by Linda Wells
Mr. Hendricks, his butler, entered and announced. “Mrs. Annesley, sir.”
Darcy stood and walked around to the front of his desk. A woman, likely in her late forties, entered the room and curtseyed. She seemed to be assessing the tall, dark man as closely as he was examining her. Darcy took in the features of the slightly plump woman with a friendly face. He bowed. “Mrs. Annesley, it is a pleasure to meet you. Please take a seat.” He indicated the deep leather chair before his desk, and as she made herself comfortable, he moved around to his own chair. “I have had a great many glowing recommendations of you. If half of them are true, I will have been very fortunate to have found you before another family did.” She raised her brow at him. “I would hope that all of the recommendations are verifiable, sir.”
A slight smile appeared on his lips and disappeared. She was intelligent. That was good. “Forgive me, Mrs. Annesley. I have recently been forced to dismiss my sister’s last companion, and her references were seemingly impeccable. You might understand my wariness.”
She inclined her head. “I have taken no offence sir. It is fortunate that my last employer’s daughter married just last week and you found yourself in need of a new companion for your sister at the same time.”
Darcy nodded. “Mrs. Annesley, as my employee, I will expect loyalty and discretion. No discussion of anything that happens in my homes or to any of my family will be tolerated with outsiders, and preferably with no one inside of those homes, although I am aware that the staff does enjoy discussing us over tea in the kitchen.” Another slight smile appeared and was gone. Mrs. Annesley noted it with interest. It seemed Mr. Darcy had a kind heart hidden deep under his sombre appearance. “Yes sir, I understand.”
“My sister, as you are aware, is fifteen years old, and has no mother. I have done the best that I can since our parent’s deaths, but … a recent event has made it abundantly clear that she is in great need of someone besides a much older brother to guide her.”
“Yes, the elopement.” Mrs. Annesley said.
Darcy’s eyes flashed. “You know about it?”
Very gently she said, “Sir, you are not the only one investigating references. When your name was brought to my attention as a possible employer, I asked my former families if your home would be one that I would feel comfortable entering. I was assured that you were always looked upon in the past as displaying the epitome of honour, however, since your sister’s … behaviour, your good name has been hurt by association with her transgression.”
His jaw clenched. “My sister did nothing wrong. She was led astray by those who wished to take advantage of her naiveté and her good heart.”
“I have no doubt of that, sir, but forgive me, if you expect her to heal, she will have to face her part in it, as will you.”
“I have already accepted my blame for what happened, madam.” He said tersely.
“You misunderstand me. You must accept that your sister played a role.” She looked at him with all sincerity.
Darcy said nothing for several moments. “We will be leaving for our estate in Derbyshire in a fortnight. It is my intention to stay there until at least next February. We may be invited to stay at a friend’s estate this autumn, but as he has yet to sign a lease, I can not say for sure when or where it will be. In the meantime, if you have never experienced a winter in Derbyshire, I suggest that you acquire some suitable warm clothing prior to our departure.” He stood and she did as well. “I assume that the pay I have offered in my letter was sufficient?”
“Yes sir, it was.” He nodded. “Fine, let me introduce you to Miss Darcy. When can you begin?”
“I can start tomorrow afternoon, sir. That should give me sufficient time to order the new things.” She wondered if she had enough funds to cover this unexpected expense.
He nodded again. “Good. Have the bills for the new items sent to me. I do not expect you to shoulder this burden.” He turned and walked from the room. Mrs. Annesley stood for a moment staring at him in surprise, and finding herself alone, hurried to catch up with him.
She followed him into a beautiful room full of sunlight and dominated by a large pianoforte and harp, with comfortable sofas and chairs scattered about, waiting to be filled by an audience. A young girl stood nervously by the instrument, staring at the floor. She watched as he tenderly took his sister’s hand and whispered something to her. She nodded and raised her eyes to see her new companion. “Mrs. Annesley, may I present my sister, Miss Georgiana Darcy?” In a soft tone he turned to his sister. “Georgiana, this is Mrs. Annesley, your new companion.”
“I am pleased to meet you.” Georgiana whispered and looked back down.
Mrs. Annesley was taken aback by the fragile girl before her. She was not at all what she expected after hearing the stories of her attempted elopement. She began to understand more about Mr. Darcy’s vehement defence of his sister. She smiled. “I am delighted to meet you too, Miss Darcy.”
Darcy let go of her hand. “Well, I will leave you to become acquainted, if you will excuse me?” He smiled reassuringly into Georgiana’s panicked eyes and nodded to Mrs. Annesley, then left the room, leaving the two alone. Walking down the hallway he breathed a sigh of relief. He hoped that this woman could help his sister survive the next few years before, well hopefully, she will be successfully presented and she might start over.
He returned to his study and began concentrating on a report from his steward when he was again interrupted by his butler. A little annoyed he looked up to see his personal messenger Danny entering the room. Suddenly all annoyance was forgotten as he watched, with what he thought of as cruel deliberation, Danny removing a sealed letter from his pouch and handing it to him. He saw the swirls and curls of a distinctly feminine hand forming his name on the outside, and instantly his heart started beating faster. He tore his eyes away from his treasure for a moment to address his servant. “Did you have any trouble locating Longbourn?”
“No sir, it seems to be one of the larger estates in the area, and with five daughters, the Bennets seem to be quite well-known.” He grinned.
“Five daughters?” Darcy thought back, he only saw four. “So, tell me, what did you learn of the family?”
Danny was surprised, Mr. Darcy was not one for gossip, but he was happy to oblige. “Well sir, the estate, Longbourn, brings in about two thousand a year, there is no son, it is entailed but nobody has seen the heir as yet. The two eldest girls are the picture of propriety, Miss Bennet is said to be the one with beauty, the second eldest, Miss Elizabeth is said to have a sharp wit and kind heart. The younger girls, well, one likes sermonizing while the last two like men in red coats.” He grinned again, thinking he would have liked to have met those two. “I hear the Missus is determined to find husbands for them and is rather, uh, loud. The master keeps his sanity by keeping to his study with his port.”
Darcy stared at him. “How on earth did you learn all of this?”
He laughed. “Oh, well, Miss Elizabeth took the parcel and asked the housekeeper to find me something to eat while I waited for her response. The maids were just itching to find out what I was about; I guess no such package had ever been delivered like that before. I know not to ever speak of you to anyone sir, so it was easy enough to get them talking about their employers.” He shrugged.
“I am happy for your loyalty, Danny.” He opened his desk drawer and took out some coins. “Here, for your discretion.” Danny smiled widely and touched his cap. “Thank you sir, I will put this to good use!”
Darcy shook his head. “I do not care to know.” The boy left the room and Darcy looked down at the letter in his hand. He was almost afraid to open it. “Fool!” He muttered, and with a quick movement, broke the seal. To his surprise he found two sheets of paper. One addressed to Georgiana, and one to himself. He bit his lip and unfolded the page for his sister first.
13 June 1811
Longbourn
Meryton
Hertfordshire
De
ar Miss Darcy,
I hope with all sincerity that you are recovering from your distress. If I was in any way responsible for bringing you a moment of relief, then I am well-pleased. It was unnecessary, truly, but I thank you for your desire to return my handkerchief. I was thinking, I so enjoy meeting new people and learning about different parts of the country. Would you consider writing to me? I have four sisters, one older and obviously three younger, so I am not lacking in female companionship, but I would so enjoy talking with someone who does not occupy another room in my house. Please consider it, and I anticipate your letter. You see! I already expect you to say yes!
Yours sincerely,
Elizabeth Bennet
Darcy smiled. Miss Bennet was offering friendship to his sister, and he could sense that it was offered simply out of kindness, and not in an effort to know an obviously wealthier girl. He doubted that Miss Bennet, no, Miss Elizabeth, his smile grew, was anything other than sincere. He saw that she was clever, mentioning the handkerchief but not telling Georgiana what he had done. And she displayed her humour. He sighed. Drawing a breath he bit his lip again and with trepidation picked up the sheet embellished with his name.
Dear Mr. D,
Sir, how can I possibly express my surprise when I opened your parcel and out tumbled not one but four handkerchiefs; and not one of them recognizable as my own? How will I ever explain such finery to my mother? You sir, have no idea the interrogation that awaits me. It is fortunate that I do not know you well or will likely see you again, because if I were to meet you, I would be forced to remain silent in a self-important snit of grand proportions.
In all seriousness, please accept my very sincere thanks for such beautiful replacements for my poor example of sewing. I am afraid I am much better suited to walking and reading than I am to needlework. I can not begin to imagine how you knew the stitch I used, or how you could know that lavender is my favourite flower. I am very fond of roses as well. I think that I shall combine the three to create the bouquet you suggested on the last cloth, and I will remember your generosity whenever I reach for one of these exquisite handkerchiefs. I feel honoured that you were moved to resort to theft to acquire a keepsake of my conversation with a four-legged friend.
With gratitude,
EB
Darcy blew out the breath he was holding and a warm, happy smile spread over his face. It felt so good. She had not been offended by his note, by his gift, or by his flaunting of propriety. His heart was thumping. He could not recognize what he was feeling; it was just so oddly exhilarating. She had not rejected him. He sighed, and lifted his chin and stared with relief and accomplishment at his very first note from a lady. There was no doubt in his mind that Georgiana would begin a correspondence with Miss Elizabeth, if he had to write the letters himself.
“WHERE IS HE?! Where is my nephew?!” The imperious tones filled the entranceway of Darcy House, and soon the floorboards were creaking with the angry steps and tapping cane of Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
Mr. Hendricks tried to stop her advance. “My Lady, please wait, Mr. Darcy is not available at the moment, and he has a guest.”
“A guest! Who would want to visit with him?” She glared at the man as if he were an insect.
“Your Ladyship, please, come into the drawing room, and I shall inform Mr. Darcy that you have arrived.” Mr. Hendricks had years of experience dealing with this relative of the Darcys’. It was never easy, particularly when she was feeling self-righteous and in control.
Lady Catherine brushed him off. “He is in the study, is he not?” Without waiting for an answer she went to the door and opened it without a knock. She strode into the room where Darcy and Bingley hurriedly rose to their feet.
“Aunt Catherine! What brings you here?” Darcy was offended and embarrassed by his aunt’s behaviour, and knowing what was likely to come from her visit, was gathering his thoughts so that he could take her on as tactfully as possible. He glanced at Bingley who had met the formidable woman in the past. “I hope that you remember my friend Mr. Bingley.”
Lady Catherine nodded to him. “I am surprised you still have friends.” She looked to Bingley. “I have important business with my nephew. I hope that you understand.”
Bingley stared at her for being so dismissed, and caught the ire rising in Darcy’s expression. “Of course, your Ladyship.” He turned to his friend. “We will continue our conversation tonight over dinner Darcy, if that suits you?” Seeing his friend’s barely perceptible nod, he walked towards the door.
“Please be seated, Aunt. I will just go and see my guest out.” Before waiting for her reply he moved across the room to take Bingley to the front door. As they waited for his hat and gloves to be fetched he said in a low voice. “I apologize for her Bingley. She is obviously ready for a fight, and although I object to her assuming that she is mistress of my home, I do not wish you to be subjected to her display.”
“What will she do?” Bingley asked with concern.
“I do not know. Whatever it is, I am sure I will not be smiling when you arrive for dinner.” He said darkly.
Bingley patted his shoulder. “Well, then I know all will be normal, for when are you ever smiling?”
Darcy raised his brow. “You have a point there.” He sighed and watched as his friend escaped. He turned and straightened his suit, then went in to face his infuriated relative.
“Darcy!” Lady Catherine cried as he entered his study and closed the door. “Your father would be ashamed of you! How could you let this happen?”
He settled himself behind his desk and considered his aunt. “I assure you Aunt, it was not planned.”
“Georgiana is utterly ruined, and you are being taken down with her. You must save the family name!” She slammed her cane down for emphasis.
“We are hoping that by the time Georgiana is presented, the memories of the incident will have faded.”
She snorted. “As if the board at Almack’s would allow you to forget!”
“I am sure some richer scandal will occupy their thoughts in three years time.” He said quietly.
“Three years!! You will wallow in this for three years!”
Darcy’s anger flared. “Wallow, Aunt? Do you mean to imply that I am enjoying hearing my name disparaged everywhere I go? Do you think that I wish for my sister to feel that she has destroyed hundreds of years of our families’ history with one impulsive foolish act? Do you think that I relish hearing whispers behind me when I walk into our church? No, Aunt, I am not wallowing in anything. Georgiana is but fifteen, it is perfectly reasonable to wait until she is eighteen for her presentation.”
She gave him a calculating stare. “And what of you? Are you to wait three years to regain your standing in society?”
Darcy watched her and said carefully, “My standing in regards to my fortune remains the same. My desirability as a marriage partner is perhaps reduced, but that does not concern me. As far as participating in society, their rejection is not entirely regretted.”
“Well, there is a solution to this entire situation, and I am here today to make all of your troubles disappear instantly!” She sat forward and stared at him with triumphant eyes. “You will marry Anne immediately!”
“Excuse me?” He stared at her. “And how would that save my and Georgiana’s reputations?”
“You would be a husband, in possession of two great estates, nobody would dare disparage you. And Georgiana would have a stable home. Her transgressions would be instantly forgotten and soon I will identify a proper husband for her, one who will check this wildness she has displayed and obviously learned by living without proper supervision by you.” She sat back, and waited for his praise for her plan, oblivious to the insult she delivered.
Darcy stared at her. “You cannot be serious? I have never had a desire to marry my cousin, and doing so now would do nothing to help Georgiana. I take great offence at your implication that she has not been raised properly. While it is true that my marrying
may do something to relieve my present difficulties, it is unlikely at the moment that any woman of society would have me. Why, if that is so, are you so willing to sacrifice Anne to me?”
She waved off his objections. “Anne was formed for you Darcy, you know it. Your union was destined since your birth. My sister, your mother, agreed with this.”
“My mother barely held me as a baby and only came near me when it was convenient to show off the heir to her friends! I will not satisfy some scheme of hers to marry me off to any woman.” He fumed. “IF I marry, it will be to someone of my own choosing, and in my own time!”
Lady Catherine stood and Darcy rose as well. Her voice became placating. “I understand you are upset at present, Darcy, otherwise you would not be speaking so foolishly. I will go and speak to my brother, and he will agree with my plans. Anne will save your name, and you should be grateful that she is willing to make the sacrifice to be your wife. You must remember, Pemberley requires an heir, and Anne will be willing to submit to you.”
Darcy recoiled with her last statement. His disgust was evident in his voice. “When I last spoke to Anne, she indicated no desire to marry me.”
“Anne will do what she is told.” She said icily.
“I, however, will not.” He walked and opened the door. “Shall I walk you to your carriage, Aunt?”
Lady Catherine stared up at him. “I have not finished with you, Darcy. You will marry Anne. I will return with your uncle.”