Page 39 of Mr. Darcy Comes to Town

“Good,” Darcy murmured. He offered his arm and led her up the broad granite steps to where Miss Bingley waited. He stopped and bowed his shoulders to her, and she curtsied. “Hello, Miss Bingley. How are the preparations coming along?”

“Very well, now that I have such an able assistant,” Miss Bingley said, smiling at Georgiana.

As they turned to enter the house, Darcy asked, “How did you find the cups Charles and I chose, Miss Bingley? Did they arrive unbroken?”

“They did, thank heavens. I like the pattern exceedingly. Thank you for assisting my brother in making the choice.”

“You are most welcome. Now, if you will excuse me, I would like to go up to my bedchamber and refresh myself.”

“Of course. I will send for a repast. When you are ready, kindly join us in the small parlor next to the stairs on the first floor. Would you care for some coffee milk?” Miss Bingley asked.

“Yes. That would be capital.” Darcy nodded to the two women and hurried toward the stairs.

When he entered his bedchamber, Darcy found Elliot already there, laying out a fresh set of clothes.

“I thought, sir, y’might like t’change into what you’ll wear this afternoon at the party. Am I right?”

“You are right,” Darcy said, standing still so his valet could undress him. “Have you heard if all the Bennets will be coming to the party?”

“I ‘ave, sir,” Elliot said, setting Darcy’s coat and waistcoat to one side. “They’re all comin’ except fer Mr. Bennet.”

Good.

“That Miss Elizabeth Bennet is a rare one w’ t’animals, she is, sir,” Elliot said as he continued with his work. “Or so I’ve ‘eard.”

“Indeed,” Darcy murmured. “Her newest acquisition is a guinea pig, of all things.”

“Y’don’t say, sir. Well, I never.” Elliot gestured to the washing table. “There’s ‘ot water in t’basin fer ye, iffen ye wants it.”

“I do, thank you.”

Darcy quickly washed, dried himself, and then proceeded to dress in dark-brown pantaloons, a white shirt, a mustard-colored waistcoat, and a dark olive-green jacket. He stood in front of the mirror and examined himself.

“I am not so certain about the waistcoat, Elliot.”

His valet stood beside him and tipped his head to one side. “Perhaps t’old gold colored one, sir?

“Show me,” Darcy ordered.

Elliot brought forth the dark-gold, double-breasted waistcoat. He held it in front of Darcy as they considered it with the coat and pantaloons.

“Better,” they both said at once.

Darcy entered the small parlor just as the footman and butler arrived with the trays of refreshments. The ladies sat on upholstered chairs of blue velvet, at a low round table. The footman, following Miss Bingley’s direction, set the tray in the middle of the table. He proceeded to unload plates, cups, and cutlery from the tray. Then, he removed himself to make way for the butler who carried the tray of food.

“Sit here, beside me, Fitz,” Georgiana begged, indicating the chair at her side. “Are you hungry?”

“I am,” he admitted. “You?”

“We ate only a few hours ago, so I am not very hungry. I will have a biscuit, perhaps.”

“Some coffee milk, too?” he asked, accepting a cup from Miss Bingley. “It will do you good.”

“Yes, I will have some,” Georgiana said.

“Here you go, my dear,” Miss Bingley said, offering her a filled cup.

“Thank you,” Georgiana murmured. She accepted a lemon and thyme biscuits when the plate was offered to her. She took a nibble and then asked Darcy, “Why did you need to go to London, Fitz?”