The garage and stables were in sight when Georgiana finally said, “Fitzwilliam does not appear happy that I am here, Elizabeth.”
Of course Georgiana had picked up on that. She might be quiet, but she certainly wasn’t stupid. “I don’t know why he avoids you. Avoids really talking with you, I mean. But I get the impression it has nothing to do with you.”
It might have something to do withher. She feared his sister’s presence was a constant reminder of the life Darcy left behind, and that Elizabeth wasn’t worth that sacrifice. All the privileges and friendships and familiarity that he walked away from couldn’t measure up to what she offered him here. While she never thought Darcy would leave her and Sandra to go back, the possibility that he had regrets was painful.
Georgiana accepted her brother’s detachment, but she was never a confrontational person. And she was still from a time when men, and male relatives especially, were deferred to. She had grown more confident with experience and responsibility, but was not assertive like her brother. That might also be why she hadn’t spoken to Mr Willers yet.
Elizabeth saw their friends by the stable watch Sandra dismount her pony and run over to Frank and Gwen. No time to dwell on things now. Turning to Georgiana, she said, “They’re kind people, I promise.”
“I am sure they are.” After a breath, she added, “I will use my shyness to my advantage.”
“Eventually Sandra will have enough of the grownups and you can escape with her if you want.” Georgiana stared blankly, so she said, “Sandra will find the conversation of the adults to be tiresome, and she will give you a polite excuse to leave to mind her, if you are finished talking with strangers.”
They reached the paddock, and while Sandra changed from her riding helmet and boots into trainers and a bike helmet, Elizabeth made the introductions. Georgiana remembered to offer her hand, although she dipped into a curtsey as she did. She noted their friends’ widened eyes and O-shaped mouths when she explained their sibling relationship, but they said everything welcoming.
“So you’re a musician?” asked Gwen. “I never had a talent in that area. What do you play?”
“The pianoforte and the harp,” she said after a deep breath. “I sing as well.”
“Along with research, Georgiana is going to perform in the music room for visitors later this summer,” Elizabeth added.
“You going to play that old-timey music Darcy has someone play when they hold those Regency costume parties for the fashion fans?” Frank asked good-naturedly.
There was a long beat before Georgiana simply whispered, “Yes?”
Darcy spared her more chat and wheeled out the bike, thanking Frank for helping.
“Bicycles are much easier than horses, kiddo,” Frank told Sandra. “Forget what your father said.”
Darcy rolled his eyes with a smile. For a while, Frank held onto the seat and ran along behind her, while Gwen walked behind and cheered encouragement. Darcy watched intently, curious but clearly more confident in teaching his daughter to ride a horse than a bicycle.
He was so attentive to Sandra. Their daughter needed to learn to ride a bike, and Darcy had no idea what that meant. But he learnt what it was, purchased her one, and found someone to teach her to ride it because that was what an English girl born in 2018 needed. The way Darcy managed in this century still impressed her. He would look at something completely foreign to him and then carefully figure it out. And the way he taught Sandra and praised her intelligence and kindness made her fall in love with him all over again.
She caught Darcy’s eye as he watched Sandra go past again, and they shared a smile. Elizabeth tried to tell him in a single glance she loved him, that she was delighted with how well he did here, and that no matter what happened with Georgiana that all would be well.
“Oh, it is like a pedestrian hobbyhorse!” cried Georgiana, drawing Elizabeth’s attention from Darcy with a start. “I had not known what you meant when you said the word ‘bike.’”
“You’ve seen one?” Elizabeth said in surprise. “Fitzwilliam said he had never seen a bicycle.”
“They are relatively new, although one does not balance and propel themselves by those things attached to the wheel. Some call them dandy horses, although I have seen women in London use them. They sit like Sandra is, but one’s feet reach the ground and they push themselves along, so long as the ground is flat.”
Sandra fell off when Frank let go, and Elizabeth cringed, but Sandra was fine. She held herself back from running to her side. “That’s okay! Try again, honey!”
As Frank set her upright and helped her back to the top of the slight incline on the grass to begin again, Georgiana asked, “Can you ride one?”
“Oh yes. Most people learn as children, but I’d never let go of her.” Her daughter had to know she could do it, and that her mother believed in her. “It took weeks for Fitzwilliam to convince me to let Sandra learn to ride a pony. I know she’ll be fine, but if I’m nervous about her falling off the bike, I’ll just make her too nervous to try.”
“And Darcy here can’t ride at all,” called Frank as he walked past with Sandra. “Good thing you guys have me!”
“I said I’d learn to ride a bicycle if you tried riding a horse,” Darcy called back from the other side of the grass.
Frank made a hand gesture Elizabeth was glad Sandra couldn’t see. “What about you, Georgiana?” he asked. “Can you ride a bike?”
Georgiana hesitated. “I have not done so since I was a child. I could not do it now.”
“Nonsense,” said Frank. “Once you learn, you never forget. And anyone can learn,” he said to Darcy.
“But today, it’s my turn,” Sandra cried. “Let’s go!”
