Page 16 of Elizabeth in Scotland (Elizabeth and Darcy Abroad #2)

Darcy opened the door that led out onto the stone terrace, allowing the ladies to walk in front of him until they reached the green.

The grass was wet with the rain that had fallen steadily throughout the night.

Mist was still resting over the expanse of the loch, dissipating slowly in the cooler temperatures, making the distant mountains seem as if they floated above the ground.

“It is breathtaking, isn’t it? I had always heard of the allure of Scotland, but I never dreamt it would be so magical,” Miss Bennet breathed.

“It is beautiful,” Georgiana said simply. “I think it is almost as beautiful as Pemberley.”

“It must be quite a treasure, your home,” Miss Bennet went on, kindly engaging his sister in something familiar. Darcy looked at her, impressed. Georgiana had chosen her mentor well. Miss Bennet was indeed adept at conversation and making the other person feel seen and heard.

Georgiana’s face brightened. “It is. My brother has worked very hard over the last few years, making improvements and repairs. It fell a little into disrepair when my father fell ill.” She turned her face away, looking at the loch.

“I am sorry. You must miss him very much,” Miss Bennet said gently. “There is nothing so bad as losing someone you love.”

Darcy wondered if there had been someone close to her that she had lost. As far as he knew, both her parents were still living. Still, the sentiment was appreciated.

“Papa was a good man. But my brother is also a good man, as evidenced by his care of me.” Georgiana linked arms with him and leant against him as they walked. “He detests public praise,” she teased.

“I do not think I deserve praise for doing my duty,” he said, sending her a warning look to change the subject.

“There is a difference between doing one’s duty and taking care of someone out of true affection and brotherly love,” said Miss Bennet.

“I have been fortunate to be so close to my four sisters. How dreadful it would be to have a family full of strife! I can hardly imagine it. What a terrible loss that would be, for nothing in this world can be of greater value than the loving relationships we build. At least, that is what I believe.”

Darcy nodded, impressed by her wisdom. “I agree.”

She met his gaze, and the slightest touch of pink spread over her cheeks. She looked away and quickly changed the subject to something more mundane. “Do you ride, Miss Darcy?”

The ladies continued to chat, and after about half an hour, Darcy excused himself, for he too had some letters to see to. A letter had arrived from Bingley, forwarded from his London townhouse.

∞∞∞

Dear Darcy,

I received your letter and am at once sad that I cannot receive you, but delighted at the prospect of an inheritance for you. Not that you need the money — but a bit of adventure in the Scottish Highlands will be good for you. I am always telling Caroline that you work too hard.

We have enjoyed our stay here at Netherfield so far.

We have met so many charming people, so open and welcoming.

There is a particular lady who has captured my special attention.

She is an angel, I tell you, with golden hair and the most beautiful blue eyes…

Well, I will not bore you with the details, but suffice it to say, we met at the public assembly in Meryton shortly after our arrival, and I have seen her several times since.

She is lovelier than any woman I have met in London.

Caroline sends her best and wishes you to tell Miss Darcy that she longs to see her. We hope you will both come and see us as soon as you are back in England and have settled all the paperwork with the estate manager. Hurry home, Darcy, for I can hardly wait to show you Netherfield Park.

Bingley

∞∞∞

Darcy folded the letter and set it aside, a little concerned for his friend.

Bingley was happily infatuated with his angel, but while Darcy could be pleased for his happiness, he doubted the prudence of the relationship.

That was Bingley all over — always falling in love without thinking twice.

Much of the happiness of his future life might depend on whether he chanced to fall in love with a woman of real worth when he finally married.

There was, perhaps, a little selfishness in his doubts.

Darcy knew himself well enough to admit it.

In his heart of hearts, he had always rather hoped that Bingley might wed Georgiana one day.

Who would a man rather give his sister to than his best friend, the man with the kindest heart and the best disposition of all his acquaintance?

Bingley would not judge Georgiana for what had nearly happened at Ramsgate — Darcy knew it down to his bones.

And Georgiana would be the making of his friend — would elevate him from a friendly, likeable fellow into a man of depth.

But that was a matter to be settled between the principals once Georgiana was of marriageable age — if Bingley did not get himself wed to the first beautiful woman clever enough to catch him before then.

He was eager to meet this young woman and see for himself if she was worthy of his friend.

It was a fact: Bingley was apt to like people too quickly, before really giving himself time to discern their true character and motives.

Miss Bingley was another matter entirely.

She was apt to dislike people, no matter if they were deserving of such derision or not.

She was much like her elder sister — more inclined to judge others for any lack of wealth or consequence than to remember that she herself was the daughter of a merchant.

He set aside the letter and penned a response. Strange to think how many days it would take to reach his friend. Perhaps he would send another, informing Bingley of the new owner of Strathalt House, before he even had a chance to read the first.

∞∞∞

Dear Bingley,

We arrived in Scotland a few days ago. The journey went well, although Georgiana was thoroughly exhausted when we arrived.

It seems that the inheritance of the house is not as simple as previously thought.

First, there is another heir who was not previously known until after the letter was sent to me.

He is a respectable gentleman from Hertfordshire and has brought one of his daughters along as a companion.

The young lady is charming, and she and Georgiana are becoming fast friends.

Now for the complication. It has been deemed quite fairly that the other gentleman and I are equally closely related to the late Mr Sinclair.

Mr Campbell, the estate manager, has come up with a unique solution.

While it is rather outlandish, it will at once keep us out of the local courts and give us an interesting way to settle who will inherit.

He will devise a series of riddles and clues for us to solve.

The first to solve two out of three will inherit Strathalt House.

It will be a hard-fought battle. You know how I value my books, but the other gentleman is my equal.

No — he is my superior, for he has the advantage of me in having had many more years of life in which to read.

Already he has solved the first clue — in a matter of minutes — and left me in the dust.

But I will not give up so easily. If Strathalt House is not to be part of the Darcy holdings in the end, it shall not be because I did not strive to the utmost.

There is at least some other benefit to be found in the matter.

Whether or not I inherit, I think we have made a valuable acquaintance in the other heir and his daughter, and I should be happy to see them in the house as much as ourselves.

We are eager to be home to see you and your new Netherfield Park.

Do you believe you will stay on permanently?

Georgiana sends her best and wishes to convey her eagerness to see you as well.

Darcy

∞∞∞

He blotted, folded, and sealed the letter, setting it aside to send later.

Darcy smiled crookedly, thinking again of the revelations contained in Bingley’s letter.

True, it had long been a quiet hope of his that Bingley and Georgiana might find themselves drawn to each other when she was older.

But if this woman was all that Bingley described, that dream might be out of the question.

He did not really mind, as long as Bingley was happy.

Georgiana had her whole life ahead of her, and with Miss Bennet’s help, she might yet come out in society with all the success he might wish for her.

Once again, his chest flooded with gratitude for what Miss Bennet was undertaking.

Though a veritable stranger, she was helping his sister, perhaps transforming the whole future course of her life for the better, and with no expectation of anything in return.

If that did not speak volumes of her character, he was not sure what could.