Darcy wondered whether her rather exaggerated notions were a common occurrence amongst young ladies of her age. He did not know enough about them to make a comparison, but Elizabeth might have some valuable insight.
“Georgiana,” he said. She made a noise that indicated she had heard him. “It has lately come to my attention that I was in a particularly disagreeable mood last summer. I am sorry for it.”
He watched as her body stilled, and, after a pause, she slowly turned to face him. Her voice was small when she said, “You owe me no apology. It was my fault.”
“No,” he said firmly, shaking his head in emphasis. He had wanted to acknowledge his poor behaviour, which must have affected her as it had Bingley, Elizabeth, and many others, and he was glad he had; it told him that she had blamed herself, and it was important that she realise he and he alone was responsible for his actions. Beyond that, it was Wickham who was the cause of his unhappiness, not her. He attempted to explain that he had been angry with the man he had once considered his dearest friend and disappointed in himself for failing to do his job of protecting her adequately. That led to a longer conversation about Ramsgate and his recent history with Wickham, and he told her a little of what had happened when he had first arrived in Meryton. Part way through, she returned to her former place near him.
“I am even gladder that you met Miss Elizabeth,” she said. “Shehasmade you happier, and I shall love her for that alone. Is her father really an old friend of Uncle Darcy’s?” She was as astonished by the coincidence as he had been.
“He is, and they are both desirous of renewing their connexion. I shall call on him in a day or two, if you would like to come with me. Aunt Darcy and Cousin Rebecca will wish to see you.”
She said that she would, then asked whether she might return to her preparations. “I still want to hear more about the Bennet girls, but perhaps you can tell me at dinner. I shall talk to Mrs Annesley as soon as she returns from her errands. I am sure she will be agreeable to going with us to Meryton since she had not plannedto see her family until the spring. Oh, I just remembered something I must add to my list!”
After attempting to speak to her of her activities since he had been away or anything other than Elizabeth and Hertfordshire and receiving no reply, he left her to her task.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Darcy’s discussion with his relations went as well as expected. He called on the earl and countess and his cousins Viscount Bramwell and Colonel Fitzwilliam the following day, and once they had shared recent news, he told them that he had met a lady he intended to marry.
“Are you engaged?” Bramwell said. “Before me? I am three years your elder.”
“Which is a sure sign that you had better stop amusing yourself and get serious about settling down,” Lady Romsley said in a reprimanding tone. “We all know you have found your lady. I shall refrain from asking when you will propose—for now.”
Before the conversation became about his cousin’s romantic life or anyone mistook his position, Darcy explained, “No, I have not yet proposed to her, but I am confident that I shall. For her sake, I thought it would be better if we knew each other a little longer. Thereare…reasons.”
“Oh?” Lord Romsley said, fixing a stern eye on him. “I take this news to mean you have given up any notion of marrying Anne. It would be an excellent match for both of you, uniting the Darcy and de Bourgh fortunes. Who is this lady who has captivated you? Tell us about her. Everything we need to know, if you please. I do not want to discover some important fact later.” He, like the countess, was a caring person, but both he and his wife took their responsibilities to the family’s reputation and future seriously.
“Sir, you know I was never especially interested in marrying my cousin, no matter how prudent a financial decision it would be.” The earl made a gesture that signified reluctant acceptance, and Darcy proceeded to tell them about Elizabeth, being sure not to hide what they might find difficult to approve of, chiefly her lack of connexions and fortune and the situation of Mrs Bennet’s relations. He also emphasised everything admirable about her—her character, Mr Bennet’s intelligence and friendship with Frederick Darcy, and their family’s long history as landowners.
“You are happy when you are with her?” Lady Romsley said.
Darcy blushed, which embarrassed him and made him feel like a child, only serving to make his cheeks grow hotter. “I am.”
His cousin Fitzwilliam laughed. “It has finally happened! You, the most stoic, fastidious man I have ever known, have fallen in love.”
Everyone responded in one fashion or another. Bramwell called the comment harsh, but neverthelesslaughed, while the earl and countess reprimanded Fitzwilliam for being cruel.
Darcy said, “I am not fastidious.” Hehadbeen, but he was finding life was far more agreeable if he judged people by how they acted and not who their parents were or the size of their fortune. Having rightly earned Elizabeth’s disdain and that of many others, he understood how unpleasant it was to be dismissed as unworthy of their attention. At the same time that he was beginning to view people more generously, he learnt to want them to see him as more than a wealthy, well-connected gentleman with a large estate and titled relations.
Lord Romsley demanded they be serious. “I admit I am concerned, Nephew. You hardly know this girl. I am relieved you have not yet committed yourself, but the whole business seems unlike you. Too impetuous.”
“I understand why you feel that way, but I assure you, I know with everything that I am,sheis the lady I am meant to marry. She will be an excellent wife to me and sister to Georgiana.”
“And you are happy when you are with her,” Lady Romsley stated, giving her husband a rather pointed look. “Once, long ago, your uncle claimed to know within a day of meeting me that I was the lady for him.”
“Perhaps old age is robbing him of his memory,” Bramwell said, trying but failing to appear sombre. Sitting beside him, Fitzwilliam sniggered.
“That is enough from the pair of you,” the earl said. Regarding Darcy, he sighed. “It is true that emotions can lead you where sober reflection might suggest youshould not go.” Darcy opened his mouth to interject, but Lord Romsley held up a finger to stop him. “I do not say that Miss Elizabeth Bennet would be an unwise choice. I only meant that she does not seem like the sort of young woman any of us expected you to marry.”
“Unlike Anne?” Fitzwilliam asked.
Bramwell added, “He would never have been happy with her, and I do not believe she wants to marry him any more than he does her.”
“And before anyone proposes it, I shall not marry her either,” Fitzwilliam said. “Lady Catherine would not approve, and Anne and I would suit even less than she and Darcy.”
Lord Romsley scowled at his sons, but before he spoke, the countess did, addressing Darcy.
“I share your uncle’s trepidation, but I am looking forward to meeting her and forming my own opinion. Will she come to town soon?”
