Page 40

After the Bingleys’ departure, the Darcys spent a quiet but thoroughly enjoyable winter at Pemberley.

Whenever the weather was particularly fine, the couple went walking or riding around the park, occasionally joined by Georgiana.

When she could not venture outdoors, Elizabeth discovered that an hour in the conservatory soothed her longing for nature, and a brisk walk through the galleries mostly satisfied her need for exercise.

The latter was rarely necessary, however, for all three Darcys found themselves exerting themselves regularly in quite another manner entirely.

All was in place for Georgiana’s debut that spring and it was necessary that she practice all the various dance steps that she might be called upon to perform until she could do them in her sleep.

“For one must have some conversation while dancing, you know,” said Elizabeth to her new sister while directing a teasing look at Mr. Darcy.

“It would be very strange otherwise. A lady with sense and education must be able to manage both a gavotte and a tête-à-tête simultaneously to be truly considered accomplished.”

Fitzwilliam had rolled his eyes at the time, but found himself partnering his sister almost daily while Elizabeth or Mrs. Annesley played, though he was occasionally allowed to dance with his wife when the ladies determined that a demonstration of the steps was necessary for Georgiana’s edification.

For a time, they attempted to include Mr. Tucker (so as to have two gentlemen and two ladies) but the cleric proved himself to be so far from nimble that he was soon allowed to return to his preferred occupations.

Darcy was surprised to find that he dreaded the activity less with practice (an admission which prompted no little teasing from his wife).

Also, the hours spent in laughter over forgotten steps or missed turns caused his relationship with Georgiana to become more like a brother and less like the stern father figure of years past. Georgiana learned to tease him a little and he learned to laugh at his mistakes in her presence.

On days when Darcy could not attend them, Elizabeth and Georgiana practiced walking and curtsying in the stiff, formal gowns that they would be required to wear for their court presentations.

When Elizabeth’s first attempt at backing away from the large potted palm that was standing in as the monarch resulted in her tripping over her train and toppling over, feathers askew, both she and her newest sister dissolved into giggles.

A similarly light-hearted manner was applied to their study of Debrett’s so as to comprehend the connections of those personages whom they were most likely to meet during the Season.

For other information, the pair interrogated Mr. Darcy (much to that gentleman’s dismay) and Georgiana maintained a steady correspondence with her Aunt Eleanor.

The Countess was quite pleased with her niece’s descriptions of the various activities being undertaken by the party at Pemberley.

“I found myself conflicted,” admitted Lady Eleanor to her husband one evening at Matlock.

“For, though Darcy dearly wished to have his sister with him at Pemberley, I honestly believed that she would do much better spending the winter here so that I might prepare her for her debut. However, I’m not too proud to admit that I appear to have been wrong, for by her letters it is clear that our niece is blossoming. ”

The Earl had read some parts of his niece’s note and could not help but agree. “Elizabeth seems to be doing a good job of it. And I must say that over Christmas, both Georgiana and Darcy appeared more lively than I’ve ever seen them.”

As a result, the Countess’s tutelage continued via post, her letters full of amusing anecdotes on this gentleman or that lady, all sketched so as to make her niece feel better acquainted with their circle of Society.

In this way, Lady Eleanor succeeded in exciting Miss Darcy’s curiosity such that it began to overcome her innate shyness.

Mr. Darcy was somewhat dismayed by his aunt’s gossipy communications, but once Elizabeth explained the strategy to him, he had to admit to its success, for his sister was fairly bubbling with excitement.

Indeed, Georgiana’s increasing enthusiasm at the prospect of returning to town left him so perturbed that, on more than one occasion, a great deal of attention from his wife was necessary to soothe his nerves.

One night after they had retired, Will held her in his arms and admitted, “I know that Georgiana should come out this spring… she is nearly eighteen, after all. But I would not have minded if she wished to delay it another year.”

Lizzy smiled indulgently and ran her fingers through his dark curls. “You, sir, would be perfectly content if she never made her debut and remained here at Pemberley, permanently locked in time as your baby sister. ”

Darcy could not argue with that, and released a great sigh.

“I can’t decide if I should hope that she falls in love with some acceptable fellow right away so that I may remove her from the maelstrom, or that her heart remains untouched throughout the Season, in which case we will be obliged to repeat the endeavor in its entirety next year. ”

Elizabeth giggled. “Not quite all of it, my love; I, for one, am very grateful we only have to be presented at court once.”

“But I thought you had begun to enjoy wearing feathers in your hair?” teased her husband.

However, the mention of St. James’ Court had somehow turned Lizzy’s thoughts from his sister to her own.

“Did I tell you I received a letter from Jane? It is a truly amazing epistle, for she very nearly complains about the situation at Netherfield. Apparently Mama continues her daily visits and it is enough to try even the Bingleys’ saintly patience. ”

“Well, they shall take possession of Holloway Manor in June.”

The Bingleys had visited several estates while in Derbyshire and, after consulting with Mr. Darcy, Charles had made an offer on one with an attractive, modern manor house situated less than thirty miles from Pemberley.

Although the park was on the small side, it was prettily landscaped and the surrounding fields were in good condition.

Needless to say, both sisters and friends were pleased by the arrangement.

“The situation is amusing, I suppose, but I cannot say I blame them for waiting to inform my mother and Miss Bingley about the move.”

Fitzwilliam abhorred deceit in principle, but in this instance he was forced to agree.

He could easily imagine the ruckus Mrs. Bennet would cause when informed that her eldest daughter would be moving beyond the matron’s immediate reach, and he was quite certain that Miss Bingley did not deserve to be informed of her brother and sister’s plans.

His consideration of Bingley’s unfortunate living arrangement was interrupted when Elizabeth continued, “Catherine’s letter leads me to suspect that Mama may be feeling rather lonely, now that she has only one daughter left at Longbourn.

It is quite ridiculous—she would do far better to focus her attention on showing Mrs. Collins every courtesy, but it is obvious from Kitty’s description and the general tone of Charlotte’s letters that my mother is doing everything in her power to offend the Lucases. ”

Darcy had still not quite forgiven Mrs. Bennet for her particularly intemperate words to Elizabeth at Christmas, so rather than respond he set about distracting his wife from any happenings in Hertfordshire.

His success was such that within a few minutes, anything beyond the confines of their own bed curtains seemed entirely inconsequential.

At the end of March, the Darcys left Pemberley for London with only a modicum of angst. Although Fitzwilliam had little expectation of pleasure given the myriad balls and parties that already filled their calendar, Elizabeth had already begun planning several dinners reminiscent of those she had enjoyed at the Gardiners’.

Although he would not want to spend the entire year in such a manner, Mr. Darcy had to admit that the promise of some friendly gatherings full of intelligent conversation made the prospect of London not unattractive.

The Darcys broke their travel at Matlock and departed the next morning with the welcome company of the Earl and his wife, as well Miss Anne de Bourgh.

The increased size of their party allowed the ladies to banish the gentlemen to a separate carriage for an afternoon of feminine communion.

Later that night, when the Darcys had retired to their room at the inn, Will inquired as to their conversation.

Elizabeth only laughed at him. “Come now, sir—will you not allow us to keep any secrets? Our gender must have some confidences, or where would we be? Is it not our aura of mystery that attracts men to know us better?” Before he could form a response, she kissed him so warmly that he quite forgot the subject.

In truth, the ladies had canvassed many topics, but the greatest energy had been devoted to Miss Bingley and her unpleasant letters.

If Darcy had pressed her, Lizzy was willing to inform her husband all of the details, but she rather thought that the form of social justice that Lady Eleanor was planning to mete out might be more smoothly delivered without awakening Mr. Darcy’s gentlemanly instincts.

Upon their arrival in London, the Darcys spent a busy week settling into Derwent House.

Though they did not socialize beyond their most intimate family party, the ladies’ time was full of dress fittings, shopping expeditions searching for just the right ribbons, and final arrangements for the grand ball to celebrate Miss Darcy’s debut.