Chapter 10

"What a wonderful evening. Was it not, brother? Are they not a most charming family?" Georgiana asked as they entered the foyer of the rented house.

Mrs Younge turned to Darcy with a significant expression, though she did not say a word. She did not need to, for her opinion was obvious. She was not pleased. No, indeed. He would say she was not pleased in the slightest. But was it only that the Bennets were uncouth at times, or was it their scheming to use him in pursuit of the "rich gentlemen" her daughters so desperately needed? Surely there was not something more sinister at work.

No. He did not think so. He pushed the thought away almost as soon as it had presented itself. Mrs Bennet was vapid and concerned with the family's welfare in equal measure. He could not fault her for the latter, even if he did not care for her methods. She loved her daughters; that much was obvious. How she went about securing their places in the world was not how he would have done things, but that did not make her a bad person.

"They were very interesting," Darcy replied. "And now, I think it was time you were in bed. You've had a lot of excitement today."

Georgiana gave her wrap to the maid at the front door, then started peeling off her gloves. She climbed the first few steps, then turned around. "Oh, brother, I am so glad you allowed us to come here! I feel I am finally understanding how to make friends and entertain others. Miss Elizabeth Bennet has been so kind to me. I feel it is only right we return the invitation to supper, do not you?"

The sentiment surprised Darcy. He glanced at Mrs Younge, but tried to hide his alarm. "Do you?" he asked.

"Yes, I do. It is only the polite thing to do. And besides, I like them. I should very much like to plan a supper this time. It is a valuable part of my education, is it not? To plan suppers and run a household?"

Darcy raised a brow, but a smile crept onto his lips. "You have never tried to run the household at Pemberley."

Georgiana looked away sheepishly. "It is such a large house, brother. I should hate to make a mistake and disappoint you."

"This is the first I am hearing of this, Georgiana," he said. He took her hand. "I always thought the idea of running the household was dull to you. But let me put to rest any fears you might have. You could never disappoint me. The way one learns is by making mistakes, and I should never come down on you for an honest mistake." He thought for a moment. "But perhaps you are right. This would give you the chance to plan a supper party in a much smaller household, and for friends who would be gracious."

"Oh, thank you, Fitz! I shall not disappoint you, I promise!" Georgiana hugged him and then scampered up the stairs to dress for bed.

Mrs Younge waited until she had disappeared down the hall before stepping up beside him. "You think it wise to encourage this acquaintance? After what you saw this evening?" She wrung her hands and gave him a look of deep concern. "I do not wish to speak out of turn, but it seems to me the Bennets are a rather coarse family. In their actions, if not their antecedents."

Darcy looked in the direction his sister had gone a moment before. "I am unsure if keeping her from Miss Elizabeth Bennet is the answer. She seems kind enough, even if she is trying to weasel her way into my affections for money's sake. I am quite able to outwit a fortune hunter, I think. In any case, I will be gone shortly, and I see no reason for Georgiana not to try her hand at hosting a supper party. Indeed, it would be a good experience for her."

A flash of annoyance skittered through her gaze before Mrs Younge masked it and shrugged, giving a coy smile. "Of course, you know best. I am sure it will bring no harm, as you have said."

She walked past him, and he stood at the bottom of the stairs alone, wondering if he had made the right choice. There was little that could go awry, especially while he was there to make sure Georgiana was not taken advantage of. Besides, it would give him a chance to further observe how the Bennets were in company. Perhaps they were more comfortable in their own home, and thus more casual in their treatment of guests. At any rate, he would not allow himself to be taken in by the intriguing Elizabeth Bennet, no matter what she tried.

∞∞∞

Georgiana lost no time in sending the invitations, and the Bennets did not delay in accepting. The night of the supper party found Georgiana all aflutter with excitement and running back and forth attending to last-minute details. She walked past him in the drawing room as he tried to read the newspapers that had arrived from London that afternoon. "How can you sit so still?" she asked, stepping around him to fluff the flower arrangement on the side table.

Georgiana had worked tirelessly to make sure the evening was a success, from choosing the menu to preparing the floral decorations and selecting several pianoforte pieces that she and Mary Bennet could play for their entertainment. She had even expressed a hope that the elder Bennet sisters might be persuaded to dance with him. He had shot her a warning look, as she well knew he detested dancing, especially with young ladies on the hunt for wealthy husbands.

When she passed him in a fluster again, he grabbed her hand and had her sit beside him on the settee. "You have done everything that can be done to ensure this evening is a success. Now sit back and enjoy the splendour of it all."

"Are you sure everything looks well?" Georgiana asked, wringing her hands. "I do so want them to feel at ease here."

Darcy looked around the drawing room. The formal parlour was about the same size as the drawing room at Longbourn, though not even half as large as the one at the Pemberley estate. If they were not at their leisure here, they would not be anywhere. "They are not here for the house, Georgie. They are here to be with you. Is that not so?"

She blushed and smiled. "I suppose ‘tis. They will not mind if the flowers are not perfect, or if the courses are not just so."

It hardly mattered, for they were surely used to dining more simply, Darcy thought. And their rented home was nothing to scoff at since the Bennet property was not a whit more elegant, though rather larger. It was an old dwelling, but not without its charm. The rented house he had procured for Georgiana and Mrs Younge was done in the latest fashion. It was nice enough in its way, though to one accustomed to a house grown smooth and comfortable with age, it sometimes felt rather flat.

"You have done a wonderful job planning everything. Not a detail has escaped your notice. I am sure they will be very pleased by what you have planned for us this evening." Darcy let go of her hand, took up his newspaper, and was about to start reading again when a knock sounded on the door.

Georgiana sprang from the settee. "They are here!" she exclaimed. She snatched the paper from his hands and tucked it into a basket near the bookshelf. "Now, remain calm."

Darcy chuckled and stood, smoothing his waistcoat and cravat. "You are the one who needs to calm yourself." He went to her and stood behind her as she checked her appearance in the small mirror near the drawing room doors. He placed his hands on her shoulders, then smiled at her reflection. "You are a vision. Just like Mama," he said softly.

Georgiana stilled. "I have rarely heard you speak of her." She turned, tears misting her eyes. "Do I really look like her?"

He kissed her on the forehead. "More and more each day," he replied. "And she would be so proud."

Georgiana smiled and placed her hands on his arms. "Thank you, brother."

Before his emotions could run away with him, Darcy took a deep breath and took Georgiana's hand, placing it at the crook of his elbow. "Mrs Bailey will let them in. Come, let us go and greet our guests."

He opened the drawing-room door for her and walked out. The housekeeper waited for him to give the signal to open the door, and their guests soon appeared, dressed with careful finery. The ladies wore what must undoubtedly be their finest gowns, and Mr Bennet had even donned a jacket of unexceptionable smartness. True, it was done up in the style of about ten years prior, but the older man had clearly made a special effort. Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth Bennet were dressed in becoming gowns of simple elegance, but their mother and two youngest sisters were overflowing with frills, lace, and flowers from the top of their heads to their slippered feet.

In a rather startling contrast, Miss Mary Bennet wore a dull shade of brown without so much as a feather in her hair. She carried a leather portfolio of what Darcy could only guess was sheet music for the pianoforte.

"Welcome, our most esteemed guests," Georgiana said, letting go of his arm and stepping forward. "Please, come into the parlour until Cook announces supper."

Darcy stood aside as everyone streamed into the drawing room. "Mr Bennet. How good of you to come," he said, and shook the man's hand.

"Very kind of you to ask us here this evening. Thank you," Mr Bennet said. He smoothed down his jacket, looking uncomfortable in the formal attire. As one who enjoyed the solitude of his library more than being out on the town visiting friends and acquaintances, Darcy could well understand his discomfort.

But there could be no good in acknowledging it, as it would only make his guest more uncomfortable. "The pleasure is ours, sir, I assure you," Darcy said.

Mr Bennet smiled and followed his wife and three younger daughters to the parlour. Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth were the last to greet him. Both of them curtsied, smiling so prettily that he almost forgot the duplicity of those smiles. It was well that Mrs Younge had been so careful in warning him.

"Good evening, Mr Darcy. Thank you for inviting us here. It is a very pleasant home," Miss Bennet said. Her shining blonde curls glowed in the candlelight, casting a soft aura about her. The eldest Bennet sister seemed a remarkably gentle soul. It was difficult to believe she could be complicit in her mother's schemes. But as the eldest daughter of five, Miss Bennet would have had little choice in the matter.

"You are most welcome, Miss Bennet. And I thank you for accepting Georgiana's invitation. It is her first time planning such a party. I do hope you enjoy yourself." Darcy glanced at Elizabeth, even though he tried to refrain. He felt obscurely that it would be dangerous to spend too much time looking into those dark eyes. "And you, Miss Elizabeth Bennet. I hope you will enjoy yourself as well."

"Thank you, Mr Darcy. I am sure we shall. Miss Darcy was good enough to honour me by asking for my advice in planning the supper this evening, but I found I had very little to do. Your sister has no need of advice in achieving elegance or consideration for others. She is so eager to please and is a joy to everyone, no matter where she goes." Elizabeth smiled, and he thought how magnificently the candlelight reflected around her, very differently from the angelic halo cast over her older sister. Elizabeth's cheeks were slightly flushed after coming in from the chill of the evening. The colour was remarkably becoming to her. Her gown was simple in cut and almost unadorned, but its very simplicity set off her beauty. And those eyes. Darcy had not thought that he could be so struck by a simple pair of brown eyes, however remarkable their brilliancy.

"You look well, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, if I may say so," Darcy said before he had a chance to think about his words. He chastised himself for the lapse. If she truly were setting her cap for him, there was no need to make it too easy for her.

Elizabeth smiled, blushing even more. She looked down at her dress, smoothing out the skirt. "Why, thank you, Mr Darcy." She glanced at her sister. "You are very kind to notice."

"Ahh, yes, well," he said. He sounded foolish even to his own ears. "I thank you for taking Georgiana under your wing in this," Darcy said curtly, trying to come out from under her spell. He had to remember that she was here for the most mercenary of reasons. "Please, join us." He waved toward the open parlour doors, taking a moment to compose himself before entering the room.

A moment later, Mrs Younge appeared from above the stairs and took him aside. "Be strong, Mr Darcy. Many are the men who have been undone by a pretty girls' wiles," she whispered, passing by him with a knowing smile on her face. Darcy looked after her askance. It was rather forward of Mrs Younge, not to mention unnecessary. Was she accusing him of falling prey to Miss Elizabeth Bennet? He had only greeted her into his home, as was proper.

Shaking his head slightly, he chased the fanciful thoughts away. He would be polite, but not encouraging. There could be no harm in that. Could there be?

Darcy went to stand beside his sister, keeping himself aloof from the conversation until he was called upon. He was proud to see that Georgiana needed little help. She was acting the perfect hostess. Never before had he seen his little sister act so elegantly, or with such confidence.

Soon, they were called into supper, and he was surprised again to see how well Georgiana had done with the place cards. He and Mr Bennet were seated at the foot and head of the table, with Mrs Bennet and Mrs Younge seated together with the younger girls on one side and Georgiana, Miss Elizabeth, and Miss Bennet seated on the other. If this had been a formal supper, rather than a family party, she would have had a time finding enough gentlemen to come and even out the numbers. But as it was a casual gathering, she had honoured Mr Bennet with a seat of honour.

"You should have invited some of the militia, Miss Darcy. They are ever so entertaining. And they would have evened out your numbers," Miss Lydia Bennet said with a smile.

Darcy suppressed a frown at the criticism, but Georgiana only laughed and raised her glass to the girl who could not have been but a year her junior. "You are right, Miss Lydia Bennet. I should have thought. But as it was a more intimate setting this evening, I did not wish to bring in strangers. Besides, the officers only arrived recently. I believe they are spending the winter here in Meryton, if I have heard correctly?"

Darcy relaxed at his sister's diplomatic answer. She sent Miss Lydia Bennet off talking of the militia and their plans.

That young girl certainly had no want of confidence. She chattered away without a thought, ending with the confident pronouncement that "We shall all have husbands by spring, I venture!"

Even knowing the rudeness of the gesture, Darcy was tempted to roll his eyes. With a little effort, he refrained. Instead, he caught Mrs Younge's eye and exchanged a grimace with her. Georgiana had seated the poor woman next to Mrs Bennet. The choice was a rational one, as the two matrons might have been expected to enjoy conversing with one another. Judging by Mrs Younge's expression, however, Mrs Bennet's conversation was a pleasure she would have gladly foregone.

"How are you enjoying Meryton, Mr Darcy, now that you have had a chance to settle in a bit more?" Elizabeth asked. Georgiana had placed her beside him, with Georgiana in the middle and the eldest Miss Bennet at the other end, near her father.

Darcy cleared his throat. "It is a charming village," he said.

"Is it very different from Lambton? Miss Darcy tells me the village of Lambton is not far from Pemberley." Elizabeth took a sip of her watered wine, and he could not help noticing the pink of her lips as she replaced the glass. He looked away, embarrassed.

"Yes, Lambton is about two miles from my estate," he replied. "The people there are much the same as anywhere, I suppose. They are hard-working, kind, and have a strong sense of community. It is a charming place, and one I have always much enjoyed visiting."

"As I am sure they appreciate your sound judgement as a leader in the community," Elizabeth said.

Darcy was taken aback by her compliment. He was unsure whether to thank her or be even more on his guard. He would not have her thinking he was so easily lulled. "I try to do what is best. Not everyone agrees with my methods. But I cannot be overly worried about what they think of me."

Elizabeth raised a single brow. "A man in your position must have many difficult decisions to make. But I cannot believe you would be so unfeeling to make them even when the townspeople have raised concerns to you. It is not possible to please everyone, of course. But you must be fair in your judgments as well."

"I strive for fairness, yes. But sometimes, it is not possible to please everyone, as you have said." He turned away from her to converse with Miss Mary Bennet. Darcy must not fail to model polite conversation at Georgiana's supper party, hard going though it was. Miss Mary Bennet did not have her older sister's ready wit and charm. She seemed only able to discuss sermons written by Mr Fordyce or the fact that young women today did not do half as much reading as was good for them. She looked prodigiously pleased and not a little surprised when he agreed with her on the latter point.

∞∞∞

Elizabeth swirled the watered wine around her glass, lost in thought. Mr Darcy's strange behaviour was past all understanding. When they had first come into the house, he had seemed warm and welcoming. But then his behaviour taken a sharp turn. It seemed clear she had offended him, but how? For the life of her, she could not explain it. Some men would have taken offense when she had disagreed with him over the need to find consensus with his tenants before making an important decision, but that could not be the explanation. Not only did Mr Darcy not seem the type to have so fragile an ego, but the change in his behaviour had come earlier. No, he was not the type who wanted a woman to agree with everything he said, never having an independent thought of her own.

Mr Darcy seemed intelligent and kind-hearted when he spoke to her father or her mother, but whenever she tried to start a conversation with him for the rest of the evening, he appeared cold and even inconvenienced by her presence. After a few attempts to get to know him better, she gave up, taking solace in Jane's company.

"Are you well, Lizzy?" Jane asked, keeping her voice low. Mary and Miss Darcy were playing one of the pieces Mary had brought on the beautiful pianoforte.

Elizabeth shook her head, trying to slough off her unease with the whole situation. "Yes, perfectly well," she said soothingly. "I am only grateful for this time we get to spend with Miss Darcy. She is a delightful girl." In truth, Georgiana was rapidly becoming one of her closest friends. Hopefully, she could prevail upon Mr Darcy to fix whatever rift had come between them. It would not do to let some foolish enmity with her brother ruin a beautiful friendship with Georgiana.