Page 51 of The Shades of Pemberley
O nce the official and public events surrounding their wedding were complete, Elizabeth and William took thought for what they would do next. Before that, however, there were a few matters to decide, especially those surrounding what the rest of the company would do when they were away.
“The house in Ramsgate, you say,” said the earl when Darcy spoke of his intention to take Elizabeth there for a sort of abbreviated wedding tour.
“It is not far distant,” said Darcy, explaining his reasons, “which will allow us to reach it in a short time, then return for the season in London. Do you know much about the property?”
“Little enough,” said Lord Matlock, looking to Fitzwilliam.
“I have stayed there with Darcy a time or two, and once with Georgiana also present. It is not an extensive property, but it is convenient to the nearby beaches.”
“I like the house,” said Georgiana. “In the past, I believe Jamie leased it out for most of the year.”
“If you recall,” said Mrs. Younge, “the house in Ramsgate was where Mr. Darcy and I proposed to take Georgiana for a holiday.”
Darcy could not determine whether there was a censorious note in Mrs. Younge’s voice for denying her request. Still, his even look at the companion was not unlike Fitzwilliam’s for all that neither responded to her comment.
As she had not brought it up since his reprimand, Darcy allowed the matter to rest for the moment.
“There is no permanent tenant,” agreed Fitzwilliam, looking away from Mrs. Younge. “It is on the leasing market and attracts visitors in the summer months.”
The earl nodded and turned back to Darcy. “I assume you have inquired about its availability?”
Darcy nodded. “I sent a letter to the housekeeper several days ago. There is no one scheduled to lease the place until the end of April.”
“You will wish to return before then,” nodded the earl. “It is an excellent notion, I should say, for you and your new wife must wish to be alone for a time.”
“I shall not say you are incorrect,” said Darcy with a smile for Elizabeth.
“When shall you return to London?”
“We will stay in Ramsgate for only a week or two.”
“Then perhaps we should take Georgiana back to London with us.” The earl nodded to Mrs. Darcy. “I do not intend to cast aspersions on your ability to care for our niece, but we have not enjoyed her company for some time now.”
“Of course, you wish to have Georgiana with you, your lordship,” agreed Mrs. Darcy. “I am not offended. While William and Elizabeth are away, I shall remain at Netherfield.”
“Do you mean to join us in London?” asked Darcy.
Mrs. Darcy offered a shrug. “I cannot say. As you are aware, I am little more enamored with town than you are, William, but the solitude of Netherfield with you in London, while it might appeal for a time, will become tiresome, I should think.”
Darcy nodded but turned to Georgiana. “I assume you will not protest a stay with your aunt and uncle.”
Georgiana made a great show of considering the matter, prompting a few chuckles from the company. When she did not speak at once, Mrs. Younge interjected again to offer her judgment, something about which she was not shy at all.
“My opinion is that London is the best place for you now.”
Perhaps Darcy was a little too touchy about the woman’s oft-stated belief, but he could not help but wonder if her comment was another criticism of Elizabeth’s family and Georgiana’s friendship with them.
As nothing she said confirmed any suspicion he had, Darcy said nothing, allowing Georgiana to respond.
“While I can say nothing about what is ‘best,’ I am not against visiting my uncle for a time.” She grinned and added: “I will miss Elizabeth’s sisters most cruelly, but I shall endure it for the sake of visiting my dear relations.”
The mirth in the room erupted at her comment, though Mrs. Younge did not appear to appreciate it. She liked the next comment even less, given the sour expression when Lady Susan offered her suggestion.
“Perhaps you could invite Mrs. Darcy’s sister to accompany us to London? As I recall, you get on with one of them well.”
“Kitty!” said Georgiana, excited at the prospect, not noticing the sudden pursing of Mrs. Younge’s lips. “May I invite her?”
“If you wish, I have no objection to hosting her.”
“That may cause problems among my other sisters,” said Elizabeth, her tone teasing as she regarded Georgiana. “Jane is far too mild and Mary too sensible, but Lydia will feel left out.”
There was an element of truth in Elizabeth’s jesting comment, for Darcy knew Lydia well. Lady Susan appeared to realize the truth of it, even if she knew little about the girl’s character.
“Let us offer the invitation and then manage what comes after. Perhaps we can include Miss Kitty’s sister.”
That factor decided, they discussed a few other items of lesser consequence, then made ready to depart for Longbourn.
With the season already started and only a few weeks before the Darcys must make an appearance, Darcy wanted to depart the next morning if possible.
The Fitzwilliams he knew also needed to return to London, for with the House of Lords in session, the earl would have certain duties he must uphold.
LET NO ONE SAY THAT Elizabeth did not know her family.
While her long association with William had blunted the worst of Mrs. Bennet’s fears and certain excesses brought on by those fears, Elizabeth well remembered the years as a young girl witnessing her mother fret about the entail, what would become of them, and scheming to put her daughters in the paths of wealthy men and assure herself of support should she outlive her husband.
While those days were gone, it was the simple truth that Mrs. Bennet did not have a firm grasp of propriety and had not taught her daughters.
Kitty and Lydia were not wild so much as too lively for their own good.
Mrs. Darcy’s influence had ensured that Mrs. Bennet saw the need to educate them as young gentlewomen, but their habits of study were not the best, and neither girl’s disposition tended to interest in knowledge for its sake alone.
In this, Elizabeth supposed Kitty had made some strides, for her friendship with Georgiana had opened Kitty’s eyes to other possibilities.
Kitty was a good girl, was governable and teachable, and if she was not inclined to learn like Elizabeth or Mary, she could be guided to the proper path.
Lydia, however, was not so easily led as her sister, her attention to her studies slipshod at best, her manner far livelier even than Kitty’s.
To Lydia, there was nothing to life other than balls and parties and flirting with the officers, and if she did not take part in such things so much as she wished, she indulged whenever the opportunity appeared.
This was why it was no surprise to see the reaction to Georgiana’s invitation that Elizabeth had predicted before they left Netherfield.
Given Lady Susan’s close inspection of Lydia, Elizabeth could not but suppose her ladyship was watching for it; Georgiana’s aunt meant to do something about it.
What that entailed she could not say in advance, but she did not expect what ensued.
“Oh, I should enjoy an invitation to town very much!” exclaimed Kitty when Georgiana offered it.
The girl turned a shy smile on Lady Susan, in whose house she would stay, and offered a credible acknowledgment of her appreciation, though in words that were inaudible to Elizabeth. Lady Susan, appearing charmed by the girl’s earnest thanks, responded with no little warmth.
“It is no trouble, Miss Kitty, for we enjoy having our niece stay with us. I dare say you will bring much energy to our home.”
While she spoke, Elizabeth noted Lady Susan’s close observation of Lydia, though she did it in a way the girl herself would not see. It was no surprise when Lydia, who had long insisted on being the center of attention, spoke to offer her recrimination.
“Why should Kitty receive such an invitation for balls and parties, and I know not what? I have just as much right to such things as she, and more, as she is so dull. The officers all say that I am much more interesting.”
“I advise you to hold your tongue,” said Mr. Bennet, giving his youngest a stern glare. “It is unseemly to speak out of turn in such a way, Lydia, for one does not demand an invitation.”
Lydia had enough grace to feel the chastisement of her father’s reprimand, but it did nothing to improve her demeanor. Mrs. Bennet, who Elizabeth knew had seen something of Lydia’s misstep, attempted to step in and prevent her daughter from further misbehavior and to offer a sop to her feelings.
“Georgiana has invited your sister, Lydia. Perhaps, however, we may also go to London—my brother would not object to hosting us for a time. If Lady Susan is amenable, perhaps we may attend certain of the same events.”
Again, Elizabeth predicted the response in advance, for she knew something of society in London that her mother did not.
“If your brother is willing, a visit to town is an excellent plan, Mrs. Bennet. However, in the matter of attending the season, I must disabuse you of any notion of it. While you and your eldest three daughters may, of course, attend, your youngest daughters are too young. Georgiana is not out yet, and neither she nor Miss Kitty will attend events this season.”
Mrs. Bennet appeared confused, but any response she might make gave way to Lydia’s outburst.
“But I have been out since last summer!” cried Lydia.
“Miss Lydia,” said Lady Susan, her tone and manner suggesting Lydia listen and control herself, “whatever the truth of your status in the country, it is different in London. Girls do not come out until they are eighteen, for they are not ready to move in society until they attain some maturity.”
“I am mature enough to move in any society!” declared Lydia.