Page 34 of Mr. Darcy Comes to Town

“You’d best close yer gob and git yerself down t’kitchens,” Elliot told the butler as he passed him on the way to the back stairs, carrying their valises.

Darcy chose to walk to his aunt’s house. He knocked on the door and it was soon opened by her ancient porter.

“Hello, Jack,” Darcy said, strolling in. “Is Aunt Orillia entertaining this evening?”

“Nothin’ much, sir,” Jack said, closing the door. “Just a few people in t’dine.”

“Is Miss Darcy at home?” Darcy asked as he removed his hat and coat.

“No, sir,” Jack said, his eyes wide and staring. “She’s done an’ left, sir.”

“Left?” Darcy repeated in a louder voice.

“Yes, sir. Gone t’visit Miss Bingley, sir. The colonel came round t’escort her.”

“Damn.” Darcy snatched back his hat and coat and slipped the porter a yellow boy. “Kindly say nothing to my aunt about my arrival.”

“Yes, sir.”

Jack hurried to open the door for him. Darcy strode out into a stiff breeze, leaned into it, and headed back to Pemberley Place.

Georgiana must have received my letter this morning and left at once. This has been a wild goose chase! I suppose I missed her on the road. Well, Douglas will look after her. And, it is unlikely she will meet up with Wickham before I return and convince her to come back to London.

Darcy considered the situation further. On the journey from Hertfordshire, all he could think about was arriving before Georgiana left. Now he wondered if he should have bothered at all.

Perhaps I have been precipitous. The regiment will not come to Meryton for several weeks or more. If Georgiana stays for only two weeks, she will be away before the danger arrives. It is unlikely for her to meet Wickham as he looks about Meryton for officer lodgings. Darcy sighed and shook his head. I must rest the horses tonight, so I cannot leave until the morning. She will be at Netherfield by now. Bingley will be surprised, to be sure, but he will welcome Georgiana and Douglas with his usual good will.

He stopped walking toward his London residence, realizing he still needed to eat a proper meal, and turned in the direction of St. James’s Street, and White’s.

*

Netherfield Park, Hertfordshire

Georgiana and her cousin, Colonel Douglas Fitzwilliam, felt the jerk of the chaise as it pulled to a stop in front of Mr. Bingley’s new home.

“This looks nice,” Georgiana commented, peering up at the Palladian façade.

“It does, indeed,” Douglas murmured.

The carriage swayed as their groom climbed down from his box. He opened the carriage door and offered his gloved hand for Georgiana.

“I expect we are a surprise,” she said, taking his hand and descending.

Her cousin followed her, as did his batman, Corporal Laman, and her maid, Farley. The servants moved to the side, waiting patiently. By the time Douglas stood next to her, offering his arm, the front door had been flung open and Brewster stepped outside, swiftly moving out of the way. Mr. Bingley brushed past him and rushed down the steps.

“Goodness,” he cried, beaming. “There you are! You both look to have survived the journey well.”

“Mr. Bingley,” Georgiana said, beaming back. She curtsied, and he bowed. Then, he took her hand and vigorously pumped it. He released her and turned to her companion.

“Colonel,” Mr. Bingley said, bowing. “How pleased I am to see you again.”

“And you also,” Douglas said, smiling.

“Thank you for the invitation to visit,” Georgiana said. She indicated the entranceway. “Netherfield looks magnificent. May we come inside? I am eager to see your sister again.”

“Of course, of course,” Mr. Bingley said, still beaming. “Welcome. I am glad you like the appearance of our new home.”

Once inside the gracious hall, Georgiana said, “I expect you did not look for us so soon.”