“Then what should we do?” asked Darcy. “When she approached me this time, I found myself more curious than angry, but I will own that I considered relieving her of her position at that moment.”
Fitzwilliam appeared thoughtful. “We have nothing but her insistence on taking Georgiana to Ramsgate for a holiday. Is that enough to deny a woman her livelihood?”
“I am far less concerned about Mrs. Younge’s ability to support herself than my niece’s security,” said the earl.
“With that, I would agree,” said Darcy. “If we decide to replace her, we should not consider her situation; we can give her a reference that would allow her to gain employment.”
“The question is, do you suppose Georgiana is in any immediate danger?”
Darcy considered the question and shook his head. “There is something about Mrs. Younge’s behavior that brings me caution, but I have no notion that Georgiana is in danger, though Iwillsay that I have wondered if she means to get Georgiana alone for some nefarious purpose.”
“Then my suggestion is that we investigate her background,” said Fitzwilliam. “So long as Georgiana does not go to Ramsgate or is not otherwise alone with Mrs. Younge outside the house, she should be safe enough.”
“I can assign Thompson to her protection,” said Darcy.
The earl barked a laugh. “That man would be enough to protect her against a regiment of Anthony’s finest soldiers.”
“That is the point,” said Darcy.
“Then I agree,” nodded Lord Matlock. “I shall engage my man of business to make some inquiries about Mrs. Younge, and if necessary, he can hire an investigator to facilitate the effort. We should have a reply within a week or two.”
With that decided, Darcy excused himself, and after spending some time in the sitting-room with his wife and mother-in-law, they returned to Darcy’s house. What awaited them there was a surprise, though not an unwelcome one.
“Papa!” said Elizabeth when they entered the parlor to see Mr. Bennet sitting with the three girls. “What do you do here?”
Mr. Bennet rose with a smile of affection for his daughter, opening his arms into which Elizabeth stepped at once. “Ah, Lizzy, how pleased I am to see you. I hope you will overlook this minor breach of propriety and welcome your old papa into your home.”
“Of course, we will,” said Elizabeth, pulling back to search his face. “Yet I am surprised to see you, for I had understood you were to stay at Longbourn for the season.”
“Yes, well,” said Mr. Bennet, appearing less than eager to canvass the subject. “Since your excellent husband has written to me about the wonders of his library,” Mr. Bennet paused and grinned at Darcy, “I thought to give it my personal attention.”
“There are more than enough books to keep you occupied,” agreed Darcy, pleased to have a man of whom he thought highly join them in London. “When you visit Pemberley, you will agree that the library accumulated here is rather paltry, indeed.”
“Excellent,” said Mr. Bennet, rubbing his hands together in anticipation. “I shall warn you that I do not intend to leave your bounty of books once I am in their company.”
“Fortunately, the room is out of the way,” agreed Darcy, enjoying jesting with his father-in-law. “I dare say you will be in nobody’s way in that part of the house.”
“Perfect.”
“Are you certain that is your only reason for wishing to come to London?” asked Elizabeth, appearing suspicious.”
“Need I have any other reason?”
“A reason to travel when you have repeatedly stated your disinclination for it?”
“London is only four hours from Longbourn, Lizzy.”
Unconvinced though she was, Elizabeth did not belabor the point any longer, though Darcy thought the subject was not yet closed. Neither did Mr. Bennet, if his expressive look at Darcy was any indication. Knowing Mr. Bennet as he did, Darcysuspected the man was aware of Elizabeth’s skepticism and meant to draw her discovery of the truth out for as long as he could, savoring every moment of the jousting of wits between them. It was so very much like him that Darcy could not but stifle a laugh.
One point of interest Mr. Bennet brought was the news that Charlotte Lucas had caught the eye of a widower parson. The recollection of her promise to Charlotte to invite her to London shamed Elizabeth a little, as Darcy knew she had not thought on it, given everything that had happened since they came to London. Learning of her friend’s situation and the potential for her future happiness filled Elizabeth with contentment; with the determination to write to her friend at once, Elizabeth turned her attention to her father and teasing the reason for his sudden appearance from his unwilling lips.
What ensued was most amusing as Darcy suspected it would be, for Elizabeth pushed and Mr. Bennet parried, their jousting an intricate dance of thrust and riposte. That both father and daughter enjoyed it was also not unexpected. Mrs. Bennet had also not known of her husband’s coming, as she showed during a morning visit in which she, Jane, and Mary came to Darcy’s house.
“Mr. Bennet!” exclaimed she upon entering the room to see her husband sitting with Georgiana and her two youngest daughters. “How did you come to be in London?”
“I am pleased to see you too, Mrs. Bennet,” said he, a teasing note in his voice. “I have been in town these two days already.”
The way Mrs. Bennet regarded him, Darcy was certain she was trying to determine if he would give her a straight answer should she ask for his reasons for coming. In the end, she appeared to consider it nothing more than his typical behavior and accepted his presence without further comment.
