“You were not in on the secret? Perhaps he travels to bring you a grand present? Having never had a brother, I imagined absent brothers to be constantly sending trinkets to their sisters.” Her playful smile was met with silence. “I did not mean to offend you. Even if he does not bring you a gift, I am sure you are in Mr Darcy’s thoughts.”
“Whatever can be done for my comfort or happiness, he readily provides. Fitzwilliam had the instrument sent down for me when he first let the house.” Miss Darcy turned pink. “I only meant, I do not think his business at…his business will allow him time to think of his buying me a token of his affection.”
Did or did not Miss Darcy know where her brother was?And how does a man who cannot keep a carriage afford a grand pianoforte?It stood out against the modest furnishings and must have cost ninety pounds. Mr Darcy must indeed love his sister very much.
“Mr Darcy appears to be a gentlemanlike man,” Elizabeth led. When Miss Darcy returned no answer, she asked, “Has your brother any profession?”
“He is a gen—” Miss Darcy coughed. Elizabeth rang the bell to ask the cook to make more of what she was taking for her cough, and decided Miss Darcy had done enough speaking for the present. She would do most of the talking and divert her new acquaintance.
“Shall I tell you about my sisters? One married a stockjobber on the Exchange when she was fifteen, one married the heir to my father’s estate when she was seventeen, one married a commander on theBellerophonwhen she was seventeen, and the youngest has made it her mission to be wed before the year is out.”
“I would rather learn of you. What was your education?”
“My mother made sure that French and music masters were brought in, but did not care enough to ensure that we attended to the lessons. Jane took to French and Mary to music, and I have some competency in both, but the others had no interest. My father taught us history and arithmetic until he found it tiresome. Were your parents as well intentionally negligent to your education?”
“I once had a governess, and then attended seminary until last year.”
“You must mean a school, of course, not a seminary. You could not have attended one of those establishments in town where wealthy young ladies from grand families for enormous pay are twisted out of health and into vanity with a lot of refined nonsense.”
Miss Darcy now looked mortified.What did I say?Elizabeth could not get a word of explanation from her, and although Miss Darcy claimed all of Elizabeth’s apologies were unneeded, Elizabeth wondered how she had transgressed.Perhaps there was a fall from fortune if she had a governess but then had to attend a school rather than a fine London seminary?She had best change the subject and distract Miss Darcy from her disappointment.
“More ornamental accomplishments I dare not speak for beyond an interest in music. My drawing will make you laugh.” Elizabeth described how, for a brief time, she and Jane thought they had a talent for transparencies despite their not being able to sketch or paint with watercolour. “We foolishly thought we could execute them in a stylish manner. Over the course of one autumn, every lantern, lampshade, and fire screen in the house was covered with hideous drawings!”
“Did your parents admire them, for the sake of your feelings?”
“Oh, no. My father slowly and steadily pushed every one closer and closer to the flames that illuminated them in the hopes to be rid of them!”
Miss Darcy’s smiles and sincere laughter stayed with Elizabeth all her walk home.
CHAPTER FIVE
Ramsgate was situated in a valley, commanding a delightful prospect of the sea. It was a fashionable resort, and had several good hotels and lodging houses suited to every sort of respectable company. Therefore, Darcy was in Cliffs End, a mile and a half southwest of Ramsgate, where he was unlikely to encounter any person who might recognise him.
“This is not the time of year for a man in hiding to be on the Kentish coast,” a familiar voice called through the din of the disgusting tavern. Darcy turned to see his cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, give him a wink and take a seat at his table. He was the younger son of his uncle, Lord Fitzwilliam, and the only human being to know where Darcy truly was, and why.
“That is why I am in this poor excuse for a lodging house rather than the London Hotel or King’s Head at Ramsgate.”
His cousin cast a look about the room. “I can get drunk for a penny and dead-drunk for two pence in a place like this.”
“Only if you can choke down the gin.”
Fitzwilliam gave a mock shudder of revulsion before his eyes turned soft. “Darcy, the words I can express in person will hardly beany better than the sympathy I wrote to you upon learning that Georgi?—”
“She is not a desperate case. Fresh air, exercise, keep her cheerful, and I daresay she will live years.”
“The apothecary’s constant attendance?—”
“Mr Jones’s advice is required, his presence is expected, his superintendence necessary, but it is all for the removal of her complaint.”
“Removal?” His cousin shook his head. “Darcy . . .”
“Her comfort, then, for however long it is required.”
The colonel glanced around the room and leant closer. “My friend in the garrison on Madeira and his brother in town can continue disguising your letters. Yet, my father and Lady Catherine wonder why you do not return home. No one expected you to remain with your consumptive sister this long. You were only to ‘escort her to Madeira,’ not live there with her.”
“You know why I could not leave her!”
“Of course I do!” His cousin lowered his voice. “Iknow, but they do not, and you cannot hide in that Hertfordshire village forever. Could you bring Georgiana home now?”
