Page 12 of The Shades of Pemberley

Darcy nodded. “Then I shall rely on Mr. Moore to continue as he has, for I am certain he is more capable than I am myself.”

BY THE TIME THEY RETIRED to the dining-room for the evening meal, Darcy had grown comfortable with his late cousin’s cousin.

Having been acquainted with him before, Darcy had known of his excellent character, but after these hours in his company since his arrival that morning, Darcy had concluded that his impression was, if anything, understated.

Darcy had long chosen his friends with the greatest care, for he had always looked for those with an outlook on life that matched his own.

As Darcy was of a reticent disposition, he often found greater comfort in those who were far livelier than himself.

That was one of the reasons he found Elizabeth so irresistible.

Fitzwilliam was an excellent and jovial man, though his behavior was muted at present, given the recent passing of his cousin.

Yet Fitzwilliam impressed him as a man much like Bingley in essentials.

Should the opportunity to introduce them present itself, he was certain they would get on well together.

There was another member of the party at dinner to whom Darcy had not yet been introduced. Miss Darcy took the opportunity to introduce them when they met in the sitting-room awaiting the call for dinner as her companion, Mrs. Younge.

“It is well that you have a companion,” observed Darcy, greeting the woman with a nod. “With Mrs. Younge present, I think we have satisfied the proprieties for the moment.”

“That was my thought also,” said Fitzwilliam.

Mrs. Younge said nothing, though she offered Darcy a barely perceptible nod.

A moment of observing her informed Darcy that she was a reticent woman herself, perhaps tending a little toward severe, though when she addressed Miss Darcy, a hint of affection shone forth.

She was perhaps five and thirty years of age, or even closer to forty in Darcy’s estimation, tall and slender, her smooth features, her hair a dull brown, perhaps hiding a hint of gray in its natural color.

As Darcy spoke with his companions, Mrs. Younge added little to the conversation as expected of a companion, instead remaining watchful over her charge.

The subject of Miss Darcy had arisen between Fitzwilliam and Darcy before they had departed the study for the sitting-room.

While Darcy had known of the elder Darcy’s passing several years before, he had not understood the exact points of her guardianship, though the suspicion that Fitzwilliam was involved had grown since he arrived at the estate.

Fitzwilliam confirmed this as they spoke of Miss Darcy’s future now that her brother had passed on and Darcy had inherited the estate she called home.

“When my Uncle Darcy passed away,” said Fitzwilliam, “in his will, he appointed Georgiana’s care to my cousin and me. Now that Cousin Darcy is gone, there is a question about Georgiana’s future.”

“Are there instructions for this eventuality in your uncle’s or your cousin’s wills?”

Fitzwilliam shrugged. “I cannot say what provisions my uncle made, though my father would know better. Darcy, of course, had a will, but his document focused on bequests and other such matters, for he trusted me to take on his sister’s care in the event of his unfortunate demise.

Of my uncle’s will, I have an imprecise understanding of anything other than my part in it.

I suspect there is some provision for choosing another guardian, and I know my uncle delegated certain responsibilities to my father.

For anything more than that, I must ask him. ”

“If Miss Darcy wishes to stay at Pemberley, I have no objection,” replied Darcy.

“As you know, I am also her cousin, though my relationship is more distant than yours. I would not presume to suggest that I take my cousin’s place as her second guardian, but I am more than happy to host her here if she wishes it. ”

“There is also the possibility of her removing to my father’s estate,” said Fitzwilliam, though he appeared grateful for Darcy’s offer. “My mother would be happy to welcome her into our home.”

“That is acceptable,” agreed Darcy. “Yet I would not act on her behalf without understanding her wishes. There is no need for Miss Darcy to remove from Pemberley, for it has been her home, and will continue to be so for so long as she wishes.”

A tension Darcy had not noticed seemed to drain from Fitzwilliam’s frame, and he regarded Darcy, his relief obvious.

“Thank you, Darcy. Had I not already known of your character, I would now know that you are an excellent man. Many would allow such sudden prosperity as you have experienced to render them insufferable and proud. At the very least, it would not be surprising if a man expressed his hesitation about supporting one who is the sister of the previous proprietor.”

“Nonsense,” averred Darcy. “It is nothing more than good manners and a sensitivity to Miss Darcy’s feelings. Please do not make it more laudable than it is.”

Seated at the dinner table as they were, Darcy reflected on his conversation with Fitzwilliam, considering what he knew of Miss Darcy.

Her Darcy reticence was on full display, for she seemed ill at ease in his presence, not unexpected, he supposed.

More than the reticence that had been the characteristic of the Darcy family for centuries, Darcy thought he detected in her more than a trace of shyness.

For some time in her company, Darcy mused about how good for Miss Darcy’s confidence a friendship with his future wife would be, for Elizabeth’s irrepressible spirits were as inexorable as the progression of the seasons.

With Elizabeth visiting Pemberley within the next few weeks, Darcy anticipated the introduction, wondering how long it would take her to turn Miss Darcy from her shyness into a laughing creature full of life.

After the fact, Darcy reflected that at least part of her reserve that evening was because of her uncertainty concerning her future.

Darcy and Fitzwilliam had agreed to delay any discussion of her disposition to a later date to allow her to become more comfortable with him.

Miss Darcy, it seemed, had other ideas, for she did not hesitate to raise the subject herself.

“Cousin,” said she to Fitzwilliam, though Darcy suspected her address was as much toward him as to the other man, “might I ask what is to become of me now that my brother has perished, and the new master has come to the estate?”

It appeared the question surprised Fitzwilliam, though whether from his expectation of her shyness precluding such a question or from some other reason Darcy could not say. When Fitzwilliam looked at Darcy, a question in his gaze, Darcy did not hesitate to take on the burden of the response.

“Miss Darcy,” said he, drawing her attention to him, “your fate is a decision I prefer to leave to you.”

The girl cocked her head to the side, her lack of understanding clear. Thus, Darcy moved to inform her at once to calm her concerns.

“You and I are cousins, Miss Darcy, though our connection is not so close as that you enjoy with Fitzwilliam. With your guardian and your companion in residence,” Darcy nodded toward Mrs. Younge, who was listening, “the proprieties are not an issue. I have no desire to remove you from the home you have known all your life. If you wish to remain at Pemberley, I have no objection so long as you wish to live here. If you would be more comfortable at your uncle’s house, that is also acceptable. ”

“You would allow me to remain here?” asked Georgiana as if she had never heard of such a strange suggestion.

“It is your choice,” replied Darcy. “For the nonce, perhaps it may be best to defer any decision; as your grief for your brother’s passing settles, you will think more clearly of what you want. There is no hurry after all.”

Miss Darcy nodded, though distracted. “What of the season? I assume you will attend? I have always accompanied my brother to town, though I am not yet out.”

“If you consider Pemberley your home,” said Darcy, “you must consider the house in town your home too. Other events may prevent my attendance for the entire season, but I want you to feel comfortable wherever your path takes you. If that is to Pemberley, London, your uncle’s house, or even my estate in Hertfordshire, consider any of those places your home. ”

“Perhaps it is best to defer any decision until we leave for London, then,” said Fitzwilliam, fixing his cousin with an encouraging smile.

“That will give you enough time to settle, time to think of your future, and even enough time to know if you can tolerate Darcy’s company enough to live in his house. ”

It was a jest in keeping with Fitzwilliam’s character and an attempt to settle the girl even more.

In this, Fitzwilliam succeeded, for much as his relief had been palpable, Miss Darcy sagged a little, though she smiled at Darcy.

“Thank you very much, Mr. Darcy. I hope we may become as close as I am to Anthony.”

“Not at all,” said Darcy. “Considering this, I hope you will not cling to formality. Though my given name is the same as your cousin’s surname, my mother has long called me ‘William.’ It would please me if you did the same.”

“Very well. I am Georgiana, though Anthony sometimes calls me Georgie, or other such humiliating monikers.”

“There will be time later for me to inform Darcy of all the pet names I use for you,” teased Colonel Fitzwilliam.

Georgiana offered him a baleful glare of warning, but its efficacy was suspect given Fitzwilliam’s arched eyebrow in response.

“If I might,” said Mrs. Younge, injecting her opinion, “I spoke with the late Mr. Darcy about the potential of a holiday for Miss Darcy near the sea in Ramsgate before his passing.”