Chapter 22

Almost two weeks after his meeting in the park with Elizabeth, Darcy was with his cousins in a sitting room at Grosvenor Square. The three of them had been riding earlier and had just finished a light repast.

“I introduced your Miss Bennet to Mother and Father. We were promenading in the park and met her and Miss Reed quite by accident,” Bramwell said, obviously attempting to act as though it was an insignificant event, although clearly it was not.

“Accident, was it?” Fitzwilliam asked, his voice indicating he was dubious.

Bramwell shrugged. Darcy did not know what to think. His cousin surely could not have known that Elizabeth and Rebecca would be in the park, but then, Bramwell had a way of knowing things.

“She is not my Miss Bennet,” he said.

“Are you sure about that?” Bramwell waggled his eyebrows.

Fitzwilliam, who sat beside his brother, punched his arm. “Leave it.”

“If it were not for Georgiana, would you be against him marrying Miss Bennet?” Bramwell asked bluntly.

Fitzwilliam scowled and hesitated before admitting, “I suppose not, despite it being a poor match for him. But the fact is, we do have to consider Georgiana.”

“We have to help Georgiana see that she is not a wicked little girl who deserves endless punishment and thus seeks it from herself since she is not going to receive it from either of you, as her guardians, or the rest of us, as her family.” Bramwell took his fob watch from his pocket and began to polish it with a handkerchief. “I have decided to marry. Since Georgiana spends a fair amount of time at Romsley Hall, and I expect my wife and I shall receive many invitations to Pemberley, she will spend more time with my dearest wife, which will aid her. Georgiana, that is. My wife will like it too, needless to say.”

Fitzwilliam sighed. “Whom have you decided to marry? I notice you do not name her, which can only mean you hope we shall tease you into telling us. I warn you, I shall only ask this once.”

“Do you not know?” Darcy asked. He had guessed Bramwell’s interest in his cousin Rebecca weeks earlier.

“Do you?” the brothers said at the same time.

Darcy shrugged, and if he were not so melancholic at the thought of Elizabeth, he might have laughed at the petulant look Bramwell sent his way.

“I refuse to identify the lady until everything is settled.” Bramwell watched Darcy until he shrugged again to signal that he would keep his suspicions to himself. “Once Georgiana has regained a little of her strength, I see no reason why you and Miss Bennet should not likewise marry. She would be an excellent sister.”

“Just how well do you know her?” Fitzwilliam demanded.

“Well enough. Darcy, explain the situation to her and give her—and yourself—hope.”

While Darcy affirmed that he had, Fitzwilliam again ordered his brother, “Leave it alone. The matter is settled. Darcy will find another lady, one more acceptable to the family and especially to Georgiana, and Miss Bennet will attract another gentleman. In fact, I hear Robert Grey has been spending a great deal of time with her and the Bingleys.”

Darcy stood and walked to the door. Before he left the room, he heard Bramwell say to his brother, “You are an insensible imbecile?—”

Several days later, Darcy escorted Georgiana and Mrs Annesley shopping. They were leaving a warehouse just as Mrs Bingley and Elizabeth were entering, and naturally they stopped to greet each other. He doffed his hat, introduced Mrs Bingley to Mrs Annesley, and thereafter observed Elizabeth and his sister.

“Miss Bennet, how good it is to see you again,” Mrs Annesley said. They had met in Derbyshire.

“And you. Are you finding your time in town pleasurable? I recall you telling my aunt that you have a sister who lives here.”

They talked about Mrs Annesley’s family and similar matters. Other than greeting Georgiana and Darcy politely, Elizabeth did not even glance their way. It was a kindness as far as Georgiana went. As soon as they had seen Elizabeth and Mrs Bingley, his sister had stiffened, and Darcy suspected Elizabeth meant to make the encounter as easy as possible for her. He wished she would at least look at him, but Georgiana might notice; Elizabeth would worry that she might find even that disturbing. If only his sister understood how much she was doing for her—her kindness this morning, the way she refused to consider a future with him, despite her wishes! Perhaps then Georgiana would be more willing to accept the possibility of their marriage.

The previous Sunday, Darcy had mentioned returning to Derbyshire soon, but Fitzwilliam had been against it. He did not want to be separated from Georgiana before he must be, and he could not leave town at present. The earl and countess also did not like the idea, believing it was better for them to remain together at what was a difficult time for the Darcys. Seeing Elizabeth renewed Darcy’s desire to leave London. It was too hard to be in her presence. She had said that it would be better if they both accepted that their situation would not change, and as much as he hated to admit it, she was correct.

In two or three weeks, I shall inform my family that Georgiana and I are going home. There, I shall immerse myself in work and long rides across the park.

At breakfast one morning in early May, Bingley spoke of how much he had enjoyed the last weeks and sought reassurance that Elizabeth and Jane had likewise. In truth, as they moved through the end of April and into the early weeks of the new month, Elizabeth found herself growing weary of being in town. It was diverting in its own way, to be sure, but the spring weather made her long for the country.

Nevertheless, she said, “For my part, I certainly have. Next to spending so much time with you and my sister, I have liked meeting so many new people.”

“Perhaps Grey especially?” Bingley laughed and waved a hand to indicate she need not reply. “I am only teasing you, Lizzy. I know he likes you very much, but even though I introduced you to him?—”

“And every other single man of your acquaintance,” she remarked archly.

He laughed. “It is not because I am anxious for you to marry him or any other man. Jane and I would only wish for you to know the happiness we have found. Is that not right, my dear?”

“Yes, of course, but Lizzy will know when…well, when she is prepared to marry.” Jane’s expression was remorseful, probably because she knew the thought of giving her heart to any man was presently distasteful to Elizabeth. Jane cleared her throat and said, “Bingley and I were discussing leaving town soon. Not immediately, but perhaps in three or four weeks. What do you think?”

Elizabeth gave a light laugh. “Just last night, I realised that I was beginning to yearn for the country.”

“Did I not tell you she would be longing for a good country ramble, Jane?” Bingley said. “There is one other matter for you to consider, Lizzy.”

“Oh?” She hoped it was that Jane suspected she was with child, and she was a little disappointed when no such disclosure was made, despite having seen no sign of it herself.

“We have talked of finding a new estate. Bingley has heard of several potential properties,” Jane explained.

“We thought it would be fun to embark on a tour to see them so that we can decide which one we like best. My experience at Netherfield taught me it was important to consider the house, grounds, how well the estate has been managed, the neighbourhood, et cetera, et cetera. I could not possibly make such an important decision without hearing Jane’s opinion. Most of those my agent has suggested are north of London, and we could plan our route to end in Scarborough so that we could visit my family. I am not asking Louisa and Caroline to join us.”

“But we hope you will.” Jane reached across the table to clasp Elizabeth’s hand.

“Of course we do! Did I not say that?” Bingley asked.

Jane and Elizabeth both shook their heads.

“Well, you must,” he went on. “Remember, we are determined that you will stay with us until you marry or grow fatigued of our company.”

“It is impossible that I would ever grow tired of your company,” Elizabeth interjected.

Jane squeezed her hand. “We have spoken of it a great deal and have decided we do not wish to remain at Netherfield. I know Mama will be disappointed.”

Elizabeth laughed before her sister could continue. “She will simply have to accept that it is your decision to make.” She looked between Jane and Bingley. “I love my mother dearly—I truly do—but we all know that if you lived so close to her, she would not be content to let you live your lives without interfering at every turn! You have made a wise decision. Now, please, I beg of you, tell me about these estates. I find the notion of you choosing a new home delightful!”