Page 79

Book 3 Chapter 7

“Mrs. Bennet, please allow me to present my sister Miss Georgiana Darcy. Georgiana, these are our closest neighbours, the Bennet family; Mrs. Bennet, Miss Bennet and Miss Mary. This is my sister’s companion Mrs. Annesley.”

Once the curtseys were dealt with, which took a moment, it was time for conversation. It was slow going at first, Georgiana was painfully shy, but then the topic of music was broached and suddenly she and Mary were no longer tongue-tied. Another five minutes saw them off to the music room, Mrs. Annesley trailing behind.

“Mary is the most diligent of us all at practicing. We will go and rescue Miss Darcy shortly.”

It was Darcy’s turn to smile.

“There will be no need. They will need to be rescued from each other. This is excellent tea Mrs. Bennet.”

Elizabeth was pleased that her mother managed not to titter.

“Thank you, Mr. Darcy. It is a blend imported from India which I obtain through my brother.”

Elizabeth tensed momentarily, unsure as to how Mr. Darcy would react to a relative in trade. But the moment passed.

“Has there been any news since I saw you last, what was it, four days ago?”

“You will have heard the rumour that there was going to be several elements of a Militia Regiment stationed in the area. The Colonel and his officers were present at Lucas Lodge but the decision where they were to camp had not been taken. We were all slightly surprised when that rumour turned out to be completely true. When I stop and think on it, I believe it is a regiment from your home county. It seems strange they are stationed here rather than in the north.”

“I can explain Miss Bennet. They do not let the Militia be stationed in the home county or even close to it. The prime role of the Militia is to maintain public order. There were instances where the soldiers were reluctant to fire on friends and neighbours, so they are all assigned to different areas. I would imagine the Militia are here to support the authorities in London should the need arise.”

“How fascinating. It makes sense when you say it but I would not have thought of that.”

“My sister’s other guardian is our cousin, who is a Colonel in the Dragoon Guards. I have learned much from him over the years.”

The visit lasted close to an hour, much longer than was the norm, but this was entirely due to the two young ladies in the music room and no one cared. Once the Darcys had left it was just Elizabeth and her mother, Mary returning to the piano.

“While it is just the two of us we should talk Lizzie.”

This was not unexpected, Elizabeth was surprised that it had taken her mother so long.

“For someone that was so rude barely a month ago, Mr. Darcy appears to have changed his tune. What are you going to do?”

More than anything else, the marriage of Jane to Sir David Carruthers had calmed Mrs. Bennet. This imposing naval officer had persuaded, more like forced, Mr. Bennet to build a dower house. She was secure, there would be a home on the estate for her and any unmarried girls, or they could stay with Lady Carruthers. Mrs. Bennet always liked to think of Jane as Lady Carruthers.

While she was still very keen for all four remaining daughters to marry, there was not the fervour of old. Two years earlier, Mr. Bingley returning to London would have been treated as a catastrophe by Mrs. Bennet. Now while she was still a little anxious, unsure if he would really return, it was no longer all consuming. Thus, she could have a discussion with Elizabeth without immediately proclaiming the match. Mind you Elizabeth had learned at the feet of Sir David and was not as complaisant as before.

“I do not know. I tensed when you mentioned the tea, unsure about how Mr. Darcy would react to our having relatives in trade. Now that I think on it, I will bring it up in conversation the next time I am talking to him. His reaction will drive my thoughts.”

“And if he accepts it without a fuss?”

Elizabeth was silent because she did not know her own heart. He presented well, and had done since the second time she saw him. But there was still the memory of how he upset poor Mary.

“I am unsure. He has not engaged my heart yet. But I think he has started to engage my head. I enjoy my conversations with him, but I know it is not enough. I am not the most patient of souls, this will be my penance.”

Her mother smiled and moved on. Elizabeth was not her only unmarried daughter.

“I am ten years younger than your father, and was married before I was 18.”

The words were one statement but the question was quite another.

“We will have to be patient on this as well. If he can get the superior sister married off then I think he will return. I am being silly, of course he will return it is he who has leased the estate. We should not forget that.”

“It was only the Assembly, the interrupted night at Lucas Lodge and one visit here, is he set on Kitty?”

“Let me answer your question with one of my own. In your experience is a man attracted to a slim blonde going to suddenly change his mind to a busty brunette? And he saw them both at the same time on all three occasions.”