Hertfordshire. Will never did things like that before he met Mr. Bingley, but I see that Charles has found an antidote for his restlessness,” and she smiled at Jane.
“Your description of Mr. Bingley’s need for movement is quite accurate, Miss Darcy,” Lizzy responded, “as he danced every dance at that first assembly and made an excellent impression on his company.”
“And what of Will?” Georgiana asked of a brother whom she loved dearly.
“He definitely made an impression, which was remarked upon by almost everyone,” Lizzy said in as cheerful a tone as she could command. “Isn’t that right, Jane?” Her sister nodded, but said nothing for fear she would laugh.
“I am very glad to hear it,” and after playing her hand, whispered to Lizzy, “Sometimes Will can get a bit cranky, but he is the best of brothers.”
After three rounds, the ladies left the card tables in search of conversation, and the discussion eventually turned to Derbyshire. The Gardiners revealed that they had been successful in convincing Lizzy to join them for their holiday, and Jane mentioned that Charles and she would visit the Peak in the spring.
“To me, the Peak is beautiful no matter what time of year it is. The fruit trees bloom all through the spring, the heather is best seen in September, and the autumn colors are at their peak right now.” Looking to Mrs. Gardiner, Georgiana asked, “Is it not possible to move up your visit as the colors will not be nearly as brilliant in three weeks’ time?”
“Miss Darcy, those dates were forced upon us by the lack of accommodations at the inns. We took the first opening we could get.”
“Yes, that is true. I know the inn at Lambton is very busy at this time of year. I assume you wrote to them as well?”
Mrs. Gardiner nodded.
“I would not recommend any other place in Lambton as some can be rather dirty,” and then a smile crossed Georgiana’s face. “You must stay at Pemberley. Although we will not be in residence, as Will has business in town, the servants will be at your service, and if you ride, the grooms will provide the perfect mount for you.”
Without consulting her aunt, Lizzy answered for the Gardiners in something like a stutter. “No. Thank you, but no. It is appreciated, but it is not possible. No thank you.”
Jane looked at her sister and shook her head indicating that saying “no” so many times might be seen as being ungracious, and when Lizzy looked at her aunt, she watched as her puzzled expression turned to one of understanding. Her niece was in love with Mr. Darcy.
“In years past, we have had many visitors stay at Pemberley when we were not there,” Georgiana said in an effort to try to reassure Lizzy. “If Mr. Gardiner’s business allows him to leave earlier, I would highly recommend that you do so and stay at Pemberley,” and added, “Miss Elizabeth, it is most definitely not an inconvenience. The gardens are particularly lovely at this time of the year, and our gardener, Mr. Ferguson, dearly loves to show visitors about the estate.”
“But your brother has not agreed to such a scheme, Miss Darcy,” which she said with some urgency as the men were leaving the card tables. Lizzy hoped that Miss Darcy would accept the fact that her offer had been declined, but she would not.
“For a long time now, Will has told me that once I had turned eighteen, I would be the mistress of Pemberley until such time as he took a wife. Therefore, I should feel free to invite my friends to our home.”
At that time, Darcy came and stood behind his sister, indicating that he was ready to leave.
“Will, the Gardiners and Miss Elizabeth are to visit the Peak in three weeks’ time, and I have tried to convince them that they should move up that date as the colors are nearing their peak.”
“Georgiana is correct, Mrs. Gardiner. One good storm and every leaf will be stripped off the trees. If it can be arranged, I would encourage you to do so.”
“I know they would like to do that, Will,” Georgiana continued, “but there are no accommodations at any of the inns. So I suggested that they stay at Pemberley.”
Darcy opened his mouth to say something, but nothing came out, and after an uncomfortably long pause, Mrs. Gardiner announced they would adhere to their original plans, but thanked Georgiana for her invitation.
Because Darcy had been caught flatfooted by his sister’s offer, he was aware that his response had been less than gracious. “Please forgive me for not responding immediately, Mrs. Gardiner. I was thinking that my sister and I would be in town and unable to welcome you. However, despite our absence, there is no reason why you should not stay at Pemberley. We have an army of servants to see to your needs, and they are happier when there are guests in the house.”
“Will, I believe if one of us was in residence they would accept our offer, so I shall go with them. You will be busy seeing to your business affairs, and London is rather dull at this time of year.”
Instead of everyone looking at the speaker, the ladies were all looking at Mr. Darcy to see what his reaction to his sister’s plan would be.
“Georgiana, there would be a lot of details to work out as I will have need of the carriage.”
It was then that Mr. Gardiner joined the party, and after being informed of Miss Darcy’s offer, he jumped right at it. With visions of fish practically jumping into his creel, he explained to Mr. Darcy that the carriage would not be an issue.
“I keep a carriage—not in town, of course, as the costs are prohibitive, but it only takes two days to make arrangements to have it brought in. If your concern is for your sister’s safety while traveling, I have a manservant who spent some of his youth on the boxing circuit. He is a handy fellow to have about when I go down to the docks.”
“It appears that all there is left to do is to work out the details,” Mr. Darcy said, all the while looking at his sister.
Chapter 16
When Mr. Bingley took the seat opposite to her in the carriage, Georgiana was relieved because it forced Will to sit next to her, and in that way, her brother would not be able to stare her down. But the ride was merely a brief respite. As soon as they arrived at Netherfield, Darcy said good night to Mr. Bingley, explaining that he needed to discuss some of the details for their early departure with his sister.
As soon as she went into the study, Georgiana poured a glass of port for her brother. After handing it to him, he gestured for her to sit down, but said nothing. In Will’s case, silence was not a good sign.
Darcy rarely raised his voice as he considered it to be a sign of weakness. If one could not present an argument without shouting the other fellow down, then his case had no merit, and it would be a sorry day if he ever raised his voice to a woman. But he was unhappy with the latest turn of events, and he was trying to cool his anger.
“Georgiana, what do you think you are playing at?” Will asked in an even but stern tone. “And do not look at me like that. You know exactly what I am talking about.”
“Since the Gardiners already had plans to go to Derbyshire, it seemed the right thing to do. I really like them, and I am already quite fond of Miss Elizabeth.”
“This is about Elizabeth, isn’t it?”
Georgiana nodded. “I think you like her very much.”
“Well, this explains some things,” he said, standing up, and he started to pace. “Up until yesterday, Miss Montford could do no wrong, but now everything has changed. She cannot sing, speaks a language which is of little benefit to anyone, and has a nose which points to the left.”
“To the right,” and Will looked at her with a blank expression. “Her nose points to the right. Whenever she visits us, she always sits in the blue chair, and her nose points toward the street.”
An exasperated Darcy sat back down on the sofa and started to rub his forehead. He was getting another headache. As soon as he had departed the Bennets’ house, he had decided he must leave Hertfordshire immediately because he could easily have asked himself the same question: What did he think
