An Engaging Friendship

by AmyJ

  seeing that Georgiana was not alone, froze in her tracks. Her smile faded, and her annoyance was evident. She managed to recover quickly, and then

  continued as if nothing untoward had occurred. "It has been ages since we have seen you, my dear. My sister and I have been quite desolate without your

  company."

  All of Elizabeth's anger dissipated as she turned her attention to her sister and Georgiana. If she did not already know Miss Bingley intimidated Georgiana,

  the flush of the girl's cheeks was telling.

  After introductions were completed, Elizabeth invited Georgiana to take a seat next to her and Jane. Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst occupied a settee near Lady Matlock. A quiet tension settled over those gathered.

  Realizing Georgiana was much too shy to take control of the situation,

  Elizabeth said, "I am happy to see you and your sister are in good health, Miss Bingley. I trust Mr. Hurst and Mr. Bingley are also in good health?"

  She was amused when Miss Bingley's eyes flashed angrily, confirming her

  earlier suspicions, that Miss Bingley was indeed involved in Mr. Bingley's

  decision not to return to Hertfordshire last December.

  "Yes," Miss Bingley sniped. "Yes, my brother is quite well. In fact, I have never seen him happier. Why just before Christmas, he joined us for dinner

  with Miss Sutton and her family." She smiled smugly. "It was quite an enjoyable evening for everyone. "

  Elizabeth's ire rose. Miss Bingley was purposefully trying to hurt Jane. Not willing to allow Miss Bingley to have the last word, she said, "We were sorry to have missed your company the other night. Mr. Darcy had mentioned you

  were unable to attend dinner, as you were visiting family."

  She was amused when Miss Bingley completely ignored her and turned her

  focus elsewhere. "Lady Matlock, it is a pleasure to see you. I had no idea you were in town already."

  From the purse of Lady Matlock's lips, Elizabeth could tell the lady was displeased. It was oddly reassuring. If the lady defended her and Jane,

  Elizabeth would take it as an indication that there were no objections to her engagement to Darcy.

  "We have only made our presence in town known to our family and close

  friends, Miss Bingley, as we wished to spend the time with our future niece, without distraction." Lady Matlock said.

  Caroline directed a pinched smile at Elizabeth and then turned again to Lady Matlock. "Yes. I must say I was quite... surprised... by the announcement of Mr. Darcy's engagement. I had always thought -- as I am sure you did too --

  that he would marry a woman of equal standing."

  Elizabeth looked to her sister, unable to hide her astonishment at Miss

  Bingley's audacity.

  Lady Matlock, however, suffered the insult with aplomb. "My nephew's choice did surprise us, but Elizabeth is a gentleman's daughter, so we have no cause to repine." Lady Matlock reached over and took Elizabeth's hand affectionately.

  "My nephew, I know, also finds some assurance in his choice of bride, knowing his mother would heartily approve." She looked directly at Miss Bingley, her blue eyes narrowed, and with a definite edge in her voice said, "Elizabeth was always a favourite of my late sister."

  Elizabeth was uncertain how to react. Lady Matlock had not only given her

  tacit approval of the engagement, but had also delivered a very pointed set down to Miss Bingley and her sister. Darcy had mentioned his aunt wielded

  some power amongst their circle, and Elizabeth could see why. Friend or foe, the lady was not to be trifled with. Thankfully, Lady Matlock appeared to be taking the position of friend.

  After a few more words on their travels north, holidays, and other inane

  comments, Caroline and Louisa declared it was time to leave. With a promise to call on Georgiana at another date, and a request to be remembered to Mr.

  Darcy, they left.

  Once the sisters departed, Elizabeth and Georgiana returned to practicing for the evening's entertainment, and Jane was left alone with Lady Matlock to

  watch. The practice session did not run long, and soon Jane and Elizabeth also took their leave to prepare for dinner.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  While Elizabeth, Jane, Lady Matlock and Georgiana were touring Arryndale,

  Darcy sequestered himself in his study under the pretence of tending to estate matters. The accounts for the month had to be balanced, letters to various

  friends were owed and a few instructions to his steward needed to be sent.

  Throughout the afternoon, intermittent soft feminine laughter echoed from the main hallway, interrupting his concentration. Still, he could not help but smile.

  If that noise was any indication of how things were progressing, there was no cause for concern.

  After a particularly long silence, he grew anxious. He set his books aside and began searching for reasons to seek out the ladies. His desire for a cup of tea, though feeble, served his purposes well. He was about to yield to his curiosity, when a knock came on his door. Fully expecting to see his aunt, he was a little irritated to see his butler, Mr. Andrews. To his further annoyance, the man came bearing news that Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst had called, and were currently in the music room with his other guests.

  He knew he should rescue his sister and his betrothed, but remembering his

  aunt's influential presence, decided against it. He had no inclination to discuss his engagement with Miss Bingley, nor did he wish Elizabeth to have to bear witness to the way Miss Bingley fawned over him. With Lady Matlock present, Georgiana and Elizabeth would be quite safe, he reasoned.

  He stared at the pile of letters on his desk with a frown. His mind was too distracted to tend to them now. Still parched, he poured himself a glass of wine and stared out the window at the gardens below. A few green bushes remained, but the rest of the foliage was brown with winter.

  From a large barren tree, a wooden swing twisted about in the breeze. It had been many years since that board had held any weight with regularity.

  Georgiana was not one for solitary moments in the garden -- her preference

  being the music room and the pianoforte -- and he had not sat upon that seat since he was a boy.

  His mind easily conjured an image of Elizabeth there with a book in her hand, or perhaps sharing a confidence with Georgiana. So many pleasant changes to come. He let out a hopeful sigh and then made a mental note to have the gardeners check it for safety, and re-hang it if necessary.

  A firm knock interrupted his musings. Darcy bid entrance and was pleased, if not a little relieved, to see his aunt. He was briefly alarmed at the amount of time that had passed without his recollection, but that was unimportant at the moment.

  "I will agree to sponsor your Miss Elizabeth," Lady Matlock said, without the ceremony of the usual niceties after they were seated. "She is perhaps not as refined as she ought to be, but it is as you say; she is genteel, and Georgiana is quite taken with her. You could have done much worse."

  Darcy shrugged, as if aunt's response had been entirely predictable. Behind the indifference though, was the release of a month's worth of tension.

  "There is plenty of work to be done before she is ready to navigate London's parlour rooms, but it is not as hopeless as I had feared."

  "Miss Elizabeth will be very pleased to hear that." He could not help the hint of sarcasm in his voice. "I am assuming you already have formulated a plan?"

  "Of course. I would like to take her shopping; she will need several new gowns, and of course the accessories. She needs to look the part. I trust you are prepared to finance this?" Receiving an affirming nod, she continued. "I will then introduce her to society by having her attend some teas and other social functions with me. Starting in March, I would like to remove her to Lanelle House. I will teach her how to run a house the size of Arryndale." She paused for a moment. "Miss Elizabeth does know her mathematics?"
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br />   "Yes, of course. Truly, she has studied more on that subject than a lady of her upbringing is encouraged." Seeing his aunt's displeasure, he questioned, "Does this concern you?"

  Lady Matlock let out a soft sigh. "No, though she should be reminded that others may take offence at the notion."

  The two spent another half hour discussing Lady Matlock's plans. In the end, Darcy was left with a list of merchants to contact to ensure payment for

  Elizabeth's wardrobe, the task of hiring a lady's maid for Elizabeth, and

  instructions for commissioning an artist to paint Elizabeth's portrait. Before closing their meeting, Darcy asked, "What of my uncle?"

  "He will give his support." Lady Matlock paused. "A word of caution, Fitzwilliam. You must give people -- and I speak not only about Marcus --

  some latitude on this subject of your bride. I have no fears Miss Elizabeth will eventually be accepted into society, but she will be viewed as an upstart and interloper. You have opened yourself and her to criticism, and can not expect everyone to be gracious and well pleased by your decision. There are any

  number of disappointed families who will take every opportunity to make their sentiments known. You can not cut off ties to everyone that slights Miss

  Elizabeth."

  Tension once again began building. Darcy had wilfully ignored these truths of his society these past months, choosing instead to enjoy the company of his betrothed. His aunt was correct though; it could not be overlooked any longer.

  "I understand," Darcy replied curtly. "Though, I must also issue a warning. I will not tolerate any gross disrespect to Elizabeth. She may not have a large dowry or wealthy connections, but she is to be Mrs. Darcy, my wife, and

  Mistress of both Arryndale and Pemberley. Anyone who can not remember that

  will not be welcomed into any of my homes -- family or not." His face was hard and unmoving.

  Lady Matlock nodded, and her lips pursed to hide a small smile that played at her lips. The vehemence with which her nephew spoke could be driven by only one thing; Darcy was smitten, even if he did not know it himself. It went

  against his very nature to willingly make himself a topic of the ton. If he was simply marrying for duty, another choice would have spared him the attention

  and speculation. He had chosen Elizabeth for more reasons than honouring an agreement.

  "Very well." Lady Matlock stood. "I should return home; it is almost time to dress for dinner, and I need to have a discussion with Stephen and Marcus

  beforehand." She placed her hand on the door, but before opening it, said, "I offer you my congratulations on your engagement, Fitzwilliam, if I have not already done so." The slightest smirk touched her lips before she turned and left.

  At the same time Darcy was in conference with his aunt, on the streets of

  London, Elizabeth listened to the clip-clop of the horse hoofs and the jangle of the carriage chains all the way back to Gracechurch Street. The steady rhythm was somehow comforting, and helped to quiet her rioting mind.

  Some of her thoughts were of Lady Matlock, but most of them centred on Miss Bingley. That woman's audacity still stunned her. How dare that pernicious woman gloat of her success in front of Jane! She understood Miss Bingley to be suffering from disappointed hopes -- it was abundantly clear at Netherfield Miss Bingley expected to become the next Mrs. Darcy -- and could have

  excused the woman's curt manner towards herself, but to take out her

  frustrations on an innocent bystander like Jane was quite another matter. At least Jane will not have to suffer having such a sister. She reminded herself that she would have to have to tolerate the woman for the sake of Darcy's friendship with Mr. Bingley, but hoped the meetings would be infrequent.

  Once home, the two sisters went their separate ways. After reassuring Elizabeth she was fine, Jane pleaded fatigue and retired, while Elizabeth went in search of her cousins. She had promised them a game of checkers, and had just

  enough time to follow through before needing to dress for dinner.

  After the promised game, Elizabeth excused herself to ready for the evening.

  Jane was still resting, so Elizabeth opted to use the back parlour for dressing. It was not like Jane to nap so, and Elizabeth was growing concerned. Her anger towards both Miss and Mr. Bingley burned deeper.

  She was arranging the last of her curls when Jane finally found her. To

  Elizabeth's relief, she was dressed and had a smile upon her face. Pleased by the change in her sister's countenance, Elizabeth smiled in return. "What do you think?"

  "You look lovely," Jane replied.

  Elizabeth gave her sister a supportive hug and then went to gather her gloves and reticule from their room. A moment later, Uncle Gardiner was calling to her to make haste as the carriage was waiting.

  The Gracechurch Street party arrived at Arryndale House in good time.

  Elizabeth was suddenly struck with a pang of anxiety. What if I have

  misjudged Lady Matlock's reaction? What if she disapproves of me? Even if

  Lady Matlock approves, it does not mean the earl or the viscount will.

  The moment she saw Darcy stand to greet her, all of her anxiety melted away.

  He was rather dashing in his formal evening wear; a look that was enhanced by the way his eyes smiled. From his easy manner, she surmised that Lady

  Matlock had given her a favourable review of the afternoon. She was desperate to inquire, but knew that discussion would have to wait until later, possibly even tomorrow. Tonight, she would be in the spotlight, and time for a small, private conversation was unlikely.

  As Darcy approached, she held out her hand expectantly with a teasing smile.

  Darcy did as bid, and kissed the proffered hand. "Welcome back, Elizabeth. I trust you are well?"

  "Why thank you, good sir. I am."

  He snickered at her teasing tone and then said, "I apologize for not seeing you off this afternoon."

  "No need for apologies, sir, your sister was the perfect hostess." She winked at Georgiana, who then stepped forward and greeted Elizabeth with a hug.

  After an exchange of salutations with the others, Darcy led the newly arrived to those already gathered and performed introductions.

  The Fitzwilliams were all that was expected. Lady Matlock greeted Elizabeth with a gentle smile; the others, though courteous, were a bit standoffish.

  Elizabeth could see the scales of judgement tottering back and forth in their minds. She did her best to mask the feelings of apprehension. If this is the manner in which his family greets me, open sneers and direct cuts will be all too common amongst the ton.

  She was grateful for the supportive touch of Darcy's hand as he gently guided her to a seat next to his sister on the settee. He then took a protective stance behind her.

  "Miss Elizabeth," Lady Matlock began, breaking the frigid tension of the room.

  "I was hoping you would be free later this week for a bit of shopping, and perhaps tea at Lanelle House. There are a great number of things we must

  discuss, and I would not wish to bore the gentlemen with all of them."

  "I would be delighted, Lady Matlock, to attend you whenever you wish." She could not help but be amused. Lady Matlock was making a statement to the

  other members of the family.

  "I understand your father's estate is in Hertfordshire," the viscount commented with an aloof tone, in a show of obedience. Elizabeth replied in the affirmative.

  From there, a few more polite inquiries about her home and her family were asked and answered, until dinner was called.

  Darcy led the way, with Elizabeth on his arm. The others paired off in the

  obvious couples, leaving Colonel Fitzwilliam to escort both Jane and

  Georgiana.

  To Elizabeth's surprise, the dinner was very informal; there was not even

  arranged seating. Darcy naturally sat at one end, with Elizabeth to his left, while Georgiana
sat at the other end. The others arranged themselves allowing pleasant conversation between the families.

  Silence reigned, with the exception of the clanking of silver and china, as the first course was served, and continued on until Lady Matlock once again took it upon herself to lead the conversation. "Miss Elizabeth, I understand you are to attend the theatre in a few days time."

  "Yes, your ladyship," Elizabeth replied. "Lord Blakeslee honoured us with an invitation. I am looking forward to the experience. My Aunt and Uncle

  Gardiner have taken my sister and me a few times, but we have never had the privilege of a private box. " She noticed the look of surprise on the faces of the Matlocks. Attempting to recover from the modest gaffe and lighten the mood, she hurriedly professed a preference to plays rather than opera, and inquired after the others' favourites.

  Lord Matlock, however, pounced on the opening he had been waiting for and

  inquired, "Your parents must be pleased to see you will be so well settled."

  She arched a brow at the thinly veiled insinuation. "They are happy for me, but I believe any parent would be content to know their daughter is marrying an intelligent, respectable man such as Mr. Darcy." She glanced at Darcy who was hiding behind a well placed glass of wine. She felt herself flush.

  "But such an elevation in status is quite a boon for your family."

  With a slight shrug, Elizabeth continued buttering a piece of bread. "It is, but since my father does not care for town, they are not in a position to reap such benefits."

  Lord Matlock swallowed a gulp of wine and with a piercing eye on Elizabeth

  said, "You seem little affected by my nephew's wealth and status. I suppose you will now confess to feelings of undying love."

  Elizabeth felt an almost overwhelming heat creep into her cheeks. She took a forestalling drink of wine and glanced at Georgiana, relieved to see her

  otherwise distracted. "Milord, while I care greatly for both your niece and nephew, I can not confess to such." She missed the pinched look that flickered across Darcy's face at her statement.

  "Oh? Then what was your inducement for agreeing to the marriage."

  Taking a moment to form her answer, she slowly chewed and swallowed a bite of food. Then, in a very serious tone, she replied, "Why, for his lively conversation. Surely you have noticed what a delightful companion Mr. Darcy is in a ballroom."