The Road to Pemberley (8 page)

“Where is Miss Elizabeth?” Georgiana asked as Jane Bennet disembarked at Netherfield.

“I fear my sister is indisposed.” Jane shot a glance at Darcy. “A megrim.”

Georgiana looked concerned. “We should see to Elizabeth, Fitzwilliam. I cannot bear to think that she is alone at Longbourn.”

Darcy took his sister's arm to direct her through the main door. “It is too close to the supper hour to rush off to call on Miss Elizabeth,” he whispered. “Besides, I am well aware that when Elizabeth claims a headache, her condition is due to some other cause. I made that mistake before. I will not go rushing to my future wife's side again, only to be turned away.”

“Did you argue with Elizabeth?” Georgiana accused him.

“You might better ask when do we not argue,” he countered.

“I shall be happy to sponsor your come out,” Caroline Bingley assured Georgiana. Charles Bingley had escorted Miss Bennet back to Longbourn.

Only Darcy, Caroline, and Georgiana sat in Netherfield's drawing room. Mr. Bingley's oldest sister, Louisa, and her husband were due to arrive with the morning. Bingley and Miss Bennet would marry in four days. In three, Darcy and Elizabeth's last official calling of the banns would occur. As such, he could not keep his mind
on the conversation at hand. He knew, without a doubt, that Elizabeth did not have a headache. She was avoiding him.

“I appreciate your offer, Miss Bingley, but that honor should go to my brother's wife,” Georgiana said calmly.

“You jest, Georgiana. Miss Elizabeth may have captured Mr. Darcy's heart, but even he cannot think she is capable of launching you into society. The ton would chew up and spit out the future Mrs. Darcy.”

Georgiana shot him an imploring glance, but Darcy was still smarting from Elizabeth's snub. “The ton can be cruel. You might take some instruction from Miss Bingley.”

“I mean no offense, Miss Bingley, but I would prefer to make my debut with Miss Elizabeth. She is to be my sister, and I find her opinions on certain individuals very astute.” Georgiana raised her chin in defiance.

Darcy glared at his sister. “Georgiana, apologize to Miss Bingley.”

Her head down and her hands trembling, Georgiana rose. “I have spoken out of turn. I beg your forgiveness, Miss Bingley. Please excuse me. I will retire if I have your permission, Fitzwilliam.” She turned on her heel and exited the room.

“You must take Miss Darcy in hand, sir,” Caroline chastised him. “Miss Elizabeth is a poor influence on Georgiana.”

Darcy rose in anger. “Miss Bingley, I have tolerated your criticism of my future wife because you are the sister of one of my dearest friends. But I can tolerate your remarks no longer. I think it best if my sister and I remove ourselves from Charles's house. I shall instruct Mr. Jordan to see to the packing.” Darcy made a speedy exit.

“Miss Elizabeth!” Bingley's butler appeared surprised at her coming unchaperoned to Netherfield.

“Mr. Branson, might you tell Mr. Darcy that I am here?” She tried not to sound as nervous as she felt. She had done Darcy a disservice the previous evening, and Elizabeth had come to apologize.

“I believe Mr. Darcy is in the library, miss. Shall I announce you?”

“That will not be necessary. I shall be only a moment,” she assured him and started down the long hallway. If Mr. Branson objected, he did not say so.

Elizabeth hurried along, but the sound of male voices brought her up short. She knew she should not eavesdrop, but they spoke of her.

“Caroline's behavior was beyond the pale when she spoke disparagingly of Miss Elizabeth,” Bingley declared.

“I agree,” Darcy added. “But what did your sister say that I myself have not thought? I am not angry with Miss Bingley. I am angry with myself for not considering Elizabeth's inability to see Georgiana through a London season. Perhaps I will seek Lady Matlock's sponsorship.”

“You cannot mean to ignore Miss Elizabeth? She will be your wife. If you ask the countess to shepherd Georgiana about London, your wife's reputation will suffer.”

Elizabeth felt the air being sucked from her lungs.

“What can I do? By ton standards, Elizabeth is incapable of being a proper chaperone for Georgiana.”

Elizabeth could bear to hear no more. She tiptoed away. Thankfully, no servants lurked about the halls. Elizabeth turned toward the nearest door. Within a minute, she had escaped the main house and was circling the greenhouse. Away from any prying eyes, the tears began in earnest. “What have I done?” Dejected, she sank down on an abandoned wagon bed.

Thirty minutes later, the tears had lessened, and Elizabeth pulled herself together. “By the time I reach Longbourn, my face will have assumed its usual happy expression.” Determined, she set off at a steady clip. The sound of a carriage behind her made Elizabeth want to run away—and to pray it was Darcy.

“Miss Elizabeth,” Hardesty said as he pulled up on the reins. “You are out early.”

Elizabeth dropped a halfhearted curtsy. “I called at Netherfield…to spend time with Mr. Darcy's sister.”

“I see.” Hardesty eyed her with some curiosity. “And the gentleman did not steal the opportunity to spend time with his affianced? I cannot imagine a man of Mr. Darcy's reputation allowing you to walk to Longbourn while he leisurely spent hours at Netherfield. Would you like a shoulder on which to cry, Miss Elizabeth?” he said boldly.

“I fear that I have no more tears.”

Hardesty climbed down from the carriage to take her hand. “Let me see you home, Miss Elizabeth. Remember, if you wish to speak of this, I am available to listen.”

Elizabeth allowed him to help her to the gig's seat. When he climbed up beside her, she graciously said, “Thank you, Matthew.”

He smiled at her broadly. “You were always my favorite Bennet sister. Always full of adventure. Of spontaneity. Of a passion for life.” He set the gig in motion.

“All the things Mr. Darcy does not wish in a wife,” Elizabeth grumbled.

Hardesty did not respond immediately. “I imagine that for a man of Mr. Darcy's stature, spontaneity comes at a high premium. I am sure he plans each detail of his life.”

Elizabeth added ruefully, “Probably schedules every minute of every day.”

Hardesty leaned closer, as if sharing a secret. “And you are willing to accept such a life?”

Elizabeth sighed deeply. “I am willing to share such a life because I am hopelessly in love with Mr. Darcy. My aunt Gardiner says Mr. Darcy wants for nothing but a little more liveliness. I had thought that as his wife I might teach him to enjoy life more.”

“It is a great gamble, Elizabeth. What if your Mr. Darcy does not change? What then? Once you are married, you cannot change your mind. Marriage is forever.”

“Even if I wished to terminate the engagement, Mr. Darcy would never cancel our arrangement. He is too much of a gentleman. If I took such a step on my own, I would be ruined socially, as would Kitty and Mary. It is an impossible situation.”

Hardesty maneuvered the gig onto a side road. “Now, why do you not tell me everything that has happened of late?”

“What can I do? By ton standards, Elizabeth is incapable of being a proper chaperone for Georgiana. Yet I cannot live without her. Elizabeth is my other half. We have fought a great deal in the past few weeks, but I am of the mind that when we are alone at Pemberley, everything will come together nicely. If Elizabeth cannot adapt to the ton's standards, then Georgiana will find a husband in a less traditional setting.”

“My money is on Miss Elizabeth. The ton has been known to appreciate quirkiness. I believe the beau monde will embrace your wife,” Bingley declared.

Darcy nodded. “It should be an interesting experience.”

“Then you will stay at Netherfield? Four days before my wedding is not a convenient time for you to disappear, old friend,” Bingley said.

“Georgiana and I will stay,” Darcy said grudgingly.

Bingley rubbed his hands together. “Good! Now, tell me about this Hardesty character.”

“How did you know?” Darcy asked. “Never mind. I do not want to know what Miss Bennet has shared with you of my and Miss Elizabeth's private life.”

Darcy had called several times at Longbourn, but Elizabeth had refused to see him on either Friday or Saturday. She had accepted Georgiana's calls, but his sister had promised Elizabeth not to discuss their visits with him. At a quiet supper on Saturday evening, Miss Bingley ventured, “I expected to dine with only Georgiana this evening, Mr. Darcy.”

Darcy swallowed his frustration. “I am sorry to disappoint you, Miss Bingley.” He spoke not another word throughout the rest of the meal.

As he undressed for bed, he said to the empty room, “At least, she cannot ignore me at services in the morning. It is the last day for the calling of the banns. Elizabeth must be present. If she is not, I will ride to Longbourn and
demand
that she see me. This craziness must end. We are meant to share a life. And if we are not, then I must know now.”