Elizabeth shook her head. “You are far more concerned for my feelings than the circumstances warrant. I understand why. It was a shock to you, and I apologise again and again for deciding it should be kept from you.” He waved this off, and she continued. “Remember that Mr Darcy and I have known there was no future for us apart from as acquaintances for months. The secrecy of the thing made being under the same roof much worse than it needed to be. Thus, Bingley, dearest brother, I demand you purchase Larch Lane at once and present it to my dearest sister as her new home. Then I, your dearest sister-in-law, will set about exploring every inch of the grounds and rejoicing in calling such a placemyhome, for as long as I live with you.”
In a more serious tone, she added, “Please, do not give up on your friendship with Mr Darcy. I know it is important to both of you. Nothing that has happened between him and me needs to alter it.”
He sighed. “It is not only that he did not tell me of his feelings for you.”
“I understand,” Elizabeth said, surreptitiously glancing at Jane to indicate that she knew the gentlemen had previously argued. “But Mr Darcy is not the only person who kept this information from you. I begged Jane last autumn not to tell you. I admit, I did so in part because it embarrassed me, but it was also because I feared exactly this would happen—that you would believe you could not be friends with him and a good brother to me. If you can forgive me for the deception, can you not also forgive him?”
“You know Lizzy has a great deal of common sense. We have both remarked on it, and I think we ought to heed her advice,” Jane said.
Bingley kissed Jane’s hand. “If it will make mydearestwife anddearestsister happy, then I agree. I shall proceed with the purchase of Larch Lane, and regarding Darcy…I shall allow my anger to dissipate.”
“I propose we set aside the matter of Mr Darcy and think only of you two finding your new home, one I shall be happy to share,” Elizabeth said. “Let us celebrate. Shall I enquire whether the innkeeper can offer us any special treats to add sweetness to the end of our day?”
Jane and Bingley agreed, and when the three of them retired later that night, they were all in much improved moods.
Darcy knocked at the door to his sister’s chamber. About an hour had passed since the Bingleys and Elizabeth had left Pemberley. Her maid gave him entry and took herself off.
“How are you this morning?” he asked.
Georgiana gave a lopsided shrug, one shoulder nearly touching her ear, and Darcy supposed that was all the answer he was to receive. He approached her, a cloud of caution hovering around him as it so often did when he wanted to talk to her of anything more than innocuous topics such as the weather or her enjoyment of a meal—though even they could be controversial if she happened to decide he would be disappointed in her response. He perched on the edge of a delicate bergère chair that had once been in their mother’s apartment.
“Mr and Mrs Bingley and Miss Bennet left earlier today.”
“Why? Did you ask them to go?” Georgiana’s gaze met his.
Darcy swallowed heavily before admitting that he had not. “I believe they felt they had remained long enough and wanted to give us time to ourselves.”
“Does that mean he decided against Larch Lane? Did you tell him you did not approve of it?”
“I did not. It is a fine estate and would suit them well. I cannot say what Bingley will do about it.”But whether he purchases it or not, I doubt we shall see much of him and his family in the future.On another occasion, he would tell her as much, but it was anyone’s guess whether this would reassure his sister or cause her distress. She might believe she was the cause of his friendship’s end. Had he not suggested that might be the outcome if he told Bingley not to come to Pemberley?
Georgiana looked away, and while her eyes remained averted, she said, “I expected you would propose to her while she was here.”
You have no idea how much I wish I had—or that I had done it ten months ago, as I had planned, or even last spring in town.“I do not know why you would.” Left unsaid was that she and their relations had made him vow not to.
Again, she shrugged. When the silence between them felt oppressive, he asked whether she would join him and Fitzwilliam for breakfast. “Later, if you like, we might take a ride or go for a walk. Which would you prefer?”
“If you insist. It does not matter to me which one. Are you certain they have gone for good? Mr Bingley did not simply take them out to-to tour the neighbourhood or visit Larch Lane again?” She watched him out of the corner of her eye.
“No, Georgiana. They are gone, and they will not return.”
She made an odd sound, almost as though she did notreally believe it. He was too weary and heartsick to puzzle out her meaning, and instead he suggested they find Fitzwilliam and make arrangements for how they would spend the day.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
Like at so many other points over the last two years, Darcy found the strength to set aside his personal sentiments in favour of his sister’s needs. By dinner, she seemed to be in good spirits, and as they ate, she and Fitzwilliam chatted about how they might amuse themselves for the next week, after which, he would return to his military duties.
“Perhaps once our cousin leaves, we should go to Romsley Hall for a time. Our cousin Reed wrote that they hope to visit later this month or early next month, but we could spend a week or so with the earl and countess before then. What do you think, Georgiana?” Darcy asked.
“They would be very happy to see you. You ought to go, if not immediately, then after the Reeds have been,” Fitzwilliam said before Georgiana had a chance to express her opinion. To Darcy, he added, “If you cannot remain, you know Mother would happily keep Georgiana with her.”
Darcy hoped his sister did not hear the disapproval withwhich their cousin spoke to him. Fitzwilliam was far from reconciled to Darcy’s reasons for welcoming the Bingleys and Elizabeth to Pemberley.
“I suppose I would like it, but only if my brother was there too.”
Darcy smiled at Georgiana and nodded, silently saying that of course he would remain with her if that was her wish.
They went into the drawing room together after eating, and Georgiana spent above an hour playing the pianoforte. When she announced her intention of retiring for the night, Darcy said that he would do likewise.
