Darcy looked towards Miss Bennet, aghast. “Your cousins?” He imagined a bevy of male cousins all crowding around Georgiana.
Elizabeth’s mouth quirked in amusement. “Have no fear, sir. My oldest male cousin is seven.”
He marveled at how easily she had read him and anticipated his objections. How did she do it? It was as if she had known him for years.
“Ah. But he will not remain seven for very long,” he replied with a smile. “He could still become a risk to my sister.”
The two ladies laughed. Darcy’s gaze was drawn to Miss Bennet’s expressive lips. He looked away quickly, chiding himself for dropping his guard.
“Well, William? I hope the scowl on your face does not mean you intend to deny me.”
Darcy collected the shards of his composure and focused his attention completely on his sister. It would do Georgiana good to meet some younger children. Most of their own relations were much older.
“I have no objection,” he said.
Georgiana clapped her hands. “You are the best brother in the world!”
He was not a good brother. Not at all. He was doing his best to separate the two of them, when it was only too apparent that Georgiana was attached to Miss Bennet. What was going to happen when Miss Bennet disappeared from their lives? How was he going to prevent them from staying in touch?
He excused himself and left the house, trying not to allow guilt to take hold of him. One thing at a time. He would worryabout Georgiana later. For now, he just had to survive without buckling until Miss Bennet left.
That was more than enough to deal with.
Elizabeth breathed a sigh of relief when Mr. Darcy left. His presence was oppressive, and it was becoming increasingly difficult to behave normally around him. She was befuddled and perplexed. One moment he stared at her and scowled as if intending to find fault with her, the next, he was joking about her cousins, as if nothing had changed. What was she supposed to do under these circumstances?
She was in dire need of advice. Now that Georgiana was coming with her, it would be difficult to talk privately with her aunt, but perhaps they could find a moment when Miss Darcy was occupied with Elizabeth’s cousins.
Feeling more animated than she had been since Mr. Darcy had spoken to her in the library, she went at once to send a note to her uncle’s house. A reply was brought back by the footman a short time later.
My Dear Lizzy,
We were so glad to hear from you! Of course we would be happy to see you, and it would be nice to finally meet Miss Darcy.
Perhaps you could come for dinner tomorrow, so you can see your uncle as well?
Your Aunt Gardiner
Elizabeth hesitated. Shedidwant to see her uncle, and he was not at home during morning calls, but she had hoped to speak to her aunt. Still, it would be nice to have a family dinner together. Perhaps she could call on her aunt alone another day.
The question was, would it be acceptable for Georgiana to go to dinner with the Gardiners? Did she need to ask Mr. Darcy? What if he thought she was using the visit to connect with him? Better not.
She put the question to Mrs. Annesley instead.
“I do not see why not,” replied Mrs. Annesley. “It will be an intimate family setting, with children present.” She hesitated. “Would you mind if I did not come with you? It would be nice to have a tray sent up to my bedchamber for once, and to have some time to myself.”
“Of course.” Elizabeth felt sorry she had not thought of finding ways to relieve Mrs. Annesley, and resolved to do better.
When Elizabeth and Miss Darcy arrived at her uncle’s house, they were welcomed warmly. Mrs. Gardiner embraced Elizabeth and quickly introduced the children to Miss Darcy while the little ones crowded around Elizabeth, eager to see their cousin again. Mr. Gardiner was very civil and made every effort to set Miss Darcy at ease.
“We have heard so much about you, Miss Darcy. We are delighted at this opportunity to meet you.” He went on to ask her several questions, which she answered very prettily. He seemed well informed about her family and circumstances, which surprised her, but she had no time to question it before there was a knock on the front door.
A gentleman came in. Elizabeth stared as she recognized him as the man she had met at the inn. What was he doing here? It was clear from the way the children reacted when he presented them with sweetmeats that he had been here before.
“Miss Bennet. What a delight to see you again! And I see you have brought Miss Darcy, as I had hoped.”
The color drained from Miss Darcy’s face. White as a sheet, she turned to Elizabeth, her eyes full of betrayal.
“How could you do this to me?” She slumped to the floor in a faint.
