Page 115 of Mr. Darcy Comes to Town

“Possibly,” Mary said, placing the card in her reticule, “but we will not be alone. Colonel Fitzwilliam will be there. He is Georgiana’s guardian, so I expect he will make a decent child minder.”

Lizzy winced at the bitter feeling she heard in Mary’s voice. Their father held up a hand, and everyone looked at him. His expression showed kindness as he looked at his middle daughter.

“If you wish to spend your evening with your new friend, I have no objection,” he said. “Your mama and sisters will take you there on their way to the assembly rooms.”

His wife gaped. “On our way! On our way? It is quite out of our way, as you must know.”

“Nevertheless,” he said, lifting an eyebrow—and the matter was over. “Jane, dear, will you pass me the eggs, please?”

“Yes, Papa,” she murmured.

Mary descended to their kitchens directly after she finished her morning meal. As soon as she entered the large space, Cook noticed her and hurried over, dropping the slightest curtsy. A large, though not tall, woman, she was of indeterminate age, wore a pristine white cap and apron, and smiled warmly at Mary.

“Miss Mary, how may I ‘elp ye?”

“I plan to make a visit to Dr. Gregg’s house directly, and I wondered if you had any baked goods I could take with me?”

“I do, miss. O’course I do,” she said, beaming wider. “Is someone ill there? I’ve some calves foot jelly if there is.”

“Not as far as I know,” Mary explained. She looked down and traced a finger over a scar on the large kitchen worktable. “There is typhus at the infirmary, and young Dr. Gregg asked me to forgo my usual visits until it has passed.” Cook tutted, causing Mary to look up, folding her hands before her. “I thought to ask at the house how the illness is progressing so I can plan my next visit.”

“I’ve a dozen black currant scones y’can take with ye,” Cook said, bustling away. “I’ll put ‘em in a nice basket fer ye. And, I’ve a pot of our own sweet chestnut butter.”

“Thank you, Cook. You are always so generous. I will be back as soon as I don my bonnet and pelisse.”

Mary hurried away, climbed the back stairs, and hastily put on her outer things. She did not know if Mrs. Gregg would invite her in since this was an unexpected visit, but Mary longed for the chance of a glimpse of Oscar. The chance was slim, she knew, but mayhap she would be fortunate. She paused for a moment and penned a short note to Georgiana, accepting both invitations. Mary did not expect her to arrive for several hours so she should have time to post the letters in Longbourn Village.

However, she spied the Darcy gig entering the Longbourn forecourt just as she left the house, the promised basket over her arm. In the same hand, she held the missive, which she had decided at the last minute to send with a groom.

“Goodness,” she said to herself, blinking rapidly. Mary hurried down the steps and waited on the walkway for the gig to come to a halt. Georgiana, grinning broadly, waved excitedly. “Hello?” Mary said, curtsying. She held up the letter. “You have saved me from having to send my reply to your invitation.”

“Are you going out?” Georgiana asked, frowning a little. “I have presumed upon our friendship and invited myself for a visit before we go and see my puppy.”

Mr. Darcy set the brake and put the reins aside. Then, he leapt down, came around the front of the horse, and bowed to Mary.

“Good day, Miss Mary.”

She curtsied again. “Are you staying too, Mr. Darcy? You are welcome to do so.” Mary glanced around as though one of her sisters might pop out of nowhere. “Did you wish to see Lizzy?”

“If it is convenient for Georgiana to join you on your errand, I will gladly while away my wait with a visit with Miss Elizabeth if she is about.”

“I am pleased to have Georgiana’s company. Lizzy said something about going to see our home farm manager, Mr. Turney.”

Mr. Darcy nodded and turned to assist his sister in alighting from the gig. It was only then that Mary noticed their accompanying servant—a large man, sitting up on a horse. He wore the dress of a valet, but he appeared more like a guard of some sort.

Georgiana embraced Mary, and then stood beside her, their arms linked. “This is Elliot. He will attend us.”

Mary blinked at her, but merely nodded, finding nothing unusual in this arrangement. They were visiting and would not have their full complement of servants with them.

One of the Bennet grooms came from the stables and accepted the horse’s reins. Elliot climbed off his horse and stood to one side, waiting for them to begin their walk. Mr. Darcy walked over to the groom and gave him his instructions. Afterward, Mr. Darcy returned to Mary and Georgiana.

“I will take a walk and search out Miss Elizabeth,” he said. “How long will you be away?”

“It is difficult to say,” Mary informed him, her brow drawn together. “I am visiting the local doctor and his family, but they are not expecting me. If we are invited in, we will stay but twenty minutes. Since their house is nearby, I believe you may expect us in approximately an hour, perhaps less.”

“As Georgiana said, Elliot will accompany you.” He gestured to his servant, who bowed to the ladies. “He is my valet.”

“Of course,” Mary murmured. “Shall we?” she asked Georgiana.