Page 28 of The Talented Daughters of Longbourn

“I hope you do not mind our plan,” Darcy said, gazing worriedly into his sister’s downcast face.

“Oh, oh no, Brother, not at all. I have been happy here, but you are quite correct that I do not wish to encounter Wickham, and with the Bennets in mourning, we will not be able to visit them much. But oh, how I grieve for them! It is such a hard thing to lose a father, and they have no brother to care for them as I do.”

Darcy could only be grateful for these words, and he drew his sister into an affectionate embrace. “I know, dear one; it is indeed difficult, though I gather that Mr. Josiah Bennet is admirably devoted to the needs of his nieces.”

“I would like to say goodbye to the Bennets before we leave. Is that possible?”

“Yes, of course. We will be leaving in a few days’ time, and we can make a visit of condolence before our departure.”

“Good,” his sister said, and then, after a moment’s consideration, continued, “Brother, do you think it would be appropriate for me to ask the Bennet ladies if we could correspond with one another? ”

Darcy regarded her with surprise. “You wish to do so?”

“I do, yes, if you think it would be all right. I do like Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth very much, and Miss Mary ... Mrs. Turnball, I mean, has such a passion for music. There are few ladies that I truly admire, who like me in return, but would it be wrong to ask since they are so recently bereaved?”

“No, no, it would be quite appropriate,” Darcy said, and found himself smiling at her. “You can speak of correspondence when we visit them.”

“Oh, thank you, Brother! Now please excuse me; I need to practice on the pianoforte now.”

He rose with her, and together they made their way out of the door and down the stairs. Georgiana headed for the music room, and Darcy for the stables, where he needed to ensure that all was in hand with Bingley’s carriage and horses.

He was halfway to the stables, breathing in the crisp, fresh air, when he realized that he felt happier than even a few hours previously.

Why was that?

He was not excited about departing for Town. He would be leaving Bingley, one of his closest friends. Nor was he particularly fond of London. He would stay here if it was not for Wickham’s presence in the area.

He would be leaving Miss Elizabeth.

Which did not truly matter, of course. As much as she fascinated him, she was not worthy to be his bride.

But…

But Georgiana would be corresponding with her!

That was why he felt more at ease! He would not be completely cut off from her life. He would know how she was doing. Georgiana would know how Elizabeth was faring with her father dead and her uncle, the new master of the estate.

Not that it really mattered, but yes, he was happy that he would know how she was doing.

That was all it was, merely benevolent concern for a charming and lovely lady.

/

Drawing Room

Netherfield

Two Hours Later

“You are leaving for Town?” Miss Bingley cried out, obviously dismayed. “When?”

“We are not quite certain,” Darcy replied. “A few days from now.”

“I thought,” the lady said, her eyes darting from her brother to Miss Darcy to Mr. Darcy, “that you planned to stay here for at least two more weeks.”

“That is true,” Fitzwilliam said smoothly, “but Lord and Lady Matlock have chosen to spend the Christmas Season in London, and we look forward to being with them.”

This was, Darcy knew, exactly the truth, though the implication, that Richard’s parents had only recently decided to come to London for the Christmas season, was not true.

But no one intended to mention Wickham; Caroline Bingley was, at heart, a gossip and a busybody, and Darcy would not so much as hint at the events of Ramsgate only a few months previous.

“Well, Charles,” Miss Bingley said with a triumphant smile at her brother, “it seems obvious that we too must return to Town, given that our guests are departing! ”

“It is not obvious at all,” her brother returned with a certain glacial determination.

“Darcy’s party has always planned to depart in December; they are merely leaving a little early.

As for me, I have no interest in returning to London.

I have a responsibility to oversee Netherfield.

As I said earlier, you and the Hursts are welcome to leave whenever you wish. ”

“Oh, but Charles, really, why would you stay here, among such provincial folk, when you have the opportunity to enjoy much more sophisticated company in Town! I am certain you agree, Mr. Darcy!”

“I do not,” Darcy said bluntly. “If your brother is to be a successful master of an estate, he must devote himself to the study of all the details of overseeing servants, and tenants, and fields, and the like.”

“But surely in the winter, there is not much to be done!” his hostess protested.

“There is less to be done, yes, which gives Bingley time to prepare, as spring will come soon enough. Your brother has never been master of an estate before, and I am certain he would agree that he has much yet to learn.”

“I agree entirely, and I intend to spend the winter reading treatises about agriculture, and learning about the soil, and learning about the tenant farms,” Bingley said stoutly.

At this juncture, to Darcy’s relief, the butler entered to announce dinner.