Chapter Eighty-Seven
Netherfield Park was full to bursting. The Earl and Countess were in residence, of course, as were Georgiana and Mrs. Annesley.
Lady Catherine and Anne de Bourgh had arrived, though Anne had been permitted to stay at Longbourn instead of Netherfield Park, as she very much wished to be with Elizabeth.
Mrs. Hurst seemed very much in control of the situation, though Mr. Darcy had, more than once, come upon her talking to herself in worried whispers.
She was not accustomed to entertaining such exalted company, he knew, and so he made it a point to praise her whenever he could do so without causing comment.
She threw him grateful glances when he did so.
Thank heavens it was not Miss Bingley who was Netherfield’s hostess!
Mr. Darcy knew that Elizabeth was now at Longbourn, and he ached, actually ached to see her, though he knew not how to arrange it.
Given the general confusion at both Netherfield Park and Longbourn, he suspected he would have to just bide his time.
Surely, surely, she would stay until her elder sister’s wedding, would she not?
He paced back and forth in the empty library.
While he still feared the romantic fancies he experienced were a sign of weakness, he was aware that he was increasingly unable to hold himself firm against them.
The plain truth of the matter was that he was likely to succumb to his fascination with Elizabeth.
“Brother! There you are!”
“Georgiana! Are you well settled?”
“I am, yes. I have a lovely room, and Mrs. Hurst put Mrs. Annesley right next to me. It is a pretty enough place, is it not?”
“Netherfield? It is, yes, if a bit crowded just now.”
“When am I to meet her?”
Deliberately misunderstanding her, he replied, “Reggie’s bride? Certainly our two aunts are planning a visit this very afternoon; I am certain they would welcome your company.”
She scowled at him. “You know very well of whom I speak.”
He sighed. “I do not know when I will see her next.”
“Hmm, Has she not been absent from her family for some time now?”
“She has.” His tone was clipped.
“Then tell me, Brother,” she continued, her voice now almost sly. “Do you not long for a glimpse of her? For just a few moments of hearing her voice, of seeing her smile?”
Mr. Darcy stared at his sister for a moment and then sank into one of the chairs, his head in his hands. “I am doomed,” he muttered.
Georgiana whirled around. “I shall have a sister!”
“I do not know if she even likes me,” he said, raising his head and looking at his sister.
“Let us go find out! Come on, Brother!” She grasped his hand and tried to pull him up.
“Georgiana, wait. She has only just arrived at home, as you pointed out. Might we not give her a little time to greet her parents and get Cousin Anne settled in?”