Thankfully, misbehaviour of that kind was not something the sisters would ever contemplate. Their parents and those who had educated them had instilled values which would not allow them to behave in such a fashion.
In early May, notwithstanding the growing heat and odours in London, Jane, accompanied by her mother, Mrs. Annesley, and Lizzy, travelled to London to purchase Jane’s trousseau. The youngest three had remained at Longbourn with their father and Miss Jones. Bennet avoided London as much as he was able.
The three Bennets and the companion were hosted at Matlock House. For propriety’s sake, Andrew remained resident at his own house in Portman Square.
Much to the engaged couple’s delight, other than visits to the modiste and sleeping, they were in company one with the other most of the time. One of the days was dedicated to Jane being given a tour of Hilldale House.
Except for making over the mistress’s chambers, which had not been redone in well over thirty years, Jane had not asked for any redecorating.
Elizabeth did not mind being usurped in Jane’s affections by Andrew; it was as it should be. She spent much of her time in Giana’s company when Jane was occupied and lost in Andrew’s eyes.
One afternoon Elizabeth and Georgiana were taking a stroll on the green in the centre of Grosvenor Square escorted by a pair of Matlock House footmen. “That is Darcy House,” Georgiana pointed to the house on the opposite side of thesquare.
Other than a slight difference in the colours of the façade, Elizabeth could see the house Giana was showing her was very similar to Matlock House’s exterior.
“Do you have chambers there?” Elizabeth enquired of the girl who was thirteen.
“No, when Papa passed away I was still in the nursery so I had never been assigned a set of chambers,” Georgiana replied. “When I was old enough Mama Elaine placed me in a suite both here and at Snowhaven. You have not visited Snowhaven have you?”
“No, we have not, but I have heard Andrew and Richard describe the castle and the wildness of Derbyshire and I think I would love to see it one day,” Elizabeth responded. As she thought about her future and where she would like to travel, Elizabeth felt a little melancholy, as she always did, when contemplating the future without Anne in it.
“Lizzy, did I say something to upset you?” Georgiana enquired concernedly.
“No Giana, not at all. I was only thinking of how sorry I am Anne is not able to join us. I am sure you are aware it has been since after my coming out that Anne has not been able to come to London.”
“Yes, Papa Reggie explained the reasons why to me,” Georgiana averred. “He told me even in the winter the smells and vapours in Town are now harmful to Anne and her weakened lungs.”
“Aunt Elaine remarked your brother is to join us for Jane and Andrew’s wedding. We will finally get to meet the elusive Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy.”
“I am looking forward to seeing William again. It has been far too long since I have seen him, and Pemberley as well.” Georgiana changed the subject back to Anne. “Is it not sad Anne is not able to sit and play at the pianoforte for very long?I used to enjoy when the three of us, or just she and I, would sit and play together.”
“As did I, Giana. At least we still get to play duets together. When Mary is present then we can have three on the bench again. As you know, Mary is far more proficient than me.”
“But you have the voice of an angel, and your playing is as good as mine and almost as Mary’s.”
“You are very kind to me Giana, but you know I do not practice as faithfully as I should, not like you or Mary. Lyddie has taken up the harp like Jane, and Kitty plays the pianoforte, but prefers her artwork above all else.”
“I am very happy that in a little more than a month, we will be cousins. It has felt like we are family for some years already though.”
“That is how all of my sisters and I feel about you.” Elizabeth paused as her mind returned to her sister of the heart and best friend in the world. “I am pleased that Uncle Lewis and Anne will be at the wedding, without the dragon lady.”
“We all are,” Georgiana agreed. “I am not sorry I have hardly ever been in my Aunt Catherine’s company. From everything I know of her, she is nothing like my dear late mama.”
“It is time to return to the house. We are to leave for my aunt’s and uncle’s house for dinner so we need to change.”
“I like Mrs. Gardiner very much, especially when she tells me of times she met my late mother and speaks of her love of Derbyshire.”
“Yes, the Gardiners are wonderful people. Now, enough dallying, it is time for us to return.” Elizabeth smiled as she took Georgiana’s hand and with the two footmen following, they made their way back to the house.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Darcy was looking forward to his journey to the South. He remembered all the good he had heard about the Bennets, especially the heroic miss who had saved Anne and Uncle Lewis and was rather keen to finally meet them. Fate it seemed had other plans.
He was out riding Zeus one morning a few days before he was to begin his journey south. He planned to stop at Cloverdell for about a sennight and then he and Richard, who was of course standing up for Andrew, would travel to Hertfordshire together.
A fox had been hiding in the underbrush and it seemed it was asleep when one of the forehooves came down next to its head. It caused the vermin to nip at Zeus’s legs, which in turn led to the normally placid, obedient mount to rear.
Darcy, who rode like he had been born in the saddle, was not prepared for what occurred and fell off, landing on his left leg which led to a cracking sound and explosive pain.
