Page 75 of Master of Netherfield
“A gentleman must be provided with proper refreshment when he returns to the house after a day with his peers,” announced Caroline as if Mr Darcy would be impressed with her attempt to direct his sister’s behaviour. “You must learn these things, Miss Darcy."
Darcy scoffed at the idea that the politicians he had spent the day with were his peers, but it was not his intention to mention his day infront of Miss Bingley. Her tongue was already known around town for spreading gossip.
“Our servants are busy with other duties at this hour,” he explained. “I need to speak privately to my sister before supper in any case.”
“Darcy, you only just arrived, and we have waited almost an hour for you,” Charles said. “Did not you send for us?”
Darcy and Mrs Annesley both glanced at Miss Bingley who blushed furiously while suddenly Georgiana began to giggle.
“Charles, I have been indisposed on business matters since morning. I assure you, I have not sent for you,” Darcy replied. Then he glanced at Miss Bingley and added, “Or for your sister.”
Perplexed for a moment, Bingley fell back into the chair but then he turned his gaze upon Caroline who refused to meet his eyes. He sighed and rose once more from his chair. He turned to the Georgiana, bowed and said, “Miss Darcy, my sister and I shall take our leave of you. Thank you for a most excellent tea.”
Miss Bingley did not move for a moment until her brother said, “Come Caroline. You will be late for your next engagement.”
Rising quickly, Caroline thanked Georgiana and then curtseyed to Mr Darcy who barely nodded his head in her direction before turning his full attention on his sister. He had trouble maintaining his stern countenance until the footman closed the door on the departing brother and sister.
“Miss Bingley wants so desperately to be my best friend, brother,” Georgiana explained. “If you ever to invite them to supper, she will arrive with her trunks and move into the chamber next to my own.”
Darcy caught Mrs Annesley’s eye, and she tightened her expression; his sister’s companion had different opinion of Miss Bingley’s ambitions regarding the Darcy family. That very afternoon, the servants were instructed that Miss Bingley was never to be left alone with the master of the house for his own peace-of-mind.
“Charles is a good man,” Darcy said. “We were friends at school, and we have several investments in common.”
“But I have so little in common with Miss Bingley,” Georgiana replied. “I believe Jane and Elizabeth could speak to her regard for fashion, but Miss Bingley only speaks of parties and gowns. I certainly hope Lydia does not grow up as Miss Bingley.”
“Mr and Mrs Bennet will not allow Miss Lydia to be focused solely on social functions,” Mrs Annesley interjected. “She has her lessons each day with her sisters.”
“With great reluctance on most days,” Georgiana concluded with a sigh. Now she turned to her brother, “Are your responsibilities complete, William? May we return home to Netherfield?”
“Indeed. We shall travel home tomorrow after breaking our fast and have an early tea in our own parlour.”
“Thank you, William! May we ride to Longbourn after tea! I am so anxious to ride somewhere, and I want to see my friends.”
“Will you not be too tired tomorrow?”
“Tired? Netherfield is only three hours from town,” Georgiana stated with great surprise. “Why would I be tired?”
“I imagine you will sit up all night planning your tales for the Bennet sisters.”
Grinning once again, Georgiana replied, “Only half the night brother. I have kept a steady correspondence with my friends, and we know each other’s secrets even after these many months apart.”
**++**
Elizabeth Bennet was playing with her brother Thomas in the garden the following afternoon when they heard the hooves of horses approaching the house.
“Lizzy!” Thomas exclaimed. “Who is it?”
The young woman smiled at the face of her excited brother. “Shall we sneak to the hedge and spy on them?”
“Oh yes,” Thomas replied.
The young boy and his older sister hurried to the hide in the shadow of the house, but Lizzy spoiled the spying when she saw who the two riders were. Leaving Thomas behind for a moment, she hurried around the front of the house greeting the family’s long-missing neighbours, William and Georgiana Darcy.
There were shouts from inside the house and Thomas watched as his mother and sisters poured out into the yard where they hugged the young woman and gave familiar curtseys to the tall man. Papa came out and shook hands with the man and motioned for him to enter the house.
When Jane caught a glimpse of her young brother at the side of the house, she smiled and motioned for him to join the parade of young women who were about to follow the two men inside.
“Come Thomas. We shall have tea with biscuits and cake to celebrate the return of our neighbours.”
