Needs: A Pride and Prejudice Exploration

Chapter Ten

It was exactly at that point in time that supper was announced. The Earl led the group. Lady Matlock had been away from home for two weeks visiting a sick family member. Her husband was eagerly awaiting information from Mr. Darcy's solicitor and hoped that the information that would be supplied would permit him to introduce Mr. George Darcy to her upon her arrival back home.

Since their daughter's second season, without any sort of commitment, Lady Matlock had been anxious. She had seen the results of hesitancy, either an unsuitable match or no match at all. The question was whether Anne's father should take the upper hand in this decision and take the ability to choose from their daughter. That thought did not sit well with The Lady, but their daughter would need the protection and security that a well-matched marriage would provide.

If the rumor mill had churned out the truth, George Darcy, while not titled, was very much to be desired as a marriage mate, his financial condition appeared to be legendary—his home to the north, Pemberley, another smaller estate, Manchester, a sugar plantation in Barbados, other great houses in Scotland and Ireland being managed by stewards and rented out to tenants, sound investments handed by his solicitor and since it was built on Darcy land, Darcy owned the town of Lampton in Derbyshire. The Earl was aware that some of his personal friends, while titled, were land rich and funds poor. Without even the solicitor's statements, Matlock was certain that this, was not the case with young Darcy.

James took the lead in conversation as they sat at the table. As usual, the stories and accounts he voiced had some sort of moral lesson. He was full of such tales. George remained silent until James said to him,

"George, how do things go at Pemberley?"

Well, that started the ball rolling, Darcy spoke of the house, land improvements, tenants, innovated farming techniques, out-buildings' improvements…the list could go on. What the conversation revealed was Darcy's love of his home, his concern for his tenants, and his skill as a gentleman farmer. It appeared that Darcy was quite capable of rolling up his sleeves to accomplish a task that some might have felt beneath them. He was a man of action and his own muscular body could attest to the truthfulness of his accomplishments in this area.

Lady Anne marveled at Mr. Darcy's narrative. She tried to get a mental picture of Pemberley, the grand house, and its' grounds. She had never spoken to anyone who had visited it. What Anne did notice as Darcy spoke was a sense of longing. She knew then that the house, without his father or his sister had to be a lonely place. An unmarried male, like Mr. Darcy would have no one his equal with whom to converse. The servants, excepting possibly his valet could not be privy to his innermost thoughts. His steward could advise as to management of the estate, but certainly not on personal matters and with an estate as large as Pemberly, his closest neighbors, of similar station, must be many miles away. No wonder males such as he spent a great deal of time away from their estates. They had to seek out the company of their peers with endless series of visits with friends and family, the equivalent to living out of a trunk.

Mr. Darcy then spoke of the holidays at Pemberly, the decorations, special foods prepared, the influx of family and friends and at that point, he bravely invited Earl and Lady Matlock, James and Lady Anne to his home for that festive time. The Earl nodded and accepted. James simply said,

"May I have a room with a view of the lake?"

Darcy answered,

"First or second floor?"

Addressing Lady Anne Darcy made this request,

"Allow me to show you and your parents our gardens."

"Mr. Darcy, we would feel honored."

The meal concluded and they were thereafter entertained by Lady Anne's playing on her instrument of choice, the harp.

When George was about to leave, James came forward and whispered,

"We have to talk."

"Come with me to Darcy House, you might want to bring some personal items, you may find it necessary to stay a day or two."

With a raised eyebrow, James knowing his friend to be a man of few words said in surprise,

"You have that much to say? Wait here, I will return shortly."

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Within a short period of time, they were in the carriage and George breathed deeply and simply said,

"I am in love with your cousin. I cannot get her out of my mind. Do you think that she will be accepting of my further attentions to her?"

"You are not only tied tongue, you are blind. Do you not see how she hangs on to your every word? She has had two seasons, and has not received any gentleman's attention with any seriousness. George, she has been waiting to meet you. As you are my best friend, I talked about you constantly. Do you think that I introduced you to her to have you just admire her from a distance? Get to it man!"

Seated in the library, it was early morning before the two separated and went off to sleep. Fortunately, they would be keeping 'town hours' and could be abed later than if they were in the country.

George's night was restless. Every time he closed his eyes, Lady Anne's teasing smile greeted him. Well, as James had said, 'it was time to get on with it.'. With that thought in mind, he requested that his valet dress him with care that day. He was certain that the information that Earl Matlock had requested had be received and reviewed by now. He intended to invite Lady Anne and James for a ride in his phaeton. They would visit Hyde Park. It would be his first public excursion with a female. He was certain that it would become the talk of The Ton.

He and James came to Matlock house between lunch and tea time and his invitation was accepted by Lady Anne. She went to her rooms to change into a dress and outerwear more suited for the weather and within a short time they were on their way.

George attempted to initiate the conversation after James' elbow introduced itself to his side.

"Lovely weather we are having."

James rolled his eyes heavenward and his cousin Anne said,

"Surely Mr. Darcy, we shall not have such mundane conversation as that. Please tell us more about Pemberley."

Of course, that was a subject that George Darcy could excel in, and he did so for well over one-half hour. James' comment was simply,

"I did not know you had it in you to carry on verbally for that length of time."

George simply said,

"When my deep feelings are tapped, you would be surprised."

"Surprise me, no surprise us. You have two sets of ears ready for anything you have to say."

"Let me tell you more about my Pemberey's holiday celebration."