Chapter 6
After Darcy’s family arrived on Saturday, he had visited them at Longbourn a number of times. He had been impressed with both Tom and James Bennet, who he met soon after they arrived home with their father on Friday afternoon.
The twins were well-behaved, respectful, and obviously paid attention to their studies. They were well-informed conversationalists. Based on the way the ladies of the house behaved, Darcy would have been surprised to find them otherwise. What pleased him most was they had been allowed to be normal, lively, sixteen-year-old young men, who clearly enjoyed being home with their sisters and parents.
They were both to inherit substantial estates, and Darcy had already had informed conversations about estate management and equine husbandry with them. The two Bennet sons loved horses as much as Darcy did.
James informed Darcy there would be four birthdays at Longbourn during the next two or three weeks: Kitty would turn seventeen, the twins would turn sixteen, then Mary would turn nineteen.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
The carriage bearing Richard and Georgiana to Hertfordshire pulled up just short of the entrance of Netherfield Park’s manor house. Before Miss Bingley could make his sister uncomfortable by imposing her unwanted company on her, Darcy opened the carriage door, entered the conveyance, and closed the door behind him—preventing Miss Bingley from following him.
Her expression turned sour, but no one paid her any mind. Bingley knew what was about to happen, so he was ready to restrain his sister if needs be. Both Hurst and Louisa stood poised to assist.
Miss Bingley, who had been waiting to welcome herdearest friend, was astounded Darcy asked her brother to join him in the carriage. She had reached for the carriage door, but the coach started to move before she could open it. She was unaware Darcy had asked the footman to ensure the coachmen moved the carriage before she could get her claws on the door handle. As soon as the door had closed the driver had flicked the reins and the conveyance lurched forward following the circular drive and left Netherfield in a cloud of dust that made Caroline Bingley cough amidst her complaints and demands for it to return.
“Well, I never!” Caroline Bingley screeched. She returned to the house, where her sister, her brother-in-law, and the Netherfield servants were treated to her third tantrum in two days. She did not understand why things were not going in accordance with her desires. Did she not always get her way?
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Once he settled on one of the padded seat cushions, Darcy met Georgiana’s eyes; she was surprised to see him smile. “Georgie, the Bennets have invited you to stay with them for the duration of your visit here.”
Glancing at his cousin, he continued, “The Bennets are the family dearest to our aunt and uncle. We have often heard of their four daughters, one of whom is near your age. Not only did they wish you to stay with them, they refused to countenance your stay at Netherfield Park, where you would have to fend off you-know-who. After you meet Mrs. Bennet, you will understand why I did not dare gainsay her wishes, even to keep you close to me.”
Georgiana stared at her brother, looked down towards the floor, and said, “Are you sure they want me to stay?”
“Not want, Georgie, expect.” He chuckled when Richard laughed, and she was caught off guard when Richard took her hand, lifted her head, and nodded.
“I do not doubt what he is saying, Georgie. Mrs. Bennet has loved you by extension since you were born,” Richard told his ward as he pulled her into a hug.
“This invitation has an added benefit; you will not have to stay in the same house as Miss Bingley, which I know you were concerned about,” Darcy added.
After hearing what her brother had to say about the Bennet daughters, and with both her guardians’ approval and approbation of the Bennet family, Georgiana smiled tentatively. Richard Fitzwilliam again heartily stated his approval of her staying with them, reminding Georgiana he had told her of the Bennets before he collected her and her companion to travel to Hertfordshire.
Miss Darcy’s companion could not but approve of any plan that separated her charge from the younger Bingley sister.
Georgiana nodded, reminding Darcy that she had heard about the Bennets many times in the past. Knowing her aunt, uncle, and cousins also were in residence at Longbourn, helped to convince her she would enjoy staying there as long as she was no inconvenience to the Bennets.
For Darcy, a benefit to his sister would be that she would reside with young, genteel ladies near her age. It would lift her spirits. He knew the Bennet sisters would protect his sister as they would protect their own. Another benefit would be the shrewish and condescending Caroline Bingley would be unable to interfere with her recovery. Perhaps the greatest benefit was it meant he would visit his sister daily—allowing him to be in the company of the beautiful and intelligent Miss Elizabeth Bennet.
After arriving at Longbourn, the occupants of the coach alighted as soon as the door was opened and the step placed. Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam descended first, then helped his young cousin down. Darcy and Bingley descended quickly, both joyful at the prospect of being in close quarters with the ladies of Longbourn. Mrs. Annesley, Miss Darcy’s companion, was handed out last.
The twins saw Richard alight, ran to him, and embraced him; he returned their embrace with gusto. Then Richard greeted his parents, his brother and sister-in-law, and his nephew. After that, he greeted each of the Bennet daughters by their Christian names, then Mr. and Mrs. Bennet. Darcy and Bingley were astonished at his familiarity and breach of propriety. Darcy was a bit jealous of his cousin, although he knew he had no cause for it; Richard and the other Fitzwilliams had been acquainted with the Bennet offspring since their birth.
Darcy noted the greeting between Richard and Mary was more intimate in nature. Seeing the blush spreading across Mary’s face, Darcy realised his supposition there might be something between Richard and the third Bennet daughter was correct.
‘Rich and I may finally become brothers,”he ruminated silently. ‘That will happen if my dearest wish becomes reality.’ A look of pleasure suffused his countenance and drew the eyes of all those who had worried about him. Everyone noticed he stared at Lizzy and Lizzy seemed equally captivated.
Hearing a cough, Darcy and Lizzy broke eye contact, not realising they had revealed their focus on one another to everyone. Darcy smiled at his cousins, his aunt, and his uncle. He was now more determined than ever to court Elizabeth if she returned his regard.
Georgiana walked with her head down, guided by her companion. She had made the appropriate curtsies when she was introduced but had not looked anyone in the eye. After the two had been shown to their chambers—which shared a sitting room—they washed off the dust of the road and changed their clothing. After that, they descended the stairs prepared to join everyone in the yellow drawing room.
Georgiana was surprised when Mrs. Bennet left the drawing room to meet them in the hallway, closing the door behind her to ensure privacy. Then she gently lifted Georgiana’s chin, gave her a warm smile, and pulled her into a motherly hug.
“Georgiana, dear, you are here at last. I have loved you all your life after hearing about you from your aunt. Forgive me; I do not want to overwhelm you, but I have wanted to hug you since the day you were born. I almost demanded we travel to Pemberly to get both you and your brother after your father died.”
Mrs. Bennet hugged Georgiana even tighter. “You are as stiff as your brother was,” she said, sighing in frustration. Georgiana gasped. “Yes, I walked in and hugged your poor brother, he did not know if he should hide under Thomas—my husband’s—desk or run for the hills.” She winked at Georgiana, nodding when a small laugh escaped from the young girl. “Come, I am being selfish with you. My girls have been longing to meet you for many years as well.” Fanny opened the door to the drawing room before Georgiana could reply.
