Chapter 4
Chapter Four
When Bingley had first proposed that Darcy accompany him to Netherfield and assist him with the management of his newly leased estate, Darcy had reluctantly agreed. In the week between his delayed return to London and his departure for Hertfordshire, however, he had been extraordinarily busy.
Bingley was to arrive at Netherfield a few days before Michaelmas to take possession of the house and intended to spend several days there making certain everything was in readiness before returning to London to escort his sisters and brother by marriage to the estate.
He had invited Darcy to join him from the beginning, but Darcy had initially declined, claiming that he preferred to wait until the household was properly settled before making his own appearance.
After meeting Miss Bennet—or rather Miss Elizabeth, as she had given him permission to call her—he had promptly reconsidered.
Georgiana, bless her willingness to indulge nearly any suggestion he made, had been easily persuaded to spend a few days at Netherfield before the Bingley sisters arrived.
It would give her an opportunity to meet Miss Elizabeth without Miss Bingley’s interference, and Darcy found himself hoping the two young ladies might form a friendship as readily as he and Miss Elizabeth had done.
By the time Miss Bingley descended upon Netherfield, perhaps Georgiana would have gained enough confidence in her new acquaintance to tolerate the lady with greater ease.
If not, she could continue on to Pemberley after only a few days in Miss Bingley’s company, just as they had originally planned.
The excitement he felt in returning to the area was beyond what he ought to have felt for a new acquaintance, particularly a young lady he had already determined he could not seriously consider.
That the thought of considering her at all had occurred to him surely meant something, but Darcy was not eager to explore that meaning just now.
So he kept himself occupied in London as he made preparations to depart it again for a time, and did not consider why he was so looking forward to the journey.
A knock on his study door drew his attention away from these considerations, something that he was grateful for. He called “Come,” and the door opened slowly.
“Brother, do you have a few minutes?” Georgiana asked, peeking around the door, appearing much younger than her fifteen years.
“Always for you, dearest,” Darcy replied as gently as he could.
He truly hoped that he was doing the right thing by inviting Georgiana to Hertfordshire to meet Miss Bennet.
The day he arrived in London, he had made discreet enquiries into both the Gardiners and the Bennets.
What he learnt about the Gardiners pleased him, and he had already reached out to Mr Gardiner to arrange a meeting for the day before his departure.
The Bennets were a different matter. They were respectable, but he understood a little better what Mrs Gardiner and Miss Elizabeth had not said about her family.
Longbourn was a modest estate, bringing in around two thousand pounds a year.
More troubling was the fact that the estate was entailed in the male line and, Mr Bennet having no son, would pass to a distant cousin upon his death.
His wife and five daughters would therefore have no claim upon the property beyond whatever provision had been made for them.
From what Darcy could learn, Longbourn was capable of producing somewhat more than it presently did, but Mr Bennet appeared content for the estate to provide enough to support his family without making any particular effort either to improve its income or set aside money for his daughters’ futures.
Darcy could not understand a man who knew his family would lose their home upon his death and yet took so little interest in ensuring that they would be well provided for afterwards.
Worse still, it appeared Mr Bennet had taken little interest in directing his daughters’ education.
Miss Elizabeth was obviously intelligent and exceedingly well read, but Darcy suspected that this owed more to her own inclination than to any particular effort on her father’s part.
There had been no governess, and the younger girls, according to what he had learnt, had been allowed considerably more freedom than Darcy would ever have thought advisable.
His thoughts were interrupted as his sister came fully into the room. He had risen automatically when she entered, and now she stood before him on the other side of his desk. He quickly moved around it to meet her, taking her hand and leading her to the comfortable armchairs before the fire.
“Yes, dearest?” he prompted when she did not speak.
“Are you certain you wish for me to accompany you to Netherfield?” she asked softly.
Georgiana had always been somewhat shy, but after this summer, her shyness had become nearly debilitating. Mrs Annesley was making some progress in restoring her confidence, but Darcy remained worried about her.
“Of course, Georgiana,” he said earnestly. “The only reason I suggested you might not remain longer is because Miss Bingley so often seems to make you uncomfortable. I truly thought you would prefer to go on to Pemberley sooner.”
“But you wished for me to meet some young lady in the neighbourhood?” she asked, her confusion apparent on her countenance.
“Well, yes,” Darcy said, suddenly at a loss for words.
After a moment, he continued. “I met the young lady and her aunt when we were all stranded at an inn as I returned from Hertfordshire last week. Her aunt, Madeline Gardiner, knew Mother and Father, at least a little, when she was a young lady. Her father was the Reverend Parton, who died about ten years ago.”
“I have heard of him,” Georgiana said, a little excitement creeping into her voice. “Do you think I might meet Mrs Gardiner one day? And what has that to do with your wishing me to meet her niece?”
Darcy considered her question. During his business call upon Mr Gardiner, he could ask whether Mrs Gardiner might accept an invitation to Darcy House.
That would be preferable to Georgiana visiting her, since Darcy did not know precisely where she lived.
Never before had he considered paying a social call upon a tradesman’s wife, and he was uncertain how the matter ought to be handled.
“I will see what can be arranged,” Darcy said after a moment. “As to Miss Bennet, she seems to be a cheerful sort of young lady—one whom I think you would like. Although she is not quite of our circle, she possesses many qualities I would be pleased to see you emulate.”
When his sister opened her mouth to protest, Darcy continued.
“I do not mean that you should mimic her entirely. But I think she might be a good influence upon you, and perhaps knowing her would help restore some of your confidence. She is intelligent, well read, and self-assured. I think she would be a good friend to you.”
“Is she a gentleman’s daughter?” Georgiana asked.
“She is,” Darcy answered. “Her father owns a small estate in Hertfordshire, near the one Bingley has leased.”
“Then why did you say she is not in our circle?” Her confusion was evident.
“It is more a matter of wealth and education, not to mention family and connexions,” Darcy said seriously. “Our grandfather was an earl.”
Georgiana regarded him for a moment. “But Miss Bennet cannot help that her grandfather was not of the nobility. Besides, you associate frequently with Mr Bingley, and his father was a tradesman.”
Darcy frowned slightly. “No, of course not. Neither Miss Bennet nor Bingley can alter their birth. But such things do affect how society views a person.”
“But you have just told me that she is intelligent and exceedingly well read despite not having had all the advantages I have had.”
“Yes.” Darcy agreed, unsure of her point.
“And she is confident.” Georgiana repeated the list he had given her only a few minutes before, and Darcy was further confused.
“Yes, Georgiana.” His tone was a bit exasperated by all these questions, and he hoped she would soon explain whatever point she was attempting to make.
She hesitated, and a faint flush rose in her cheeks. “Then I do not quite understand why you keep speaking of her as though she were beneath us, if you believe she would make a good friend for me and possesses those traits you wish me to emulate.”
Darcy opened his mouth, but no immediate answer presented itself.
Georgiana looked down at her hands. “I hope you will not be angry with me, Brother, but it sounds a little as though you have already decided where she belongs and are now finding reasons to justify it.”
For a moment, he could only stare at her.
Her eyes widened. “I did not mean—” She began to stammer an apology, but Darcy had no wish for her to retreat from what she had already said.
“No.” He held up a hand, stopping her apology. Uncomfortable as the observation was, he could hardly fault her for making it. “Perhaps my perspective is somewhat… influenced by the manner in which we were raised.”
Georgiana’s mouth twitched. “Lady Catherine does speak of rank rather often.”
Despite himself, Darcy was amused, though the feeling was quickly tempered by discomfort. Of all his relations, Lady Catherine was the one to whom he least liked being compared.
“Indeed she does,” was all he felt capable of answering.
Georgiana was quiet for a moment, appearing thoughtful. Darcy merely waited for her to say whatever it was she wished to say. “You seem to have formed a very favourable opinion of Miss Bennet in a very short time.”
Darcy looked at her sharply. “I merely think she would be a suitable companion for you.”
“Of course,” Georgiana said, though the slight curve of her lips made him suspect she was not entirely convinced.