Page 147 of Mr. Darcy Comes to Town

From the landing between the ground floor and the first floor, Darcy heard the carriage coming up the drive. He glanced behind him, wondering where Georgiana might be. He thought she would want to meet Mrs. Inwood in the front entrance hall.

“Fitz!” she cried from below. “Hurry. They are coming.”

“Ah, there you are,” he said, responding to her imperative wave by hastening his steps. “Shall we wait here? Or should we permit her to freshen up before we interview her?”

She blinked several times, considering his question. “I think we should give her a moment. Miss Bingley will do and say what is necessary.”

“I agree,” he said, waving toward a small visiting room just off the entrance hall. “This room is more intimate and less intimidating.”

“Yes, yes.” Georgiana walked briskly across the tiled floor.

He glanced at Brewster, who had just entered the hall in readiness to open the front door. “Tell the colonel that we await them in this room when Mrs. Inwood is refreshed. Bring us some tea in a half hour.”

Brewster bowed. “Sir.”

“Hurry, Fitz.”

Darcy followed Georgiana into a pleasant room that held only six chairs, upholstered in gold striped silk, already arranged evenly about a round dining table. A gold and green Persian carpet graced the floor beneath the table. Pale green curtains draped across three tall windows overlooking the front of the house. Paintings of specimen trees, framed in carved wood, decorated the walls.

“It is like being in a forest,” Georgiana remarked, gazing at the paintings. “I never thought to have a room at Pemberley decorated in such a specific botanical theme.”

“I like it,” Darcy said, nodding. “We could try something similar in one of the public rooms at home. Not necessarily trees, of course, but another botanical.”

“Like roses?” Georgiana asked.

“Hm. Wild flowers found on the estate?” Darcy countered.

“In the spring, we could commission a water colorist,” his sister suggested. “Or your wife could, if she likes the idea.”

Darcy’s lips twitched at her sally, but he merely said, “A sound idea.”

They stopped talking when they heard the front door open and close. Darcy held his breath, and then released it when he wondered why he felt anxious. Unexpectedly, footsteps approached the room—more than one set of footsteps. Mrs. Inwood must prefer to have the interview before she refreshes herself. Georgiana sidled closer to him, her arm touching his. The door opened, and Brewster entered, standing to one side.

“Colonel Fitzwilliam, and Mrs. Clarise Inwood,” the butler intoned.

Mrs. Inwood curtsied and their cousin nodded. Darcy nodded back, and Georgiana curtsied. Douglas gestured to the woman, an invitation to fully enter the room. Almost as tall as his sister, Mrs. Inwood had the mature figure of a woman in her mid-thirties. She wore a simple burgundy-colored traveling gown with long sleeves, a collar closed with a bit of black braiding, and black gloves. Her thick auburn hair had been piled atop her head with a ring of curls framing her face. Intelligent gray eyes observed them candidly.

“Welcome, Mrs. Inwood,” Darcy said. He waved at the chair nearest her and Douglas pulled it out.

“Thank you, Mr. Darcy,” she said, her voice pleasant.

“This is my sister, Georgiana Darcy,” he said, turning to hand her into the chair next to the one he intended to use. Once she settled, he sat as well. “Do you mean to stay, Douglas?”

“I do, if you have no objection,” his cousin said.

“None at all,” Darcy replied, nodding. He folded his hands before him on the table and focused his attention on Mrs. Inwood. “Shall we address your availability first? When can you start working if I should deem you suitable?”

“I can start immediately, sir,” Mrs. Inwood said.

“Are you willing to live part of the year at Pemberly in Derbyshire, and part of the year in London?”

“I am, sir. I enjoy country life, but I am also comfortable in city society.”

Georgiana leaned forward a little and asked, “Do you like dogs, ma’am?”

A twinkle entered Mrs. Inwood’s eyes. “I like them very much.”

Darcy believed her. Good.