A Companion For Miss Darcy: A Pride and Prejudice Variation Read online

  He hastily corrected himself, saying, ‘Only one exemplary companion.’

  Her heart was beating more quickly, for she was sure that was not what he had meant. Had she imagined it, or had she heard admiration in his voice? Not just admiration but something warmer? It seemed he was really attracted to her and she must admit, if only to herself, she was attracted to him.

  It would never do. It was something that must be fought, by both of them – if indeed she had not imagined his feelings, which she very well might have done. And so she accepted his explanation, which made things respectable again between them.

  ‘I never thought I would be a companion,’ she admitted.

  ‘No. I am sure you did not,’ he said, with an unusual note of tenderness in his voice. ‘And yet you have accepted your reverse of fortune with dignity. You have not allowed it to dim your spirit. I think that this ability is something you have passed on to my sister. After last summer —’

  He stopped abruptly.

  ‘After last summer?’ she asked.

  There was some mystery here. She had noticed it before, when Georgiana had spoken of her previous companion.

  ‘My sister was not very well,’ he said. He spoke convincingly, but there had been a moment’s hesitation which led her to suspect there was something more, something he did not wish to talk about. ‘It affected her confidence and I thought the effect might have been permanent, or at least long-lasting. But you have restored her to her former enjoyment of life, and for that I thank you.’

  Lydia had at last been successful in her pleas for dancing and Mary had taken a seat at the pianoforte, ready to play for the dancers. As her first heavy notes sounded, it became difficult to continue the conversation. Elizabeth looked around her. She had been so engrossed with Mr Darcy that she had not noticed the carpet being rolled back for the dance. Couples were already forming, and Miss Bingley was bearing down on them with the evident intention of making it necessary for Mr Darcy to dance with her.

  Mr Darcy saw it, too.

  He turned hastily to Elizabeth and bowed over her hand.

  ‘Might I have the honour of this dance?’ he asked.

  Elizabeth’s eyes twinkled at his quick thinking, and she curtseyed.

  He offered her his arm and they took their places with the other dancers.

  Miss Bingley was forced to dance with Mr Long. However, she managed to secure them a place next to Mr Darcy and Elizabeth in the set, and she spoke as often as possible to Mr Darcy, monopolising his attention. Whenever she gave him a moment’s pause, however, he turned back to Elizabeth.

  After the dance was over, Miss Bingley made it impossible for Mr Darcy not to ask her to dance. Reluctantly, he gave in and offered her his arm.

  Elizabeth returned to the side of the room, where she sat with those who were not dancing.

  Charlotte soon joined her.

  ‘You will not thank me for saying so, Lizzy, and I know you will turn it off with a joke, but I am now sure Mr Darcy admires you. He is twice the man Mr Bingley is, and you should do everything in your power to fix him. If you were to marry him and become the mistress of Pemberley, your family would never want for anything. Just think what it would be, to be the wife of Mr Darcy.’

  Elizabeth felt uncomfortable, for although she was not sure of Mr Darcy’s feelings, she was sure of her own. She was beginning to think him the most amiable man she had ever met: a good brother, a good master, intelligent, interesting, handsome . . . a little proud, perhaps, but for a man of his standing that was not to be wondered at.

  However, as Charlotte had guessed, she turned it aside with a joke.

  ‘Nevertheless, Lizzy, you should not neglect any opportunity you have of encouraging him,’ said Charlotte. ‘Miss Bingley does her best to attract him, and if you are not careful, she will have him.’

  ‘Miss Bingley’s arts have earned her nothing but his contempt,’ said Elizabeth. ‘Mr Darcy is not a man who likes to be courted.’

  ‘Ah! So you have studied him, and know what he likes,’ said Charlotte.

  ‘I have done so such thing!’ said Elizabeth hotly. ‘I would not stoop to such arts. I know you mean well, Charlotte but, on the subject of marriage, you and I will never see eye to eye. You see it as a means of social advancement and preservation from want. I see it as the uniting of two minds, two bodies, two spirits and two souls. If I cannot marry for those reasons, then I will not marry at all. Now, we have talked enough about it. Let us talk of something else.’

  They talked about the excellent dinner, the grace of the dancing and other matters of general interest, but there was a constraint to the conversation and Elizabeth was glad when her Aunt Philips came over to sit next to her.

  ‘What do you think of the officers? Captain Denny is a handsome young man, is he not?’

  The officers had lately arrived in the neighbourhood, and a few of them including Captain Denny were at the dinner party.

  Elizabeth agreed.

  ‘More officers are arriving next week. Now, if one of the officers were to offer for Mary or Kitty, I would not say no and I am sure Mr Gardiner would not say no either.’

  Elizabeth let her attention wander. She had no interest in talking about officers, particularly officers as husbands. It seemed that marriage was all anyone wanted to talk about, but Elizabeth wanted to avoid the subject. It brought up difficult thoughts: thoughts of Jane’s love for Mr Bingley, which might yet be disappointed, and thoughts of her own feelings for Mr Darcy. Those feelings were admiration and friendship at the moment but they were starting to become much deeper. She must resist that at all costs, for it could not lead to anything except unhappiness, and so she was determined not to let it happen. But she was not helped by seeing Mr Darcy as she glanced around the room. He was looking at her with such an unashamed and unabashed look of admiration that she felt her heart stop, and she caught her breath, for it was the sort of look that every woman dreamed of seeing on the face of the man she admired.

  If she had known what he was thinking, she would have been even more moved. For he was thinking of the great pleasure a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman could bestow; and the woman who owned those fine eyes was Miss Elizabeth Bennet.

  Chapter Thirteen

  The time soon came when Elizabeth felt it would be good for Georgiana to host a small party herself. Georgiana had grown used to inviting the Miss Bennets to tea, in an informal way, and was now confident enough to cope with something larger. Elizabeth raised the subject when she was walking through the grounds with Mr Darcy, Georgiana, Mr Bingley, his sisters and Mr Hurst. It was a Saturday and the whole party were gathered together for a walk, as was their custom on each and every Saturday.

  Mr Bingley, Mr Darcy and Elizabeth fell a little way behind their companions when Mr Bingley paused for a few minutes to speak to one of the gardeners. Elizabeth felt this was an ideal time to suggest it. She had not yet mentioned the idea to Georgiana, because she did not want Georgiana to be disappointed if either of the gentlemen objected.

  ‘I think it a capital idea,’ said Mr Bingley. ‘What kind of gathering did you have in mind?’

  ‘The Miss Delawares used to organise small, informal tea parties for young people in the afternoons. The servants are accustomed to it and they are familiar with the arrangements. The whole thing could be easily done.’

  ‘I think it a good idea,’ said Mr Darcy. ‘It will give her some experience of arranging social gatherings, and a small country party will introduce her to many of the things she will need to do as a hostess – making guest lists, writing invitations and so on. I expect you to help her.’

  ‘I would be honoured,’ said Elizabeth. ‘I will walk into Meryton with her tomorrow and we can procure the invitation cards.’

  There were invitation cards in the house already, but they were headed with the Delawares’ name and so new ones must be ordered.

  Elizabeth’s group caught up with the others and told them of the pl
an. Georgiana was delighted with the idea.

  Mr Bingley made some suggestions as to who should be invited. Amongst them were the Miss Hayes, the Miss Purvises and the Miss Bennets.

  ‘What do you say, Miss Elizabeth?’ he asked. ‘Do you think your sisters would like to come?’

  Elizabeth smiled at Mr Bingley’s determination that her sisters should be invited, for of course he was only interested in one sister: Jane.

  ‘I am sure they would,’ said Elizabeth.

  Miss Bingley glared at her, but Elizabeth returned the glare with a sweet smile. She knew very well that Miss Bingley wanted to see her brother marry Miss Darcy, but she was increasingly certain that he would soon propose to Jane. He had eyes for no one else at social gatherings and he sought her out on every occasion, attending her with the utmost interest and courtesy.

  ‘Then it is settled,’ said Mr Bingley.

  The following day Mr Darcy had to go to London, as he sometimes did, on a matter of business. He took the carriage and left early, saying he would be back that afternoon. Georgiana had her lessons in the morning and early part of the afternoon as usual, but then she set out for Meryton with Elizabeth. Mrs Hurst joined them, for she had some commissions of her own to attend to.

  The day was fine and an autumn sun was shining. The season was now advanced and soon the trees would be completely bare as they prepared for winter. But for now, there were still orange and yellow leaves brightening the branches. A breeze stirred the air and copper leaves were floating down from the trees, and there was a delightful swishing noise as the ladies walked through them.

  Once in Meryton, the ladies saw to their commissions. Mrs Hurst needed to visit the milliner, and she arranged to meet the other two ladies next to the village green when she had done. Georgiana and Elizabeth ordered the invitations and then went into the haberdasher’s because Georgiana wanted some buttons and Elizabeth wanted some thread.

  When they came out of the haberdasher’s, Elizabeth and Georgiana crossed to the village green. As they were waiting for Mrs Hurst they saw Captain Denny. He was walking with a gentleman who was unknown to Elizabeth. The gentleman was fine looking. He had a handsome countenance, a good figure and a very pleasing address.

  Captain Denny greeted her politely and asked if he might introduce his friend. Elizabeth gave her permission, and Captain Denny introduced the stranger as Mr Wickham.

  ‘Mr Wickham has just accepted a commission in the corps,’ said Captain Denny.

  Mr Wickham bowed and Elizabeth curtsied. Then he turned his attention towards Georgiana and said, ‘I am pleased to see you again, Miss Darcy.’

  Elizabeth was surprised that he knew Georgiana. She looked at her young charge and saw something even more surprising: Georgiana had gone bright red.

  It was some time since Georgiana had become embarrassed and tongue-tied in company, but she now bobbed only the smallest curtsey and mumbled something incoherent in reply.

  Elizabeth, seeing Mr Wickham’s handsome face, drew her own conclusions - which, as it happened, could not have been more wrong. But they were sensible conclusions, based on the evidence to hand, for she thought Georgiana must admire Mr Wickham and was therefore awkward in his company. He was certainly a handsome man, with just the kind of looks to set a young heart fluttering.

  Gently, she encouraged Georgiana to speak to Mr Wickham, saying what a lucky coincidence it was for them to meet, and adding that nothing was pleasanter than a chance encounter with old friends.

  The more embarrassed Georgiana became, the more Elizabeth encouraged her, for Elizabeth did not want to see Georgiana losing all the confidence she had gained.

  Mr Wickham had a happy readiness of conversation which, at the same time, was perfectly unassuming, and he made some agreeable remarks on the weather, the fine air and the beauty of the autumnal landscape. Elizabeth encouraged Georgiana to reply.

  So engrossed was she in helping the conversation along, that Elizabeth did not see the Darcy carriage drive past on its way back from London, with Mr Darcy inside it.

  At last, thinking that Georgiana had suffered enough, Elizabeth said they must be on their way and brought the encounter to an end.

  She did not ask Georgiana the cause of her discomfort, for she thought she knew. Georgiana was at an age to develop a tendre for a handsome young man, and Elizabeth knew that such first loves could be painful, so she kept up a flow of conversation until Georgiana recovered her colour and regained her equanimity. They were soon joined by Mrs Hurst, and together they all walked back to Netherfield Park.

  Mr Darcy, returning from London, had been idly looking out of his carriage window when his attention had been caught by the sight of Miss Elizabeth with his sister. They were standing and talking to two gentlemen. He could see that his sister was not comfortable from the way she was standing, and from the way her head was held low, but he could tell that Miss Elizabeth was encouraging her to overcome her shyness and join in with the conversation. He could not see who the gentlemen were because they had their backs to him, but when the carriage rolled past he could see their faces. He froze in horror, for one of the gentlemen was George Wickham. George Wickham! He could scarcely believe his eyes. What was George Wickham doing in Meryton? And, even worse, what was he doing with Georgiana?

  Before he could react, the carriage had rolled onwards. His first thought was to rap on the roof of the carriage, command the coachman to stop and go to Georgiana, taking her back to Netherfield Park in the carriage. But then he saw the gentlemen take their leave, and he saw Mrs Hurst joining Georgiana and Miss Bennet. The last thing he wanted to do was to make a scene in full view of the townsfolk and so, now that he knew his sister was safe, he allowed the carriage to continue on its way.

  As the carriage rolled to a halt outside Netherfield Park, all the hideous memories of the previous summer came flooding back to him. He had paid an unexpected visit to Ramsgate, where his sister was spending the summer with her companion, Mrs Younge, and he had found her on the point of eloping with George Wickham. He remembered his sister’s distress, his own anger, and George Wickham’s smirking face. But, worst of all, he remembered Wickham’s mocking words, ‘You haven’t seen the last of me, Darcy.’

  He had taken them for an empty threat; a last show of bravado before Wickham was thoroughly routed. But now here was Wickham, making good on that threat. He had returned. And once again, he had been helped by Georgiana’s companion.

  The sight of Miss Elizabeth Bennet detaining his sister, when she obviously wanted to get away, was burned into his memory. Miss Elizabeth had helped George Wickham to engage his sister in conversation, just as Mrs Younge had done a few months before. Miss Elizabeth had encouraged the relationship, just like Mrs Younge. He felt shaken to his core. Was she in league with Wickham? It seemed impossible, but he could not deny what he had seen. Miss Elizabeth Bennet had been encouraging his sister to speak to Mr Wickham, despite Georgiana’s obvious wish to get away.

  All his protective instincts towards his younger sister rose within him. He would do whatever was necessary to remove her from the clutches of George Wickham, and he would do it at once. He intended to speak to Georgiana as soon as she arrived back at the Park.

  He would also speak to Miss Elizabeth Bennet and send her about her business. Where his sister’s safety was concerned, he could take no chances. He must keep Georgiana safe. He could not let her go through another torment like that of the summer. He must protect her at all costs.

  He returned to his room as soon as he reached Netherfield Park, and rang for his valet.

  ‘Urgent business calls me to London,’ he said, when the man hurried into the room. ‘Pack my things at once, and tell Miss Darcy’s maid to pack her things. We will be leaving within the hour.’

  The days were short at this time of year. Although it would be dark before he reached London, Mr Darcy did not want to delay. His one thought was to remove Georgiana from Mr Wickham and to establish her safely in Londo
n.

  ‘Oh, and tell the maid to pack Miss Bennet’s things as well. She will not be coming to London with us. She will be returning to Longbourn.’

  ‘Very good,’ said the valet with a bow.

  The valet asked no awkward questions. He was too well trained for that. He simply left the room to do his master’s bidding.

  Mr Darcy glanced out of the window and saw Georgiana returning with Miss Bennet – he could no longer bear to think of her as Miss Elizabeth. They were just turning in at the drive, accompanied by Mrs Hurst.

  He strode out of his bedchamber, across the landing and down the stairs.

  At the bottom of the stairs, he met Mr Bingley, who was just about to go up and change for dinner. They had fallen into the habit of keeping country hours, except when they dined out, and ate dinner early.

  ‘Back already, Darcy? I do declare, you have the best team of horses in the country! Your business went well, I hope?’

  Mr Bingley’s question had given him the perfect excuse for his sudden departure and he made the most of it.

  ‘Alas, no. I have to return to London at once. I will be taking Georgiana with me. I will be gone for some time,’ he explained. ‘In fact, I cannot promise to return before Christmas.’

  He saw Mr Bingley’s look of astonishment and disappointment, and so to soften the blow he said, ‘I hope you and your sisters will join me at Darcy House for Christmas, and Mr Hurst as well, of course. I will be departing this evening.’

  ‘This evening!’ exclaimed Mr Bingley. ‘But it will soon be dark! You cannot mean to travel at night! You can surely wait until morning.’

  ‘I am afraid not. I am sorry to put your dinner arrangements out but I must leave within the hour.’

  Mr Darcy knew that his behaviour was extraordinary, but where his sister’s health and happiness was concerned, not to mention her safety, he did not care how odd his behaviour seemed.

  ‘Well, if you must, you must,’ said Mr Bingley doubtfully. ‘I will be sorry to see you go.’