The newly engaged couple walked back to the house, her arm on his and his free hand covering hers. When they reached the house, they made their way to the breakfast room, where Elizabeth’s aunt and uncle were already eating. Richard was sitting at the table as well, having already eaten, and had briefly explained the disruption in the hall from the previous night and the result that led to the Bingley family leaving at first light that morning.
“For once, my over-cautious cousin was validated in taking such steps,” Richard finished. “Not that anyone would have believed her anyway, no matter what had happened.”
Aunt Gardiner was shocked at the lengths that desperate women would sink to but was pleased for her niece and soon-to-be nephew that things had been resolved satisfactorily. “Of course, we would never speak of this to anyone, which is what you will no doubt warn us of next.”
“When I leave in the morning, I will be apprising my mother, the Countess of Matlock, of what happened here last night so she is aware. Unless Caroline Bingley speaks of it, no one else will ever know, but William and I want my mother to know the details in case it ever does come to light,” Richard explained.
“Good morning, everyone,” Darcy greeted his guests as he entered. “I take it you were informing the Gardiners of the particulars from our ‘excitement’ last night?” he asked his cousin.
“Yes, I have apprised them of the pertinent facts of last night’s madness,” the colonel said. “Now, cousin, eat up so we can go fishing. And I heard there is to be a riding lesson this afternoon. Do you need my assistance?”
“I am perfectly capable of teaching the lady to ride, Richard,” Darcy asserted.
Richard scoffed and puffed his chest out. “I am a member of His Majesty’s dragoons. I am clearly the better rider.”
“Be that as it may, I intend to be the one who teaches my fiancée to ride,” Darcy told his cousin. “You will not be needed.”
Richard shot Darcy a speaking look. Darcy broke eye contact first, his ears turning slightly red, while Richard snorted to contain his laughter. Uncle Gardiner cleared his throat and glared at Richard.
“I apologise, sir,” Richard said sheepishly to the older gentleman.
Gardiner nodded at him but kept his stern gaze on him. Richard looked abashed and soon excused himself from the room.
“Mr. Gardiner, I apologise for my cousin. He forgets himself sometimes,” Darcy said quietly.
“I do not doubt that he is used to making such jests with his comrades-in-arms, but they are inappropriate in front of ladies. I will speak to him more explicitly while we fish,” Gardiner said.
“He meant no disrespect, sir. I know my cousin would not intentionally offend. But, please, before you take him to task, wait for me to be there. It is not often that my cousin is dressed down, and I will enjoy watching him squirm,” Darcy laughed.
Gardiner laughed in return. “I must say, it was amusing to watch a colonel in the army squirm under my glare.”
Elizabeth, seated with her plate, looked at her aunt enquiringly, not understanding what had been said that her uncle objected to. That lady just shook her head at her niece but would not fully meet her eye. She would need to ask her aunt in private later.
The conversation drifted to the plans for the day. The ladies and gentlemen would separate for the morning—the women to find a riding habit for Elizabeth while the men fished. Luncheon would be served at one in the afternoon, and Elizabeth’s riding lesson would occur after. The Gardiners intended to make a few calls that afternoon, and Richard and Georgiana would attend the riding lesson, both to offer their advice and to act as a chaperone for the couple.
Elizabeth walked with her aunt to their rooms to find Georgiana, who had broken her fast in her room. “What was the colonel apologising for earlier, Aunt? William’s ears were red, and Uncle was angry,” she asked as soon as they were alone in the hall.
“Elizabeth, I know you possess a curious nature, but I must ask that you not pursue this further for now. The colonel made a rather crude insinuation that was wholly inappropriate for mixed company,” Mrs. Gardiner told her firmly.
“But he did not actually say anything,” Elizabeth protested. “At least, I do not think he did.”
“He did not say anything directly, but it was implied in his look at Mr. Darcy. The comment embarrassed that gentleman and angered your uncle. Leave it be, Elizabeth.” Her aunt’s voice made it clear the conversation was done.
They arrived at Georgiana’s room and knocked on the door, which Georgiana quickly opened.
“Good morning!” she cried. “I have several habits laid out for you to try. We are of a similar size, although I am a bit taller than you, so I hope we can find one that will need only a little adjustment.”
“Good morning to you, Georgiana. I am sure we can find one that will do,” Elizabeth said.
“I like this one for you, Miss Bennet,” the girl said, pointing out a dark green riding habit with a detachable train. “It is one of my older ones so that it may fit your height better than some of my newer ones. Will you try it on?”
“I would be happy to, Miss Darcy. But I have one request to make of you first. Since we will be sisters soon, I would ask that you call me Elizabeth or Lizzy,” Elizabeth told her.
“Then you must call me Georgiana. I have always wanted a sister. Not one like Miss Bingley, who is not very sisterly even with her own sister, but one I could laugh and talk with. When William first mentioned you in his letters from Hertfordshire, I began to imagine what it would be like to have a sister like you. William was most impressed when you walked three miles to care for your sister when she fell ill at Netherfield. I do not think he realised how much he wrote of you until I asked him about you when he returned from Hertfordshire.
“In Kent, he did not write of you, but Richard mentioned you were there in one letter. When I asked William about you when he returned, he was very abrupt, asking how I knew you had been there, and I think he was rather angry with Richard for it. I always thought William admired you from how he wrote about you, and I was very pleased to find you here when we arrived and learned the two of you are engaged.”
Elizabeth looked at her aunt rather helplessly. How was she supposed to explain her turbulent relationship with the girl’s brother? Clearly, William had not said much, but neither would she expect him to confide in a much younger sister.
