Darcy, Knight Errant (Elizabeth and Darcy True Love Multiverse)

8. Chapter Seven

Chapter Seven

That night, Elizabeth sighed as she sat at her dressing table. It had been a hectic day. Besides convincing her father to do something about the drainage area near the far fields, she also had to coordinate the replacement roofs for two of the tenant cottages. Despite her father giving her the money for the roofing materials, it was disheartening to think that he hadn’t given a second thought to the Wheeler and Marsh families, who had undoubtedly experienced untold days and nights of being damp and cold. It was no wonder that Mary told her that the Marsh’s youngest child was once again sick.

Then there was her mother. Now that she had crossed the line into underhanded behavior, Elizabeth was worried about protecting her sisters and herself. One misguided act by Mrs. Bennet could ruin all their reputations and destroy any chance they had of having happy lives and marriages. For now, they had agreed to always go places in groups in hopes that they could protect each other from their mother’s machination. If their mother got worse, well…well, that would have to be a problem for another day.

Rolling her head back and forth with a grimace, Elizabeth tried to loosen the knots in her neck and shoulders. Giving up after finding a modicum of relief, Elizabeth reached into her pocket with a smile. She had received a letter from Georgianna and had waited all day for the opportunity to read it.

Carefully, she loosened the seal and smoothed out the letter from her friend. She had only been back home for a few days, but she already missed her visits with Georgianna. After enduring a tumultuous day, Elizabeth’s weary heart yearned for a glimmer of joy to uplift her spirits.

Darcy House, London

Dearest Lizzie,

I know that you have only been gone for a short time, but I already miss you. I went to the London Ladies Society this morning and though all my students were as bright and receptive as always, it was simply not the same. There was another young woman I did not recognize in your group of girls and, of course, we did not have tea.

I continue to grow closer to my brother, and I couldn’t be happier about it. We have been talking more after dinner and trading confessions and opinions on many things. We have more in common than I had ever thought. I have long known that I was painfully shy and now I know it is something that my brother struggles with as well. Would you believe my brother admitted he gets flustered at gatherings and balls? I have often feared my come out because I have worried I might suffer similarly!

I had thought that his reserved demeanor was just his disapproval of me, but now I know better. I learned from him that our father was always disapproving if he showed any emotions. So after being constantly upbraided for his unseemly displays, as our father called them, William just stopped showing his emotions. Even to this day, he admits that expressing emotions is a challenge, despite strongly disagreeing with our father’s demands. It fills me with gratitude that my brother treated me differently, but it also brings a tinge of sadness to think about the experience he had.

Well, enough of me and my brother. How are you? How is your family? What about the tenants that you were worried about? Mrs. Annesley said that when we return to Pemberley, she will help me come up with a schedule to go visit our tenants. I have even started sewing small garments because you spoke of how you and your sisters would gift the tenants’ children with clothes. I suppose with as many tenants as Pemberley has, what I make will surely fit someone’s child.

We spoke a lot about all of your sisters while you were here, so I almost feel like I know them. I hope they endured your absence tolerably well. Please send them my warm greetings. It is only now as I write to you that I realize we never much spoke of your parents, though I know that unlike me you are not an orphan. I do not quite know what to make of that, but I will leave it up to you to explain or not as you wish.

I hope your family appreciates your presence there because I certainly miss your presence here. If they ever prove themselves unequal to the wonderful person who I know you to be, I beg you to return to London. It would bring me great joy to welcome you as a guest, whether it be here or at Pemberley. Please write to me as soon as your schedule will allow. I intend to keep the post service very busy with our letters.

Your Friend,

Miss Georgianna Darcy

Placing her chin in her hand, Elizabeth contemplated her friend’s letter for a moment before she folded it up and blew out the candle. She would hopefully have time to write Georgianna back the next day. Though she was unsure what she would write, she supposed something would come to her. She certainly did not want to write of her father’s indolence or her mother’s attempt at compromising Jane with a complete stranger. Elizabeth hesitated to disclose what her parents were like.

Though to be fair, Georgianna had shared quite a bit about her brother. It seemed that she was not the only one with difficult parents. It was such a pity that Georgianna’s brother had been scolded for simply showing natural emotions as a child. She could easily see how that would affect a young man into adulthood.

Sliding under the covers, Elizabeth worked at becoming comfortable while she pondered both her situation and poor Georgianna’s brother. No matter your position in life, parents could be a burden to their children. Yawning, Elizabeth fell ever closer to sleep as she realized she had never once met Georgianna’s brother. She wondered what he looked like.

Georgianna barely kept from squealing when she saw Elizabeth’s letter on the silver platter being brought to her by the footman. While she was enjoying her lessons with Master Rossini and everything else she was working on with Mrs. Annesley, most of her idle thoughts were on Meryton and the goings on there.

She was grateful that Mrs. Annesley had yet to come down to break her fast, as it meant that Georgianna could read the letter right away. Taking up the letter, she thanked the footman and opened it. As always, Elizabeth’s handwriting was even and precise, and in no time at all, Georgianna was reading her tale of Longbourn.

Longbourn, Meryton

Dearest Georgianna,

I cannot tell you how pleased I was to receive your letter. It was a restoring breath of fresh air after a long day filled with stress. Now I know you will worry about me, but do not. As you know, I am capable of handling most any situation, even if it seems like some days are quite trying.

As I feared, my father showed little initiative to do much while I was away. While I am grateful that we have a capable steward, there are just some things that he cannot do without my father’s approval and the funds only he can provide. So, I dedicated most of my first several days back home to catching up on what should have been done in my absence. But now at least I have gotten my father to agree to the new roofs for two of our tenant families and the work needed on the drainage in a few fields by a creek.

I regret that the Jones and the Wheelers had to suffer with leaky roofs while I was away. At least they were the only ones to receive roof damage after the large storm that had gone through the area over a month ago. For all that they endured, they were still so grateful when they learned I was getting everything taken care of.

While all of that was going on, there was also my mother to redirect. She is upset that my older sister Jane is still unmarried at twenty-two. While I was gone, she even attempted to force the issue by shoving my sister at an eligible gentleman, hoping there would be a compromise. Thankfully, my middle sister Mary was there to prevent catastrophe. Because of her failure, my mother has been even more prone to fits of nerves, as she calls them.

If circumstances continue to deteriorate, the thought of escaping to London with my sisters becomes increasingly appealing. However, I must warn you that if I were to bring an entire household of ladies, your decision to host me might be one you regret. I am only joking, though. Or at least I am mostly joking. If it came down to protecting one of my sisters from my mother’s machinations, I would send her to London in a heartbeat. So it is a good thing that I can handle my mother for the most part.

At first, I was unsure about confiding in you about my troubles, but then I remembered how you had shared the challenges your brother faced, and the hardships caused by your father, so I thought it was only fair. I am glad to hear that you are becoming ever closer to your brother. The joy I experience in my relationship with my sisters is immense, and I cannot imagine my life without them. So it is good to hear that you will enjoy something similar.

How are your lessons going with Master Rossini? I expect you’re already wonderful and planning to impress me thoroughly the next time we see each other. What of learning to handle the household accounts? While I do not dislike the math required, it is rather tedious after a while. I am grateful that my sister Jane handles the household accounts so that I need only pay attention to the estate ledgers and deal with the tenants.

I look forward to hearing from you again as soon as you may write.

Your affectionate friend,

Miss Elizabeth Bennet

Putting the letter down on the table next to her plate, Georgianna frowned. Elizabeth was such a cheerful person that Georgianna never would have assumed that she had such concerns in her life. Lizzie practically vibrated with enthusiasm and good cheer. Hadn’t she been there for Georgianna, guiding her through her own struggles and leading her towards equanimity and cheer?

Georgianna found it unfair that Elizabeth had to shoulder so much on her own. Well, maybe not on her own. She had her sisters there to aid her, but it still seemed that Elizabeth carried the greater burden. It made Georgianna wonder how Elizabeth had become such a remarkable person.

She would visit the area soon. Could she possibly lighten her friend’s load in any way? Looking up, Georgianna spotted Mrs. Annesley coming into the room and said, “Good morning, Mrs. Annesley. I trust you slept well.”

“Yes, I slept very well,” answered Mrs. Annesley before moving to the sideboard and making herself a plate of toast and eggs, along with a cup of tea. Sitting down, she asked, “Is everything well, Miss Darcy? You seem distressed.”

Setting down her teacup, Georgianna sighed, “I received a letter from Lizzie that disturbed me. She shared a few details about the situation at her home, and it became apparent that she is facing a heavy load. She is just such a nice person. I don’t think that it is fair that she must suffer so.”

Putting down her teacup, Mrs. Annesley commented, “Miss Bennet is quite mature for her age, as well as being compassionate. I have noticed in the past that often occurs when people must take on responsibility at a young age.”

Crumbling a piece of toast into bits, Georgianna huffed, “I just wish that I could help Lizzie in some way. I mean, despite all my mistakes, so much of my life is easy.”

“Did she ask for your help?” questioned Mrs. Annesley.

Tilting her head, Georgianna said, “No, she did not ask for help with anything. She just told me of the issues she was dealing with.”

Buttering her toast, Mrs. Annesley asked, “Have you considered that your friendship and willingness to listen, so to speak, could be a tremendous help to her?”

Wiping her hands on her serviette to get rid of the buttery crumbs stuck on her fingers, Georgianna said, “I had not thought of that, and I will always be there for Lizzie, but it still does not seem fair.”

Mrs. Annesley, the corners of her lips turning down slightly, commiserated with Georgianna by saying, “Unfortunately, one of life’s bitter truths is that life is not fair.”

Sneaking away from the chaos that was a houseful of sisters who were unregulated by any authority, Elizabeth took a deep breath of the crisp autumn air. She tried to remind herself that Kitty and Lydia were still young. It was likely that sisters might always fight over the fact that someone had borrowed an item of clothing without permission. It did not help that their mother always supported Lydia, saying that Kitty should give way to her prettier younger sister because she was much more likely to catch a husband than Kitty was.

The snap of a twig had Elizabeth spotting Jane behind her. Wincing, Elizabeth said, “I am sorry for abandoning you to the chaos, but I simply could not try to break up another one of their fights.”

Smiling, Jane dismissed her apology with a wave of her hand. “Think nothing of it. You know it will end the same as it always does—Mother will assert that Lydia should keep the ribbon because of her superior beauty, leaving Lydia feeling remorseful. Eventually, she will apologize to Kitty and return the ribbon. I would be concerned more myself, but I think Lydia is good at heart, despite everything. She hates to hear mother disparaging her sisters as much as I do.”

Nodding, Elizabeth agreed. Lydia might have trouble restraining herself, but she cared about those around her. Elizabeth felt it was because of Jane spending so much time around Lydia as she grew. Who, when offered Jane as a shining embodiment of goodness, could actually go down the wrong path? Pulling Georgianna’s letter out of her pocket, Elizabeth said, “I will come back in once I have had the chance to read Georgianna’s latest correspondence.”

“Take your time. You rarely have a moment to yourself besides the long walks you take in the morning, and even then, you have a footman following you about,” encouraged Jane.

Sitting on the nearby bench, Elizabeth unfolded the letter and began to read.

Darcy House, London

Dearest Lizzie,

I am sorry to hear about your struggles at home and though I trust you will handle it in the very best way, I wish you would not have to. It seems as if you at least have the estate matters handled. As for your mother, I do not know what to say. I do, however, want to assure you that I’ll always be here to listen, or rather, read your concerns.

I would be more than willing to host you and your sisters if the situation ever arises. If the situation becomes dire, I trust you will do as you should and find your way to me, no matter where I may be. Here at Darcy House, there are several guest rooms and as for Pemberley, well, there are enough rooms to house your sisters many times over.

For myself, I have exciting news. Or rather, it is news of my brother. One of his closest friends has invited my brother to help him learn estate management at a place called Netherfield. I assume that you have heard of it as it is outside of Meryton. Who would have thought that my brother would have missed meeting you so many times in London only to meet you in Meryton?

On a separate matter, I feel I must warn you of some additional unpleasantness that is headed your way. Do you remember that horrid woman who attempted to latch herself on to me at Gunter’s? I am sure you cannot but remember her, if only for the poor feathers attached to her turban. Sadly, it is her brother that invited William to Netherfield, and she is to be his hostess.

I can only imagine how horrible she will presumably be to the poor people of your town. As you might have supposed, she mistakenly believes that her time at her seminary and her dowry of twenty thousand pounds make her superior to most everyone she meets. In all honesty, she holds the belief that only those connected to nobility as her social superiors and treats everyone else horribly, despite the fact that her family obtained their money in trade and none of them have ever owned property. I expect her to treat the staff horribly and to look down her nose at everyone.

I have saved the best news for last. While I am currently having my lessons with Master Rossini, I have already received a gracious invitation to visit Netherfield once they conclude at the end of October. I truly cannot wait to see you once again. I will count down the days before you and I can once again have tea together.

Your friend,

Miss Georgianna Darcy

Remembering the haughty woman who had tried to fawn over Georgie had her grinning to herself, while the caring words Georgianna had gifted her at the start of the letter had Elizabeth blinking away tears. Not only was Georgianna not put off by her family’s issues, but she was also supportive.

More than supportive, she was willing to offer shelter from the storm that was her mother and father. Only her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner had been so gracious as to tell her she could always come to them in a time of need. Not even Charlotte had said something like that. Elizabeth couldn’t help but feel an immense sense of gratitude for stumbling upon such a wonderful friend during her stay in London.

Beyond all that, she had information that even her Aunt Phillips did not have. She knew about the guests at Netherfield, but should she share what she knew? She was not one to engage in gossip, and she had no intention of doing so now. The last thing the gentleman needed was for everyone to discuss them, making it difficult to settle into the neighborhood. That would happen enough already with only the speculation of the community. Besides, she had never met either of them in person. And if she did not reveal what she knew about them, she could not disclose what she knew about Miss Bingley.

Elizabeth’s eyes widened as she remembered something. Georgianna had confessed that her brother was shy and awkward. She had even written that his uneasiness at balls often led to him inadvertently insulting people, and there was an assembly scheduled for the following week. It would be intriguing to observe Georgianna’s brother at the assembly, and she found herself wondering just how awkward he could be.