Chapter 2

Mr Darcy looked up from his desk, having heard a familiar voice calling to him from the lawn. He glanced up to see Georgiana waving at him, smiling as she and Mrs Younge walked in the autumn sunshine. His sister was a vision of girlish loveliness in a white day dress with a pink satin ribbon tied around the Empire waist. Her long blonde curls hung loose around her shoulders and her blue eyes flashed with excitement. It was good to see her so animated, although he had no idea what could have caused such a reaction.

Mrs Younge held up a hand as they passed, tucking her book under her arm. In his search to find Georgiana a companion, Mrs Younge had distinguished herself from the other candidates through her great elegance and relative youth, which seemed likely to make her better able to relate to her young charge. She had married young and been widowed young by an unfortunate turn of events. More importantly still, Mrs Younge was well read and had an excellent handle on French and Latin. So far, after only a few weeks together, it seemed that he had made the right decision in hiring her to be Georgiana's companion. Darcy hoped Georgiana would also grow in confidence under the woman's tutelage. It seemed a reasonable expectation. The woman had an excellent sense of poise. Surely she could communicate a little of that confidence to her young charge.

He turned back to his letter writing until Georgiana's voice once again broke into his concentration. "Brother! Brother, come out here with us!" She beckoned with an excited wave of her hand. Darcy set down his quill, stood, and went to the window. He waved at her and was about to give an excuse. But when he saw the eagerness on her face, he could not very well refuse her.

"Just a moment, Georgiana." Darcy returned to the desk, swiftly cleaning up his writing implements. He then made his way outside and headed toward the pair.

Mrs Younge gave him a brilliant smile. "How do you do, Mr Darcy?"

"Hello, brother. Isn't it the most glorious day?" Georgiana asked.

"What was so important that I had to leave my letter writing?" Darcy asked, softening his words with a good-natured chuckle. He offered Georgiana his arm. They strolled together arm in arm, Mrs Younge falling into step on Georgiana's right.

"Oh, you will always have letters to write, Fitzwilliam. But you will not always have beautiful days such as this to walk in the garden with your favourite sister." Georgiana squeezed his arm affectionately.

"You are my only sister."

"Yes, well, you shall have to cherish me then, won't you?"

Darcy chuckled and held her closer. "I do indeed."

"Well, I do not want to interrupt such a touching family scene. I shall just take my book over to that pretty little bench and read while you two walk," Mrs Younge said. Perhaps she felt uncomfortable viewing his brotherly show of affection. Darcy did not much mind. It was good for Georgiana to have a companion, but it did not mean he and his sister should never have a private moment again. They were, after all, all each other had now that their parents were gone.

Darcy took a deep breath of the fresh late summer air as he strolled through the meandering paths. This had always been his place of solitude, a place to get away from the busyness of his world and breathe for a moment. Georgiana shared his love of nature. Since their father's death, they had made it a sort of tradition to take a walk together in the gardens whenever he was at home. As of late, he was not home often. The autumn presented a whirlwind of engagements and business dealings too pressing to leave to his agents. It would be good for Georgiana to have a companion.

He cast a sad glance at his sister. His pride and joy in Georgiana could only be darkened by one thing — the knowledge that before much longer, she must surely leave him. It would not be long before Georgiana made her debut on the London season. Beautiful, accomplished, and well-dowered as she was, she could surely find a suitable husband. Darcy could not wish it otherwise. It was only that Pemberley would seem terribly lonely once Georgiana was gone. The great house was too large for a family of two, let alone one. It would feel badly empty without her.

You shall have to fill it again. His thoughts disturbed him, sounding much too like his Aunt Catherine. He had no intention of taking to wife the woman she intended for him — her daughter, his own cousin. But someday, Darcy did hope to find a woman he could share his life with. He had no wish to remain alone forever.

"What are you thinking about?" Georgiana asked as she linked her arm through his, closing her eyes and turning her face up to the sunshine. Her innocent smile only enhanced her loveliness. At sixteen, she would not be in his care much longer. No, a woman as accomplished and graceful as Georgiana would have no trouble in finding a husband.

When he did not answer right away, she stilled and looked at him. "Is it Papa?" she asked softly.

"No, it is not Papa. I am only thinking how lonely I shall be here without you, when you decide to leave me for a worthy husband."

She gave a short laugh and released his arm. Georgiana turned and walked backward so she could face him, her eyes dancing with mischief. Or was that a little fear he saw? "That will not be for many years hence. Besides, it would behoove you to take a wife so she may take on the running of the household. And to give me some nieces and nephews," she added.

Darcy grabbed her hand and turned her back around so they were shoulder to shoulder. He tucked her arm into his, and they walked on. "Oh, so I see your motives in seeing me married are purely to your own ends, hmm?"

"Oh, most assuredly," Georgiana teased. "No, in all seriousness, Fitzwilliam, I wish to see you settled and happy. And if the lady happens to be accomplished, elegant, and with a certain — je ne sais quoi?" She peered at him for a long moment, then nodded as if she had decided something. "Yes, something about the eyes, I think you've said. She must have fine eyes."

"Intelligence, I think, is the word you are looking for. Remember this, Georgiana, beauty fades, but a quick mind and kindness may be treasured all one's life. That is what is most important in choosing a partner in marriage." Darcy could remember their father saying something similar when he was about the same age Georgiana was now. The late Mr Darcy had expressed himself much better, of course. Darcy could only do his best to share the wisdom he had received from their father.

"We are getting off topic," Georgiana said. With a renewed bounce in her step, she pulled him toward the fountain she was so fond of. She sighed contentedly. "You are right about one thing: I shall be sad to leave this place when it comes time. I fear I shall be lonely for the rest of my life when I do."

"Nonsense," Darcy said. "It will take some getting used to, I know, to make your home somewhere else. In the end, however, I am sure you will love your new home as much as Pemberley. Besides, you and your future husband, whoever he may be, shall always have a place here. Indeed, when you are blessed with children, I hope you shall bring them here often," Darcy replied, covering her hand with his. He looked up again at the house and sighed, imagining the halls echoing with the laughter of children. It would be good to have that kind of music in the house again, mixed with the pianoforte Georgiana made come to life. He looked at her again. Georgiana thought it was several years away before she would marry, but he did not believe she would last two London seasons before she was wed.

"Mrs Younge says I ought to get away from Pemberley for a time, see some sights and meet new people," Georgiana said.

"Does she?" Darcy asked. He raised a brow at the comment. Mrs Younge was an astute woman. He sometimes feared that her acuity might amount almost to cunning. Darcy privately shook his head, dismissing the thought. That was merely over-caution on his part, surely. "She seems to be settling in here well. Do you like her as your companion?"

"I do, very much."

"I am glad to hear it," Darcy replied. "And why exactly does she feel you need to leave Pemberley? Have you not always been happy here?"

"Of course I have," Georgina said. She gripped his arm a little tighter, alerting him to the fact that she was not completely comfortable with the thought of leaving, if only for the winter. It was customary for him to be gone from Pemberley on matters of business at all times during the year. Georgiana had led a sheltered life and seemed to enjoy her time alone. But she was growing into a lovely young woman. It was only right for her to get out into society. She ought to spend more time laughing with other lively young people, learning to get along with others before being thrown into the chaos of a London season. There was only so much her governess could teach her. Now, it would be up to Mrs Younge to guide her in the last steps of becoming a young lady.

Darcy faltered. It was times like these that he wished more than ever that his mother was still alive. He did not like to leave such delicate matters to strangers. But what choice did he have? He was certainly not adept at the kind of conversation and social graces that recommended one to new acquaintances. He was too stoic and shy to be called charming. Perhaps it would benefit his sister to go out into the world and learn those social graces for herself, from someone like Mrs Younge, who was more adept at such things. For not the first time, he wished he had learned to be more outspoken. Darcy's friendships were fond and deep, but relatively few. He had never been one to make new acquaintances wherever he went.

"Leave Pemberley," he said absently as they continued past Georgiana's favourite fountain and out into the surrounding green. For himself, he would have loved to stay at Pemberley and never leave. It was so lovely here. It had been the work of generations to gradually, subtly enhance the natural beauty of the wooded hills. Darcy never ceased to be grateful that his family had chosen to settle here, and that none among the former masters of Pemberley had spoiled the gifts of nature with an awkward taste. Where they had swelled a stream of some natural importance into greater or created the grand avenue of trees that led to the house, they had consulted the beauty of what already was far more than the fashions of their own era.

When his father had taken over the estate upon Darcy's grandfather's passing, he had taken pleasure in erecting two follies on the hills surrounding the property — one for Darcy, and one for Georgiana. He still remembered well the delight of visiting ‘his' folly as a boy. Even yet, Darcy found himself smiling in fond remembrance whenever his eyes chanced to fall on it.

Now it was his turn to be caretaker of the Pemberley estate, and he had discovered that making his mark for future generations of Darcys was not so easy. As of yet, he had not wanted to change what his grandfather and father had built. Though years had gone by since his father had died, leaving Georgiana and Pemberley in his care, the loss sometimes felt as fresh as ever.

"Do not look so downcast, Fitz. It will only be for the winter. And it shall be good for me," Georgiana said, intruding on his thoughts.

He nodded, coming back to the present. "I shall arrange for you and Mrs Younge to accompany me to London, if you like? I have some business to attend to there before the roads become impassable."

"Oh. not London, please, brother," Georgiana said with a slight pout.

"Not London?"

"No. I was thinking somewhere quieter. Perhaps a country town where we might fall in with some of the local families?" Georgiana halted on the little winding path, biting her lower lip. "Mrs Younge has suggested a town called Meryton with a charming countryside and very good society."

"Meryton?" Darcy asked. He had never heard of the place.

"Yes, she says it would be a much less intimidating place for me to begin entering society. Less abrupt, if you will."

Darcy chuckled softly, taking his sister's hand and squeezing it. "I understand, sister. Are you sure you would not like to go to London? It is rather busy, I know, but you would not have to attend any more parties and assemblies than you wished, and you would have Mrs Younge to guide you." He stopped on the little path, so he could look into her eyes and gauge what was going on in her mind.

"No, I would much rather go to Meryton if it meets with your approval. London is still too large for my taste, I think." Georgiana seemed determined, not frightened. But what had set Georgiana so badly against London? She had always seemed to enjoy their visits before, though there had not then been any question of Georgiana being out in society. Or perhaps it was Mrs Younge. She was filling Georgiana's head with ideas, and part of him wished she would leave well enough alone. He had hoped providing a companion would have induced Georgiana to stay here in Pemberley with him for a little longer. But it was selfish of him to want to keep her here always. If she wanted to go out and explore the world, who was he to stand in her way?

Darcy took her hands. He faced her and went on softly, his heart clenching inside his chest even as he said the words. "It pleases me that you want to get out into society. I shall start making the arrangements for you and Mrs Younge to go to Meryton immediately. It may take a while to find an appropriate set of lodgings and make sure they are up to standard. But by the end of autumn, you shall be in Meryton, ready to start this new adventure."

Georgiana leaned up and kissed his cheek, then wrapped her arms around his neck to give him a tight squeeze. "Oh, thank you, Fitzwilliam! Thank you!" Georgiana leaned away and ran off in the direction they had come. She jumped up and down for a moment in front of Mrs Younge, who had been peacefully reading at a little bench in the shade. "He said yes!" Her voice echoed over the garden and came back to him.

Darcy frowned, watching as Mrs Younge stood, no doubt told Georgiana to calm herself, and then took her hands as they discussed in hushed tones. Had the plan been Georgiana's idea, or had Mrs Younge pressed her into asking him? He was not opposed to Mrs Younge suggesting things to help improve Georgiana's education. But he did not much like the idea of being corralled. He frowned, looking after his sister as she chattered excitedly with Mrs Younge about all that they would do and see that winter. No doubt it was nothing. Mrs Younge had simply seen that Georgiana was too nervous to enjoy London and suggested another town that might suit her. There was surely nothing more to it than that.