by Nancy Kelley
Richard shrugged. "I cannot say for sure, but I believe I will be home in time to join you at Rosings in the spring."
"I should certainly hope so. Our aunt would never forgive you otherwise."
Richard's shoulders relaxed, and Darcy knew he had said the right thing. "I do not believe that for a second. As long as you are present, she does not care who else is there."
Darcy ran his hand through his hair. "Please let us speak of something more pleasant."
Richard glanced at the clock. "Actually, I believe it is time we turned in for the night. I will see you in the morning for breakfast."
"Good night, Richard."
When Darcy woke the next morning, he felt more like himself than he had in over a month. Georgiana's delight in seeing him only added to his pleasure in being home. "Fitzwilliam! We did not expect you home so soon."
He poured himself a cup of coffee and sat down opposite her and Richard. "Bingley returned to town himself, and without a host, I had no reason to stay in Hertfordshire."
"Mr. Bingley has returned? But I thought he planned to live in Hertfordshire."
She takes an eager interest in his affairs; that is good. She will easily form an attachment to Bingley. "I believe his plans were never fully settled. He would still like to purchase his own estate, if you recall."
Her frown cleared. "Of course. Oh, it is so good to have you home. I have missed you."
Darcy smiled. "And I have missed you, Georgie. Tell me, how did you pass the long lonely days awaiting my return?" He was delighted when she wrinkled her nose at his joke--the Georgiana of two months ago would not have done so.
"You know very well that Mrs. Annesley requested I return to my studies. Unless Cousin Richard stole me away to the museum or for a walk in the park, I have done little but read and sew and play."
"And what was the last book you read?" he asked.
"Cecilia."
"Indeed?" For a moment, Darcy was back in the library at Netherfield, watching Elizabeth read the same book. "By Mrs. Burney?"
She nodded. "Have you read it, Brother?"
"No, another young lady I know read it recently."
Richard raised an eyebrow and Darcy shook his head slightly. He did not wish to discuss Elizabeth with his family. Indeed, there is nothing to share.
"I believe you had more enjoyment in London than I had in Hertfordshire, my dear," he said before Richard could open his mouth. "Now, tell me--would you mind very much if we invited Mr. Bingley and his sisters to dine with us tonight?"
Georgiana turned to Richard. "Would you mind a few additional guests, Cousin?"
Richard put his fork down and cleared his throat. "Actually, Georgie, I received orders to return to France on Monday. I must excuse myself from dinner tonight so I can prepare to leave."
Georgiana bit her lip and concern filled her blue eyes. "Will you be in any danger, Richard?"
Darcy and Richard shared a glance across the table, and then Richard placed his hand over hers and squeezed lightly. "I will be as safe as I can, sweet Cuz. After all, I would not want to leave you with only your brother as a guardian. You might end up as dour and disapproving as he is."
Darcy frowned. "Richard --" Laughter cut him off, and when he realized he had proven his cousin's point, he joined in.
Richard left a moment later, and Darcy raised his original question again. "Shall we have the Bingleys over for dinner?"
Georgiana lifted one shoulder in a gesture of listless acquiescence. "If you wish."
He heard worry under her disinterest and knew concern for Richard would dampen her already quiet spirits. She will do Bingley no good in this frame of mind. "Perhaps we should have a family dinner instead. I have not heard all you did while I was away."
"Perhaps... perhaps we might invite them over after Richard leaves?" Her eyes darted to the door and back to Darcy. "When does he leave?"
"He needs to be in Portsmouth Sunday evening. Shall I see if the Bingleys and Hursts can pull us out of our doldrums that evening?"
Her cheeks had lost all their color, but she nodded. "Yes, that would be quite good."
• • •
Darcy visited Bingley that afternoon, and the butler showed him directly to the library, where his friend sat with a glass of claret. "Good afternoon, Bingley. I trust you are doing well?"
Bingley's smile lacked its usual cheer. "Of course. It is always good to be back in London after being away."
Darcy shook his head, a slight smile on his face. Despite Bingley's evidently low spirits, he could tell his friend truly meant that. He had been telling Mrs. Bennet the truth then, when he said he could be just as happy in the country as in the city. I envy his easy temper at times.
"Yes, it is," Darcy agreed. "I am anxious to return to Pemberley, but business dictates we remain in town. As we are all to be in London some time, Georgiana and I hoped you and your family might join us for dinner this coming Sunday."
Bingley considered. "I believe we could join you then," he said. "I know of no other engagements."
"Excellent. Georgiana will be pleased--Richard leaves London that day, and I am afraid the thought has left her a little melancholy." Darcy set his glass down and shook Bingley's hand in farewell.
The carriage ride home was just long enough for Darcy to tamp down any niggling concerns regarding Bingley's state of mind. Of course he is unhappy, he told himself. What man would not be, when faced with the true nature of a woman's affections?
When he arrived at home, he found Georgiana in the sitting room, in a dreadfully dull state. She pretended to do needlework, but even he could see she had done nothing on it since he had left. Her attempt to hide her distress disturbed Darcy. Does she fear my disapproval when left without Richard's calming influence?
Darcy knew he could not mimic Richard's easy manner with Georgiana, but he had thought previously that she understood the affection behind his occasional dictates. However, she clearly felt she must hide her upset from him, and he immediately sought a way to put her mind at ease. His gaze traveled the room and settled on the sunshine streaming in through the front windows. "Georgiana, would you care for a walk in the park? It is quite lovely outside today. We should take advantage of the sun, for I am sure the rain will come soon."
Georgiana set her stitching down and looked out the window. "Yes, of course," she said.
Darcy hid a sigh; he had hoped for a smile, but it seemed he must satisfy himself with quiet agreement instead. "Come, change into a walking dress and I will order the coach."
Hyde Park was quite busy for a November afternoon--clearly they were not the only ones enjoying the fine weather. Georgiana took the arm he offered, and they walked in silence for a while.
He glanced sideways at his sister and realized with a start that with her height and in her new green wool coat, she looked quite grown-up. He shook his head quickly, but the picture did not change.
"How do you like London?" Darcy asked finally.
For several minutes, the only indication she had heard was a slight tightening of her grip on his arm. He glanced sideways and could see by the tilt of her head that she was considering what to say. "I wish I knew some young ladies here," she said finally. "I am sure Cousin Richard grew weary of my company, and I confess it would have been nice to have female companionship."
He frowned and turned slightly toward her. "Does Mrs. Annesley not satisfy you?"
"Oh yes!" she said in a rush. "But it is not the same as another young lady, close to my own age..."
Georgiana bit her lip and looked away, and Darcy covered her hand with his. "Next year, you will be in London during the Season and you will make some friends. And then the year after that will be your own debut --" he halted when she flushed scarlet. "Georgie, you knew that would come, did you not?"
Her step faltered, and Darcy drew up beside her. Her head was bowed, and he had to bend down to hear her whisper. "I was not sure, after..."
Her low voice wrenched
his heart. "Ah, dearest, must I remind you? That was not your fault, and you are wiser for it." He glanced around the people milling about them. "Now, speaking of wise, we should not discuss this in such a public place."
He placed his hand under her chin. "Come, Georgie, let us enjoy the sunshine while it lasts."
Her smile was weak but genuine. They walked for a while in silence before she returned to her earlier topic. "You believe there will be young ladies my own age in town next spring, Fitzwilliam?"
"I am sure of it," he said. "Ladies just as yourself, not quite out formally, but old enough to be in town with their families. Perhaps we might find a way to introduce you to some of them."
Darcy voice trailed off on the last word. A couple had joined the path from a different direction, and the silhouette of the lady was hauntingly familiar. He took a step toward her, and then she turned and his shoulders drooped. Of course it was not Elizabeth; she is at home in Hertfordshire, not here in Hyde Park. What a fool you are, Darcy.
"Fitzwilliam?"
He turned to Georgiana, who eyed him with curiosity, and he flushed when he realized how foolish he must look, staring after an unknown lady. "I believe it is time we turned back, Georgiana."
She accepted this without argument. The entire walk back to the carriage, Darcy relived that moment when he thought he had seen Elizabeth Bennet standing before him once more, and he finally understood Bingley's inability to let go of Jane Bennet. What is the hold these sisters possess, that they can so ensnare a man?
The rain returned the next day, and Darcy spent the afternoon in his library. When he had been in Hertfordshire, he had remembered London to be filled with entertainment. However, on a cold winter day, there was very little difference between the country and the city. Only the promise of company on the morrow relieved the monotony of town.
The library was not far from the music room, and when Georgiana's music master arrived, he opened the door so he could listen without embarrassing her. They did vocal exercises first, and then she sang a sweet country song of love and friendship.
"Where have I heard this recently?" It was not until she reached the chorus that he knew--Elizabeth had sung the song at the Lucas's party.
He reached out to slam the door shut, but realized just in time that the sound would give away his eavesdropping. He dropped instead into a chair, his book lying on the floor, utterly forgotten.
Georgiana continued to sing, but it was another's voice Darcy heard. He buried his face in his hands, but he could not erase the image of Elizabeth Bennet from his mind's eye.
Chapter Fourteen
Darcy and Georgiana barely exerted themselves for the whole of December. The first evening with Bingley and his sisters was enough to show Darcy that she was not ready to be courted, or even to have the suggestion made to her. She nearly jumped out of her skin when Bingley approached her, and she remained on edge for the whole of the meal. Unwilling to see her suffer, he cut the evening short as early as he could.
Between Georgiana and the sisters, however, there grew a certain degree of familiarity, and he hoped they would pull her into their family circle. He knew they shared his wish--Miss Bingley no doubt hoped one marriage between their families would lead to another.
Therefore, he was not surprised to find the ladies with Georgiana in the blue salon one afternoon in early January. "Mr. Darcy, you must join us," Caroline Bingley called out.
He stepped into the salon. "Ladies," he said with a bow. "How may I be of service?"
Miss Bingley leaned forward, and she sat so close that Georgiana was forced to shift slightly away from her. "Oh, it is nothing so serious, I assure you. I have just received a letter from Longbourn with news that will interest you."
She pulled the letter from her reticule and handed it to Darcy, who took it with a degree of unwillingness. Please, let it not be an announcement of Elizabeth's engagement, he prayed.
It was not. He read Jane Bennet's letter with growing consternation--"I am happy to say I shall arrive in town on January tenth..."
Miss Bingley, who had watched his face avidly as he read the letter, said, "How shall I reply?"
He handed the letter back and deliberated for a moment. If the ladies called on Miss Bennet in Gracechurch Street, it would be difficult to keep word of her presence in town from Bingley.
"Do not," he said finally, and she nodded her agreement. "Now, if you will excuse me..." Darcy bowed and left the room.
He returned to his library and paced the floor in front of the fireplace. Not for the first time, he cursed the very existence of the Bennet family. All his plans--for Bingley, for Georgiana, even for himself--had been going along quite well until the ill-advised sojourn to Hertfordshire. Now Bingley fancied himself in love with a lady wholly unsuitable, and he...
He flung himself into a chair. "I will overcome this... this weakness for Elizabeth Bennet!" he muttered. "I will not be so caught up by a woman I cannot have, that the mere thought of her sends my pulse racing."
Darcy rose abruptly and walked back down the hallway to the salon. The few minutes gave him time to compose himself, and he satisfied himself that none could detect his earlier torment when he asked, "Mrs. Hurst, is your brother at home today?"
"He is, sir."
"I believe I will ask him to ride with me tomorrow."
As winter slowly passed, Darcy kept Bingley too occupied to discover Jane Bennet was in town. Every afternoon they rode, or Bingley joined Darcy at his club for an early dinner and conversation after.
Darcy's reason was simple: though he had convinced Bingley once that Miss Bennet did not share his affection, he did not trust his friend not to fall in love with her a second time if he were to see her again. And this time, my efforts at separating them might not be so successful, he mused. As much as he hated to admit to such weakness in himself, he knew instinctively that his own defenses would crumble were he to meet Elizabeth again.
One evening in early February, Georgiana broached the subject of a visit to Pemberley. "For you never answered my earlier petition," she added.
It took him a moment to realize she referred to the letter she had sent him while he was at Netherfield. He recalled her desire to spend the spring at Pemberley, and he sighed. "I did not, did I?"
Georgiana turned slightly away, one hand playing with the folds of her gown. "You need not say anything else, Brother," she said. "I can hear in your voice that we are not to return to Pemberley before the Season begins."
Darcy took her hand in his, and she looked up at him. "I am sorry, Georgiana, but I cannot leave London right now. I am needed here on a matter of some delicacy."
Her ears reddened. "It is not... You have not seen..."
"No, it is nothing whatsoever to do with Wickham," he assured her, and her color receded. "In truth, my dear, a friend of mine is considering a bad decision, and I fear that if I leave, he will allow his emotions to sway him from a rational course of action."
"Then of course you must stay, if Mr. Bingley needs you," she said immediately. When he raised an eyebrow, she said, "Do you think I have not noticed you spend all your time with them? You are a good friend, Fitzwilliam."
Georgiana tapped her chin thoughtfully. "If I am not to go to Pemberley, I might bring Pemberley to London."
"How do you mean?"
"Mrs. Annesley and my painting master would like me to begin a landscape. I believe I will paint Pemberley in the spring, surrounded by green and flowers."
Darcy smiled at her. "I look forward to seeing it completed." He grimaced. "I cannot blame you for wishing to return home, but I quite envy you London. In six weeks, I shall have to make my annual trip to Rosings Park."
Georgiana wrinkled her nose. "I am glad I need not join you. Our aunt makes me quite nervous. I am always afraid she will find fault with something I do."
"Lady Catherine has decided opinions on everything," Darcy pointed out, "but you need not fear her rebuke."
Georgiana pl
ayed with a fork for moment. "Are you going to m...marry Anne?"
The question was so unexpected, Darcy nearly choked. "I beg your pardon?" he said once he cleared his airway.
Georgiana returned his gaze. "I do not think you would at all suit, Brother." This time, she did not stammer. "Anne is not strong enough to care for the tenants or walk the estate with you. I do not think her little phaeton and ponies could quite make the full circle of the park."
She blushed a little under Darcy's disbelief. "I do not mean to speak ill of our cousin," she said hurriedly. "Indeed, I quite like Anne... At least I think I do. I am not sure I really know her."