Page 32 of Elizabeth in Scotland (Elizabeth and Darcy Abroad #2)

“I am so happy,” Georgiana sighed. “Thank you for buying the pins for us.”

“I bought the pins for you, one of which you shall give to your friend,” Darcy hastened to remind her.

He must not forget that. It was a dangerous indulgence to give the gift at all, but Darcy could not bring himself to hold back.

The thought of Elizabeth wearing something that he had purchased for her was too thrilling.

And if the gift pleased her, if she smiled to receive it…

He would consider himself more than amply repaid in that smile.

The butler met them at the front door when they returned to Strathalt House, and he handed Georgiana a letter. “This arrived for you a few moments ago, Miss. It has come all the way from England.”

“Thank you, McGuire,” she said with a smile, before reading the front of the envelope. A strange expression passed over Georgiana’s face. “It is from Miss Caroline Bingley. I had almost forgotten that she had requested permission to write.”

“Hmm,” Darcy replied. “We had best go in so you can read that in peace.” It was all too obvious what Miss Bingley wanted: to use his sister to get to him.

It would have been almost flattering, had the lady’s object not been his estate and funds rather than his person.

He would have had to be blind and stupid not to realise what she really wanted.

Caroline Bingley thought herself subtle, but she was not the first lady to chase after Pemberley and the Darcy family’s name and consequence.

“Yes, that would probably be best.” Georgiana sighed, and she headed into the house ahead of him. Once they were settled in the library, she broke the seal and read aloud.

∞∞∞

My dearest Miss Darcy,

We are settling into Netherfield nicely, although the company is less varied than in Town — painfully so, I am sorry to say.

There are several young ladies after Charles, of course.

Worst of all is a very eager family with four daughters we have met, and another apparently gadding about somewhere.

They are all too keen to snatch him up for their eldest — or any that could catch him, no doubt.

They will not succeed if I’ve anything to say about it.

The father is apparently a landed gentleman, but their coffers are by no means healthy at the moment.

Indeed, I hear they have not been so in a long while.

A man with five daughters is bound to have his purse drained.

He is not here at the moment but is away on business, and it seems their mother lets them run about as wild as they please.

We have had the dubious pleasure of entertaining them almost every day during calling hours.

Indeed, the eldest daughter is at least better than the others.

I am really rather glad of her society, for she is perfectly civil, at least by the standards of the neighbourhood.

She has caught Charles’s eye, but I have no fear for my brother.

I shall speak with her at least enough to have warning of any danger in time to avert it.

We will host our first ball in a few weeks, and the whole of the countryside has been invited. (I would not be surprised if we had a piglet let loose at the proceedings, so wild is the society here.)

Please send my fondest greetings to your dear brother, and pass along Charles’s as well. We do so look forward to your next visit and hope that the house in Scotland will soon pass into your possession.

Yours in friendship,

Caroline Bingley

∞∞∞

Darcy gave his sister a knowing look. “She is fishing for news of the house. I can practically hear her drooling over the increase in our fortunes.”

“Do not be unkind. The Bingleys are great friends of yours, are they not?”

“Bingley is a great friend. Miss Bingley is out to get whatever she can out of whomever she can. You can see there is meanness written in every line of her letter.” Darcy hated to say it so plainly, but the years had taught him much.

He did not blame Georgiana for the scolding glance she shot at him.

She had grown much under Elizabeth’s tutelage, but Georgiana remained young and inexperienced.

Her one indiscretion did not mean she was prepared for the world and all its follies.

“I always endeavour to be gentlemanly when I am in her presence, Georgiana. But it does not mean I have to trust her.” He gave her a sad smile. “As you know, love and trust are two very different things. I offer neither to Miss Bingley, for I have the gravest doubts of her character.”

Georgiana stilled, her eyes gone wide with old pain.

“Yes, I know very well that love — or the appearance of it — is deceitful. But one cannot have love without trust. True love has to blossom in complete trust of the other person.” She smoothed her skirts, and he knew he had struck a nerve.

“I was not suggesting that you ought to marry Miss Bingley. Indeed, I should be dismayed if you had any intention of doing so. I should not like to have Miss Bingley as a sister.”

Darcy relented. “Very well. I was only pointing out that having my name as hers is precisely what she wants. And it is something she will never get.”

Georgiana nodded solemnly. Then her face slowly brightened with a smile. “I have an inkling, brother.”

“Oh, dear heavens,” Darcy teased, shifting in his chair. “It is never a good sign when a woman has an inkling.”

She lifted her chin proudly at being called a woman. But her innocent pride lasted only a moment. Returning to the point, Georgiana narrowed her eyes.

“I have never heard you speak so about Miss Bingley, and I suspect you would not have, had it not been for our meeting Miss Bennet.”

Darcy’s heart nearly stopped. Georgiana had caught him, but he would feign innocence. “I’ve no notion of what you mean.”

“Do not be coy with me, brother,” Georgiana laughed. “I can see very well that you like her.”

Darcy nodded. “Yes, I do like her — and her father as well. She has been a good friend to you.”

She pinned him with a stare that told him she would not be convinced. “No, I mean you like her. Not only for my sake, but for your own. And dare I say, not only as a friend.”

He could not lie. She had found him out. Darcy sighed. “Yes, you are right on that count as well. But I will not have you going about trying to play matchmaker.”

Georgiana raised her chin. “I would never.”

As she rose from the chair, smiling all the while, he wondered if allowing Elizabeth to give her lessons on being a woman had been entirely wise.