Chapter Thirteen
Mr. Darcy’s duties as master of Pemberley kept him quite busy; however, his friend’s letter caused him to consider putting those responsibilities into other hands for a few weeks.
It was true that it would be impossible for Bingley to learn to manage an estate without help; it was also true that some years ago he had promised Bingley to assist him in this regard.
And it was true that Hertfordshire was quite close to Kent, which would enable him to visit his sister at Rosings Park.
In fact, he could bring Georgiana with him to Netherfield Park, and then the two of them would return to Pemberley together.
All in all, he concluded that it was certainly possible for him to join Bingley at Netherfield Park shortly after his friend took possession of it. And knowing that Miss Bingley would not be in attendance made it all that much more appealing.
Bingley,
I did promise to help you, and never let it be said that I reneged on a promise! I will come to London mid-September and we may speak about how I might best assist you then.
Darcy
Having sanded and sealed that message, Mr. Darcy settled down to enjoy Georgiana’s latest letter, which had arrived that morning.
Dear Brother,
We are all quite well here at Rosings Park!
Mr. Collins came again today, and tried to report to Aunt Catherine about some of the parishioners.
But Aunt Catherine saw that I was listening and told him again that he need not report to her.
He seems very upset at not being allowed to do so; he goes on and on about the great honour of being “her ladyship’s eyes and ears!
” What a nasty little man he is! I am glad our clergymen are not like him.
Anne and I walked together for three-quarters of an hour yesterday, and she did not seem a bit tired when we returned! She ate a good amount for her luncheon and took one of her little brown pills, which I must say appear to be doing her a world of good.
That said, though, I very much wish we had a little phaeton and a pony so that we might drive about the park.
I think it would be very good for Anne to be able to - well, to escape Rosings Park when she needs to do so.
I know there is no point in bringing this idea to Aunt Catherine, as she is certain to quash it at once.
And you were quite right, by the way; there are no riding horses here. I hope Daffodil is quite well.
I miss you and look forward to seeing you again!
Your loving sister,
Georgiana
Mr. Darcy knew that Georgiana rarely requested anything for herself, so her idea about the phaeton and the pony was rather a surprise; but it would be just the thing to get the two girls out into the fresh air more often, particularly since Georgiana was not riding.
He set quill to paper and wrote out a letter to the ever-efficient Mr. Stanley.