by Wells, Linda
Abbey was not sure if she should feel complimented or offended. She looked at Elizabeth who had a small smile on her lips and was shaking her head, then feeling her silent encouragement to respond, gathered her courage. “I … I thank you for your … kindness, madam. When Mr. Bingley told me that you were giving this dinner in our honour I confess that I was quite overcome with apprehension.”
“That is understandable.” Lady Matlock agreed and creased her brow at Mrs. Martin who remained standing still and staring at her. “However Miss Martin, I must recommend that you never confess to anyone but your very closest confidants that you are apprehensive about anything, least of all about meeting anyone.” Taking Abbey’s elbow, she led her off across the room. “Now then when meeting new people, you keep your chin up, your eyes on theirs …”
“She stole Abbey!” Bingley cried.
“Yes she did.” Elizabeth agreed and squeezed his arm. “She is about to receive a seriously condensed course of deportment from a master. She relishes this, you know, and she is quite unstoppable.”
“You can stop her, love.” Darcy smiled.
“I know.” She winked. “Mr. and Mrs. Martin, my Aunt and Uncle Gardiner are here; perhaps you would like to meet them? Some familiar faces in the crowd while you become acclimated? They know everybody and can fill you in as you gossip together.”
Mrs. Martin finally found her voice. “Oh, yes of course, Mrs. Darcy! I would admit apprehension, but I just learned that I should not.”
“Well, you truly are amongst friends here, Mrs. Martin; your secret is quite safe.” Elizabeth led them away, talking with them easily.
Darcy smiled after her as already he saw the nervous parents relaxing under her care, and then laughed when he saw Bingley staring worriedly at Abbey, who was meeting Evangeline and Alicia. “Aunt Helen truly is doing her a great favour, even if it is inconvenient to you.”
“I finally have a lady on my arm and she is taken away!” He waved over to the other side of the room. “That is not fair!”
“You have a lifetime for that business.” Lord Matlock approached and held out his hand. “Congratulations, Son, she is quite pretty.”
“Thank you.” Bingley saw that Elizabeth had joined the group of ladies and relaxed to see her at Abbey’s side. “I suppose they would have separated us eventually.”
“No doubt.” Fitzwilliam grinned and shook his hand. “Two days to the wedding? Are you all aflutter?”
“Men do not flutter.” Layton took his turn wringing Bingley’s hand. “Congratulations. What are your plans? Rather a bad time of year for a honeymoon trip.”
“Yes, that is the bad thing, but we did not care to wait for spring, there is really no reason to wait at all.” He smiled. “If it was up to me, we would have married the day after I proposed.”
Fitzwilliam nodded over to the Martins. “I doubt that her parents would have appreciated that. You have to give a mother time to brag.” Lord Matlock saw Darcy’s eyes roll and chuckled. “Well unless it is Mrs. Bennet you are speaking of. Any news from that quarter? Still silent?”
“Mr. Bennet says that nobody believes a word she says. She is quite isolated and increasingly bitter.”
“Tell me, has she found a way to blame Elizabeth for Mrs. Lucas having a girl?”
Darcy laughed. “No, but give it time. If we have a boy …” He stopped himself. “No, I put her from my mind.”
Lord Matlock studied him and nodded. “I am glad to see Miss Catherine. Gardiner tells me that her father made her leave home. I suppose that he thought it was best for her?”
“I am not sure.” Darcy said thoughtfully. “Of course she has much more opportunity to grow here, but they had just barely begun to develop a relationship. Mrs. Gardiner told Elizabeth that he was most insistent that she return to London with them at Christmas, and refused to hear her pleas to stay at least through Jane’s delivery let alone her confinement.”
“Hmm. Curious.” Lord Matlock shrugged. “Well, you know that Helen will want to make her a project this Season.”
“No doubt, but she returns to Pemberley when Georgiana finishes school.” They turned to look at Georgiana standing with the ladies and paying very close attention to Abbey.
“She is critical.” Fitzwilliam observed.
“Interested, I would say.” Layton watched her.
Bingley studied her face and then suddenly realized that she was doing the same to him. He smiled warmly to her and received the same in return. “She is growing up, Darcy.”
“I do not care to think about it.” He sighed. “It is not so obvious in Georgiana, but every time I turn around Rosa is doing something disturbing.”
“Such as?” Layton grinned. “She is not yet two, Darcy.”
“She is becoming more independent.” Darcy said despondently.
“I think you have a few years yet before she is truly on her own.” Layton chuckled and grinned at Fitzwilliam who laughed at Darcy.
“We want that, Son.” Lord Matlock clapped his back. “So you will just have to keep your fair wife in the state she is in at present.” They looked at Elizabeth, who had given up on standing. “Of course she may not agree with that plan.”
“Has she vowed to lock the chamber door when she is free from this one, Darcy?” Layton nudged him.
“Has Alicia?” He demanded heatedly.
“Forgive me.” He cleared his throat and changed the subject. “So Bingley, honeymoon at the Hurst’s home? That should be relaxing with a newborn in residence.”
“Have you thought of renting a place for the Season?” Lord Matlock asked. “You have not purchased an estate, you can certainly afford it.”
“I would offer you our old home but it seems that we have a buyer.” Fitzwilliam laughed. “Much to Father’s relief!”
“Well now I can pay back Darcy.” Lord Matlock smiled.
Darcy shrugged. “There was no hurry, it came from Georgiana’s dowry, and she is not marrying anytime soon. Thank heaven.” They looked back to her, and saw that she was listening to Elizabeth closely.
“Why not leave her at Darcy House for the Season? You have that companion; she and Catherine could take advantage of the sights, we would be glad to look after them. You know that Helen would enjoy it immensely. She could go to Ramsgate, maybe a bit of sea air?” Lord Matlock grinned. “Look at Helen, Evangeline and Alicia are rolling their eyes behind their fans. She is expounding, her very favourite occupation. Elizabeth has her number, look how she steers the conversation!” He bounced on his toes. “I love watching these women.”
“The pretty birds in all their feathers.” Fitzwilliam winked at his brother.
“Well, I love my women and I want them at home.” Darcy spoke up. “Actually, Bingley do you plan to rent a place for you and Abbey? If not you may reside at Darcy House, we will not be back, and it would be a shame to leave it empty.”
“Really?” He started. “I … Darcy that is … I could not.”
“Why ever not?” Layton stared at him. “The home is magnificent!”
“I could not … No, we will be establishing ourselves as a couple and I could hardly entertain amongst things that are not my own, and pretend that I could aspire to the beauty that is within, it is no different than pretending that I could buy an estate comparable to Pemberley. Thank you for the offer, but I … I would rather rent something that is realistically within my means.” Bingley said decisively.
“I told you he was not a puppy anymore.” Darcy looked at him proudly.
“Well done, Son!” Lord Matlock cried. “Well done, indeed!”
“Thank you, sir.” Bingley flushed with pleasure.
“I have no problem taking Darcy House if you might extend the offer to my poor family.” Fitzwilliam smiled. “I promise not to nick the furniture.”
Darcy laughed and shook his hand. “It is yours then. Just leave me a few bottles of port when you go.”
“No desire to stay with your family?” Layton
grinned. “Not even Harwick?”
“Oh, Harwick and Laura are expecting again, leave them in peace. Besides, they will have Stewart and Julia as well while they look for new quarters.”
“Moving out of Moreland’s place?” Lord Matlock asked.
“Away from the Viscount.”
“Ah well, all Viscounts cannot be as amusing as I.” Layton lifted his chin and they groaned.
The butler appeared and signalled that dinner was ready. Lady Matlock raised her voice. “Ladies and gentlemen, shall we proceed downstairs? No need for ceremony just go on down and choose a seat.” She led the way, stopping to collect her husband. The group followed her down the stairs; Bingley immediately found Abbey and took her arm.
“How is it going?”
“She is amazing.”
“Lady Matlock?”
“Well her, but Elizabeth, she had absolute control over the conversation.” Abbey whispered. “Lady Matlock cannot help but talk of things that are far above my experience, and Mama was lost, and Elizabeth had no problem just jumping in and making everything comfortable again.”
“You do not think that she was trying to make you feel inadequate, do you?” Bingley looked at Lady Matlock sharply.
“Oh no, it was unconsciously done, Charles. I know the difference between being talked down to and simply being inexperienced. Her words were normal for her circle.” She smiled at him. “I have so much to learn, I am afraid.”
“Well, you are with a man who was in your shoes not so very long ago.” He kissed her hand. “Darcy told me of a garden door that leads to a perfect place for private conversation.” Bingley leaned close. “Shall we find it after dinner?”
“Charles!” Abbey’s eyes grew wide and she blushed. “My parents are here!”
“I know.” He winked. “All the more reason to escape, nobody else here will bat an eye, trust me.”
“Really?” She looked around at them all. “But they all seem so proper!” Bingley laughed harder and she pinched his arm. “What will I do with you?”
“Let me know what comes to mind and I will help you along.”
“I have something in mind right now!”
“Tell me.” He smiled into her eyes. “You are far too close.”
“You are far too near.” She pushed him away and looked at him sternly.
They sat down and Bingley held her hand under the table until they were forced to let go to eat their soup. Georgiana sat quietly to his left. “Congratulations, Mr. Bingley. I am very happy for you.”
“Thank you.” He smiled and tilted his head. “Your sister has recently given me permission to call her by name. Would it be permissible to call you Georgiana, or do you prefer Miss Darcy?”
“Oh.” She smiled at him. “I … I leave that to my brother to decide.”
“Do you always defer to him?” He laughed and looked down the table to where Darcy was arguing with Fitzwilliam. “Or do you test him?”
“I do neither, I respect him.” Georgiana looked at Darcy fondly and back to Bingley. “I have learned a great deal about respect for people and family.”
“And place?” Bingley studied her. “You are feeling the weight of the Darcy name and protecting it?”
“No, well yes, of course that, but …” She lowered her voice to a whisper and he strained to hear over the conversation and clink of china and silverware. “I meant love, what is that without respect?”
“You sound remarkably like your sister when she spoke to her mother not so many months ago. Did she teach you that?”
“She and Fitzwilliam did long ago. And the rest of the family have taught me in their way.” She blushed. “You are neglecting Miss Martin.”
Bingley smiled. “Can you not hear her laughing?” He moved back so that Georgiana could see Abbey and Evangeline with their heads together. “She will be fine, do you agree?”
“Of course she will.” Georgiana smiled softly. “We will take care of her.”
“I knew that I could count on you, Miss Darcy.” Bingley saw her surprise. “Respect, is that not what you asked for?” He winked and returned to his soup, and started talking with Mr. Gardiner who was seated across from him. The courses came and went; the dishes were removed as was the cloth. Everything was going along pleasantly and the company was soon full of good food, plenty of excellent wine, and relaxing with their desserts. Lady Matlock looked over the table, judging the progress of her guests and spotted Georgiana silently playing with her ice cream.
“Georgiana!” She jumped and looked up to her aunt. “I understand that the court will be ending this ridiculous moratorium on presentations at the end of April.”
“Oh, but Aunt I will only be sixteen then!”
“Aunt, I will not allow my sister to be presented before she is at least seventeen and preferably thirty.” Darcy declared.
“Well hopefully we can agree on something a little bit younger than that.” Elizabeth called.
“YOU must be presented as well Mrs. Darcy. It is high time.”
“I am afraid that I will be rather busy this April, Lady Matlock.”
“The baby is due in March.”
“And I am not about to wear feathers and a hoop skirt before all and sundry in April.” Elizabeth said tartly.
“Maybe you and Georgiana could be presented together!” Kitty cried. “Oh that would be lovely!”
“For that matter you could join us.” Elizabeth’s eyes sparkled.
“Oh no. I am not going to stand before the Queen!”
“Why?” Lady Matlock demanded. “I will sponsor you.”
“Can you sponsor three ladies at once?”
“I could sponsor you, Elizabeth.” Alicia offered.
“Oh, thank you.” Elizabeth glared at her.
“Or I could …” Evangeline laughed.
Fitzwilliam grinned and sat back, folding his arms across his chest. “I would love that my dear! I only wish that I could stand up with Darcy! Ahh, I remember you asking endless questions about your sword.”
“And I remember you giving me all the wrong answers.” Darcy reminded him.
“Dear, did you misdirect our cousin? I cannot possibly imagine that.” Evangeline smiled. “You two are so close!”
“Close to strangling each other.” Alicia observed. “And tell me Husband where were you in all of this?”
“Oh, innocent, I swear.”
“I do not believe you.”
“Enough children.” Lord Matlock boomed. “We are not presenting a good face to our new guests.” He looked to Lady Matlock. “Perhaps we should …”
“Ladies, follow me.” She started to stand.
Mr. Martin looked aghast. “Where are you going? It is not over yet is it?”
“The gentlemen and ladies separate after the meal, August.” Mr. Gardiner said softly.
“I know that, I just …” He looked around at the faces all staring at him. “I know that I am … not one of you and I never will be, nor do I aspire to be, but …” He looked at Abbey. “My little girl is leaving me for this world you live in and I know how very happy she is to be marrying Mr. Bingley. I have known him since he was … oh, four years old, and I know his upbringing and that of my family is not so different from his. I did not fear him so much as I worried about what he had become now that he is here.” He looked at Bingley who was staring at him intently. “Abbey told me when she first met him that she … that she wondered what it was like to be …” Abbey stared at him pleadingly and he shook his head. “No dear, you said that you wondered what it would be like to be cared for by such a man, and that you were so impressed by the … friendship and …” Mrs. Martin squeezed his arm to make him stop. “She described to me a family that I could not understand, but sitting here tonight, just watching you, watching you forget that we were here and seeing you just stop being so … rich …” Mr. Gardiner closed his eyes and Mrs. Gardiner groaned. Mr. Martin finally felt the dead silence of the room, the mortification of his famil
y and the blank stares of the Fitzwilliam family, and blushed. “I am sorry. I did it again.”
Darcy looked at Elizabeth to do something and she smiled at him before turning to the deeply embarrassed man. “Mr. Martin, are you trying to say that you are happy to see that Abbey is joining such a circle of friends and that you do not have to worry about her?”
“YES!” He stood up and picked up his glass. “Thank you, Mrs. Darcy! Yes! Thank you all for accepting my little girl into your family and … thank you Mr. Bingley for having the good sense to propose!” He smiled and raised his glass of wine. “To … to Abbey and Charles!”
“To Abbey and Charles!” Fitzwilliam stood and lifted his glass. Everyone stood and joined him.
“To family.” Lord Matlock shook his head and laughed at his wife whose eyes had travelled to heaven.
“I am so embarrassed!” Abbey whispered. “I am so sorry, Charles … Papa …”
“Hush.” Charles set down his glass and took hers from her hand, then wrapping his arms around her, gave her an indisputably fervent kiss. Abbey gasped and the men applauded. Bingley fixed her with his gaze. “Do not worry.”
“Now that was a good public display of affection.” Layton noted. “What do you say, Richard?”
“I would say that Bingley has learned a few things hanging about this place.” He grinned at Evangeline then poked Darcy. “Do you agree?”
“Of course, I taught you all.” He smiled at Elizabeth amidst the protests of his cousins, and visibly sighed to her amusement.
Lady Matlock looked around at the men falling into arguing and raised her hand. “Ladies! Follow me.” She looked to her husband and shaking her head led the way from the room.
“SO WILL MY FATHER-IN-LAW ever be welcome at Matlock again?” Bingley laughed as his valet fussed around him.
“No.” Fitzwilliam grinned. “Not a chance.”
“Ah well. He was honest.”
“That he was, and it was appreciated. Mother was mortified. She hid it well though.”
“Everyone was mortified. Stop being so rich. Good Lord.” Layton grinned. “I think he almost had their love until that particular line.”