Chapter 48 #3
Elizabeth sighed. She must stop thinking of him so often.
They would be nothing but indifferent acquaintances again, if they ever saw each other beyond Mr. Bingley’s wedding day.
Even during those months of friendship, however, she had told herself she was storing up memories of him for when he would leave her.
What was the use in having gathered so many moments and memories if she could not dwell on them?
No, not dwell. She would allow herself to think of him once each day, before she slept.
For many years, she had known how to rigorously schedule her days for the best outcomes.
Her early habit of self-command was meant to please Aunt and Uncle Bennet and Miss Moran.
Now, she would put thoughts of Mr. Darcy aside and focus on her present life.
She must return to her purpose. She began reading the newspapers to find notices for governesses. Elizabeth would not apply yet, but she began taking notes on common requirements to ensure she was prepared for her inevitable future.
She had continued to use much of her education, but she had allowed her Italian to lapse.
Her French remained strong, as did her Latin and to a lesser extent her Greek, although she had not seen any potential employers interested in the ancient languages.
Mr. Darcy had discussed Homer and Virgil with her—No.
She shoved thoughts of him aside, as she did several times each hour.
Elizabeth decided to shore up her Italian and take up the harp.
Several listings indicated parents wished their daughters to learn the elegant instrument.
Darcy had been at a loss as to how to help his sister all summer.
He had hoped his cousin could help, but Richard was nowhere to be found.
Lord Matlock thought his son was in Spain again, and for all Darcy knew, it was true.
He kept sending messages to him in care of his superiors in London, however, in hopes that he would stop in and learn of Darcy’s distress.
Not that he mentioned his sister in his letters.
Nobody knew of her near elopement except her maid, Alice, and he could only pray she was as trustworthy as she appeared.
He corresponded with others, as well. Bingley had written in July that he had decided to lease a larger estate near Longbourn than he had done at Christmas.
He described Netherfield Park and invited Darcy to join him as early as Michaelmas.
Darcy did not know how long before her cousins’ wedding Elizabeth would go to Hertfordshire, but he assumed it would not be so early.
He prayed that his sister’s spirits would improve in time for him to leave her even briefly to go to Bingley’s wedding.
He was desperate to be near Elizabeth again.
Georgiana was completely heartbroken, however, so he could not even consider removing from Pemberley yet.
He knew not what to say to help her understand the villain that was George Wickham.
If only Darcy had unveiled the man’s character to her long before they met in Ramsgate.
He had not protected his sister as he should have.
He was relieved to learn Wickham had not been left alone with her for more than a few minutes at a time, and he had done no more than kiss her and tell her lies. Still, his anger at Mrs. Younge was almost as strong as that for his long-ago friend.
If Georgiana had not needed him close to her, he might have gone to seek Wickham and Mrs. Younge and faced the consequences of his actions later.
When his thoughts were under better control, he knew a duel would solve nothing and that he must focus on helping his sister rather than punishing her seducers.
Mrs. Annesley, a widow of about five-and-forty, had arrived at Pemberley in the middle of August after a rigorous search he had undertaken via a campaign of letters and interviews.
He had required far more of this new companion for Georgiana than his aunt, Lady Matlock, had deemed necessary when selecting Mrs. Younge.
Despite multiple excellent character witnesses, he did not yet trust this new woman.
He watched her carefully and questioned her daily.
He had told her his sister had suffered a disappointment but had provided almost no details.
Something had to be said to explain her mood and his need for a compassionate and upright companion.
Darcy also wrote to Gardiner. He had thought often of Elizabeth all summer but could not go to her or write to her, as they were not yet engaged.
He was too lost in his grief over his sister to realize at first that he should write to Elizabeth’s uncle.
It was not until several weeks had passed, then, that he wrote to him.
Gardiner,
You are aware, I am sure, that I was required to leave London suddenly.
I regret my inability to take proper leave of you and your family.
My presence will be required at Pemberley for the foreseeable future, although I will do all in my power to travel to Hertfordshire for Bingley’s and Miss Bennet’s nuptials in November.
Yours, etc.
F. Darcy
Darcy was surprised to receive no reply. He had hoped to hear news of Elizabeth and how she was occupying herself this summer, but he had not specifically asked after her, and Gardiner probably had too much business at present to remember to respond.