Her two guardians exchanged a look, though neither spoke at once.
“It is not easily answered,” Fitzwilliam said at last. “Anne has never been strong. That, at least, is certain.”
Darcy inclined his head slightly. “She has been considered delicate from a very early age. Our aunt has always taken the greatest care of her.”
Georgiana listened, though there was something in her expression which suggested she wasnot entirely satisfied.
“But does she wish to remain so quiet?” she asked. “Or is it thought better for her?”
Darcy hesitated. It was not a question he could answer plainly without speaking more freely than he ought, yet neither did he wish to dismiss it. “I do not know that her wishes have been much consulted,” he said.
Fitzwilliam gave a small, thoughtful nod. “There are many advantages to being told what is best for one,” he said, his tone light but not without meaning. “Though they are not always equally felt.”
Georgiana considered this in silence for a moment. “I think I should not like it,” she said at last.
Darcy looked at her, considering. “No,” he said. “I do not believe you would.”
She glanced between them, and though there was no defiance in her manner, there was a quiet firmness which had not always been present. “I am very glad, then,” she said, “that I am not under my aunt’s direction.”
Fitzwilliam smiled. “As are we all.”
Darcy met her eyes steadily, though he had to stop them both walking and turn to her to do it. It was a subject on which no doubt should be permitted. “You are under the direction of those who intend you to grow strong in mind and body, andbelieve you must test your strength a little to do so,” he said. “That is a very different thing.”
Georgiana accepted this thoughtfully, nodding. The idea appeared to settle in her mind with some weight. “I had not considered it before,” she said, “but I believe I understand the difference now.”
They resumed their walk without further discussion of the subject, yet the tone of it lingered. Darcy found himself reflecting, not for the first time, on the manner in which his aunt governed her household, and the consequences of such authority when exercised without restraint.
The path, having gradually curved away from the more formal arrangement of the grounds, opened at last into a wider stretch where nature was at last left a little more to itself and even the air seemed less confined. Fitzwilliam, to whom the narrow paths of the formal gardens must seem particularly narrow, glanced ahead with approval before turning again to Georgiana.
“Well,” he said, “having improved yourself and formed opinions on our aunt’s management, you must now consider the next trial.”
Georgiana looked at him with mild curiosity. “Another?”
“Certainly. You cannot suppose that Rosings offers only one difficulty. We are to have guests from the parsonage this evening.”
She brightened at once, though she checked herself almost immediately. “Yes. I had almost forgotten.”
“I assure you, our aunt has not,” Fitzwilliam remarked dryly. “You know how she enjoys having a wider audience. I only hope the Collinses and their guests are prepared.”
Georgiana smiled. “I, too. But I shall look forward to having others with whom to share our aunt’s attention.”
Fitzwilliam laughed. “That is a very positive outlook, Georgie, and excellent strategy. One needn’t bear all the enemy’s fire alone.”
“Come now, cousin,” Darcy chided him, though he could not entirely suppress a grin. “Do not teach my impressionable sister to think of our aunt as the enemy. Surely all three of us owe Lady Catherine our respect, even if she can be difficult at times.”
Fitzwilliam held up his hands in surrender. “Quite right. Listen to Darcy, Georgiana. I allowed myself to be carried away by jesting. But let us forget this. We were speaking of pleasanter things. So you are looking forward to supper with company, then?”
She nodded. “I am.” Georgiana hesitated, then added, “Miss Bennet will be there.”
Darcy’s attention sharpened, though he tookcare not to betray it. “Yes,” he said simply. “I am sure she will be.”
“I was glad to meet her,” Georgiana continued. “She was very kind.”
Fitzwilliam glanced toward Darcy casually. “Was she?”
“She spoke to me as though I had nothing to fear in speaking to her,” Georgiana said. “It made it much easier.”
Darcy smiled unthinkingly. “She has that effect.”
