A/N: Thank you for the feedback. I know I take liberties with my characters and their appearances. I do try to stick with the facts of the book, but there are so many that I prefer to improvise. On a side note there is a part in this chapter that I'm not sure is historically correct so I'm apologizing now. I do know there was a difference in status between below stairs servants, and upstairs servants. I don't know if someone like Mrs. Annesley would eat supper with the family, or be relegated to the kitchen or her room for her meals. I'm prone to believe on informal occasions she would sit with the family, but for parties and larger dinners she would take hers in her room.
That's it for now. Hope you enjoy!
Chapter 11
The note had been delivered to Jane Bennet, of Longbourn, while the family were gathered together congratulating Elizabeth on her marriage. The only absent member of the family was Mr. Bennet who was attempting to drown his sorrows with his last bottle of Port. Jane received the letter and withdrew to a corner of the room and read over its contents-once-twice-three times before she fully understood the implications of the words upon the paper.
"What is it, Jane?" Mrs. Bennet asked, after Charlotte had left them, no doubt to spread the news to the rest of the neighborhood.
"Netherfield is shut up," she said, looking up from the page, "they are all gone to London and are not expected to return."
Elizabeth looked up then and saw her sisters face pale, the letter dangling from her fingers, ready to fall to the ground. She quickly got up and led Jane to a chair by the fire and ordered her to sit. She then took up the letter and read for herself.
"I did not think Caroline Bingley would be so cruel." Elizabeth said under her breath.
"Netherfield shut up?" Mrs. Bennet asked, unable to believe such words. She then took the letter and read for herself. "My, what a waste. To use my daughter so ill."
A thought entered Elizabeth's mind then. "Mama, are we not going to London in two day's time for my wardrobe?" When that lady gave an answer in the affirmative, Elizabeth continued, "Why should Jane not attend me? I'm sure I could use her assistance for she has a keen eye for fashion."
"Jane go to London?" Mrs. Bennet thought over this plan and was beginning to see the merit of it. She knew Mr. Bingley had formed an attachment and whatever business and pleasure kept him in London, surely he would welcome Jane in his company, and hopefully come up to scratch. "Yes, I don't see why not."
When the plan was presented to Mr. Bennet he was so inebriated he agreed to it right away without considering the implications of himself being in the house alone with three very silly creatures, and no Jane or Elizabeth to buffer him from them. Elizabeth stayed in the study with her Father helping him to write out a letter to her Uncle Gardiner, relating the news of Elizabeth's engagement and asking if they would be welcome in their home until the happy day arrived. The letter was sent post haste, for in two days time Mrs. Bennet hoped to be in London.
There was a large clock at the base of the stairs, just off the entryway of Darcy House, that if one were silent could be heard throughout the ground floor, and first floor, providing the door was ajar. It was such an ugly, overbearing piece of workmanship that required winding at least twice a week, and was of indeterminate age. Fitzwilliam had told Georgiana it had been there ever since he could remember, and their Father had told him the same. It was filled with carvings of cupids, and flowers, and stags, and all manner of outdoor flora and fauna, so busy was it that it was hard to tell where one image started, and the other ended. And when it struck the hour the sound was so deafening that one would be sorely tempted to cover their ears, the sound echoed throughout the house leaving no one in doubt as to the time of day—or night.
Georgiana was staring at this clock, the letter from her brother in her hand, letting her know of his anticipated arrival that evening. She was tracing the images with her eyes, waiting for the hour to strike, and when it did it shook her to her very soul. She delighted in the fright it caused her, though she would never admit it to anyone. Once it struck the last chord of four o'clock, she took the letter with her up the stairs and to the sitting room where Mrs. Annesley was mending a shift.
"Ah, Miss Darcy," she said, putting her work down, "and what does your brother have to say?"
Georgiana handed her the note, "He is returning home today."
"How wonderful, would you like to tell Cook to expect him, or shall I?"
"I will do it," Georgiana took the note back, then headed out of the room and down the stairs towards the kitchens at the other end of the house. She listened for the clock's ticking as she passed through the rooms, slowly growing quieter as she walked further away.
Entering the kitchen she breathed in the aroma of fresh baked bed and noticed the kettle on the stove issuing a stream of steam into the air.
"Miss Darcy," Cook said upon seeing her. Cook and the other servants in the room stopped what tasks they are doing and curtsied, or bowed to her. "Would you care for tea?"
Georgiana bit her bottom lip, then abruptly stopped. A lady never fidgets and she was certain biting ones lips was fidgeting.
"I am to inform you of Mr. Darcy's return this evening, if you would let the rest of the staff know and prepare a place for him at the table." She was about to leave when she turned back around, noticing a plate of biscuits, small square cake like creations with pink icing pooled on top. She caught herself before she licked her lips. "Please have tea served as well."
"Aye, mum," Cook said as she left the room.
Sighing, Georgiana made her way back to the sitting room. As she walked through the house she inspected each room and its decorations. Her Mother, the late Mrs. Darcy, had made over the house after she had married. Each room was a reflection of Lady Anne's taste and idea of comfort and style for her time. She had been to Rosings where her Mother's sister, Lady Catherine De Bourgh resided, and noted the differences. Rosings furnishings were opulent, gilded and intimidating, much like Lady Catherine herself. Lady Anne had chosen elegant, simple décor for her rooms, choosing to reserve the opulence for the grand dining room and the adjoining ball room.
She returned to the sitting room, a small, quaint room with a fire in the hearth warming the air, and settled herself on the sofa. She informed Mrs. Annesley that the tea would arrive shortly, then took up some needle work she meant to finish soon, as it was to be a gift for her cousin, and dual protector, Colonel Fitzwilliam. It was to be a pillow, with a beautiful field of flowers. Georgiana's workmanship was quite improving, and she smiled at her latest rose bud.
"Will you play for me tonight?" Mrs. Annesley asked, setting her own work aside.
"If you wish," Georgiana replied.
"I do so love to listen to you play after supper. It puts me in the mood for a restful sleep."
"Thank you," Georgiana smiled.
Just then the door was opened and a maid walked in with a large silver tray filled with the tea things. She deposited the tea and cakes onto the small table before Miss Darcy, curtsied, then exited the room. Georgiana poured Mrs. Annesley's tea, one sugar, no cream, and handed that lady her cup. She then poured her own, one sugar, a dash of cream. If her brother were here he took his tea with a squeeze of lemon, while Colonel Fitzwilliam took his straight.
"What has you smiling, my dear?" Mrs. Annesley asked, setting her cup down, a slight smile on her own face.
"Just pondering a person's character based on their tea preference."
Georgiana gave a small giggle. Mrs. Annesley was happy to see her young charge in good spirits. She had only been employed by Mr. Darcy for no more than four months and in all that time could most likely count on one hand the number of times she saw Miss Darcy smile. She had been told Miss Darcy had a trying summer and that her last chaperone had to be sacked without reference.
"Do you think one explains the other?" Mrs. Annesley asked.
"I do not know," Georgiana mused. Wickham preferred his tea tepid, and very sweet, three sugars.
Darcy arrived at his house just as the clock was striking half past six. He was greeted at the door by Hawkins, his butler, who took his jacket, gloves and hat and informed him briefly of the goings on of the house while he was away. He had hoped to get here earlier so he could greet his sister and tell her the news, but knew she would be in her room readying herself for supper. He quickly ascended the stairs to his own room, his man not far behind, and began to disrobe. A pitcher of hot water was brought to the room and he began to wash off the dirt from his journey.
"Shall you like a shave, sir?" Tom asked.
"No," Darcy didn't want to keep his sister waiting.
Tom produced fresh clothing, and starched cravat, then began to help Darcy dress. Once he was satisfied with his reflection, he dismissed his servant. Darcy pulled out his pocket watch and noted he had ten minutes before supper. He walked down the hall to the small sitting room where he saw Mrs. Annesley. Upon seeing her Master she rose.
"Miss Darcy is dressing still, sir." She informed him.
"Please, sit," Darcy motioned with his hand, then stood by the mantle.
He was glad of Mrs. Annesley. After the fiasco with Mrs. Young he held little hope in finding a proper chaperone and companion for his sister. Richard had asked his Mother to see if she knew anyone and promptly wrote back with Mrs. Annesley, who's last charge was Miss Henshaw who recently married Lord Ruthberg. She was asked to fill the position, and agreed.
"Will!" Georgiana exclaimed, seeing her brother as she entered the room.
Darcy's face lit with a smile as she came to him in a hurry, then abruptly stopped, curtsying. He gave a laugh, took her in his arms and kissed her forehead. He took in a deep breath as he realized his sister was now a young woman. She would soon be presented at court, and have her own season. He only hoped her experience with Wickham wouldn't mar the occasion.
"I have some news, dearest, but it shall have to wait 'til we are seated." Georgiana looked up at him quizzically. She nodded her head, then took her brother's arm while Mrs. Annesley followed behind. Once they were seated they were served their first course.
"What news, brother?" Georgiana asked as soon as her celery soup was poured.
Darcy looked up, and smiled, then waited for his own soup to be served. "I am to be married."
Georgiana dropped her spoon, and promptly blushed. "Married?" She asked, picking up the spoon again.
"Yes," Darcy smiled, "to a little wood nymph I met in Herfordshire."
Giving a sigh of relief, dreading he was to say another name, she said, "Congratulations. Who is this wood nymph?"
"Her name is Elizabeth Bennet," Darcy said. He had written his sister about Longbourn and the Bennets, particularly Jane and Elizabeth when they both had stayed at Netherfield, but hadn't mentioned them in a letter to his sister since.
"Is she beautiful?" Georgiana asked.
"Miss Darcy," Mrs. Annesley intoned, disapprovingly.
"It is all right," Darcy said, "I think her very beautiful."
Georgiana smiled, "And when are we to be introduced?"
"In two days' time she shall come to London with her Mother. We are to be wed on Christmas Eve."
Georgiana caught herself before she exclaimed her surprise. "That is less than four weeks away."
"Yes, but I had hoped to be married before the season started so that we might retire to Pemberly before the roads become impassable."
Darcy, having finished his good news, began eating with gusto. Georgiana, however, had lost her appetite. She had no idea who this woman was, and soon she would be expected to live with her. She knew her brother was a level-headed man, never prone to spontaneity, but this engagement must have happened rather lately, else he would have written to her about it. Did her brother unknowingly fall into the trap of a woman who was only marrying him for his money? He seemed happy about it, so he couldn't have been coerced into this marriage.
I suppose I shall have to wait and see, she thought, then focused on her own food before it grew too cold.