A Peculiar Connection (21 page)

My fears were not unwarranted, for Mr. Hayden Hurst proved to be as I expected—a younger version of his brother. Although not yet quite as rotund, his affinity for food and drink foretold a future in his brother’s image. Even had he been handsome enough to tempt me, his disinterest was evident. He danced only two dances, choosing Caroline Bingley for his partner. Afterward, he sat beside his brother, sharing his attachment to the wine bottle.

Ah well, it mattered not to me. Observation of the younger Mr. Hurst’s foibles provided passing amusement. I danced sufficiently with the few eligible men among our company, dined on delicious food, and enjoyed watching Jane bask in the light of Hertfordshire society as well as the loving looks of her husband. All in all, it was a pleasant enough diversion, but nothing more.

The days thereafter provided little variation, and the blackness descended upon my spirit once again. No matter how I tried, I could not rid myself of thoughts of Mr. Darcy.

The next week, however, the arrival of the post made my heart beat faster. I received a letter postmarked from Bath. My hands trembled as I unfolded it. Had he possibly written to me? How disappointed I was to see Georgiana’s signature signed neatly at the bottom.

Oh!
I said to myself, but at least I would have some news. I flew up the stairs, closed the door to my chamber, and settled myself in the window seat to read in peace.

Dearest Elizabeth,

How I wish you were here with us!

One can never tire of Bath. The honest relish of balls and plays and everyday sights would fascinate you, my dear cousin. And I must tell you of the Pump Room. The natural spring waters are said to provide excellent medicinal properties. Mrs. Annesley and I visit the place almost every day. I find myself in awe when Lady Dalrymple arrives with her following. She deigned to speak to me on Tuesday and said she recalled my parents from summers she spent in Derbyshire.

Still, I am lonely much of the time. Wills spends the majority of the day cooped up in our uncle’s library with our aunt. She is a hawkish sort of woman, spare and rather dried up, but pleasant enough, especially in comparison with Lady Catherine. I know not why they search through old journals, ship logs, and records that belonged to my uncle. When I ask Wills, he says he is researching our family history, but he did the same thing at Eden Park. And at Rosings, he questioned Lady Catherine until she became even more peevish than usual. I ask you, how much family history can one search for?

I did make a lovely friend at last night’s ball in the Upper Rooms. Her name is Maria Simpson, and she is but two years older than me. Her older sister, Emily, is magnificent, and she was surrounded by beaus the entire evening. I do not think she sat out one single dance. Even Wills asked her to dance more than once, which I found amusing as he so rarely puts himself out for anyone. I am to meet Maria at the Pump Room this afternoon.

Oh, I must tell you this. Wills and I (and Mrs. Annesley, of course) leave Bath for Ireland within a fortnight! It will be my first sea voyage, and I am excited and frightened at the same time. I do wish you were going with us. I should not be nearly so afraid with you beside me.

Do write, and tell me the news at Longbourn. Till then, I remain

Your affectionate cousin,

Georgiana

Ireland! Why would Mr. Darcy sail for Ireland?
The only reason I could think of would be to seek his uncle Peter Darcy. Had he discovered something new, something of importance that would cause him to undertake the journey? And yes, I wished I could also make the trip—how exciting that would be—but I knew it was out of the question.

I re-read the letter, hoping I had overlooked some message from him. Not one word. He had not even extended his regards to me. Surely, he knew to whom Georgiana wrote, and yet, he remained locked in that stony silence my angry words had provoked. Oh, why had I not held my tongue?

Resentment settled upon me when I read the part about Mr. Darcy dancing with Miss Simpson. I could imagine his attentions directed toward her, for I knew how exciting it was to dance with him. Two dances…she must be truly handsome to claim his time to that degree. He would surely call upon her, or perhaps he would join Georgiana for tea with the younger sister, and Miss Simpson would attend as well. Suddenly, I became aware that my breath was coming hard and fast.

What are you doing? You have no right to be jealous. He is your brother.

I knew he would find someone eventually and marry. I just always thought it far in the future—that
someday
we often speak of that never actually arrives. I allowed my mind to wander once more. I could see their marriage in the chapel in Derbyshire, her installation as mistress of Pemberley, even the birth of a son who inherited Mr. Darcy’s dimples.

I jumped up, pulled open a drawer to my desk, threw the letter therein, and slammed it shut. Grabbing my bonnet, I tripped down the stairs and invited Kitty to walk to Meryton with me. I told her I was in the mood to buy a new bonnet. She hastened to join me, alive with anticipation at the thought of shopping and so grateful for my attention that it shamed me. I had neglected her and Mary, but at the moment, I craved distraction, company, anything that would erase those dreadful images from my mind.

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Two days later, the Gardiners and their children arrived at Longbourn. The entire week before, Mamá had complained because her brother had written and asked whether they might leave my young cousins in our keeping while they travelled on to their destination. Yet, naturally, she agreed to their request.

“My sister has no idea how the noise and confusion tries my nerves,” she said repeatedly. I sighed, as I knew full well that my sisters and I would be the ones who entertained the children.

I assumed Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner would stay for a long visit, so I was surprised to learn they planned to depart Longbourn within four days.

“Pleasure bent again, I assume,” Mamá said with a disapproving eye.

“A bit of pleasure and work, Fanny,” my uncle answered. “Madeline is due a holiday, and since I have business in Bath, we decided to make an expedition of it.”

My eyes opened wide! “Bath? You are going to Bath, Uncle?”

“Yes, my dear. It will be an agreeable trip, I am sure. Since your mother has generously agreed to allow the children to remain at Longbourn, it promises to be a true excursion. ’Twill bring back fond memories, for your aunt and I spent our wedding journey there many years ago.”

He turned a loving eye upon his wife, who turned a delightful shade of pink. I rose and took a chair closer to them.

“I have always longed to see Bath.”

“Hmph,” Mamá snorted. “You have never mentioned Bath in my hearing, Lizzy. If you wish to visit near the sea, you had much better travel to Brighton where the militia is quartered. You might have a chance at securing a husband there as Lydia did. I cannot see any reason for you to go to Bath.”

My aunt gave me a look that we both understood perfectly. “But, Fanny,” she said. “Bath has many scenes of interest to engage Lizzy’s fine mind.”

“Yes, Mamá, I should so love to visit the city.”

“Lizzy is in need of a husband, not more curiosities with which to clutter her mind. She is of an age to marry, and I fear if she does not settle down and choose someone soon…well, I declare I do not know what shall become of her! We cannot all live off Mr. Bingley when her father dies and we are thrown out of Longbourn and left to starve in the hedgerows.”

My uncle cleared his throat. “I have heard there are excellent families who either live in Bath or travel there on holiday. It would not be unusual for at least a goodly portion of them to possess sons of marriageable age. I would say Lizzy’s chances for a prosperous marriage bode much better at Bath than Brighton.”

Mamá’s expression changed instantly. The thought of a prosperous husband demanded her immediate attention. Within the hour, she had plagued my father until he agreed I might make the trip. All I had to do was pack and banish the quaking within. Would we arrive before Mr. Darcy embarked for Ireland, and, if so, might I meet him by chance? Even more important, how would he receive me?

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It rained steadily the day we rode into Bath, a state of affairs that I soon learned would be a frequent occurrence. The downpour did not last long, however, and left the air hot and damp. My aunt and I made frequent use of our fans as we settled into our lodgings in Pulteney Street. Even with the humidity, I felt revived by the bustling sounds of the city. I leaned out the spacious window of my chamber to observe the feast of colour without. My eyes went here, there, everywhere. Up and down the avenue, a constant parade of people passed by, some dressed in ordinary attire, but many clad in fine clothing and expensive bonnets and hats. Evidently, the rich did populate Bath or at least spent their holiday in residence.

We dined in the hotel the first evening although I longed to go out. My attempts to unobtrusively search the dining room with my eyes failed to disclose a familiar face. My efforts, however, did attract my aunt’s attention.

“Lizzy, do you look for someone in particular?”

I immediately issued a denial and turned my consideration to my plate.

“Madeline, you and Elizabeth must tour the city tomorrow while I conduct my business,” my uncle said.

“Would you not rather we waited for you?”

“No, my dear. I shall join you when I finish. Lizzy is young and cannot be expected to while away the days cooped up inside.”

I made the appropriate protests, but not strongly, for I longed not only to see the city but also to discover a way to meet with Mr. Darcy. As yet, I had not told the Gardiners of his possible presence in Bath, hoping we might simply happen upon him instead.

As it came about, we dwelt in the city three days without chancing upon either Mr. Darcy or Georgiana. Mrs. Gardiner did look up an old acquaintance, a Mrs. Parry, and we spent the afternoon of the third day in her stuffy, hot parlour on Gay Street. A lady of some age, she inquired as to my marriage expectations and then proceeded to discuss suitable partners for me with my aunt as though I no longer sat within their presence. By the end of the visit, my patience had grown as thin as wet parchment. Were the prospects of single women the only topic of conversation available when older ladies assembled?

That night, I re-read Georgiana’s letter. Noting the date she wrote it, I quickly calculated the time that had passed. Ten days—ten days had gone by.
Wills and I (and Mrs. Annesley, of course) leave for Ireland within a fortnight.
They would depart Bath within four days! Desperation seized me, and I determined I would do all in my power to find Mr. Darcy before he left the country.

Having concluded the major portion of his business obligations for the week, the next morning, Mr. Gardiner offered my aunt and me a carriage ride through the city. He wished to show us the port area along the River Avon as well as the more fashionable portion of Bath. That was exactly what I hoped to see.

“I would love to, Uncle, if my aunt agrees and if you will consent to visit the Pump Room with us sometime during the day. We insist you taste the spring waters.”

“Oh yes, my dear,” my aunt said. “You must drink some. I have never tasted water like it.”

He acquiesced, and we soon left our rooms for the sidewalks below. We entered the Pump Room first, whereupon my uncle pulled a face when asked to judge the quality of the water. We walked up and down speaking to no one until Mr. Gardiner happened upon a business acquaintance who engaged him in a lengthy conversation—so lengthy that I despaired of having time to tour much of the city by carriage. The man’s wife took an interest in my aunt, and they spent no little time becoming acquainted.

Unsatisfied and concerned that we would never leave, I wandered a short distance away from them to gaze through the window at the shops across the street. I became engrossed in watching people as they passed by. So intent was my concentration that I failed to notice the gentleman who appeared at my side.

“Miss Bennet?”

I turned in amazement to see Colonel Fitzwilliam beaming down upon me. “Colonel, I…am surprised to meet you here.”

“As am I to see you. How did you come to visit Bath?”

“I travelled with my aunt and uncle.” I gestured back in their direction, but their attention continued to be held by their acquaintances. “Are you here on duty?”

“No, I had leave available and came with my brother. He is engaged to a resident of Bath, Miss Julia Allen. By the bye, did you know Darcy and Georgiana are also in residence?”

“I did receive a letter from Georgiana telling me they were to visit their aunt, I believe. Are they still here? I understood they planned to travel on to Ireland.”

“Yes, to both your questions. They travel to Holyhead to catch a ship within—let me think—less than four days now. You must visit them in Camden Place. I am certain they would not wish to leave without seeing you, and I cannot tell you how enchanted I am to find you here. I was quite disconcerted when you left Pemberley with such haste. You did not even say farewell.”

I heard the censure in his voice. “I…left a note, but no matter, I agree that it was rude on my part. I pray you will forgive my lack of manners. A sudden wave of pining for home overtook me without warning.”

“I understand the longing to see those for whom we care.” He smiled and drew closer. “Since those days in Derbyshire, I have longed to see you again. Shall you introduce me to your aunt and uncle?”

“Of course.” I turned quickly while realizing my heart had begun to race. Time evidently had not lessened the colonel’s speculation at securing my hand.

We joined the Gardiners and their friends, and I made the appropriate introductions. The colonel charmed both couples with his agreeable nature and asked us to luncheon with him. My uncle’s business associate declined, and he and his wife bade their farewells, but my aunt accepted Colonel Fitzwilliam’s invitation. As we walked down the street, the colonel repeated his insistence that we contact Mr. Darcy and his sister while we were in Bath. My aunt and I walked behind the men, and she began to slow her steps until we were far enough back that the men could not hear her soft conversation.