by Jennifer Joy
Darcy sat opposite him at the table between the door and the fireplace. "When my sister was much younger, she would invite me to tea parties — attended to by her collection of dolls. She insisted on preparing the tea herself. Knowing I prefer my tea strong, she left the tea leaves to steep in the boiling water all night, heating it up for me the next day." It had been dreadful, but he had forced a smile and told her it was delicious — the best tea he had ever had the privilege to drink. He had lied to spare her feelings, and oh, how he had suffered for it during the many tea parties to follow.
Mr. Bennet chuckled. "When my girls were little, they held such parties." His smile faded. "Of course, I was usually too occupied to attend them. Only my Lizzy was brave enough to enter my study and insist I drink tea with her."
"I hope her tea was better than my sister’s. I did not have the heart to correct Georgiana and I drank so much of her tea, she assumed I liked it."
"Miss Darcy is fortunate to have you for a brother, I think. And she will grow to love Lizzy before long, I daresay."
"I will admit I had hoped you would offer your hospitality."
"What, you did not want Miss Darcy to stay with Mr. Bingley's sisters? I cannot imagine why." The mischievous twinkle in Mr. Bennet's eyes proclaimed he knew precisely why Darcy did not wish for his sister to stay at Netherfield Park.
Taking advantage of Mr. Bennet’s joviality, Darcy asked, “What of your consent, Mr. Bennet? Do I have permission to marry Elizabeth as soon as I purchase a license?”
“Before the arrival of your sister? I assumed you would allow Miss Darcy time to recover from her travels at Longbourn before the arduous journey in return to Derbyshire. Would it not be best to wait another month—”
“Twenty-eight days,” Darcy corrected, willing to concede to the original agreement, but resolute that no additional time be added.
Mr. Bennet chortled. “Yes, twenty-eight days are sufficient for Miss Darcy and Lizzy to establish a friendship before you sweep them off to a distant land.”
The appeal of Gretna Green increased by the moment. But Georgiana was to arrive that same day. He could not leave her. Drat it all!
“Twenty-eight days will pass like a blink of an eye, young man. You will cherish Lizzy all the more for the wait.”
“If that is your reasoning, allow me to reassure you of the steadiness of my love.”
Mr. Bennet looked down at his hands. “I am sorry, Mr. Darcy,” he said, his voice shaking. “Lizzy has been my greatest comfort since she learned to speak. She and Jane. I know it is contradictory of me, but I cannot bear to part with her. Not yet. Not until Jane returns and I am not left completely alone.”
He saw Mr. Bennet’s frailty, and guilt consumed Darcy. Guilt and frustration. Blast! “Very well. If you will honor our original agreement, I will too.” Darcy would write to Bingley to ensure the efficiency of his carriage and the health of his horses in conveying him home on time. Darcy could stand no more delays.
Mr. Bennet nodded, but remained silent. Clearly, it was time to change the subject to a livelier one.
"I saw Mr. Hurst enter Longbourn as I left. I did not know he was a friend of yours," Darcy commented.
The twinkle in Mr. Bennet’s eye returned. "Nor did I, to be sure. I have had some time to ponder his call, and I still see no purpose to it. He seemed perturbed at Mr. Collins’ presence, but I can hardly blame him for that." Mr. Bennet sighed. “You understand I only tease, Mr. Darcy. I am grateful for the role Mr. Collins played in the capture of my wife’s killer and I ought not ridicule him as I do … if only he did not expose his weaknesses so splendidly.”
Darcy smiled, but added no fuel to Mr. Bennet’s fodder. It came too easily for Darcy to see the faults of others, and Mr. Collins had more than his fair share. No doubt, Mr. Bennet would prefer to expend his mental vigor on witty banter rather than the more serious problem before him in the ledger. “What was it you wanted to show me?” Darcy asked.
Mr. Bennet sighed and opened the ledger in front of him. "I am an old fool for not seeing to the interests of my daughters out of spite for Mr. Collins. He is a fool, as was his father before him, and it pains me he should inherit my estate, but I now see how my lack of interest has affected my girls."
Darcy reached for the ledger, moving his chair closer to Mr. Bennet to afford them both a better view of the numbers neatly written down the columns. It was much more orderly than he had expected.
"It took me a good while and several meetings with my steward to establish some order to my ledgers, but as you see, everything adds up."
Darcy looked up at him. "Then what is the problem?"
Mr. Bennet said, "I would rather you take a look and see if you draw the same conclusion I did. All I have is a feeling that something is not quite right, and I suspect what it could be, but I would rather not influence your opinion by stating my suspicions aloud. I seem to have too many of those these days."
"Very well." Darcy ran his finger down the columns itemizing the normal estate business. Collected rents, repair expenses, money from crops, wages paid….
It did not take long for Darcy to see what was wrong. While the numbers added up, the amounts were not appropriate for an estate the size of Longbourn. Granted, Longbourn was not so large as Pemberley — not even close — however, it was large enough to support several families as well as Mr. Bennet's. And the numbers in the ledger would not support an estate half Longbourn’s size.
He turned several pages back, hoping to see an improvement. Each page showed the same.
"How long has this man—"
"Mr. Bilford."
"Mr. Bilford … been in your employ?" asked Darcy.
"Ever since I inherited the estate. He is the son of my father's land steward."
"I suggest you speak frankly with him."
Mr. Bennet recoiled. "Is there not an easier way? After all, the ledgers add up. It is only the amounts written which do not seem correct. Were I to bring this to his attention, I would have to call his honesty into question directly. My last meeting with him did not go so well. He is a volatile man."
"If he is an honest man, he will not take offense. If he is otherwise, he will make it known immediately — in which case, you should not hesitate in dismissing him."
"Dismiss him? After over twenty years? You are much more aggressive in estate affairs than I am, Mr. Darcy."
"It is necessary. Mr. Bennet, it is not only you and your family who suffer but also the people who rely on your estate for their living. If your steward is dishonest, he is not only stealing from you, he is stealing from them."
Mr. Bennet shifted his weight in his chair. "You make it sound very bad."
"There is no other way to make it sound." Darcy watched Mr. Bennet struggle. A man who had made it a point to avoid confrontation by hiding in the sanctuary of his book room would not find it a simple thing to accuse his steward — if it came to that — and dismiss a man who had served his family for most of his lifetime. He could empathize with him, but it did not change the fact that it needed to be done.
Mr. Bennet seized on an idea, his face brightening and his shoulders straightening. "What if I give him a test? I will tell him I have noticed some discrepancies in my ledgers … without hinting he might be at fault … and I will tell him I will keep a closer account of all entries to see if there is an improvement. I will give him until the end of this month."
Darcy could not agree with the plan. It only delayed the inevitable. "You had best address the problem directly and move on. You will need to hire a new steward."
"All the more reason to delay. I can make discreet inquiries and have a couple of men lined up on the chance I must ultimately dismiss Mr. Bilford. However, if the income of the estate increases to an amount appropriate for an improving estate such as Longbourn, then I need not say anything at all. I can keep Mr. Bilford on and he will perform his duties with increased honesty."
"He is a thief, Mr. Bennet. What good will it d
o you to give so much responsibility to a man who has acted dishonorably toward you and your tenants for at least the last couple of years? How long has this been going on?"
Mr. Bennet looked down and picked at his fingers. "Long enough."
Mr. Bennet’s quickness to dismiss a dishonest man made Darcy insist. "How long?"
The master of Longbourn would not look at him. Whether he was ashamed of his negligence or he wished to avoid hearing a reply he did not want to hear, now was not the time to spare consequences.
"The first five years appear to be as expected."
Darcy’s blood went cold. "Over fifteen years, then? Is that correct?"
Mr. Bennet nodded his head.
"Mr. Bennet, you came here seeking my advice and I have given it. It is your responsibility as the master of Longbourn to protect the interests of your family and the people who rely on your estate for a roof over their heads and bread on their tables. I urge you to confront Mr. Bilford about the matter immediately. Do not delay.”
It was clear from Mr. Bennet’s slumped shoulders and displeased expression that Darcy’s words had fallen on deaf ears. How difficult it must have been for Elizabeth to grow up with such an inconstant father!
“The decision is yours and I cannot force you to take action where I see clearly you do not want to." It was impossible for Darcy to keep the disgust out of his tone. Old habits died hard, apparently.
"You waste no words, Mr. Darcy."
"I apologize if my directness offends you. I hope you understand my motive in advising you thus is based on a profound interest in your family's welfare. Elizabeth would be greatly disturbed if she knew about this, and I cannot help but know she would agree with me."
"Please do not tell her."
"I do not like secrets, Mr. Bennet. Do not ask me to keep anything from Elizabeth."
Mr. Bennet shook his head, his white hair swirling around his face. "I would not dream of it. You may discuss estate issues with Lizzy once you are married, Mr. Darcy. However, I do not want to burden my child when she has already faced much to upset her.”
Slightly appeased, Darcy sipped his coffee. "Very well then. If she asks, you may tell her. It is not my affair to reveal. I can only hope she would exert a greater influence over you than I can."
Mr. Bennet nodded, drinking from his cup. Lifting it up and smacking his lips, he said, "This is much better than the wicked brew Mrs. Hill gave me today. And thank you, Mr. Darcy. I will not take your counsel lightly, though I find it difficult to accept."
For Mr. Bennet's sake, Darcy hoped he meant it and would act decisively for once in his life.
Chapter 8
Tanner rearranged the table and checked the mantelpiece for dust for the fourth time since setting foot in the private room. Georgiana would arrive any minute.
"Sit down, Tanner. You make me nervous." Darcy nodded to the seat opposite him.
"I cannot sit," he said, checking the window against the opposite wall. "At what time did you say you expected her to arrive?"
"Any time now. They were to depart from London this morning and arrive in time to join us for luncheon."
"Good. If my mouth is busy chewing, I shan't have to speak." Tanner pulled the curtain aside, wiping the window with a cloth until the glass sparkled. "I shall say the wrong thing and offend Miss Darcy without meaning to."
"You can call her Georgiana, you know. Her companion, Mrs. Annesley, knows who you are and there is no sense hiding identities when we are amongst ourselves."
"I do not worry about the companion. She is probably like the rest of them … an elderly spinster with bad breath and poor hearing. However, while I can risk being overheard calling you Darcy, as it is known we are now friends and this is a small village given to relaxed manners, I do not dare risk calling her anything other than Miss Darcy lest one of the gossips draw the wrong conclusion."
"I will not argue with you, Tanner."
Tanner's face blanched and he dropped the curtain he had held back from the glass. "She is here."
Darcy jumped up from his chair to join Tanner by the window. The coach stopped in front of the inn and the footman opened the carriage door to hand out his sister.
The sun reflected off the ringlets bouncing over Georgiana’s shoulders. Darcy's breath caught in his throat as it always did when he saw the reflection of his mother in her. Georgiana had grown taller. She would tower over Elizabeth's petite frame.
"She is beautiful," whispered Tanner, his jaw loose and his eyes fixed on his little sister. With a smack across Darcy's shoulder, he added, "She looks nothing like you."
Darcy smiled, a mixture of sadness and pride. "She looks like my mother."
"Your mother must have had the appearance of an angel. I fear for her com—" the words died on Tanner's lips, to be replaced by, "Dear Lord, who is she?" His breath fogged the glass as he gawked open-mouthed out of the window.
Mrs. Annesley, recently handed out of the carriage, smoothed the creases from Georgiana's redingote and straightened her bonnet with a confident smile.
Tanner rubbed his rough hands over his face. "Why did you not warn me? She is nothing…,” Tanner groaned, shoving his hands into his hair. “She has teeth!” he said in an accusatory tone (as if possessing one’s teeth was a crime) and pointed out the window at Mrs. Annesley.
Darcy struggled to keep his face devoid of emotion. "And miss this reaction? Not for the world."
Tanner scowled at him. “You could have told me she is not a wrinkled biddy!” He jabbed at the window with his finger. “She is … fine.”
“Mrs. Annesley can hardly help it.” Darcy had never given Tanner leave to think his sister's companion was an old woman. In fact, Mrs. Annesley was pleasing to the eye. Like Georgiana, she had fair hair, a clear complexion with rosy cheeks, and blue eyes surrounded by thick eyelashes. Not quite as striking as Elizabeth's eyelashes, but fine nonetheless.
While life had been relatively good to Georgiana — as good as a parent-less girl who had recently undergone heartbreak could be — it had not been so kind to Mrs. Annesley. She had once been a beauty beyond compare. But her lackluster eyes held no innocent wonder; no sparkle. She had married for love, and it had not gone well.
Tanner stood rooted by the window, his jaw now clenched firmly. Darcy could not hear him breathe, but Tanner had not yet turned blue from lack of air.
"Come, Tanner. Let us meet them in the taproom." Darcy crossed the floor, listening for Tanner's heavy steps to follow him, which he did reluctantly.
Darcy neared the door, opening his arms to receive his sister.
"William!" Georgiana exclaimed, jumping into his welcoming embrace and nearly toppling him over as she wrapped her arms around his back and squeezed.
"I am so happy you are finally here, Georgie," he said by her ear. She was tall enough, her hair tickled his nose. She was a young lady now, not a child. Too bad he could not lift her off her feet and twirl her in circles as he had when she was smaller.
Kissing Georgie’s hair and patting her on the back, Darcy greeted Mrs. Annesley, who stood in dignified silence, appraising her new surroundings (of which Tanner obstructed a good deal with his large frame).
With a look to ensure the taproom was presently empty — except for Mrs. Molly, who knew more secrets about Darcy’s family than he cared to acknowledge — he introduced his eldest brother to the ladies.
Tanner planted his feet hip-width apart, his arms folded in front of him like a fortress. He bobbed his head and mumbled a simple, "Pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss," to Georgiana. His eyes flickered to Mrs. Annesley. “I hope you find everything to your satisfaction,” he said to her curtly by way of greeting.
“I am certain we shall,” she answered kindly, which was not at all what Tanner had expected given the furl to his brow.
Any further conversation was deterred when Georgiana took a step closer to Tanner. His entire body tensed and his forearms flinched. He looked like a horse ready to bolt.
How the giant of a man who had once bullied Darcy unsparingly, who held his own in any situation without backing down, could be afraid of a young lady was comical. Still, admirably, Tanner held his ground despite his clear desire to leave.
Georgiana looked at Tanner in silence. Only once did she require an encouraging nod from Mrs. Annesley, at which Georgiana’s boldness triumphed over her timidity. She smiled at Tanner when her persistence was finally rewarded and he met her eyes.
Darcy watched in wonderment as his gruff brother’s defensive walls crumbled down with one look from his little sister. The tension in Tanner’s body melted into a puddle of loyal adoration. Tanner looked as Darcy had felt the first time Georgiana, when only hours old, had wrapped her tiny fingers around his thumb and had refused to let go. Darcy had known at that moment that those wee fingers could bend him to her will as surely as he knew Tanner was also now wrapped around her little finger.
"I have decided to like you very much … if you will allow me to," Georgiana said softly. "I have always wanted another brother,” she said, adding nervously, “and I will do my best to be a good sister to you … whether you wish it … or not. Either way, you are a part of our family now.”
Tanner winced. “I am honored you wish to claim me as family when you know what I am,” he said.
She shook her head vehemently. “It is unjust for the sins of a father to fall on his children. William has told me in his letters how you wish for us to keep our close connection secret and,” she paused for a deep breath, continuing, “I will warn you it is my intention to see that you change your mind.” She spoke quickly, no doubt to prevent her bravery from faltering. It was unlike Georgiana to speak her mind openly, and it made Darcy proud.
Mrs. Annesley pinched her lips together, but Darcy saw how her cheeks twitched in a smile. She was a good choice as a companion if she encouraged Georgiana to express herself as well as she had done thus far.