Page 67 of The Mistress of All & Torn

“I shall accompany you there and on our way, I will stop to talk to Darcy briefly,” Bingley offered, enchanted by the prospect of a long ride in the intimate company of his lovely wife.

However, his visit to his friend was not successful. The butler informed him that Mr. Darcy was out, meeting his uncle, Lord Matlock, at White’s, the gentlemen’s club. Disappointed, yet pleased to spend the entire day with his wife, Bingley asked for paper and pen and left a short note, in his usual, barely legible handwriting.

∞∞∞

Early in the morning, Darcy decided to have breakfast with his sister. He had not seen her for several days and, besides missing her, he worried she might be distressed by the recent, dramatic events.

Georgiana was delighted to receive him and embraced him affectionately.

“My dear brother, I am glad to see you! You are well, I hope? Are you alone?”

“I am alone and very well, dearest. Do you need company for breakfast?”

“I most certainly do! And the others? Charles? Mrs. Bingley? Lady Barrington?”

“Lady Barrington moved yesterday, to the Countess of Sedgewick’s house. Charles and his wife returned home.”

“I see,” she said, with apparent curiosity and reluctance to enquire further.

“My dear, please ask me anything you want and I will tell you as much as I can without betraying Lady Barrington's trust. But first I must beg your forgiveness—I will not be able to return to Pemberley this summer. I promised Lady Barrington to help and support her. She has inherited an enormous fortune and, unlike other women who would be thrilled, she is distressed by the responsibilities attached to it.”

“I can well understand that. It must be frightening to find yourself burdened with so many duties.”

“I am sure it is, although she is a brave and determined lady. Anyone—man or woman—would be overwhelmed by such a sudden and dramatic alteration to their life.”

“So, how will she handle everything? Will your help be enough?”

“The fortune is protected by a trust fund. There are many legal requirements and documents, completely unknown to her. There are trustees, executors, solicitors, each with legal liabilities regarding the inheritance. But she finds it difficult– considering the circumstances—to trust those outside her family.”

“Certainly her mistrust is well-grounded, considering...It is good she can rely on her family.”

“Yes...But none of them possess experience or even knowledge in examining legal papers, or conducting extensive affairs and managing large properties. Lady Barrington granted me her confidence and trust, begging for my assistance. I gave her my word that she may depend on me for as long as she needs to. Therefore, I have to adjust any prior engagements or plans.”

Darcy ended his explanation, watching Georgiana’s expression. The girl reflected upon the new information while drinking some tea, then said, “I believe Lady Barrington was very wise to ask for your assistance and you were very generous to offer it. As much as I long to return home, Pemberley will wait for us. I cannot forget that you were forced to change your plans for me last summer.”

“Thank you, dearest,” he said affectionately. “I am very proud and grateful for your sound judgement. But you promised to cease blaming yourself for last summer.”

“I am trying to keep my promise, brother.”

Another pause followed while they ate and drank.

“I did not realise that your friendship with Lady Barrington was so close,” Georgiana said.

He felt slightly uneasy. “It was not; quite the opposite. I admit I have long admired her, but we had many disagreements in the past. My manners were far from flawless at the beginning of our acquaintance. My interference might have been the reason why the Bennet family became so desperate that she was forced to accept Barrington's marriage proposal. If I had not been arrogant and presumptuous and imposed my opinion on others, Lady Barrington would now be living an easy and happy life with her family.”

Georgiana’s expression turned incredulous. “This cannot be! I am sure you take too much upon yourself, as always!”

“Sadly, not this time. If Miss Bennet and I were truly friends at that time, I would have warned her about Barrington and definitely opposed the marriage. However, I found out about it much too late and I was in no position to form an opinion.”

“But brother...does Lady Barrington blame you too?”

“Not at all. Her response was rather similar to yours. But I cannot overcome my remorse easily.”

“This is why you are so willing to help her?”

He glanced at his sister, then answered sincerely.

“No. I would help her under any circumstances. I just regret the ordeal she has had to suffer, alone and unprotected. I remember her wit, her teasing manner, her sparkling conversation, her courage in stating her opinions. It pains me to see how much her spirit and her behaviour have altered in only three months.”