Mr. Darcy's Little Sister

by C. Allyn Pierson

  ***

  After dinner, when the gentlemen had rejoined them, Elizabeth, at the colonel’s request, played the pianoforte and sang and then she and Georgiana played a duet they had been practising for the occasion while their guests enjoyed their coffee and tea. Colonel Fitzwilliam sat next to Kitty during the performance, but Kitty looked down at her hands during most of their conversation, her cheeks pink.

  After they had finished playing, as the guests circulated around the room, Elizabeth found herself standing next to the colonel, a little apart from the others.

  “I have not had the chance to speak to you much since my arrival,” the colonel said quietly. “I wanted to thank you for all that you have done for Georgiana. I can see that she is already a little more comfortable in company, and Darcy tells me that you have taken her under your wing as a true sister. She is still very young, even for her age, and it is reassuring that she will have you to advise and guide her—it is very difficult for two old men like Darcy and me to care for the needs of a sixteen-year-old girl without a woman’s advice. Mrs. Annesley, of course, has been very good to her, but a sister just a little older than she will understand her far better than we can.”

  “You don’t need to thank me, Colonel,” Elizabeth said in some embarrassment. “Georgiana is a sweet girl and I love her dearly already.”

  “Well, I won’t mention it again, but I just wanted you to know that I appreciate your efforts,” the colonel murmured absently as he looked over at his ward, who was giggling with Kitty at some of Lucky’s antics.

  ***

  The days passed quickly. The Friday of the ball soon arrived and the house was filled with the bustle of preparations. Elizabeth and Georgiana met with Mrs. Reynolds immediately after breakfast, but dealing with the many details of the ball took them most of the morning. When they were finished they returned to their guests and found that the younger gentlemen had gone for a ride, while Mr. Bennet was reading in the library. The ladies spent the rest of the morning talking and working on their needlework as it was too cold for a walk.

  Georgiana had shown Kitty the conservatory earlier in the week, and they enjoyed playing with Lucky among the tropical foliage. He was already learning to fetch a rubber ball on command, although he was still clumsy and often tumbled head over heels trying to chase it, landing on his nose with a very surprised look on his face, to the amusement of the girls.

  The morning of the ball, Georgiana asked casually, “Have you been to many balls, Kitty?”

  “Oh, yes. When the militia were quartered in Meryton last winter there were several private balls. Mr. Bingley gave one at Netherfield Hall and the militia gave one as well. Most of the time, though, we had smaller dances, parties, and teas, as well as the balls at the Assembly Hall. It was really lovely having all of the officers available for dancing, although not all of them could dance well.” She giggled, remembering a couple of ensigns who had been hopeless, and then shrugged. “Then, in the summer they moved to Brighton and life in Meryton was very dull in comparison.”

  “Your youngest sister is married to an officer, is she not?”

  “Yes, Lydia is married to Mr. Wickham. He was a lieutenant in Colonel Forster’s regiment, but he changed to the regulars when he and Lydia married, and they are stationed in Newcastle.”

  “Do you miss seeing your sister?”

  Kitty considered a while and then slowly said, “Lydia and I spent all our time together as the two youngest of five daughters. We were not interested in anything but the officers from the moment they came, and they absorbed all our thoughts. But they left for their summer quarters, and Lydia was invited to go with them as the guest of Colonel Forster’s wife… I was mad with jealousy. Why should she be allowed to go when I was not, particularly since I was two years older? Then she eloped with Wickham. My father was furious, and my mother swooned and took to her bed while he went off to look for them. When she had first written and hinted that this might happen, I thought it just a lark; she told me that they were eloping to Gretna Green to marry. Their actions almost destroyed my family. After the news came out we heard all sorts of bad things about Wickham and about his gaming debts.

  “When Wickham was finally induced to marry Lydia, with the assistance of my Uncle Gardiner, they came to stay for a fortnight before leaving for Newcastle. When they arrived you would think that nothing had ever been done wrong by them. They did not have an ounce of shame between them. I do not want to do that to my family. I know that I will not find a husband such as Mr. Bingley or your brother. I have no fortune, no family name, no particular qualities of intelligence or grace, and I do not have enough beauty to tempt a gentleman to overlook those deficits. I am just an ordinary girl whose father is a gentleman, and the men who are in a similar situation cannot afford to marry without money.” There was a note of despair in her voice.

  Georgiana took her hand and squeezed it. “I think you do not give yourself enough credit, Kitty, but you must consider one thing. When you do find a young man who wishes to marry you, it will be because he loves you, not because he wants to enhance his social standing with your fortune or your family name.”

  Kitty looked at her friend and sighed.

  “And, my dear, since your sisters have married well, you will at least have a chance of meeting some gentlemen.”

  “I know, I know; Lord knows that’s all my mother talks about. I wonder if Elizabeth will invite me to come to London when you go.”

  “We will just have to make sure that she does.” Georgiana gave her a grin which finally caused an answering smile on Kitty’s face. After a moment, Georgiana leaned over and wrapped her arms around her and patted her gently on the back. Kitty whispered, “Thank you, Georgiana.”

  ***

  They had an earlier and larger repast than usual that afternoon, not quite dinner but more than tea, for they would need time to prepare for the ball and supper would not be until midnight. Georgiana and Kitty sat side by side on the settee and sipped their tea and whispered nervously to each other. Elizabeth saw that they were not eating and said, “You must try to eat, my dears. It will be a long evening before supper is served.”

  Georgiana swallowed, her face pale, and nodded. Jane passed them each a cucumber sandwich.

  “Please try, my dears.”

  They obediently bit into their sandwiches and slowly ate them, but neither was able to eat any of the cakes or scones offered on the tray, and eventually the gong sounded that it was time to dress.

  ***

  Upstairs, everything was in a state of hushed pandemonium as the ladies’ maids and valets rushed to and from their masters’ and mistresses’ rooms on urgent errands—to touch up the ironing of a cravat or find a needle and thread for a repair. Georgiana’s lady’s maid, Durand, had come to Pemberley with them but she was young and still learning, so Elizabeth’s maid was to do Georgiana’s and Kitty’s hair. When they knocked on Elizabeth’s door Durand admitted them. Lambert was in the middle of telling her mistress, with a somewhat malicious twinkle in her eye, that she and Oliver had agreed that the master and mistress should be especially dazzling tonight.

  “I have been planning a new hairstyle for you, Madame Darcy, which I saw while we were in London and have been waiting for an occasion to try. I think it will be très chic, Madame, and will be magnifique with your new gown. Oliver has selected, pending monsieur’s approval naturellement, a black waistcoat which has a very thin, pale yellow stripe in ze pattern, which will thus pick up ze couleur of Madame’s gown. Nothing blatant vous comprenez, but just a leetle hint to ze other ladies that Monsieur Darcy belongs with Madame.”

  “Very well, Lambert,” Elizabeth said, as Lambert’s accent became more and more pronounced in her excitement. “I put myself entirely in your hands.”

  With an air of supreme satisfaction, Lambert began her work. When she finished Elizabeth twirled around so the gi
rls could see her.

  “You look wonderful, Elizabeth!” Georgiana applauded, and Kitty nodded her agreement, her face beaming.

  “Thank you, ladies. Lambert, you should do Miss Darcy next because she will need to be ready early to greet the visitors.”

  “Oui, Madame Darcy.” The maid tested the heat remaining in the curling tongs and turned to Georgiana.

  ***

  When she looked down over the balustrade and saw everyone gathered downstairs for the ball, Georgiana was dazzled by the rainbow of colours. Jane’s pastel pink gown competed with Miss Bingley’s vibrant russet. Elizabeth’s lemon-coloured gown shimmered with iridescence in the candlelight and the newly set diamonds in her ears and around her neck reflected a million points of light around the hall. Georgiana felt a little musty and worn compared to their splendour, in spite of her pale satin gown and the strands of pearls Lambert had woven into her hair.

  Georgiana had just begun to look around for Kitty when she appeared behind her, gowned in blue-grey silk, her hair a confection of curls and ribbons.

  “Georgiana, you look lovely!”

  Georgiana smiled ruefully. “Thank you. I just wish that my gown was a trifle more stylish. The one part of my official debut that I am looking forwards to is that I will be allowed to wear lower-cut bodices on my gowns.”

  “Well, you look very well anyway.” Kitty took her arm and they walked down the stairs together.

  “You ladies look splendid,” Elizabeth said as she kissed Georgiana and Kitty and smiled at Miss Bingley.

  The gentlemen soon joined them, and the guests began arriving for the ball. The Darcys were kept busy greeting their guests and introducing them to the Bingleys and the Bennets. Georgiana was relieved to find herself between Elizabeth and her brother in the reception line. She had merely to say “good evening” and curtsey, and the responsibilities of greeting and introducing would be left to her brother and sister. When Jonathan Walker arrived with his parents, he greeted Darcy and Elizabeth and bowed over Georgiana’s hand. Georgiana was embarrassed at this public display of peculiar regard and felt her cheeks burn. To divert his attention, she gestured to Elizabeth’s other side and said, “Mr. Walker, this is Miss Catherine Bennet.”

  Walker purred, “Delighted, Miss Bennet” then turned back to Georgiana. “Could I possibly engage you for the first two dances, Miss Darcy?”

  Georgiana, her eyes staring at her toes, mumbled, “I am sorry, I am already engaged for the first two.”

  “Perhaps the second pair then?”

  “Yes, thank you.”

  “Miss Bennet, would you, perhaps, give me the pleasure of the first two dances?”

  “Why yes, Mr. Walker, I would be delighted.” Kitty swept into a curtsey which Georgiana could only envy.

  Georgiana breathed a sigh of relief when Walker had passed and she had only some elderly friends of the family to greet.

  The orchestra had begun playing as soon as the first carriage rolled up to the door, and when the guests had all arrived Elizabeth and Darcy led the first dance. They were followed down the line by Georgiana and Colonel Fitzwilliam and Jane and Bingley. Kitty followed the Bingleys with Jonathan Walker, her face showing her pleasure in being asked for the first pair of dances.

  Elizabeth was kept busy by her husband making the acquaintance of all their guests. Georgiana found herself the centre of attention around the dance floor, with several young men vying for her attention every moment she was not dancing. Kitty stayed by her side and when they had a moment’s peace, whispered, “I am staying with you, Georgiana, so I can catch a few of the disappointed cast-offs from among your admirers.”

  Georgiana lifted her brow at her sister and they both giggled, but she could not maintain her good humour when there were so many demands upon her attention. One of the gentlemen in her coterie was Sir Robert Blake, who asked her to dance early in the evening and then gave Kitty equal time. Sir Robert’s handsome looks and genial temper struck Georgiana. She had thought of him as being in the same generation as her brother and too old and experienced for her, but he was quite good looking. He was very kind, his conversation light and undemanding. She enjoyed their two dances and gave him as much encouragement as she was capable of, hoping for another pair of dances after supper. Georgiana, while she was waiting to go down the line, watched Kitty dance with an awkward young man of about eighteen who had crooked teeth and ears like a jug. She had already forgotten his name, but he was most likely a not unpleasing partner as his parents had made sure that he knew how to dance properly.

  As the first part of the evening wore on, Georgiana could feel herself tiring from the pressure of all her dance partners. She was relieved when Elizabeth rescued her and made sure that she was seated with her sister and brother for supper, leaving Kitty to sit with Jonathan Walker and Sir Robert Blake’s middle brother, James.

  At the supper table, Georgiana studied the Comte de Tournay, who was across from her. He had arrived at his sister’s for Christmas, as expected, and tonight was the first time she had met him. The Darcys had been invited to Kympton Hall for dinner two days hence, so they would all have a better opportunity to learn his tastes and temper then, but this, her first glimpse of him, was intriguing. He was somewhat over forty years old and handsome in a dark, brooding way but looked rather dissipated; his lower lids were pouched, and deep creases marked the line between his nose and mouth. In spite of having lived in England for more than twenty years he was consciously French, with Continental manners. He had tried to make himself agreeable to Georgiana during the first half of the ball, but she had not known what to say to him. Elizabeth must have seen her dilemma, because she had swept him up and introduced him to Miss Bingley. He had seemed to be quite pleased to dance with her and Caroline had appeared entranced to meet a count, even one whose fortune had disappeared into the churning maw of the French Revolution.

  Georgiana was not so well satisfied, however, with Jonathan Walker, who seemed to be always hovering near her. When he talked to her, he leaned towards her in an intimate manner which made her want to step back away from him, and only the most stringent effort prevented her from fleeing. Elizabeth had been keeping an eye on them and she again rescued Georgiana when Mr. Walker was pressing her to allow him to escort her to church.

  “Please say you will, Miss Darcy. I am counting on you.”

  Elizabeth appeared at his side and interjected mildly, “Counting on her for what Mr. Walker?”

  He started but quickly recovered himself.

  “I am trying to convince Miss Darcy to allow me to escort her to church this Sunday, Mrs. Darcy.”

  “I am sorry, but I am afraid that Georgiana will have responsibilities with our guests on Sunday, Mr. Walker.” She managed to infuse the refusal with a creditable counterfeit of real regret, but Georgiana could hear the chill in her voice.

  “Ah. Perhaps another time then. Miss Darcy, Mrs. Darcy.” He bowed and moved off.

  Elizabeth watched him for a moment as he asked Miss Blake to dance and then turned to Georgiana, who sighed in relief.

  “Are you all right, my dear?” Elizabeth whispered.

  “I am now. Thank you, Elizabeth. You are my friend forever. I did not know what to do with him,” she said with a brief smile.

  Elizabeth grinned at her and went back to Darcy’s side, relieved that Georgiana still had a spark of spirit remaining. Darcy had noticed her defection from his side.

  “How is Georgiana doing?”

  “She seems to be fine, but I thought I needed to give her a little assistance in detaching young Mr. Walker. I think she is beginning to find him too persistent. He rather reminds me of a limpet.”

  Darcy chuckled but had a wary look in his eye as he watched Mr. Walker dance with Miss Blake. “A very apt comparison, but if necessary we will forcibly disengage him and throw him back into the sea.”

&n
bsp; “Indeed we will,” she murmured and turned to talk to some guests who were approaching. Colonel Fitzwilliam stopped at her side after finishing a set on the dance floor and commented on the change in his cousin.

  “I have never before seen Darcy so relaxed and happy at a ball,” he said. “You are a miracle worker, Mrs. Darcy.” He gave her a courtly bow.

  She smiled archly at him and thanked him but commented, “You just keep your eye on Georgiana, my dear cousin. I do not want her to be overwhelmed with all these young men. They are insistent enough to give her, as the Scottish would say, a ‘cauld grue.’”

  He looked over at his ward and said, “You are right, my dear Mrs. Darcy, and Jonathan Walker is the most importunate of them all. I believe that I will go break up the group and ask her to dance again; I think an old cousin can have a second dance without causing undue comment.”

  Georgiana was beginning to feel very limp when her cousin strolled over and neatly captured her from the mass of gentlemen in a manoeuvre that did credit to his military training. She felt her tension dissipate as they danced the set, and she revived enough to notice the other young women watching them. She looked at her cousin speculatively and noted for the first time his soldierly carriage and his pleasant countenance. She could, perhaps, see why (annoying as he could sometimes be) he always had plenty of invitations to parties when he was in London.

  She scanned the room. Kitty was dancing every dance and had partnered with Edward Blake, the youngest of the Blakes, at least twice that Georgiana had seen. They made a pleasing couple as they went through the figures of the dance and Kitty’s face was flushed with heat and gratification. Her new friend seemed to be enjoying herself now that she had overcome her awe at being at Pemberley.

  She saw Elizabeth go to the door and speak to her father, who had appeared from his refuge in the library. Georgiana was sure that her brother would also prefer to spend the evening in the library; she well knew his dislike of balls and dancing. He, however, was doing his best to be a good host and seemed actually to be enjoying himself. She noted these things while she and Colonel Fitzwilliam were engaged in a conversation with Miss Blake. Georgiana reflected to herself that Miss Blake, pleasant as she was, was rather insipid and silly. Still, her manners were excellent, and it was nice to have another young woman to talk to occasionally. She saw that Miss Blake seemed to be rather taken with the colonel, smiling at him attentively whenever he entered the conversation, which was often, with his easy manners. She coolly examined the two of them while they talked to each other, her face, she hoped, impassive. Miss Blake was attractive and her fortune was suitable for her cousin, but she hoped that he could find someone who was more than just a pretty face for a wife.