Chapter Eighteen #2
“Yes, indeed,” Bingley said, nodding rapidly. “I will warn Caroline not to say anything about the intruder. She does not know it was Wickham.”
“Thursday night is the assembly,” Darcy mentioned. “The plan was for us all to go, but for Georgiana to remain at home.”
“I will stay with her,” Douglas immediately said. “We had a fine time tonight until Wickham arrived.”
“We could invite Miss Mary to visit,” Darcy suggested. “I do not believe she enjoys assemblies overmuch.”
“An excellent idea,” Bingley praised. “I will have Caroline talk to Chef and arrange for you three to have a superb late supper—crab cakes, and the like.”
“We will extend the invitation to Miss Mary tomorrow,” Darcy said, and then finished off his brandy. “I am for my bed.”
*
Lord, what a lark, George thought, grinning as he climbed into his bed back at the inn—and after he had sat in the taproom and drank a fair bit.
I wish I had seen Georgiana, though. I expect she was cowering under her covers, frightened out of her wits.
I cannot think why. I was just having a bit of fun.
His grin turned into a scowl. What did Darcy say to her to make her afraid of me?
What lies did he tell her about me? I suppose he told her I would have beaten her. Bastard.
He folded his hands behind his head. In a whisper, he asked himself, “What shall I do next?”
*
While sitting at their breakfast, Hill brought in the morning mail and set the salver beside Lizzy’s father’s place. He rifled through the cards and missives, passing them around the table as needed. He paused, looking at the name on the card.
“This one is for you, Mary.” He stood and walked around the table to present the card to her without any of her sisters seeing it first.
Lizzy watched Mary blink in surprise.
“There is a note on the front,” she said. “Georgiana wishes for me to go and visit her puppy with her this afternoon.”
“That sounds delightful, Mary,” Jane said, smiling.
“Stop delaying, Mary,” Lydia said, rolling her eyes. “What is on the other side?”
Mary pressed her lips together and turned it over. Her eyebrows lifted. “It is an invitation to supper and games on Thursday evening. They wish me to stay there until morning. I shall need to take a bag.”
“But that is the night of the assembly,” Kitty said, sounding shocked. “Surely, you will not wish to be anywhere else?”
“You must refuse,” Lydia said, snatching another slice of beef off the platter in front of her.
“I do not see why,” Lizzy said, frowning at her youngest sisters. “Miss Darcy cannot attend the assembly, and Mary does not enjoy them, so why should she not do something different? There will be other assemblies. Miss Darcy will not be here for long so Mary should enjoy her company while she can.”
“She will meet no eligible young men at Netherfield if everyone there will be at the assembly,” their mama said forcefully. “Besides, two young ladies at home alone? It is not at all proper.”
“We are often at home alone,” Kitty pointed out.
Mama flapped a hand. “It is not the same.”
“Possibly,” Mary said, placing the card in her reticule, “but we will not be alone. Colonel Fitzwilliam will be there. He is Georgiana’s guardian, so I expect he will make a decent child minder.”
Lizzy winced at the bitter feeling she heard in Mary’s voice. Their father held up a hand, and everyone looked at him. His expression showed kindness as he looked at his middle daughter.
“If you wish to spend your evening with your new friend, I have no objection,” he said. “Your mama and sisters will take you there on their way to the assembly rooms.”
His wife gaped. “On our way! On our way? It is quite out of our way, as you must know.”
“Nevertheless,” he said, lifting an eyebrow—and the matter was over. “Jane, dear, will you pass me the eggs, please?”
“Yes, Papa,” she murmured.
Mary descended to their kitchens directly after she finished her morning meal.
As soon as she entered the large space, Cook noticed her and hurried over, dropping the slightest curtsy.
A large, though not tall, woman, she was of indeterminate age, wore a pristine white cap and apron, and smiled warmly at Mary.
“Miss Mary, how may I ‘elp ye?”
“I plan to make a visit to Dr. Gregg’s house directly, and I wondered if you had any baked goods I could take with me?”
“I do, miss. O’course I do,” she said, beaming wider. “Is someone ill there? I’ve some calves foot jelly if there is.”
“Not as far as I know,” Mary explained. She looked down and traced a finger over a scar on the large kitchen worktable.
“There is typhus at the infirmary, and young Dr. Gregg asked me to forgo my usual visits until it has passed.” Cook tutted, causing Mary to look up, folding her hands before her.
“I thought to ask at the house how the illness is progressing so I can plan my next visit.”
“I’ve a dozen black currant scones y’can take with ye,” Cook said, bustling away. “I’ll put ‘em in a nice basket fer ye. And, I’ve a pot of our own sweet chestnut butter.”
“Thank you, Cook. You are always so generous. I will be back as soon as I don my bonnet and pelisse.”
Mary hurried away, climbed the back stairs, and hastily put on her outer things.
She did not know if Mrs. Gregg would invite her in since this was an unexpected visit, but Mary longed for the chance of a glimpse of Oscar.
The chance was slim, she knew, but mayhap she would be fortunate.
She paused for a moment and penned a short note to Georgiana, accepting both invitations.
Mary did not expect her to arrive for several hours so she should have time to post the letters in Longbourn Village.
However, she spied the Darcy gig entering the Longbourn forecourt just as she left the house, the promised basket over her arm. In the same hand, she held the missive, which she had decided at the last minute to send with a groom.
“Goodness,” she said to herself, blinking rapidly.
Mary hurried down the steps and waited on the walkway for the gig to come to a halt.
Georgiana, grinning broadly, waved excitedly.
“Hello?” Mary said, curtsying. She held up the letter.
“You have saved me from having to send my reply to your invitation.”
“Are you going out?” Georgiana asked, frowning a little. “I have presumed upon our friendship and invited myself for a visit before we go and see my puppy.”
Mr. Darcy set the brake and put the reins aside. Then, he leapt down, came around the front of the horse, and bowed to Mary.
“Good day, Miss Mary.”
She curtsied again. “Are you staying too, Mr. Darcy? You are welcome to do so.” Mary glanced around as though one of her sisters might pop out of nowhere. “Did you wish to see Lizzy?”
“If it is convenient for Georgiana to join you on your errand, I will gladly while away my wait with a visit with Miss Elizabeth if she is about.”
“I am pleased to have Georgiana’s company. Lizzy said something about going to see our home farm manager, Mr. Turney.”
Mr. Darcy nodded and turned to assist his sister in alighting from the gig. It was only then that Mary noticed their accompanying servant—a large man, sitting up on a horse. He wore the dress of a valet, but he appeared more like a guard of some sort.
Georgiana embraced Mary, and then stood beside her, their arms linked. “This is Elliot. He will attend us.”
Mary blinked at her, but merely nodded, finding nothing unusual in this arrangement. They were visiting and would not have their full complement of servants with them.
One of the Bennet grooms came from the stables and accepted the horse’s reins. Elliot climbed off his horse and stood to one side, waiting for them to begin their walk. Mr. Darcy walked over to the groom and gave him his instructions. Afterward, Mr. Darcy returned to Mary and Georgiana.
“I will take a walk and search out Miss Elizabeth,” he said. “How long will you be away?”
“It is difficult to say,” Mary informed him, her brow drawn together.
“I am visiting the local doctor and his family, but they are not expecting me. If we are invited in, we will stay but twenty minutes. Since their house is nearby, I believe you may expect us in approximately an hour, perhaps less.”
“As Georgiana said, Elliot will accompany you.” He gestured to his servant, who bowed to the ladies. “He is my valet.”
“Of course,” Mary murmured. “Shall we?” she asked Georgiana.
“Yes,” her friend said, beaming. “What a lovely day for a walk.”
They commenced their stroll toward the gates. Elliot fell in behind them, keeping a separation of three or so paces. Georgiana began to whisper into Mary’s willing ear, telling her about the events of the prior evening.
*
Darcy rounded the house, following the path he had used before.
His anticipation built with every step. He longed to see Miss Elizabeth.
He yearned to see her. Every turn of her head and quirk of her lips came to mind, making him smile.
The memory of her sparkling eyes drew him onward with an eagerness he could not recall ever feeling before.
I did not expect to discover a lady for whom I could experience such a depth of emotions. Good, positive emotions, too. I become excited simply anticipating the sight of her! Am I mad to feel such things when I have only known her for a short time?
Once in the stables, he asked one of the lads where Miss Elizabeth could be found. The boy waved toward the paddocks beyond the barn.
“Miss went to see Clover,” the freckled boy said. “Clover’s scary, ‘e is, but she don’t mind ‘im.”
“What is Clover?” Darcy asked, pulling a penny from his pocket and offering it to the boy.
“Coo, thankee, sir,” he said, swiftly putting it away before anyone could covet his largesse. “Clover’s our short’orn bull, ‘e is.”
Darcy thought his heart would beat out of his chest. Surely, Miss Elizabeth will not go into the paddock with the bull?
“Is the farm manager with her?” He must be.
The boy shrugged. A groom called for him and the boy scampered away.