In fact, the viscount and his lady were fine representations of the English peerage, wearing their titles with ease and without condescension. Elizabeth had met them previously, shortly after she had become Mrs Darcy, and had been quietly relieved and pleased to find them accepting of his cousin’s choice of bride. She had since discovered that Lady Mortlake had once been plain Miss Mary (although of a much wealthier family than the Bennets), so perhaps that went some way to explaining their largesse, or maybe they were simply people too well bred to show their displeasure or surprise in public. Another disappointment to Lady Catherine de Bourgh, no doubt.
Colonel Fitzwilliam had introduced his brother to Kitty and she had found, as Elizabeth had already told her, that there was nothing to fear in talking to him, except perhaps remembering to address him as My Lord. As brothers, he and the colonel were very alike in their manner and appearance; only the order of their birth had marked them out to such different paths.
Caroline Bingley had been graciousness personified since she had entered Pemberley, playing her role as esteemed family friend to perfection. Kitty did her best to keep out of Miss Bingley’s way, not because she was perturbed by her but simply because there were others whose company she preferred.
The day’s activities had been discussed at breakfast and as a result some of the gentlemen were setting out for a little recreational fishing, while others sought to exercise themselves and their horses around the countryside. An impromptu archery competition had been suggested by Elizabeth, who assured everyone that she and Kitty would be vying for last place. Kitty could tell that Georgiana was a little disappointed that Freddie Fanshawe had chosen to go riding, depriving her of the chance to show off her prowess with a bow. Colonel Fitzwilliam, on the other hand, had waited to see what Miss Fanshawe wanted to do before committing himself elsewhere and was now escorting her towards the lawns where the range was being set up. Georgiana, acting as hostess with Elizabeth, followed with Lady Mortlake, Mr and Mrs Bridgwater, and others.
Kitty, who had begged a few minutes in order to complete and send an almost-finished letter to Jane, started out shortly afterwards. The day was warm, too warm to hurry, and to save herself time she took a shortcut on a path that led close to the stables. As she rounded the corner she saw Sir Edward and Freddie Fanshawe a little way off. She raised a hand and was about to call out but quickly realised they were in the middle of a heated argument. She could not hear what was being said but Sir Edward was clearly trying to reason with his nephew who, very agitated, was beating his riding whip against the stable door and remonstrating in return.
Kitty backed around the corner, unseen. She could not imagine what they were talking about so vehemently and didn’t really want to find out. She made her way back to the lawn and happier people, where there was no opportunity to ponder, let alone discuss, what she had seen. ‘Kitty! There you are at last!’ Elizabeth called as she saw her approach. ‘You are needed. I cannot be the only one who needs help reaching my target!’ Kitty laughed and promised to be just as adept as her sister with a bow.
Georgiana won, of course, although Felicia proved a worthy opponent and Colonel Fitzwilliam was hard put to know whether to be pleased for his ward, who blushed prettily at her shocking temerity in besting her guests, or assure Miss Fanshawe that victory would be hers next time. The lady herself was not in the least bit disappointed; the colonel’s attentions may have helped in that regard.
The afternoon drifted past, little knots of people wandering about the gardens or taking tea on the lawn, everything and everyone carefree. Mr Darcy and Captain Morton appeared at one point, having tired of their quest for trout. Kitty knew that Darcy was not overly fond of fishing. It was, however, a gentleman’s accomplishment, she had told him, not unlike ladies having to embroider screens, and Lizzy had laughed. He proposed a walk before dinner, if his wife would oblige him? Captain Morton offered his arm to Kitty, and Colonel Fitzwilliam, forsaking Miss Fanshawe temporarily, sought Georgiana’s company, and they all wandered off downstream towards the glen.
Captain Morton was full of admiration of Pemberley and the estate and found a keen listener in Kitty. His own home was in Dorset, where he said the countryside had a gentler character but one that was offset by the dramatic cliffs and seas that changed colour with the weather. He was also an admirer of Colonel Fitzwilliam, a fine friend and excellent officer, whom he had known for a number of years. Kitty turned to see what had become of the colonel and Georgiana; they were walking very slowly and engaged in what looked like earnest conversation. She wondered if he was talking to her of Miss Fanshawe; he certainly looked quite serious.
CHAPTER 43
Dinner the previous evening had been a jovial affair, everyone swapping stories of their day, interspersed with tall tales of large fish and speculation as to the ball, now just a week away. The August weather was uncommonly steady and Kitty thought everything more or less perfect.
She had woken early and gone to Georgiana’s room, hoping to persuade her to take a walk before breakfast. With so many guests in the house, it had been days since they had had a proper tête-à-tête. As it turned out, Georgiana was wide awake and readily agreed to Kitty’s suggestion. They were out of the house and taking the path up to the folly in no time.
‘Isn’t this all just heavenly,’ declared Kitty, as she spun about on the grass, taking in the summer skies and inhaling the warm morning air. ‘I hardly saw you last night, although I know you were at the same table as Frederick Fanshawe and his sister for most of it. His brother and I had you in our sights! And Colonel Fitzwilliam seems enamoured of our dear friend Felicia. What have you to tell me about it all?’
‘Very little, as it happens.’
‘Now Georgiana, you cannot be coy with me! First of all, I know you are partial to Freddie Fanshawe. Second, you must have noticed that Felicia and the colonel seem fond of each other. I wondered if he was speaking of her to you yesterday.’
Georgiana looked perplexed. ‘No,’ said she. ‘I don’t know what you mean.’
‘When we were all walking near the glen,’ said Kitty.
‘Colonel Fitzwilliam would never speak of such things with me.’
‘I suppose not,’ agreed Kitty. ‘Well, what of you and Mr Fanshawe, then?’
‘I thought… I think, he likes me.’
‘I think he does. What of your feelings, Miss Darcy?’
Georgiana twisted her fingers around her fichu. ‘He is everything a gentleman should be. I find much to admire in him and he is so very charming.’ She sighed.
Kitty supposed she must know the gentleman better than she did.
‘Have you lost your heart to him?’ she enquired in a gentler voice. She hoped not, but was ready to hear and advise, protect if necessary.
‘We have no agreement,’ said Georgiana. ‘He has been most attentive to me though.’
And you to him, thought Kitty.
‘He has asked me for the first two dances at the ball.’ Georgiana smiled at the recollection. ‘I think William Fanshawe will ask the same of you.’
Yes, thought Kitty, I think he will. The prospect, though not unpleasant, did not fill her with joy. She supposed it should. ‘Do you think so?’ she said. ‘I had not thought so far ahead.’ In fact she had, and those thoughts entertained the not unreasonable possibility of many young gentlemen asking her to dance, some of them as yet unknown.
Georgiana was looking pensive, and a little sad.
‘You are out of spirits today?’ said Kitty, holding out her hand. ‘What is the matter?’
‘Nothing.’
‘Of course there is something. You are not yourself. Is there something you want to tell me? Can I help?’
Again, Georgiana shook her head. She freed herself from Kitty and kept walking. After a few minutes, she stopped and turned to face her.
‘It is nothing and yet it is everything,’ said she, earnestly. ‘I try hard to do what is right. I do.’
‘
You do,’ laughed Kitty. ‘I have never thought otherwise. No one does.’
‘But what one wants, what one should do, what other people want me to do… these are not the same things,’ said Georgiana, shaking her head. ‘It is all so confusing. Oh, do not look so alarmed, Kitty! I am not in any danger! I am just in a moral dilemma.’
‘A moral dilemma? That I cannot believe! You, of all people! What can you mean?’
‘I am not so good as everyone thinks.’
Kitty waited, a disbelieving expression her only response.
‘Truly. I try to do what is right.’
‘Well, your efforts have been entirely successful,’ cried Kitty, at a loss to comprehend about what Georgiana – the very embodiment of everything a genteel, accomplished and clever young lady should be – could be reproaching herself. She linked her arm in hers again and they continued walking.
‘Colonel Fitzwilliam does not approve of Mr Fanshawe,’ Georgiana said at last. ‘He is my uncle and I am his ward, so I must listen to what he says. He has not told me exactly why, but I know that is what he thinks. He has told me, in his kind way, that he feels he is not suitable for me. And he has spoken with my brother about him, too. I am certain of it.’
Kitty wondered how to answer. ‘You do not know why they disapprove? Have they heard something against him?’
‘They probably want me to marry a lord, someone of the nobility,’ said Georgiana, looking very miserable and sounding peeved.
‘You really think so?’
‘We have not discussed it in detail, but why not? My brother has been more like a father than a brother in many ways and he and Fitzwilliam want only what is best for me, I am sure.’
‘I do no doubt it, but he would not have you marry where you did not want to marry, surely? Not when he himself has married for love – and so disappointed your poor aunt, Lady Catherine, and possibly even her daughter Anne, into the bargain?’
‘It is true he is very happy with Elizabeth. I cannot imagine he could have made a better choice.’ Georgiana managed a small smile. ‘He is quite changed, you know? He laughs more and sometimes he even laughs at himself!’
‘Lizzy is adept at finding amusement in other people. Even her husband – especially her husband – would not escape her keen wit. I can testify to this, having been the recipient of it for as long as I can remember!’ It was true, thought Kitty. Elizabeth was warmer towards her now than she had ever been, and she was glad of it, but she could be, had been, sharp.
‘But why, Georgiana, would your brother wish you to marry someone you do not love? Why would he interfere with your happiness in such a way? As well, things are different now. Please forgive me if I speak out of turn but you have no need to marry. Not yet, anyway. There is no urgency to your situation. You are young and you have your own establishment in London; you have means enough to choose.’
‘What you say is true. I should wish to be as happy as my brother and Elizabeth, if that were possible.’
‘Well then, let us both presume that this is entirely possible, even probable. For you, and for me! If your brother and Colonel Fitzwilliam harbour misgivings about Mr Fanshawe, perhaps these will be overcome. Perhaps they simply want you to know your own mind, to not precipitate events. You have not known him for very long, nor they. Besides, you are not even officially out yet. You will have a season in London. I am sure they are just urging caution.
‘And for my part, I shall make a full summary of all Mr Fanshawe’s good points as well as all his flaws – from how he holds his spoon to his thoughts on weighty matters and everything else in between – and give you a full report.’ Kitty said this more to lighten the mood than to convince herself or Georgiana of Freddie Fanshawe’s inestimable character.
‘You do not believe me? You are not convinced?’ said she, when Georgiana failed to smile.
‘I think it is easier for men to choose where to marry,’ she replied. ‘Women not only have to wait to be asked but they are also expected to marry where their families wish.’
‘This is true,’ said Kitty, ‘but I cannot think that your brother would wish you to marry well for form or for material advantage or to please others. Would he not let your heart lead you? I am sure Lizzy would be your friend, too, in so serious an undertaking as marriage. You worry too much. In the end, you will choose well.’ Although perhaps not Freddie Fanshawe, she thought.
Georgiana did not respond. When she lifted her head, she asked, ‘Have you ever done something really wrong?’
Kitty shook her head, not at the question but in mild exasperation at her friend – although she could respond in the negative to the question also. She had not done anything really wrong, despite having felt otherwise for many years, and so she empathised with Georgiana while dismissing her fears.
‘What have you done that you think is so very wrong? Tell me and then I can put an end to your concerns and we can both laugh them away. I cannot have you so upset.’
To her astonishment, Georgiana burst into tears. They were but a small distance from the folly and Kitty led her there, sat her down on one of the stone seats and held her until she became calm enough to speak. ‘You will think me very foolish,’ she sobbed, ‘but I will tell you because I think of you as my sister, and I am sure you will not betray my confidence.’
‘I would never do that,’ Kitty assured her.
‘I have thought myself in love before you see. I am so afraid of being wrong again! I was fifteen and living in London with Mrs Younge, my governess and chaperone. He was such a charming and handsome man. I had known him all my life. I trusted him completely. I thought I loved him. I did love him.’ Georgiana stopped and looked at Kitty, expecting some kind of censure. Kitty merely nodded.
‘I thought I loved him, and he said he loved me. Mrs Younge and I were in Ramsgate for the summer and then suddenly he was there, too. I was so happy, and Mrs Younge approved of him, was always saying what a fine gentleman he was. Which of course I knew. We were planning to marry, to elope…’
‘Elope!’ exclaimed Kitty, in spite of herself.
‘Elope,’ sniffed Georgiana. ‘Then my brother arrived unexpectedly and I could not keep so great a secret from him, I did not suppose he would so disapprove of my choice.’ She shuddered, remembering how aghast Mr Darcy had been.
‘Why was he so opposed that time?’ asked Kitty, remembering the Mr Darcy she had first encountered, so cold and supercilious.
‘My brother was not at fault,’ said Georgiana. ‘I was the foolish one.’
‘You loved him though. And he, you?’
‘I thought I did. His motives I now know were mercenary. My only excuse is my age and that I knew nothing of the world. I have better judgement now, I am sure I do, but my brother and Colonel Fitzwilliam do not think so. They have made that clear.’
‘My dearest Georgiana, it was a lucky escape,’ said Kitty, while silently agreeing with Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam on an alliance involving their ward and Frederick Fanshawe. ‘This man was surely a scoundrel of the worst kind to take advantage of you.’
She saw Georgiana stiffen. ‘There is one more thing you should know,’ she said, resolutely. ‘It will shock you but I cannot withhold his name now that I have confessed this much. He is known to you, Kitty. He is your sister’s husband. Wickham, George Wickham.’
Incredulity, amazement and disbelief crowded for supremacy in Kitty’s mind and rendered her speechless. This was astounding. Wickham! Lydia’s Wickham had thought to marry – to elope! – with Georgiana? No wonder Mr Darcy would not have him at Pemberley.
‘Poor, sweet girl,’ said Kitty, taking Georgiana’s hand once more. Poor, reckless Lydia, she thought. What a practised liar and scoundrel Wickham was!
‘Who else knows?’ she asked.
‘My brother and Elizabeth, Colonel Fitzwilliam, Mrs Younge, you. No one else.’
‘None shall hear it from me. We will never speak of it again, if that is what you wish. It is in the past, Ge
orgiana. It cannot affect your actions in future.’
Even as she spoke, Kitty’s mind was in turmoil. For Georgiana of all people – sweet, shy Georgiana, so very well bred and nurtured – to fall prey to passion was almost unthinkable. And yet she had – and to Wickham! The very idea that Georgiana and Lydia had been in thrall to the same man was unbelievable. Georgiana was naïve where Lydia was forward, but it was still almost incomprehensible.
Georgiana sat slumped on the seat, her eyes closed. Kitty stood up, taking charge of the situation. ‘We must get you back to the house and fit to be seen. We can go in by the east door. Some cold water for your face and all will be well. Will you go to breakfast or shall I say you have a headache?’
‘I do have a headache!’ cried Georgiana. ‘But it would cause concern if I don’t go in to breakfast.’
‘I hope you are not going simply to see Freddie Fanshawe,’ said Kitty, sternly.
Georgiana protested she was not; Kitty was unconvinced. Is this what it is like to be in love, she wondered? All reason lost? She remembered something Jane had once said about mixing prudence with passion. She held out her hands to Georgiana, forcing her to stand. She is so very young, she thought, suddenly feeling much older herself. Of course Mr Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam would want her to wait. She would have no shortage of admirers were she to come out in London.
Does Freddie Fanshawe intend to make her an offer, she wondered? Was he worthy of her? Kitty thought not, but it was not something she could discuss with anyone. She remembered the scene she had witnessed at the stables yesterday. She would have to make good on her promise – said in jest – to keep him under close observation.
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