Page 35 of Mr. Darcy Comes to Town

“It is a delightful surprise, to be sure,” Mr. Bingley said. He gestured to a friendly-faced, gray-haired housekeeper. “Do you remember Mrs. Gander?”

Georgiana smiled shyly at the housekeeper who bobbed a slight curtsy. “Good day to you, Mrs. Gander.”

“Welcome to Netherfield, miss,” she said, coming forward to take Georgiana’s cloak, bonnet, and gloves, so that her maid—carrying Georgiana’s jewel case—did not have to. “I’ll just put these in your bedchamber, miss.”

Georgiana nodded in acknowledgement and gestured that Farley should follow the housekeeper. Laman followed a footman toward the back of the house.

“Miss Darcy. Colonel?” Mr. Bingley said, drawing her attention. “Have you both eaten dinner?”

“We have not,” Douglas said.

“Excellent,” Mr. Bingley said. “We have not yet gathered for dinner. Caroline is still dressing so there is time for you to refresh yourselves before the gong sounds. Would you like to go up to your bedchambers?’

“Yes, please,” Georgiana said.

Mr. Bingley glanced around, spied Brewster, and waved the butler over.

“Sir?”

“Where has Mrs. Gander placed our guests?”

“In the green bedchamber, sir, for Colonel Fitzwilliam, and the lilac bedchamber for Miss Darcy, next to her brother’s room.”

Mr. Bingley’s expression turned puzzled. “I know where Darcy is staying so there is no trouble there. But I am not sure about the green bedchamber.”

“It is on the other side of yours, sir,” Brewster explained. “Shall I escort the Colonel, sir?”

“An excellent notion,” Mr. Bingley said, turning to offer his arm to Georgiana. They followed the butler up the stairs while Mr. Bingley explained. “I have not learned all the rooms yet. There are ten guest rooms, plus the master’s bedchamber. I have only memorized the location of Caroline’s and Darcy’s.”

“Now you know mine and Douglas’s, too,” Georgiana said, smiling. She found Mr. Bingley’s good humor infectious.

“I will have to learn another, as well, for Louisa and her husband will arrive on Saturday.”

“Oh. I have not met them often,” Georgiana admitted. “It will be good to have the opportunity to renew my acquaintance with Mr. and Mrs. Hurst. I beg your pardon, but where is Fitz?”

“Uh…He has gone out of town for the night. But he promised to be back tomorrow in time for Caroline’s afternoon party,” Mr. Bingley explained.

“Oh?”

Mr. Bingley lightly cleared his throat. “Darcy had no idea you would arrive so quickly.” He patted her hand on his arm and beamed at her. “Which we are exceedingly glad of, my dear. You may be sure of that.”

“Thank you,” Georgiana said, feeling let down and a little nervous about staying here without her brother in residence. Do not be a goose. Cousin Douglas is here. And so is Miss Bingley. I have nothing to be worried about.

Not worried…just…nervous.

Chapter Six

“You are going, and that is all there is to it,” their mama snapped, glaring at her youngest daughters.

“But Papa is not going,” Lydia whined, daring to glare back at her mother.

Lizzy winced and concentrated on buttering her piece of toast.

“Your father does not need practice in how to behave in polite society,” their mother pointed out, her voice harsh. She stabbed a sausage from the platter and slammed it onto her plate. “Kitty and Lydia, you must learn to sit still and make polite conversation. No harum-scarum antics from you two. Mary, you need to learn how to make conversation that is not littered with quotes. I forbid you to quote anyone. Or to talk about sick people. No one cares.”

“Yes, Mama,” Mary said, sighing. She put her fork down and looked so downcast Lizzy wanted to embrace her.

“Leave the poor girl alone, Mrs. Bennet,” Papa ordered. He fixed his stare on his wife. “I agree that the girls need practice in deportment, but I do not agree that you should squash Mary’s character.” His stare switched from his wife to his youngest daughters. “I expect you three to emulate Jane and Lizzy’s examples. They will not put a foot wrong.”