Chapter 6 #3
Georgiana regarded him with an expression mingling sympathy and something approaching exasperation. “You are quite impossible sometimes. Too proud to interfere directly, too concerned to remain entirely distant.”
Before Darcy could respond to this uncomfortable observation, she continued in a different tone, almost hesitant.
“Brother, I should tell you something. I did not mention it earlier because I was uncertain whether the information was reliable, but...” She paused, clearly uncomfortable.
“Mrs Annesley has a cousin in Perkins, a neighbouring town to Meryton. I asked her to write to her when you returned from your condolence call. To find out information about the family and their prospects.”
“You did? Why?”
She shrugged. “You care for this family, for this Miss Elizabeth Bennet. I wanted to help. And I am glad I did.”
His sister was no longer a child, that much was certain.
A cold sensation settled in Darcy's chest. “What did this letter say?”
“She was able to gather information. Mrs Annesley’s cousin has a friend in Meryton, a Mrs Long, who seems well informed when it comes to other people’s business.
” She smiled at this. “Apparently there has been considerable speculation in the neighbourhood regarding Miss Elizabeth and Mr MacKinnon.” Georgiana's voice was gentle, as though she understood the blow her words would deliver.
“The local gossips are suggesting that a courtship may be forming between them.
Mrs Annesley's cousin seemed quite certain that MacKinnon has been paying particular attention to Miss Elizabeth and that the family appears to welcome his suit. The general expectation is that an offer will be made soon, if it has not been made already.”
Even though Bingley had written to him about his suspicions, the confirmation of an official courtship between Elizabeth and MacKinnon hit Darcy like a physical wound.
“When?” The question emerged more harshly than Darcy intended. “When did this courtship supposedly commence?”
“I do not know the particulars,” Georgiana replied. “The letter was not specific about timing. But it seems to have been developing ever since Mr MacKinnon came to Longbourn.”
“I see,” Darcy managed, though his voice sounded hollow even to his own ears. “Thank you for telling me.”
Georgiana moved closer, her hand touching his arm briefly. “I am sorry, Fitzwilliam. I know this is not what you hoped to hear.”
“It was information I needed to have,” he replied, though the words felt mechanical. “Better to know the truth than to continue in ignorance whilst harbouring false hopes.”
Georgiana hesitated and then spoke again. “Mrs Annesley mentioned she would quite like to visit her cousin one of these days.”
“Did she?” Darcy asked. He had never heard Mrs Annesley mention such a desire.
“Yes. I thought perhaps we could travel there together. I’ve wanted to see Netherfield. Caroline said it was a splendid estate. I know Bingley is to give it up, but it might be nice to see it.”
Darcy shook his head. “When the Hursts are not there, it is empty. We could not simply stay there.”
“I am sure there is an inn. We could take rooms. It would give me a chance to also meet the Bennet family.”
“Why would you like to meet them?” he asked, confused now.
She sighed. “Brother, I can tell you would like to be near Miss Elizabeth. I am giving you a reason. Your sister and her companion had business in the area, leading you to be nearby.”
He blinked. “Oh. I see.” He did not want to take her up on the idea, for he did not want to draw his sister into his foolish affairs. But he could not deny that she was right.
After Georgiana withdrew, Darcy remained in his study, staring numbly at the letters from Grant and Hartley.
Suddenly, it appeared as though none of it mattered.
Elizabeth had moved forward with her life, as was her absolute right.
She owed him nothing. Not her confidence, not her trust, certainly not any consideration of his feelings when making choices about her own future and happiness.
He had been too slow, too careful, too concerned with propriety and the appearance of his motives. Whilst he questioned and investigated and debated, she had done what people do when faced with difficult circumstances: she had made the best choice available to her by allowing this courtship.
And if that choice was MacKinnon, with all his complications and questionable associations and uncertain prospects, then perhaps that said more about Darcy's own failings than about her judgement.
The thought was not comfortable, but it had the ring of truth nonetheless.
He thought back to Georgiana’s idea. Mrs Annesley did have family in the area. It would serve as a valid reason for his being nearby. He could tell Bingley he would keep an eye on Netherfield. Perhaps inspect the place for his friend.
Was it obvious what his real intentions were? Perhaps. But perhaps only to him – and his sister. Perhaps to Miss Elizabeth Bennet, it would seem entirely natural.
At the very least, it would give him a reason to see if his concerns about MacKinnon were founded in reality – or in his hearts unfulfilled desires.