“So am I,” Elizabeth replied. “I suppose you will go back to London now?”
He could almost hear the sadness that thought brought in her voice. It gave him hope they would yet be welcome in Meryton. “No, actually, I think I should like to stay for thewinter. I have plans to ask my steward to look into some country houses that are available to let.”
“Really? Well, I know of a place that has been vacant for some time. A wealthy gentleman and his wife used to live there, but since his passing, she has been living in Town with her sister. It is a beautiful house. Netherfield, they call it.”
“Netherfield,” Darcy repeated. It sounded pleasing on his lips, a proper home for the winter.
There was another companionable pause. He spoke up again as they neared her home. Darcy could not call on the Bennets with his sister if he wanted to secure Netherfield for the winter. His mind raced as he thought of the next moment he might see her. “I hope to see you at the next assembly,” he remarked. Indeed, it was all too easy to imagine the delight of dancing with her, losing themselves in the music.
Elizabeth laughed. “I am afraid that will not be possible.”
His heart sank.
“Please do not misunderstand,” she said quickly. “It is my punishment for going to London unaccompanied.”
His indignation rose swiftly. After his conversation with Mr Bennet, he thought he had explained things sufficiently well. It was hardly fair for Elizabeth to be punished for what she had done. Indeed, she had saved Georgiana’s reputation and happiness — perhaps even her life. “I will speak to your father, if you like. It was only because of the most urgent need that you acted so boldly.” If he had not been such an unmitigated buffoon, none of this would have happened.
“Thank you, Mr Darcy, but that will not be necessary. It was my idea to have my father forbid me from the assembly.I did not want my younger sisters to think that they could run off to London without being punished.” She smiled a little crookedly. “Having met Lydia, I am sure you will not be at a loss to understand how dangerous such an impression could be.”
Darcy could well understand her motives in wanting to be a good example for her sisters. He looked at her admiringly. How strange it was that a single day had entirely changed his opinion of Elizabeth. Disappointing as it was that his vision of dancing with her at the next assembly was not to be, he surmised that there would be many more meetings and many more talks to be had with her. She did not know it yet, but he would do all in his power to remain as close to her as possible throughout their stay in Meryton.
When he returned home, Darcy was surprised to find Georgiana still awake. She must have waited up for some purpose, and when Georgiana called to him from the drawing room, he went to her. He smiled, feeling a warmth radiating through his heart for his beloved sister. “I did not think you would still be up. You did not have to wait for me, you know.”
“I wanted to,” Georgiana said. “Miss Bennet is well?”
“Yes, she is well. I think she is genuinely glad to have you as a friend once more.” Darcy hoped his sister could sleep now that she had made amends with Elizabeth. He, on the other hand, would have difficulty sleeping. Now that he knew all Mrs Younge’s criticisms of her had been nothing more than an attempt to hide her own villainy, he could not seem to stop thinking of Elizabeth. It was those dark eyes, perhaps, that saw so much and always looked on the world with good-humoured wit. What a fool he had been! If there was any hope of him becoming close with the bewitching young woman, he would eagerly jump at the chance.
Darcy looked up at Georgiana and realised he had been staring into the dancing flames of the fire, smiling to himself. He quickly tried to wipe it away, but found he could not.
“What are you smiling about?” Georgiana asked.
“Nothing. I am only glad things have come to a peaceful conclusion.”
“Conclusion?” She baulked. “I would think this is only a beginning, not a conclusion.” Her face fell. “You are not thinking of leaving, are you?”
“Only if you wish to do so. If you would rather remain, I shall be here with you. I have even told Miss Bennet that I intend for us to stay for the winter. We shall leave this house, however. I should like to have enough space to invite some friends. She told me of a house that is not far from Longbourn that is for let. I thought I would go and see it tomorrow. By her description, it would be a good place for us to settle for the winter.”
“Truly? Oh, that would be wonderful, Fitz. I feel that we have been given a second chance here. It would be a shame to leave so soon.” Georgiana stood and walked over to him, planting a kiss on his cheek. “I love you.”
Darcy was a little surprised by the gesture, but his sister, once one got to know her, was very warm and open. Elizabeth would soon see that she had made the right decision in agreeing to have a fresh start with Georgiana.
He could only hope that in time, she would allow him to prove himself to her. He looked at the embers once again as Georgiana made her way to the door. “Do not stay up too late, brother. It has been a long and eventful day.”
She was teasing, of course, but it had been. Indeed, it felt like they had lived several weeks in one day, so much had happened. “I won’t be long,” Darcy promised.
She left the room, closing the door gently behind her. However, before he could go to bed, there was something he needed to see to first. Darcy went to the writing desk and sat down to write a letter to the commander of the Meryton garrison. There was no need to put Georgiana’s reputation at risk: the knowledge that Wickham had intended to desert his post, coupled with an offer to speak to the man in person and provide further information about Wickham’s character, would do all that was required. Likely, none of it would be necessary. Darcy rather suspected that Wickham had already deserted. If he had dared to stay in Meryton, however, he would find his career in the militia cut short.
When he had blotted the pages and reread his handiwork, he folded the letter and set his seal on it. With the threat of Mr Wickham and Mrs Younge out of the way, he could rest at last. Darcy blew out the candles and exited the room, glad to retire to his bedchamber. Tomorrow would bring a new start for all of them.
Chapter 27
The days grew chill as autumn slowly gave way to winter. Darcy lost no time in seeking a larger house to rent. Quite apart from his own desire to have space for guests and the liberty of a manor, Darcy rather suspected that Georgiana’s comfort would be improved by leaving the house she had shared with Mrs Younge. She wished to stay in Meryton with her new friends, but some memories were better left behind them.
As it transpired, the estate Elizabeth had suggested seemed ideal for them. Nor was the manager laggard in coming to an agreement. The only difficulty was in persuading him he wished only to lease Netherfield Park, not to purchase it. That point did not admit of a doubt. Darcy was not of a mind to keep up with two large estates. No, renting Netherfield was quite enough.
His friends arrived, and Bingley was instantly enchanted with the house. Nor was it the only thing that caught his fancy. Almost as soon as he had been introduced to Miss Jane Bennet, he fell under her spell.
Darcy came into breakfast and heard Bingley voicing his sentiments about staying in the vicinity as well. “I could settlehere very happily,” he was saying to his sister. His face lit up as Darcy joined them. “Do you not agree, Darcy? I find, even after such a short stay, that I could live here for the rest of my life and be quite happy.”
