“Were you the one who advised him to lease first, William?” Richard said, attempting not to smirk. While both he and Bingley appreciated Darcy’s advice, he sometimes dispensed it without being asked.
“I was,” Darcy said, nodding solemnly.
“I think it was good advice; we both know how impulsive he can be. I am glad you care about him enough to advise him, for I sometimes think of him as a little puppy.” Richard said.
“It was my pleasure to advise him. I have experience in this area, and he asked for my advice!” Darcy snapped.
Richard could see his cousin’s mood was growing dark again. “William, I hope it will not be long before Bingley has the self-confidence to make his own decisions.”
As his cousin had not been in a good mood since Ramsgate, the Colonel knew he could not push Darcy too hard on that subject; it might cause an explosion of anger.
Although he had tried to share the blame for hiring Mrs. Younge’s, attempting to shoulder some of the responsibility for what had almost occurred, his cousin still refused to see the truth of the matter; he blamed only himself.
Regardless of how many times Richard reminded Darcy that they shared guardianship of Georgie, and blame should be apportioned equally between them, William refused to allow Richard any share of the blame. Knowing William was not ready for that discussion once again; he decided to distract him instead.
“Bingley informed me when he extended the invitation to you and Georgie to join him at his new estate, you replied in the negative for Georgie and doubtful for yourself. He explained why he has no choice but to bring his sisters, and his reasoning is sound. I wonder if that social-climbing harpy will ever understand she will never be the mistress of Pemberley, no matter what tactics she employs. Bingley understands your hesitation to accept his invitation but, as I said earlier, I have an offer for you.”
“What offer could you have, Richard?” Darcy asked wearily. As he asked, he remembered the harridan’s first visit to his beloved home.
From the moment the shrew alighted in front of Pemberley, overdressed and reeking of perfume applied too liberally, he had seen her beady eyes grow large as she calculated the worth of his estate.
What avarice! This tradesman’s daughter seemed to think she would be the next mistress of Pemberley. Even his servants soon learned she thought of herself as inhabiting the first circles. Anyone with eyes could see she had her cap firmly set at the master of the estate.
At first Hannah Reynolds, his long-time and respected housekeeper, was as worried as Pemberley’s servants that her master would be caught in the clutches of the deceitful woman, but they all soon saw the disdain he felt for the harridan. Then she, and all of his servants, had breathed easier.
He would never make her mistress of his homes, not under any circumstances. The only one who did not realise Mr. Darcy had no interest in her was the woman herself—perhaps she merely did not wish to see it.
Darcy had almost thrown her out of Pemberley then. He had made sure she would never be invited there again.
“William, where did you go?” Richard broke into his reverie. “Never mind! This afternoon Bingley also invited me to visit his estate. I have spoken to General Atherton, and he has granted me leave, starting the Sunday after the date Bingley wants you to join him. That would mean you would be there without me only five days. Both you and Georgie can go safely now since I will arrive to help you less than a sennight later. I am sure you are capable of fending off the harpy yourself for five days.”
“That will make it easier for me to go, but I still do not believe it would be good for Georgie to come with me, Richard. Since Ramsgate she has withdrawn into herself. The presence of that harpy would be detrimental to her recovery; she still hasn’t recovered much at all. It has nothing to do with my not wanting her with me,” he said with a pained expression, knowing Georgie would assume that to be the reason. “You know she detests the attention Miss Bingley pays her. She also hates watching the shrew stalk me, staking a claim on my time and attention—because Georgie knows how much I hate it myself. Right now, having to tolerate Miss Bingley would be more damaging than ever to Georgie.
“She would be unable to support me as she might wish, because she has lost what little self-confidence she had.” Darcy grimaced, thinking of Georgie’s suffering, then said, “I have to admit that the one time she did—before Ramsgate—she made me the proudest of brothers.
“She was calm when she told Bingley’s sister, who had made one of her uninvited visits, she was sorry she could not visit with her because it was time for me to take her walking in the park. I had promised to walk with her after I completed my business for the day. When Miss Bingley insisted she would join us, Georgie told her that we had matters to discuss between brother and sister. The harridan had no option but to depart with a sour look on her countenance. My little sister did not lie; we discussed purchasing new gloves for her to match her pelisse.” Darcy almost forgot himself and smiled at the memory.
“You know, William, part of our error, and I mean ours, not yours, was treating Georgie like a delicate flower and not trusting her with information we thought her sensibilities could not handle—like the truth about Wickham.” He saw William was about to object, but he stayed him with his hand and continued. “I have a suggestion so Georgie would not have to be there without both of us. If you agree, I will bring Georgie with me when I travel to Bingley’s estate. That would mean she would not have to endure Bingley’s sisters on her own before I arrive to reinforce you.
“Besides, we know you will don your mask and avoid the shrew as much as possible. I will be there to keep Georgie company. I pledge if you cannot be with her, I will. That way she will never be alone with the Bingley sisters.” Richard smirked, not missing the scowl on Darcy’s face at the mention of the superior sisters. “I have not spent much time with Georgie these past few years; I was away fighting for King and Country. I often feel like an absentee co-guardian, so let me bring her and have the pleasure of spending time with both of you, which is as it should be. By the way, Hertfordshire makes me think of Mr. Thomas Bennet, my father’s best friend. I wonder if he lives in the area?”
“You cannot be blamed for being away doing your duty to King and Country, Richard, and it is not like you begged the little tyrant to invade the continent with no justification but to satisfy his ego by building an empire in Europe, risking the lives of many. We are all so relieved you returned to us with naught but minor injuries,” Darcy reminded him with a smile that was, for the first time today, not forced. Darcy had missed, however, what Richard had said about his uncle’s best friend.
Darcy had heard many good things about the Bennets from the Fitzwilliams over the years but had never had the pleasure of meeting them. He and the Bennets never seemed to be at Snowhaven or in Town at the same time. He was unaware of the connection between Edward Gardiner and the Bennets. Neither did he know his cousin was in love with one of the Bennet girls.
“So, what do you say? I am going to come anyway, so let me bring Georgie with me. I may have to overrule you as a guardian if you say no without good cause. This ensures neither you nor Georgie will be defenceless in the forthcoming battle for survival against the feared Bingley sisters. I just remembered something Bingley said to me. He told me my help in diverting his sister away from you was part of his reason for wanting me to join him in Hertfordshire,” Richard said, grinning.
Darcy smiled again, and this time it almost reached his eyes. “Good for Bingley! He sees the reality that is his sister. To be honest, I would love to see you use your impressive skills to help me, and I know Georgie would relish more time with you. It is a pity there are no young women her age in the area; that would give us additional excuses to keep her away from the Bingley sisters.” The last was said softly, almost wistfully, so Richard did not catch what his cousin had said.
If he had, he would have told Darcy that he was acquainted with genteel and accomplished young women in Hertfordshire, and one who had held his heart for years now. Just how close they lived to Bingley’s leased estate he did not know yet, but would soon find out.
“I have so much saved up from my time on the continent, I have been allowed six weeks leave. However, I am sure if I need it, my general will not deny my request for extended leave.
“I must see Edward Gardiner to go over my investment portfolio, but other than that and my duties, I do not currently have much to do. As you will not be here, I will look in on Georgie and Mrs. Annesley often. Georgie, Mrs. Annesley, and I will join you a week after you arrive, on Monday morning.”
“Please pass on my warmest regards to Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner and their children.” Darcy offered sincerely; it was the warmest speech Fitzwilliam had heard from his cousin in weeks.
“I will pass on your regards when I see Gardiner on the morrow, William. Do try to buck up.” The Colonel felt this was a good resolution. Mayhap concentrating on helping Bingley and being in the country would help Darcy to regain his equanimity. Then his cousin might throw off the crushing weight of guilt he was carrying, all caused by the actions of others he could not have foreseen. He was happy to finally see a little of the old Darcy emerge as they discussed their plans.
