Chapter 19
Georgiana Darcy was very excited. For the first time, she would welcome her friends into her home as a hostess. The night before, she had spoken with the cook and asked her to bake biscuits and tarts for her new friends, so that she could receive them properly.
She had never had friends; only young women like Caroline Bingley had surrounded her. They had feigned friendship only to gain access to her brother. But the three young women who would soon arrive were her true friends, and none of them had the slightest interest in her handsome, wealthy brother.
Fortunately for her, Mrs Annesley was there to help. Georgiana knew they would not criticise her if she made any mistakes, but she wanted them to feel how much she cared for them and appreciated their sincere friendship. For that reason, she wanted everything to be perfect.
"Lady Claire, Miss Mary, Miss Kitty, welcome to Darcy House. You cannot imagine how happy I am to have you here with me," Georgiana said excitedly.
"Georgiana, remember that we agreed to call each other by our Christian names. Using 'Miss' sounds very formal, and I believe we are already good enough friends to speak more informally. Do you not think?" Kitty asked.
"I agree with Kitty," Claire and Mary said.
"All right then, Claire, Mary, and Kitty, welcome to my home. Please accompany me to the drawing room, and I shall order tea. I want to show you a painting of Pemberley that has just arrived so you can see how beautiful it is. Perhaps I can convince you to spend the summer with me."
The four young ladies talked about many things; they jested, and they laughed.
They also went to the music room, where Georgiana and Mary played several duets while Kitty and Claire sang.
It was an unforgettable afternoon for Georgiana, so much so that when her brother returned, she intended to tell him that she had made new friends and would not give them up for anything or anyone.
A little before the visit ended, Georgiana asked her friends, "Would any of you care to accompany me on a walk through the park in two days?" Georgiana asked with a hopeful smile. "The weather is usually lovely at this time of year."
"I am afraid we shall not be able to," Claire replied apologetically. "We already have another engagement that day."
"We are all expected to be there," Mary added. "I hope you will forgive us."
Georgiana tried to smile, but she could not entirely conceal her disappointment.
"Oh... of course. Perhaps another time."
Kitty immediately noticed the change in her friend's expression and hastened to reassure her.
"Dear Georgiana, please do not think we chose to exclude you. We are occupied that day because of a family matter. It concerns news that cannot yet be shared with anyone."
As Kitty glanced at Mary and Claire, they understood that she believed Georgiana could be entrusted with their secret.
"Dear Georgiana, we are busy in two days with a family matter. It is news that we cannot share with anyone just yet." Looking at Mary and Claire, Kitty was letting them know they could share the good news with Georgiana.
Claire understood immediately and explained, "Dear Georgiana, what we are about to tell you is something very private, and you must promise us that you will keep it secret for a few days.
In three days' time, the news will be published in the newspapers, and then you may speak of it freely if you wish. "
"I promise not to say anything to anyone. I will never betray your trust," Georgiana said excitedly. She was delighted that her friends trusted her, and she could not help feeling tremendously curious about what they were about to share with her.
"My aunt, Lady Campbell, is marrying Claire's uncle, General Sinclair," Mary explained with a smile.
"They are so in love! We are all so happy for them," Claire added.
"If Lizzy were not in Kent, they would have been married by now. But my aunt wants her to be present at her wedding," Kitty said.
Georgiana thought that Lady Campbell and the General made a beautiful couple.
Furthermore, she reflected that it was an unexpected coincidence that her brother and Miss Elizabeth were both in Kent at the same time.
She finally concluded that her friends would now be part of the same family, and she told her friends, "It is not fair.
Now, you will be related, and I shall only be friends with you. "
Claire smiled at him and added, "Maybe in the not-too-distant future, you and I can be cousins." They all laughed because they knew that Claire was in love with Georgiana's cousin.
"As soon as my cousin arrives from Kent, I shall personally take care of that," Georgiana added as she winked at Claire.
It was a pleasant afternoon for all of them, but especially for Kitty. For the first time, she felt part of a group of ladies who treated her with love and respect, and she could reflect on her past behaviour with shame and regret.
◆◆◆
Mr Gardiner listened as his friend Eleanor and her future husband told him about their wedding and their impromptu honeymoon.
"My dear Eddie, ours will be a discreet wedding, but I want you and Madeline to join us at the church and then at the wedding breakfast we shall hold here at my house."
"Please, Mr Gardiner, join us that day. I also wanted to ask whether you and your wife would look after Mary and Kitty.
Perhaps Miss Bennet could stay with them while we are away on our honeymoon.
Of course, Mr and Mrs Taylor will be here as well, and Lord Blackwood has assured us that he will keep a watchful eye on everything, just in case. "
Marcus had inherited a house in Ramsgate from his grandfather, though he had never used it during the twenty years he had spent alone.
He knew from his brother that it was a beautiful and completely secluded place.
His brother often used that home when entertaining his mistresses.
Marcus wished to be alone with his wife, even if only for a few days.
They needed a place where they could love one another in peace and speak freely about everything he knew the future would bring.
"Of course. It will be an honour for my wife and me to accompany you on such a happy occasion. And you may certainly count on us to look after our nieces. I think it would do Jane good to spend a few days with Mary and Kitty. I shall speak to her as soon as I return home."
Mr Gardiner was growing increasingly uneasy.
At first, he thought of returning home and consulting his wife about what he ought to do, but he quickly dismissed the idea.
The couple before him deserved to know the truth.
He was an honourable man and could not keep such a terrible secret for another moment.
"Do you not think so, Eddie?" Eleanor asked when she noticed that Mr Gardiner seemed distracted.
"Forgive me, Ella, but I did not hear your question," Mr Gardiner replied.
"I was asking whether you would do me the honour of giving me away on my wedding day. It would mean a great deal to me if my childhood friend would accompany me during such a special moment."
When Eleanor had awakened after her accident, she had discovered that she had neither a father nor a brother. That was why she had asked Mr Gardiner that great favour.
Mr Gardiner was deeply moved and accepted at once.
"Of course, my dear Ella. I am honoured that you thought of me."
"Thank you, Mr Gardiner. It means a great deal to both of us."
Although Marcus had known Mr Gardiner only a short time, he had already come to like him very much.
Mr Gardiner did not wish to delay the matter any longer and decided to speak once and for all. As painful as the truth might be, it was always better than any lie or deception.
"Eleanor, I have a letter that your brother sent to you with Matthew. As you know, he travelled to ask for permission to marry Jane. Thomas asked him to deliver this letter to you."
Mr Gardiner handed the letter to Lady Campbell, who looked at him with evident puzzlement.
"I want you to read it. I know you should not have to learn of this matter through a letter, so I shall remain here. If you have any questions after you have finished reading it, I shall do my best to answer them."
Eleanor accepted the letter and was startled to notice that her friend's hand trembled as he handed it to her.
"Thank you, Eddie," she said.
She did not wish to wait any longer to discover what it contained, so she opened it and began to read.
Seeing Mr Gardiner's concern, and knowing how malicious Mr Bennet could be, Marcus sensed that something dark lay behind it all. Nevertheless, he respected Eleanor's decision to read the letter first and waited impatiently to learn what it contained
◆◆◆
Mrs Bennet planned to travel to London in four days to buy Jane's wedding trousseau.
She had already accepted that her daughter would not marry Mr Bingley and would never become the mistress of Netherfield.
Furthermore, her husband had told her that Jane's betrothed was the son of a very important man, the author of many books and an adviser to the English Parliament.
Of course, Mr Bennet had explained in detail both the books and Matthew's father's work as an adviser to Parliament.
Mrs Bennet, however, had no head for such matters and understood only that he was both famous and wealthy.
That alone was enough for her to boast about throughout the neighbourhood.
Besides, her future son-in-law was, without a doubt, a remarkably handsome man, which would surely ensure that her grandchildren would be every bit as handsome as their father and as beautiful as their mother.