Chapter 3
Of course, Darcy’s own equipage was of a higher quality, but the Gardiners’ coach was well-designed and elegant in its own way. It was refreshing to see Gardiner did not indulge in the overly ornate and flashy style frequently attributed to “new money” and wealthy tradesman trying to prove themselves to society.
They stopped next to the Gardiners’ carriage. Elizabeth met his gaze with the usual fire sparkling from her soul. He reached out to hand her up, and that pleasant something that had raced through him every time their hands had touched during their dance at the Netherfield ball darted up his arm, continuing directly to his heart. He had to stifle a gasp.
Next, he handed up Elizabeth’s sister, whose appearance distracted him from the sensations lingering after Elizabeth’s touch. Jane Bennet did not look well. Whatever ailment she suffered from now, she appeared different than she had after her illness at Netherfield. Mrs. Hurst’s and Miss Bingley’s opinions of the lady recurred to him, but this was more than the disappointment of not having the opportunity to move upwards socially, as they had insisted Miss Bennet’s ambitions had been in pursuing Bingley.
No, this was something more like the way Georgiana had appeared in the days after Wickham had broken her heart.
This shocking realization rolled through his mind as he closed the door and bowed to the ladies. He watched their coach pull away.
Could he have been wrong about the depth of Miss Bennet’s feelings for his friend?
His sister touched his sleeve.
Startled, he looked down at her. There was a twinkle in her eyes he had not seen in a long time. He could not help but return her smile.
Georgiana had always teased him when he became lost in his thoughts, but she had not done so since they had returned from Ramsgate. Did this mean, after an exceedingly long four months, her heart was finally beginning to heal?
He patted his sister’s hand and led her to their coach, waiting behind where the Gardiner’s carriage had been.
Georgiana looked much better now, months after her disappointment, but her state of mind was still so wounded.
Bingley had that same look about him a few days ago, when Darcy and his friend’s sisters had convinced Bingley of Miss Bennet’s indifference to him.
While he thought he had been saving Bingley from a dreadful marriage, had Darcy truly been doing him an unconscionable disservice?
As he handed Georgiana into the coach and followed her in, he made up his mind on how to proceed. He would spend time with the ladies whilst they prepared for the orphans’ feast, that way he could keep an eye on Miss Bennet and make a final determination on her state of health.
After all, his anxiety could be over nothing. Perhaps her condition could be blamed on something as simple as not traveling well the previous day.
Yes! It was more than likely that Miss Bennet would appear in much better health on Monday.
At least, Darcy hoped so, for if he was wrong about Miss Bennet’s feelings for Bingley—good heavens! Had he been liable for causing them both to suffer maladies of the heart similar to what Georgiana had been experiencing?
He would not wish that upon anyone.
He closed his eyes and sighed quietly.
The vision of a pair of fine eyes gleaming with humour and intelligence flashed across his mind—the very same eyes he had not stopped thinking about since he met the lady to whom they belonged—Miss Elizabeth Bennet.
It would be better for him if he did not spend time with her over the next few days, but for Bingley’s sake, he would muddle through.
Chapter 4
Lady Adelaide bustled into her husband’s study.
The earl looked up from whatever it was he was reading and took off his glasses. “What is it, my love? You seem about to burst with some sort of news.”
“Yes! Concerning Darcy. Oh, Arthur, it is dreadful.”
He stood quickly. “Has there been an accident? Is he ill?”
Lady Adelaide placed a hand on her chest. Still trying to catch her breath, she only shook her head.
His concern deepened. “Has something happened to Georgiana?”
“No, no… it is nothing of that sort.” She waved her hand. “I saw them today. Both are in good health.”
Lord Arthur breathed out a sigh of relief and came around the desk. He took hold of his wife’s shoulders. “And yet, your nerves are all in uproar. Please, take a seat. Shall I call for tea?”
“Nothing for me, thank you, for I have been visiting. I feel almost drowned in tea. Though I would be happy to serve you, if you would like.”
“No need.” He gestured towards a comfortable chair near the window.
She settled into it.
He took the chair across from her. “Now, tell me this dreadful news about Darcy.”
Lady Adelaide straightened her back and announced, “I believe Darcy is in love.”
Her husband blinked a few times in quick succession. “But, Addie,” He tilted his head. “Have you not introduced him to young ladies for years, trying to find someone he is interested in marrying? Why would his falling in love be dreadful, as you have proclaimed?”
Oh, could he not simply trust her judgement on these matters?
From the very beginning of their life together, her husband’s entire family had displayed their obsession with marrying from within the right circles. Her father-in-law, especially, God rest his soul, never considered whether interests or characters suited when it came to marriage. The late earl had spent his last few years lecturing Adelaide about what he perceived as his grandchildren’s interest in prospective mates he did not feel were worthy enough to become a part of the Fitzwilliam family. Of course, this was based upon rank and fortune alone. Then, whilst on his death bed, her husband’s father had called Adelaide in and forced her to promise to make certain that all his yet unattached grandchildren would marry well.
Adelaide cleared her throat. “Perhaps I should elaborate.”
“Please do.” Her husband pressed his lips together, but the corners turned upwards slightly.
Goodness, what must she do to get him to take this matter seriously?
“This morning, I met Darcy and Georgie at the orphanage. You remember Mrs. Gardiner and her husband?”
He smiled. “Yes, they are good people. Mrs. Gardiner is as deeply involved with the orphanage as you are, is she not?”
She nodded. “Do you remember I told you their son suffered an accident? We sent him a basket of items to help keep him occupied during his convalescence.”
He acknowledged he did recall, and Adelaide continued, “Since Mrs. Gardiner is engaged with her son’s recovery, she has tasked her nieces to assist with preparing for Saint Nicholas Day celebration in her stead, but as it turns out, the Misses Bennet are from Hertfordshire.”
“And?” He raised his brows and shrugged. “Is Hertfordshire a problem?”
Goodness, did he not remember where his nephew had been this autumn?
“Apparently, the Bennet estate is in the very same neighbourhood where Darcy was whilst Georgie stayed with us.”
“Ah, ha! Now we are at the crux of the matter. Let me guess… the nieces were previously acquainted with Darcy, and one of them has caught Darcy’s interest?”
Finally, he understood! “A perfect assumption, my dear. During our meeting with the headmistress of the orphanage, Darcy could not keep his eyes off the younger sister, Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”
There was no response to this revelation.
She continued. “Do you not remember, during Georgiana’s stay here, how we were so amazed that the only time our niece smiled was when she was reading her brother’s letters? You wrote to Darcy, directing him to write more often.”