First Impressions: A Tale of Less Pride & Prejudice (Tales of Less Pride and Prejudice) (14 page)

“
Very well then. I will leave tomorrow after an early breakfast.” Darcy drained his glass.

So as intended Mr. Darcy departed from Hertfordshire the next morning, comfortably ensconced in Bingley’s plush coach, and arrived in London in time to join his sister for tea. The journey provided ample opportunity to hope he had made the right choice in leaving, confidant that he could have changed Bingley’s mind about insisting he do so, but he had not wanted to undermine his friend when he was so properly exerting himself. Since their arrival in Hertfordshire, a decided change had overcome Bingley. He was more confident and determined in his actions, presumably a result of Jane Bennet’s influence. “This marriage will be excellent for Bingley,“ he thought smugly and allowed his thoughts to stray from Wickham to the more pleasant topic of Elizabeth for the remainder of his journey.

Georgiana Darcy was both surprised and delighted by her brother’s unexpected arrival. Rarely did he travel spontaneously unless there was an emergency to address but she could tell upon first glance, even though Wickham weighed on his mind, that never had her brother been less burdened in his life. There was an unusual swing in his always determined stride that she had not seen before. Closer inspection revealed an excited agitation in his typically somber face. “Something certainly has affected my brother, for the positive,” she thought, “but what could possibly have induced such a remarkable change in him?” She counted on being quickly enlightened.

After exchanging the mandatory pleasantries which must be attended to upon any reunion, regardless of their value conversationally, Darcy said, “I stop here on my way to Rosings, where I shall head tomorrow. I would continue tonight but as my aunt has no warning of my arrival, I thought coming upon her in the daylight would be less of a shock. Besides, this arrangement gives me the opportunity to visit with you, my dear. I have much to tell.”

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More to tell than why you are off to Rosings? A place you rarely take yourself but for your annual spring visit?” Georgiana asked silently, saying aloud, “It certainly seems you do, Brother.”

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I have formed a new acquaintance,” he said with such a broad smile that it nearly took his sister aback.

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With whom?”

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A young lady.”

“
Oh! I see,” she replied. Both her brother’s behavior and the trip to Rosings began to make sense.

“
She is a resident of Hertfordshire, Georgiana. Her father owns a small estate near Netherfield. Bingley is to marry her elder sister in December.”

“
That is wonderful news,” she exclaimed sincerely, her animated smile beaming at Darcy. She had often wondered if her brother had not entertained future hopes for herself and Mr. Bingley and was pleased to see him leave the marriage mart. Though she was fond of Mr. Bingley, she had never felt anything akin to romantic attraction for him, nor did he ever betray any towards her. She suspected Darcy now had much better means of making Bingley his brother and hers as well, a role much better suited to her regard for the man. “I am delighted for him,” she said, hoping to soon feel even more delight on behalf of her brother. “What is the bride’s name?”

“
Jane Bennet, the eldest of five daughters.”

“
And your young lady?” she asked with a nervous grin.

“
Miss Elizabeth Bennet, the second eldest of the house – Longbourn is its name,” he enthusiastically replied.

“
He does seem smitten!” Georgiana thought as she hung on to every detail of his account.

“
We met at a local assembly, the same at which Bingley met Miss Bennet. He harangued me into asking her to dance and quite in spite of myself I found her utterly charming. She is so unlike the women I meet in society, Georgiana; she has none of their air of falsity and connivance. I find her company thoroughly rejuvenating. She is kind, caring, honest, and terribly witty. She makes me feel happier than I have ever been and I have asked to spend more time getting to know her.”

“
Oh Fitzwilliam! She sounds wonderful. But pray, if your plans are to be courting her, why are you suddenly off to Rosings?”

“
You will have great difficulty believing the coincidence. I witnessed it and had a hard time grasping the notion myself. It seems that Aunt Catherine’s new rector, a Mr. William Collins, happens to be cousin to the Bennets and heir of their estate. Just this week he became engaged to Mary Bennet, the third sister.”

“
Love is in abundance at Longbourn,” she replied in astonishment.

Darcy laughed, “You know, when I first met the family I was certain that such a frantically matchmaking mother as Mrs. Bennet would frighten away all thinking prospects for her daughters. While it is uncertain if the appellation ‘thinking’ can be applied to Mr. Collins, I must say I either gravely underestimated her, the charms of her daughters, or the powerful force of her husband, as he has proven himself equally determined, in a far more sophisticated fashion, to achieve the same end.”

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How strange you should meet Mr. Collins in Hertfordshire!” Georgiana replied, adopting her brother’s teasing tone. “Aunt Catherine will be most disappointed not to have the privilege of making the introduction.”

“
Indeed she will,” he chuckled.

“
But it just seems too amazing that your Miss Bennet should so soon be sister to both Charles Bingley and the Rector of Hunsford!”

He nodded in agreement, “I have found the entire experience utterly bewildering, I assure you. Part of my motivation for stopping here, Georgiana, was to have the benefit of your conversation in clearing my mind. My feelings for Miss Elizabeth are unlike any I have previously experienced and I need to be sure of their nature before acting upon them. This is why, when Mr. Collins questioned my intentions towards his cousin, having been told by Aunt Catherine that I am engaged to Anne,” Georgiana gasped, “I thought it best to use the opportunity to put an end, once and for all, to my aunt’s schemes. It also provided a handy excuse to get away for a few days and visit you, me dear, with the added benefit of relieving me of the odious man’s presence.”

“
He really dared to question your honor?”

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He most certainly did. And out of the kindness of my heart I am relieving Mr. Collins of the burden of informing Lady Catherine himself that I have no intention of marrying Anne. You should have seen him squirm at the notion.”

“
Can he be so terrible, when you are willing to accommodate him so?”

He frowned and rose to stare out the window while responding, “Generally the inhabitants of Longbourn and their associates are not what I have typically considered desirable company, particularly in the case of Mr. Collins. Mr. Bennet, whom, though a bit indolent, I have found to be a thorough gentleman, has done much of late to check the behavior of his wife and youngest daughters, who should really still be in the schoolroom. Unfortunately, the family unwisely brought out the younger daughters at an abominably young age, while the elder remained unmarried. ” He sighed before turning to face her, stating bluntly, “Mrs. Bennet has connections to trade which, unfortunately, are displayed in her lack of tact. Her sister is married to a local attorney and her brother resides near his warehouses in Cheapside.”

Georgiana could not but be astonished. Clearly the family was well outside their social sphere and never in her life had Georgiana known her brother to trespass its invisible boundaries. All she could assume was that the lady must be extraordinary.

“
The Bennets themselves are genteel, I assure you. Even Mrs. Bennet has remarkably improved since we were first introduced. I know not what Mr. Bennet said to her but she has suddenly become far more subdued in her mannerisms, though she still retains a decided air of over exuberance and obliviousness. The two youngest sisters, Catherine and Lydia, I have very high hopes of being redeemed upon their admission to a finishing school in the new year, a measure I am pleased to have persuaded Mr. Bennet to take. Still, it pains me that only Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth are truly refined amongst the brood, but that I can assure you they are. You will like Elizabeth Bennet, Georgiana. I know you will. I have only to wish her familial circumstances were less exceptional.”

Georgiana was silent a few moments, pondering all the questions her brother’s choice raised. How would their relations respond to such a match, so decidedly beneath what was expected? It mattered not, she determined, for she would remain supportively by her brother’s side. If anyone deserved to find happiness it was undoubtedly him. “Fitzwilliam,” she finally piped up, rather timidly, “perhaps you would like me to accompany you to Rosings?”

He was startled. Never had he considered bringing his sister along on such a mission, subjecting her to Lady Catherine’s inevitable displeasure, but it was a congenial notion. Georgiana’s company would serve as a diversion on the journey and perhaps would mitigate Lady Catherine’s ire, as she always delighted in her niece’s presence. He also recognized that such a spontaneous suggestion on the part of his sister was a great indicator of improved spirits, which had now been depressed for several months, ever since the unfortunate trip to Ramsgate. More than anything, he was deeply touched by Georgiana’s gesture of solidarity.

“
Perhaps you believe my attendance would further the burden of an impromptu visit on my aunt?” His sister’s voice broke his musings.

“
Not at all my dear. Forgive my silence and allow me to implore you: never let Aunt Catherine hear you suggest that her household is not prepared for a surprise visit from the King himself, with his full retinue. On the contrary,” his good natured smile banished her concern, ”I would greatly enjoy your company and appreciate the offer. Only be sure you want to step into the lion’s den with me. I expect our aunt will be most displeased.”

But Georgiana remained undaunted. Happily the siblings planned their departure. As they would only be gone three days, it was decided that Mrs. Annesley need not accompany them.

“
I will collect you immediately following breakfast.”

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And you can tell me more about your new acquaintance during the ride,” Georgiana teased.

“
I fear I can never tire of that topic.” The Darcys parted in unusually high spirits.

Chapter 17

Rain pummelled the Darcey traveling coach as it departed London for Rosings, rendering the ride slow and dreary, but Mr. Darcy kept his sister well entertained by honoring her request to share every detail of his interactions with the extraordinary woman he had met in Hertfordshire. Unfortunately, in order for the account to be complete, it necessitated the inclusion of George Wickham, for he might never have declared his regard for Elizabeth Bennet had that man not made such an unwelcome appearance. He hesitated to mention him but recognized that if Georgiana faced the possibility of finding herself in the same neighborhood as Wickham, say for a wedding perhaps, she best be forewarned. Georgiana took the news quietly, after several thoughtful moments eventually musing, “Perhaps then he has finally done some good in the world, if he helped you recognize your feelings.”

Darcy was proud and touched by her charitable response, but deemed it best to steer the conversation back towards more pleasant topics, “Does that mean I have your approval of the lady I have described?”

Eagerly forsaking the unwelcome thought of Wickham, Georgiana reviewed the details she had gathered on Elizabeth Bennet. Though they had never met, she felt instantly enamored with this woman who had such an astonishing effect on her brother, rendering him very nearly giddy. It had been many years since he had been so jovial – how could she not approve? Furthermore, she had always dreaded the idea of Darcy marrying one of the many Miss Bingley’s who inhabited their world and a Miss Bingley seemed to be precisely what Miss Bennet was not.

“
Oh most assuredly Fitzwilliam.” She leaned forward and asked quietly, with an air of secrecy, “Did she really walk three miles in mud to attend her sick sister?”

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She most certainly did and, it must be acknowledged, looked positively delightful upon arrival,” he smiled at the remembrance. “That does not mean that you should take to any similar notion should I ever fall ill. Sisterly devotion does not justify her behavior – she should not have proceeded thusly though, I cannot deny, I am awfully glad she did.”

“
Well I think she sounds like a delightful lady, muddy petticoats and all. Of course, anyone upon whom you could bestow your love must be worthy.”

“
I feared you might disapprove of her social status.”

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You happiness is paramount with me, Brother.”

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Miss Bingley just recently regaled me with the many horrors to be borne by an unmarried lady whose brother marries into the Bennet family.” He frowned and said quietly, “They certainly can be an unnerving clan.”