Assumed Engagement (19 page)

"So it
was
gardenia!" He looked at Georgiana and continued, "Last week when I was in my study, I had a memory of our mother when I saw the cut gardenias in my study. I remembered she wore a particular scent. After she died I often went into her closet to smell her clothes just to feel close to her. But I could not remember whether or not it was gardenia."

"That is why I asked Mrs. Reynolds. I had to know for sure. I thought that it would be quite interesting if it was. You may have noticed
Elizabeth
for the first time because you were drawn to her scent."

"But my feelings toward her and my attraction to her certainly are not that for a mother!"

Georgiana laughed. "I would hope not! But think about it. What was it that first caught your attention about her?"

Darcy thought of her walking past him with that insolent smile after she had overheard his insult. As she strolled past him, something about her caught his attention. His eyes had followed her, and when he tried to look away, they unwillingly turned back to her. Yes, he distinctly remembered being drawn to her; her eyes, her impertinence, her smile, and yes, most assuredly, her scent!

Chapter 13

     T
he news that the
Darcys
brought to the Franks was received with grateful astonishment. They were most appreciative of the information he gave them regarding the method of communicating using hand signs. He handed them the papers he had brought from
Cambridge
with pictures of the more common signs, and encouraged them to give it a try. He even got down on his knees with a book, and signed the word to their daughter, as he had practiced it on the way.

The Franks thought it quite extraordinary; the extra effort Darcy was taking on their behalf. They knew him to be generous, but could hardly believe that he would take such a personal interest in their deaf daughter that he would have gone to all this trouble. His idea for a school for the deaf also left them overwhelmed. Mrs. Frank broke down as she realized what this would mean for them. Georgiana quickly went to her side and put her arms around her, letting her tears of joy fall uninterrupted.

The ride home was one of great elation. Darcy was thrilled that they appeared to be so receptive and grateful.

Although he fully related to them that the idea for a school in Derbyshire was his idea, he made sure that they were not aware of his total involvement in it. They were not aware that he was purchasing the land or contributing the money to get it started. He did not want to be credited for it.

The land he purchased from his friend, with the intent to use it for the school, would not be listed under his name. As far as anyone was concerned, an unnamed person donated it. Any funds he contributed toward the school would not bear his name either.

Sunday began again with attendance at church, and again Georgiana arranged for them to visit two more families. This day's visitation "lesson" for Darcy proved less traumatic, in that he was not surprised by anything. He felt that he was more able to look past the differences in their society and see them for who they were. He made every attempt at conversation, usually with the man of the house, but being very cordial to everyone else. Georgiana was well pleased with his effort.

The next morning brought the return of Colonel Fitzwilliam. He was only able to stay on a few days as he was just passing through, but looked forward to their time together. After Georgiana's lessons with Miss Annesley, the three of them withdrew to the dining room to have an afternoon meal.

As they were dining, Mrs. Reynolds entered and presented a letter to Georgiana. "From Miss Bennett," she informed her.

From Fitzwilliam's perspective at the table, he readily noticed the similar reaction from both of his cousins. Georgiana and Darcy at once were both upright and alert. The only difference was the Georgiana smiled and Darcy kept an unreadable expression on his face.

Georgiana thanked Mrs. Reynolds and took the letter. She opened it, looked at her brother and Fitzwilliam, and said politely, "Excuse me, please, while I read my letter."

Fitzwilliam looked on at Darcy in amusement as he noticed him nervously rubbing his fingers together. That was the only movement from him. He could see that he was anxious, but was trying very hard not to show it.

Finally, after assuring himself that his composure was what it should be, Darcy asked in a very cool, deliberate voice, "What does Miss
Bennet
have to say?"

"Oh, just that plans for the wedding are coming along and she looks forward to seeing me again." Georgiana looked up and met Fitzwilliam's knowing grin and Darcy's look of impatience. She placed the letter down on the table next to her.

"Is that all?" He asked.

"Were you expecting anything else,
Darce
?" interjected Fitzwilliam? "Were you, perhaps, expecting a personal greeting to yourself?" He looked at him with an amused grin.

Darcy returned a sardonic look to his cousin, took in an anxious breath, and tried to change the subject. "Fitzwilliam, tell me, when is it again you are leaving?"

"I plan to leave tomorrow afternoon. You are not anxious for me to be gone, are you?"

"Of course not."

"But I am afraid it shall be a while before I am able to return." He turned to Georgiana and added, "And because of that, I should enjoy hearing you play for me, Georgiana. Would you do that for me right now?" he asked, looking at his young cousin. Darcy could not have been more relieved to see that the subject of the previous conversation had changed and already forgotten.

"Right at this moment?" she asked.

He nodded.

"If you wish." They both rose, and Fitzwilliam looked at Darcy to excuse them.

As they walked out the door, Fitzwilliam pulled Georgiana back as she began walking toward the stairs. He pointed to the edge of the door, where they could peer in and observe Darcy sitting at the table, his back to them. He put his finger to his lips as to silence her, and they watched.

Darcy sat there for a few moments, taking a final sip of his tea. After a few moments he gradually he leaned forward, reaching out his arm toward the letter. He paused, turned his head to the side as if listening, and lifted himself from the chair just to give him the added length he needed to reach the letter. He placed his hand on it for a few seconds and then slid it slowly towards himself. Fitzwilliam began shaking his head, as if he knew all along what Darcy would do. Georgiana covered her mouth her hand to keep from giggling.

Darcy drew back the letter and opened it. He slowly read the words of
Elizabeth
, looking at each word, rereading the portions where he was mentioned, and endeavouring to determine how she might feel. It was all very civil and polite; nothing into which he could read too much or too little.

Without giving much thought to it, he raised the letter to his nose and was pleasantly surprised to find that it had the faint scent with which he had become so familiar. He leaned back in his chair, stretching his legs out before him, breathing in the scent.

A sudden burst of laughter came from just outside the dining room door. "I am sorry,
Darce
, I just could not hold it in any longer!" Fitzwilliam came charging back into the room unable to control his laughter.

Georgiana looked sheepish, knowing she was part of her cousin's spying escapade. Now she felt guilty again, allowing her cousin to draw her in and giving him ample ammunition to tease.

"So, did Miss
Bennet
have anything to say to you,
Darce
?" Fitzwilliam took the letter from him and waved it beneath his nose. "Or do you think this scent was added for your benefit?"

Darcy grinned. "It was a very nice letter to my sister; no there was nothing personal in it for me, and I doubt that she put any fragrance on it to attract my attention."

"But were you possibly hoping for more? Maybe hoping to read something between the lines?"

"Actually Fitz, I picked up the letter and read it because I knew you and Georgiana were behind that door watching me, just waiting for me to do it. I merely obliged you." With that, Darcy chuckled.

Fitzwilliam looked at Georgiana and then back at Darcy. "Excellent try, but it will not work."

"Well, you cannot say I did not try." He took the letter out of Fitzwilliam's hand and handed it back to his sister.

"I would keep this with you. If you lose it, I do not want to be accused of stealing it." He stood up to take leave of the room. As his frame filled the doorway on his way out, he turned and addressed Georgiana. "I am off to send a post to Bingley letting him know we shall arrive the Wednesday prior to the wedding. When you write Miss
Bennet
back, you may inform her of that. And please send a greeting to her for me; inform her how grateful I am for all she did while she was here."

*~*~*

The next few weeks at
Pemberley
involved more
caring calls
and Darcy made further contacts in
London
regarding his idea for the school. He had Mr.
Bostwick
, his head gardener take a few of his young under gardeners with him to see what they could do initially to improve the natural landscaping of the land Darcy had purchased. He hired some builders to come out and design a structure for the school and housing that would best fit on the land.

Later, when Mr.
Bostwick
returned, he approached Darcy to give an update of the work accomplished and also to request some time off as the day of his son's wedding was approaching. Darcy was very obliging and offered him any time off that was needed.

Georgiana happened past at this point and informed Mr.
Bostwick
, to Darcy's surprise, that they would both be in attendance at the wedding and at the wedding breakfast following.

Darcy flinched, but said nothing. Mr.
Bostwick
expressed his appreciation and left. "What is this? We are going to a wedding?"

"Yes. You have spent the past few weeks visiting people in their homes, practicing sociability on a limited basis. I feel that you need more of a similar experience as to what it will be like in Hertfordshire at Jane and Mr. Bingley's wedding. Being in a large group and knowing how to behave is a great deal different than talking with a small party. I speak for myself that I need the experience and practice just as much as you do."

"But Georgiana, could we not just send a gift? That is what I normally do!"

"I think not. I believe our presence would be more greatly appreciated than a gift. After all, he is the son of your head gardener."

"Well then we can just go to the wedding. I do not think it is necessary for us to attend the wedding breakfast. You know I do not have that talent of conversing with strangers. I would not be comfortable especially…" He paused and looked down at his sister. She had that look on her face that said she had heard enough excuses and the only way to learn anything was to just do it!

"All right, Georgiana. I will agree, but promise me one thing. Let us just stay an acceptable amount of time after the meal, no longer. Agree to that for me, please."

"If you insist, we shall just stay until after the meal."

"Thank you."

When she walked away, Darcy felt himself grow uneasy. He told himself it would all be fine, as he would certainly know a few people with whom he would be able to converse. He knew what he talked about with men of education, but had no idea about what most of these people talked. He hoped he would be able to find topics of conversation with them.

He knew his tendency would be to put that blasted wall around himself that he usually did at functions like this. He would have to keep from doing that for Georgiana, and as much as he did not want to admit it, it would not be easy. But it was also for
Elizabeth
. He hoped that she would notice the transformation in him, which would, he also hoped, transform her opinion of him.

The day before the
Bostwick
wedding, Darcy was out riding, and Georgiana was reading in the sitting room. She heard some excited voices coming from the front door. Mrs. Reynolds came in and announced to her that the young Mr. David
Bostwick
was at the door and needed to speak to her or her brother.

She quickly went out to the entry way to greet a very distressed Mr.
Bostwick
. "Good morning, Miss Darcy," he bowed before her. "I regret to have to tell you that there was a fire in town last night, and the Lambton Assembly Hall, where we were to have our wedding breakfast, was partially destroyed by it. The only other place to have it is the smaller Lambton Inn. We are not sure how it will work out, but that is the only option we have. We were trying to let everyone know."

"I am so sorry, Mr.
Bostwick
. Is there anything we can do?"

He looked at her as if to say something, but only shook his head. "No, it will not be as nice as had originally been planned, but we will just have to make do."

Georgiana thanked him for relaying the news, and he excused himself.