“Mr. Darcy? You are?” Mr. Peake cocked his head to the side. “When did you make his acquaintance? I had believed he was stuck permanently at Pemberley with…his sister.”
“You must have known he is a friend of Bingley. Mr. Darcy and his sister have been present at Netherfield for a month now. This brings up a matter of importance. Tomorrow a ball at Netherfield, and both Mr. Darcy and Miss Darcy shall be there. The ball really is mostly for dear Georgie’s sake—”
“Georgiana Darcy? Miss Darcy is present at Netherfield?”
The sharp tone of inquiry caught the edge of some memory of Elizabeth’s. “She is. A sweet and shy girl. Jane made a pet of her when she and Bingley visited Pemberley, andIhave met her now. We would fight endlessly over sweet Georgie if Jane was not such an angel.”
“What has become of Miss Darcy? I hear from my friends about estate matters, but…we were…friends. Me and Miss Darcy. Does she do well? And her babe?”
“She does very well. I have been introducing her about this neighborhood — you may ask her yourself how she does within the hour. The Netherfield party is to call so Mr. Darcy and Miss Darcy can be introduced to the Gardiners.”
Mr. Peake’s eyes turned to the window outside, with a surprising intensity.
Was it her imagination? Georgiana mentioned a man who'd left Pemberley who she had liked. Who had been training to take the steward’s place…
Mr. Peake had been the under steward. Elizabeth liked Mr. Peake, and he had made a success in a highly respectable line of trade. He was yet a little raw, but he imitated Mr. Gardiner’s manners well enough that he could pass as a gentleman.
If there was mutual affection upon reconnecting, that Mr. Peake would do very well for Georgie, and Georgiana for him. An impossible attachment without Anne and Georgiana's scandal. But Georgiana could never make asplendidmatch. Such a marriage would connect the Gardiners in an additional way to her and Darcy — she should not assume that she and Darcy would marry. But…itseemedmatters headed in such a direction. Georgiana’s dowry would provide useful capital that would help the Gardiners expand and as conditions in the country improved.
The sound of the heavy coach and four pulling up brought everyone to the window to observe the large Darcy carriage pulled by four matched horses, with a splendidly dressed coachman in livery and a postillion and two footmen following on the sides. Darcy stepped out, ducking his head. A little too tall even for the oversized door of his huge carriage. He placed his top hat upon his head, making his lean, energetic figure even lengthier. How could a man be so tall, yet appear so solid?
Georgiana, bundled in a fur coat, followed him out, Anne jumped out after her, leaping into Darcy’s arms. He caught her easily and swung the little girl around before placing her on the ground. Behind them the Bingley carriage trundled a little slower and less magnificently up the driveway.
Soon as they entered the house Darcy, Georgiana and Anne were brought to the drawing room.
Elizabeth watched Mr. Peake from the corner of her eye while Anne ran up to her and chattered about how sad she was that the snow from two days previous had melted.
Mr. Peake’s eyes went straight to Georgiana as she entered through the drawing room. Elizabeth considered it clear that he wanted to continue looking. When Georgiana saw him,hereyes widened in recognition and with a smile she walked towards Mr. Peake.
“I of course recallyou.” Mr. Darcy extended his hand to Mr. Peake after the quick introductions between him and the Gardiners. “Mr. Peake, my word. You do exceedingly well for yourself. I am glad the position you took proved a profitable line of work.”
“I as well.” Mr. Peake bowed slightly, showing deference to Mr. Darcy, but also his pride in his present position.
Darcy smiled at Elizabeth, and looked at the Gardiners briefly as he said, “You told me you visited Pemberley with your aunt and uncle — I have been most eager to meet you both — but I had forgotten I held a grudge against you all.”
Mr. Gardiner laughed. “Lizzy has told us that you are well worth liking, Mr. Darcy. But upon my honor, I do not repent the theft. Mr. Peake has been incalculably valuable to me. In truth, Icancalculate his value, and the sum runs to many thousands.”
Georgiana stood near them and said, “A shock. I am glad to see you also — again. Such a shock.”
“You as well. As well. You are well?” Mr. Peake smiled a little anxiously. “I asked Miss Bennet, but—”
“Very well.” Georgiana nodded rapidly, smiling. “Never so well. I do not think I have been so well as these last weeks. Lizzy and Jane have been such good friends. I—”
“Miss Bennet is an excellent woman.” Mr. Peake smiled at her. “But you — no notion you were present in Hertfordshire.”
“You had not? I had no notion either.Lizzy’suncle.”
“I had. I had. Many years. I never forgot to think on you…and Pemberley. And Mr. Darcy — little Anne is well?”
Georgiana called the girl from Elizabeth’s side, and self-consciously introduced her to Mr. Peake. Elizabeth decided that theydefinitelyhad a sensibility towards each other. She glanced towards Darcy to see if he noticed it, but when she turned to look at him, she found that Darcy had been staring at her. Their eyes met, and Darcy did not look away.
“You shall not despise me now that you know it was my dear uncle who stole Mr. Peake from you?”
“I admire a well-executed snatching —youtoo can charm and argue a valuable man into your service.”
Elizabeth blushed at Darcy’s sally. “A valuable man would not need to becharmedas well as argued by me.”
“Deuced valuable man.” Mr. Gardiner grinned. “Mr. Darcy, Lizzy has been writing all aboutyouin her letters to us. You had quite an introduction.”
