“My cousin Richard would be upset to hear you speak so, Lizzy. He and my brother have always boasted they can teach anyone to ride. My brother taught me, when I was a child. He is a very patient teacher.”
Darcy coughed, “Yes, well, that and the right, gentle mount has much to do with it,”
“I imagine neither of you fell from a horse when you were small?” She lifted one well shaped brow in question.
“Georgiana has yet to fall from a horse, but she is a more cautious rider. I have taken a few spills, but not as a child or anything life threatening. I take it you had an unfortunate incident involving a horse?”
“My father used to take me riding with him on his errands around Longbourn’s lands. I loved those times. Seated in front of him, he would speak of the estate and the history of the land. It was quiet, aside from the noises of the birds and the occasional tenant labouring in the fields. One time, the horse spooked, I cannot recall why. Papa did very well, holding on to the reins to keep his seat. Unfortunately, I slipped from his grasp and fell to the ground, breaking my arm and displacing my collarbone.”
Georgiana gasped, “How old were you?”
“Not quite four,” Elizabeth smirked. “Papa blamed himself for not having a better hold on me and refused to allow any of us to ride after that. He said our lives were too precious to lose them to such an accident.” A strange expression flitted across her face, but it was quickly gone, leaving a pleasant smile in its wake. “So you see, I am a hopeless cause.”
“Nonsense. If you really wanted to, I do not doubt you would learn admirably.” Georgiana’s chin rose and Elizabeth bit her lip to keep from laughing.
“Now, you have both heard something of where I grew up. In what county does Pemberley reside?”
“Pemberley is in Derbyshire. The finest county in the kingdom,” Darcy replied, sharing a smile with Georgiana.
“Now you sound like my aunt. She always claims it about her childhood home county. I believe she grew up in Derbyshire.”
“Where in Derbyshire?” Georgiana asked excitedly.
“A little town called Lambton.”
“That is not far from Pemberley. We are very familiar with it.” This time it was Darcy who responded, “Perhaps we have your aunt’s acquaintance?”
“I am afraid I do not know her maiden name. She told me they left when her father passed, before her sixteenth birthday.”
“I should like to meet her. We must have friends in common.” Georgiana looked at her brother, “Do you not think?”
Darcy looked uncomfortable and was saved by a knock on the door. He went to open it, letting in the servants with the evening’s meal. Once they had set out the repast and exited, Darcy assisted both ladies to their seats. All was quiet for a short duration as the diners ate in contemplative silence.
Soon, Georgiana began the topic again. “Brother, would it not be nice to meet Lizzy’s relations with a connection to Lambton?”
Seeing the gentleman seated next to her was once again uncomfortable, Elizabeth set her cutlery down. Despite her reservations she concluded it was time to be upfront about her situation. “Georgiana, you and your brother hold a different sphere from myself and from my aunt and uncle. Mr Gardiner, whilst the most excellent man I know and a true gentleman in behaviour, is a businessman in London, albeit a successful one. My uncle and his family reside on Gracechurch Street, there is no reason for your paths to ever cross.”
“We will meet when we call on you, when you visit them, surely?” A hurt expression took the place of the smile Georgiana had previously worn. “Do you not wish to stay in contact by correspondence? You will let me know if you should visit Town, will you not?”
Elizabeth’s heart dropped. She had not foreseen the young lady becoming so attached after only a short period of time. “There is nothing I should wish for more. However, there is information you do not have which will make a significant difference to your opinion.”
Darcy now spoke up after remaining quiet through their last comments. “Let us finish our meal and Mrs Carrington might enlighten us over drinks, with as much as she is willing to share.” His voice was low and emotionless, in an attempt to defray his sister’s emotional tension.
For a few minutes the only noises were forks and knives on their plates. Eventually, Mr Darcy inquired after their walk that afternoon, and the ladies described the birds they saw as they strolled towards the trees.
Too soon, with the meal finished, Elizabeth found herself seated with Georgiana in the chairs by the fireplace. Darcy took a stance with his elbow propped upon the mantle. “Mrs Carrington, pray share only what makes you comfortable.”
Elizabeth took a long breath and let it out slowly. When she spoke, her voice was soft, and her eyes were fixed on the floor in front of her. “Three years ago, a militia regiment wintered in Meryton. My youngest sisters became enamoured of all the officers. They swooned at the sight of their red coats. Unfortunately, my mother supported their excitability. My youngest sister was not mature enough to be out, but my mother indulged Lydia.” Elizabeth sighed, “She was spoiled and got her way far too often.”
Taking a moment to collect her thoughts, Elizabeth continued, “With no sons, my mother feared the entail on Longbourn. It is to be inherited by a distant cousin and unfortunately, he is not a shining example of intelligence. She believed the only way to safeguard our futures was to marry us off as soon as possible.
“Lydia befriended the very young, very silly wife of the colonel of the regiment. When the regiment moved to Brighton for the winter, Lydia was invited as Mrs Forster’s particular friend. I did not like it and tried to dissuade my father from allowing her to go, but he believed she would be of no significance once the officers were in the more enticing area of Brighton and all it had to offer.
“The next we heard, she had left her friends and eloped with a lieutenant. Her note indicated they were heading to Gretna Green, but all indications pointed to them heading in the opposite direction.”
A swift inhale shattered the silence which remained once she stopped speaking. Georgiana had a hand pressed to her mouth.
Tentatively, Darcy inquired, “And your sister?”
