“Not at all. I am happy to have been of assistance.”
Miss Darcy winced. “That means youaresuffering, Mrs. Annesley, I am very sorry. I have not treated either of you well.”
“Indeed, Miss Darcy,” said Elizabeth lightly, “you have treated us abominably!” Then, at the horrified look on Georgiana’s face, she laughed and took Georgiana’s hands.
“I am only teasing, silly goose,” she said, affectionately. “How else would I have acquired the beautiful dress I wore for dinner last night? You should know by now that I am rarely serious! I enjoyed our outings to Bond Street tremendously. It is just that it would be nice to do something different. Do you remember when you came to Longbourn? You said you and Mrs. Annesley had made a list of things to do and places to visit. I would like to see that list so we can choose one of the activities from there.”
“I will go up and fetch it at once,” said Georgiana, hurrying from the room.
“Between you and me,” said Miss Annesley, when she was sure Miss Darcy could not hear her, “I am glad you suggested something else, Miss Bennet. I have grown tired of drapers and modistes. Besides, it is time Miss Darcy did something more educational. I have been a little concerned that she will develop the habit of spending all her time – and money – on fripperies. I have in fact suggested to Mr. Darcy that she might need a governess to continue with her education. She is only fifteen, after all.”
Elizabeth smiled, thinking of Lydia, who had never had a governess, and whose education at best was undisciplined and sporadic. With four older daughters to deal with, her parents had barely tried to impose any control over Lydia’s studies. Fortunately, their finances stood in the way of her indulging in too much spending. Her pin money did not go very far, and she usually spent it as soon as she received it.
Miss Darcy, however, had at her disposal the whole of her own and her brother’s fortune. It was not a good idea for her to spend without counting the cost.
“I think she would benefit from more serious pursuits, and I think she needs some lessons on household accounting. Although, to be fair, many of her purchases have been essential for organizing the house.”
“Very true.”
Miss Darcy returned at that moment, the list in her hand, and they spent some time going over the possibilities, before deciding to visit the British Museum.
“We will have to ask Mr. Darcy’s permission first, of course, when he comes for tea later,” said Mrs. Annesley.
Elizabeth felt annoyed. She did not know why she needed Mr. Darcy’s permission to visit the British Museum, but she did not want to contradict Mrs. Annesley, at least, not in front of Miss Darcy.
An idea occurred to her. “Why wait until then, when it will be too late to go today? Why not send him a note to request his permission?”
Her companions agreed to the idea, and Mrs. Annesley went at once to write a note and send it to Darcy House.
Darcy turned over the letter the footman had handed him, consumed by curiosity. What had Miss Bennet written about him, he wondered? Had she mentioned him at all? He wished he could have looked over her shoulder while she was writing.
Going to his sister’s house that morning had been a mistake. He did not know why he had done it. His cousin’s remark last night had disturbed him, and somehow, he felt compelled to prove Richard wrong. What had he achieved? Nothing. He had been struck anew by Miss Bennet’s bright eyes, sharp responses, and pert manners. In other words, he found her fascinating.
Thankfully, she had asked him when he was leaving for Rosings, bringing him to full alertness, and raising his suspicions again. Why did she want to know? Was she planning something while he was away?
He could not be negligent. He had a duty to his sister, and he intended to carry it out to the fullest extent. He would not allow Miss Bennet to distract him from that duty.
As if to mock him, the butler came to him with a note from Cavendish Square. He opened it immediately, and was vaguely disappointed to discover it was from Mrs. Annesley, asking if they could go to the British museum that afternoon.
“The footman has been told to wait for an answer, sir.”
He could not very well send back a note refusing permission. Logically, he knew he had no reason to worry about a simple trip to Russell Square, which was only a few streets away from Georgiana’s house, but worry he did. He had become almost obsessed with making sure Georgiana did not come to harm. His heart still squeezed painfully whenever he recalled that day in Ramsgate when he discovered Wickham’s plans. He had believed her to be safe with Mrs. Younge. How could Darcy ever entrust anyone with his sister’s welfare during his absence? The only other time he had left her alone since then was in Pemberley, because he was fool enough to assume Wickham would not dare to show his face in Lambton, and look what had happened!
It was not that he doubted Miss Bennet. He had observed her a few times when they all had tea together, and he had seen how she interacted with both Mrs. Annesley and his sister. Those occasions, added to the times he had spoken to her directly, convinced him that she was genuine. He was charmed by the vivacity of her expression, her open manner of speaking, and the irreverent attitude that laughed at the foibles of others. Everything told him she was honest. Yet still—.
The late Mr. Darcy, his father, had believed Wickham to be honest and open, and refused to hear anything bad about his godson.
So even though his instincts told him he could count on Miss Bennet, he could not gamble Georgiana’s future on such a fragile premise. He had promised himself he would keep a close eye on Miss Bennet, and that was what he would do.
He sat down and wrote a note to Mrs. Annesley giving his permission, then sent another one to Colonel Fitzwilliam, asking if he could join him at the British Museum that afternoon. An answer came back, saying his cousin would meet him at the entrance at three o’clock.
Colonel Fitzwilliam was a punctual gentleman, and today was no exception. He arrived at the museum as the church bells struck three times, marking the hour.
“I cannot stay long, Darcy,” said the colonel. “Some of us are not at leisure to visit museums. Fortunately for you, I have completed my part of the training for the day, but I am still needed at headquarters. I assume there is more to this request than a sudden impulse to visit the museum? And why are you still in London? I thought you were going to ride post-haste to Rosings to deal with our aunt.”
“I am. But I am hesitant to leave Georgiana alone with Miss Bennet until I am absolutely certain she poses no danger.”
“Danger? That is a strong word.”
