The Darcys of Pemberley (22 page)

Preparing to Go

The weather turned uncommonly warm for early
June, which might have been pleasant in the country with the
amendment of fresh air and cooling breezes. Yet there were no such
friendly modifying influences in town. The simmering heat only
served to intensify the more unpleasant aspects of living in close
quarters with so much humanity and horseflesh. If one dared open
the windows in hopes of some relief from the stifling air indoors,
one quickly closed them again against the noise and odors emanating
from the streets.

For those who had the option of some place
else to go, the advent of such conditions began turning thoughts
toward getting out of town. Yet, with some significant social
events still to come, it was too early for most people of fashion
to seriously consider quitting London. For Darcy and Elizabeth,
however, even Ascot and Henley could not tempt them to stay. The
idea of returning to Pemberley was irresistible.

Elizabeth personally sent word to Charlotte
Collins relating the gist of what had transpired at Rosings. The
alteration of wedding arrangements notwithstanding, she encouraged
her friend to come as originally scheduled and share their last
week in town. In the meantime, Elizabeth meant to speak to
Georgiana, in order to determine if Charlotte’s services would be
required as chaperone or not.

“Well, my dear, what have you decided?” she
asked upon finding Georgiana alone in the sitting room two days
after their visit to Rosings. “Are you ready to return to Pemberley
with your brother and myself, or do you wish to stay longer in
town? I imagine that the recent incident may have caused some
uncertainty.”

“Oh, Elizabeth, is this not the most
incredible turn of events? I have thought of little else since. I
know I should not let my feelings run away with me, but I cannot
seem to help it.”

“You
are
still in love with
Fitzwilliam then.”

“Until the other day, I had nearly convinced
myself that those feelings were dead, or at least dying. Now they
have sprung back to life, and I wonder if there might still be a
chance for us. I cannot abandon that dream so long as there is
hope; I could never marry somebody else until I know for certain
there is not. So, you see, it is impossible for me to return to
Derbyshire and face Mr. Sanditon at present.”

“Of course. Take as much time as you like, by
all means. Yet you needn’t be afraid to come home whenever you
wish, even if you have no answer for Mr. Sanditon. Remember, dear,
this is undoubtedly the most important decision you will ever make.
Promise me you will not allow anything or anybody to rush you into
a choice that you may regret the rest of your life.”

Georgiana gave her promise, and the
conversation turned to less serious subjects. Shortly thereafter,
Mr. Darcy joined them. “What do the two of you have your heads
together about this morning?” he asked.

“Your sister was just telling me that she
wishes to stay on here for a while longer instead of returning to
Pemberley with us,” said Elizabeth. “You have no objection, do you,
my dear?”

“Not if proper arrangements can be made. I
will not consent to any compromise of safety or decorum, Georgiana,
but I think prudent precautions are within our reach. Fitzwilliam
is remaining in town for some time, I believe, and I know he would
willingly serve as your guardian. Then, if Mrs. Collins can be
persuaded to act as chaperone, I will be satisfied.”

“I mentioned the possibility to Charlotte in
my letter,” said Elizabeth, “and she responded quite
enthusiastically. I believe she is not only disposed to agree to
the office, but very much looking forward to the prospect.”

Later that night, Darcy revisited the
subject. “I confess that I am surprised at Georgiana wanting to
remain in London,” he said to his wife when they were alone. “She
hardly seems to have enjoyed her time here so much as to wish to
extend it.”

“Like other young ladies, I imagine she would
sooner go to another ball or party than not.”

“Yes, but as for making any progress toward
the real, if unstated, object of the season, this trip must be a
disappointment. No suitor has captured her fancy, it seems, and the
one she unintentionally attached to herself brought her more pain
than pleasure. Where is the incentive to continue the trial? Would
she not be more comfortable at home with us?”

“True, her first season has not lived up to
expectations, though that disappointment may in part explain her
wanting to stay,” suggested Elizabeth. “Georgiana must not be ready
to relinquish the hope of a larger success if she will but
persevere a little longer. You must admit she stands more chance of
romance here than in the limited society of the country.”

“Certainly. And I make no doubt you
comprehend these things far better than I do, Lizzy. In any case, I
suppose Georgiana must be allowed to make her own decisions, as you
are so fond of reminding me. Still, I shall not be quite easy until
she is back at Pemberley with us.”

“I know you cannot help worrying over your
sister whenever she is out of your sight, but let me relieve you of
one possible source of anxiety. I have had a letter from Jane today
saying that Mr. Wickham is safely back at Heatheridge now. So you
need not fear that he will work any mischief here after we are
gone. How fortunate that we never met up with him, by chance or
otherwise, whilst he was in town.”

Mr. Darcy grew grave at the mention of
Wickham’s name and made no reply to the news.

~*~

“I have been thinking, Elizabeth,” said Darcy
next morning, “that we should close out our London season with some
sort of gathering here to say good-bye to our friends.”

“A fine idea! A cozy dinner party would be
just the thing. Do not you agree?”

They settled all the particulars between them
and issued invitations at once to Colonel Fitzwilliam and several
other close friends. Miss Bingley and the Hursts were also
included, more out of civility than anticipated pleasure. By the
day in question, Charlotte would be with them as well.

All but three persons promptly accepted the
invitation. Mr. and Mrs. Williams were obliged to decline due to a
prior engagement, and Henry Heywood claimed that an unspecified
misfortune would prevent his attending. Since his failed proposal,
he and Georgiana had met briefly twice with reasonable composure,
and the initial awkwardness between the families was quickly
overcome. Still, it was hardly surprising that Henry would choose
to forgo the distress of so soon spending an entire evening in
Georgiana’s presence. His choice to absent himself happily
coincided with the young lady’s preference in the matter.

Mrs. Collins arrived safely from
Hertfordshire on the day expected, delivered thence by her father’s
carriage. Elizabeth received her warmly and showed her to the
bedchamber that had been prepared for her use. “I hope you will be
comfortable here,” she told her friend.

“I am sure I shall. It is a most agreeable
room – quite lovely in fact,” remarked Charlotte as she looked
about the large, tastefully appointed apartment.

“I am glad you like it, for you may be here
some weeks, that is if you are still willing to act as chaperone.
Georgiana has decided to stay a while longer in town after all. But
if you had rather not ...”

“Nonsense, Lizzy. Nothing would please me
more. It will be a delightful novelty for me to spend some time in
London, accompanying Miss Darcy to her excellent affairs. And I
daresay such a sweet-tempered girl cannot be a difficult
charge.”

“Then you render a great service to us all.
Mr. Darcy’s mind will be much relieved to know his sister is in
good hands, and
I
shall be ever so grateful to return to
Pemberley. I simply cannot bear this heat and oppressive air any
longer. I expect I must blame it on my ‘delicate condition’ for I
have never been much bothered by such things before.”

“That ‘condition’ of yours, Lizzy, is not so
easily disguised as when I saw you a month ago,” Charlotte stated
matter-of-factly.

“Yes, you are quite correct,” Elizabeth
agreed, laughing. “That is another reason I shall be glad to retire
to the country. I fear my figure can no longer pass the test of
public scrutiny even tolerably well.”

Farewell Dinner

The Darcys’ farewell dinner party was held
three days later. The setting was not as grand, nor were the
accoutrements as impressive as the recent dinner at Rosings
featured. Neither had Elizabeth arranged for entertainment as
lively as what that evening had supplied. An excellent meal and
pleasant company were all she endeavored to provide for her guests,
the assumption being that between old friends this would not be
judged deficient.

When the guests arrived at the appointed
hour, no introductions were necessary. Everybody had met before,
and most of those present were on very familiar terms. As a result,
the evening took on a relaxed, informal tone, the conversation
flowing freely in the drawing room before dinner. No one felt the
need for pomp or parade with the possible exception of Miss Bingley
and the Hursts, who were always more occupied with rank and
consequence than was necessary or becoming.

When they proceeded down to dinner, Miss
Bingley was pleased to discover that she was seated next to Mr.
Darcy, with her sister not far off. The gentleman, less delighted
with the arrangement, gave his wife a significant look across the
room. Elizabeth smiled back innocently from the opposite end of the
table where she fared much better, having the entertaining Mr.
Applewhite by her side. Georgiana and Colonel Fitzwilliam held down
the middle of the table, sitting exactly opposite each other, an
arrangement made with Miss Darcy’s full approval and in direct
contrast to her preference at a similar dinner party some months
before.

During the course of the meal, Miss Bingley
brought up the subject of Heatheridge House and its inhabitants, a
topic to which her dinner companion was neither averse nor
indifferent. “Well, Mr. Darcy, what do you hear from my brother?”
she asked.

“From your brother, I hear nothing at all; he
is no letter-writer. We have all our information thanks to Jane.
She is a very faithful correspondent.”

“Yes, Jane sends us the most charming tales
about little Charles and Frances. How I long to see them! Not that
I care much for other people’s children in general, but one’s own
niece and nephew cannot fail to be of particular interest. I am
completely envious of you, Mr. Darcy, that you saw them so soon
after they were born.”

“Elizabeth insisted on being at Jane’s side
throughout the ordeal, and so we were both there when the infants
arrived.”

“I understand that the children are growing
by leaps and bounds. I suppose you will see them again very soon,
since you are returning to the north. So, once more, I must envy
you, Mr. Darcy,” said Miss Bingley with a sigh. “I do not know when
my sister and I can expect to have the same opportunity.”

“Surely, Miss Bingley, you and the Hursts are
at leisure to travel whenever you wish, and need not wait for an
invitation to visit your own brother. You must be welcome there at
any time.”

“Ah, yes, and we would go in a moment were it
not for the fact that there are other house guests already staying
at Heatheridge. I am afraid that the addition of three more would
create an … uncomfortable closeness, as we had the misfortune to
discover in the same company last January. Heatheridge is not as
roomy as Pemberley after all, Mr. Darcy, you must admit. So, it
appears that, unless something else offers, we must be patient and
wait for the current guests to move on, howsoever long that may
take. Alas, the party in question apparently has no immediate plans
to go; it is likely to be quite an extended stay, from what I
understand. I do hope the children are not half-grown before their
aunts may finally be allowed to meet them.”

Miss Bingley delivered this speech with such
a melancholy tone of voice and sorrowful bearing that tears could
naturally be supposed, if not actually seen, to fill her expressive
eyes.

Mr. Darcy had the penetration to see her
lament for what it truly was: an application for an invitation to
Pemberley. Miss Bingley and the Hursts had been his guests there on
many occasions before his marriage, as part of Mr. Bingley’s party.
The thought of having them now – for an unspecified length of stay
and without the brother’s moderating influence – did not fill Mr.
Darcy’s heart with cheer. Nor did he expect his wife to rejoice at
the prospect.

“There are other options if you cannot bear
to wait,” he said.

Miss Bingley’s gloomy visage brightened.

Darcy continued. “I understand there is at
least one very fine establishment in that part of Staffordshire
where you might be comfortably lodged conveniently close to
Heatheridge. Your brother could advise you on the particulars, Miss
Bingley. I would recommend the inn at Lambton but for the fact that
it is some twenty miles from your ultimate destination. I know you
would wish to be closer at hand,” he said with seamless
diplomacy.

Caroline Bingley deftly countered. “Thank you
for the suggestion, Mr. Darcy. I am much obliged to you for it.
Unfortunately, Mr. Hurst is adamantly opposed to stopping at any
sort of public place.” For confirmation of this fact she looked to
her sister, who was attending the conversation.

“It is true,” Mrs. Hurst verified. “He
infinitely prefers the comforts of a private home.”

“As do we all, I am sure,” continued Miss
Bingley. “My brother-in-law would never be persuaded to your
suggestion, Mr. Darcy, as sensible as it appears to you and to me.
As for distance, that does not signify in the least at this time of
year. For example, would not you agree that the drive between
Pemberley and Heatheridge is nothing at all when the roads are dry
and the weather is fine? I must say that I should love a summer
excursion of that sort above all things.”