He glanced furtively at Georgiana, whose expression was as mystified as his. “I am not familiar with the book, Aunt. It appears to be a journal of sorts.”
“Journal! It is a shameful compilation of lies and fabrications! It purports to be an account by my aunt, Lady Georgina Darcy—mother to George Darcy, and therefore your great aunt by both blood and marriage. You must remember her, Fitzwilliam, for she outlived her husband by a number of years.”
“I do, Aunt. She was a powerful woman, as I recall, and even my own grandmother Lady Margaret held her in some awe.”
“This—” she tapped the journal in vexation, ignoring Richard’s reply— “cannot be her genuine hand! Lady Georgina wouldneverintimate suchdisgracefuldoings. I’ve a mind to order the volume burnt, but first it must be known to you both, so that should any rumour ever be repeated within this house, it may be instantly disavowed and its perpetrators dismissed at once!”
“Of course, Aunt. I shall see to the matter directly,” he answered—anything to appease her tirade!
“See that you do,” she threw back her head in some abatement of her outrage, then her eye fell upon Georgiana. “Where is your companion, Georgiana Darcy? It is not fitting that you should meet with your cousin without a chaperon until his engagement to Anne is publicly announced.”
Georgiana’s frightened gaze fell to the floor, after first darting a pleading look to Richard. “Mrs Annesley was not feeling well, Aunt,” she whispered. “The footman, O’Donnell, was called to assist her to her room.”
Lady Catherine’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Fitzwilliam, you must invite Anne to have her share in these conversations with your ward. Anne will, naturally, assume the guidance of Georgiana while you are away. While we are on the subject, I see no reason thattwoladies’ companions ought to remain at Pemberley. One should do, for two seem only to stumble over one another. If you ask me, Mrs Annesley’s behaviour is by no means properly deferential, and she ought to be dismissed.”
Georgiana’s face bled to a pasty white as she raised horrified eyes once more to Richard. Her mouth opened and closed helplessly, too terrified to form an objection, but likewise too alarmed to allow the comment to pass.
“I think that would be premature, Aunt,” Richard interjected quickly. “I—that is to say, my mother has written to request Georgiana’s company in London when my father embarks upon a business tour he has planned. I had intended to escort her there—as well as Mrs Annesley, if she is better—when I come away tomorrow.”
Lady Catherine’s frosty brow hitched a fraction higher. “I had no word of this. I wonder that the Countess has not mentioned it to me.”
“I believe it was only a recent inspiration, Aunt. Father’s business came up rather suddenly, and she believes Georgiana’s company would be most welcome to her just now.” He chewed his inner lip nervously, hoping to avoid further questions on the subject.
She held him frozen in place another moment, pondering this new development. “Very well. We shall all adjourn to Darcy house. I shall send to have my trunks packed at once.”
Richard could feel Georgiana stiffening beside him. “No!” he reacted—a little too quickly. “Er… that is most kind of you, Aunt Catherine, but ought not Anne to retire to Kent? The Derbyshire winters are long and harsh for one of her constitution, and I fear that the London air would also not be agreeable to her health. With your blessing, Georgiana may ease my mother’s solitude while Father and I are away, and then… well, perhaps we shall return to Pemberley in time for the spring planting.”
The Lady’s mouth pursed carefully. “I applaud your care for Anne, Fitzwilliam. You are far more chivalrous than was your cousin! Very well, we shall return to Rosings as soon as the weather warms enough for Anne to travel. We shall plan to return directly after Eastertide to finalise arrangements for your marriage. Fitzwilliam, you shall find Anne in the Rose drawing room. She will wish to hear of your plans as soon as may be.”
She turned to go, after pointedly thrusting the nearly forgotten journal into his hands. He swallowed and cast a wide-eyed look of relief to Georgiana, but there was no time to rejoice, for Lady Catherine turned immediately back. “Fitzwilliam! While you are in London, be sure to see to the resignation of your commission. I expected that to have been done long ago! And you may as well purchase a license so that Anne may be spared the inconvenience of solemnising her marriage in Kent. Collins is a docile and serviceable rector, but by no means fashionable enough to preside over Anne’s wedding. I shall send word to the rector at St James’s.”
Richard coughed, tried to speak, and found himself unable. He coughed again, but managed a polite nod, tapping his chest all the while to signal his regret at his sudden indisposition. Lady Catherine apparently decided to accept his apologies, for she lifted her chin and withdrew.
“Richard!” Georgiana whispered in awe. “She is more horrifying than I ever knew!”
He exhaled—a growling, exasperated noise, and sank into the sofa. “She was being polite today.”
Georgiana shook her head, gazing after their departed aunt. “How did my brother ever bear it? As hard as she pressures you, Richard, she tried him as well, I am certain, and for many years!”
He shrugged. “Darcy always had an air about him which I never could understand, and never shall be able to adopt myself. She would attempt to rule him, but he never gave way.”
“I think he was the only person ever to defy her—well, save for your parents, for they are her equals.” Georgiana huddled her shoulders tensely, folding her hands into her lap as though their aunt’s wishes had been a strong gale, leaving her chilled by its passage.
Richard narrowed his eyes, a faint smile on his lips. “There was another, once.”
“And how did he manage? Perhaps if you cannot affect Fitzwilliam’s demeanour, you may apply this other’s strategy.”
“Oh! I think that should be more impossible for me than the first option. And it was not a ‘he,’ but a young lady of impertinent manners. She was able to laugh at our aunt’s rudeness and let the insults fall as water from a duck’s back. It was glorious, and I shall never again see the like! No, I do not think that I could attempt it myself.”
Georgiana sagged in disappointment. “So, we have no choice but for me to leave Pemberley for now?”
“I thought that was your desire.”
“No—well, I suppose. I do not wish to go back to London, but if I do, perhaps our aunt will leave Pemberley in peace. I may then hope that another return from Kent would be too great an undertaking for her, may I not?”
He snorted. “Do not depend upon it, but you are correct that it may bring everyone some respite. We leave in the morning, dearest, so ask your maids to be sure that your warmest things are packed. I do not know Mother’s plans, I hope she has no pressing engagements we shall disrupt with our arrival.”
“And where do you go, Richard? Is it army business, is that why you will not tell me?”
