Darcy's Passions (23 page)

“Oh, Fitzwilliam,” she said,“so soon?” He saw the fear slip into her composure.

“Georgiana,” he patted her hand, “I would not ask if there was time, but Miss Bennet will leave Derbyshire in a few days.”

“Of course,” she said unsurely, “I will be happy to go with you today.” She stood up and straightened her dress.“Let me freshen my clothes; I will return in fifteen minutes.”

“Thank you, Georgiana,” he stood and held her at arm's length. “Elizabeth Bennet will love you as I do.” She smiled weakly and turned to leave. “Georgiana,” he called, “let us keep this our secret for now. A private introduction will be more comfortable for us all.” She nodded and left the room.

While his sister was gone, Darcy paced the room wondering about this decision; Elizabeth would receive Georgiana cordially. Of that, he was sure, but how would she see his impetuous actions? He assured Georgiana of Elizabeth's goodness of spirit, but it was his own self-confidence that needed shoring up. He ordered his curricle to be brought around and waited on Georgiana's return in the front foyer when Charles Bingley came down the steps only seconds ahead of his sister.

“Darcy, are you going out?” Darcy debated whether to tell his
friend his plans, but with the appearance of Georgiana in a fresh pelisse and bonnet left him no other choice.

“Bingley, Georgiana and I are going into Lambton to call on a friend.”

“But, Darcy, we just traveled through Lambton on our way here,” Bingley conjectured.

Darcy looked at his sister; Georgiana's uneasiness at the meeting showed; having to lie to Bingley would play havoc on her gentle nature. “Bingley, the friend is Miss Elizabeth Bennet, and she is in Lambton. She travels with her aunt and uncle; I happened on her yesterday here at Pemberley. She agreed to make Georgiana's acquaintance.We will make a short morning call today.”

“Georgiana, you will like Miss Elizabeth.” He turned toward her. “She is a delightful young lady. I understand your desire for a private introduction, but I would very much like to see Miss Elizabeth again myself if you would have no objections.”

Georgiana's eyes pleaded with her brother, and Darcy, reluctantly, agreed, but he asked Bingley to wait downstairs at the inn until after Georgiana's introduction. Bingley readily agreed, saying he would saddle a horse and follow them to Lambton. Darcy then hinted as politely as possible for Charles to keep this from his sisters. “I understand,” he grinned,“Caroline would be an
impediment.”

As the curricle pulled away from Pemberley, Darcy reached for his sister's hand again. “Your kindness is unfathomable,” he smiled at her. Georgiana guessed how important this meeting was to her brother, the magnitude of his request not lost on her. However, although she was more than ten years his junior, Georgiana knew something her brother did not: one cannot control the heart; when
real love
is ready, it will find its own way. Therefore, she looked forward to meeting Elizabeth Bennet; she was still nervous, but the nerves were selfish ones—she desired a female friend. Having no mother, Georgiana had questions she could not share with either her brother or Mrs. Annesley. Miss Bingley was just “too”—well, she would not do. Elizabeth Bennet's “free spirit” could contain the answers she sought.

Pulling the curricle to a halt in front of the Royal Crown, Darcy slid quickly out of the seat and helped his sister down. He thought he caught a glimpse of Elizabeth at the window. Their appearance in the village created a stir, and as they entered the inn, villagers sought their favor. As they waited to be announced, brother and sister held hands but were silent, both lost in thoughts of what the next few minutes would hold, Elizabeth Bennet's approval elevated in the estimation of both. When the time came for their entrance into the Gardiners' quarters, Darcy placed his sister's hand on his arm and covered it with his own hand after lightly chucking her under the chin and giving her a smile. He mouthed “Thank You” as the door opened to them. Stepping into
the room, Darcy briefly broke contact with Georgiana as he bowed to the Gardiners and Elizabeth.

“Mr. Darcy,” Mr. Gardiner came forward, bowed, and then offered his hand.

“Mr. Gardiner, Mrs. Gardiner, Miss Bennet, please excuse our intrusion. My sister and I have come a day earlier than expected; we apologize.”

“Think nothing of it, Mr. Darcy,” Mr. Gardiner continued the civilities.“We are happy to see you again so soon.”

“Yes,” said Mrs. Gardiner,“we are honored by your attentions.” As she said so, she turned toward her niece and smiled. Darcy's eyes could not help but follow her lead.

“You are very kind,” he nodded his head to all three. “I have come to introduce my sister. Mr. Gardiner, Mrs. Gardiner, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, may I present my sister, Miss Georgiana Darcy.” As he said this, Darcy stepped behind to bring his sister center stage.

Georgiana made her curtsy. Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner came forward and offered appropriate welcoming remarks, but it was Elizabeth's actions he wished to observe. When her relatives finished their niceties, Elizabeth stepped forward and curtsied, “Miss Darcy, I am so pleased to finally meet you.”

“And I you,” Georgiana returned the courtesy. Darcy's heart leapt as he noted the genuine smile on Elizabeth's face as she engaged his sister's company. Hoping to leave them time together, Darcy asked the Gardiners about their previous evening's engagement. He tried desperately to listen to both conversations—the Gardiners' and the one between Elizabeth and his sister. He heard Elizabeth ask about Georgiana's studies and his sister's monosyllabic responses. Finally, he turned to them and suggested Georgiana share her “secret” with Miss Elizabeth. Georgiana's eyes replied her thanks, and they sparkled as she told of her brother's gift.

“You are fortunate to have such a loving brother,” Elizabeth observed. He did not hear his sister's reply or what was said after, but light laughter occurred, and the nature of the exchange seemed pleasant.

Darcy remembered his promise to Bingley so when there was a lull in the conversation, he said, “Miss Bennet, Mr. Bingley is awaiting the opportunity to renew his acquaintance with you. May I summon him?”

“By all means.” Darcy asked a servant to inform the gentleman, Mr. Bingley, of his company being desired, and then he stepped to his sister's side.

In seconds, they heard Bingley's step on the stairs, and in a moment he entered the room. His unaffected warmth and cordiality brought forth Elizabeth's good opinion of him. He inquired in a friendly way after her family. Darcy observed how Elizabeth looked at Bingley and Georgiana together; he knew enough of her disposition to realize she suspected his and the Bingley sisters' separation of Bingley and Jane Bennet anchored in hopes of an alliance between the two. Bingley's sisters may still hold out such hopes, but Darcy abandoned any such notions long before there was a Jane Bennet.Time would prove Elizabeth's conjectures wrong.

The half hour stay passed too quickly for Darcy's pleasure, but when they rose to leave he called upon his sister to invite the Gardiners and Miss Elizabeth to dinner at Pemberley before they left Lambton. The day after tomorrow was decided upon among the group, and plans were made for their arrival at his estate. “Yes, please, Miss Bennet, I would love for us to play together,” Georgiana added quickly.

“I am not sure my talents merit a new pianoforte,” she teased while looking only at Darcy, “but I would enjoy sharing some of your favorite music.”

Before departing, Bingley expressed great pleasure in seeing Elizabeth again. He asked of her sisters, without mentioning Jane directly, and reminisced about their time at Netherfield and gave her to know he hoped to speak more of those not mentioned previously. Darcy observed all this and realized he too must secure information on Jane Bennet's inclinations toward his friend. Finally, he renewed his invitation to Mr. Gardiner to join the gentlemen at Pemberley for some fishing; Mr. Gardiner would join them by
noon on the morrow. Unwillingly, the Darcys and Mr. Bingley left the Gardiner party with promises to meet again soon; the day and the meeting went better than he anticipated. Elizabeth smiled with momentary flashes of the connection they once possessed.

 

Darcy's smile could not be contained on the return trip to Pemberley. Finally, he asked,“Georgiana, did you like Miss Elizabeth?”

His sister's smile was nearly as large as was his. “I was so frightened at first, but Miss Elizabeth is one of the most pleasant people I ever met. I felt foolish for being so apprehensive.”

“You were enjoying yourself, then?”

“Miss Elizabeth was telling me tales of your acquaintance.”

“Is that what you found so amusing?” His eyebrow shot up.

“Actually, she was telling of her mortification at having to dance with Mr. Collins for the first set at Mr. Bingley's ball,” his sister confided while continuing to chuckle.

“It was a display to which I would not wish to subject anyone,” Darcy reflected.“I nearly stepped in to rescue her.”

“Then she spoke of the honor of dancing with you, Fitzwilliam,” Georgiana added cautiously, not wishing to give her brother false hopes for she too could not determine the lady's regard for her brother.“I was most touched when she talked of your showing her a glade at Rosings which was a favorite of our mother. I was a bit jealous.”

Darcy felt his sister's hurt and apologized immediately.“I feared it would distress you, Dearest One.” He caught her eye. “I would love to show you the path the next time we are at Rosings. We should speak more of her.”

“I have no memories of our mother, Fitzwilliam,” she whispered.

“Then we should share my memories. If I realized you felt as such, I would have done so before now. I thought,” he stumbled,“I was protecting you.”

“Miss Elizabeth says I am fortunate to have a loving brother, and I agree.” Georgiana smiled up at him.

“Mr. Gardiner appears to be a real angler—a real sportsman. I
am anxious to spend time with him tomorrow.”

Georgiana interrupted, “I agree; Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner are most amiable.”

“It is likely, my Dear, while Mr. Gardiner partakes of the sport, his wife and Miss Elizabeth will return your call.Are you comfortable with being their hostess or would you prefer my early return?”

“I have no experience in serving as the hostess.”The thoughts of it obviously agitated her. “I suppose I can count on Mrs. Annesley, Miss Bingley, and Mrs. Hurst if I can think of nothing of interest.”

“Mrs.Annesley,” Darcy cautioned,“will be most helpful, and, of course, Mrs. Gardiner and Miss Bennet will be congenial. However, I do not believe Miss Bingley or Mrs. Hurst will be more than barely civil with Miss Elizabeth.”

“I do not understand,” she questioned. “Do not Mr. Bingley's sisters hold Miss Elizabeth in as high regard as their brother?”

“Bingley's sisters will not, I believe, be happy to remind their brother of Hertfordshire and Miss Jane Bennet.They do not share his regard for that particular lady. Plus, I foolishly showed Miss Elizabeth more attention than I should have. Miss Bingley took note of my actions.”

“I see,” was his sister's only reply at first, but then she added,“Do you think you might make an appearance, Fitzwilliam?”

“If you so wish.” Darcy was relieved; he knew if Elizabeth was at Pemberley, he could be nowhere else. They finished their journey with Georgiana's retellings. At last, she looked at her brother and said,“Miss Jane Bennet must be very lovely, indeed.”

“I do not understand,” he turned to her.

“If Miss Jane Bennet is more beautiful than Miss Elizabeth, then she must be very beautiful; it is no wonder Mr. Bingley found her beguiling.” His sister sighed.

“Miss Bennet,” her brother added, “is beautiful, but I once told Charles I thought she smiled too much.” His sister stifled her laughter. “Miss Elizabeth,” he continued,“has beauty of both body and mind.”

“Her eyes—I remember you once saying—are the secret to her soul.”

“It was my comment on Miss Elizabeth's
fine eyes
which set off Caroline Bingley's antagonism. I am afraid Miss Elizabeth suffered rebukes because of my faults.”

“Miss Elizabeth, I believe, can handle someone as shallow in her opinions and her own consequence as is Miss Bingley.”

“Miss Darcy,” he smirked, “you continue to amaze me. Where was I when you became a young lady of such astute opinions and discernments?” Georgiana did not answer, but she found she liked the new freedom she shared with a brother who always was so reserved and who until a few months ago saw her as a
pesky
little girl for whom he was responsible.