Imperative: Volume 2, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (116 page)

Since her brother’s friends had arrived, she had lived in a state of anticipation, waiting to be recognized, publicly and irrevocably, before every member of her family who had been deceived for so very long.  Elizabeth practically had to order her from claiming a headache and hiding in her room.  She demanded that Georgiana appear to greet their guests, shyness was acceptable, avoidance was not. 

Darcy had been completely confident that Manning would not remember her, much less the name Cargill.  With the appearance of a crease in the man’s brow and a pause at their introduction, Elizabeth conquered the moment with a teasing remark.  Manning’s confusion was quickly replaced with a delighted smile, both for Darcy’s wife and for the lovely girl blushing before him.  

Georgiana could not appreciate that any of her brother’s friends looked at her with admiration, and kept her eyes cast down.  The next test was Mrs. Manning and her daughter Lily, however it seemed that Mrs. Manning had been far more interested in Elizabeth that night at the inn, and the girl eagerly anticipating her presentation and first Season had not spared her a glance.  Despite days of peace in their company, she still feared discovery.

“Are you well, Miss Darcy?  You look like a bundle of nerves.”  Jane asked as the girl paused by the table with her cup of chocolate and plate in hand.  “Careful, your cup is rattling on the saucer.”

“Sit down.”  Sophie pulled out a chair between them and smiled.  “We should enjoy the peace before the men reappear.”

“My husband is probably still lost in his sodden dreams.”  Lady Matlock predicted.  “He is being spoiled with Darcy’s good wine.” 

“No, I saw him walking out with the rest of them, Mama.”  Cathy said with a sigh.  “Now what are we to do with ourselves all day?” 

Georgiana clasped her hands in her lap.  “Where is Elizabeth?”

Louisa nodded to the door, “She was in the garden with Mr. Darcy and Mr. Manning, but I just spotted her speaking to Evans.  She will be here, soon, I am sure.”

“Is anything wrong?”  Lady Matlock asked.

“I . . . I just want to speak to her, that is all.”

“About the ball?”

“About . . . today.”  She picked up her cup and looked at the dark liquid.

“Hmm.”  Lady Matlock pursed her lips and looked out into the hallway.  “I wonder when Mrs. Manning and her daughter will appear.  I suppose they are resting as much as possible in anticipation of the night.” 

“The time to rest is this afternoon.”  Cathy looked over the offerings on the buffet and unable to eat, turned away and sat down with a cup of tea.  “And save our strength for the ball.”

“You make it sound as if we are going to war, not to dance.”  Sophie laughed.

“Laugh as you will, Sister.  It is not so long since the word spinster was applied to you.”  Cathy looked at her and picking up her cup, pensively took a sip.  “Do not say a word, Anne.” 

“Did I open my mouth?”  Anne smiled with the look she received.  “He seems interested.  Be charming.” 

“Who is interested?”  Caroline asked.  Nobody answered.

Uncomfortable in the thick atmosphere, Jane turned to Georgiana, “I was sorry to see that Mr. Fox and Mr. Winslow came alone.  It would have been nice to have met their families.  They seem to be pleasant men.  My husband likes them, but of course we did not see them this Season. Have you met Fitzwilliam’s friends before?

“Yes, well . . . no.”  She glanced at the door.  “I heard them when they would visit Darcy House.  Talking and playing billiards.  I was in school most of the time, and was not allowed to join them for dinner if I was there.”

Lady Catherine set about spreading marmalade on a piece of toast.  “Well, they are his friends so they must be men of worth.   He has known them for many years.  I am surprised you were never formally introduced.  Darcy has not been one to keep you hidden, even though it would be the proper course.” 

“Mr. Manning, I . . .”  She blushed and again looked anxiously for her sister.  “I believe that we have met recently.”

“Does Mr. Manning make you nervous?”  Jane smiled.  “He is a handsome man.”

“Shhh, his mother and sister are bound to arrive any time now.”  Anne said softly.

“Why does Mr. Manning make you nervous?”  Cathy demanded. 

Louisa leaned to Caroline.  “Clearly Lady Cathy is interested in Mr. Manning.  If you do not wish for another set down, keep your eyes on the others.” 

“She humiliated and challenged me, do not tell me who to look at, perhaps I find him to my liking.” Caroline said in a low voice.  “I am tired of her trying to intimidate me.”

“She does not have to try!  She is a peer!  This is not a game, Caroline; no matter what she said to you.  This is serious business for both of you.  She has the upper hand in everything.  If she wants this man, let her have him!  Listen to her interrogating her own cousin.  I am sure that all Miss Darcy wants is permission to attend the ball!” 

“She is not better than me!”  Caroline snapped.

“Yes she is!”   Louisa whispered angrily.  “Put your pride aside, Caroline!  Look at the rest of them instead.  Mr. Fox or Mr. Winslow are cordial, and there are sure to be others tonight.” 

“HOW IS EVERYTHING?”  Elizabeth asked Evans as she entered the foyer and looked around at the activity.

“Well in hand, madam.”  He followed her gaze.  “The card rooms are set, the supper rooms are organized.  The musicians will arrive at six . . . The staff is determined to do the master proud.” Drawing a deep breath he clasped his hands together.  “All we need are the guests. After eighteen years of silence, this house will come to life once more.”

“It is about time, I think.”  Pressing her hands down her skirt, she watched a group of maids trouping up the stairs from the kitchens.  “How are Mrs. Johns’ ices coming?”

“She is a madwoman.”  Evans confided.

“Pray for a cool night.”  Elizabeth laughed and took hold of the banister.  “The ladies, are they still at breakfast?”

“Yes, madam.  Hopefully not for too long.”  He said pointedly.

“You need to reset the room, I know.  We will have a dinner buffet in the blue drawing room to keep out of your way.”  She bit her lip.  “Miss Darcy, did she join them?” 

“Yes, but she looks pale as a ghost.  Is she ill?”  He asked softly.  “I have not seen her so unhappy in quite some time.” 

“I will speak to her, thank you, Evans.  I do not know what I would do without you.”  Smiling at the man’s puffing chest, she looked up at the stairs for the sanctuary of her rooms, and then sighing, let go of the banister and walked towards the dining room.

“WHERE DID YOU MEET MR. MANNING?  He was in London this summer, and you were not.”  Lady Matlock asked Georgiana.

“Oh . . . I  . . . he saw Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth when they were travelling to Scotland . . .” Her voice trailed off as she realized her error.

“Yes, that is correct; I remember he mentioned seeing you.”  Cathy said slowly.

“He spoke of
me
?”  Her voice cracked slightly.  “What did he say?”

Lady Matlock took charge briskly, “My dear, it does not matter what he said.  You are not out. He should not have done more than nod politely at you and look away.  Were you presented to him as Darcy’s young sister?”

“I . . . I . . .” 

“Well certainly she was, they have been friends since Eton.  The man knows Darcy has a sister.”  Lady Catherine sighed.  “And Darcy would not have promoted her!  You are being ridiculous, Grace.   How can you possibly feel threatened by Georgiana?”

“Threatened?”  Georgiana whispered. 

The countess regarded her niece.  “She is not out, she should not interact with these men and it is correct that she should not attend the ball.”

“I agree.”  Cathy nodded. 

“Of course you do.”  Caroline prodded. 

“Caroline!”  Louisa stepped on her foot.

“She
should
attend!”  Lady Catherine proclaimed.  “Not to dance, but to observe.  She should see how gentlemen and ladies conduct themselves at such an affair.  I have spoken to Mrs. Darcy on this but she disagrees. Why should she be hidden?”

“Because she is sixteen!  Any woman who appears in that ballroom is game for the gentlemen.  They should not have to sort out who is approachable and who is not.  It is not as if she will be wearing a flower in her hair indicating that she is untouchable.  No, Georgiana, I am sorry, but you are too young.  If you seek Elizabeth to petition her for permission to attend, I will speak against you.”  Lady Matlock said with finality.

“My brothers found you to be quite womanly.”  Sophie smiled at Georgiana, while missing Cathy’s narrowing eyes.  “They were very taken with you, and very disappointed that you were only sixteen.  It is for the best, I think, that you not attend.  Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam are correct to say no.” 

“Yes, I remember your brothers staring at her.  It was quite unsuitable.”  Cathy added quickly.  “Well then, it is even more important that you not attend.  If you look older than you are, you are not protected from their attention.  You should most certainly stay well away from the marriage market in the ballroom.  After all, that is what the dancing is for.”

“I think that I would have enjoyed visiting a ball as a girl.  It would have been exciting.  But then, my elder brothers would have been circling me protectively.”  Sophie shrugged. 

“I witnessed it enough times, Mrs. Fitzwilliam.”  Mrs. Annesley murmured.  “However, I do not think that there is anything to worry over here.  Mr. and Mrs. Darcy are quite adamant that Miss Darcy not participate.” 

Georgiana took a breath and was surprised when Jane grasped her hand and smiled reassuringly.  “I know that Lizzy will hear you out, so do not fear speaking to her, even if you are sure that she will continue to say no.” 

“Why, I wonder?”  Caroline asked.  “After all, Mrs. Darcy was out at fifteen.  She surely sees it as normal to be exposed so young.”

“I was out at fifteen as well, Sister, and I assure you, I did not like it one bit.”   Jane reminded Caroline before she smiled at Georgiana.  “I wish that I had someone to protect me as Fitzwilliam and Lizzy protect you.”

“All of your sisters were out at once, I believe.”  Lady Catherine studied Jane critically.  “Before you were married.” 

“Yes, madam.” 

“I met your sister, Mrs. Collins.  How does she fare now that she is mistress of Longbourn?” 

“Tolerably, madam.”  Jane thought of her new brother.  “She has a great deal to take on.”

“She married a fool.”  Lady Catherine pronounced.  Jane blushed while Louisa and Caroline exchanged looks.

“She seems to like him.”  Jane said quietly. 

“She has no choice.”  Lady Catherine’s attention returned to her niece.  “Have you a proper ball gown?”

“No, Aunt.”  Georgiana looked down at her hands.  “Besides, I fear that all of my gowns do not fit well anyway.  It happened last summer, too.  I feel terrible for the money Fitzwilliam has spent on clothes that I have not worn.”

“Hmm.  You are still growing.”  Lady Matlock looked at her critically.  “That is the Darcy in you.   Hopefully it will stop before you come out and before you become unfashionably tall.  Anne was not so very tall, was she Catherine?” 

“We were matched.”  Lady Catherine nodded.  “There is a portrait of her in the gallery . . .” Her eyes sparked.  “Georgiana!”  She jumped.  “Do you know that portrait of your mother?”

“Well . . . yes, of course.  I look upon it often.”  She saw Cathy shaking her head and confused, looked to her aunt.  “She was very pretty.”

“Do you know the ring that she wore on her hand in the painting?”  Georgiana’s mouth opened a little and she felt her nervousness returning under her aunt’s intense scrutiny.  “I thought that your brother might give it to you, it is far more meaningful to you than to his wife.  Have you seen it?”

“Mama.”  Anne spoke up tiredly, “I do not believe that the ring in the portrait is the same as the one worn by our vicar’s wife.  Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth said that it was misplaced, so please stop digging.  It is his ring to keep, give, or lose.”

“Do you know this ring?”  Lady Catherine demanded of Georgiana. 

She felt tears filling her eyes. “I . . . I lost it.”

“You
lost
your mother’s ring!”  Lady Catherine stared.  “How could you be so careless?”

“Yes, a piece of jewellery such as that is not to be treated like a glass bauble you buy at a fair.”  Lady Matlock’s brows knit.  “I thought that you were far more responsible than that.  Why, if I were to give one of my mother’s precious rings to Cathy and she lost it, I would be devastated!”

“What did Fitzwilliam say?”  Anne asked.

“Or does he know?”  Cathy added.  “What story did you tell him?”

Feeling the eyes of the women upon her, Georgiana stared down at her hands.  She could see herself removing the ring from her finger and placing it in Wickham’s palm, and then receiving his kisses and assurances that it would fetch them enough money to live like kings.  She was left alone, scared and feeling so strangely ill, and he had returned hours later, stinking of drink and wanting her.  It had happened only days before she was found. 

She wiped her eyes.  “I told him the truth.”  Looking up again, she stood.  “I am sorry Aunt Catherine for shaming my mother’s memory with my behaviour and losing something so precious.  There is no excuse for it.  Pardon me.”  Very quickly, she exited the room.  Her running feet could be heard as she flew down the hallway.

Mrs. Annesley immediately stood.  “I will go see to her.” 

When she had left, Sophie was hard-pressed to keep her tongue in check and spoke angrily.  “I have no doubt that Miss Darcy has already been thoroughly chastised for her indiscretions by her brother, and there is no need for you all to continue with it.” 

Lady Catherine stared after her niece and Cathy watched her.  “What is so important about that particular ring, Aunt?  Is it just because your sister once wore it?”

“And finding out that it
is
gone still does not mean that the vicar’s wife wears it.”  Anne pointed out.  “Why
do
you care so about that ring, Mama?”