Page 37 of Mr. Darcy Comes to Town

“Look at the guinea pig,” Jack shouted to the other animals in the orangery. “He’s acting crazy.”

“Why?” the fox asked.

Jeffry stopped twirling and scampered into his tunnel, where he cowered inside out of sight for a few minutes while he calmed down enough to focus.

I am not going to fail.

Everything is in hand.

Today, I will go with Lizzy to the afternoon party.

Today, I will meet Caroline Bingley and see what we are up against. How is she different in this timeline? Will she interfere in our efforts on behalf of Darcy and Lizzy?

Jeffry sighed.

I wish Aunty were here.

*

Georgiana walked slowly from her bedchamber toward the main staircase. She spied Caroline’s cat padding along the opposite corridor, coming toward the stairs, his startling orange eyes staring balefully at her.

“Bonjour, Basile,” Georgiana said in a coaxing voice, crouching down in case he permitted her to pet him. “You are such a beautiful kitty.”

“Le meow,” the cat said as greeting. He rubbed his cheek against the top baluster as he ignored her outstretched hand.

“Are you coming downstairs to eat?” she asked, straightening. “Pour le dejeuner, avec Caroline?”

As though understanding her completely, Basile raced down the stairs ahead of Georgiana. She heard a footfall behind her, and looked over her shoulder, discovering Cousin Douglas, dressed in his uniform, coming toward her.

“Good morning, Cousin,” she said, smiling.

“Good morning, Georgiana. Do you think that cat understood you?” He reached her side and offered his arm.

“Caroline swears he understands,” Georgiana said, putting her hand on his arm and reaching for the banister. They proceeded to walk down the stairs. “She has spoken both English and French to him since his kittenhood. Mr. Bingley thinks Basile meows in French.”

Her cousin chuckled. “I have seen dogs and horses respond to commands in the language in which they were trained. It must be the same with cats.”

“A similar phenomenon to human babies,” Georgiana responded.

“Indeed.”

“I hope Fitz gets back soon,” she revealed.

“He might arrive by noon,” her cousin said. “Or before, if he sets out at dawn.”

“I pray it will be before.”

“Are you feeling anxious?”

Georgiana could hear the concern in his voice and forced a sunny smile onto her face. “I think Mr. Bingley is keeping a secret about Fitz’s trip to London. He smiles overmuch.”

“He likes to smile, no doubt,” her cousin acknowledged. “It is possible Darcy merely wished to join us on the journey and meant to surprise us with his company.”

“I suppose we shall discover the truth when he arrives,” Georgiana replied. They stepped onto the marble floor and glanced around. “Do they break their fast in the main dining room? Or do they use a second dining room?”

Her cousin gestured to a footman, who hurried forward. He asked, “Where might we find your mistress or master?”

“This way, sir,” the footman said, turning to lead them across the hall. He opened a door and stepped to one side.