“I shall pray for the workers, that they might see sense, and not injure themselves or others, and that if they have been misled, that they will see the error of their ways,” said Mary devoutly.
“You are a good girl, Miss Mary. Bennet, you have chosen your future wife well,” said Lady Catherine. “Nephew, I hope that if you do have to leave, that you will not be gone long. I would prefer to have your escort when we attend Lady Amesbury’s ball.”
“Must wediscuss trade?” asked Miss Woodhouse in disgust. “Whatever has happened to society?”
“It is a fiction that gentlemen never invest in trade, dear,” said her father.
“Youdo not!” replied Miss Woodhouse indignantly.
“No, but I am interested in doing so,” said Mr Woodhouse. “I had investments before your dear mother passed. I ought to ask Knightley to seek out something promising.”
“Oh!” said Miss Woodhouse in distress.
“Feeling better,mademoiselle?” asked thecomteslyly across the table. Miss Woodhouse blushed scarlet as her father glared at him. Elizabeth and the rest of the young ladies looked at each other across the table in perplexity, and Lady Catherine’s guests, as usual when thecomtespoke, wondered what in the world he meant.
CHAPTER 36
The following morning, Darcy and Bingley prepared to leave by dawn. As they made their way downstairs, Darcy encountered Elizabeth and his sister. Elizabeth was leaving for her walk as soon as Jane came downstairs, and Georgiana had woken early to see her brother off, as she had always done since she was old enough. The carriage had just arrived, and the men were ready to leave, though Torrens was not yet about with their hats and canes. When the two couples had said their farewells, Elizabeth and Jane departed for their walk. Georgiana bid her brother and Mr Bingley a safe journey, and turned into the parlour.
“Go ahead, Bingley, I will find them and follow you out. I believe Torrens stores them in here,” she heard her brother say as Bingley went out the front door, and Darcy opened a closet, followed by a strange yelp of surprise.
Darcy stood open mouthed in amazement to see his cousin Richard hiding in the closet. “You will be silent,” his cousin hissed as he pulled the door closed.
Georgiana returned quickly from the drawing room. “Is all well, brother?”
Darcy shook his head as if he felt strange, “I just… Well…”
Georgiana clasped her brother’s hand and dragged him upstairs, and into her room, where she dismissed Hopkins. When they were alone, she said, “What did you see?”
“I… I’m not sure I ought…” answered Darcy uncertainly.
“Fitzwilliam! I insist that you tell me exactly what disturbed you!” she insisted.
“Richard was hiding in the closet,” said Darcy.
“I thought it would be something like that,” Georgiana said. “I cannot tell you what he is doing there, but I must insist that you say nothing to anyone, and I do meananyone, brother.”
“You mean,youknowof this?” Darcy said in concern. “What is he doing in the closet? Is he not supposed to be on a mission?”
“Heison a mission. I presume he is there because there is a grate in the wall between the closet and the drawing room,” she answered. “Ididtell you that I saw him. You did not believe me. I will have to tell Torrens immediately he must lock that closet, and any other area Richard uses. We cannot have him caught by a maid or footman.”
“For what purpose is he in the closet?” Darcy demanded.
“I cannot tell you, Brother,” Georgiana refused.
“Georgiana, as your guardian, I command you to tell me!” Darcy insisted.
At this, laughter bubbled up in Georgiana, and she could not help but giggle. She had been far too long in Elizabeth’s company to be cowed now, not by her own sibling. “Brother, I am protecting my other guardian. When he tells me that I may confide in you, I will do so, but for now, I am promised to secrecy.”
“I amoutragedthat Richard has confided in you, and that I had no idea he was even here! Why is he watching this house? Does this mean you are in danger? How dare he bring this upon Aunt Catherine’s house!” Darcy ranted.
“Fitzwilliam, He did not bring anything here, he followed it here. We are not in danger, or at least there is no reason to suspect so now. As you can see, Richard is keeping an eye on us,” his sister assured him.
“Aunt Catherine will be outraged when she learns of whatever this is,” said Darcy, comforted that when his aunt found out, there would be retribution. At Georgiana’s expression, his face fell. “She already knows.”
“We could not very well seek Torren’s secrecy without her permission,” she pointed out.
“I cannotbelievethateveryoneknows of this but me!” Darcy grumbled.
