Page 13 of To Go Against Her Heart (Pride and Prejudice Variation)

“I am curious to meet this gentleman who might have known Mr. Darcy since childhood; I wonder if he was different then. Did Mr. Bingley mention anything about his return?” she asked, and Jane raised her eyebrow.

“No! I do not think he would return soon,” Jane replied.

At that very moment in town, the gentleman in question sat disinterestedly, reliving each moment he spent in Elizabeth’s company.

“Fitzwilliam, what is it? Are you not interested in attending the supper invite at our aunt’s house today?” Georgiana asked, noticing his foul mood.

“Why would you think so?”

“I do not know; you seem distressed. I feel guilty that you chose to return here because of me as I am certain you were happier with Mr. Bingley in his estate,” she said in a small voice.

“I cannot imagine what makes you assume so. Yes, I enjoyed Bingley’s company, but I missed you and returned for the same reason. I am glad that aunt has kept you entertained here, and do not doubt me—I have nothing against attending today’s engagement.”

That evening, the siblings reached Lord Matlock’s house for the supper invite. They had spent very little time there after Darcy’s return, but his aunt and uncle welcomed them with warmth.

“I am so glad to see you both, and I have missed you very much, Georgiana, dear,” his aunt said with a smile.

“I can assure you, Fitzwilliam, it is tough to pass our evenings without my niece. We got accustomed to the pleasure of hearing her play,” Lord Matlock said, making Georgiana blush.

“I am certain she will be delighted to play for you tonight,” Darcy replied.

“We have invited the Kingstons to join us today. You have not met them after their respective marriages, have you?” his aunt asked.

“No, I have not had the pleasure,” Darcy replied.

“You must know that both siblings married into the same family.”

“I am aware; Richard wrote to me regarding the same.”

“Miss Kingston is now Mrs. Harrington, and I must say her husband is quite the charmer,” Lady Matlock remarked.

Just as they were conversing, the guests arrived, and Darcy perceived that Georgiana was uneasy at the prospect of making new acquaintances.

However, Darcy had the advantage of being well acquainted with Mr. Kingston and his sister for many years now.

Once the introductions were made, they settled down in the parlor, and as his aunt mentioned, Mr. Harrington seemed amiable and easy going.

“I understand we do not have the pleasure of seeing you in town much, Mr. Darcy,” he said.

“I spend a couple of months here, but it is never a fixed schedule.”

“I hear Derbyshire is delightful; I have promised my dearest wife a trip to the north in the near future,” he said, looking lovingly at his wife.

“My cousin does prefer staying in Pemberley, but this year, he has promised to spend more time in town,” Richard said.

During supper, Darcy could see that Mr. Harrington made an apparent effort to prove to the company that he was very much in love with his wife. Though his sentiments seemed genuine, Darcy sensed something insincere in how he hovered over his wife.

“Miss Darcy, my sister and I plan on visiting a couple of shops tomorrow to order a few dresses. We would be delighted if you could join us. I am certain your brother can spare you for a few hours,” Mrs. Harrington asked.

Georgiana dreaded spending time with them alone and had rarely accompanied anyone apart from her aunt for shopping.

Darcy looked at his aunt, sensing Georgiana’s discomfort.

“I can accompany you, Georgiana, if you wish to go,” Lady Matlock said, and Georgiana agreed.

Darcy was not thrilled about his sister spending time with women who had little to offer beyond fashion and general gossip.

But he did not want to deprive Georgiana of the chance to move into society and understand the world.

His mind immediately circled to Elizabeth, and his heart yearned for his sister to meet the woman who had impressed him in more ways than one.

He could not understand why she so persistently filled his thoughts, though he had supposed that a departure from Hertfordshire would bring relief.

His reflections were soon interrupted by Mr. Kingston, who addressed him.

“I heard you recently traveled to Hertfordshire, Fitzwilliam. Did you enjoy your time there?” he asked.

“It was a short visit; I was there to assist a friend with his estate,” he replied.

“Where in Hertfordshire?” Mr. Harrington interrupted, and Darcy perceived some uneasiness and alarm in his tone.

“Netherfield Park, my friend Mr. Bingley is leasing the estate,” he replied , observing the gentleman keenly.

“Have you been there, Mr. Harrington?” Richard asked with curiosity.

“No! I have not; I have never been there,” he said, visibly agitated. Both Richard and Darcy observed him gulping down his food with distress, even avoiding his wife for the next few minutes.

The night ended with Georgiana and the other women entertaining them with music. Darcy and Georgiana decided to spend the night there.

“If you do not wish to go tomorrow, you can always say so, Georgiana,” Darcy said to his sister before she retired.

“I am glad aunt is accompanying me; otherwise, I would not know how I would manage,” she confessed honestly.

“You must endeavor to overcome this; please do not be like me. I have allowed myself to find comfort in the company of my friends and family during gatherings, rather than make the effort to form new acquaintances. Honestly, it has been my greatest failing, Georgiana. I did not realize how much it had impacted my perception in society until someone pointed it out to me. We must try not just for the sake of society but for ourselves; I am trying to make amends for my past failing.”

“Was it Miss Elizabeth?” Georgiana asked, much to Darcy’s surprise.

“Do not look surprised; she is all you have spoken about after your return. I wonder how she managed to convey this message to you; as you say, you can be very intimidating,” she said with a smile.

“Is that so?”

“Yes!”

“I assure you; she does not care whether I am intimidating or not. She did point it out quite frankly to me.”

“I would love to meet her, Fitzwilliam. Would it be too much to ask if I could accompany you on your next visit?” his sister asked earnestly.

“I do not plan on returning there in the near future, but if I do, I will be most happy to have you accompany me. I must mention that Bingley insisted on the same,” he said, witnessing the excitement on her face.

Later that night, Richard and Darcy sat in the study as usual for a chat.

“So, tell me, what are your thoughts on Mr. Harrington? You did seem to scrutinize the man,” Richard asked, taking a sip of whisky.

“I could not help it; something seems to be off with him.”

“Well! He does seem to shower his wife with compliments and attention without losing a chance; I bet it is one of the reasons to fall into your bad books.”

“I have no say in that, Richard. He does not come across as honest. Did you see how he reacted to your question about Hertfordshire?”

“I did; it looked odd. Whatever said, we must take lessons from him to suitably complement our future wives; it would greatly ensure our marital felicity,” he said with a smile.

Somehow, the mention of the future Mrs. Darcy immediately brought Elizabeth’s face to Darcy’s mind.

I wish I had earned her regard during my time there, but she never gave me a chance. Perhaps, as she indirectly warned me, she is unwilling to do so due to her past experience. Why am I unable to forget her?

He silently cursed the man who had wounded Elizabeth’s heart, unaware that he had dined with the same gentleman but an hour before.