Mr. Darcy's Little Sister

by C. Allyn Pierson

  Having been the recipient of such a dressing down himself, Darcy felt a brief pang of sympathy for St. George; however, he roused himself to say, “Elizabeth noticed that she looked fairly put out when they rejoined us before the ball, but she did not have a chance to talk to her before the guests arrived. Georgiana seemed to be fine after greeting the guests and Elizabeth did not pursue the subject. So, what did you do after St. George’s comments?”

  The colonel stopped pacing and stared up at the ceiling, looking embarrassed. “I asked him to go outside with me for a private conversation. I then told him that I did not ever want to hear him say such a thing about my fiancée, or any other respectable young woman, again. He sneered at me and asked me what I was going to do to enforce that demand—so I hit him.”

  “You what?!” Darcy sat up in his chair.

  “You heard me. I am deeply sorry that Georgiana’s name should become involved in such a sordid display, but I can at least say that there were no witnesses to it.” His lip curled as he added, “My brother, however, will not be partaking of the gaieties of the Season for the next week or so, until the black eye that I gave him fades.”

  Darcy murmured, “A verbis ad verbera.”

  Fitzwilliam gave his cousin a sharp look and continued, “My parents are absolutely furious with him. My mother is not speaking to him and my father took him into the library while St. George was still holding a wet cloth to his eye and told him (in a booming voice that I am sure all of the servants heard) that he was ashamed to call him his son and that if he could prevent him from inheriting the estate and title he would. I have never seen my father so angry. He also cut off his allowance, which he does have the discretion to do. St. George is furious and unrepentant, and you know how stubborn he is.” He sighed deeply. “What a mess, and just when I was ready to be happily engaged and enjoy my loss of freedom. How did he get to be like this?”

  “I do not know, but I know that your mother and father have always seemed to be excellent parents and have tried to make him be a responsible adult. Still, if you recall, he was always very self-centred. I can only think that he must have been born that way. The two of you have always looked very much alike and been the complete opposite in temper. Do you remember when we found him throwing rocks at the barn cat he had tied up at Whitwell Abbey? He just shrugged when we yelled at him and asked why we were so angry: ‘it was just an old cat.’”

  “Yes, I remember that and a thousand other things. What upsets me the most right now, however, is that I will have to tell Georgiana something about it; she will wonder why St. George isn’t at any parties over the next week or so.”

  Darcy drummed his fingers on the desk. “Very true. You will have to tell her. She will probably be embarrassed that you were fighting over her, but on the other hand, you can’t leave her in ignorance; she may have more embarrassment having people asking her where he is or saying something inadvertently.” After a moment of silence, he gave his cousin a sly smile. “Besides, what woman would not be secretly happy to have her fiancé proved to be a knight in shining armour, willing to battle for her honour?”

  Colonel Fitzwilliam blushed and then grimaced. “I will talk to her this evening and tell her something.”

  “I suggest that you tell her everything. As Elizabeth once pointed out to your father, my sister is not one to be overcome by the truth, even if it is unpalatable, Fitzwilliam. She would not thank you for trying to ‘protect’ her from reality to that extent.”

  Fitzwilliam silently nodded his agreement.

  ***

  The ladies came downstairs for dinner, and Jane and Bingley and the Gardiners arrived. Elizabeth had invited them to dine a few days before, and now there was a particularly happy reason to have the family gathered. Georgiana was wearing the green gown she had worn to the Elliots’ ball, but with her pearl necklace and earrings and the bracelet the colonel had given her for her birthday, and she was flushed with happiness as she accepted their congratulations.

  Colonel Fitzwilliam smiled and kissed Georgiana’s hand before leading her into the dining-room at the head of the line, a position of importance that pleased Georgiana greatly.

  Later, after the gentlemen had rejoined the ladies in the drawing-room, the colonel took Georgiana to the far end of the room and began talking earnestly to her. While the Gardiners and the Bingleys sat and drank their tea and coffee, Darcy asked Elizabeth to play for them and he sat next to her at the pianoforte so that the two lovers could talk in privacy. Elizabeth was halfway through a sonata when Georgiana burst out giggling. She and Darcy both looked over; Georgiana had her fingers covering her mouth and Fitzwilliam had a chagrined expression on his face. Then Georgiana took his hand and said something very quietly in his ear, which made him smile foolishly at her.

  ***

  Later, when they went upstairs, Darcy explained to Elizabeth what had happened at his uncle’s house, and she also laughed.

  “It serves St. George right!” she exclaimed.

  “It does indeed. I cannot believe that my cousin would behave in such an ill-bred fashion, particularly saying such things about Georgiana. I have half a mind to blacken his other eye!” he said scornfully.

  Elizabeth laughed again. “That would be very satisfying, no doubt; however, it might be difficult to keep it hushed up if everyone in the family takes a turn at blackening his eyes.”

  “Unfortunately,” Darcy said seriously, “there has always been a great deal of competition between my two cousins, on St. George’s side at least. It is rather odd since he is the one who will inherit everything, while Fitzwilliam will get little or nothing. I suspect St. George realises that, for all his wealth and prospects, Fitzwilliam has always been the one whom everyone likes. When we were young boys, Fitzwilliam and I always went off to play without him, because even then he was an arrogant braggart who always wanted to rub our noses in the fact that he would one day be an earl. It bothered him very much that neither of us seemed much impressed by him.”

  “I had wondered why you never mentioned your elder cousin when you are such good friends with the colonel. It is very surprising to me that the colonel is as happy and easy as he is after having to deal with such treatment from his brother for his entire life.”

  “Well, his parents have always tried to improve St. George’s temper and make him face the responsibilities that go along with his status, and Fitzwilliam has always been relaxed and easy; it is just his temper to be contented. My aunt must be very happy that he is marrying Georgiana.”

  “I am sure she is. She sent Georgiana a long note this afternoon telling her so. She wants us all to dine with them tomorrow night, if you have not made other plans.”

  Darcy chuckled suddenly.

  “I wonder if St. George will dine with us.”

  They both laughed heartily.

  ***

  Georgiana carried her candle to her bedside table and pulled out her diary. She had neglected it of late; she had been fearful that any words she put down would be engraved on her heart forever. Until she knew of the success or failure of her bid for the colonel’s affection she had not dared to reveal more of her feelings, even to herself. Tonight, however, she could pen the love that threatened to burst out of her:

  6 June: I can finally take up my diary again, my old friend who has stood by me through everything. Today I am the happiest of women. Today my dear Edward asked for my hand, and in a manner so warm, so passionate that I could wish for nothing more to make my happiness complete. I do not yet know when the wedding will be; we were so absorbed that we did not get to those details, but we will have plenty of time to decide those details and the rest of our lives to show how much we love each other!

  She put her pen and her book away and blew out the candle.

  ***

  The next evening the Darcys arrived at Longford House for dinner, and Georgiana was embraced a
nd kissed by her future mother- and father-in-law. Darcy and Elizabeth were told how happy they were that they would be even more closely related. They had a very enjoyable dinner and Georgiana was bubbly and talkative in her happiness. Lord St. George did not put in an appearance and was not mentioned by the family.

  When they had a moment of privacy in the drawing-room, Lady Whitwell told Elizabeth how pleased she was about the engagement.

  “Edward has always been my favourite son, although as a mother I should not admit it. I have been concerned about his future, since almost the entire estate is entailed; his marriage to Georgiana answers all of my concerns and, of course, makes me very happy for them both. I wish I could feel as sanguine about my eldest son’s future,” she said, looking rather sadly towards the staircase that led to the upper floors.

  Elizabeth took her hand and patted it reassuringly. Lady Whitwell sighed for a moment and then seemed to pull herself up, smiling at Elizabeth.

  “Thank you, my dear. I might as well not discuss it. I do not want to put a damper on Georgiana and Edward’s happiness tonight, so we will just let the future take care of itself, shall we?”

  Elizabeth agreed, and they quietly listened to Georgiana playing the pianoforte.

  After they dined, they were all to go to the Bingleys for the party Jane had been planning with Kitty’s help. It would be Jane’s first foray into entertaining during the London Season, and Elizabeth hoped that all would go well and help establish her sister in her rightful place in society. It was to be a small party, with friends and relatives, and they would have dancing and cards and would conclude with a late supper. They hurried over their coffee and tea so that they would not be late and then left for Berkeley Square.

  Chapter 24

  This man of clay, son of despite.

  —John Milton, Paradise Lost

  Jane’s party was an unqualified success. The guests included Bingley’s relatives—the Hursts and Miss Bingley—as well as a number of friends of Bingley’s. The Comte de Tournay was there as well, at Caroline’s request Georgiana presumed. When the Darcy party entered, Miss Bingley asked whether Lord St. George was with them, and Lady Whitwell told her without hesitation, “I am so sorry, Miss Bingley, my eldest son is not feeling well tonight and so could not come. However, I am sure that he will be better soon.”

  Miss Bingley quickly covered her disappointment and spent the evening being charming to the count. The Blake family was at the party and Kitty was kept happy dancing and, in the intervals, talking with Edward Blake. Georgiana’s friend Catherine was also there, as she and Jane had become well acquainted during the Season, and she spent the evening conversing with Sir Robert Blake when she was not with Georgiana. A whist table was set up in the small parlour adjoining the salon for those guests who could not, or would not, dance, and the dining-parlour offered a variety of refreshments. Jane had been fortunate enough to find a housekeeper for the town house who was highly respectable and very competent, and the arrangements for the party were most elegant.

  The guests finally trickled out of the door at around one o’clock, leaving the host to relax with one last glass of wine in the company of his nearest relations while Jane rested her feet on a footstool. She looked pleased with the success of her little entertainment, and Elizabeth bolstered her feelings with her own compliments.

  “I had a delightful time, my dear sister. Now you can relax for the remaining days of the Season and let other hostesses work to entertain you, although your triumph sets a rather high standard for them to maintain.”

  “Dearest Lizzy! You are always so good to me!”

  “Indeed I am not! I am only stating the plain truth of the matter,” Elizabeth returned with spirit as she gathered her things for the ride home.

  ***

  The next morning Darcy went to his club and ran into the colonel.

  “Darcy, I hoped I might find you here.” He grasped his cousin’s arm and drew him into the club’s small library, where they were the only visitors.

  “What is it, Fitzwilliam?” Darcy asked, his alert eyes scanning his cousin’s face.

  “I have two things to tell you, Cousin. The first is that my brother left town this morning and would not say where he was going. He merely told our father that, since he no longer had an allowance to enable him to live like a gentleman in London, he was going into the country.” After a moment he added, “I wonder where he has gone?”

  “And I wonder what his creditors will think of this turn,” Darcy commented.

  “I know not. My parents are very upset and are hoping that he will not do anything to discredit the family name.”

  “I think that your brother thinks more of the family name than he does the well-being of its members, but it is difficult to predict what a man will do when he is angry,” he said grimly. “Unfortunately, there is not much we can do about it, whatever his plans, but I am sure your parents are going to have a disagreeable time until he reappears.”

  “No doubt.”

  Darcy started to turn towards the door, but the colonel detained him.

  “You have forgotten that I have two pieces of news for you. The second is that my informant at the palace revealed to me that Captain Blackman finally told him the names of his co-conspirators in exchange for his life. I mentioned to you last time we spoke that Lord Liverpool has been pressing for a conclusion to this possible threat to the prince.” He paused and looked at his cousin for a moment. “The ‘W’ in the letter was Jonathan Walker.”

  “Really?” Darcy stared at him in shock for a moment then walked over to the window and stared out, thinking about the possible ramifications of this development. “Has Walker been arrested?”

  “Not yet. I have kept out of this investigation, for which I am now eternally thankful. I would hate to be examining my conscience to try to decide if I had jumped to conclusions because of my desire to implicate Walker.”

  “What do you think will happen?”

  “My informant told me that they will arrest Walker. If he is convicted of treason it is likely he will hang. His property has already been confiscated.”

  “Walker does not have any property except what he administers for his father.”

  “Well, we will see.”

  “Mmmm.” Darcy’s mind was reeling with the news about Walker. He waved vaguely when the colonel told him goodbye.

  ***

  When Darcy came home he told Elizabeth and Georgiana the news about St. George with a bleak face. He held back the information on Walker. Better that he and Fitzwilliam have no part of that. As his cousin had implied, they were both too close to the situation to be objective. Elizabeth was surprised at St. George’s defection, but Georgiana shrugged indifferently.

  “At least I will not have to meet him in public.”

  “There is, unfortunately, not much we can do about his plan, whatever it is, but I am sure that my aunt and uncle are going to have an unpleasant time over the next few weeks.”

  Elizabeth agreed that this was likely but could see no hope of improving the situation except to be a support to Lord St. George’s parents. Darcy agreed and decided to visit his uncle that afternoon.

  Several days went by without news of Lord St. George. The colonel was divided between his happiness with his engagement and concern over his brother and what he might do in the heat of his anger and resentment. He put the situation with Walker firmly out of his mind, and Georgiana tried to keep his spirits up and his mind off Lord St. George, with some success, and they both basked in the good wishes of all of their friends.

  Catherine Freemont called on Georgiana often and showed a lively interest in her friend’s happiness. As always, Georgiana took delight in her company and was pleased to hear that Sir Robert Blake continued to be attentive when they met at parties and dances.

  Georgiana even received a letter of congratulati
ons from Lady Catherine de Bourgh after the engagement was published in the papers, which she showed Elizabeth:

  My dear Niece,—

  Congratulations on your engagement to Colonel Fitzwilliam. The match is highly suitable and I am very happy that you, unlike some people, are willing to do your duty to the family. Give my regards to the colonel and his family.—Sincerely,

  Lady Catherine de Bourgh

  “My aunt would not be quite so pleased had she known that I turned down Lord St. George to marry the younger son of the family,” Georgiana stated smugly.

  “I am surprised that she is not angry because she might have got the colonel for her daughter. After all, a younger son and an heiress with no brothers or sisters: what could be better?” Elizabeth smiled mischievously at her.

  Georgiana responded with a roll of her eyes and they moved on to more agreeable topics.

  ***

  The next day, the Darcys were at breakfast when Burton announced Mr. Bingley. They all looked up in surprise at this early call. Bingley’s eyes were sparkling as he, at Darcy’s invitation, sat down at the table. After the footman had laid his place and retired from the breakfast-parlour, Bingley burst out with, “I thank you. I ran over without breakfasting in order to bring you the big news. I wanted to let you know that Caroline accepted a proposal of marriage from the Comte de Tournay.”

  They all exclaimed over this and demanded further details.

  “He trotted up to me while I was taking my morning ride around Rotten Row this morning and asked for my permission. He apparently asked her during a party they both attended last night. She must have given up on your cousin when he left London. I feel very odd, by the way, giving permission as the head of the household for my sister to marry someone old enough to be my father,” he said in some embarrassment.

  They all laughed at him and gave him their congratulations, and Elizabeth added that she and Georgiana would call on Miss Bingley later in the day to convey their felicitations to her in person.