Assumed Engagement (18 page)

Oh Jane, how will you bear that woman’s ill manners? I do not envy you one bit!
Caroline's remarks stung. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a tattered handkerchief, to gently wipe her eyes. She looked at it, suddenly thinking of her lost one. Since Georgiana had not mentioned it, she assumed it had not been found, and probably would not be now. As she dabbed her eyes, she breathed in the scent of the gardenia toilet water that she always sprinkled on it. It had a comforting effect on her. She took her handkerchief and, along with the letter to Georgiana, stuffed them into her pocket.

As she came into town, she saw the carriage in which Caroline had been riding and
Elizabeth
went around another way to avoid it. The last thing she wanted was another encounter with her. She quickly posted the letter and then set out to return home.

As she walked back to Longbourn, she again pondered the words of Caroline. As her thoughts approached that tall, dark man who had time and again been thrown into her life, she dared not allow herself to think that he would continue to think favourably of her. When they were together last, it had been disastrous! The first time, she refused his offer of proposal with very scathing words. Then, he rightly accused her of manipulating Jane and Charles, as well as deceiving his sister and causing her great distress.

No, it did not look good, and she resolved to put him out of her mind. If she could.

*~*~*

As Fitzwilliam entered the study to join Darcy, he knew that the teasing must cease, and he must put on his business air. His cousin always trusted his business sense, preferring to have a differing point of view on some particular business question or transaction. Fitzwilliam always obliged him; however very rarely did Darcy take his counsel if it differed from his.

"So what is this that you want to talk with me about, Darcy?"

Darcy took a deep breath, holding it a few seconds before releasing it. "I know that right now you are in the mood to tease me, but what I am about to say, I am very serious about."

"Go on."

"I was in
Cambridge
these past few days, talking with an old friend of mine who now works in the offices at the university. I also spent some time in the library doing some research." He glanced up at Fitzwilliam. "I was doing some research… on communicating with the deaf."

Fitzwilliam’s jaw dropped and his eyes widened. Then, out of incredulous humour, said, "My name is Richard Fitzwilliam, Sir. I do not believe I have made your acquaintance. You are…?" He held out his hand as if to shake it.

Darcy continued, ignoring his taunt. "I am in earnest, Fitz. This all began when I found out that the four-year-old daughter of my head stable hand is deaf. They cannot communicate with her. She cannot communicate with them. But I found out there is a school in
France
where they teach communication to the deaf by using signs with the hands."

He pulled out a packet of papers, and took one out, giving it to Fitzwilliam. On it were drawings of hands in different positions, and words, or letters of the alphabet that signified what they mean. "This friend of mine in
Cambridge
had inherited some land years ago on the south end of Derbyshire. He has never done anything with it. He has always been after me to buy it, as he has no interest in it." He pulled out a business transaction. "I would like to buy that land, and then donate it to start a similar school here. Upon checking, I have discovered that there are several deaf people in and around Derbyshire that would benefit from such a school. In the neighbouring counties I am sure there are even more."

"Are you serious, Darcy? I know that you have always been generous… you have always given to charity without blinking an eye, but this… You have taken, dare I say it, an active interest in them!" He recalled Georgiana's telling him of their visits to the poor and marvelled at this attempt both on his part and his sister's to transform him. "What is going on
Darce
? Georgiana told me of her taking you with her on her visits. Could you miraculously be getting involved personally in people's lives? Particularly those of inferior circumstance?"

"Do you find anything wrong in that, Fitzwilliam?" He seriously wanted his cousin's opinion on the matter.

"No, of course not. It is just a little out of character, out of
your
character. I am just wondering why. This, by any chance, does not have anything to do with Miss Elizabeth
Bennet
, does it?"

"Why does Miss
Bennet
always have to be the reason for something?" he answered defensively. "You know I am always trying to improve myself."

"So you are saying this has nothing to do with her?"

Darcy felt pushed to the limit.
Yes!
he wanted to scream.
It has everything to do with her! She opened my eyes to who I really am!
He stuffed his hands into his pocket, and grabbed the handkerchief that remained his constant companion. He fingered it inside his pocket as he said, "Fitzwilliam, my desire to improve myself at this moment is partly because it is Georgiana's wish. You may also attribute it to being so close to death. Things look differently to me now."

His answer was only partly true. Much had to do with Miss
Bennet
. He hoped his words sounded convincing.

"But if Miss
Bennet
does
notice an improvement in your character, that is an added benefit, is it not?" He gave his cousin a shrewd smile, raising his eyebrows at him in question.

Darcy scrutinized Fitzwilliam to determine whether he was teasing or serious. Darcy decided to be honest and vulnerable in his answer, hoping it would diffuse the teasing. Softly, he said, "I cannot count on that, but yes. I would consider it to be a most desirable benefit. Although I am not holding my breath that she will change her opinion of me."

"Tell me, Darcy." Fitzwilliam was serious now. "I thought we were close, that we shared everything. Why did you not share with me what was going on between the two of you at
Rosings
? When we left, I noticed you were upset, yet you refused to confide in me what was disturbing you. I thought we were better friends than that."

"I was going to tell you."

"And when exactly was that going to be?"

"Probably not for about twenty years." Darcy looked at him and a smile came across his face. "Now, let us go look over this paperwork and tell me what you think."

*~*~*

The next morning Darcy walked into the dining room to find Fitzwilliam and Georgiana laughing. His first inclination was that they were laughing at his expense and he almost did not continue in, but after a thought, changed his mind and entered. "Good morning, Fitz. Good morning, Georgiana."

Georgiana looked at him with eyes filling with tears as her laughter continued. "Good morning, Brother."

"Good morning,
Darce
. Come right in. Your sister and I were just reflecting on what life will be like in twenty years here at
Pemberley
, with all your charitable causes in which you will be involved. Shall we have picnics on the grounds for all of Lambton, bringing in clowns and ponies for the children, and maybe merry-go-rounds and…"  He laughed as he winked at Georgiana, "You could start a food kitchen, providing warm meals in the winter for the destitute."

"Enough, Fitz. I do not think
Pemberley
is going to become some sort of social goodwill club for the general populace. You find it so amusing that I am doing a few acts of charity?"

"I was just telling your sister about your proposal for the school. Even she is overtaken with astonishment by such prodigious actions."

Darcy looked at his sister who returned his gaze with much admiration in her eyes. "This is why you went to
Cambridge
?"

"Not wholly; I was not certain what I would discover. I went mainly to do some research. With what I did find out, though, I wondered if you and I could pay another visit to the Franks today and give them this preliminary information on communicating with the deaf; see what their thoughts on a school would be."

"Oh, yes! I would love to!"

"Fitzwilliam will you join us?"

"Sorry, no. I need to check in with my regiment. I shall try to return on Monday. But please give me advance warning what to expect from you when I come next; whether it is Monday or at a later time. It has always been so comforting to know what to anticipate when I see you. You have always been so constant, so steadfast, so boring! But the last few times I have been with you -- your behaviour at
Rosings
, going north with you, and then coming here and seeing you like this -- have me absolutely baffled! It is too much to bear!"

Georgiana giggled and looked to her brother who was shaking his head at his cousin. "You are too severe on me, but I believe you actually like the change you see in me."

"Like it,
Ol
'
Darce
. I love it!"

Later that day Georgiana and Darcy set out for the Franks. As they settled in the carriage, Georgiana looked at him and began, "William, there is something I would like to ask you."

"Certainly. What is it?"

"I felt I needed to wait until Richard was no longer with us. If he heard what I asked, I know that he would never cease teasing you."

"Well, I am now both curious
and
worried!"

"Do you remember when it was that you first noticed
Elizabeth
's scent? I mean the gardenia scent?"

Darcy narrowed his eyes at her, trying to calculate what thoughts were now occupying her mind. But yes, he remembered, vividly.

"It was the evening I met her. When we were first introduced, I was standing too far away to notice. It was not until she walked past me later in the evening that I first caught a whiff of it. It was just after Bingley and I…" he stopped in mid sentence. "Never mind."

"Never mind what? What were you and Bingley doing?"

"It is not important." Darcy shifted his weight and looked away. Georgiana recognized this Darcy trait of hiding something.

"What happened, Will?"

He looked back at her and looked down, shaking his head. "Just another one of my blunders."

"What did you do?"

He was silent for a moment and then calmly, penitently confessed, "Bingley was prodding me to dance. I wanted to do nothing of the sort. He had been dancing with Miss Jane
Bennet
and he suddenly saw Miss Elizabeth sitting out the dance just in front of us. He pointed her out saying she was quite agreeable."

He looked at Georgiana, and paused as he took in a deep breath. As he let it out, he said, "I replied that she was tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me."

Georgiana gasped, bringing her hand to her mouth. "No! William, I cannot believe it! Your behaviour! I simply cannot comprehend it!"

"Well, I am not proud of it, either. She obviously overheard my comment, and after Bingley departed, she strolled past me. That is when I first smelled the gardenia."

"With this knowledge, Brother, I think more lessons may be required to change Miss
Bennet's
opinion of you. Shall we have a lesson on giving a compliment? Repeat after me, 'You look very pretty tonight Miss
Bennet
'."

A look of resignation came across Darcy's face. "Now that we have digressed from your original question, why did you ask when I first noticed her scent?"

"Oh, yes. I found out a few days ago that gardenia was the scent our mother used to wear. Were you aware of that?"

He suddenly sat upright in his seat. "Who told you that?"

"Mrs. Reynolds, but it was only after one of the under gardeners told me he thought that the reason you planted the gardenia bushes was because of Mother's fondness for them."