Page 4 of Elizabeth in Scotland (Elizabeth and Darcy Abroad #2)
Darcy patted her hand. “I know. You are a strong young woman, Georgiana.” Even if he did not fully see her blooming into all that he knew she could be, he hoped that travelling to Scotland would give her some enjoyment, and even build some confidence in her after what had happened at Ramsgate.
More than anything, he blamed himself, wished that he had seen sooner what Mrs Younge was.
It was Darcy’s fault that his sister was living in so much pain, and if this trip to Strathalt House would help ease some of her sorrow, then by all means, he would do his best to make it the most wonderful holiday she had ever had.
“When do we depart?” Georgiana asked. She rose from the stool, and he let go of her hand.
“Mr Campbell asked that I come as soon as I am able. I suppose we will take a few days to prepare ourselves and have everything we need from Pemberley packed and made ready. We shall pick up the things on our way north. I shall have to write to Reynolds this instant,” Darcy said.
He started toward the door. “Make a list for me, if you will, of the things you want from Pemberley.”
“We are leaving in a few days? Were you not supposed to go to Hertfordshire in a fortnight’s time and advise Mr Bingley whether he ought to let that house?” she asked.
Darcy stopped, and Georgiana nearly ran into his back.
“Oh, I had almost forgotten about that.” He would have to write to his friend immediately.
Thankfully, Bingley was so good-natured that he would certainly take no offense.
And while Bingley did him the compliment of wishing for his advice, he was in fact a man of good sense, and more than capable of making the choice for himself.
“I shall add his to my list of letters that need to be written. Now, off you go to start preparations. I shall see you again for tea.”
“Yes, Fitz,” Georgiana said. “Oh, and brother?” she asked, stopping him as they began to part ways in the corridor. “Thank you.”
Darcy frowned and cocked his head, curious. “For what?”
“For taking care of me so well. I could not have asked for a better brother.”
Darcy nodded and gave a sad smile. She slouched slightly, as if she were trying to hide, instead of standing at her full height.
True, Georgiana was a tall girl, but he wanted to see her confident of her height — confident in everything about herself.
Where might Georgiana be now, if Wickham’s cruelty had not turned a very natural shyness into terrible self-doubt?
The right companion, if only he could find one, might be the making of her. What Georgiana needed more than anything was a true mentor and guide, a lady of great wit and wisdom who would help her as she bloomed into womanhood.
He closed the distance between them and gave her a brotherly embrace. “I will always be here to do just that,” Darcy vowed. When they parted, he smiled down at her. “Until the day some very lucky young chap comes along who can do it better.”
She gave a little laugh. Darcy’s heart twisted painfully at the bitterness in that laugh.
“I hope you are willing to be that caretaker for a long time to come. I do not see any man of real worth being willing to marry me anytime soon. Nor any man motivated by anything but my dowry.” Georgiana mumbled the last words and turned away, moving like a spectre through the corridor toward the back stairway that led up to the second-floor bedrooms.
Darcy’s heart sank. He wished there were something more he could do to bring her out of her misery. He turned reluctantly and went back the way he had come, entering the study with a thousand tasks needing his attention as he prepared to depart for Scotland.
One among them was undoubtedly the most important. He must write to Bingley without delay and let him know of the change in plans. Darcy sat down at the writing desk and penned his missive.
∞∞∞
My dear friend,
I write with both good and sad tidings. First, the sad: I cannot come to Hertfordshire as we had arranged and advise you on whether you ought to take Netherfield.
Instead of my advice, you must be satisfied with my confidence that you need it not.
Now, for the reason and the good: I have been informed that I may be in line to inherit a house in Scotland.
I doubt it could rival Pemberley, but it must come with some modest lands, and it would serve as another source of income for the Darcy holdings.
The manager of the house has asked that I come posthaste so that the matter of the inheritance might be settled, and thus, sooner close out the estate.
I am sorry, my friend, that I will not be there to help you as you settle into your new country home, and I beg you will forgive me.
However, if it is agreeable to you that I visit at a later date, and that I bring Georgiana along with me, I should very much like to come when we have arrived back in England.
With luck, I may yet be there in the fall to help you deplete your stock of birds.
Give my best to your sisters and Mr Hurst.
In haste and as always with warmest regard,
Darcy
∞∞∞
Darcy read the letter over, and when he was satisfied that its brevity was only hasty, not rude, he blotted, folded, and sealed it, and put on the letter tray as the first of many letters that he would have to send before they left.
He gave a crooked grin as he thought of the look on Miss Caroline Bingley’s face when she was told of the news that Darcy would not be coming to Netherfield after all.
He was anything but displeased that he would not have to endure her games and schemes.
Miss Bingley had made no secret of her wish to catch him, a wish quite obviously founded on the Darcy name and holdings rather than any real sympathy between them.
Their union would have been a triumph for Caroline Bingley, the daughter of a wealthy merchant.
While it was a disappointment that he could not see Bingley, his closest friend, it would be a relief not to have to see his pernicious sister. Darcy sat back and let out a long breath, taking a momentary respite from the many tasks that lay ahead.
Perhaps Scotland had one more benefit to its name. For however many weeks he might spend at Strathalt House, he would surely be safe from eligible young ladies.