Chapter Twenty
Anne and Georgiana spent the next morning together packing for Georgiana’s journey to London and then to the country.
When it was time for Georgiana to leave, they bid one another farewell with many tears and solemn promises to write most faithfully.
Anne swore to take the greatest care of Socks, and to take the phaeton out at least thrice a week.
Georgiana spent the entire journey to London telling her brother of the many things she and her cousin had done together, and it was clear to Mr. Darcy that his sister was not the same shy young girl who had journeyed to Kent so many weeks ago!
Serving as an older sister to Anne de Bourgh, despite the fact that Anne was actually the elder of the two, had done a good deal for Georgiana’s confidence.
Mr. Darcy commented on it. “I admire this new poise I see in you, Georgiana. Remember, though, that you must be cautious as to where confidence and boldness may lead you. Young ladies must be careful!”
Georgiana nodded, but thought no more of it.
The fifteenth of September was the Sabbath; so Mr. Darcy waited until the following day to have the knocker put up on the door.
There were not many visitors, as most of the aristocracy had fled Town and removed to their cooler country estates, but those who were still in Town were delighted to know that Mr. Darcy was in residence.
Mr. Bingley was among the first of the callers.
“Bingley!” Mr. Darcy welcomed his guest and the two of them clapped one another on the shoulders. Mr. Bingley bowed to Georgiana. “Miss Darcy, it is a delight to see you again! Do I understand correctly that you will be joining us at Netherfield Park?”
Georgiana smiled at her brother’s kind friend. “Yes; I hope you do not mind.”
“Not at all,” Mr. Bingley assured her. “But you are aware that there will be no hostess, are you not?”
Straightening her shoulders, Georgiana said, “Why, I could serve as your hostess. Could I not, Brother?”
“I do not see why not,” Mr. Darcy said. “But this assumes that Miss Bingley or Mrs. Hurst do not change their minds and decide to join us.”
“Which recalls me to my mission here,” Mr. Bingley said, slapping his forehead. “If my younger sister learns that Darcy will be at Netherfield, she will not be stopped from joining us in the country. I trust that you take my meaning.” He winked at them both.
Georgiana laughed. “I certainly do, and she will not learn of it from me.”
Mr. Bingley looked relieved. “It is not that I wish to deceive my sister, but Darcy here is coming to Netherfield as a favour to me, and I do not wish him to be made uncomfortable.”
“I understand, of course,” Georgiana said, her lips twitching with merriment. “If anyone enquires as to our future plans, I will say that we plan to continue on to Pemberley. It is not a lie, exactly, as eventually that is just what we will do.”
The conversation moved on to the entertainments Mr. Darcy had planned for his sister while they were in London.
They had just missed the Bartholomew Fair, but there was still Haymarket Theatre, which offered opera in the summer, and Sadler’s Wells Theatre, which showed plays.
And, of course, there was always Bond Street!
“When will you leave for Hertfordshire?” Mr. Darcy asked his guest.
“I told them I would be there just before Michaelmas, but I think now of going a bit earlier, as I am eager to begin my new life. Perhaps the twenty-third or twenty-fourth of September.”
“Send me a message when you leave; if we follow you two days later, will that give you time enough to prepare for our arrival?” Mr. Darcy enquired.
“More than enough time,” Mr. Bingley assured him. “The house is entirely ready to receive us even now; it is, as I told you, fully staffed and furnished.”
“Very good,” Mr. Darcy returned. “I await your message.”
Mr. Bingley’s warning regarding his sisters was timely indeed, as Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst visited Darcy House the very next day, exclaiming over Georgiana and hinting desperately for an invitation to Pemberley. Alas, an invitation was forthcoming.