Chapter Five #3
“Hello, Jack,” Darcy said, strolling in. “Is Aunt Orillia entertaining this evening?”
“Nothin’ much, sir,” Jack said, closing the door. “Just a few people in t’dine.”
“Is Miss Darcy at home?” Darcy asked as he removed his hat and coat.
“No, sir,” Jack said, his eyes wide and staring. “She’s done an’ left, sir.”
“Left?” Darcy repeated in a louder voice.
“Yes, sir. Gone t’visit Miss Bingley, sir. The colonel came round t’escort her.”
“Damn.” Darcy snatched back his hat and coat and slipped the porter a yellow boy. “Kindly say nothing to my aunt about my arrival.”
“Yes, sir.”
Jack hurried to open the door for him. Darcy strode out into a stiff breeze, leaned into it, and headed back to Pemberley Place.
Georgiana must have received my letter this morning and left at once. This has been a wild goose chase! I suppose I missed her on the road. Well, Douglas will look after her. And, it is unlikely she will meet up with Wickham before I return and convince her to come back to London.
Darcy considered the situation further. On the journey from Hertfordshire, all he could think about was arriving before Georgiana left. Now he wondered if he should have bothered at all.
Perhaps I have been precipitous. The regiment will not come to Meryton for several weeks or more.
If Georgiana stays for only two weeks, she will be away before the danger arrives.
It is unlikely for her to meet Wickham as he looks about Meryton for officer lodgings.
Darcy sighed and shook his head. I must rest the horses tonight, so I cannot leave until the morning.
She will be at Netherfield by now. Bingley will be surprised, to be sure, but he will welcome Georgiana and Douglas with his usual good will.
He stopped walking toward his London residence, realizing he still needed to eat a proper meal, and turned in the direction of St. James’s Street, and White’s.
*
Netherfield Park, Hertfordshire
Georgiana and her cousin, Colonel Douglas Fitzwilliam, felt the jerk of the chaise as it pulled to a stop in front of Mr. Bingley’s new home.
“This looks nice,” Georgiana commented, peering up at the Palladian facade.
“It does, indeed,” Douglas murmured.
The carriage swayed as their groom climbed down from his box. He opened the carriage door and offered his gloved hand for Georgiana.
“I expect we are a surprise,” she said, taking his hand and descending.
Her cousin followed her, as did his batman, Corporal Laman, and her maid, Farley.
The servants moved to the side, waiting patiently.
By the time Douglas stood next to her, offering his arm, the front door had been flung open and Brewster stepped outside, swiftly moving out of the way.
Mr. Bingley brushed past him and rushed down the steps.
“Goodness,” he cried, beaming. “There you are! You both look to have survived the journey well.”
“Mr. Bingley,” Georgiana said, beaming back. She curtsied, and he bowed. Then, he took her hand and vigorously pumped it. He released her and turned to her companion.
“Colonel,” Mr. Bingley said, bowing. “How pleased I am to see you again.”
“And you also,” Douglas said, smiling.
“Thank you for the invitation to visit,” Georgiana said. She indicated the entranceway. “Netherfield looks magnificent. May we come inside? I am eager to see your sister again.”
“Of course, of course,” Mr. Bingley said, still beaming. “Welcome. I am glad you like the appearance of our new home.”
Once inside the gracious hall, Georgiana said, “I expect you did not look for us so soon.”
“It is a delightful surprise, to be sure,” Mr. Bingley said. He gestured to a friendly-faced, gray-haired housekeeper. “Do you remember Mrs. Gander?”
Georgiana smiled shyly at the housekeeper who bobbed a slight curtsy. “Good day to you, Mrs. Gander.”
“Welcome to Netherfield, miss,” she said, coming forward to take Georgiana’s cloak, bonnet, and gloves, so that her maid—carrying Georgiana’s jewel case—did not have to. “I’ll just put these in your bedchamber, miss.”
Georgiana nodded in acknowledgement and gestured that Farley should follow the housekeeper. Laman followed a footman toward the back of the house.
“Miss Darcy. Colonel?” Mr. Bingley said, drawing her attention. “Have you both eaten dinner?”
“We have not,” Douglas said.
“Excellent,” Mr. Bingley said. “We have not yet gathered for dinner. Caroline is still dressing so there is time for you to refresh yourselves before the gong sounds. Would you like to go up to your bedchambers?’
“Yes, please,” Georgiana said.
Mr. Bingley glanced around, spied Brewster, and waved the butler over.
“Sir?”
“Where has Mrs. Gander placed our guests?”
“In the green bedchamber, sir, for Colonel Fitzwilliam, and the lilac bedchamber for Miss Darcy, next to her brother’s room.”
Mr. Bingley’s expression turned puzzled. “I know where Darcy is staying so there is no trouble there. But I am not sure about the green bedchamber.”
“It is on the other side of yours, sir,” Brewster explained. “Shall I escort the Colonel, sir?”
“An excellent notion,” Mr. Bingley said, turning to offer his arm to Georgiana.
They followed the butler up the stairs while Mr. Bingley explained.
“I have not learned all the rooms yet. There are ten guest rooms, plus the master’s bedchamber.
I have only memorized the location of Caroline’s and Darcy’s. ”
“Now you know mine and Douglas’s, too,” Georgiana said, smiling. She found Mr. Bingley’s good humor infectious.
“I will have to learn another, as well, for Louisa and her husband will arrive on Saturday.”
“Oh. I have not met them often,” Georgiana admitted. “It will be good to have the opportunity to renew my acquaintance with Mr. and Mrs. Hurst. I beg your pardon, but where is Fitz?”
“Uh…He has gone out of town for the night. But he promised to be back tomorrow in time for Caroline’s afternoon party,” Mr. Bingley explained.
“Oh?”
Mr. Bingley lightly cleared his throat. “Darcy had no idea you would arrive so quickly.” He patted her hand on his arm and beamed at her. “Which we are exceedingly glad of, my dear. You may be sure of that.”
“Thank you,” Georgiana said, feeling let down and a little nervous about staying here without her brother in residence. Do not be a goose. Cousin Douglas is here. And so is Miss Bingley. I have nothing to be worried about.
Not worried…just…nervous.