Page 13 of Mr. Darcy and the Mysterious “Miss B”

Darcy

G eorgiana’s laughter echoed off the shop windows as they made their way through Meryton’s main street. She had been regaling him with tales of her morning lesson with Elizabeth on the proper way to cheat at piquet—knowledge that Elizabeth insisted was essential for any lady of quality.

“I confess I shall be rather sorry to see the Miss Bennets depart,” Georgiana said, her step light despite the seriousness of her words. “Elizabeth and Lydia have been such delightful company.”

Darcy nodded, though his response lacked his sister’s enthusiasm. “I am certain you will maintain your friendship with them.”

“Yes, but it will not be the same as having them at Netherfield.” Georgiana slanted him a knowing look. “Jane is much improved—Mr Morrison declared she might return home within the week. I expect you will miss Elizabeth’s conversation when she has gone.”

“I fear Miss Elizabeth thinks rather poorly of me,” Darcy replied. “My initial behaviour towards her family was regrettable.”

“But surely that has changed? I have observed you together, William. You appear to enjoy her company. Lydia told me you conspired with Elizabeth to help Lydia out of her last bout of melancholy.”

“She knew it was by design then,” Darcy said, eager to change the topic.

“Of course. But you see? You work so well with her. Certainly, things have changed between the two of you.”

Darcy’s collar felt tight. “Whatever my feelings on the matter, I doubt they are reciprocated. First impressions are difficult to overcome.”

Georgiana stopped walking and faced him with the directness that reminded him she was no longer the frightened child she had once been.

“Perhaps the difficulty lies not in overcoming first impressions, but in allowing oneself to hope for better ones. Not everyone is of your belief that if one has lost one’s good opinion of someone it is lost forever. ”

“Georgiana—”

“When did you become so cautious about matters of the heart, brother?”

Her insight struck close to the truth. “You speak as though you have given this considerable thought.”

“I have. And I believe it is past time you considered settling down. You are eight and twenty, William. If you do not choose a wife soon, Caroline Bingley will drag you to the altar through sheer persistence.”

Despite his troubled thoughts, Darcy laughed. “Caroline is not quite so determined as that.”

“Is she not? I have watched her these past days. She positions herself near you at every opportunity, agrees with your every opinion, and finds excuses to touch your arm with alarming frequency.”

“I had not noticed it was quite so obvious.”

“It is painfully obvious to everyone except you.” Georgiana resumed walking. “Though I suppose you have been rather distracted by other matters.”

“Speaking of other matters,” Darcy said, not wishing to discuss the matter further. He had noticed of course but had told himself Caroline’s attempts were less obvious. “How do you find Miss Lydia? You seem to have formed quite an attachment.”

“I like her immensely. She has such spirit beneath her grief.” Georgiana’s dipped her head to one side. “She struggles terribly with her father’s death, you know. One moment she is angry with him for the situation they have been left in, and the next she is heartbroken that he is gone.”

Darcy felt a pang of recognition. “That sounds familiar.”

“Yes, I felt much the same after Papa died. The guilt of being angry with someone you love…” Georgiana’s voice trailed off.

“I should have supported you more during that time,” Darcy said. “I was so focused on managing the estate and your future that I neglected your present pain.”

“William, no.” Georgiana caught his arm. “You were my strength and anchor. I could not have survived without you.”

Before Darcy could respond, a familiar voice called across the street.

“Mr Darcy! Miss Darcy!”

Caroline Bingley approached with a smile that seemed to encompass both siblings but lingered on Darcy. Her walking dress was impeccable, and she moved with studied grace.

“Miss Bingley,” Darcy replied with polite reserve. “I trust you have had a successful morning?”

“Indeed. Louisa and I have been selecting ribbons for a new bonnet. The selection here is rather limited, but one must make do in the country.” Her tone suggested sacrifice.

“How kind of you to adapt to our rustic circumstances,” Georgiana said with perfect innocence.

“Oh, I find country life quite charming in its way,” Caroline replied. “Though I confess I long for the sophistication of town society. Do you not agree, Mr Darcy?”

“Each has its merits.”

Caroline moved closer, her gloved hand coming to rest on his arm. “How refreshing to encounter someone who appreciates both environments. It speaks to a refined sensibility.”

Georgiana caught Darcy’s eye and smiled with evident amusement. “I find I prefer the country myself. There is something to be said for genuine society over fashionable pretension.”

“Certainly,” Caroline agreed, though her smile tightened. “Though one must be careful not to mistake novelty for genuine worth. Country society can be deceptive in its charms.”

Darcy recognised the veiled criticism and felt his jaw tighten. Before he could respond, Caroline had linked arms with Georgiana.

“My dear Miss Darcy, you must allow me to take you for sweetmeats at the confectioner’s. They have a surprisingly acceptable selection, and I should so enjoy your company. Louisa is already there. I told her I had to ensure you both knew how welcome you are to join us.”

Georgiana glanced at Darcy with barely concealed mirth. “That sounds delightful, Miss Bingley.”

“Excellent! Mr Darcy, you will join us, of course?”

“I believe I shall walk a bit more.”

“How like you to prefer solitary exercise,” Caroline said with what she intended as fond understanding. “So independent and strong-minded. I quite admire such masculine decisiveness.”

Georgiana’s shoulders shook with suppressed laughter as Caroline led her away, leaving Darcy to continue alone.

The quiet streets held little to occupy his thoughts, which turned inevitably to Elizabeth and the confusion of his feelings towards her.

Their easy camaraderie during their chess game had given him hope things might have changed between them.

Indeed, Miss Bennet had occupied his thoughts much these past few days, more than they ought to have done.

What did it all mean? And what if his sister was quite right in her observations?

Lost in these reflections, he nearly collided with a couple emerging from the apothecary’s shop.

“Mr Darcy!” The gentleman—Mr Phillips—stepped back with a surprised smile. “What a pleasure to encounter you, sir.”

“Mr Phillips, Mrs Phillips.” Darcy bowed. “I hope I find you well?”

“Quite well, thank you,” Mrs Phillips replied with eager friendliness. “We have just been inquiring after powders for my poor nerves. The excitement of recent days has quite overset my constitution.”

“I trust nothing serious has occurred?”

“Oh, nothing serious at all,” Mr Phillips assured him. “Merely the usual domestic dramas that plague large families. Our nieces have been providing more entertainment than usual. Especially poor Jane and her accident.”

“Ah yes, but I am pleased to report she is recovering well and shall return to Longbourn within the week.”

Mrs Phillips nodded. “Well, that is good to hear. My sister missed her dreadfully. And the others of course. Pray, I saw Lydia this morning and even she spoke very highly of you.”

“I am glad to hear it.”

“Oh yes, she has been much improved since spending time at Netherfield,” Mrs Phillips said. “Though I suppose you would not know what a change that represents, having only met her recently.”

“Well, I am glad to report she has been unruffled and thoughtful for most of her stay,” Darcy replied.

Mrs Phillips snorted with amusement. “Our Lydia, unruffled and thoughtful? My dear sir, I fear you have encountered her in most unusual circumstances.”

Darcy unease stirred in his gut. “I confess I do not understand.”

“Lydia has always been our liveliest niece,” Mrs Phillips explained. “Full of spirit and mischief, always ready for adventure or sport. Before her father’s death, she was quite the little spitfire—charming, but exhausting to manage.”

“A handful, our Lydia,” Mr Phillips agreed with fond exasperation. “Always into some scrape or another, leading poor Kitty astray with her schemes. Her poor mother despaired of ever making her behave with proper decorum.”

“And the officers. She was quite mad about them,” Mrs Phillips said but in a tone that suggested she was more amused by this than anything else.

Darcy absorbed this with growing confusion. The young woman they described bore little resemblance to the subdued girl he had come to know.

“She was always her father’s favourite alongside Elizabeth, you see,” Mrs Phillips continued. “He indulged her perhaps more than was wise, but she brought him such joy with her high spirits. His loss quite devastated her.”

“We are all quite grateful for your kindness to her,” Mr Phillips said. “That business with the handkerchief and your conversation—Mrs Phillips told me all about it. Most charitable of you to take such trouble.”

Darcy inclined his head, though inwardly he felt increasingly uncomfortable.

If Lydia was typically as spirited as they suggested, what did that mean for Georgiana’s growing friendship with her?

And officers? A young girl like her and already keen on officers?

That was not the sort of company he wanted for Georgiana whom he hoped to find a respectable, well positioned gentleman for.

“Well, she is much less ruffled now as you said and that will bode well for her future. May she and her sisters all find suitable matches to take the worry away from my sister,” Mrs Phillips continued with the air of someone settling in for proper gossip, “Jane has made a good start in any case. we are all quite excited about Jane’s upcoming betrothal. ”

Darcy’s blood turned to ice. “Betrothal?”

“Oh yes, to her cousin Mr James Morton. The heir’s nephew, you see. Such a relief for poor Mrs Bennet, having one daughter so well settled. And with the estate being entailed as it is, keeping everything in the family seems most sensible.”

“I was not aware an attachment was imminent.”

“Well, it has been rather suddenly decided upon,” Mr Phillips replied. “But it is no surprise and very fortunate indeed. We should not tell it just yet, but my sister-in-law has not been able to keep her excitement to herself and who can begrudge her a little happiness after her loss?”

He trailed off, but his meaning was clear. Financial necessity had prompted the match rather than inclination.

“When is the wedding to take place?”

“Nothing has been announced yet,” Mrs Phillips admitted. “But James will return from London soon and we expect he will press for a swift resolution. These matters cannot be left hanging indefinitely.”

Darcy nodded, his mind reeling. Jane Bennet—gentle Jane, whom Bingley spoke of with such devotion—was to marry another man.

And yet, she had given Bingley all the hope in the world for the future.

Bingley was besotted with her, Darcy knew this well.

How could she? Was she hoping he would make a better offer than this James Morton?

“Well, we must not keep you,” Mr Phillips said. “Please give our regards to your sister. Such a delightful young woman.”

Darcy managed appropriate farewells and continued down the street, but his thoughts were in complete disorder. Everything he had observed of Jane’s behaviour towards Bingley took on new and troubling significance.

Had she been encouraging Bingley’s attention whilst promised to another? And what of Elizabeth? Had she known of her sister’s supposed engagement when she spoke so freely with him?

By the time he returned to Netherfield, his contentment had transformed into something much darker.

The foundations of his growing regard for the Bennet family seemed to shift beneath him.

For he could not deny that it now appeared obvious—the Bennets were not at all whom he thought them to be at the beginning.

They were far worse.

Lydia—a girl on her way to losing her reputation thanks to some officers or other.

Jane—a fortune hunter after all. No matter if it was through necessity or design.

And Elizabeth? Elizabeth Bennet who had vexed him from the start had turned out to be an accomplice to it all.

Knots formed in his stomach at the mere idea as he climbed the stairs, aware he would soon have to sit through a dinner with Miss Bennet beside him once more, smiling as though she had not received him in the worst possible way.