Page 47 of Some Natural Importance (Pride, Prejudice and Romance #3)
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
There was no freedom to speak openly with Georgiana until they climbed the stairs to Darcy House and entered the privacy of their own home.
“I am sorry if I have caused any awkwardness for you, Georgiana, with my unexpected arrival and my hurrying you away.” He deliberately ignored reference to the conversation just past at Matlock House.
“I would like you to know Elizabeth, and grow to see her as the ideal sister, as I believe her to be for you. She has four sisters, all very different from one another,” he added diplomatically, “but I believe that you and she have much in common, such as a love of music and nature.”
He glanced at Georgiana, now seated quietly across from him in the small blue parlour. However she felt about the past half an hour, she was not displaying it; however she felt about him, and the tension that had been between them in past months, was equally hidden.
“Elizabeth is in mourning for her father, but is here to secure warmer clothes for a Derbyshire winter. We shall go there after the wedding, and we would like your company there. ”
“Brother, I do not understand the reasons behind your hasty alliance with Miss Bennet.”
When Darcy saw the concern and confusion on Georgiana’s countenance, he groped for the right words to reassure her of his genuine regard for Elizabeth.
He had emphasised Elizabeth’s worth to her as a sister but not his feelings for the lady who would become Mrs Darcy.
But to speak to his sister of love was an awkward thing.
“It is as I said, an unexpected but very welcome attachment.”
“An attachment of happenstance?”
“A happy happenstance,” he said firmly, unable to express more to a younger sister than he could to his future wife.
“Truly, Brother, I am pleased for you and Miss Bennet, yet I fear I am the only one in the family to wish you joy. Uncle is angry, and my aunt will...well, you know her wishes.”
“The only wishes I care to hear are those for my happiness and my marital felicity.”
Georgiana’s left hand, resting atop the right, moved restlessly.
“They are displeased, with anger they feel is warranted. You see, we first learnt of the Bennets not from you, but from Miss Bingley. She wrote to me, warning of your attentions to a widow and her daughters, and of their artful scheming.”
“Artful scheming? I was a friend to their father, a gentleman, who is grieved by all in their town. Miss Bingley had not even the grace to visit the family or to write to her brother of Mr Bennet’s death.
” Darcy reserved his anger for Miss Bingley; Georgiana was only the messenger who further confirmed the lady’s awful character.
He softened his voice before continuing.
“I was never to wed Cecilia. You must know we were not well-matched, and that after Anne, I would prefer to marry for more than family obligation. It was unfair of them to expect me to marry again to suit their wishes.”
After a long moment of silence, Darcy added, “You did not wish for Cecilia as your sister, I think.”
“No.” Georgiana looked up and met his intent gaze.
Her expression, which he would hope to be untroubled by anything more than choosing what piece to play on the pianoforte, lacked its usual composure.
“Even though I would prefer her to Miss Bingley and some other ladies I have met, Cecilia is much like her mother in her need for society and its approval and admiration. I-I find it all rather exhausting.”
An immediate feeling of guilt wound itself around Darcy’s heart. He had known this of his aunt, yet had placed Georgiana with her. But what choice had he had?
Darcy watched as Georgiana’s fingers knit together, pulling and twisting in the manner that always betrayed discomfort. Nervous energy, Richard called it; it was a familiar sight to him, having seen it among his soldiers on the battlefield. Darcy reached out and took her small hands in his.
“Not everyone is angry,” he said softly.
“You forget Richard. While surprised by the swiftness of my attachment, he is no longer angry over it.” He sighed, wishing he could claim his cousin’s full support and wishing that he was not rushing his shy sister towards a meeting and a future she had not had much time to consider.
“Georgiana, look at me, please. You are my sister, the only family that truly matters to me. Let us go to the Gardiners and you can see for yourself how well Elizabeth suits me as a wife and you as a sister.”
The Darcys’ arrival at Gracechurch Street half an hour later was heralded by three young voices, at least one of which was disappointed to see a young lady on his arm rather than the imposing man who knew about soldiers.
Mrs Gardiner led the pair into the drawing room, where Kitty and the nursemaid were busily shuttling out their welcoming chorus. “H’lo, Mr Darcy!” cried John over his shoulder as Alice tugged him along.
Elizabeth’s smile grew wider as she saw the pleasure Darcy took in his greeting, and the surprise on Miss Darcy’s face at the familiarity shown to her brother.
Georgiana Darcy was a well-favoured young lady, with the height and figure of a woman but the awkwardness of a girl.
The siblings’ eyes were similar in colour but it was the brother who had the greater share of beauty.
Elizabeth felt an immediate kinship with the girl as a fellow sister living in the shadow of a handsome first-born.
However, she and Jane did not have a dozen years between them and had been raised by both their parents.
Her future sister needed a friend, and Elizabeth decided at once that she liked her.
After introductions were made, and Miss Darcy expressed both condolences and congratulations, conversation remained stilted and formal until Elizabeth asked the girl for advice on her brother’s favourite colours and foods, as well as those he most disliked.
“Oh! He is fond of grouse and apples and pudding but he despises beets.” Georgiana glanced at her brother warily. “Is that not right, Fitzwilliam?”
The small smile he had worn the past few minutes widened. When he nodded, Georgiana looked relieved and continued. “And blue is his favourite colour. He has his chambers and his study done in different shades of it.”
“Well then we shall have to ask the cooks at all the Darcy homes to ban beets and determine a means to serve blue pudding,” Elizabeth replied.
The laughter allowed her to disguise the blush her cheeks had gained when Georgiana revealed the colours of Darcy’s chambers.
The intimacy of such knowledge, and that she would, within mere days, be made familiar with more than simply the feel of his lips and the weight of his greatcoat, was at times overwhelming.
This short visit to London was meant for shopping but it was the conversations and introductions that Elizabeth most desired.
Elizabeth had not yet had a moment alone with her aunt, who was anxious to learn more about events at Longbourn.
Mrs Gardiner had not made the acquaintance of Mr Collins, and Elizabeth knew it likely that Kitty would enjoy being part of that particular storytelling.
Aunt Gardiner would likely press her with questions about Mr Darcy only Jane had asked, and while Elizabeth had not been able to tell her sister fully about her confused but settling feelings for her betrothed, she hoped to confide in her aunt and gain her guidance for that which lay ahead in coming weeks.
“The servants at our houses are keen to please my brother. Mrs Reynolds is our housekeeper at Pemberley. Mrs Blake oversees our house in town.” Elizabeth felt the younger lady’s gaze rest on her, as if appraising her familiarity with Darcy’s life and holdings.
“I look forward to meeting Mrs Blake and touring Darcy House. Your brother has frequently mentioned the large libraries of both homes, and the great beauties of Pemberley’s park, but I anticipate there are at least a few other rooms that I might find of interest. And use,” she added, raising one eyebrow as she smiled.
“Kitchens and sitting rooms and music rooms are of interest as well. You do have those, I hope?”
Miss Darcy appeared startled but Darcy returned her smile, and with eyes twinkling, assured her that all such rooms could be found at their homes. “Only one music room, which I hope my sister will share with you, but prepare to be scandalised when I tell you that we boast multiple sitting rooms.”
“Oh yes. Each of our chambers has its own sitting room,” Miss Darcy said. “Mine is done in violet, and the mistress’s sitting room is yellow, like her chambers... ”
There was a long moment’s silence until Elizabeth said gently, “I assume your brother’s is blue?”
The girl smiled, and awkwardness was set aside when Kitty re-entered the room and after a moment’s pause, complimented Miss Darcy about the pretty roses on her bonnet before bemoaning that she would be wearing black gowns and ribbons for months to come.
Aunt Gardiner then gracefully enquired whether the Darcy siblings frequented Lambton’s shops, and a pleasant and somewhat spirited conversation ensued between the trio.
“You must take Lizzy to the footbridge over the small bend in the River Wye. My sister and I would drop leaves and feathers on one side and race to the next bridge to see who had won the ‘boat’ race.” Elizabeth smiled at her aunt’s wistful expression.
“We made many a wish there as well, for a new bonnet or a release from some chore.”
Miss Darcy appeared delighted at the idea of a ‘wishing bridge’ so near her home, and as the visit drew to an end, Elizabeth could feel it a successful first meeting with her future sister.