Page 14 of To Love And To Cherish (Pride And Prejudice Variation #3)
The air was fresh as Elizabeth climbed the rise of Oaken Mount, her feet treading familiar paths worn smooth by many solitary walks.
At the crest of the hill, she caught sight of Georgiana Darcy approaching on horseback, her groom trailing respectfully behind at a distance.
Elizabeth smiled; the sight had become a welcome constancy in her daily routine.
Georgiana dismounted with practiced ease and greeted her friend warmly. “Good morning, Elizabeth. I feared I might be late.”
“On the contrary,” said Elizabeth, taking her arm. “You are as punctual as the sun.”
They walked slowly along the ridge, a summer breeze stirring the curls at Georgiana’s temples. For a few moments, they said nothing, merely enjoying the gentle hush of the morning.
At last, Georgiana broke the silence. “Elizabeth… I must tell you something that has troubled me exceedingly. Miss Bingley spoke to me at breakfast, at some length, regarding Fitzwilliam’s behavior at the assembly they attended last night.
She did not name the lady, but she implied he had given deep offense by insulting someone within hearing.
I cannot reconcile it. My brother is proud, yes, but I never thought him… cruel.”
Elizabeth’s heart gave a painful jolt. She hesitated, then replied carefully, “Do not distress yourself, Georgiana. I have little doubt that your brother acted in a moment of thoughtlessness rather than deliberate malice. Men are often permitted the liberty of saying precisely what they think, though they have been trained as gentlemen and ought to know better. Women, as you know, are held to a far stricter standard.”
“But it is so disappointing,” Georgiana whispered. “He is my brother. I have always looked up to him.”
Elizabeth gave her arm a gentle squeeze.
“Indeed, and you need not cease to do so now. A single misstep does not define a man’s character.
And in the grand scheme of life, what is a slight at a dance?
My youngest sister, Lydia, who is not yet sixteen, not much older than yourself, passes each day in fear that my mother will pluck her from school and marry her off to a stranger, regardless of his age or character, as long as he is wealthy.
My mother’s hope is always the same: to secure a wealthy husband who might save us from penury when my father is gone. ”
Georgiana looked stricken. “But surely that will not happen?”
“My uncle has promised he will provide for Lydia’s maintenance, and he is firm in his resolve, but still my sister frets. We write to her often with cheerful encouragement, but we cannot ease her burden entirely. It is difficult to be so young and so powerless.”
“That is dreadful,” Georgiana murmured.
Elizabeth continued, her tone lightening, though her words remained grave.
“I myself am beginning to look about for employment. I have no desire to be forced into marriage without affection or, at the very least, respect, and I fear Mamma’s attention will soon settle on me.
Since the age of fifteen, my mother has been relentless in her efforts to see Jane married. ”
Georgiana’s brow furrowed. “And what might you do? Surely someone as clever and capable as you would find a post quickly.”
“I have written to my uncle Gardiner and asked for his guidance,” Elizabeth replied.
“I could perhaps become a governess or teach languages at a ladies’ seminary.
Or I might accept a position as a companion.
My situation will decline regardless, but some positions are worse than others.
I have worked with our local physician since I was fifteen.
I have skills, but I would never be permitted to study to become a surgeon, nor even a physician.
Nurses, though invaluable, are treated little better than harlots, paid miserably, and worked past endurance.
Though I love the work, I could never accept such a fate unless I had no other choice. ”
Georgiana was silent for a moment. “I had never thought of my dowry as more than a means of purchasing a husband. But now I understand it could purchase my independence. I might live quietly on the interest if I learned to economize. That is a far better prospect than being forced to marry a man I cannot abide.”
Elizabeth smiled at her. “You are wise, Georgiana. Very wise.”
They strolled on in companionable quiet, the distant trill of birds lending a gentle cadence to the morning, until at length Elizabeth broke the silence.
“Miss King has asked me to accompany her to Scotland. Her uncle has sent for her; he desires to see her well established before his death. He is her guardian, and she is his heir. Though her cousin, Miss Ancilla Trent, is to travel with her, they are scarcely acquainted. Miss King has entreated me to remain with her until she is married.”
Georgiana turned to her with quiet surprise. “When does she plan to depart?”
“By the end of April, I believe,” Elizabeth replied. Then, seeing the shadow that crossed Georgiana’s face, she added gently, “But I am glad, truly glad, that I shall still be here when you leave. These mornings together have meant a great deal to me.”
Georgiana lowered her gaze, her voice low with feeling. “And to me as well. I no longer wake in tears. It has been a fortnight since my last nightmare.” She hesitated, then said shyly, “You have been a balm to me, Elizabeth.”
Elizabeth’s expression softened. “You are a brave soul, Georgiana. I shall miss our walks more than I can say.”
“It is difficult to reside with Miss Bingley, but Charles has been kind. I believe he is quite taken with your sister.”
Elizabeth laughed. “That is no surprise. Jane is quite irresistible.”
Georgiana’s expression grew pensive. “He would make an amiable husband for your sister, but I cannot imagine residing under the same roof as Caroline. What if she never marries? Your sister would be burdened with her forever.”
Elizabeth laughed. “That is quite impossible. Miss Bingley is handsome, has a lovely figure, and possesses a considerable dowry. She will have no want of suitors.”
Georgiana said quietly, “I believe Miss Bingley has set her cap for Fitzwilliam. Her attentions are unceasing to the point of discomfort. She is forever at his side, clinging to his arm or inquiring whether he requires anything. I grow quite weary of the display.” Georgiana murmured, “It is very wrong of me to speak so, but I would rather live with my Aunt Helen than endure Miss Bingley’s company indefinitely. ”
Elizabeth smiled. “I do not blame you in the least. I may want to visit my Uncle Gardiner for similar reasons. We are expecting a guest at Longbourn next week, the heir to the estate. My father has written to invite him for a stay of some weeks. Mamma hopes, of course, that he will fall in love with me and save the estate through marriage.”
Georgiana grinned. “And is he well-favored?”
“We do not know. But I cannot like him. His letter had a most pompous tone. It was a strange mixture of flattery and self-importance.
“My sister Mary, however, is greatly intrigued by him and speaks warmly of his proposed olive branch. He is a rector and resides in Kent. His letter was full of praise for his patroness, ‘a most noble personage’ by his account. Mary declares she feels a true calling to the duties of a parson’s wife and holds high hopes of being selected as his bride. ”
Elizabeth paused, her expression amused but tinged with concern. “But to tell truth, once he lays eyes upon Jane, I dare say he will not give my hopeful sister another thought.”
Georgiana, who had been quietly plucking at a blade of grass, looked up with a blush. “As for that, Elizabeth… I find you very beautiful. He might look at you and fall in love at first sight.”
Elizabeth turned to her friend, a little startled.
“You are kind, dearest, but I hope that does not occur. I am the least suited of all my sisters to be a parson’s wife.
As my mother often laments, I am an obstinate, headstrong girl.
I should offend his sensibilities or those of his parishioners within the week.
” She looked gravely at her friend. “Georgiana, my father has warned me that he will soon show the letter to my mother. We both know that once he does, her campaign to match me with the rector will begin, and it will be determined and unrelenting.”
She sighed and leaned back, gazing at the branches overhead.
“Now I am troubled. If Mr. Collins should arrive and find himself captivated by Jane’s beauty or, heaven forbid, struck by my impertinence, what hope has Mary?
She would be greatly disappointed, and I cannot quite see how to guide his affections in the proper direction without becoming absurdly artful. ”
Georgiana offered a thoughtful look. “Perhaps… perhaps if Mary is truly the one best suited to him, he will come to see it in time.”
Elizabeth smiled faintly. “Let us hope he is not so dazzled by appearances as to miss what is plain before him. Mary would be an excellent wife to a man of the cloth. But if he sets his sights elsewhere, Mamma will encourage it, no matter whom it displaces.”
She clasped her hands in her lap. “Oh, Georgiana, matchmaking is a perilous thing, especially when one must dodge both Cupid’s arrows and Mamma’s ambitions.”
“Elizabeth, it’s grown late and I must return, or my brother will begin to worry,” Georgiana said with a regretful smile. “Shall I see you again tomorrow?”
“Yes, I will be here,” Elizabeth replied warmly.
They exchanged a brief but affectionate embrace before parting ways.
Upon returning to Longbourn after her walk with Georgiana, Elizabeth went at once to her father’s study to speak with him about the necessary preparations for her journey to Scotland, or, should that plan fail to come to fruition, a removal to London to reside with her uncle.