“Oh, but you cannot just go.” Miss Darcy blushed at her presumption. “What I mean is, you must come in for some tea.”
It was amusing to think that Elizabeth was going to be invited into the very home they were planning to visit in the next two days. At the very least, it would provide Elizabeth with an amusing story to tell her aunt and uncle, though she could not reveal the details of her encounter with Miss Darcy, of course.
“Thank you. It is a hot day, and I have a long walk to the village, so something to drink would be welcome.”
Miss Darcy beamed. “I am so glad!” she exclaimed. Then, as a sudden thought occurred to her, she added. “If you are still staying in Lambton tonight, I would be delighted if you could come for dinner.”
As she waited for a response, Miss Darcy pulled at the fingers of her gloves anxiously, but it was the hint of vulnerability inMiss Darcy’s eyes that decided matters for Elizabeth. She really could not refuse.
“I would be delighted to join you for dinner. In that case, you must allow me to return to the inn, to inform my aunt and uncle of my plans, and to change into more appropriate dinner clothing.”
“Of course. Why not come into the house, and I will order the carriage to take you to Lambton. Then the coachman can return there later to bring you back to Pemberley.”
Elizabeth smiled to herself. She did not know how a dinner with Miss Darcy would go, but at least she could anticipate the tour they were planning to do of Pemberley and be able to describe the house to her aunt and uncle from the perspective of those living there.
Chapter 2
It was good to be home. Darcy smiled at the housekeeper and apologized for their unexpected arrival. “Good evening, Mrs. Reynolds. You need not worry about preparing a proper dinner. I am certain Cook can come up with something for us to eat in our rooms. We require nothing more.”
“As it so happens, sir, we do have a proper meal prepared, though I am just not quite sure how many people it will stretch to. But as you say, Cook can make accommodations.”
“A proper meal? Has Georgiana taken to having elaborate dinners by herself?”
He smiled at the thought. If that was the case, then perhaps Georgiana was less affected by the whole debacle than he had thought.
At that moment, Georgiana herself appeared at the top of the stairway. She was dressed in an amber evening dress, her hair prettily arranged in a matching scarf lifting her braids above her head. Why was she dressed so elaborately when she was only dining with her companion, Mrs. Annesley?
Darcy’s heart gave a painful jerk. Surely, she was not entertaining that scoundrel Wickham at Pemberley behind his back? He quickly dismissed the idea as preposterous. Georgiana would never do something so improper. She had already denounced Wickham by telling Darcy of their elopement plans.
“Brother!” She gave a little screech, ran down the stairs, and threw herself into his arms.
He was vaguely aware of Mrs. Reynolds excusing herself to talk to the cook, then his attention focused on his little sister.
“I’m so happy you’re back. I was worried you were staying away because you could not stand the sight of me.”
He was shocked by her words, but also conscious that Miss Bingley and the others might overhear anything they said.
“How can you think that for a moment, Georgie?” he said, using his childhood endearment for her. “Quite the opposite, in fact. I have brought you some company. We have guests.”
He smiled as Bingley and his sister stepped through the door.
Georgiana did not look happy to see them. However, she rallied quickly, realizing she had almost given herself away, and turned bright red. Fortunately, the school she had attended had trained her well. A polite mask came over her face and she curtsied very prettily.
“Miss Bingley. Mr. Bingley. Welcome to Pemberley!”
Miss Bingley came forward and grasped her hands. “Your brother has told us everything. You poor thing!”
Georgiana shot a frightened look at Darcy. He discreetly shook his head, hoping she would understand and be reassured. Confound it! He should have spoken to her first, before bringingthe Bingleys into the house. He held his breath, hoping she did not mention anything revealing.
“We have come to keep you company,” cooed Miss Bingley. “You must be very lonely, alone here in this big house. But never you mind. You and I will play music and sing to our hearts’ content. I have brought you a gift. The latest fashion plates for us to examine. Maybe we can pick out something for your next trip to the modiste in London.”
Georgiana smiled politely. “Thank you, Miss Bingley,” she said, in a sing-song schoolgirl manner. It was clear she was very ill at ease.
Darcy began to question his decision to bring Miss Bingley with him.
“Oh, it is nothing,” said Miss Bingley, waving her arm in the air and looking at him from under her eyelashes to see if he was looking. He pretended not to notice, and Miss Bingley turned back to Georgiana. “I believe your brother has a gift for you, too. I helped him pick it out. “
Darcy bit down his vexation at Miss Bingley’s way of taking credit. It was true that she was instrumental in buying Georgiana’s armband, after all. Still, he would have preferred to surprise his sister.
