by Jennifer Joy
“Lavinia, you know how much I disapprove of your ‘versions of the truth,’ as you call them,” said Mr. Bingley Senior, doing his best to look stern.
She shrugged her shoulders. “We are all descendants of Adam. I need not go into inquiries or details about how distant the relationship is between Miss Bennet and me, but you have to admit that the details of our relationship is nothing but a matter of degrees.”
Rolling his eyes and puffing out his reddened cheeks, he addressed Elizabeth quietly. “If I may be so bold, might I inquire if you are in need of another position? I am well aware of the circumstances by which a young lady might agree to live as a companion for one so troublesome as my sister.”
Lady Rutledge interrupted before Elizabeth could answer. “It is very like you to concern yourself for another, but I have better plans for Eliza. I have done my best to secure Miss Bennet’s future, and I thank you not to disturb my hard work.” She gave her brother a pointed look.
Better plans? Secure her future? How was dismissing her securing her future?
Mrs. Bingley stood on her toes and looked about the room. “Speaking of securing futures, I want to find Charles. Shall we go to the ballroom?”
Finally! Hopefully Mr. Darcy would still be there.
The music broke when they entered. Mr. Bingley came over to them after returning his dance partner to her seat. They stood just inside the archway near the door. Mr. Darcy walked toward them, the fair-haired girl on his arm.
More guests entered, and their group fell silent as Mr. Bingley stepped forward, his mouth open in awe. “She is heavenly,” he said, clearly unaware of anyone else in the room.
Elizabeth looked away from Mr. Darcy to see whom he spoke of so reverently. Covering her mouth with her fingers to keep from squealing in her immense joy, she went to Jane.
Chapter 34
Elizabeth embraced Miss Bennet with an enthusiasm Darcy hoped to be the recipient of soon.
“Mr. Darcy, how good to see you here!” Mr. Gardiner greeted as he joined them. Turning to Mrs. Gardiner, he said, “Are you not glad we came, dear?” Turning back to Darcy, he added, “This is the sort of event we generally avoid, but Lady Rutledge insisted we come. Our Janey would not miss seeing her sister for the world.” How interesting. Lady Rutledge had insisted that he be present also.
Grateful for the familiar manners and friendly speech of Mr. Gardiner, Darcy presented them to his sister. Georgiana’s eyes fixed on Miss Bennet, who smiled in return at her curiosity.
“Have you met my nieces, Miss Jane Bennet and Miss Elizabeth, yet Miss Darcy?” asked Mr. Gardiner amiably.
“My brother and I saw Miss Elizabeth come through the door a couple of minutes ago with Lady Rutledge, but I have yet to be introduced to her. I do so look forward to meeting her. I have heard nothing but kind things said about Miss Elizabeth.” Georgiana’s cheeks flushed pink, and it surprised Darcy that she spoke as much as she did.
Mrs. Gardiner stepped closer to Georgiana, leaning in to speak as if she would share a secret with a friend. “I can assure you, Miss Darcy, Elizabeth is everything good. She has a way of brightening a room with her laughter.” A flicker of sadness crossed her face.
Georgiana understood. Reaching her hand out as if she would touch Mrs. Gardiner’s arm, but stopping short, uncertain of herself, she said, “Losing a dearly loved parent will alter a person’s character for a time. I suspect that even Miss Elizabeth is not immune to grief, but if happiness is in her nature, she will soon return to it.”
Her mature words stunned Darcy. Had she noticed such a change in him when their father had died? The look she gave him answered that she had.
Tipping up on her toes, Georgiana whispered into his ear, “She is lovely, William.”
Indeed she was. It had not taken long for him to believe Elizabeth to be the handsomest woman in all of England, but tonight… Tonight, he had to remind himself to breathe. The vision before them glowed as if the stars had descended from the heavens to illuminate her steps. The luminaries— bewitched by her body and soul just as he was— twinkled in her eyes, returning the spark of which her father had spoken.
Elizabeth hugged her sister with no concern for who may see her public display. Her eyes glistened with joy as she turned to face him, leaving Miss Bennet with the enamored Bingley and his parents.
Darcy finally answered the pinching squeeze of Georgiana’s fingers against his arm and introduced her to Miss Elizabeth.
Lady Rutledge, an ostrich feather towering over her silk turban, floated over to them.
"My dearest Darcy, how good of you to allow your sister to accompany you this evening." She grasped Georgiana by the shoulders, giving her air kisses and making Georgie blush.
As soon as Lady Rutledge released her, she looked expectantly at Darcy. Elizabeth had a large grin across her face. A charming dimple graced her left cheek, and Darcy wondered what other delights adorned her that he did not know of yet.
Elizabeth's dimple deepened, and he felt Georgie relax at Elizabeth's sincere pleasure in meeting her.
To Darcy's surprise, it was Georgie who initiated conversation. "I am so happy to finally meet you, Miss Elizabeth. I have heard so much about you, I feel that we are already the best of friends." She blushed at her outspokenness, and Darcy feared that she would withdraw into her shell after her moment of boldness.
Elizabeth reached out and touched one of her hands, holding it like she would one of her own sister's. "And I am equally delighted to meet you, Miss Darcy."
Georgie's complexion calmed, as did she.
Darcy had almost forgotten the presence of Lady Rutledge, something inexcusable in her eyes. Her eyes had narrowed into slits as she considered them, looking back and forth between him and Elizabeth. Would she resent him if he acted on his heart and swept Elizabeth away? He nearly chuckled out loud when he thought that he really did not care. He knew whom he wanted to spend his life with, and nothing and no one could stand in his way. Not even Lady Rutledge.
Georgiana looked up at him, expecting an answer to a question he had been too distracted to hear.
"I apologize. I was lost in my thoughts. What did you say?" he asked.
She looked at him strangely. "My brother lost in his thoughts? That is very unlike you, William."
He would have apologized again, but she looked from the corner of her eyes to Elizabeth and smiled devilishly. "They must have been pleasant thoughts if I read the expression on your face correctly."
Dear Lord, she had become more outspoken than he had believed possible. It was a welcome change, but he hoped the lighting in the room would disguise the heat he felt choking his neck and running up into his face.
An impish glint in Lady Rutledge's eyes told him that his body had betrayed him. The best he could do was admit the truth and hope that someone would change the subject. "They were the best of thoughts," he said simply, doing his best to glue his eyes to his sister at his side instead of the cause of his lack of composure in front of him.
"Would that we all be blessed with such pleasantries, Mr. Darcy. No doubt, your sister's presence is a good influence," said Elizabeth, emanating sunshine.
Grateful for the excuse, he pounced on it. "You have read my mind, Miss Elizabeth. There is nothing like being reunited with a beloved sister after too much time apart."
Georgiana shushed him. "It has only been a short time since we last saw each other. After all the trouble I caused, I thought you would be grateful to be relieved of me for a spell."
His pulse quickened. She referred to her near elopement with a childhood friend, something she would never speak of casually in front of a stranger. He looked at Lady Rutledge, who was more interested in watching him than his sister. All the better. She could probably be trusted with a secret, but he would not put her to the test.
Elizabeth said, "I know what you mean about being apart from your siblings. I miss my sisters dearly and should love to be reunited with them— no matter how troubles
ome they may be at times," she said smoothly, glossing over Georgiana's comment.
Georgiana’s face turned a scarlet shade of red. Squeezing her hand, which gripped his arm, he said, "I had the honor of meeting Miss Elizabeth's mother and youngest sister on a recent excursion to Vauxhall Gardens. Unfortunately, our excursion was cut short— a mishap I should like to remedy by returning on another occasion."
Lady Rutledge decided to join in the conversation. "It was a pity to cut our excursion short.” Leaning closer to Georgiana, she said, "Eliza did not get to see the glass house, the Chinese pavilion, or the music house." She looked pointedly at Darcy.
Georgiana's eyes lit up, and she forgot her blunder of earlier. "Oh, William, do you think that we might arrange another excursion to the gardens? I have not been in such a long time, and Miss Elizabeth really must see the glass house!" She continued in a dreamy voice, "It is the most beautiful place. Imagine,” she said, spreading her hands before her, “the entire building is made of glass so that you can see the stars through it. It is the most romantic place.”
"It sounds absolutely lovely, and I should like to see it someday," Elizabeth said longingly.
Looking up at him, Georgiana asked, "Could we not go very soon?" She tugged on his arm just as she had done so many times as a little girl when she was excited about something.
He looked up at Lady Rutledge, knowing that Elizabeth would never be allowed to go anywhere without her permission. "I think we can arrange something. I shall let Georgiana help me, since she has such strong opinions on what we should see there," he said.
Lady Rutledge pinched her lips in thought.
Elizabeth said, "I am sad to say it, but it will have to wait if I am to join you. You see, this is my last week with Aunt Lavinia before I return to my mother."
Darcy felt like the floor had opened up, and he fell through an endless abyss. "She has quit London already, has she not?"
"She and Mr. Carissimi married, and she invited me to join them at his estate."
Georgiana asked, "Is it far? Perhaps they could join us?"
Elizabeth's smile contradicted her sad eyes. "They left yesterday. His estate is outside Bath. Mother asked me to join them; otherwise I would have given her more time to settle into her new home before intruding."
Darcy narrowed his eyes at Lady Rutledge, who held his stare firmly. Why was Elizabeth leaving? Why could she not stay with the Gardiners?
Georgiana bunched her cheeks in thought. "Since I already have permission of sorts to arrange an outing at Vauxhall Gardens, I do not think my brother would deny me the privilege of inviting you over for tea tomorrow." She still looked up at him for his consent, which he readily gave. It thrilled him to see her making decisions and acting on them like a responsible young lady.
Tipping his head forward, Darcy said, "I think that is a marvelous idea."
Too excited to stand still, she bobbed up and down on her toes a couple times before settling. "Please come for tea tomorrow. I should love to entertain both of you." She looked expectantly at Elizabeth and Lady Rutledge.
Lady Rutledge answered, "I have a previous engagement, but I would hate for Eliza to miss the occasion. Her presence is not required where I am going, so I shall send her in my carriage."
Georgiana tried not to look too pleased, but Darcy saw through her politeness. Her relief at not having Lady Rutledge present was too great.
Elizabeth, too, looked surprised but pleased. Her eyes flickered over to him, and he wished he could think of some excuse to join them. But morning tea was for ladies, and he would not intrude on Georgiana's plans. Unless he could conjure a perfectly reasonable explanation for his presence…
“I see people I want to introduce Eliza to before she leaves me. Do you not agree, Darcy, that now that my niece is free, she ought to strengthen her acquaintances?”
“Free?” he blurted.
The feather in Lady Rutledge’s hat twitched. “Of course. She is under no obligation to me and may go where she pleases, although I did arrange for her to join her mother in Bath. There are sufficient single gentlemen there to keep her entertained. She will be snatched up before the end of the season, I daresay.”
Not if he could help it! Darcy knew Lady Rutledge’s game, yet the hair on his arms and neck stood on end.
Nothing could prevent him from missing Georgiana’s tea on the morrow.
Chapter 35
Elizabeth waited in the drawing room with Lady Rutledge. She still had half an hour before the coach would convey her to Darcy House, but in her excitement, she had been ready to leave for the past hour at least. She liked Miss Darcy.
If only Lady Rutledge had let her make her own arrangements, she could have continued in London. Lady Rutledge had been silent against her questions since last evening.
“How good of Caroline to befriend you like she has. And did you notice that she danced with Colonel Fitzwilliam not once, but twice?” commented Lady Rutledge.
“Several people noticed. You must be pleased with yourself. The gossip is that they are very soon to be engaged.” Even more shocking had been Miss Bingley’s kindness to her during the entire course of the evening. She did not openly apologize, but every word and action implied it.
“I started that rumor,” said Lady Rutledge with a self-satisfied smirk.
“Why am I not surprised? Does everything you plan come to fruition?” teased Elizabeth.
With a devilish look, Lady Rutledge said, “Let us hope for your sake that it does.”
Elizabeth wondered what Lady Rutledge had up her sleeve, but she dared not flatter herself that she would care enough about her future to involve herself in it. Or would she?
Finally, the coach was ready, and it was time to go.
"Have a lovely time at tea, Eliza." Lady Rutledge arched her eyebrow, the corner of her mouth turning slightly upward.
Over the crowded, cobbled streets the carriage traveled. Elizabeth felt her nerves growing as the distance to Darcy House shortened. She hoped she might have the opportunity to see Mr. Darcy and allay him of his fears. He should not hold himself responsible for Father's death. Even if she did not see him, she had every intention of making mention of it somehow to Miss Darcy. Elizabeth did not want to leave London without giving her reassurances. It would not be fair after all Mr. Darcy had done for her and her family.
The carriage slowed to a stop and she took a deep breath as she descended the step and went to the front door held open by a butler. She was seen into a butter-yellow parlor where the sun shone through the windows. It was warm and welcoming with the aromas of fresh bread and sweet jam wafting from the table.
Miss Darcy rose to meet her, holding her hands out to take hers. "Miss Elizabeth, I am so happy you could come. Please forgive my negligence in inviting any other ladies, but I do not have many close friends of confidence in town, and I do so want to know you better."
Her innocent timidity endeared her further to Elizabeth. "I am honored, Miss Darcy. Would it be too soon for me to beg of you to address me by my name?"
Miss Darcy's smile assured her that she welcomed the intimacy, and she pulled her chair forward to sit closer to Elizabeth.
What would her name sound like on Mr. Darcy's lips? How would his name sound on hers? Fitzwilliam? William? Fitzwilliam seemed too stuffy. William. Now, that suited him much better.
"If I am to call you Elizabeth, please call me Georgiana."
"I would love to. Do you spend much time in London, Georgiana?”
Georgiana twisted her fingers together. “I prefer the quiet and peace of the country, but I begged my aunt Helen to cut our tour short, so that we might join my brother earlier than planned. It is only a shame that you must quit London so soon.”
“I am sad for it as well. Had I been allowed to make my own arrangements, I would have stayed with my aunt and uncle Gardiner, whom you met last night. As it is, Mother expects me in Bath, and I cannot disappoint her. Do you travel much to Bath?" Elizabeth ask
ed hopefully.
Georgiana shook her head. "My brother has gone with me before, but we prefer to stay at Pemberley. I wish you could see it! If ever you travel in the direction of the Lake District, I hope you visit us there. You would love our library." She stopped short, as if she had said something she should not have uttered. Covering her hand with her mouth, she said, “Dear me, I did not mean…” Her face reddened, and she stared at her lap.
Elizabeth could not prevent the smile from coming any more than she could prevent her complexion from deepening to match Georgiana’s, judging from the heat in her cheeks. Georgiana looked pained, and her eyes wandered around the room in search of something, landing on anything except Elizabeth.
If Georgiana already knew of the incident, where was the harm in laughing about it? It truly was a ridiculous scene and, though it shocked Elizabeth that Mr. Darcy would admit to it to his sister, she was not surprised that they shared an intimacy only enjoyed by the closest of siblings.
"You heard of that, did you?" she asked with a chuckle. "Your poor brother did his best to act as a gentleman ought— of that I must assure you. It was a conspiracy of candles and lace which caused his fall. Quite literally."
Mr. Darcy entered the room just as she and his sister burst into laughter.
With a large smile on his gorgeous face, he walked to stand beside where his sister sat. “I would ask what the source of your merriness is, but I fear the answer.”
"Brother, how fortuitous you should join us. I have something I want to show to Elizabeth, and it would be horribly rude for me to leave her alone. Will you stay here and keep her company until I return? I shall not be away long."
Elizabeth could think of half a dozen other ways Georgiana could retrieve whatever it was that needed retrieving without leaving her alone in the room with Mr. Darcy. But the opportunity to speak to him without overhearing ears was too great to pass up, so she did not protest, but rather watched for his reaction.