Page 81 of I Thee Wed (Pride And Prejudice Variation #2)

“Aunt Helen, you are looking well. I pray your trip was easy,” Darcy said as he handed his aunt down from the carriage and offered his arm as they ascended the steps into Pemberley.

Elizabeth walked at Lady Helen’s other side, and Georgiana followed behind.

Elizabeth asked. “Aunt Helen, would you like to rest or take tea?”

Lady Helen waved her hand. “No, my dear. I am not tired. It is but a twenty-mile drive on good roads from Matlock. Take me to the drawing room, I wish to make plans.”

Darcy remained with the three women during tea, then excused himself with a bow and a parting glance at Elizabeth.

Lady Helen set down her cup and turned to Georgiana. “My dear, will you be able to refrain from speaking of my plans to match Phillip?”

Georgiana agreed. “Yes, Aunt Helen. I would never dream of telling tales out of hand.”

“Very well, then. You may remain with us. It is good for you to learn how matches are made.”

She turned to Elizabeth. “Shall we take a house for a month or six weeks in the Lake District? Windermere is very beautiful this time of year.”

This pleased Elizabeth. “I have never seen the Lakes, nor have my two friends. A holiday to see the sights in Derbyshire would offer a perfect cover for our plans, and it holds the added attraction that I have always wished to visit there.”

Georgiana added quickly, “Aunt Helen, will I be allowed to go too?”

Lady Helen nodded. “Of course, Georgiana. A holiday to the Lakes is a perfectly acceptable activity for a girl your age.”

She turned back to Elizabeth. “An excursion will reveal how each young woman conducts herself under the small hardships of travel. I remember touring with Lady Anne and Lady Catherine when we were girls. Lady Anne was always helpful, working to keep the rest of us comfortable. Lady Catherine, by contrast, complained at every inconvenience. She was loud in her complaints when she discovered the bedsheets had not been aired, or the privy was dirty, or we had to share a bed and someone had to sleep on a cot.”

She turned to Georgiana. “Your mother was everything kind and obliging. She volunteered to sleep on the cot, even though I offered to take my turn. But Lady Catherine was selfish.”

Turning again to Elizabeth, she said firmly, “That will be the ultimate trial. If either of these young women is peevish, disobliging, or selfish, she will not be good enough for my son.”

Lady Helen leaned forward. “I will ask Fitzwilliam to invite Richard and Anne. It would be a lovely place to conduct a courtship.”

That evening at dinner, Lady Helen unveiled her plans.

“Darcy, I propose an excursion to Windermere. It is but a two-day journey, and if you lease a house for several weeks, we shall have time to take out a boat, go fishing, walk the paths, and enjoy the views.”

Darcy turned to his wife. “Darling, have you ever been to the Lakes?”

Elizabeth’s eyes sparkled. “No, and I should love to go, Fitzwilliam.”

He turned next to his sister. “Little one, you have not been to the Lake District either. Will you accompany us?”

Georgiana replied gratefully, “Brother, I was hoping not to be left behind. I should love to go.”

“Then it is settled,” Darcy said. “We shall go.”

Lady Helen was satisfied. “I shall invite Richard and Anne to join us. Perhaps, in such a setting, Anne may be brought to accept his proposal.”

Darcy looked concerned. “Allow me to send the invitation, Aunt Helen. It will be more difficult for my cousin to decline if I ask him. I had hoped Richard would have been married by now. I do not understand why my cousin will not have him.”

Lady Helen sighed. “Perhaps Richard will be married soon. I want him to sell out of the military and settle down with a wife and family.”

When the guests had retired for the evening, Elizabeth lingered in the drawing room, waiting for Darcy to join her. He entered quietly and sat beside her, leaning his dark head against her curly one.

“Well, my dearest,” he said, “we are bound for Windermere. I believe Lady Helen has contrived it as much for Richard’s sake as for the Stanton sisters.”

Elizabeth nodded. “Yes, she is determined to see both of her sons married this year. Fitzwilliam, a journey to the Lake District has long been a wish of mine, and now I am to go.”

“Then I am glad. You shall see the lakes and the mountains and all their grandeur, and I will be the man who shows you these delights.”