“I cannot help feeling that we are ignoring her.”
“Is it not she who is ignoring us?” he returned.
Elizabeth interjected, “You may feel better if you spend some time with her each day, Georgiana. Perhaps if she sees that you have accepted the situation, she will as well.
“That is a good idea, Lizzy; I will do so.”
Chapter Forty-Four
June 1812
Elizabeth was happy to see a letter from Aunt Gardiner waiting for her at the breakfast table, as well as one from Jane and another from her mother. Her husband, after greeting her and helping her fill her plate, was now reading letters of his own, so she felt comfortable about reading her own letters. Jane’s, she was certain, could wait; the letter from her aunt was more important.
Dear Elizabeth, or should I say Mrs. Darcy?
I am glad the gowns were useful to you. By now you understand that the Darcy family is quite wealthy; it would have done you no favours to have arrived at Pemberley with trunks full of modest clothing.
I have the perfect companion for your new sister. Mrs. Annesley is the widow of a baronet. He left her with a modest jointure, and she could have lived on it easily enough, but she prefers an active life. She speaks French, Italian and German, she is a proficient artist, and a more than competent musician. While I do not think her musical skills to be the equal of Miss Darcy’s, she would certainly be able to hold her own in a duet! She has been serving Lord and Lady Richmond for the past five years; their third and last daughter was wed just this past month, so she is available for a new position. I told her about Miss Darcy, and she is willing to travel to Derbyshire to take up the post. I include her direction so that you might write to her yourself.
As for Master Bianchi, I think it will take a good deal of money to convince him to travel to Derbyshire, especially as he is much in demand here in Town in the summer months. Nonetheless, your uncle obtained his direction for you, which I include below.
The remainder of the letter included news about the children, which Elizabeth decided to read later.
“William,” she said.
He looked up. “Yes, Elizabeth?”
“My aunt says – well, perhaps you might just read the first three paragraphs yourself.”
He did so, and then handed the letter back to Elizabeth. “I certainly agree that Georgiana needs help to prepare for her entrance into Society.”
“Yes; but I think we should not just surprise her. Georgiana must be consulted on the subject.”
“On what subject?” The object of their discussion was even now entering the breakfast room.
“Your timing is exquisite, Georgiana! Do you recall that we discussed preparing you for a Season?” Elizabeth asked.
The girl turned pale.
“No, no, Georgiana, do not fear. You have expressed your concerns on the matter, and I quite understand you; but I have someone who could come and help you prepare.”
“But –“
“Do you not think you would like having someone come to spend the day with you, Georgiana?”
“Will she let me play the piano?”
“Yes, and she plays herself! So just think, you would not be dependent on my own poor self for such delights. Also, she will teach you French, as she speaks that language as well as Italian and German. Hold; here is what my aunt writes about her.” And she read the pertinent paragraph aloud. Looking up at her sister, she said, “Does that not sound ideal?”
“Very well,” Georgiana sighed.
“I tell you what, Georgiana. Give her a fair trial, perhaps six months? If, after that time, you do not like the situation, we will reevaluate it together. Is that reasonable?”
Georgiana agreed that it was very reasonable indeed, and so it was with a whole heart that Elizabeth sent off her message the very same day.
Dear Mrs. Annesley,
I understand that my aunt, Mrs. Gardiner, has spoken with you about the possibility of you coming to Pemberley to act as a companion for my sister by marriage, Miss Darcy. She is a shy, self-effacing young woman, whose primary interest in life is her pianoforte.
