“Now that I could not possibly countenance!” Elizabeth exclaimed. “I would never dream of letting the mistress of an estate give up her rooms when my sisters and I will be quite comfortable sharing as we always do. Indeed, I suspect that Mary was getting lonely by herself. Like I said, we are accustomed to sharing at home, and she has been staying up late with Jane and me every night talking since we arrived. Now she will not be obliged to walk across the hall to return to her rooms in the darkness.”
“Are you absolutely sure?” asked Mrs Darlington uncertainly.
“I assure you that I am,” promised Elizabeth. “And your niece and her friend will be very welcome to join us in our parlour for late night shenanigans.”
“That sounds like just what Georgiana needs,” said Mrs Darlington. “My niece is very shy, and had difficulty making friends at school. She has been very sheltered. Her brother may wish to shield her from the company of the house party, but if she accompanies me during the day, it might be very nice for her to have some young ladies for her to speak with.”
Mrs Darlington accompanied Elizabeth to speak with Jane andMary, who were entering the music room. Jane refused to allow Elizabeth to share her bedroom.
“Lizzy paid for all of us to come with her, the least she should receive is her own bed. Besides, I have never shared with Mary before in all of our years as sisters. I believe we must take this opportunity, which may be our last if either of us marry, for that sisterly intimacy,” Jane insisted.
Mary was thrilled to no longer stay in the enormous suite by herself. Perhaps it was silly, because the rooms were so delightfully furnished and decorated, but she was unused to so much space by herself, and the darkness of the empty adjoining room and parlour made her frightened at night. She could hardly wait to move her belongings, and went directly upstairs to see to the matter.
“Miss Bennet, I must find some way to express my gratitude,” insisted Mrs Darlington.
“Point me and my sisters in the direction of your most eligible bachelors, and we will call it even,” Elizabeth teased.
The party guestswere on a visit to the market town with Lady Millicent, Miss Larkspur, and Miss Marmaduke when Mrs Darlington’s godson arrived with his party. Theodosia Darlington embraced her godson and kissed his cheek once he climbed down from the carriage and helped his sister. Bingley’s carriage followed with Mr and Miss Bingley. The Hursts had traveled to visit Mr Hursts family estate in Yorkshire.
“How bad is it?” Darcy asked his aunt as they made their way to her private parlour for refreshment.
“The tenant problem?” asked his godmother.
“The house party.” Darcy scowled.
Mrs Darlington laughed. “It is delightful, as always.”
“I am certain that it must be a horrid spectacle. Grasping men and desperate women, all fighting for the biggest prize,” muttered Darcy.
Mrs Darlington patted him on the hand. “I know that the idea of ahouse full of marriage minded women must alarm you, dear Fitzwilliam, but you must not concern yourself. They are a good bunch this year. And you must give me, and dear Lady Jersey, and my other friends some credit. They would not recommend those who are unworthy. You must learn to give these ladies some respect. They have put forth some degree of effort and expense to place themselves in the paths of men who are actively seeking wives. They have tired of courting skittish bachelors such as yourself under the scrutiny of the gossips in their villages, and many of the men are actually very much like you. I get more quiet, bookish sorts of men who do not get out into society than I know what to do with each year.
“I have warned my guests not to disturb you and Mr Bingley,” said Mrs Darlington. “I did not anticipate your bringing Georgiana, but she and her friend may accompany me while she is here, and she may make as much use of the music room as she likes. You will find a friend in Miss Marmaduke, my dear. But enough about your worries, dear Godson, what about you, Miss Bingley? I am very happy to receive you at Ever After End, and the other guests have been keen to meet the lady who will complete their group. Did you familiarise yourself with the list of guests and their situations?”
“Yes, I did, Mrs Darlington,” answered Caroline. “I confess, I am unsure about this endeavour, but I have been persuaded by my brother and Mr Darcy to give it a chance.”
“We all familiarised ourselves with your guest list, and the list of your chaperones, Mrs Darlington,” said Bingley. “I am certain we will be dining with them each night, Darcy cannot mean to be so reclusive as to dine apart from his aunt and her guests, and so we all made an effort.”
“That is very kind of you Mr Bingley,” Mrs Darlington said graciously. “Georgiana, do tell me about your friend.”
“We met Miss Bates when visiting Mr Bingley in Highbury,” Georgiana explained. “My companion left me, and when I made friends with Miss Bates, we decided to invite her to join our family as my guest.”
“Georgiana decided, she means.” Darcy smiled at his sister. “Shedecided it all of her own accord, and informed me of her plans in the presence of Aunt Catherine, no less.”
“Did you!” exclaimed Mrs Darlington. “I know you used to fear her, and I cannot say I blame you, for I did as well at your age. What did Cathy say?”
“Aunt Catherine was very approving of my plan, and accompanied me to present my invitation to Miss Bates herself.” Georgiana grinned.
“A high compliment indeed, to both of you,” said Mrs Darlington in approval. “What restored your courage, dear one?”
“Last summer at Ramsgate, I learned that I can trust my instincts, and my brother has helped me to have more confidence in my discernment,” said Georgiana.
“I could not be happier to hear it, my dear.” Mrs Darlington looked over to Georgiana’s friend. “Miss Bates, you are very welcome at Ever After End. I do hope that you will enjoy your visit.”
“Thank you Mrs Darlington. I am sure I will,” agreed Miss Bates, as they all rose to be shown to their rooms.
CHAPTER 23
Considering the availability of many carriages, between Mrs Darlington’s own and those of the guests, the journey into the market town was comfortable for all. Their host’s library was not inferior, but it had not been significantly updated in some time, and Elizabeth could not live anywhere for two months without a subscription to the library. Miss Dutton fell in with the Bennet sisters as they were handed out of the carriages and followed by Jane’s retinue of men to the library.
