Chapter 17 Winter Storms #2
Elizabeth’s mind raced. She had put the letter in her reticule, with the vague notion that she would be able to get it to the Darcys. She simply had not considered she could convey it to them in person!
“Miss Bennet, may I present my sister, Miss Georgiana Darcy? Georgie, this is Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn in Hertfordshire. I may have written in my letters of meeting her family while visiting Bingley at Netherfield.”
The young ladies exchanged elegant curtseys. “Miss Eliz…” his sister began shyly as Elizabeth exclaimed, “Miss Darcy.”
Elizabeth smiled invitingly and captured her hand. “Please. You first.”
Miss Darcy tittered, her cheeks pink as she boldly said, “Miss Bennet, I feel as though I know you already. My brother has told me so much about you. I might have known you anywhere, so well did he describe you.” She blushed further as she realised what she had said.
Elizabeth’s cheeks burned, but she quickly put the young lady at ease with a tease about “gossipy older brothers,” as she scrambled to think of what he might have written to his sister.
Mr Darcy’s face flushed as he met her eyes. It seems he was not exempt from his share of embarrassment.
Miss Darcy seemed to recover as they walked companionably towards the Serpentine and Elizabeth encouraged the girl to speak of her favourite winter activities. Mr Darcy asked Elizabeth about her sojourn to Town.
Elizabeth told them she would be with her uncle’s family for some time, speaking of assisting her aunt and young cousins and indulging in the delights of the city. All the while, she marvelled at how naturally conversation seemed to flow.
A pair of geese near the bank drew Miss Darcy’s attention, and she left her brother on the path. Elizabeth seized her opportunity. “Sir, you may be a better man than I had thought.”
At his look of bemusement, she continued. “As you take ‘prodigious care’ of your friend and, I expect, your dear sister, I am assured you will appreciate that I ascribe the same for my sister and would not sanction harm to a trusting heart.” She took the folded letter from her reticule.
At his confused expression, Elizabeth covertly displayed the folded pages and said, “I believe you should read this.”
Mr Darcy straightened when he saw the letter, looking about, then to Miss Darcy. Seeing his sister’s attention otherwise engaged, he nodded.
“Miss Bingley sent this missive to Jane, and it involves your sister. We determined her guardian should be the one to address Miss Bingley’s assertions.” Mr Darcy offered his arm, gesturing to the water. “Let us join my sister.”
Elizabeth placed her hand on his forearm, and his other hand briefly covered hers as she passed the folded paper.
“You might also advise your friend that his sister did not represent him well when she closed Netherfield. There were servants and merchants left wanting.” Mr Darcy looked thunderstruck.
His sister turned to them, pointing to the geese with youthful excitement.
Elizabeth espied her footman and maid, reminding her of the time. “Miss Darcy, it has been a pleasure meeting you.” She smiled at her companions and curtseyed. “Mr Darcy. Sadly, I must away. Uncle’s coach will be waiting. I have enjoyed our visit and hope you have a lovely Christmastide.”
As Elizabeth walked briskly away, she heard Miss Darcy gasp with dismay, “Oh Brother, I did not ask her direction! I would so like to see her again.”
Alas, she missed Mr Darcy’s response. That is as it should be, Elizabeth thought. I should prefer to keep only good memories of this meeting. For she doubted he would want his sister to visit her new acquaintance in Cheapside.
Elizabeth sipped her tea as Uncle Gardiner handed his wife an elegant invitation before leaving for his warehouse.
“My dear, Lord Matlock left this at the office yesterday. I must apologise. I completely forgot until Johnston helped me with my coat this morning. It is an invitation to dine on Thursday. I trust we have no other plans?”
Madeline Gardiner smiled indulgently. “If we did, we would have to change them. Is that not so?”
He chuckled and lifted her hand for a gentle kiss, then rushed from the house.
Elizabeth had settled near the front window with her correspondence when she observed an elegant black coach pull to the kerb in front of the house.
As it was early for callers, she was surprised when Mr Darcy stepped down and turned to hand his sister out.
Elizabeth spoke urgently to her aunt, touching her hair self-consciously, then smoothed her skirt. What is this about?
The butler opened the drawing room door and introduced their guests. “Mr Darcy and Miss Darcy.”
The parties exchanged courtesies, and Elizabeth’s stomach fluttered as she introduced her aunt, “Mr Darcy, Miss Darcy, it is my pleasure to introduce my aunt, Mrs Edward Gardiner. Aunt, this is Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy and Miss Georgiana Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire, late of London. Sir, Miss Darcy, it is a pleasure to see you. What brings you to Gracechurch Street?”
Darcy’s ears pinked as he looked at Elizabeth, but Miss Darcy spoke eagerly.
“I had neglected to ask your direction the other morning. Brother learnt from our aunt, Lady Matlock, that your uncle was Mr Gardiner, my uncle’s business associate. Of course, we had to call straight away. Brother insisted.”
Elizabeth smiled at the young girl’s candour, covering her mouth. Mrs Gardiner cleared her throat to cover her mirth at Mr Darcy’s expression. His sister had caught him out!
Mrs Gardiner sent for tea. Miss Darcy took a seat on the settee with Elizabeth, while Mr Darcy sat in a chair facing the ladies.
“Miss Darcy, I wonder if Elizabeth has told you that I spent my childhood in the village of Lambton. My father was Mr Granger, the vicar there for many years. I had the pleasure of meeting your parents on several occasions. Indeed, you look a great deal like your late mother, Lady Anne.”
“You knew my mother? How lovely! I do not remember her, but my family has told me much. It would be so nice to hear your memories.” At this, Miss Darcy moved to sit next to Mrs Gardiner, and they were soon engaged in a lively discussion of Lambton and Lady Anne Darcy.
Elizabeth lifted a brow at Mr Darcy. He smiled indulgently at his sister.
“It seems we are forgot, Mr Darcy. I shall make every attempt to keep you entertained, as Aunt enjoys nothing more than to share tales from her girlhood. I must insist, however, that you do your part. I am not prepared to deliver a soliloquy.”
“Oh, Miss Bennet, you do yourself a disservice. You are well equipped to carry both sides of any conversation.” He leant back, crossing his leg. “I am certain I have heard you posit opinions that are not your own.”
Elizabeth laughed, enjoying their newfound camaraderie. “Unfair! I was most definitely provoked, you know I was. It is ungentlemanly of you to remind me, and before your impressionable sister, sir. You will teach her not to credit a word I say!”
They both chuckled, drawing looks from the others.
“I will credit you with the excellent ability to converse with anyone, subtly turning away barbs such that they miss their mark. It is a skill I envy, I assure you.” He paused, adjusting his cuffs. “You also demonstrate kindness and discretion.”
“Perhaps it is better to leave discussion of the Netherfield party to another time. This is too fine a day to allow that lady to intrude.” At his nod of agreement, she said, “My uncle said we are to dine at Matlock House on Thursday.” Elizabeth glanced up at him through her lashes.
“Might you be in attendance with Miss Darcy, sir?”
“I believe I can wheedle an invitation from my aunt. Georgiana is a particular favourite of our Matlock relations.” His dimpled smile made Elizabeth gasp with pleasure and shyly return his smile.
Elizabeth sighed at the strange happenings of the day but was much less conflicted when she picked up the novel Charlotte had given her.
She opened the book, Peril and Partnership by Louise Bigler, hoping it would settle her thoughts. She snickered at the foreboding first line: It is a truth universally acknowledged that her Ladyship is not to be trifled with.