Chapter Seven #5
Richard stroked his moustache proudly and nodded his approval, and Georgiana raised her glass at him before taking another sip of wine.
“We have also reached a consensus that Anne is a black swan, and Lady Catherine is a pufferfish. May I see your book again, Mr. Marsh? I must show William the illustrations. It says here that pufferfish are to be avoided due to being full of poison—and they can inflate themselves, or puff themselves up to double their own size.”
While Richard began to cough and choke on his wine, Darcy only grimaced at his sister’s impertinence. He understood the point she meant to make, but he could not encourage her to speak so openly of what ought to remain a private family discussion. Moreover, he began to suspect she had over-imbibed.
A pair of footmen began to distribute desserts to their table, and Darcy was obliged to conceal his displeasure. Beside him, Miss Bennet let out a coo of excitement. “Lemon ices! My favorite!”
Darcy observed Miss Bennet as she brought a spoonful of the luxurious concoction to her mouth and hummed softly as she savored it.
As if she could sense his vexation ebbing away, she opened her eyes and gave him a conspiratorial look.
“You have been quiet, sir—do you not dare ask what animal you are?”
“I am not afraid of you,” Darcy replied, hoping to match her teasing tone.
Richard laughed. “I should very much like to hear what manner of beast you find my cousin to be, Miss Bennet.”
“A cormorant,” she replied with a smile.
Darcy frowned. “That is hardly flattering, though I suppose I deserve it.”
“You misunderstand—but that is rather the point,” Mr. Marsh said hastily. “Cormorants are sadly misrepresented.”
Georgiana nodded her agreement and then handed him the book that Mr. Marsh had inexplicably brought to a dinner party. “It says that cormorants tend to improve their environs in ways that are beneficial for the other creatures around them, and are excellent divers.”
His confusion must have been apparent, for Miss Bennet leaned a little closer and whispered, “It would seem you are capable of unexpected depths, sir.”
Darcy smiled at her, and as his companions continued this repartee in assessing many others amongst the guests in attendance, his agitation gave way to such contentment that for nearly an hour he forgot about all that had troubled him that evening.
Georgiana was perhaps a little bolder than she ought to be, but he had never seen her so sanguine amongst strangers.
Richard, on the other hand, had been suspiciously quiet for too long, and Darcy was certain he would receive an earful of shrewd observations from his cousin as soon as they returned to Sandpiper Cottage.
The end of the evening came sooner than Darcy might have wished it.
They had all stood and begun bidding one another good evening when Mr. Marsh reminded them of a small exploring party the day after next, which they had previously consented to join.
Miss Bennet and Richard both answered once more in the affirmative, and Darcy nodded his own agreement; Georgiana gave a squeal of excitement as Mr. Marsh strode away.
“Oh Lizzy, I cannot recall when I have had so much to look forward to! Sea-bathing tomorrow, a naturalist excursion on Monday, and then on Tuesday the reading from Mrs. Bevan’s new novel—I confess I am looking forward to that most of all.”
“As am I,” Miss Bennet heartily agreed, though she cast a wary glance across the ballroom. “Though I beg you would not announce our plans at such a great volume, else a certain peacock might spoil my enjoyment of my three favorite pastimes.”
Georgiana clapped a hand over her mouth, her eyes landing on the same finely dressed gentleman that Darcy had observed speaking to her and Miss Bennet from afar—he had been pointed out to Darcy as Sir Anthony, Miss Denham’s cousin.
Chortling, Georgiana took a swaying step forward, not quite whispering, “Shall I repel him for you, Lizzy?”
Miss Bennet caught Georgiana by the elbow to restrain her at the same moment that Darcy moved to do likewise.
Georgiana giggled and rested her head on Darcy’s shoulder but spoke to Miss Bennet.
“I am glad you do not fancy him—he is hardly sensible enough to deserve you. I have no patience for people who do not truly understand the merits of those they claim to admire.”
Miss Bennet glanced up at Darcy as if she understood what his sister meant to insinuate; a smile tugged at one corner of her lips before she turned her attention back to Georgiana.
“Yes, well, I have no need for admirers of any kind, at present. I have made a friend, which is far better, and you have already promised to keep me busy for the foreseeable future. Between my good fortune in friends and the boundless diversions to be found in the hotel, I intend to live a peacock-less existence in perfect harmony.”
As Georgiana giggled again, still leaning on Darcy, it became apparent to him that his darling little sister was drunk.
He exchanged a look with Richard and Miss Bennet, who appeared to have reached the same conclusion.
The latter furrowed her brows in contemplation.
“Perhaps, as Miss Darcy and I are to go sea-bathing together tomorrow after church, she might stay the night as my guest? It is not a terribly long walk back to the cottage, but it is an even shorter distance just up the stairs.”
Richard nodded at once. “I think that is a capital idea, Miss Bennet—what do you say, Darcy?”
Georgiana yawned. “Oh, please say yes, William! It would be like having a sister, staying over with Lizzy—what fun!”
Though Darcy could not imagine his sister would remain awake for long enough to enjoy the novelty of the arrangement, he gave his consent. “I think it a prudent plan indeed. Will you lead the way, Miss Bennet?”
After relaying their plan to her uncle, who was conversing with a few lingering guests as they waited for their carriages, Miss Bennet led them toward a door at the end of the ballroom.
She withdrew from her bodice a key on a long silver chain, unlocked the door, and pilfered a candle from one of the wall sconces in the ballroom before leading them into a dark, wood-paneled antechamber, and then up a flight of stairs that wound around three sides of the narrow room.
Halfway up the stairs, Georgiana stumbled and Darcy scooped her up into his arms, carrying her the rest of the way.
When they reached the top, Miss Bennet used the same key to unlock another door, and held it open as Darcy carried his sister inside.
They passed through a spacious drawing room with windows on three sides, which must have afforded excellent views of the sea during daylight hours, for even in the moonlight the room was bright.
Miss Bennet gestured to the second door in a narrow corridor, and as Darcy entered the room that must be her bed chamber, he realized that they had lost Richard somewhere along the way.
He was now alone with Miss Bennet and his softly snoring sister.
Miss Bennet set the candle on her dressing table and worked swiftly at pulling back the coverlet of her bed, and then retrieving a nightgown from her armoire.
“Georgie?” She whispered as Darcy laid his sister down on the bed.
“Are you awake? Surely you do not wish to sleep in your clothes—I can lend you something.”
Georgiana burrowed against the pillows and let out a hum of contentment. “Yes, thank you.”
“Very well. I shall leave a nightgown here for you, on the bedside table, and there is a pitcher of water, as well. I shall be just next door in the spare room.” Miss Bennet laid the garment down and hastily scooped up what appeared to be a bundle of folded letters tied with a ribbon, which she stuffed into a hidden pocket of her gown.
Georgiana reached out and caught her by the hand. “Will you stay? You said you always shared with your sisters at Longbourn.”
“Very well, if you make a little space for me. I will help you remove your underthings in a moment, but first I will show your brother out.” Miss Bennet turned to him with a smile, leading Mr. Darcy back toward the doorway.
When they reached the corridor, she closed the door to her bedchamber and stopped.
“I hope you do not think me a terrible influence on your sister. I believe I must apologize—I am used to my own sisters being allowed to have wine with dinner even at a younger age than Miss Darcy. I fear I was so pleased with her charming good nature that I got rather carried away in our merriment.”
“Do not reproach yourself,” Mr. Darcy replied.
“Indeed, I believe I owe you the apology. I recalled, after our meeting this morning on the beach, how I behaved at the assembly I attended with Bingley—what I said, which I am certain you overheard. You must have done, for you immediately crossed the room and began speaking to Lady Parker—laughing with her.”
“Oh yes, you provided me with ample fodder for several weeks of mockery.” Though Miss Bennet had not brought the candle with her into the dark corridor, Darcy felt certain that if there had been enough light he would have seen the mischief sparkling in her eyes; it was certainly imbued in the dulcet tones of her laughing voice.
“Which I heartily deserve for such boorishness, particularly when you have shown my family such kindness after my callous cruelty. It is no excuse, but I was greatly distracted at the time—Georgiana was… not in a state of well-being.”