Hello readers! To new readers, I am very happy you have decided to read this story and I hope you enjoy this chapter. To old readers, I also hope you enjoy this chapter, but I also suggest that if you haven't yet done so you should go back and re-read the last few chapters or so because I mentioned in my recent note I changed some things. They are not major major changes (I mean the story will probably make sense), however, I did re-write and add some parts so that the story flowed better and made a bit more sense than before. So I would highly suggest re-reading; however, you are more than welcome to ignore me. If so, I hope you enjoy!
Georgiana came entered the dining room to find that Fitzwilliam and her father had begun their breakfasts. She smiled at her father, "It is good to see you out of your room Papa. Are you feeling well today?"
"Rather well."
Georgiana sat down and began to take food from the platters in front of her. "It is unfortunate that the weather is so poor or I would have suggested that you take a walk in the afternoon."
Her father smiled weakly, "I shall take a turn about the house later in the day for some exercise."
"I am glad because you know that Doctor Pullman has said that exercise will help."
"Yes, yes," her father sighed, "I am aware."
Hill entered the room and handed the post to Fitzwilliam. This caused Mr. Darcy to deflate a bit, his authority as the head of house had been diminished by his illness. Now, his son had taken over the control of the house and business affairs. Mr. Darcy, while immensely proud of the skill with which his son has managed so far, was saddened by his uselessness.
Fitzwilliam handed a letter to Georgiana. It was a note from Elizabeth Bennet inviting herself and Fitzwilliam to dinner in two days time. " Elizabeth has invited us to dinner at Netherfield in two nights Fitzwilliam." Georgiana looked up from her note to see Darcy pouring over another letter.
He finished reading it put it to the side, "You should most certainly accept the invitation for yourself Georgiana."
"Myself?"
"I am afraid I shall have to decline. There is much work I have to get done. Give them my apologies." He said, ending the conversation by picking up the next letter, opening it and starting to read.
Georgiana sat rather confused. Fitzwilliam had never declined an invitation from the Bennets, particularly if it came from Elizabeth. She watched him closely as he read. As he read further on, he face furrowed further and further into a frown.
He sat staring at the letter in his hand for some time after he had finished reading. Georgiana looked him curiously. "What is it?" She asked.
"Lady Catherine," Fitzwilliam paused as his thoughts continued to process the contents of the letter. The mention of the great lady caused Mr. Darcy to watch his son quite attentively. "She has requested my presence. I must go and fetch our cousin." He stood abruptly, folding the letter and placing it in the pocket of his jacket. He left quickly before Georgiana or his father could ask any more questions. He did not wish to speak of the subject of the letter with them at this moment.
"Georgiana," Elizabeth called excitedly at the arrival of her young friend. "It has been too long."
"The ball was just under a week ago." Georgiana pointed out.
Elizabeth laughed, "Well the week has felt like months." Then she whispered very quietly, "The persistent presence of our cousin Mr. Collins has become quite tiresome. We are eager for him to return home."
"That seems rather ungracious. He seemed affable when I met him at the ball."
Elizabeth smiled widely, "Perhaps it is ungracious, but you may find that your own opinion has changed by the end of the night. Then again, John may save you by commanding your attention all evening."
"Well, I suppose that would be quite a kindness on his part."
"Perhaps," Elizabeth responded slyly. Then she looked up and around the hall as though she expected another person to be present in the hall. "But now, where is your brother?"
"Fitzwilliam was called away by our aunt a couple days ago. He asked me to relay his apologies at not being able to join us."
Elizabeth face became momentarily sullen, but John's entrance forced her become merry once more. "Keeping Miss Darcy all for yourself I see Elizabeth." John acted as though he was quite frustrated with her.
"My goodness John." Elizabeth swatted his arm. "I was just going to bring her into the drawing room."
"I am certain you were." John smiled then turned toward Georgiana and held his arm out. "Welcome Miss Darcy."
"Thank you Mr. Bennet." Georgiana replied politely taking his arm up lightly.
John offered his other arm to his sister and then steered the two women to the drawing room where the rest of the family sat. "I hope you are well Miss Darcy."
"Quite well, thank you, Mr. Bennet."
They entered the room and everyone exchanged the proper pleasantries and Georgiana was quickly reintroduced to the Bennets' cousin, Mr. Collins. Then John led her to a seat near Jane, Mr. Bingley, Mr. Wickham, and Elizabeth. They had only been sitting there for a moment when Mr. Collins got up and joined their group. His presence was ignored by most of the group, but Georgiana smiled kindly. However, John quickly drew her attention away. "Now tell me Miss Darcy, what has become of your brother? I was under the impression that he had also been asked to join us." John glanced briefly over at Elizabeth
"He was called away by my aunt a couple of days ago and so is unable to join us this evening."
"Well that is a shame." John declared.
"I hope he was not called away on serious business." Jane looked at Georgiana worriedly.
"I'm afraid I do not know the nature of his business. He left quite suddenly."
"I am sure everything is quite well." Mr. Bingley reassured Georgiana, although it appeared to most of the rest of the party that the statement was made in an attempt to comfort Jane's sensitivities.
"Where does this aunt of yours reside?" John asked.
"In Kent."
"Aahh," John smiled, "Kent also contains the home our esteemed cousin. Perhaps you know this aunt, Mr. Collins."
The cousin smile. Georgiana found Mr. Collins's smile greasy and oddly unpleasant. "It is very possible that I do. I am a pastor in the area and as such should know all of the people in my parish." He drawled.
"Well then," John boomed, "What is the name of your aunt Miss Darcy?"
Georgiana looked at her hands suddenly feeling rather shy. "Georgiana?" Elizabeth had placed her hand on her friend's shoulder concerned. "Are you feeling alright?"
Gerogiana looked up again, "Of course, I apologize. I must have become lost in thought." She then turned her attention to Mr. Collins. "My aunt is Lady Catherine De Bourgh."
"Lady Catherine De Bough?" Mr. Collins repeated quite shocked by the revelation. Then he began to gush profusely about his employer and her daughter. He spoke of how gracious, kind, and considerate she was.
When he finally finished, he looked to Georgiana as if searching for approval. "I thank you for your glowing description of her Mr. Collins; however, I am afraid I cannot determine its accuracy as I have never met the lady."
The butler entered and announced that dinner was ready to be served, so the entire party stood and prepared to relocate to the dining room. Mr. Collins hurried to escort Mary, who had grown tired of Mr. Collins attentions. John once again held out his arm to Georgiana. While she understood that he was being polite, Georgiana found his behavior rather odd in light of the fact that he was engaged. However, she accepted his arm and allowed him to lead her out of the drawing room, followed closely by Mr. Wickham and Elizabeth and Mr. Bingley and Jane.
Jane, Elizabeth, and John walked slowly through the grounds of Netherfield.
"I feel quite sorrow for poor Mary, constantly having to deal with Mr. Collins advances."
"Lizzy," Jane scolded her. "Mr. Collins is merely very attentive, that is not a crime. Perhaps Mary is enjoying the attention."
"I am sorry, Jane, but I am afraid I must disagree with you." John entered the conversation. "Have you not noticed how frustrated she looks when he comes to talk to her."
"Or how tensely she accepts his arm." Elizabeth added.
"I think that she is just nervous." Jane defended Mary's actions.
"If it pleases you to think that Jane, I shall not argue with you/." John said diplomatically. "I am shocked, however, that our father has allowed it to go this far. I feel certain that in the end that he should not allow any of his daughters to marry a man of Mr. Collins's standing."
"You forget, John, that Mama has orchestrated this pairing and you know that Papa will not interfere with her plans for our marriages."
"Well, I cannot believe that she is allowing Mr. Collins's advances."
"Apparently, she believes that Mr. Collins is Mary's only chance."
"That is very horrible of her." Jane announced.
"Yes it is." Both John and Elizabeth agreed.
"She could decline his offer." Elizabeth suggested.
"Most women do not have the strength in personality to do such a thing." Jane commented. "I would think no woman wants to become a old maid."
"But Mary will have a fortune at her disposal and wealthy unmarried women can be perfectly respectable, hardly an old maid."
John laughed, "Most women do not view the issue in that manner."
"I suppose not." Elizabeth conceded. "However, I still believe that a person should only enter into marriage if they truly love their future partner, particularly if they have enough money to not need marriage as a means of escape."
"You shall end up alone with thoughts like that Lizzy." John replied half-jokingly.
Jane smiled sympathetically at him knowing what was to come next. "I think that was directed towards you John."
"I think so too." He said.
Elizabeth stopped walking, "John, you could have had a chance a real happiness."
"Lizzy," John sighed tired of this conversation. "I happen to care for Caroline greatly."
"Listen to yourself John, this is what I am referring to," Elizabeth said. "You care for her? You should be saying you love her. If you cannot even say that superficially to your sisters how can you ever convince yourself that you love her."
"Lizzy, what would you have me do? End my engagement?" John was becoming frustrated.
"Of course not John!" Jane exclaimed, "She would never ask you to do such a thing. Would you Lizzy?"
Elizabeth looked at Jane and then John, "No, of course not. It would have been better if he had waited until he could have firmly established his feelings for her."
John turned away. "I am going to head back to the house. I suggest that you do not stay out much longer. It is getting colder." He walked back in the direction of the house.
"Lizzy, you are not fair to him." Jane gently reprimanded.
"But Jane, you know her temperament does not match John's. I just do not want him to enter a marriage that will surely disintegrate into a marriage like that of Mama and Papa."
"I know you mean well, but you must not be so harsh when you approach the subject."
"I cannot help it."
"You must try."
Elizabeth took Jane's hands into her own, "I promise I shall try. I offer you no more."
Jane smiled, "That is all I ask Lizzy."
"Now, tell me about Charles." Elizabeth smiled slyly.
Jane dropped her sister's hands, "Let us return to the house, Lizzy. It is becoming colder."
"Of course, but you must tell me."
"It has only been hardly a fortnight since we discussed this last."
"My sense of time has completely left me. In that case, I shall give you a reprieve this once."
"That is very good of you." Jane laughed.