“No, they will join me tomorrow. Our progress from London was too slow to allow me to be here in time for your celebration, so I rode on ahead of the rest of the party.”
“I am so glad you did, Brother!” Georgiana declared. “Elizabeth, is it not the most wonderful surprise?”
“It is indeed,” Elizabeth answered with a sincerity that hopefully made up for her lack of eye contact.
Linking her arm in her brother’s and beckoning Elizabeth forward to do the same with her, Georgiana said, “We must be off. I came seeking Elizabeth because the games are about to begin!”
The trio began to walk out of the grove as Georgiana described what was in store—a bevy of games starting with battledore and shuttlecock.
“I almost wish you had arrived a little later, William,” she said as they approached the group arranged in the clearing.
A servant was handing out the battledores.
“Why is that?” Darcy asked.
“You know you are not only skilled at all of our games but also very unwilling to lose at anything. Just let the guests win at something.” She sounded genuinely worried.
“I am insulted, Georgiana,” Elizabeth declared. “I do not need your brother to let me win. I will earn my victories, thank you very much.”
“It is good to know some things about you have not changed,” Darcy said, looking past his sister and directing his steady gaze and soft smile at her.
The step she missed as a result was covered by Georgiana, stopping their progress. They had reached the others. Everyone exclaimed at Darcy’s arrival, and enthusiastic greetings were exchanged. He told the story of his decision to come and travel from a coaching inn in Nottingham on horseback several times before Georgiana called them to order.
“I am sorry to interrupt the conversation,” she said, some traces of shyness evident, but as she looked about at all the smiling faces and saw the encouraging nods from both her brother and Elizabeth, she continued more boldly.
“However, it is time to begin our games.”
There were general sounds of approbation as everyone waited for instructions.
“We will begin with shuttlecock. Find a place with your partner away from others. The goal is to get the most hits—without dropping the shuttle. Though we trust you all not to cheat, I will be walking around to keep you honest.”
John Robertson came forward to claim his partner. In the commotion of friends and neighbours welcoming Darcy, he had not had an opportunity to offer his greeting.
“Darcy, it is good to see you. Georgiana must be thrilled you made it in time to partake in the celebrations she planned.”
“I believe she is. It is good to see you, John. I had not realised you would be here. How long are you home?”
“Only a sennight, I am sorry to say.”
“We plan to do some fishing this week. I hope you will consider joining us.”
“I would be delighted, thank you. Now if you will excuse us, I am told my lovely partner takes these games quite seriously, and so I hope if I am able to contribute to a victory, she will think well of me.” He held out his arm, which Elizabeth took and, with one parting nod at Darcy, set off with her partner.
Had she imagined he looked confused? She felt confused. John was a delightful companion, and he was clearly set on charming her. She enjoyed his company and was flattered by his attention. But it was hard to remember any of this in Darcy’s company. Fortunately for her muddled mind, she had a game to concentrate on.
Many of the pairs dropped out rather quickly. It was not as easy as it looked—particularly if you had little experience with the unpredictability of the shuttle’s movements after a hit. After about three minutes, four pairs were left: Jane and Mrs. Ashley; Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner; Edmund Robertson and Darcy; and Elizabeth and John Robertson. The rest gathered on the edges of the small circle where the pairs continued to hit back and forth. Some taunting (Mr. Barlow mostly—teasing his four relatives who remained in the hunt) and some encouraging (Mr. Ashley—assuring his beloved bride she could do all things and Mrs. Robertson insisting her sons would both triumph though they were on different teams). When Mrs. Ashley missed the shuttle, Jane was quick to reassure her partner.
“I am so sorry, Jane!” she declared.
“It was a bad pass, think nothing of it. I enjoyed partnering with you.”
“You will prevail next time, my dear!” her husband insisted.
The ladies made their way to the spectators’ circle with Mr. Ashley adding his assertion of her good play to Jane’s and placing her arm in his, pulling her close to him to watch the remainder of the pairs. It wasn’t long before the Gardiners were eliminated. Mr. Gardiner made a dramatic dive to try to save a stray hit, rolling to the ground in his attempt.
“Well done, my boy,” Mr. Barlow declared as Mr. Robertson offered him a hand to help him rise.
“We are down to two teams,” Georgiana declared as the four remaining players continued batting the shuttle back and forth within their pair.
