Mrs. Bennet was unwilling to let either of her elder daughters spend more than a month away from Longbourn. In her considered opinion, they were neither of them focused enough on procuring husbands. She continued to have no faith in her relations’ willingness to put the girls forwards in their own circles. The shortened visit was a compromise. When the northern tour was proposed, Elizabeth asked the Gardiners if both Jane and Mary could accompany her. They were eager to have three of their nieces and readily agreed. Mrs. Bennet was more reluctant but was eventually won over when even her normally uninterested husband urged her acceptance.
Miss Darcy and Miss Baxter had arrived at Barlow Hall the day after the Bennet sisters and would stay with the family for the week leading up to their planned northern tour. The outing would be two weeks touring the celebrated beauties and attractions of their very owncounty and those directly to the north in South Yorkshire.
That week together at Barlow Hall, Georgiana found great comfort in being with her friend again and told her so one day as they walked that long path towards Pemberley, where they had first met.
“I am so glad to have you all to myself,” Elizabeth declared, linking their arms and setting their course. “I adore Jane and Mary, and of course Miss Baxter is all that is good, but I am used to being able to spend time with just us, and I have missed that.”
“I feel just the same,” Georgiana responded eagerly. “It is delightful to see Jane again and Mary is such a dear, but I have missed you, despite how faithful of a correspondent you have been.”
“Yes, we love everyone else quite madly and do not at all mean that they are not dear to us when we declare that we are glad to be rid of them for one hour altogether,” Elizabeth agreed.
Though she exclaimed at her friend’s wording, Georgiana heartily agreed with the sentiment. In fact, Elizabeth’s bold declaration reassured her. When the plans for their trip had been presented for her approval, her only hesitancy was that Elizabeth might not need her, might not have as much time for her with her aunt and two sisters at her disposal. In addition, Elizabeth had turned seventeen a few weeks prior, Georgiana was only fourteen. As the date of their reunion came closer, Georgiana worried that their age difference, which seemed less important in years past, would be too great now, especially as they had not seen one another in over a yearand this summer’s visit would be much shorter and not at all like their usual season together.
As Georgiana strolled under the familiar trees and along the familiar paths, listening to her dearest friend narrate her youngest sisters’ latest antics, she felt relief that none of the distance or awkwardness she had feared was present, and sherelished the easy closeness that she and Elizabeth had always enjoyed.
Finally, the day of their departure arrived. Though they all worried about Mr. Barlow being left on his own as they mounted the carriages, he assured them once again that he would be quite well with the staff and his many friends and neighbours who had been recruited to stop by quite frequently to look after him. Amelia stood beside him, her small hand in his, her nurse at the ready as her young charge was prone to sudden flights, testing the limits of both her guardian’s tolerance and her own abilities.
“I look forward to your detailed accounts of all that you see and do,” he toldElizabethand Mary as they mounted the steps of the Darcy carriage, where the four girls would ride together. Miss Baxter joined the Gardiners in their carriage. Soon the two conveyances were rumbling down the long driveway, their passengers eager as much for conversation, companionship and socializing as for castles, cliffs and rocks.
It is not the object of this work to describe the many sites the party enjoyed in both Derbyshire and Yorkshire. Between the cliffs, castles, ruins and parks, the party each found something to delight them.
The two weeks went by too quickly for most of them. Though by the end, as they made their way back to Barlow Hall, both the Gardiners and Miss Baxter were thankful to be almost home. Even more so when the house came into view and Mr. Barlow, Mr. Ashley and Cora could be seen on the lawn—engaged in a very serious-looking game of blindman’s bluff. As the carriage came to a stop on the far side, the participants seemed unaware and were focused on the blind player, MissAmelia. They were calling out encouragement and instructions. The travel party came closer, and Mrs. Gardiner called out to her daughter, who, upon hearing her mother’s voice, tore off the blindfold and raced into her arms. Mr. Gardiner soon joined them. Mr. Ashley rushed eagerly to Miss Baxter’s side, but instead of hugs and exclamations, their joy at the reunion was seen in sparkling eyes and wide smiles as they gazed contentedly at one another.
After the travellers went inside to refresh themselves and change out of their travel clothes, they all met in the large sitting room where each party regaled the others with tales of the past two weeks. Mr. Ashley did not leave Miss Baxter’s side. Miss Amelia did not leave her mother’s lap. Cora was given a much-needed night off. Though Mr. Ashley was clearly reluctant to leave, after an hour, he declared his intention to depart.
“Miss Baxter, will you do me a favour and see our guest out? As you can see, I am quite occupied.” Amelia tugged her mother’s face back to herself, demanding her undivided attention for another story.
“Of course, Mrs. Gardiner,” she responded with unhidden happiness.
Mr. Ashley bade everyone adieu and offered a warm thank you to his hostess as he followed his betrothed out the door.
The wedding was to be held three days later in the church in Kympton, where Mr. Ashley served as vicar. The former vicar, who had mentored the young man before his retirement, would conduct the service.
The day following their return, the ladies were mending some clothes Miss Baxter had taken in from the parish collection box. A letter was brought to Georgiana. She read the envelope and declared it to be from her brother. Elizabeth tried to quell her curiosity as her friend opened and began to read it, even as Georgiana frowned and then sighed in clear displeasure.
“It is terribly disappointing,” she said a moment after placing the letter on the table beside her. “Fitzwilliam will miss the wedding.”
Elizabeth felt a sharp pain in her finger and realised she had stabbed herself with the needle. Mary handed her a handkerchief without a word.
“Oh, no,” Jane said, not missing a beat in her stitching. “Is he unwell?”
“No,” Georgiana answered. “He has been at the Darcy estate in Scotland for the past month, and it seems that things were worse than he had thought. His presence will be required for another fortnight at least. He sends his regrets to you in particular, Miss Baxter, and apologises for his absence.”
“He will be missed, but I understand. He had written to Mr. Ashley last week of some of the difficulties he was experiencing. I am happy he can at least see his way to the end.”
“That is true,” Georgiana answered. “I am thankful he will be at Matlock in time to see our cousin before he departs with his regiment. He believes he will arrive just before Stephen’s leave begins at the end of the month.”
“That is certainly something to be thankful for,” Jane agreed with an encouraging smile. “When you write him, please send him all of our regards.”
“Yes,” Elizabeth agreed, having finally found her voice, though her disappointment still choked her. “And let him know that he will be missed.”
“But we understand the necessity of his absence,” Mary added.
“Of course we do,” Miss Baxter agreed. “I am grateful he allowed you to stay at Matlock and come to Barlow Hall so that you might attend me. It was generous of him to give up your company, as I know it is his most prized possession.”
Georgiana blushed at this praise but nodded her acceptance of the compliment.
“Shall I have your writing materials fetched that you might reply?” Mrs. Gardiner asked.
