The Darcy Cousins (3 page)

She imagined her American cousin would find their English ways confusing at first. She would be more than happy to assist her and to provide whatever guidance she could. Clarissa was one year younger too. It would be nice to have someone to take care of for a change.

"Do you intend to stay in England for some time?" she asked Frederick.

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"Having just endured the long journey from Boston," he said, "I am quite reluctant to undertake another sea voyage any time soon." He sighed. "However, you will not see much of me.

I have business interests in the North that I must pursue, and what little time I have left afterwards I will spend in London becoming acquainted with members of the business community with whom I have dealings and, if possible, taking in some of the sights."

He laughed at her bemused expression. "I have not answered your question, have I, Cousin? Let us say that I will remain in England for at least two months. Beyond that, I cannot say, except that I cannot delay my business in Boston too long."

At this, Clarissa slipped her arm through Georgiana's. "As for me, I shall be very glad not to see too much of Frederick. I saw far more of him than I could ever wish during our journey. We were confined to each other's company for weeks."

"You wait until I leave, Clarissa," said Frederick, "then you will realise how much you will miss me, and it will be too late, for I will be gone."

"You are very much mistaken, Frederick," said Clarissa, "for I now have a new cousin who is far more interesting to me than you could ever be."

"I am very flattered," said Georgiana, smiling, "but perhaps when you come to know me you will not be of the same opinion at all."

"I cannot imagine such a thing happening," said Clarissa. "I always know immediately whether I am going to like a person or not, and I have not been mistaken yet."

"Setting aside my sister's ability to foresee the future, I must agree that it is very unlikely in any case," said Frederick gallantly.

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"I have the feeling you will be a steadying influence on my wayward sister."

Georgiana basked in the glow of her new acquaintances. For the briefest moment, the assessing gaze of Mr Gatley came to her mind, but she was able to dismiss it, thinking instead how very wonderful it was to have such pleasant relations.

Upon entering the drawing room at Rosings, they beheld Lady Catherine holding sway over the family from a lofty chair painted with oriental designs, with an exceedingly tall back. She wore a great yellow turban with a prominent single feather on her head and a superior expression on her face.

"Does she not resemble an oriental despot?" said Clarissa, in an undertone. "Do you think she will tell the servants to take us away and chop off our heads?"

Georgiana stifled a giggle. "I think she resembles Henry VIII," she replied. "I saw a painting of him once; I am certain she looks like him."

"What are you saying?" demanded Lady Catherine. "Tell me at once."

Clarissa curtseyed prettily, though there was nothing at all meek in her demeanour. She did not reply.

"So these then are your brother and sister," said Lady Catherine, addressing Robert Darcy. Her ladyship's gaze swept over Frederick, then moved on to examine Clarissa from top to bottom. She crooked two fingers.

"Come closer where I can see you properly," she commanded.

"You need not hover in the doorway. I am aware that you have not yet changed your travel clothes. Do not worry. I will not blame you for looking dishevelled."

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Clarissa approached and stood before Lady Catherine, a half smile lurking on her lips.

"Oh, I would not think of joining the company without refreshing myself first. You have no idea, Lady Catherine. I am quite splattered with mud."

To illustrate her point, she raised her foot and placed it on Lady Catherine's footstool. She then pulled up her skirt and petticoats almost to her knees, revealing mud-stained stockings and a very well turned calf.

"I believe my stockings are quite ruined," she said, surveying them dejectedly.

"Dear Lord, child!" exclaimed Lady Catherine, waving her hands about. "Cover yourself immediately!"

The feather on her turban trembled with indignation.

Clarissa, her eyes widely innocent, lowered the petticoats obligingly.

"There are gentlemen present! Surely you know--one does not do such things in England," she announced imperiously. "And, especially, one does not do such things in Rosings!"

Lady Catherine's scandalized gaze shot around the room but found no one to echo her outrage. Caroline was talking to Elizabeth and they had not witnessed the outrageous act. Clarissa's brothers shook their heads at Clarissa and raised their brows but did not show any undue alarm. The only other gentleman present in the room was Mr Darcy. He did not look scandalized. His eyes held a distinct gleam of amusement instead.

Her gaze returned to Clarissa, who seemed oblivious to any wrongdoing.

"I will ring for a maid to show you to your room. Go and change quickly, then. Do not keep us waiting."

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Clarissa, with a little curtsey, turned and left the room.

"Georgiana, I wish you to help Miss Clarissa settle in. She is not accustomed to our English ways and will benefit from some instruction."

There was no mistaking her ladyship's meaning. It fell upon Georgiana to enlighten Clarissa and advise her that whatever one may do in American society, one ought not to deliberately allow an English gentlemen a view of one's calves--at least, not if one was a well-bred young lady.

Lady Catherine dismissed Georgiana with a flicker of her hand. As she left the room, Georgiana heard her saying to the others, "I would have sent Anne, since Anne's knowledge in matters related to good breeding is far superior, but she is too fatigued today."

As Georgiana stepped into the hallway, she almost ran into Clarissa, who was standing against the wall. Clarissa grinned. "I hoped she would send you after me," she said. "That got us out of her presence quickly! So, are you to instruct me on the mysterious ways of English society?"

"I fear I must," said Georgiana, uncertain what to make of this new cousin. "We have a great many social restrictions here, you know. You may not be aware of them."

Georgiana did not believe that Clarissa would do such a thing if she was really aware of the improper nature of her behaviour.

"You need not bother to explain all that," replied Clarissa, following the maid up the stairs. "I am sure I shall muddle my way through."

Georgiana was not at all satisfied by that statement. "Muddle your way through?" she said, her voice ending in a little squeak.

Ghastly visions rose up in her mind of horrified matrons glowering at them, of fellow debutants whispering and giggling, 21

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of gentlemen snubbing them in ballrooms. Did she really want to enter society with Clarissa by her side?

"Oh, do not be such a goose! I have had a proper upbringing, you know. An English governess no less, and a finishing school."

Georgiana let out the breath she knew she was holding. "I am glad to hear it. Why then--how then?" She could not think of a way to say it that would not offend.

Clarissa threw her a backwards glance. "I know my behaviour was improper, but I could not help it. Her manner was quite insuf-ferable. How can you endure it?"

"I suppose I have simply become accustomed to it. We always used to visit at Easter--except that I have not visited for some time, though my brother has--and have come to know her ways."

"Well, I am in no hurry to return to the drawing room." She spotted a window seat and went to it. "I shall take my time dressing.

After all, my clothes are still in my trunks and they have become very crumpled. I am afraid my dress will have to be pressed before I can wear it." She turned to the maid who had brought them up.

"Could you see to it, please?" she said with a smile.

"Oh, but you cannot!" said Georgiana, as the maid left the room.

"Lady Catherine will be expecting us downstairs very soon."

"I love window seats, do you not? I have never seen one in a bedchamber before." Clarissa settled herself on the window seat, drawing her legs up into a tailor position. "This one is particularly charming. What a perfect place to sit and admire the view, or to settle down with a book of poetry!"

Georgiana had never seen a lady sit crossed legged before. With her dark curls and dark, almond eyes, Clarissa exuded a mysterious, exotic air.

"I hope you do not plan to sit like that in public."

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Clarissa looked down at the long stretch of leg visible under the hem of her dress.

"Why, is it not acceptable here?"

"Most decidedly not."

"Then I shall sit like this in Lady Catherine's presence. She will be obliged to send me from the room again." She laughed at Georgiana's dismayed expression. "I am just teasing. Now that you are responsible for me, I will endeavour to behave very well indeed."

Georgiana was only partly relieved by Clarissa's remark.

Meanwhile, she was aware of Lady Catherine downstairs, waiting for them to return. "Perhaps you ought to change. Lady Catherine does not like tardiness."

Clarissa's eyes twinkled with mischief. "Then I am sorry to say that she will have to wait for some time, for I am in no hurry to return to her illustrious presence. Besides, my gown is not yet ready."

Lady Catherine had forestalled them. She did not leave them to their own devices for very long. A few minutes later, her maid Dawson appeared.

"I am Dawson, Miss Clarissa. I have been sent by Lady Catherine to help you dress," she said with a haughty sniff. "You are wanted in the drawing room as quickly as possible."

"My dress has been taken down to be pressed," replied Clarissa, rather smugly, Georgiana thought.

"There is no time for that. There must be something you can wear," replied Dawson.

"I particularly wished to wear that dress. It is my favourite."

But by now, Dawson was rummaging in Clarissa's open trunk.

She pulled out a pale yellow dress and, spreading it across the bed, pronounced it reasonably wrinkle-free.

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"This one should do for dinner," said Dawson, ignoring Clarissa's protests completely. "If you'd care to turn round, Miss Clarissa, I will help you out of your old dress. Then we can send it downstairs to have it washed. The sooner we get the mud stains off the better."

Clarissa looked for a moment as though she would refuse. But good sense must have prevailed, for what good would it do to quarrel with Dawson, after all? She turned her back to Dawson and with a hugely exaggerated--and very unladylike--grimace directed at Georgiana, she submitted to the maid's ministrations.

"Well then, Dawson. You may do your worst," she said cheerfully.

Meanwhile Georgiana considered her cousin and tried to determine which was stronger--her misgivings that Clarissa may have a harmful effect on her first Season or the sense of anticipation she felt at meeting someone so completely different than that to which she was accustomed.

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Chapter 3

Lady Catherine was holding court when they returned to the drawing room, advising Mrs Caroline Darcy that she ought not to wear that particular shade of green.

"It is much too dark for someone of your colouring."

Mrs Caroline Darcy, who was known to have exquisite taste in her clothing, looked ready to say something, but restrained herself when the young girls entered. Robert Darcy signalled for them to sit by him, for he was eager for a chance to talk to his sister, but Lady Catherine forestalled him.

"You must not sit too far from me, child," she said, "otherwise you will have to shout across the room to be heard, which is not at all becoming in a young lady."

She indicated a chair close to hers.

Georgiana, who had not been a recipient of her ladyship's favour, took the seat next to Robert.

"Fortunately for you, I have not had the tea tray removed, though if you had delayed any further, you would have had to stay without. I will brew you some tea."

She made a show of inserting her key into the lock of the tea caddy and taking out the tea leaves once again.

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"I thank you, Lady Catherine, but I do not like tea. I do not drink it at all. I prefer coffee."

Lady Catherine peered at her as if to determine if she was in earnest.

"Not like tea?" said Lady Catherine. "I have never heard of such a thing in my life!"

"I was not raised to like tea, Lady Catherine," said Clarissa.

"Since the Boston Tea Party, I am afraid the inhabitants of Boston have been much more inclined to drink coffee."

Robert, who had been observing the scene with amusement, guffawed loudly at her words.

"What tea party? What are you talking about?" She puzzled over this, until understanding dawned suddenly. "I do recall something about the people of Boston tipping all their tea into the harbour.

Why could they not have sent the tea back, instead of destroying it?

A shocking waste of good tea when it is so very expensive. I always thought it odd, but then, there is no accounting for taste. I like my coffee well enough. But I am afraid you will find that you cannot avoid tea here in England, Miss Clarissa, unless you wish to appear uncommonly rude. I suggest you acquire a taste for it." She paused for a long moment. "Or at the very least, learn to sit on a chair that has a plant next to it."

Georgiana, who would not have thought her aunt capable of such a joke, let out a giggle. Darcy chuckled and both Elizabeth and Caroline smiled. Clarissa, genuinely puzzled, looked around her to determine the reason for the general amusement.

"I am sorry, Lady Catherine, but I do not comprehend you.

Why a plant?"

"Why, to pour your tea in. You need not fear that you will kill the plants, for they are generally fond of tea," she said, the slight 26