Page 16 of Miss Gardiner
Setting down her knife and fork, Georgiana blushed but explained, “Whenever you and Mr Bingley went to your office to talk business or even just to the window to examine a business letter or tell each other stories from your club, Miss Bingley always–always–proceeded to tell me that she would make you a good wife. And she would look around the parlour, shake her head and say that she would redecorate the house to be more fitting to your station as a rich man. Mrs Hurst would look uncomfortable but never said anything until Miss Bingley began to speak of the glittering entertainments, she would organize…”
“Miss Bingley said these things to you?” Darcy asked, his face displaying surprize and distaste. “With her sister sitting in the same room?”
“I do not understand why she thinks the house is not decorated properly,” Georgiana continued. “And I know you do not care for dinner parties with large numbers of people.”
Dracy declared, “Such conversation is completely unacceptable in the presence of a young lady!”
Now Georgiana grinned and revealed a secret saying, “Brother, Aunt Catherine and Aunt Edith speak of little else but who should be your bride when I am in their company. Cousin Anne pays attention to her sherry and Cousin Amy agrees with each statement from her mother’s mouth concerning your forthcoming proposal. Aunt Edith believes you should entertain more, and Aunt Catherine believes that entertainments are useless…men should just obey her commands.”
“Surely not!” Darcy declared, not wanting to believe his aunts spoke of nothing else in Georgiana’s presence but his sister’s face was serious, and he conceded without argument.
“Brother, when you do marry, please select a young lady for more than her wealth,” Georgiana said quietly.
Darcy asked, “Whydo you say that?”
His sister met his eyes as she explained, “I know we are wealthy, but I find myself wondering…I want to be happy in my marriage. From what I see around me, so many people married for money and for position, but fail to find happiness.”
Curious, the gentleman asked his sister, “Who do you think is unhappy in their marriage?”
“Aunt Edith is unhappy. She and Aunt Catherine fuss about the earl’s mistresses all the time. Amy blushes and will not discuss those women. Aunt Catherine frowns and tells how she took away the legacy her husband left for his mistress while Anne just giggles and drinks more sherry. Then Aunt Catherine tells us to be quiet and not listen to their conversation,” Georgiana replied. “What I do not understand is why they want you to make such a marriage if they are unhappy.”
Darcy sighed and revealed to Georgiana that Aunt Catherine did not subvert her husband’s will. “There were very specific sections of the document stating that Aunt Catherine’s ability to control Rosings Park until Anne married were tied to her acceptance of his settlements on the church and his mistress. The lady lives in Bath I believe, and she is comfortable with her income.”
Then he assured his sister saying, “Georgie, there are happy couples.”
Nodding, Georgiana agreed and said, “I think that Mrs Hurst is happy in her marriage. Mr Hurst appears to be happy as long as he is not affected by Miss Bingley’s latest tantrum.”
Again, Darcy had to control his smile to hear Miss Bingley’s tirades so characterized.
“Georgiana, I have not married because I did not know any woman who would welcome a younger sister to raise; I would not have you shipped off to a school somewhere. And the women who I found interesting were each seeking rich husbands. They were married to someone else within six months of my ceasing to call.”
Her features giving evidence of being deep in thought, Georgiana said, “I think you should consider Miss Gardiner as the future Mrs Darcy.”
“What? She’s…”
“A gentleman’s daughter, like myself,” Georgiana said. “She is very pretty, and she can argue with you about Bonaparte, the price of corn, Parliament, and books.”
“There are more considerations that just that,” William replied. “She may not have a dowry of any kind.”
Now Georgiana laughed and asked her brother, “And do you need more money, Fitzwilliam Darcy? If so, seek Miss Bingley’s company and you shall be richer by twenty thousand pounds.”
“Twenty thousand? Georgie, does she speak of that too?”
Refusing to speak of Caroline Bingley again, Georgiana looked at her brother and said, “I shall determine if Miss Gardiner has musical talent. You must discover if she can dance. Then you can begin to court her properly.”
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“Lizzy! Lizzy!” called a little girl from just outside Elizabeth’s bedroom door. “Are you up yet?”
“Let’s wake Lizzy up,” decided her older brother who pushed open the door and lead his sisters into the bedroom. The three children found their cousin in a dressing gown crossing the floor toward the door with a smile on her face.
“Good morning, Lizzy!” called all three of the children. “Can we break-r-fast with you today?”
“Do you have to go count dishes and rugs today?” asked one young voice.
Another asked, “Can we sing and play today?”
Her smile grew larger as Elizabeth knelt to kiss and hug each of her cousins, and replied, “Yes, today I get to be Cousin Lizzy all day long with four of the best children in His Majesty’s realm.”
