Chapter 9

Darcy adjusted his cravat as he waited for his sister in the foyer of the home he had rented for Georgiana and Mrs Younge. The older woman had already come downstairs, stating that his sister had wanted to make an entrance. Darcy had only raised a brow. Georgiana had never been one to show off. However, perhaps this was a good sign that she was beginning to come out of herself. If it meant that Georgiana might begin to take a greater interest in her appearance, he could only encourage her.

He turned as Georgiana cleared her throat at the top of the stairs. Darcy watched as his sister descended, looking radiant. For a moment, tears pricked his eyes. Every day, the little girl he had grown up with and helped to raise was slipping away, replaced by a young woman of refinement.

"Well, how do I look?" she asked. Her blue eyes sparkled as he looked her up and down with an approving nod.

"You are ever more becoming a fine young woman. Our mother and father would be proud of you." He took her hand and helped her down the last couple of steps, kissing her cheeks when she set foot on the landing. "Not only in outward appearance, but in heart and mind."

She playfully swatted at his arm and then he spun her round so he could see the full effect of her shimmering, dusty pink gown. "You spoil me, brother."

"I cannot help it, Georgiana, for you are entirely deserving of being spoiled," Darcy replied with a smile. However, as he looked at her more closely, he wondered if her ensemble was a bit too lavish for the supper party they would attend that evening. He told himself to forget the concern. Of course, Mrs Younge would have seen to her apparel and made sure it was appropriate. "Before long, you will be the belle of Meryton."

Georgiana hung her head and wrung her gloved hands. "I do not care for all that, as you well know. I only wish to make some genuine friends while I am here, and overcome this shyness that has held me so tightly until now."

Darcy offered her his arm as they made their way to the door. "And do you feel its clutches loosening, Georgie?" He reverted to her childhood nickname, now used so rarely. "It seems so, from what I can see."

"Yes, I believe so. I think there is only one way to go from here, and that is up." She glanced over her shoulder at the parlour and suddenly dropped her arm from his. "Oh, I almost forgot!" She rushed into the parlour and soon returned with some sheet music. "Do you think they will mind if I bring along a new piece for Mary and I to try after supper?"

"No, not at all."

She took his arm once more, and they headed to the door. Georgiana raised her chin, took a last look in the large gilded mirror to her right, and took her wrap from the maid standing dutifully by the door.

"I am glad to hear you are feeling more at ease here."

"As am I."

He helped Mrs Younge and Georgiana into the carriage, the latter sitting across from the two siblings.

The ride to Longbourn was quiet, save for the occasional remark on the mildness of the evening, and how beautiful the stars were as they accompanied the full moon across the sky. "I shall have to remember this night, so I might paint it in my sketchbook tomorrow. Would it not make a beautiful landscape?"

"Anything you put your hand to will be magical," Darcy replied.

"Hopefully, the Bennet's modest home will not be too much of a disappointment to you, Mr Darcy," Mrs Younge cut in. "As I told you before, Mr Bennet is an upstanding country gentleman, but with limited means. I should not be surprised if a few of their daughters will be absent tonight."

Darcy did not care for the way Mrs Younge spoke of the Bennets, especially in front of his sister. "Why should they be?"

"Well, preparing the courses, I am sure," Mrs Younge purred. She gave a meaningful bat of her eyelashes at him. The intent of the gesture was obviously anything but flirtatious. On the contrary, it was a reminder of the warnings she did not care to repeat within Georgiana's hearing. Darcy gave her a small nod, indicating that the message had been received.

"They are perfectly able to keep a cook, Mrs Younge," Georgiana said, jumping to her new friends' defence.

"And how would you know that, my dear?" Mrs Younge asked.

"Miss Elizabeth Bennet was helping her mother with the meal plans and sent a brief note to see if there was anything in our diets that would need to be excluded." Georgiana narrowed her eyes. "I think it was very civil of her to ask."

Darcy wanted nothing to cloud his sister's evening. He cleared his throat and tried to smooth things over as best he could. "Her mother did not see to the meal? How very helpful of Miss Elizabeth Bennet."

"I think you will like her very much, Fitz." Georgiana's face brightened once more, the tension forgotten.

"I am sure I shall." Only Mrs Younge saw his raised eyebrow, token of the thanks he owed her for the warning to be on his guard against the wiles of Elizabeth Bennet. He would soon see for himself if she was truly a friend to Georgiana. Woe betide Elizabeth Bennet if she were not. Darcy had little patience for the idea of anyone counterfeiting kindness to gain his favour.

Longbourn was alight with candles in every window. The brick house was old, but well-maintained, from what he could see. And though much smaller than Pemberley, it was nothing for Mr Bennet or his family to be ashamed of. They had barely got out of the carriage when the front door was flung open, the bright candlelight trickling down the steps like a happy little stream, and the whole family came out on the stoop to greet them.

Surprised, Darcy followed his sister and Mrs Younge up the steps, where they were ushered into a small foyer.

"Miss Bennet. Mrs Younge, how good of you to come to our home," Mr Bennet began. "And Mr Darcy, I presume?" The older gentleman bowed. "What a pleasure that you could join us."

"The pleasure is all mine, Mr Bennet." Darcy gave a slight bow at the waist. He was careful not to seem too warm at first. It was not difficult. Georgiana was not the only one with a tendency towards shyness, although Darcy had learned to function despite it.

"Come in, come in," Mrs Bennet said. She giggled as she led them down the hall toward the parlour. "Cook should announce supper any moment, but until then, we shall get to know each other better. How was your journey, Mr Darcy?"

The woman was talking so fast that he had trouble keeping up with her. They all went into the parlour, which barely fit all of them together. The men stood while the women sat in the chairs and settees, and there were women aplenty. Never had he known a man to have so many daughters, and while he and Mr Bennet stood aside, listening to the female chatter, he suddenly felt overwhelmed.

"How was your journey, Mr Darcy?" Mr Bennet asked calmly. It was such a far cry from what he had experienced thus far in the Bennet household that it took Darcy by surprise.

"It was uneventful," he replied.

"I hope you enjoy your stay here. My Lizzy and your sister seem to have kindled a fond friendship in the short time they have known each other." Mr Bennet nodded toward the pair, who were talking quietly in the corner. "I should hate to see them separated."

"We shall see, Mr Bennet." Darcy had planned only a brief visit before he went on to London to attend to business for the winter. After his discussion with Mrs Younge, he was not sure he wanted Georgiana to stay in Meryton too long, especially if the second eldest Bennet daughter only wanted to use her to get close to him.

A short time later, Georgiana brought the two oldest girls over to him. "Miss Jane Bennet, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, allow me to present my brother, Fitzwilliam Darcy. Fitzwilliam, this is Miss Elizabeth Bennet, who was so kind to me at the first assembly. I shall ever be in her debt."

Miss Elizabeth Bennet laughed. "You make too much of what I did. I simply greeted a charming young girl who had come into our little town, and I am so very glad she did." She turned her attention to him. "How do you do, Mr Darcy? Miss Darcy has told us all so much about you, I feel as if we have already met."

He bowed slightly, exchanging a knowing look with Mrs Younge, who stood across the room with Mrs Bennet, barely paying attention to her excited chatter. Darcy put himself on guard. The family seemed nice enough, but were they perhaps too nice, too charming? After the warning Mrs Younge had given him, it was all too easy to imagine that none of it was sincere. "Pleasure," he replied simply.

"Miss Darcy has told us extensively about the grounds at Pemberley as well. You must be very proud of them," Miss Bennet said.

Darcy nodded. "We are." He made a mental note not to invite Bingley to join him in Meryton. Miss Bennet was a particularly fine example of the blonde-haired, blue-eyed beauties his friend preferred. If the Bennet family truly was as mercenary as he had been warned, Bingley would be easy prey for a woman who united so fair a face with so elegant a figure. It was not surprising that Jane Bennet was considered the beauty of the county. He was only surprised that the honour was not given equally to her sister. Yes, Elizabeth Bennet did not have her sister's fashionable height or dramatic colouring, but had no one in Meryton noticed her enchanting smile or the divine sparkle in her dark eyes? He would have to be on his guard not to be taken in, for it would be all too easy to forget his caution in the warmth of that smile.

The rest of the evening passed much like any other country supper, he supposed. It was perhaps less formal than he had expected, but he was not averse to it. After the supper, they retired to the drawing room, small as it was. He sat at the edge of the room, more inclined to listen than to speak, as Georgiana and Miss Mary Bennet played their piece on the pianoforte in another room of the house. The sound travelled easily to them. It looked as if Mr Bennet might actually fall asleep in his chair, while Mrs Bennet and Mrs Younge talked in hushed tones with the younger girls listening intently to every word. Meryton gossip, no doubt.

Miss Elizabeth and Miss Bennet came to sit beside him and keep him company. It was all too easy to see through their plans. Miss Bennet was kind, of course, but she was obviously holding back to let Miss Elizabeth Bennet shine. They had no doubt guessed that the younger, wittier sister would tempt him more than the elder.

"Do you enjoy travelling to London, Mr Darcy?" Miss Elizabeth Bennet asked. "Miss Darcy says that you find yourself there often, on business."

"I do not care for the crowds, no. But one does not always get to do what one wants," he replied.

"That is true," she replied. "What do you do for enjoyment, then? Riding, I suppose?"

"I rarely have time to ride for pleasure. But I enjoy it when I have the chance. Do you enjoy riding?"

Miss Elizabeth Bennet shrugged. "We do not have a horse that is worthy of the task. But I do love walking around the outskirts of the village and down the country lanes. I do not think there is anything more lovely than walking around in the sunshine with a good book in hand."

He glanced about the room, feeling as if his every move was being watched by the whole of the Bennet family. The younger sisters were snickering at him, holding their mouths behind their hands as they passed judgement on him. He shifted. "Your father allows you to walk about unattended?"

"It is not dangerous. There are few things to entertain here in Meryton, as I am sure you have come to understand during your short stay here." She sighed. "One does not need many diversions if one has a quick mind and can exercise a bit of imagination. My books take me to places I would not otherwise be able to visit. And then, of course, there are the public assemblies. I dearly love to dance."

"I see," was all he could think to say.

"Do you like to dance, Mr Darcy?"

She was being so welcoming and friendly that he had a difficult time holding himself aloof. However, as he was about to answer, he overheard Mrs Bennet turn to Mrs Younge and whisper in a conspiratorial tone. "It is fortunate that Elizabeth went to speak with Miss Darcy at the assembly, when no one else would." She paused for a moment, and Darcy held his breath to listen all the better, turning his face to the side to make them believe he was merely lost in thought. "It will surely put Elizabeth and my Jane in the path of rich men. All of my girls, really."

Darcy tried not to let his face show his disgust. Elizabeth frowned. "Are you well, Mr Darcy?"

He was sure his face had gone as white as a sheet. Or perhaps had turned a dark shade of red at the anger bubbling up inside him. It was all too clear that Mrs Younge's warning had been justified. Mrs Bennet was indeed baldly mercenary, and it was too much to expect that her daughters would think differently. It was shameful, but he knew well how to answer such behaviour. Darcy took a steadying breath, narrowing his eyes at her. "I would count it a punishment to stand up with most women," he said curtly.

Elizabeth's eyes lost some of their lustre. Though he felt a momentary regret, it was just as well. She ought to know that he would not be corralled into making an "advantageous match" with her. From where he sat, the match would only be an advantage to her and her family, while he had to deal with a mother-in-law who did not know when to stop talking. He glanced at Mr Bennet. Nor would he make much of a father-in-law, since he allowed his family to run amuck.

∞∞∞

Elizabeth stood at the back of the group as the Darcys and Mrs Younge said their goodbyes in preparation to return to their rented house. Mr Darcy looked as if the goodbyes were torture, standing aloof as his sister gave hearty thanks for the evening. There was no doubt that Miss Darcy had enjoyed the evening, for she and Mary were quickly becoming fast friends through their shared love of music. Or at least they would, if Mr Darcy allowed it.

He was a puzzle to her. At first, he had seemed warm and genteel. At other times, he had acted cold and withdrawn. Perhaps he was shy, just as Miss Darcy was. But there was something behind his gaze that made her question whether it was only shyness that made him glare at her as he walked out of the house. Had she said or done something to offend him?

"Miss Elizabeth Bennet," he said as he passed, giving her a polite nod.

"Mr Darcy," she said curtly. If he were going to treat them this way, she would not go out of her way to be especially friendly.

Miss Darcy came up to her next in the long lineup of her family wishing them a good evening. "It was a splendid supper party, Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Thank you so much for inviting us. I do not know when I have had a more wonderful time."

Forgetting her discomfort, Elizabeth leaned in and pressed her hand firmly, as she would one of her sisters. "It was our pleasure to have you all here with us tonight. We shall have to do it again soon."

"Yes, we shall. It may be a little while before I am back, though. I am thinking of going to London with my brother for a short time. May I give you my address, so we may write to each other while I am away?"

Elizabeth was touched by the suggestion. "I would count it a privilege."

Miss Darcy gave her the address for their London townhouse, and as soon as their guests were gone, Elizabeth headed up to the room she shared with Jane to write it down. Jane came in as she was finishing at the writing desk. She turned and smiled at her sister.

"That went well, do not you think?" Jane asked. She went behind the screen and began to change for bed.

"I do. At least, I believe Miss Darcy had a good time." She stood and walked over to the screen, standing on the other side to retrieve her sister's gown for the laundry while Jane changed into her nightdress. Elizabeth slung it over her arm, running her fingers over the beautiful light blue fabric. Her sister looked best in more vibrant colours, but felt that she would draw too much attention to herself if she wore them. Jane was entirely too modest.

"You do not think Mr Darcy enjoyed himself?" Jane asked as she came out from behind the screen and went to sit at the vanity to undo her hair.

Elizabeth placed her sister's gown on the trunk at the foot of their bed, folding it loosely. "I do not know what to make of him. At times, he seemed so wonderful. At others, it felt as if he were forced to be here upon pain of death. He is a difficult man to read." His comment about dancing had stung, for Elizabeth could not help but feel that his comment was pointed, quite deliberately pointed. "It is no matter. We shall see very little of him from now on, I believe, as he is on his way to London. It is a pity that his sister will be going with him, even if it is for a short time. I shall miss her."

"Yes, I think our acquaintance with Miss Darcy shall blossom into a beautiful friendship," Jane said. She got up and retrieved Elizabeth's gown where she had hung it over the top of the screen. Elizabeth struggled to loosen her stays. They seemed to have grown as difficult and unwieldy as Mr Darcy himself. She tried not to grunt in frustration. Hopefully, Mr Darcy would not discourage Miss Darcy from writing, but only time would tell.

"Yes, I believe it will as well," Elizabeth said. She slipped her nightdress over her head and walked out from behind the screen in her stocking feet. They helped each other with their hair, brushing and plaiting it for each other. But despite the excitement of the evening and how much work it had been to prepare for the evening's festivities, Elizabeth could not sleep. Whatever Mr Darcy's reasons for snubbing her, she would simply have to dismiss it from her mind, for there was certainly nothing she could do to change them.