TWO
Darcy put down the papers that he had already neglected for too long. He could hardly keep his mind on anything since he returned to London. His plan to forget Elizabeth by creating distance between them had failed, and his mind was filled with thoughts about her, just as had happened during his stay at Netherfield. His sleep was equally disturbed too, by dreams he refused to acknowledge, and the lack or rest made him anxious and annoyed all the time.
“Dear brother, you will not believe what happened!” Georgiana said joyfully as she entered the library. “Am I disturbing you?”
“You never disturb me. Surely you do not have to ask! Please come in and sit down. I am glad to see you in such an excellent disposition. I assume you enjoyed yourself with our aunt.”
“I did, but I must tell you something quite astonishing. A most entertaining coincidence.”
“Do tell,” Darcy said, pleased with his sister’s enthusiasm. He had rarely seen Georgiana so lively in recent years.
“Well, as our carriage drove down Park Lane, we almost hit some ladies, who were walking.”
“Oh…?”
“Yes! It gave us a fright, but fortunately, nothing bad happened. Our aunt stopped the carriage and went to speak to them. And, as it happened, one of the ladies had grown up in Lambton and she knew Aunt Matlock. She was also well acquainted with our parents!”
“How lovely, indeed.”
“Oh, but there is much more. As our aunt spoke to her, the lady introduced us to her two nieces. Can you guess who they were?”
“I certainly cannot! But I am glad you are amused.”
“Well, I should keep you intrigued a little longer, but I cannot. Her nieces were Miss Jane Bennet and Miss Elizabeth Bennet. From Longbourn, Hertfordshire! The same Bennets you wrote to me about in your letters!”
The girl paused, evidently eager to witness his response, but Darcy was stunned, struggling for air. He prayed it was a joke — as unreasonable as such an expectation was.
“My aunt said it is quite impossible that, of all the people in London, we should happen upon someone who grew up near Pemberley and who is related to someone you are acquainted with! And yet, the impossible occurred!”
“The impossible occurred, indeed,” Darcy replied absently, distracted by his thoughts.
“Aunt Matlock was pleased with Mrs Gardiner, and she invited her for tea. I confess I am always happy to meet someone who has met our parents. I have so few memories of Mama that I wish to hear as much about her as possible.”
“I know, my dear,” Darcy said affectionately.
“I wonder whether you have met Mrs Gardiner? Probably not — she must be at least ten years older than you. Her name was Madeleine Martin. She is the cousin of Mr Martin, who owns the inn.”
“Is she?”
Georgiana’s lively voice contrasted with his disposition, which lowered with every moment.
He did not remember anyone with that name, but that did not even matter. Lady Matlock had invited Elizabeth’s aunt for tea. That must have been the aunt who lived near Cheapside — Miss Bingley had said so a while ago. What was she doing in Hyde Park? Surely Elizabeth had desired to take a walk — that was her pleasure. Of all the carriages in London and all the people in London, the fact that they had met was extraordinary.
“Yes, she is. Mr Martin and his family are good people. Mrs Reynolds always says so.”
“They are. That I can agree upon.”
“Brother, so they are the Bennet family you mentioned to me, are they not?”
“If they told you they live at Longbourn, Hertfordshire, then yes, they must be.”
“But, Brother, are you upset about something? Aunt Matlock said you would be amused, but I feel you are not entertained.”
“I am entertained, dearest. Only a little bit surprised, as you said.”
“Richard said he would come for dinner tonight,” Georgiana continued.
“Good. I shall finish my letters by then.”
