Assumed Engagement

by Louise, Kara

  Finally, after assuring himself that his composure was what it should be, Darcy asked in a very cool, deliberate voice, "What does Miss Bennet have to say?"

  "Oh, just that plans for the wedding are coming along and she looks forward to seeing me again." Georgiana looked up and met Fitzwilliam's knowing grin and Darcy's look of impatience. She placed the letter down on the table next to her.

  "Is that all?" He asked.

  "Were you expecting anything else, Darce?" interjected Fitzwilliam? "Were you, perhaps, expecting a personal greeting to yourself?" He looked at him with an amused grin.

  Darcy returned a sardonic look to his cousin, took in an anxious breath, and tried to change the subject. "Fitzwilliam, tell me, when is it again you are leaving?"

  "I plan to leave tomorrow afternoon. You are not anxious for me to be gone, are you?"

  "Of course not."

  "But I am afraid it shall be a while before I am able to return." He turned to Georgiana and added, "And because of that, I should enjoy hearing you play for me, Georgiana. Would you do that for me right now?" he asked, looking at his young cousin. Darcy could not have been more relieved to see that the subject of the previous conversation had changed and already forgotten.

  "Right at this moment?" she asked.

  He nodded.

  "If you wish." They both rose, and Fitzwilliam looked at Darcy to excuse them.

  As they walked out the door, Fitzwilliam pulled Georgiana back as she began walking toward the stairs. He pointed to the edge of the door, where they could peer in and observe Darcy sitting at the table, his back to them. He put his finger to his lips as to silence her, and they watched.

  Darcy sat there for a few moments, taking a final sip of his tea. After a few moments he gradually he leaned forward, reaching out his arm toward the letter. He paused, turned his head to the side as if listening, and lifted himself from the chair just to give him the added length he needed to reach the letter. He placed his hand on it for a few seconds and then slid it slowly towards himself. Fitzwilliam began shaking his head, as if he knew all along what Darcy would do. Georgiana covered her mouth her hand to keep from giggling.

  Darcy drew back the letter and opened it. He slowly read the words of Elizabeth, looking at each word, rereading the portions where he was mentioned, and endeavouring to determine how she might feel. It was all very civil and polite; nothing into which he could read too much or too little.

  Without giving much thought to it, he raised the letter to his nose and was pleasantly surprised to find that it had the faint scent with which he had become so familiar. He leaned back in his chair, stretching his legs out before him, breathing in the scent.

  A sudden burst of laughter came from just outside the dining room door. "I am sorry, Darce, I just could not hold it in any longer!" Fitzwilliam came charging back into the room unable to control his laughter.

  Georgiana looked sheepish, knowing she was part of her cousin's spying escapade. Now she felt guilty again, allowing her cousin to draw her in and giving him ample ammunition to tease.

  "So, did Miss Bennet have anything to say to you, Darce?" Fitzwilliam took the letter from him and waved it beneath his nose. "Or do you think this scent was added for your benefit?"

  Darcy grinned. "It was a very nice letter to my sister; no there was nothing personal in it for me, and I doubt that she put any fragrance on it to attract my attention."

  "But were you possibly hoping for more? Maybe hoping to read something between the lines?"

  "Actually Fitz, I picked up the letter and read it because I knew you and Georgiana were behind that door watching me, just waiting for me to do it. I merely obliged you." With that, Darcy chuckled.

  Fitzwilliam looked at Georgiana and then back at Darcy. "Excellent try, but it will not work."

  "Well, you cannot say I did not try." He took the letter out of Fitzwilliam's hand and handed it back to his sister.

  "I would keep this with you. If you lose it, I do not want to be accused of stealing it." He stood up to take leave of the room. As his frame filled the doorway on his way out, he turned and addressed Georgiana. "I am off to send a post to Bingley letting him know we shall arrive the Wednesday prior to the wedding. When you write Miss Bennet back, you may inform her of that. And please send a greeting to her for me; inform her how grateful I am for all she did while she was here."

  *~*~*

  The next few weeks at Pemberley involved more caring calls and Darcy made further contacts in London regarding his idea for the school. He had Mr. Bostwick, his head gardener take a few of his young under gardeners with him to see what they could do initially to improve the natural landscaping of the land Darcy had purchased. He hired some builders to come out and design a structure for the school and housing that would best fit on the land.

  Later, when Mr. Bostwick returned, he approached Darcy to give an update of the work accomplished and also to request some time off as the day of his son's wedding was approaching. Darcy was very obliging and offered him any time off that was needed.

  Georgiana happened past at this point and informed Mr. Bostwick, to Darcy's surprise, that they would both be in attendance at the wedding and at the wedding breakfast following.

  Darcy flinched, but said nothing. Mr. Bostwick expressed his appreciation and left. "What is this? We are going to a wedding?"

  "Yes. You have spent the past few weeks visiting people in their homes, practicing sociability on a limited basis. I feel that you need more of a similar experience as to what it will be like in Hertfordshire at Jane and Mr. Bingley's wedding. Being in a large group and knowing how to behave is a great deal different than talking with a small party. I speak for myself that I need the experience and practice just as much as you do."

  "But Georgiana, could we not just send a gift? That is what I normally do!"

  "I think not. I believe our presence would be more greatly appreciated than a gift. After all, he is the son of your head gardener."

  "Well then we can just go to the wedding. I do not think it is necessary for us to attend the wedding breakfast. You know I do not have that talent of conversing with strangers. I would not be comfortable especially…" He paused and looked down at his sister. She had that look on her face that said she had heard enough excuses and the only way to learn anything was to just do it!

  "All right, Georgiana. I will agree, but promise me one thing. Let us just stay an acceptable amount of time after the meal, no longer. Agree to that for me, please."

  "If you insist, we shall just stay until after the meal."

  "Thank you."

  When she walked away, Darcy felt himself grow uneasy. He told himself it would all be fine, as he would certainly know a few people with whom he would be able to converse. He knew what he talked about with men of education, but had no idea about what most of these people talked. He hoped he would be able to find topics of conversation with them.

  He knew his tendency would be to put that blasted wall around himself that he usually did at functions like this. He would have to keep from doing that for Georgiana, and as much as he did not want to admit it, it would not be easy. But it was also for Elizabeth. He hoped that she would notice the transformation in him, which would, he also hoped, transform her opinion of him.

  The day before the Bostwick wedding, Darcy was out riding, and Georgiana was reading in the sitting room. She heard some excited voices coming from the front door. Mrs. Reynolds came in and announced to her that the young Mr. David Bostwick was at the door and needed to speak to her or her brother.

  She quickly went out to the entry way to greet a very distressed Mr. Bostwick. "Good morning, Miss Darcy," he bowed before her. "I regret to have to tell you that there was a fire in town last night, and the Lambton Assembly Hall, where we were to have our wedding breakfast, was partially destroyed by it. The only other place to have it is the smaller Lambton Inn. We are not sure how it will work out, but that is the only option we have. We were trying to le
t everyone know."

  "I am so sorry, Mr. Bostwick. Is there anything we can do?"

  He looked at her as if to say something, but only shook his head. "No, it will not be as nice as had originally been planned, but we will just have to make do."

  Georgiana thanked him for relaying the news, and he excused himself.

  What are the chances… thought Georgiana, that my brother would allow the wedding breakfast to be held here? She grimaced as she considered what he would say. This may be asking a little too much from him, but oh, how I wish we could offer them the use of Pemberley!

  Later, when her brother came in from riding, he entered the front door, removed his hat and gloves, and was met by Georgiana. "William, I have something to tell you, as well as something to ask."

  He walked over to her and took her hand, squeezing it. "Yes, my dear. What is it?"

  "I was just now informed that last night the Lambton Assembly Hall had a small fire. It was not too large, but it did enough damage to prevent the wedding breakfast from being held there." She squeezed his hand back and looked at him with big, wide eyes. Darcy drew back and he gave her a furtive glance. "The only other place that they can have it is at the Inn, but that is quite a bit smaller, and not as nice."

  "I am sorry to hear that," Darcy said, releasing her hand.

  "William, is there any possibility we can have it here?" she asked quickly, not letting herself look at him.

  "No!" The word was out of his mouth barely before Georgiana had finished asking the question. "I am sorry, Georgiana, I cannot allow that. That is out of the question." She could easily see that he was agitated, that the thought was truly bothersome to him. "Did they ask to use Pemberley?"

  "No, of course not, and I did not offer. I thought it would be a nice gesture."

  "There are just some things you do not understand. I hate to have to be so adamant, but it cannot be!"

  Darcy could tell his sister was disappointed, but he did not see how he could allow it. He knew there would be much work that would have to be done, although he knew his staff to be most capable. He also judged it very imprudent to host a houseful of people from who knows what connections. But he also wondered how he would ever be able to handle being congenial throughout the entire event. He would be obliged to be amongst them the whole time. No, this was simply out of the question. They would have to go ahead as they now had it planned and have it at the inn.

  That morning gave way to afternoon and the afternoon slowly dragged on, with Georgiana becoming very quiet and not knowing what to say to her brother. Darcy reciprocated the silence. They each took refuge in their favourite room; Darcy in his study, Georgiana in the sitting room. They each tried to read but with little success. Darcy was not happy that Georgiana was distressed about his decision, but he could not change his mind.

  Georgiana knew it had been a major request, but was inwardly hoping that he would have allowed it. How much it would have said to the people. How she prayed something would change his mind!

  *~*~*

  The next day Fitzwilliam and Georgiana Darcy stood in the entry to their house waiting as the first wedding guests arrived. He stood stiffly, shaking his head at the turn of events that brought this about.

  His house had been in a flurry of activity late into the evening yesterday and early this morning. But thanks to his excellent staff and those who had originally planned to put on the dinner at the Assembly Hall, things were ready just as the first guests pulled up. Darcy was convinced that more people attended this wedding than usual, as word spread throughout the area that the Darcys had agreed to host the wedding breakfast at Pemberley.

  He shifted from one foot to another, feeling that natural tendency he owned to draw away; be left to himself. But he could not, and would not, for his sister's sake. He thought back to the alternative that presented itself the day before and wondered which would have been the greater of the two evils.

  Yesterday afternoon, Darcy and Georgiana had gone their separate ways, both with strained feelings toward the other. Darcy locked himself in his study and Georgiana found herself in the sitting room. Both had books in front of them, but perceived very few words.

  Georgiana was stirred by the sound of a carriage pulling up front. She wondered if it could be someone again regarding the Bostwick wedding. She heard the door open and began to stand when she heard a very familiar, harsh voice say, "Where is my nephew?"

  Georgiana began to shudder as she instantly knew it was her aunt, Lady Catherine. Her heart sank as she suddenly realized this could be disastrous to her plans to get her brother to even attend the wedding. She sat back down, frozen to the chair.

  "Darcy, where are you? Where is my niece? Georgiana!"

  Mrs. Reynolds quickly came into the sitting room, saw Georgiana, and looked at her helplessly. "You aunt is here Miss Darcy. Why do you not wait until your brother sees her first? There is no sense in you having to deal with her on your own. She is terribly upset!"

  Georgiana gratefully nodded.

  Darcy heard his aunt's voice and closed his book. With his elbows on the desk, he put his head into his hands. He was not in any disposition to deal with his aunt. Why did she have to appear now? Mrs. Reynolds came in and Darcy looked up.

  "I heard."

  She nodded and quickly backed out of the room. Darcy took his time, wringing his hands together as he walked toward the door. Before reaching out to grasp the door handle, his hand took a little detour to his pocket. He pulled out the handkerchief and fingered it gently between his thumb and finger. Then he slipped it back into his pocket. "It is now or never!" he said to himself in a frustrated tone.

  He walked out and met his aunt in the drawing room. He saw immediately that she was upset. Her body was tense; she was sitting upright, her head cocked to the side. Her hand tightly gripped her cane, as if she was ready to pound it for emphasis. Darcy toughened his nerve as he walked in.

  "Good afternoon, Aunt. This is a surprise. How are you?"

  "Not well at all! I have had the most distressing news, and I do not know how I can bear it all!"

  Georgiana walked in meekly, keeping herself at a distance, behind her brother. "Good afternoon, Aunt." She curtseyed.

  "Georgiana." Her response was very short.

  "May I ask what brings you here today?" asked Darcy.

  "It is insupportable! How is it to be endured? A report of a most alarming nature reached me." She turned her head to glare at Georgiana. "Why was I not informed of my nephew's accident, considering how seriously injured he was? I have not been accustomed to being neglected like this! Georgiana, what have you to say for yourself, girl?"

  "I… uh…" Georgiana stepped even further behind her brother, holding on to him as she felt herself growing weak.

  "Aunt Catherine, I beg you to not address my sister in that manner."

  "But such thoughtlessness! It makes me wonder, Nephew, of her upbringing. I cannot help but think she would have been better off if she had been put in my care when your father passed on. Having had no mother from an early age, and then to be raised by a brother! I do not believe you have exercised the most prudent wisdom in her upbringing!"

  Darcy, furious by now at his aunt, but concerned for his sister, turned to Georgiana. Her eyes were swelling with tears at her aunt's words. "Georgiana, go to your room, right now," he said to her in a firm voice.

  "But William…"

  "I do not want to talk about it now. I want you there immediately!"

  When she left the room, Darcy turned back to his aunt. "I have never heard such absurdities in my life. I will not allow you to talk about her like that. Georgiana is young, and she did what she thought was best when I was ill. It would not have done me any good to have you here; there was nothing you could have done!" Darcy pondered how disastrous it would have been if she had come. To have had her here without his presence of mind to ward off her tirades, Georgiana would have not have fared well at all.

  "Nephew! You are
missing the whole point! I am your closest family! I should have been informed!" She stood up and stormed across to the other side of the room. "But this is not the only thing of which I have become aware that she has done. It has been brought to my attention that she is mingling with the most inferior…"

  Darcy turned away from her and tried to cut her off with, "That is enough, Aunt Catherine!"

  "I will not be interrupted! The disrespect you show!" She looked at him through piercing eyes. "I understand that she has been associating with those of the most inferior station and connections, actually going into their homes. And now I come to hear that she has been taking you along with her. Darcy, you know that such associations must not pollute our family. And I will not allow you to continue to do such a thing, knowing that such behaviour would be polluting my own daughter when you marry her! This is…"

  Darcy turned on her in anger. "Aunt Catherine! We have been through this again and again! I have no intention; have never had any intention of marrying your daughter!"

  "But Nephew, you must! It was your mother's favourite wish as well as my own, intended from your infancy. You cannot go against your mother's wish!"

  Darcy drew in a very raspy breath. He knew he had to calm down, but had little hope of doing so on his own. "I have only heard from you that it was her wish. I never heard of any such thing until after her death. I cannot believe my mother would have been a part of such a scheme. Even in her own marriage, she married for love. I could not marry for anything less!"

  "This is not to be borne! I never thought I would hear such words from you! Who you marry is of utmost concern to me… to the family name!"

  "Aunt Catherine, you have no say in whom I marry. If I choose to marry someone of the poorest connections, that is my business, not your concern at all, but I am not marrying your daughter!"

  "Oh! You are just as insolent as your sister! But let me be rightly understood, in this other matter of your consorting with those inferior to our name. I do not know what has befallen you, but I must insist that it stop! If you were sensible of the sphere in which you were brought up, you would discontinue these disgraceful associations immediately!"