AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“And how is Aunty Catherine?” Georgiana asked as her companions joined them, greetings were shared, and they called for tea.
“She is well.”
“That she allows you to call her thus still shocks me,” Fitzwilliam said.
“I am a firm favourite.”
Darcy favoured her with an indulgent smile. “We know.”
“Did you have any joy in convincing her to allow Cousin Anne to pay us an extended visit over the winter?” she asked.
“With Fitzwilliam’s aid, I have laid the foundations,” Darcy confirmed. “Likely another visit to Rosings will be in order to ensure our success.”
“I will steer clear of that one, Darcy!” Fitzwilliam said. “Once in a twelvemonth is enough.”
“It will likely be in the year following,” Darcy replied. “Georgiana will do the honours though. If anyone can convince Lady Catherine to allow Anne out of her sight, it will be her.”
Georgiana smiled at that. She was an engaging young woman when around those she knew well, there was no denying it, but she struggled immensely with strangers, stumbling over her words and forgetting her place in the conversation. The pianoforte was her refuge, and she was often to be found behind it when invited to a social event. She was also quite beautiful. It worried Darcy immensely. He had hoped that Elliot’s influence…but that was not to be now…
“And how is Elliot Bennet?” Georgiana asked as she recommended a biscuit to Mrs. Annesley.
Darcy’s heart seemed to squeeze. “Elliot?”
“The young man you mentioned in your letter.”
“He is well.”
“Is he still at the parsonage in Hunsford with his friend and Lady Catherine’s clergyman?”
The squeeze seemed to tighten. “No, I believe he has left.”
“Back home?”
“Yes.”
“To Netherfield?”
“To Longbourn.”
“You ask many questions about this young man, Georgie,” Fitzwilliam said, unknowingly coming to Darcy’s rescue.
“Darcy made him sound quite intriguing.”
“I mentioned him in passing.”
“You rarely mention anyone in your letters.”
“Elliot Bennet is quite intriguing,” Fitzwilliam said. “I think the two of you would get on famously. Perhaps that is why Darcy has made an exception.”
“I had hoped it was because he might finally have found a mate,” Georgiana said, and Darcy almost choked on his tea.
He coughed slightly, she rallied round him, Fitzwilliam roared with laughter at the spectacle, and Mr. Annesley called for water. Before long the talk moved on from Elliot. Darcy could only wish that his damnable thoughts would too!
Forty-Two
By the time Darcy was well settled back in Pemberley and busy jaunting around the estate with Georgiana, the militia were beginning their departure from Hertfordshire.
All of the young people in the neighbourhood were drooping apace. The dejection was almost universal. The elder Bennets alone were still able to eat, drink, and sleep, and pursue the usual course of their employments. Very frequently were they reproached for this insensibility by Christian and Louis, whose own misery was extreme, and who could not comprehend such hard-heartedness in any of the family.
