Page 37 of The Shades of Pemberley
“ P erhaps there is no need to belabor the point, Darcy,” said Fitzwilliam that evening at Netherfield, “but you will need to take care, for Lady Catherine will race to Hertfordshire to confront you.”
“Yes, I expect the same,” said Darcy. “How soon do you suppose she will arrive?”
Fitzwilliam considered the question. “If Collins returned to Kent today, she will come tomorrow. Since it was too late for that by my estimation, she will come the day after.”
“Do you suppose she will bring Collins with her?”
“It is possible.”
Fitzwilliam shifted in his chair and raised the glass in his hand to his lips.
The fire in the hearth was burning low, but as the hour was late and Fitzwilliam would depart in the morning, Darcy saw no need to stir the flames.
This, he judged, would be the last conversation of the day, after which they would seek their beds.
“Lady Catherine’s actions are so egregious that I cannot hope to predict them. In her fevered imagination, she might consider it likely that Collins’s presence will allow her to betroth Miss Elizabeth to him and free you.”
“That will not happen,” growled Darcy. “Bennet can be lackadaisical, but he will tolerate no silliness from Lady Catherine. If she proves obstinate, Lady Catherine may end up in Meryton’s jail for the night.”
“You may tell the constable to ignore all her threats; my father would find the notion of his sister in prison no less than hilarious.”
“As you suggested before.” Darcy shook his head. “To own the truth, I am more concerned for Georgiana. I suspect she will be far more determined on that score.”
Fitzwilliam nodded his agreement. “She will consider it a means to force your hand.”
“Then she does not know me.”
The long look Fitzwilliam gave him suggested deep reflection. “Lady Catherine may consider you an easy target because of your lower lineage. She has ever discounted anyone lower than an earl as beneath her notice.”
Darcy shook his head, but he did not respond to Fitzwilliam’s statement. “If you will forgive me, I do not think I have ever met another so convinced of her rectitude.”
“Nor will you, and for that we may all thank the almighty,” muttered Fitzwilliam. “You are not incorrect, of course; Lady Catherine is a force unto herself. A ridiculous force, but a force nonetheless.”
“Georgiana will be safe here—this I pledge. No measure of threats from Lady Catherine will alter my resolve.”
“Thank you, Darcy. When I arrive in town, I shall inform my father and ask about the official appointment. I cannot think it will be long before you have it in hand.”
With that, they fell silent, and as soon as they drained their glasses, they sought their beds. Now that Darcy had returned to Hertfordshire, he slept easier, content knowing that Elizabeth was naught but three miles distant and would be his wife in only two weeks.
THE FOLLOWING MORNING , Fitzwilliam departed with the sun as he had designed, promising to send word once he arrived in town and the details were complete.
As it was now nearing the end of March, Lord Matlock had been in town for some weeks with parliament in session, and Darcy knew the events of the season, sporadic in late February though becoming more frequent throughout March, would near their peak intensity by the time Darcy met Elizabeth at the altar in early April.
Though he had yet to propose it to her, Darcy did not mean to go to London at once; a brief honeymoon destination was on his mind, and he did not think Elizabeth would protest against it.
Having her alone for even two weeks would please Darcy to no end.
“Mother,” said Darcy at the breakfast table that morning, “I shall write to Bingley to see if he is at liberty to return to Netherfield.”
Victoria Darcy regarded him, a hint of amusement curving her lips. “Do you suppose that Mr. Bingley can pull himself from the season long enough to attend you here?”
“When the inducement is Jane Bennet, I suppose he will.”
“You speak of this Mr. Bingley in such a droll fashion!” exclaimed Georgiana. “I hope he comes, for I should like to make his acquaintance.”
Had Darcy not been looking in her direction, he might have missed the slight grimace that puckered the lips of Mrs. Younge, though it was gone a moment later.
It was curious, for the woman had never even heard of Bingley before Darcy had spoken of him at Pemberley—why she would disapprove of him without the benefit of an acquaintance was beyond his ability to understand.
Either way, it did not signify, as Mrs. Younge’s role was to educate Georgiana and provide her companionship, not choose those with whom she would associate.
“Bingley is an excellent sort,” said Darcy, putting any thoughts of Mrs. Younge to the side. “He is at home in society, but he will return to Hertfordshire without a second thought, especially as he is to stand up with me at my wedding.”
“Then you had best dispatch a letter at once,” said his mother. “Based on certain stories you have told me, it may be some days before Mr. Bingley tears his attention away from society to inspect any letters he receives.”
Darcy shook his head but did not respond.
The moment he was at liberty after breakfast, he attended to his letter, entrusting his faithful butler to see to its disposition at once and send it express.
Perhaps it was unnecessary, but as his nuptials were only two weeks away, he preferred to put the letter in Bingley’s hands at once so he could plan his return to Hertfordshire.
Soon, the sound of feminine voices raised in laughter drew Darcy from his study.
Striding down the hall toward the entrance, he intercepted the Bennet ladies before the housekeeper led them into the sitting-room to greet his mother and Georgiana, enduring the laughter of the ladies when he commandeered Elizabeth’s company for himself.
“You may all laugh if you like,” said he, not scrupling to hold in his wide grin, “but I have suffered from the want of Elizabeth’s company for much too long.”
“If I did not consider you the perfect couple,” said Mrs. Bennet, “I might protest this. After all, I have my daughter’s company in my husband’s home for only two weeks more, while you shall have her for a lifetime.”
“I appreciate your forbearance, Mother Bennet,” said Darcy, unrepentant.
Mrs. Bennet offered a secret smile, but she said nothing further, allowing Darcy to lead them all to where his mother awaited them.
A chorus of greetings ensued, and soon the ladies were seated in the attitude of a morning visit, the younger Bennets congregating around Georgiana while the elder sat with his mother.
Elizabeth’s company Darcy kept to himself as he had intended, and she did not protest.
For some time, the visit proceeded much as such occasions do, lively conversations in their smaller groups interspersed with wider discussions among the entire company. Elizabeth was a lively young woman, but she was also observant, and she had much to say about the younger girls.
“I see that Georgiana and Kitty’s friendship continues apace. Unless I am much mistaken, I suspect that will lead to problems.”
Darcy understood her meaning at once. “They do not appear to be excluding Lydia.”
Elizabeth turned a smile on him. “No, but Lydia has long been accustomed to Kitty’s sole companionship; the friendship between Kitty and Georgiana has grown so quickly that I cannot but suppose it will not be long before she feels left out.”
With a nod, Darcy considered the girls, and he could see at once what Elizabeth was saying.
There was nothing overt and no intention to exclude, but Georgiana and Kitty often had their heads together, and Lydia did not quite know what to make of it.
The girl appeared unlikely to make a commotion about it that day, but he suspected Elizabeth was correct about her concerns.
“If you ask me,” said Darcy at length, “I believe Kitty was the best choice to accompany you to Derbyshire. I can imagine Lydia and Georgiana as good friends, but I do not suppose they would have been as thick as thieves as Kitty and Georgiana have become.
“Georgiana has changed in the short time I have known her. Though she is still in mourning, her demeanor has recovered. Before we departed Pemberley, she approached me to thank me for my sensitivity to her feelings.”
Elizabeth regarded him with a soft smile that showed every bit of her affection. “I know you do not consider it a significant matter, but that is because it is who you are. There are many men, I think, who would not be so charitable.”
“Perhaps,” agreed Darcy, not wishing to speak further on the subject. “Georgiana told me that she was the last member of her family and alone in the world. At present, with all your sisters for company, I cannot suppose she feels at all alone.”
“And she never will,” said Elizabeth. “Now, my betrothed, if you have had enough of my company for the moment, I should like to know your new ward better.”
“I shall never have enough, Elizabeth,” replied Darcy. “Dazzle her with your wit and vivacity, for I know that in the end, I shall have your company to myself.”
With a saucy wink, Elizabeth nodded and approached the younger girls, sitting in their midst and diverting Georgiana’s attention.
As he watched them, Darcy could not suppress a smile, knowing that Elizabeth was in her element in such situations.
By including them all in the conversation, she settled Lydia’s feelings of exclusion and ensured she felt as important as anyone else in the group.
Darcy could not but suppose the explosion of temper from the girl was still inevitable, but with such actions, she ensured its quick resolution when it happened.
“I see Elizabeth is working her magic on the girls,” said his mother, drawing his attention to where she sat with Jane and Mrs. Bennet.