“Then you do not wish to go on a holiday with only Mrs. Younge for company?”
The girl shook her head in denial. “Not at all! I am enjoying your company far too much to wish for solitude.” Georgiana paused for a moment and then said in a softer voice: “When I was younger, I had as much solitude as I could endure.”
Upon seeing Darcy’s curiosity, Georgiana sighed and attempted a smile. “I was lonely as a girl, William. Jamie was away at school for much of my childhood, and though he was affectionate and attentive when he was home, he was only home for a few weeks during the year. Though I lived with my father, he was not a warm man; he left me to my nurses and governesses, though we spent a certain amount of time in each other’s company, especially during mealtimes.
“Now that I have close friends, I have no wish to give them up. Mrs. Younge may push her scheme of going to the seaside for a vacation, but unless Kitty were to go with me, I cannot imagine I would be at all interested in it.”
“Then you will not go,” said Darcy. “Whatever Mrs. Younge thinks, she may keep it to herself. My only wish for you is that you are happy—if you are content in the company of my fiancée’s family, then that is where you will stay.”
“Thank you, William,” said Georgiana, beaming with pleasure.
“Not at all,” said Darcy. Considering his young cousin, he said: “Tell me what you think of Mrs. Younge. To own the truth, she is far more prideful than I expected from a woman in her position. Does she execute her duties well? Do you know anything about her background?”
Georgiana frowned. “Of her past, I know nothing, save that she is a widow. I have no complaint to make about theperformance of her duties, for she is not a warm woman, but she is diligent and knowledgeable. I, too, have noticed a certain measure of pride in her, but it has never been a problem between us.”
“Did your brother hire her?”
“Jamie handled it, yes,” said Georgiana. “When it pertained to my care, Jamie was far more involved because of Anthony’s position in the army. Two years ago, Anthony was fighting on the continent, and my care fell to Jamie alone.” The girl colored and smiled. “Those months in Jamie’s company were the happiest I ever spent with him. He was not a man who enjoyed much society, so we spent several months together at Pemberley. I never knew my brother so well as I knew him then.”
“You make me quite envious, Georgiana. I have always wished to have a sibling.”
“Jamie was an excellent brother. While you have stepped into his role and performed with distinction, I cannot help but miss his presence in my life.”
“As is proper,” agreed Darcy. Then he turned his attention back to the subject at hand. “For the moment, I shall do nothing about Mrs. Younge—if she performs her duties as she must, your familiarity with her is what matters. However, as I informed her, since you are to live with me, from a certain perspective, her services might no longer be required when I marry.”
Georgiana appeared surprised at the notion. “At our level of society, it is expected that even a girl with living parents will have a companion at least until her coming out.”
“Yes, I suppose that is for the best,” agreed Darcy. “However, she is not irreplaceable. Should she belittle Elizabeth or her sisters or continue this insistence on the Ramsgate proposal, I may reconsider her employment with us. Please keep me advised should anything arise.”
“Of course, I shall,” said Georgiana.
The discussion at an end, Georgiana let herself out of the room, leaving Darcy to his thoughts. There was nothing on which he could pin his suspicions, but he had the distinct sense there was something about Mrs. Younge’s persistence that was not right. As there was little he could do at the moment but resolve to watch her, he put the matter from his mind and returned to his work.
Chapter XVIII
Given the threat of Lady Catherine’s appearance, it was no surprise that the families at Netherfield and Longbourn existed in a state of trepidation the day after Fitzwilliam departed from Hertfordshire. Darcy had no intention of allowing the Bennets to deal with the viper alone, and while it might not be proper, a visit the day before and a suggestion to Mrs. Bennet had resulted in an invitation to dine with the family that evening. As no one could predict the exact time of the lady’s arrival, the party planned to join the Bennets in the early afternoon and spend the rest of the day with them. The lady was of such character that Darcy had every expectation of her appearance that day—if she failed to show herself, they could take stock and decide what they would do thereafter.
That Mrs. Younge, the other source of recent acrimony, held her tongue was a boon to Darcy’s feelings—he was not in the best humor because of recent challenges. The woman presented her usual demeanor to the company and said little except to Georgiana. As that was for the best, Darcy allowed her insubordination to fade to the back of his mind, though he did not forget it. Then the next bit of annoying news arrived to vex him.
“What does Mr. Bingley say?” asked his mother at the breakfast table when Darcy took up a letter, a response to his missive sent before his departure from Pemberley.
“It must not be the best of news,” added Georgiana with a hint of amusement, “given your scowl.”
Darcy mastered his emotions and forced away his pique, though he did not appreciate what his friend had to say.
“You have heard me speak of my good friend, Mr. Bingley,” said Darcy for Georgiana’s benefit. The girl nodded. “Bingley has agreed to stand up with me at my wedding to Elizabeth, so I invited him to join us in advance.”
“That would be welcome from Mr. Bingley’s perspective,” said his mischievous mother, “for he foundJaneBennetmostagreeable.”
“Aye, that he did,” agreed Darcy. “The trouble is that he requests my permission to bring his younger sister to Netherfield when he comes.”
Though Mrs. Darcy was aware of the challenges inherent in hosting Miss Bingley, she said nothing. Georgiana did not hide her confusion, though, after a moment of consideration, her eyes widened.
“As I recall, my brother mentioned a young lady who approached him at an event of the season last year.”
Darcy nodded, unable to keep the disgust from his expression. “That was she. I do not know the full story of the incident, but I know she tried to recommend herself to him in a manner most inappropriate and without the benefit of an introduction.”
“That is most excellent,” said Mrs. Younge, the edge of sarcasm in her tone. “She sounds like a young woman with whom I would not wish you to associate.”
