By now they had reached the turning point, and Georgiana was very aware that this was the first time they had really talked, quite a momentous occasion. And Fitzwilliam was not done with the confidences, for he asked,
'And you, what kind of man would you want to get married to?'
That question surprised her, for she was not thinking of marriage at all, after her humiliation by Wickham she would rather not have to do anything with men at all. To deliver herself totally to someone she didn't really know, the very thought was just frightening.
'I'm sorry Georgie, you've been so helpful and now I've said something you don't like to hear. Do men scare you?'
'It's not the idea of a man that scares me, Fitzwilliam, it's the fact that I'd be totally dependent on him that scares me. What if he turns out to be someone different than we thought? He'd virtually own me, and my fortune, by then.'
'Well, you're just sixteen, there is no need to think of marriage, yet.'
If that was supposed to comfort her, he'd better try again.
'You're in love with a woman who is what, twenty years old? I'll be twenty in less than four years. I do need to think of it. Will you be very angry if I decide not to marry at all? Or to someone who is not a noble?'
He stroked her hair and said, 'A year ago, I would have been shocked to hear you say that. But now, Georgie, I'd rather have you marry a Russian pianist than an arrogant English landowner who hasn't done a day's honest work in his life. What do you want out of life then, don't you want a family, children?'
'I don't know, yet, about the children. What I do know, is that I want to become the best pianist I can, so maybe your guess wasn't so bad. But does he have to be Russian? I'd prefer an Italian myself.'
With a laugh, her brother replied, 'Let's get you some lessons from a true
master then, this winter when we are in London. And we will see about the men when one turns up. I'll chase him away if you don't like him after all.
Don't you like Bingley? I thought you might be attracted to him, he's very sweet-natured.'
Dismissively, Georgiana stated, 'A bit too sweet, I'm your sister remember, I'd waltz over him within a week. No, a man has to have some backbone.'
'But I thought you were shy, and would prefer to have a docile man?'
Her brother was truly surprised, which was rather funny.
'I am only shy to strangers, Fitzwilliam, and I know your friend quite well.
He is cute, but let the eldest Miss Bennet have him. Although, if she is like Miss Elizabeth she might eat him before breakfast. Are you really planning to set him back up with her, is that good for him?'
'So you like him enough to worry about him, I'm glad to hear that. But yes, the eldest Miss Bennet is very different from her sister, she is very quiet and sweet, and very even-tempered. If she indeed loves him, it'll be a match made in heaven.'
'Good, he deserves to be happy,' Georgiana said, 'Miss Bennet sounds perfect for him, and then at least one of us will be perfectly happy in marriage.'
And they walked back in silence, each with his own contemplations, still arm in arm, feeling very close. Just before they reached the house, Georgiana offered, 'I really like her, your Miss Elizabeth, I hope she will learn to love you.'
'Thank you, Georgie,' her brother replied, 'that means a lot to me.'
And they stepped into the house, her brother claimed immediately by Miss Bingley, who took his arm and exclaimed, 'Mr Darcy, and my dearest Georgiana, where have you been this last hour? And Charles tells me you visited Miss Elizabeth Bennet in an inn where she is staying, why didn't you invite me to join you? I'm just as much acquainted with her as Charles is, you know.'
Fitzwilliam really should have told her by now that she didn't stand a chance, why did he bear with the woman at all? Georgiana had never understood, but she would endure Caroline Bingley's fake affection towards herself for her brother's sake, as she had done since the start of their acquaintance.
Meanwhile, Darcy's thoughts echoed his sister's, he wondered why he had
put up with Miss Bingley for so long, she was his friend's sister and she so loved to be at Pemberley when her brother visited, but her attentions were old and worn, and the fact that Darcy was not going to fall for her threadbare charms should have occurred to her by now. Or had he enjoyed her attentions before he fell in love for real? Did he use to feel safe and wanted with her around? Fact was, that until he met Miss Elizabeth, he thought ladies were all like Caroline Bingley, beautiful, educated, but lacking depth somehow, and to be honest, rather mean.
Which was probably why he was still single at twenty-eight.
He didn't even bother to give her an excuse or a real reason, he just said airily, 'She is engaged to dine here the day after tomorrow, with her companions, a fashionable couple from London. You'll have every chance to inquire after her eldest sister then.'
And since that was not what Miss Bingley wanted, to have Miss Elizabeth Bennet anywhere near herself or especially near Darcy, his information silenced her quite readily.
After a quiet summer's day and a nice ride with Bingley, a concert by Georgiana, who woke up refreshed from a nap after her fatiguing days of travel to find her new sitting-room and the new instrument, and dinner with his entire group of friends, Darcy found himself relieved to be alone in his bedroom. Being too busy to grind over his emotions was good, but he had some serious thinking to do, and this was the perfect time for it. Georgie had taken him totally by surprise demanding the truth from him, but despite her tender age he was inclined to believe her assurances that time and a lot of civility might still make him the happiest of men.
To think his little sister comforted him so kindly, how times had changed.
She had grown so mature and she was so good to him, and spirited, finding Bingley too soft. What a surprise, to suddenly find his sister a woman, and a woman he liked and admired, with actual strength of character. That thought alone left him unable to feel anything but optimism, and he went to sleep with sincere hope that his fantasy might yet become sweet reality.
Chapter 5
The next morning, on the banks of the stream, Darcy introduced Mr Gardiner to his friends, and as a true gentleman his guest fit right in. They spent a very pleasant morning fishing for trout, when during an interesting conversation on overseas trade Mr Gardiner suddenly mentioned, 'Did I tell you my wife and my niece were planning to return your sister's extreme courtesy yesterday by paying her a visit this morning? I thought you might want to know. They should be arriving about now, I guess.'
Well, that was a hint and no mistake! Mr Gardiner, and no doubt Mrs Gardiner, for this communication betrayed the mind of a lady, apparently approved of his acquaintance with their niece, and on impulse he tested this theory by airily stating, 'Georgiana will be delighted with their attention. I'm glad they know we're engaged by the river, so they won't feel neglected by our absence.'
But Mr Gardiner was not taking the bait, he was a real fisherman even though he lived in the middle of town. And a sharp-minded businessman as well.
'I suppose they don't expect you to be at the house, they will be well-entertained by Miss Darcy, they both liked her a great deal.'
And he continued their conversation where he left off.
But Darcy's tranquillity was shattered, she was here, in his very house, and Mr Gardiner told him she was, intentionally. That didn't mean Elizabeth was more inclined to like him, but it did mean Darcy had a strong advocate in her closest circle.
Finally, he couldn't control himself anymore, and he tried to sound as cool as possible as he said, 'I think I should pay my respects to the ladies, Georgiana may feel overwhelmed, she just sixteen after all. With your permission, I will be back in an hour.'
Without the slightest triumph in his voice, he was a successful businessman
after all, Mr Gardiner observed, 'I totally agree with you, Mr Darcy, your presence at the house may be required. And I will certainly not take it amiss if yo
u spend half an hour on my niece, she's not just her father's favourite you know. My own children are still very young, you see.'
And without further comment, Darcy bowed to him and left the stream behind for some time.
On his way to the house doubts started to creep up on him, apparently he hadn't been able to hide his admiration for Miss Elizabeth from anybody, and he knew he would blush when he saw her again. But was that a reason to avoid her? Georgiana said he needed to show her his love, and though that was still a bit much to ask, turning up and being friendly would eventually have the same effect. Hopefully.
Sitting in the saloon with Mrs Annesley and both Mr Bingley's sisters, with all the men off to the stream for some fishing, Georgiana felt cheated somehow. These were not her friends, and yet she was supposed to entertain them, when she could have been practising scales or reading a book. Now she couldn't do anything more exciting than listen to the others talking, since she had never had a talent for needlework, the only occupation considered suitable when in company.
Why did ladies have to talk so incessantly? It was and always had been a great riddle to Georgiana. Fitzwilliam and herself never talked all the time when they were together, they mostly read, or she played and he listened, and sometimes they'd discuss a book, or a piece of music, and then they went on doing what suited them. When she was by herself with only Mrs Annesley as company they did the same, Mrs Annesley was fond of needlework and she was very proficient at it, but she could sew in silence and leave Georgiana to her own pursuits, without distracting her with chatter or forcing her to speak.
But when they had company, and Mr Bingley's sisters unfortunately counted as such, Mrs Annesley insisted on Georgiana joining in the conversation, and only playing the piano at certain times that were supposed to be suitable for entertainment. But entertainers had to practise or they never learned to play really well, and they would always grate on their audience's ears. Why didn't Mrs Annesley understand that? Somehow, it just wasn't fair, but what could a girl do about it? Fitzwilliam had given her the choice of having a lady companion or accompanying him everywhere, and that would have
meant meeting lots of strangers and having even fewer quiet evenings. And no room of her own with a piano to practise on most days. Or being forced to play reels all night. Or to listen to other ladies performing, ladies who didn't practise enough, and all that undoubtedly on an inferior piano that would most likely be horribly out of tune.
Already, Mrs Annesley objected to her musings and was sending her significant looks to get her to join the conversation. But what could Georgiana ever contribute to a discussion of pelisses and petticoats from Thomson's, or whatever seamstress in London? Who cared? And what was she supposed to do when they started to criticise one of their acquaintances, was she supposed to join them in their mean pastimes? Was that the right occupation for a gentle lady?
It was almost enough to make her look for a husband, preferably an older, scholarly type. At least she'd be left alone to practise or read. Or..if Fitzwilliam were to marry Miss Elizabeth, they'd spend more time here, or with Georgiana in London, and Georgiana was certain that Miss Elizabeth would either let her sister practise in peace, or join her in reading, or talk about something interesting for a change.
With that idea in mind, Georgiana decided to direct the conversation a little, Bingley's sisters had met Miss Elizabeth before and might know something about her that could help Georgiana form a picture of her brother's great love. As she started to speak, both ladies turned towards her immediately, they were always fawning at her in her face, and talking of her as a silly child behind her back. But they had their uses, and could be led with virtually no effort at all.
'My brother told you that Miss Elizabeth Bennet is coming to dine with us tomorrow, didn't he?' she asked innocently.
Miss Bingley replied, 'He did, yes. We knew her in Hertfordshire, you know, her eldest sister admired Charles very much, but nothing came of it since Charles liked another lady of our acquaintance much better.'
They implied he loved Georgiana, but anyone could see that was not true.
Poor Mr Bingley had never had one romantic thought of her in his life, and that feeling was totally mutual. Besides, he had been slightly out of sorts for some time now, and since yesterday Georgiana knew that was because he did love Miss Elizabeth's sister, and Fitzwilliam and Miss Bingley practically forced them apart.
But Miss Bingley was not finished.
'Miss Bennet is the true beauty in the family, and a very sweet girl. Miss Elizabeth Bennet has a very sharp tongue, that she liked to whet on your brother. Though he actually seemed to enjoy her impertinence, strangely enough.'
She certainly was jealous, she was onto Fitzwilliam, but most likely she had no clue how deeply in love Georgiana's brother really was.
'She's very much a country girl, you know,' Mrs Hurst added, 'very little fashion and very self-satisfied. Her family is a disgrace, her one uncle is a village attorney, and the other is a tradesman in Cheapside.'
That would be Mr Gardiner, one of the nicest men Georgina had ever met.
'Why would Fitzwilliam have me invite her to dinner then?' Georgiana asked innocently, pouring oil on the flames.
Now they were getting wary, they were not going to say anything nasty about Fitzwilliam, not to his sister.
'He is probably being polite,' Miss Bingley observed, 'or maybe her companions are people of some significance. Some people of high breeding find sharp wit entertaining. But Mr Darcy'd better watch out, a girl like that will be looking to better herself, before he knows it he could be hooked into a marriage.'
As entertaining as it was, Georgiana was not learning anything pertinent, making this conversation another waste of time. Though Mrs Annesley seemed satisfied, apparently the content of the talking did not signify, not even if it bordered on viciousness.
One last try.
'Do you think she loves him then?' she asked even more innocently than before.
At least they were taking that question seriously, for it took them a while to answer.
'She seemed to like exchanging impudent remarks with him, but love? Most like likely she just wants his money, and his name,' Miss Bingley stated.
'I remember when they talked like that, I didn't have a clue what they were on about, but they seemed to understand one another perfectly.'
Mrs Hurst's observation was the most useful so far.
'But don't worry,' Miss Bingley said soothingly, 'your brother is too smart to be hooked by a lady of little fashion and low connections like Miss Eliza Bennet, he can see right through her kind.'
And at that little piece of wishful thinking the butler came in and announced, 'Mrs Gardiner and Miss Elizabeth Bennet to see you, Miss Darcy.'
That was a shock to all three of them. Mr Bingley's sisters no doubt felt caught gossiping, and Georgiana realised this was a formal visit where she would be expected to receive and entertain their visitors. What if she accidentally betrayed Fitzwilliam's secret to Miss Elizabeth? What if Bingley's sisters treated the object of Fitzwilliam's affections badly? She might go away and leave Georgiana's poor brother with a broken heart. Such a responsibility all of a sudden, no chance to just sit back and see what happened, Georgiana didn't exactly panic, but she was not at all comfortable, two relative strangers she needed to talk to, and one of them so very important to her brother. She did her very best to receive the ladies as she was supposed to as mistress of the house, but she wished ardently Fitzwilliam were here. He'd know exactly what to do. Fortunately both Mrs Gardiner and Miss Elizabeth were as nice as yesterday, and helped her along by doing most of the talking. With horror Georgiana observed her brother's friends receiving the love of his life with cold civility, what would Miss Elizabeth think? The temperature in the room seemed to drop a few degrees, and a silence descended on the whole group, leaving Georgiana tongue-tied and afraid Miss Elizabeth would depart instantly at being subjected to such impoliteness.
&n
bsp; For the first time in months, Georgiana was glad to have Mrs Annesley, for she showed her excellent education by starting a conversation with Mrs Gardiner, and amazingly they found a subject that was actually interesting.
Apparently, there was a kind of mysterious disease running rampant among the poor in the county, and both seemed to be well-informed on the manifestations of the malady and its possible causes. Georgiana had seen Mrs Annesley reading the newspaper regularly, but still she was impressed with her knowledge, and likewise with Mrs Gardiner's. Significant looks from Mrs Annesley urged Georgiana to participate, but frankly she had no idea of what was going on, and she had no contribution to the conversation, though it was very interesting to hear more about the subject. She managed to think of a question to ask, and as the ladies discussed it, Miss Elizabeth ventured to give her opinion as well. Her remark was very sensible, and together they thought of a possible answer to Georgiana's question. Relieved
from talking for a few minutes, Georgiana observed that Miss Elizabeth seemed little at ease once again, and most unlikely to start being witty or sharp. She also observed Miss Bingley watching Miss Elizabeth closely, especially when speaking to Georgiana herself. This was a dominant lady guarding her territory against a highly talented potential rival, and if the tension got any higher, Georgiana's nerves might snap.
Miss Bingley was her brother's guest, how dared she treat Georgiana's guest like that? If only Georgiana dared say something, if only she were Miss Elizabeth, able to retort instantly, though that particular lady didn't look very sharp either at this moment. Could it be that she was in doubt about Fitzwilliam? Could it be that she was starting to revise her opinion on him?
She sure looked like she might be in love, but how could Georgiana be sure?
Miss Bingley inquired after Miss Elizabeth's family, but in a tone that did nothing to lighten the general mood, and Miss Elizabeth answered in a slightly warmer tone, but very briefly. Just before Georgiana started to wilt in the icy-cold atmosphere, the butler and the cook's helpers came in with cold meat, fruit and cake, and the activity warmed up the room slightly, but not enough for Georgiana to be able to eat much. Still, there was much to see for Georgiana, Miss Elizabeth was clearly impressed by the quality of the fruit, and the beautiful presentation, and she ate very elegantly.
Revelations Page 6