Chapter Fifty-Six
Georgiana had not expected such good luck; both her brother and Mr. Bingley had gone to Longbourn on the very day she was to meet George! She had intimated female problems, which was always enough to have Brother back away quickly. She smiled to herself; men were easily fooled!
Now she would have to find a way to leave the house without a companion.
She would tell Mrs. Hammond that she needed a tea for female complaints, and that she would then rest quietly in her room.
And then she would, with any luck at all, be able to tiptoe out of Netherfield on her own and meet George at the fence.
“Poor dear; not feeling well?” Mrs. Hammond enquired.
Once again, Georgiana put a hand on her abdomen and smiled weakly.
“I understand completely,” Mrs. Hammond said. “I have just the thing for you! A special mixture of peppermint and ginger teas, taught to me by my own mother. I will have it sent up to you directly, Miss Darcy.”
“You are very kind, Mrs. Hammond,” Georgiana said, feeling rather guilty now.
“Ah, we women must be kind to one another, for if we are not, there is no hope for us! Go on upstairs, now, dear; this tea and a long rest will do wonders for you.”
Georgiana made her way upstairs; the tea was delivered a quarter of an hour later by a young maid.
Georgiana tasted it and then set it aside.
She had far more important things to do than drink tea!
She changed into a walking dress and half boots, and picked out a bonnet and a pelisse.
She checked the time; it was half past eleven.
It would take her at least thirty minutes to get out of the house and to that particular fence, so she needed to get started.
She paused for a minute, recalling her brother’s words some weeks ago.
Something about courage and confidence being excellent traits, but that one must be careful about…
what was it? How to apply them? No; it was where they would lead you.
Something like that. In any case, surely it was right for one’s courage and confidence to lead one to true love!