Still, he felt the colonel had the right of it. “Surely, Darcy, if her family considers you engaged to her, you will be granted some little time to speak privately if you wish. There can be nothing improper in that. Does not the lady deserve to hear you speak your case and make reply?”
“That, Charles, is the material point. I do not have reason to believe she will consent to another private conference, no matter how favourably her mother might view such an arrangement. Miss Elizabeth vehemently denied the engagement, and with good reason, for I regret that I surprised and offended her in the extreme. I have the greatest doubt that she will lend ear to what I must say.”
Glancing down at Georgiana’s trusting blue eyes, he froze with a sudden fear. There was much in the letter which concerned her directly. Though he had written the letter with the sincere hope that Elizabeth and Georgiana would meet one day, he had not anticipated the meeting would come so soon. He had expected and hoped that a conversation, perhaps several, would follow before Georgiana was introduced to her acquaintance. Had he shared too much? Would Georgie be hurt?
He closed his eyes, heart hammering in his breast. Vainly he tried to calm that wilful organ, knowing that for the first time in his life it was becoming increasingly impossible.
“I say, William, at leasttrytalking to her. A compliment or two would not be unwarranted either. You would be amazed how smooth words can tame ruffled feathers. If you still feel you must give her that infernal letter of yours, do so as a last resort.” Richard straightened his red coat for emphasis, craning his neck to look out the window. Just around the corner, a homey estate dotted with barren trees began to come into view.
Chapter 9
Elizabethhadheldtrueto her resolution to remain with her father that day. She sat curled by the window, a double-knitted blanket thrown over her lap and a book in her hands. Mrs Cooper had proven to be a wise, experienced nurse as well as a cheerful presence to keep her company in her sentry. She sat on the other side of the window opposite Elizabeth, comfortably crocheting a small cap.
“For my youngest daughter, Jenny, who was married this past spring,” she had confided with a secretive smile. Elizabeth watched her from the corner of her eye, admiring the woman’s dignified anticipation—so unlike her own mother’s unseemly excitement.
Jane knocked softly as she opened the door, carrying a tea tray. Elizabeth looked up with a welcoming half-smile. “How is Papa?” Elizabeth held her tongue, knowing Mrs Cooper’s more experienced opinion was what Jane sought.
“He has more colour, would you not agree? I have seen his eyes flutter a time or two. That is a good sign. Miss Elizabeth here has been reading aloud to him a bit. I think she ought to keep it up. I believe he likes it.”
Jane looked puzzled. “Can he hear us, do you think?”
Mrs Cooper made a small shrug. “Dr Cooper tends to think so, in these cases. It is difficult to say, really, but he has seen one or two people brought round in such a way. He gives credit to the voices of their families, comforting them and giving courage.”
Elizabeth’s eyes sparkled. “In that case, we ought to keep Mama at bay. Do you not agree, Jane?”
Jane shook her head with a gentle laugh. “Mama is quite occupied enough, as you know, Lizzy. She has plenty of diversions with which to busy herself at present.” She flashed her sister a sly smile.
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “I take it she has been abroad again this morning, boasting of my ‘conquest’?”
“You did not know? No, she remained within. Apparently, the distinction of having a daughter well engaged meant, once the news had been shared, that many of our neighbours were obliged to call to wish you joy.”
Elizabeth glowered, her stomach churning. “And of course, Mama was not to be deniedthatsatisfaction. What a pity to have missed it! Tell me, has she selected my wedding date yet?”
“Take care, Lizzy, that statement savours strongly of bitterness!”
“Bitter? Why not at all, Jane. I adore how supportive Mama is, and how helpful. You know she brought me a sample of wedding lace to try on this morning. She is of the opinion that ivory matches my skin tone and wished to verify it. Tragically, I lost my footing as I moved about this cramped room—dangerous with all of these books in here, you know! Such a shame, I sloshed some of Papa’s broth all over it. Poor, dear Mama. It must be trying to have such a clumsy daughter, but she bears it the best she can.”
Jane gagged on her tea, desperately covering her mouth to forestall a most unbecoming reaction to her sister’s gallows humour. Gasping and making good use of a napkin, she cleared her throat delicately. When she dared to speak again, she was more serious.
“Lizzy, we have had a letter from our Aunt Gardiner. She says our uncle is in Portsmouth, on some matter of shipping to his warehouses in London.”
Elizabeth tensed. “He cannot come at all, then?” Her heart began to sink.
“She does not know. She wrote to him directly, and she believes he shall come as soon as he is able—in a few days, perhaps. She says it is possible but not likely that he might already be on his way home. Meanwhile, she intends to come herself to lend us whatever support she can. It is difficult, you know, with the children, and she has just hired a new governess. She hopes she can be here by tomorrow evening.”
Elizabeth swallowed. She had not counted on her uncle being detained by business. It made sense, of course, that he would be settling any necessary matters before their Christmas travels. The tenuous hope that he could arrive soon, possibly by that very evening, had virtually sustained her. She had a fleeting notion that when he arrived, perhaps as acting head of the family, he could put to rest once and for all the rumours about herself and Mr Darcy. The longer his delay, the dimmer the hope that it could be done quietly.
A long, racking sigh shook her. She was fooling herself. There could be nothing “quiet” about ending her supposed engagement. She expected half of Meryton had graced the Bennet sitting room only that morning. She was well and truly stuck.
“Do not forget that Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy are expected to call this afternoon,” Jane reminded her. As if she could forget. “Do you not wish to change?” Jane dubiously eyed her sister’s simple, old work gown.
“No,” Elizabeth replied smugly, hugging her knees to her chest and sinking more deeply into her chair. She had no intention of scrambling to make herself agreeable forhissake. Jane blew air through her lips but wisely dropped the subject. She would do all she could, but Darcy would have to earn his own way into her sister’s good graces. With an affectionate glance at her stubborn sister, Jane hoped fervently that the gentleman was both willing and able to do so, for Lizzy’s sake.
Only a moment later, a flurry from the next room alerted them to some sudden excitement on the part of their mother. Elizabeth groaned. It could mean only one thing. The two girls peeped out the window, Mrs Cooper helpfully making way for Jane.
Drawing up to the front of the house was a glistening black carriage they had not seen before. Elizabeth squinted. The crest on the side was unfamiliar to her, but it had to belong to Mr Darcy. The matched foursome of chestnuts pulling it were splendid, much finer than she had seen outside the boundaries of London. As the coach drew to a halt, their mother burst into the room behind them.
“Oh, my dearest Lizzy! Only look, that is the Darcy carriage! Mrs Long said she saw it drive through Meryton this morning, but she could not see who was inside. He must have had it sent from Town! Is it not magnificent? This is a great honour to you, my dear, though I daresay you’ve done little enough to deserve it. Oh, look at you, girl! Hurry up and change. The gentlemen are calling! Mrs Cooper, tell Lizzy to leave at once!” With a nervous flick of her lace handkerchief, she turned about and pranced down the stairs to greet her guests.
