Page 10 of Ever After End
CHAPTER 9
H ighbury
August, 1811
In Highbury, the Bingleys began to see more of the Woodhouses, though relations were strained, and by unspoken agreement, the families avoided acknowledging one another. The Westons entertained at Randalls often, and though Miss Bingley did not invite the Woodhouses when she entertained, they still met at the homes of the few other genteel families.
“She would probably accept now, if she were invited, for Miss Woodhouse has a great desire not to let Mr Churchill out of her sight,” said Caroline snidely. “However, I see no need to lower myself to grovel for her notice. I have not failed to apprehend that she was exceedingly disappointed to have been denied Mr Darcy’s and Miss Darcy’s acquaintance.”
Mr Darcy had studiously avoided Miss Woodhouse at all engagements, stopping just short of cutting her directly, which he knew would put Knightley’s dander up. Miss Woodhouse was obviously very interested in Miss Darcy. The company of another very well bred, genteel young lady was always exciting for her, but Georgiana spent all of her time with Miss Bates or Miss Harriet Smith, with her brother always close by to guide them away or provide a distraction when Miss Woodhouse had them in her sights.
“Mr Churchill also needs no distraction from keeping my brother and Miss Fairfax from finding a moment alone,” added Mrs Hurst. “Charles is meant to be preparing for estate ownership. If he will not marry one from the first circles, it is, at least, his duty to marry a gentleman’s daughter. An orphan of no family is of no help to him at all. He needs a lady of equal birth to the position he aspires to.”
Darcy could not argue with her. He and Hurst had already impressed upon Bingley that if he purchased an estate and married an orphan of no family, he would not be well received anywhere, and Darcy could only assist in society so much once such decisions were made.
Miss Bingley made Darcy exceedingly uncomfortable by taking his disinclination to know Miss Woodhouse as a personal compliment. She spent her time in company in Highbury boasting of Mr Darcy’s virtues and the perfection of Pemberley. Her attentions and deference to Georgiana were so cloying that if the girl had a proper companion, she would have avoided the lady and her sister at all costs, even if it meant isolating herself in her rooms.
The rest of Miss Bingley’s time was spent hanging on Darcy, complimenting Darcy, agreeing with Darcy, and admiring Darcy. Bingley closed himself in his study with his younger sister several times and explained to her plainly that Darcy was literally begging him to stop her behaviour. However, she would not listen, and was certain that Mr Darcy could be persuaded eventually.
If she could only get Miss Darcy on her side.
If they could only have enough society to host some truly impressive engagements.
“You have cursed my efforts by bringing us to this backwater, Charles,” complained Caroline. “How am I to plan events that will show Mr Darcy my suitability when you have moved us to this horrid place?” Her brother did everything that he could to convince his sister otherwise, but nothing that he said made the slightest difference.
One afternoon, an unexpected guest was presented to the drawing room at The Gables. “Lady Catherine de Bourgh,” announced the butler.
The party rose, and Darcy said, “Aunt, we had no word of your coming. Is Anne with you?”
Lady Catherine waved her hand. “I could not very well bring Anne; she is unused to such journeys. She remains at Rosings Park, though it is to your credit that you ask after her welfare so solicitously, considering your long engagement.”
“Aunt, I am not going to begin another discussion of the fact that Anne and I are not engaged in front of my host and his family. Why are you here?” Darcy demanded.
“Mr Darcy, I apologise for interrupting, but Lady Catherine, will you be staying the night? If so, I must prepare a room for you,” interrupted Caroline.
“Thank you for your consideration,” said Lady Catherine proudly. “I will remain until I have satisfied myself that my nephew is not throwing himself away on some unworthy chit. Darcy, I want a word with you in private. Niece, you will accompany us. I will question you as well regarding the situation here.”
Darcy introduced his aunt to Bingley and his family; there was no escaping it if his aunt was to stay the night. “My aunt will be returning to Rosings Park in the morning, Miss Bingley, but I thank you for your care. Bingley, may I beg the use of your library?”
Taking his aunt’s arm, Darcy escorted her, followed by his sister, to the room that The Gables considered a library, though Bingley possessed little in the way of books. Darcy promised that once Bingley settled at a permanent location, he would solicit Hatchard’s in London to assist Bingley with finding a private collection for sale, which was the best way to start a library from nothing. Scholars and book collectors died all the time, leaving behind collections that must be sold for various reasons. Bingley had not much interest in a library for himself, but he was determined that once he purchased an estate, that his guests would find their desired entertainment in his home.
A tea tray arrived behind them, since Miss Bingley decided to act quickly to defer the family’s tea trolley to the library, and ordered another for the drawing room. His aunt sat watching intently as Georgiana poured and served expertly.
“That was nicely done, Niece,” the older woman said. “I was concerned when my brother Darcy left you in the care of two bachelors, but I can see that you carry yourself well.”
“Thank you, Aunt Catherine,” said Georgiana, excessively relieved that she was not to be the target of her aunt’s criticism today.
“Be at ease, Georgiana, I am not going to eat you this time. No, today, I am here to question your brother. Darcy, what is this I hear in my correspondence about you courting ladies here in Highbury? Whatever are you thinking, throwing over Anne?” demanded Lady Catherine
“Courting ladies?” Darcy laughed. “Aunt Catherine, I assure you, I never court ladies. That does not mean I will not do so when I consider it appropriate, but I assure you, in all of my eight-and-twenty-years, I have never been guilty of courting a lady. I hardly even dance; it raises expectations, and I never raise expectations.”
“I have a letter here from the daughter of an old friend, Mrs Suckling, from Marple Grove. She claims that her sister, formerly Miss Augusta Hawkins, now Mrs Elton of Highbury Parsonage, writes to her that my nephew Mr Darcy has been in Highbury for some time, and has been courting not only a Miss Woodhouse, but also a Miss Fairfax,” said their aunt, pulling out the offending letter.
Georgiana let out a tiny squeak of hilarity in her efforts not to giggle. Her aunt looked sharply at her, “What was that, young miss?”
“Do not be cross with her, Aunt. It is all I can do not to laugh out loud heartily at that bit of nonsense myself,” said Darcy with a smile. “Would you like to be the one to tell her?” he asked his sister.
Georgiana nodded, nearly bouncing in her seat. “Thank you, Brother! Aunt Catherine, Miss Woodhouse is a lady who my brother has snubbed quite thoroughly since our arrival here.”
“No!” gasped Lady Catherine. “Darcy would never!”
“He would!” insisted Georgiana. “My brother finds Miss Woodhouse’s society so distasteful he has all but given her the cut direct. We have been in her company many times, but we have avoided all introductions.”
“You are not even properly introduced?” asked their aunt disbelievingly.
Georgiana shook her head. “I assure you, I find the prospect of Miss Woodhouse’s company quite as distasteful as Fitzwilliam does.”
“Miss Woodhouse snubbed our hosts quite scandalously when they arrived, then was all too eager to make mine and Georgiana’s acquaintance,” Darcy explained. “I rarely behave thus, but Georgiana and I can hardly reward such behaviour.”
“Well, I have never approved of your friendship with this tradesman, but I suppose you could not accept his hospitality and this young woman’s friendship,” said their aunt in a rare moment of reason. “What about the other one? The Fairfax chit?”
“I suppose that there might be the smallest substance behind that,” admitted Darcy. “Not because I am courting the lady, but I have paid her some small attention while in Highbury. Again, not because I am courting her, but for two other reasons. One, my friend is paying her his attentions, and I occasionally pay his ladies some small notice to ensure they are not fortune hunters. Most of them are, sadly. Miss Fairfax has no interest in myself or Bingley, she seems more interested in another man, a Mr Frank Churchill, though Bingley has yet to give up the chase. I am certain it is just boredom driving his interest. Even for me, this area is very quiet.”
“And what was the other reason?” demanded Lady Catherine.
“Ha!” laughed Darcy. “Miss Woodhouse cannot stand Miss Fairfax, it is evident in all of their interactions. Miss Fairfax is also being pursued by the man Miss Woodhouse is very interested in.”
“Ah, so you are only adding insult to injury,” chuckled his aunt. “It sounds like this Miss Woodhouse deserves it. I shall have to chastise Mrs Suckling for passing along her sister’s unreliable gossip. But it is more than time that you finalise matters with Anne, Darcy. She is only three years your junior. You are wasting her childbearing years.”
“Aunt, forcing Anne to bear children will kill her. I have told you this each time you bring the matter up. She was not even well enough to accompany you here. I will not marry her,” insisted Darcy. “I do not need her fortune, nor I do not have the time to manage Rosings Park completely, and I do not agree with marrying cousins. Families who engage in that practice often are always unhealthy. I refuse to be the means to my cousin’s end. Why do you keep insisting on this, Aunt?”
“Who will look after her when I am gone, Darcy?” Lady Catherine asked.
“Any of us, I am sure,” he replied. “She is not without family, and the de Bourghs are just as capable as our side of the family, though you do not like them. You will kill her if you force her to wed.”
“I do not know what to do, Darcy. I am certain that if I die and leave her behind, she will be forced into marriage,” said Lady Catherine.
“That is not an unreasonable fear,” assured her nephew. “However, her uncle is powerful. Why do you not throw yourself upon your brother for assistance? I am certain my uncle will know what to do. Chasing me across the country is not going to make Anne any safer, for I shall never comply with your wishes. One day, I am going to find a wife, Aunt, and it will not be Anne. I would rather have your blessing than your disapprobation when that day arrives.”
Lady Catherine sighed. “As long as you do not saddle us with someone embarrassing like a tradesman’s daughter, Nephew. I will not tolerate that woman out there in the drawing room for example. I would destroy you both if you tried it. Perhaps I will ask my brother to visit Anne and I at Rosings Park. I should return tomorrow, like you said. I do not like to leave her with Mrs Jenkinson for very long.” She looked at Georgiana speculatively. “Where is your companion, Niece?”
“She was unsuitable,” Georgiana said. “But I have made a new friend, and have decided to ask Miss Bates to accompany me for a lengthy visit to town, and perhaps Pemberley while my brother and I decide on another.”
“Is that so?” asked Darcy in surprise. This was new. Georgiana was not asking permission to select her own companion. She was announcing her intention to invite Miss Bates quite of her own accord.
“I like her very much, Brother,” answered his sister. “Perhaps she is a bit silly, but she is genuine and she is kind. All I truly need just now is someone to keep me company, someone I can trust, and I trust her very well. Later perhaps, someone might be found to go out into society with me when I come out, or perhaps if you get married, we will need to hire no one. But for now, I believe she suits me very well.”
“Who is this person?” demanded their aunt. “I insist upon having my share of the information!”
“Miss Bates is an impoverished spinster whose mother recently died, and she has been left quite alone. She is perhaps nearing fifty. As Georgie states, she is rather silly, and talks a great deal out of excitement, but my sister’s company seems to calm her a bit, and she is an exceptionally kind woman, and very genteel. I can understand why Georgie trusts her,” Darcy explained.
“I had an unpleasant experience with my last companion, Aunt,” Georgiana confessed, as her brother raised his eyebrows in warning. Georgiana understood. “I will not bore you with the details, but the woman did not have my best interests at heart. I am barely worth a portion of Anne’s fortune, but I share her vulnerability to persons with mercenary intent. Miss Bates might be poor, but she is not untrustworthy. That is what I require at this time — company I can trust.”
“Just because she is poor does not mean she will consent to take a position, Georgie,” warned her brother. “Miss Bates might prefer to cling to her gentility, no matter how impoverished she might be.”
“If I were to invite her to join our family as an extended guest, we could give her an allowance, could we not?” asked Georgiana. “My friend from school did that. The lady they wished for did not wish to be known to take a position, so she was invited to live with the family as a friend, and they provided her with a proper London wardrobe and an allowance. It was more costly, but Miss Chatman was very happy with her choice.”
“Such arrangements are more costly, but you are in the privileged position of being able to afford such eccentricities, Sister,” Darcy said, smiling. Georgiana was growing up so fast, and he was very impressed by her sense.
Their aunt seemed to be in agreement. “Your logic is sound, Niece,” she said. “I shall go with you tomorrow morning to call upon this Miss Bates before I leave. I am interested to meet her. Darcy, If that Bingley woman has prepared a room for me, I would like to go there now. I am fatigued from my journey, and I will take a tray tonight in my room.”