"You say you do not know when Fitzwilliam will return?" asked Rebecca when the uncomfortable moment had passed.
I admitted I did not.
"Unconscionable of him leaving you to face the wolves like this, he must have known we would come. We should have let you newlyweds have at least a day of peace, but heknows I am far too eager to be polite in such a situation. And I have such wonderful news I wanted to share."
If the news had anything to do with the bump she was once again unconsciously rubbing I doubted Darcy would be much surprised.
"And Georgiana, she is with Fitzwilliam?"
"No, they left separately. She is with a Mrs Annesley, whoever she may be."
"Mrs. Annesley is Georgie's companion, of course. Have you not been introduced?" asked Rebecca.
Feeling rather stupid, I admitted I had not. As mistress of the house I ought to know—or at least know of—all the members of the household.
"Mrs. Annesley was not at dinner yesterday evening," I said as if that was some defense for my ignorance.
"Oh, she would not have been," replied Rebecca, "Constance does not think it appropriate for her to dine with the family. My sister-in-law has most stringent views concerning the proper place of hired companions."
Most stringent indeed. Companions I had known dined with the family and were sometimes even invited to dine out in order to even the numbers of some neighbor's dinner party.
"When Mrs. Annnesley is here in town," continued Rebecca, "At least she does have Miss Hopkins, the governess. I believe they dine together."
"Oh yes, the girls' governess, I have met her," I said relieved at being able to show some awareness of my household.
"I have nothing against Mrs. Annesley, but her hiring should not have been necessary. My sister is perfectly capable of looking after Georgie, taking her to shops and on little excursions and such. It would be good for Constance to get out of the house, always keeping to her rooms cannot be healthy," James observed.
This was the second mention of Mrs. Vane's reclusive conduct and despite her coldness towards myself I was beginning to feel sorry for her. Could the poor woman really have not left the house since her husband's embarrassment?
"I'm sure you and Georgiana will be fast friends and I wonder if Fitzwilliam intends to keep Mrs. Annesley on. I would suggest she seek a position with Margaret—."
"I thought youlikedMrs. Annesley."
"I would suggest she seek a position with your aunt," Rebecca began again, ignoring her husband's interruption "but she has Dora to stay with her now. Dorothea Darcy is—how is she related to you again, dear?"
"Distantly."
"How uncharacteristically imprecise of you."
James sighed. "A second cousin. Twice removed? No, that isn't it. I do not know how to answer this question without drawing a family tree. Suffice it to say Dora is somehow related to us through a less prosperous branch of the family and as the poor relation has been given the unsavory task of looking after Aunt Margaret."
"Margaret Darcy is lovely."
"She is no such thing. But Dora seems to tolerate her well enough, but then Dora is a little. . . ." James pulled a face, bulging his eyes and stretching his lips tight until his teeth showed. He looked altogether mad. Apparently there were really no words to describe Dora Darcy's peculiarities.
"Dora is lovely as well!"
James shook his head, "She is an odd girl. Abrupt. Standoffish. Spends a good deal of time staring at the ceiling. Will says she has some rather intriguing ideas, but I've never got a word of sense out of her. They have the same severe manner though, so perhaps she is more comfortable with him."
Suddenly, as if some striking thought had just occurred to him, his eyes narrowed and he considered me very closely.
"I can see that you, Elizabeth, are in possession of an open sort of manner that charms easily, but has trouble hiding its opinions—it is your eyes, dear niece, they give too much away. My nephew I fear will give you trouble."
"James!"
"He is closed off and there is really nothing for it but to wait him out. If he deems you worthy of knowing him he may let you in at the gates. Trying to breach the walls will do you no favors, however. Patience is key. I do not envy you—you are in for a long siege."
"James, really. It is not necessary to scare her."
