Page 32 of Sweet on Mr Darcy

Mrs Younge was nowhere to be found when they returned to Darcy Cottage.

“It is hardly any surprise, when Prissy insists that Georgiana has no need of her when she is in our company.” Darcy Senior was quick to excuse the companion’s absence. “One would think that she did not like her at all.”

“Prissy does not appreciate Mrs Younge,” Darcy confirmed.

“I suppose it is only natural, Prissy is reaching her majority soon,” Mr Darcy mused.

“That has nothing to do with it. Priscilla knows precisely how vulnerable Georgiana is, and how much she requires guidance and protection,” Darcy replied. “She will not tolerate Mrs Younge’s company because Mrs Younge expects Georgiana to endlessly capitulate to her preferences. She does not wish to take in the sights. She takes no pleasure in sea-bathing, strolling the promenade, or visiting the shops. She dislikes the Bennets, and she has no wish to encourage Georgiana to make friends. I do not know why she wished to become Georgiana’s companion, but it was not out of affection for my sister. She has become a millstone about Georgie’s neck.”

“Why have you or Georgiana not spoken to me about these concerns?” Darcy Senior asked, looking troubled.

“Because the only person Mrs Younge does seem to have affection for is Wickham, and so we assume you will defend her, because a friend of Wickham’s is a friend of yours, but Priscilla does not like to leave Georgiana alone with either of them.” Darcy shook his head. “I will return to the Bennets to collect Georgie and my cousin. I consider it no hardship.”

“Perhaps when we return to Pemberley, we should begin to look for another companion for your sister,” murmured Darcy Senior. “We can give Mrs Younge a severance for her trouble.”

“I will send a letter to Lady Matlock,” Darcy agreed. “Surely her sources can recommend a suitable woman.”

Chapter Fifteen

Friday 17 July 1812

As Elizabeth and Jane prepared for a dinner at the Darcys’ home, Charlotte entered the room with a slim case in her hand.

“Jane, could you leave us for a moment? I wish to speak to your sister.”

When Jane had gone, Charlotte turned to Elizabeth. “Lizzy, your father gave me this as a gift when Lucas was born, but I have been saving it for a special event to wear it.”

Charlotte’s condition had improved dramatically since the phaeton incident. She had accompanied Mr Bennet, Elizabeth, and Mary to two dances at the assembly rooms, and seemed to be nearly back to her old vigour. She rarely suffered the excessive fatigue that had plagued her after her confinement.

Elizabeth looked down at the case, which Charlotte opened to reveal a lovely, ornate cross of pink topaz and citrine, set in gold, with a pair of matching ear drops. Elizabeth had never known her father to purchase gold. Even her own garnet cross which she received the day she came out into society in Meryton was set in silver, which was less expensive. All of the crosses worn by her sisters were the same.

“It is beautiful, Charlotte,” she said without malice. “You know, my father never gave my mother any such adornments for any occasion. She complained bitterly when we were given our crosses, but he said that Grandmama Bennet’s pearls suited her well enough. You should wear it tonight. I am certain it would please him, as you seem to have done.”

“I am certain that I will do so sometime, Lizzy, but I thought you should wear it tonight, to look your best for Mr Darcy.”

“Thank you for the compliment, Charlotte, I thought my looks were at their best tonight already.” Elizabeth was rather tart. “Besides, I have selected my pomegranate ribbons, which go very well with my ivory silk and my garnet cross.”

“It would be no trouble at all to change your ribbons, Lizzy,” Charlotte insisted.

Elizabeth was firm as she wrapped a string of seed pearls around her coiffure. “Charlotte, you are generous indeed to share such a gift, and I know that your motives are sincere, but I am content with my appearance as it is.”

Charlotte sighed. “I wish you were not so difficult.”

Elizabeth raised her eyebrows. “I am not being difficult. You wish me to accept attention from a gentleman, and I am doing so. You cannot expect me to allow you to dress me like your childhood doll. Perhaps you and my father should try for a daughter, if you wish for that. Or give some attention to Kitty. She was sadly neglected by Mama, as you know. She has blossomed under your affection. You ought to allow her out properly next year.”

“But you are so secretive about it!” Charlotte said in frustration. “I wished for you to be more open with gentlemen so that society would not talk of your indifference, and your reserve does nothing to help your sisters!”

“I am not reserved, I am discreet.” Elizabeth scowled. “My courtship with a gentleman is about my future and my life, not about giving my sisters consequence. If I marry, they will receive all the consequence that you could desire. Mr Darcy is reticent by nature. I will not make a spectacle of him, nor will I allow you to make a spectacle of me.”

“When I married Mr Bennet, you and I promised that our friendship would never change, but you have ceased to confide in me as you once did,” Charlotte complained.

“Charlotte, that was silly of us, as you must now realise.” Elizabeth pulled on her evening gloves. “Now that you are in an intimate relationship with my father, there are matters you cannot share with me. And you entered your marriage for a far different reason than my courtship with Mr Darcy. You were not in love, and so your feelings upon the matter were different.”

“Are you in love with Mr Darcy?” Charlotte asked eagerly.

“I do not know, for falling in love is not as simple as deciding to marry for a home and position of one’s own, and is not the work of a moment, at least not for me.” Elizabeth attempted to speak gently to her old friend. “But I do know that it feels like a very private matter. The most private, precious undertaking I have ever attempted. I have spoken of it with no one. Not even Jane, so you should not feel hurt.”

A knock came from the door, and Jane entered with an enormous box of blooms. “I am sorry to disturb you, but these arrived a few moments ago from Mr Darcy. The note says he hopes Lizzy will wear the red roses and calla lilies, and the rest are for the ladies of the house.”