Chapter 28
When the girls returned to Pemberley after their encounter with Julia Buchanan, they found a new guest in the house: Lord Holton had come at last, as he had promised to do on his return to Scotland.
They found him chatting happily with Charlotte and Lady Anne on one side of the drawing room while Darcy stood looking morosely out through the window on the other side.
When Elizabeth and Georgiana entered, Holton stood and bowed with a charming smile and then taking a few steps, he took Elizabeth’s hand to plant a rather long kiss on her knuckles; a kiss that caused her a measure of discomfort, as she noticed Mr Darcy’s keen eyes on her.
“Lord Holton, I did not expect… I mean, I did not expect you so soon.” Elizabeth stuttered.
“But Miss Bennet,” he frowned, “I did tell you I was going to break the journey here at Pemberley soon. It is a long way home, an exhausting journey that cannot be accomplished in one go. But return I must as my estate has been abandoned long enough.”
“Oh yes, of course, I simply forgot, my Lord.” she tried to smile but her smile did not reach her eyes, “and how has your journey been so far?”
He frowned again, “Yes, so far so good and you... are you well and have you been enjoying your stay here, in Derbyshire?”
“Oh yes, Pemberley is utterly enchanting. It is not possible to be here and not enjoy it. And of course my hosts could not be more amiable or welcoming.” She smiled first at Lady Anne then she turned very decidedly towards Mr Darcy, “I have been enjoying riding lessons with the best instructor in the Kingdom, as highly recommended by Miss Darcy.” She smiled at both siblings.
Holton looked at Darcy and his smile dimmed. “Have you? Well I am glad you have found the company of my dour cousin acceptable for he is, most of the time, rather taciturn and unpleasant.”
Elizabeth turned her gaze back to the young Earl with an expression of disapproval, for his remark was an open insult towards their host, sounding rather petty and ungrateful.
“I do not agree, my lord” Elizabeth replied in a dignified manner “Mr Darcy has been very generous with his time, even when I know his attention is required elsewhere with estate matters.”
Holton felt the subtle rebuke, “But of course, Darcy is nothing but a true gentleman.”
He sat again where he had been before Elizabeth entered the room and resumed his easy conversation with Lady Anne and Charlotte. But he tried hard not to stare at Elizabeth, who sat alone and seemed distracted, occasionally fixing her stare on Darcy who did not move from the window.
After a few moments Holton said, “Travelling is a tiresome business and I need to stretch my legs.” He turned to Elizabeth, “Miss Bennet, would you care to take a turn with me in the garden?”
Elizabeth seemed surprised, startled even from whatever musings were occupying her thoughts, “Oh,” she looked uncomfortable, “I beg your forgiveness, my lord, but I am a little fatigued from my ride earlier. I wonder if Charlotte would be happy to accompany you instead;” she looked at her friend with a beseeching expression that only her long-standing friend would understand.
Charlotte got up quickly and gracefully and curtsied to the Earl, who was too well-bred to refuse a lady.
“But of course,” he turned to Charlotte, “Miss Lucas,” he offered her his arm and they walked together out of the room.
“We met Julia inside our lands by the brook on the southern border.” Georgiana blurted out once Holton and Charlotte had left.
“What?” Darcy looked annoyed.
“Yes,” Georgiana said, “she was very rude to Elizabeth.”
Lady Anne and Darcy exchanged a worried look,
“What did she say?” Lady Anne asked.
“She asked Elizabeth if she liked riding her horse; as if Elizabeth had stolen Aurora.”
“How dare she!” Darcy's clipped tones reverberated in the drawing room like a hammer blow. “I will visit Mr Buchanan and let him know I will have no trespasses in my land and I will inform them all that no insults or insinuations will be tolerated.”
“You will do no such thing.” Lady Anne turned to him, “you will leave the Buchanans and especially Julia to me.”
“But mother,”
“No William, this is very much like the situation we faced in London with Miss Bingley. It is time that they understand that their reputation, their very respectability in the neighbourhood and, more importantly, their ability to keep their estate after Mr Buchanan’s death, if you follow my meaning, is fully dependent on us keeping their secret.
Even if Julia is a simpleton, William, her parents are not. ”
“What secret, Mama?” Georgiana was confused.
Lady Anne shook her head, “no, Georgiana it is not something I would share with you, for it is too sordid.”
Georgiana looked as if she might protest but her mother put a hand up to halt her, “no, Georgie, please do not ask, it is not for you to know.”
Georgiana accepted it with resignation and left the room citing fatigue.
However, Elizabeth’s started to rack her brain for an answer to the puzzle: what was the secret that mother and son guarded so closely that could, supposedly, destroy the Buchannans so thoroughly?