Chapter Two
All false references!” Mr. Darcy exclaimed in irritation, throwing papers down on his desk.
“Mrs. Younge?” Georgiana asked in alarm.
“Yes; so far, none of the applicants for the post of your companion appear appropriate. I am sorry, Georgiana; I know you were looking forward to having someone here with you.”
Georgiana sighed in disappointment. “Truly? False references? But her letter sounded so very agreeable!”
“It did, yes, and I was ready to offer her the post until I checked the names of her references against Debretts and learnt that none of the people who had signed her references actually existed.” Mr. Darcy’s tone was wry. “I can only wonder who she really is and what she really wanted.”
“I suppose she just wanted employment,” Georgiana said, flatly. “And all the other applicants sounded awful, and there were not very many of them, at that!”
“I am sorry, dear. I suppose not many people want to live out of the way in Derbyshire.”
“Then I suppose I will spend the summer by myself,” Georgiana said. “It is not so bad, after all, if there is no one about to trouble me.”
This is precisely what Mr. Darcy had not wanted for his sister. She was shy, even shyer now than before she had gone to school. He had hoped that school would give her some confidence, but it seemed the exact opposite had happened.
He could not know the particulars, as his sister had never confided in him, but Georgiana had not had a pleasant experience at school.
Many of her schoolmates had been the daughters of peers, with a good deal of self-importance and pride.
The Darcy family was wealthy and, in many cases, far wealthier than the titled families, but wealth was not as important as a title.
Thus, Georgiana was considered unimportant. No one made the effort to befriend her; and, as she was not naturally gregarious, she did not make the effort to reach out to those girls who were in a position similar to her own and might have been her friends.
But though he did not know of her school experience, Mr. Darcy did not wish her to be so solitary. “No, I do not want you to be on your own all summer,” Mr. Darcy said, firmly. “The Matlocks have already left London for the summer, but you might go to Kent to see Anne.”
Georgiana considered this. She had not seen her cousin in several years.
As she thought back, Anne had never been a very gregarious individual, but she was certainly not mean or nasty, like the girls at school.
Yes, perhaps they would become friends. It was likely better than being alone.
And though Aunt Catherine was sometimes rather fearsome, Georgiana had always felt that her aunt liked her.
She nodded. “I would love to visit with Anne. Thank you, Brother.”
Mr. Darcy hesitated, looking with concern at his young sister. “I am sorry, Georgiana; I wish I could be more company for you.”
“No, Brother, I understand. Managing Pemberley occupies all your waking hours.” Georgiana spoke matter-of-factly.
She knew her brother loved her, but she also understood that managing Pemberley, as well as the various minor estates and his many investments, kept him fully occupied.
He had little time to spare to entertain his much younger sister.
“I do not think Aunt Catherine keeps any riding horses in her stables,” Mr. Darcy said. “You will miss riding Daffodil, I fear.”
“Someone will exercise her, though, will they not?” Georgiana’s face showed her anxiety for her little mare.
“Of course, sweetling; she will be here waiting for you when we return to Pemberley.”