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Lady Catherine hesitated for a moment. “I have spent the last week in diligent consult with one of the greatest medical minds in the civilised world—my own, personal physician—on behalf of Darcy’s recovery. It was his express wish that I bring your brother here. Should I, near the very moment of accomplishing true and curative treatment, be prevented by the earl, who has merely hired your companion’s relation, an insignificant medic of no importance in the world and wholly unallied to the family? Do I owe any explanations of my conduct to the earl after such neglect, never mind to that toad, Younge?”
“No, ma’am,” Georgiana humbly replied. “Thank you, ma’am.”
Lady Catherine tilted her head in satisfaction. When she spoke again, she seemed almost to be speaking to herself. “Let them follow my carriage to Rosings. Let them enjoy the red herrings I have in store for them, trails leading to nowhere but further delay.”
Astonished, Elizabeth blurted, “But will they not learn of the opening of Darcy House? Someone is bound to speak of it.”
Lady Catherine gave her a quelling look. “Foolish girl! Naturally, I have asked Mrs Taylor to keep the household to the barest number of servants and, of those, the most circumspect. I am confident she will act in the family’s best interests, keeping our presence confidential. I need not remind you, I am sure, that your own discretion will be required. Letters must not be posted from town. Weekly, I will have one of my people collect any you feel the need to write as well as my own. The letters will be posted from, hmm, other places. I trust you understand?”
She spoke in such a forceful, compelling manner, compliance was a foregone conclusion. And if there was any mystery regarding her acceptance of Lizzy’s inclusion in this little party, it was made clear—she was to be Georgie’s sole entertainment, just as Georgie was to be Lizzy’s. Evidently, Lady Catherine had no doubts as to her ability to exercise control over them both.
“Yes, my lady,” Lizzy agreed.
After all, she had nowhere else to go.
* * *
Mrs Taylor, the housekeeper, was apologetic when she learnt that neither had brought a maid. “I don’t know if her ladyship will allow me to put another on, but I will ask.”
“Never mind it, Mrs Taylor,” Georgiana had replied. “My aunt did not want us to bring any servants, so I doubt she will allow it now. If you have someone to help us dress, we will contrive to make do.”
The rooms given Lizzy were grand ones and directly across from Georgiana’s in the family wing. Anxious not to be a bother to Mrs Taylor, she unpacked her own trunk before tapping on Georgiana’s door; she was immediately admitted.
“Have you discovered whether your brother is in residence?” Lizzy asked as soon as the door shut behind her. She saw that, like herself, Georgiana was unpacking her own belongings—haphazard stacks of undergarments, dresses, and shawls lay in untidy heaps upon the bed. Perfunctorily, Lizzy began organising the piles.
“It was the oddest thing, Lizzy. I asked Mrs Taylor as soon as we were alone, but she behaved very strange, when she has always been most accommodating. It was almost as though she wished to speak but abruptly said my aunt required her and hurried from the room without answering.”
“Clearly, your aunt has instructed her to say nothing to anyone, and Lady Catherine is a most intimidating creature. Probably her lack of an answer was her answer. After all, if he is not here, she would have no qualms about saying so.”
“I suppose,” Georgiana said dubiously.
“Where could they put him if he is here?”
“His rooms are just down the corridor.”
Lizzy nodded. “You should definitely check them. It seems unlikely, though, if she is trying to hide his presence. Where else?”
Georgiana was thoughtful. “Perhaps the nursery? There are servants’ quarters in the attics, but most of the upper servants have rooms belowstairs. The entire second floor should be vacant.” She plunked down in a chair beside the unlit hearth. “It is so unfair! He is my brother! Am I to have no access to him? I have practically abducted you from Ramsgate only to be locked up in London!” She sniffed, fumbling for her handkerchief.
Lizzy sighed, moving to the chair opposite. “At least one of those burdens you must not shoulder. I told you my friend is to marry soon, and my visit to her would have drawn to a quick end.”
“You also told me that you eagerly await a reunion with your sister. Lizzy, I do not know when any letter you write will even reach her! Your parents will not stay angry forever and will wonder at your whereabouts soon.”
“It does not signify. Jane is on her wedding trip, and it may be weeks before she returns or receives any letter of mine. I was in no hurry to present myself in Hertfordshire, I assure you.”
“I feel terrible. This is not how I envisioned your visit.” Georgiana sighed.
Lizzy paused, considering how much to say before deciding upon the whole truth. She sat down on the large bed, folding and refolding a linen handkerchief. “My father is a gentleman, while my mother was the daughter of his Meryton solicitor. He fell in love with her, and they wed quickly, but it was not long before they discovered a great difference in temperament. My mother was…lively. My father called her a flirt.”
Georgie’s eyes opened wide, and Lizzy’s cheeks pinked with mortification. However, she refused to apologise; salacious the story might be, but Lizzy was its innocent victim.
“My eldest sister, Jane, is golden haired and blue eyed, as is Lydia, the youngest—both resemble my mother. Mary and Catherine are dark haired and dark eyed, like my father. As you can see, I am neither.”
“Perhaps some distant relation on either side.”
“There was an officer, a Colonel Millar, of ginger-coloured hair and green eyes stationed near Meryton not many months after Jane was born, who fell in love with my mother. He wrote her letters full of bad poetry, and Papa found them just after she told him she was with child again. My parents patched up their marriage, after a fashion, I think. Mary is only a year younger than I am. He repudiated neither me nor Mama, but he has never spoken to me either.”
“Never?” Georgiana gasped.
