Page 40 of Hidden Desires

DARCY SHOOK HIS HEAD and set the pen aside.

He had risen early, intent on drafting a letter of instruction for the steward at Pemberley before the day could intrude.

For more than an hour, he had stared at the page, unable to write a single line.

His thoughts kept returning to the conversation from the previous evening, when Georgiana’s friendship with Miss Elizabeth had come under scrutiny.

Had he erred in brushing their concerns aside? Perhaps Mrs. Hurst had reason to question the wisdom of encouraging his sister to grow close to a young woman she had only just met.

Though still quiet since the scheme Darcy had uncovered and interrupted, Georgiana had begun to regain some of her confidence.

Before the incident, she had not been shy but chose to listen before joining a conversation.

When she did speak, her words were thoughtful, measured, and suited to the moment.

To Darcy’s knowledge, she had never given offense.

But the ordeal she had suffered left her fearful that anything she said might invite disapproval.

Miss Elizabeth’s friendship had done much to restore her confidence, shaken as it was by what she had endured.

Through that bond, she had begun to emerge from the shadow of despair left by one she had trusted.

Yet Darcy sometimes wondered whether Georgiana believed her friend’s kindness was genuine—or only offered from pity.

Darcy’s anger rose at the thought of the lies that had deceived his sister and nearly taken her from him. Fury had gripped him when he learned the truth, and he had gone to confront the man, only to find the coward had fled.

It is just as well I did not find him; I would have made him pay for treating her like that. For his sake, it is better we do not meet again. Georgiana need not suffer the shock of my hanging for ridding the world of him.

He pushed away from the desk, resigned to the impossibility of completing the task while his thoughts remained elsewhere.

Choosing to leave the letter until day’s end, he decided instead to walk the orchard in search of an apple—more out of hope than expectation, since the trees had only begun to recover from Bennet’s pruning and showed little promise of bearing fruit so soon after years of neglect.

Darcy opened the front door just as a carriage came to a halt at the entrance. Bennet stepped down first, followed by Elizabeth.

“Welcome to Netherfield,” he said. “It is a pleasure to see you. Georgiana has been looking forward to your visit since we left yesterday.”

“I think Elizabeth feels the same,” Bennet said, nodding at his daughter, whose eyes darted about as though searching for someone.

“Allow me to thank you for the kindness and gentle regard you have shown her,” Darcy said, his gaze fixed on Elizabeth. “Because of your influence, I am beginning to see the return of the sister I feared lost. I cannot express what it means to me, or what you have done in so short a time.”

Elizabeth did not reply, her attention drawn to something behind him. When he turned, he saw Georgiana emerging from the manor, her steps quick but uncertain, as though she could not decide whether to run to them or retreat. She paused a few yards away, twisting her hands together.

“You came,” she said at last, her voice soft, as if she feared to presume too much. “I—I hoped you would, though I worried you might think better of it.”

Elizabeth lifted a shoulder, her smile gentle. “But I gave you my word. I would not go back on a promise.”

Georgiana’s lips parted as though she might say more, then closed again. She glanced down, her fingers fidgeting in the folds of her gown.

“Miss Eliza,” Caroline called, stepping from the house, “how fortunate that you came. We have not seen you since the grievous injury Charles suffered at Longbourn.”

“My father and Jane tell me his recovery is proceeding as expected,” Elizabeth said. “I hope the burden of caring for him has not been too difficult.”

“It has been a trying time,” Caroline replied, a touch of disdain coloring her voice. “Charles has been a dear, but he’s come to recognize that London offers the sort of care his condition truly warrants.”

“He has not mentioned that to me.” Darcy offered Caroline a faint smile that did not reach his eyes. “Only last evening, he spoke with interest of the work at Netherfield. He hopes to be involved within the week.”

“We shall see,” Caroline said under her breath, not so low that Darcy failed to catch the words. He said nothing in reply.

“Have you plans for the day?” she continued. “If not, I am sure Georgiana can entertain us all; she is such a talented young woman. Perhaps she will favor us with a recitation on the pianoforte. Her skill is unmatched in all of Hertfordshire.”

“My talent is mediocre at best, and lacking compared to Miss Mary’s,” Georgiana replied, her tone quiet but edged with unease. “Her touch surpasses anything I can manage.”

“Perhaps so, but Miss Mary is not here.” Caroline’s lips curved in the suggestion of a smile. “Otherwise, I would have asked her to play. You can entertain us while Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bennet are busy. I am sure we would all enjoy it, Eliza most of all.”

Georgiana’s gaze flicked to Elizabeth, searching her expression as if to see whether she resented the suggestion or felt amusement at her expense.

Elizabeth caught her eye and made a reassuring nod. “I would love nothing more than a walk.”

“Elizabeth is here to view the grounds,” Georgiana said, her voice firmer now. “That was the purpose of my invitation, which I—I hoped she accepted because she wished to, not from politeness.”

“I should be glad to explore the grounds,” Elizabeth said warmly. “You have been kind to ask me.”

Some tension eased from Georgiana’s face, though her shoulders remained stiff.

Caroline declared, “I will accompany you,” but Georgiana set her jaw. “That may be, but I want to show Elizabeth the property myself. If there is time later, we can walk through the house, though it would be a pity to waste such a fine day indoors.”

Elizabeth smiled. “I would love to explore the grounds.”

Georgiana let out a small, nervous laugh and clapped her hands together, though her gaze returned to Elizabeth as if to confirm she was truly welcome.

“Enjoy your outing,” Caroline said, her mouth tightening into something like a smile. “I shall remain indoors, where a lady belongs. When you tire of chasing about, we may turn to more suitable occupations.”

With a huff, she made her way to the house, shutting the door behind her with a force that left no doubt of her dissatisfaction.

Georgiana turned to her brother. “May I?”

“This is not Pemberley, and you are unfamiliar with its risks. Stay close and do not linger; Bennet may have other commitments.”

“You can trust her to keep them out of danger,” Bennet said. “She has a level head and will not take unnecessary chances. As for me, I am content to wait until they return; I have nothing pressing today.”

They set off across the lawn at a leisurely pace, Elizabeth tilting her head back to feel the warmth of the sun. The fresh air and freedom from Miss Bingley’s company lifted her spirits.

“I do not think Miss Bingley is fond of me,” Elizabeth said with a smile. “She looked quite put out that you chose a walk over playing the pianoforte.”

Georgiana hesitated, then said softly, “She does not approve of our acquaintance. William told me she warned him you would tarnish the Darcy name.” She glanced sideways, searching Elizabeth’s face.

Elizabeth reached out and touched her hand lightly. “You need not worry. If ever I found your company unwelcome, I should say so. I am glad to be here.”

Georgiana’s answering smile was small, but genuine.

“Miss Bingley’s opinion is no secret, and she makes no effort to hide it.

She seems to think my family so far beneath her as to be unworthy of notice.

I refuse to take offense. Let her think what she likes, although I confess her rude, condescending manner toward Jane troubles me when I see them together. ”

Georgiana let out a bark of laughter. “Her insolence is astounding. The daughter of a tradesman presumes to place herself above the daughter of a gentleman and seems proud of the insult!”

“Is Miss Bingley ignorant of the source of her dowry,” Elizabeth wondered, “or has she played her part so long she has forgotten where she comes from?”

“She knows,” Georgiana said. “She just hopes no one else remembers. I try to judge people by what they do, not what they say. So does William. He says he chooses his friends for their worth, not their rank or standing.”

Elizabeth smiled a little at Georgiana’s description.

Given Mr. Darcy’s fortune and standing, she would have expected him to care very much about birth and connections; it puzzled her that someone so well-placed held such generous views.

Still, she saw no reason to question it.

Whatever the cause, she would enjoy Georgiana’s friendship without troubling herself over her brother’s opinions.

She smiled at Georgiana’s description. Given Mr. Darcy’s fortune and standing, she would have expected him to care very much about birth and connections. It puzzled her that someone so well-placed held such generous views.

Georgiana turned and beckoned her to follow, so she pushed the thoughts aside.

“I wanted to take you around the estate,” she said, “to show you the changes Mr. Bingley has made, which he credits to your father.”

She led the way into the orchard and stopped beneath the thinning canopy.

Pointing to the trees, where early fruit had begun to form among the leaves, she said, “Mr. Bingley told William he is pleased with the orchard’s progress.

Before speaking with Mr. Bennet, he believed the trees were beyond saving and meant to have them removed.