Chapter 31

31

D arcy opened the letter from Bingley and, after deciphering it, went to find his sister. Unsurprisingly, she was at the instrument, apparently playing excerpts from several different pieces of music.

"I see you are occupying your mind differently today," he commented, and she glanced up, startled.

"Oh, I did not see you, William." She returned her gaze to the music. "I am trying what Miss Elizabeth said to you about seeing if it is different composers or the key the music is set in that makes the most difference."

"And what is your success?" He took her hand and led her to the sofa where the refreshments were being set out.

"Oh, it is such an interesting thing to do!" She was very animated today. "I wonder that not one of the masters I've learned from has ever suggested it to me." She sat back and looked at him. "But I am sure you came to speak about other matters. You would not ordinarily have come at this time of the morning."

Darcy nodded. "You are right," he waved the letter. "I have heard from Bingley. His marriage to the eldest Miss Bennet has been set for Tuesday, January 28 th , and he has asked that I stand up with him as groomsman."

She clapped her hands. "That is wonderful. I am sure he will not mind if I stay with you, and then I can sit with Miss Elizabeth in church while you do your duty."

He frowned slightly. "That might not … I expect Miss Bennet will ask her sister to stand up with her." A flame of heat went through him; one of the groomsman's duties was to escort the bride's attendant during the wedding breakfast. He would follow the newly-wed couple down the aisle after the ceremony with Miss Elizabeth on his arm, and stand beside her during the wedding breakfast. He shivered, it would be a wonderful torture.

"Oh. Well, I am sure I can manage to stand beside Miss Bingley for the service, so long as you rescue me afterwards."

"Be happy, my dear. Bingley appears to have grown a stronger backbone and has sent his sister to live with other relations because she was not being kind to Miss Bennet."

Her eyes widened. "I never thought he would bring himself to do that."

"I admit I am impressed. Miss Bennet seems to have made a great change in him."

"What is she like?" Georgiana put her head on one side.

"I will admit she is very beautiful, in the tall, fair-haired way that Bingley finds attractive. But he has taken the time to get to know her properly and she is an estimable woman, very calm and serene. I think they suit each other very well."

"Well, I imagine Mrs. Hurst is there, I can sit with her if I have not made friends with the other Bennet sisters by then." Georgiana sounded determined.

He smiled faintly. "They are rather … loud and uninhibited, Georgiana." He sighed. "But Aunt Alice will not be pleased if we are in Hertfordshire at the beginning of the season."

She shrugged slightly. "We will need to leave Netherfield anyway after the wedding. The weather may be too bad for them to take a wedding tour."

Darcy's heart sank; he had counted on having Netherfield as a base for however long it took to win Miss Elizabeth's heart. "Perhaps we need to invite ourselves for the few weeks before the occasion, then. I will ask Bingley."

Richard

I am going back to Hertfordshire within the next week and will be staying there until after Bingley's wedding — I am his groomsman.

Georgiana will be coming with me at her request, and I am wondering if you would be able to come too, so that you can take care of her while I am occupied during the ceremony?

It will also mean you have less time in town to receive the pressure from your mother regarding all the debutantes she is placing in your path. I have asked Bingley and he has said that you are welcome to come with us.

I have also made the acquaintance of a local gentleman there who is quite possibly your equal at chess, and I am impatient to see if he can beat you.

If you are able to win, I would be surprised; but will then wonder if you can bring yourself to accept a challenge at the game from his daughter, who is also able to beat me soundly.

Do not reply to this letter; Georgiana and I leave for town tomorrow, as I believe the weather will mean a slower journey. We will stay the night of the Sabbath at Darcy House before leaving for Hertfordshire; I will have the opportunity to speak to you then.

Yours, etc

Darcy

Five days later, he listened idly as Georgiana chattered away to Richard as his coach left the crowded streets of London and began the quieter roads towards Meryton and Miss Elizabeth.

The warmth within him was entirely due to thoughts of her, he knew that; she was in his mind constantly, her appearance as fresh in his mind as the day he had farewelled her.

But every time he heard Georgiana say the name Santorio, he was pulled out of his pleasant thoughts; although he rarely thought of the composer without recalling the first time he heard Miss Elizabeth play at Lucas Lodge.

"Why are you smiling like that, Darcy?" Richard's voice was a ruder interruption.

He took a deep breath. "I was enjoying listening to you and Georgiana conversing."

"Don't try to pass off such a vacant mooncalf expression like that to me, cousin. I'll wager there is a young lady behind that expression."

Darcy scowled at him. "Mind your words in front of my sister!"

Richard bowed his head to Georgiana. "My apologies, madam." Then he cast a sly glance at Darcy before looking intently at Georgiana. "But do you know of any young lady taking your brother's attention?"

Though she blushed, she sat up straighter. "I am not saying a word, Richard. I want you to leave him alone, or I will be very angry with you!"

Darcy grinned at Richard's discomfort. "My sister is growing up, yes?" Then he took pity on his cousin. "Would you like me to tell you about the chess opponent I have found for you?"

They found Netherfield welcoming, despite early preparations for the wedding being visible as the ballroom doors were wide open; tables had been set up there for the wedding breakfast.

"Is the breakfast not being held at Longbourn?" Darcy enquired.

"No," Bingley beamed. "Mrs. Bennet was quite insistent that she would not prevent me having my way to hold it here."

"You had volunteered to host the wedding breakfast?" Darcy could hardly believe his ears.

"Well, no, not really. But it was obvious that was what Jane's mother wanted, so of course, Jane did too. And Louisa has been a marvel."

Mrs. Hurst nodded and smiled, and Darcy bowed to her. The atmosphere here was completely different to what he would have expected had Miss Bingley still been resident.

He suddenly couldn't repress a smile; he would not need to have his valet sleeping in his chambers to prevent a compromise.

"What is it?" Georgiana whispered to him, and he lowered his head towards her.

"I will sleep better this time, for you know when Miss Bingley was here before, I had to endure Maunder on a cot in my chambers."

She giggled, and Richard frowned over at them. Darcy bent to his sister again. "I think Richard is going to ask you what we were laughing about."

"I can use that to distract him from trying to find out about Miss Elizabeth if you like," she whispered back.

Darcy shook his head. "While I would be grateful, I am sure he will notice it soon enough." But he was not down-hearted. He knew Aunt Alice was on his side; he just had to hope that Miss Elizabeth might soon feel more kindly towards him.

First of all, he would have to apologise to her once again about not consulting her before writing to his aunt.