Page 64 of The Shades of Pemberley
T he opportunity to speak to the earl came the very next day, for there was every reason for haste.
A niggling sensation informed Darcy that delay may be detrimental, so he and Elizabeth put aside some other concerns that morning and, after having a word with Mrs. Mayfield to watch Mrs. Younge and ensure nothing untoward happened during their absence, they departed for the earl’s house.
“That is odd,” said the earl when Darcy related Mrs. Younge’s latest insistence.
As Darcy and Elizabeth had decided upon leaving their house that her mother would only impede any discussion, Elizabeth had sat down to visit her mother and Jane with the countess in attendance, while Darcy spoke to Lord Matlock.
It was fortunate that Fitzwilliam was also there, for Darcy wanted to gain his insight if he possessed any.
“The woman does not appear capable of allowing the subject to rest.”
“After last night,” said Darcy, “I believe she is in no doubt of the inadvisability of raising it again. Now that Georgiana has stated her disinclination for the notion, she must drop it altogether.”
“Yet you suspect something,” observed the earl.
“I do not know what I suspect,” replied Darcy, frustrated with his inability to put his finger on what was bothering him. “Mrs. Younge appeared almost... reluctant yesterday, though I cannot say if that is the correct word.”
“Perhaps she feared the consequences,” suggested Fitzwilliam.
“If she did, then why did she press the issue?” asked the earl.
“That is the question I have been unable to answer,” confessed Darcy. “There is something off about this situation altogether. Why has she been so insistent on this Ramsgate scheme? It is as if she wished to get Georgiana alone there, though for what purpose I cannot comprehend.”
“Do you suggest she is false?” Darcy glanced at Fitzwilliam, who had spoken, noting his keen interest in Darcy’s answer. “You are in her company the most, Darcy, though until lately my father and mother have had their share of her society, and I am not unknown to her.”
“Given our position in society,” added the earl, “she is more circumspect with me, though I will note that she did try to push the notion when they were staying here.”
“I cannot say she is false, for I do not know. Something seems off, though to own the truth, I have wondered if it is nothing more than her character.”
Turning to Fitzwilliam, Darcy said: “Do you know anything about her background? Might she have been some noble’s daughter who found herself forced to find a position? That might explain her excess of pride and disapproval of the Bennet sisters.”
“She does carry herself as proud as a duchess,” mused Fitzwilliam. “It is unfortunate, but I know nothing of her past. Jameson handled the search for a companion when we agreed Georgiana should have one.”
“Then what should we do?” asked Darcy. “When she approached me this time, I found myself more curious than angry, but I will own that I considered relieving her of her position at that moment.”
Fitzwilliam appeared thoughtful. “We have nothing but her insistence on taking Georgiana to Ramsgate for a holiday. Is that enough to deny a woman her livelihood?”
“I am far less concerned about Mrs. Younge’s ability to support herself than my niece’s security,” said the earl.
“With that, I would agree,” said Darcy. “If we decide to replace her, we should not consider her situation; we can give her a reference that would allow her to gain employment.”
“The question is, do you suppose Georgiana is in any immediate danger?”
Darcy considered the question and shook his head. “There is something about Mrs. Younge’s behavior that brings me caution, but I have no notion that Georgiana is in danger, though I will say that I have wondered if she means to get Georgiana alone for some nefarious purpose.”
“Then my suggestion is that we investigate her background,” said Fitzwilliam. “So long as Georgiana does not go to Ramsgate or is not otherwise alone with Mrs. Younge outside the house, she should be safe enough.”
“I can assign Thompson to her protection,” said Darcy.
The earl barked a laugh. “That man would be enough to protect her against a regiment of Anthony’s finest soldiers.”
“That is the point,” said Darcy.
“Then I agree,” nodded Lord Matlock. “I shall engage my man of business to make some inquiries about Mrs. Younge, and if necessary, he can hire an investigator to facilitate the effort. We should have a reply within a week or two.”
With that decided, Darcy excused himself, and after spending some time in the sitting-room with his wife and mother-in-law, they returned to Darcy’s house. What awaited them there was a surprise, though not an unwelcome one.
“Papa!” said Elizabeth when they entered the parlor to see Mr. Bennet sitting with the three girls. “What do you do here?”
Mr. Bennet rose with a smile of affection for his daughter, opening his arms into which Elizabeth stepped at once. “Ah, Lizzy, how pleased I am to see you. I hope you will overlook this minor breach of propriety and welcome your old papa into your home.”
“Of course, we will,” said Elizabeth, pulling back to search his face. “Yet I am surprised to see you, for I had understood you were to stay at Longbourn for the season.”
“Yes, well,” said Mr. Bennet, appearing less than eager to canvass the subject. “Since your excellent husband has written to me about the wonders of his library,” Mr. Bennet paused and grinned at Darcy, “I thought to give it my personal attention.”
“There are more than enough books to keep you occupied,” agreed Darcy, pleased to have a man of whom he thought highly join them in London. “When you visit Pemberley, you will agree that the library accumulated here is rather paltry, indeed.”
“Excellent,” said Mr. Bennet, rubbing his hands together in anticipation. “I shall warn you that I do not intend to leave your bounty of books once I am in their company.”
“Fortunately, the room is out of the way,” agreed Darcy, enjoying jesting with his father-in-law. “I dare say you will be in nobody’s way in that part of the house.”
“Perfect.”
“Are you certain that is your only reason for wishing to come to London?” asked Elizabeth, appearing suspicious.”
“Need I have any other reason?”
“A reason to travel when you have repeatedly stated your disinclination for it?”
“London is only four hours from Longbourn, Lizzy.”
Unconvinced though she was, Elizabeth did not belabor the point any longer, though Darcy thought the subject was not yet closed.
Neither did Mr. Bennet, if his expressive look at Darcy was any indication.
Knowing Mr. Bennet as he did, Darcy suspected the man was aware of Elizabeth’s skepticism and meant to draw her discovery of the truth out for as long as he could, savoring every moment of the jousting of wits between them.
It was so very much like him that Darcy could not but stifle a laugh.
One point of interest Mr. Bennet brought was the news that Charlotte Lucas had caught the eye of a widower parson.
The recollection of her promise to Charlotte to invite her to London shamed Elizabeth a little, as Darcy knew she had not thought on it, given everything that had happened since they came to London.
Learning of her friend’s situation and the potential for her future happiness filled Elizabeth with contentment; with the determination to write to her friend at once, Elizabeth turned her attention to her father and teasing the reason for his sudden appearance from his unwilling lips.
What ensued was most amusing as Darcy suspected it would be, for Elizabeth pushed and Mr. Bennet parried, their jousting an intricate dance of thrust and riposte.
That both father and daughter enjoyed it was also not unexpected.
Mrs. Bennet had also not known of her husband’s coming, as she showed during a morning visit in which she, Jane, and Mary came to Darcy’s house.
“Mr. Bennet!” exclaimed she upon entering the room to see her husband sitting with Georgiana and her two youngest daughters. “How did you come to be in London?”
“I am pleased to see you too, Mrs. Bennet,” said he, a teasing note in his voice. “I have been in town these two days already.”
The way Mrs. Bennet regarded him, Darcy was certain she was trying to determine if he would give her a straight answer should she ask for his reasons for coming. In the end, she appeared to consider it nothing more than his typical behavior and accepted his presence without further comment.
Elizabeth, however, was not satisfied and continued to tease at him until he revealed enough for her to discern the reason for his presence. It all came out two days later.
“Tell me, Papa, how is Longbourn? Dare I suppose the spring planting is well underway?”
“I suspect it is,” was all her father would say. “Mr. Peters handles most aspects of such tasks, as you know. There are no troubles of which I have heard.”
Displeasure marked Elizabeth’s visage, a fact that her father did not misunderstand, though he turned back to his book, feigning unawareness. “And the house and all the servants? What of the neighborhood? I do not suppose you have any news to impart?”
“I believe, Daughter, that you have asked after news of the community several times already. As I am not an eager participant and do not indulge in gossip, you can hardly suppose that I possess much information you would find interesting.”
“You have not told me about the house,” said Elizabeth.
“It yet stands, to the best of my knowledge.”
“I cannot but imagine it is rather quiet since you came to London.”
“It was quiet when I was still there.”
Elizabeth regarded her father, a hint of understanding entering her gaze. “It differs from when we are all in residence, is it not?”