clearly that cannot be true!”
“Sadly, a lot of it is quite true, my dear. In fact, I grossly offended Miss Bennet when I first met her at an assembly. I called her tolerable and refused to dance with her. And she overheard me…”
Georgiana looked at him, doubtful.
“You did! Why?”
“Why? I could probably summon better excuses like Bingley pestering me to dance as he always does or because I was already annoyed at being obliged by common courtesy to my friend and host to dance with his sisters or my dislike of large assemblies… But the truth is that I was an arrogant fool and considered everyone in Hertfordshire unworthy of my attention and civility.”
“Oh no, Brother! I cannot believe that!”
“You should believe it, my dear, because it is a truth that I am ashamed to admit. I spoke with sarcasm and derision about almost everyone I met while at Netherfield, including Miss Bennet’s family.
You should have heard how patronising I was judging Mr and Mrs Gardiner without even knowing them.
In company, no less. It was not my finest moment, and while I can still probably be considered proud, I am not proud of myself.
I did not despise Miss Bennet at all, and I enjoyed my lively exchanges with her, but I can see now how my behaviour could have been perceived.
I cannot blame Miss Bennet for despising me. ”
“This I really cannot believe! She certainly does not despise you, anyone can see it!”
Darcy smiled bitterly at his sister’s heartfelt support.
“Mayhap she does not, not now…but we had a dreadful argument in Kent, and she clearly expressed her opinion of me. Her accusations were as painful as they were just!”
“But then…if I may ask, why did she come to Pemberley, if you were not friends?”