Chapter Twenty-One – Becoming Acquainted
Their return to the drawing room was met with smiles, which in Caroline's case was a sly smirk. Lizzy could tell she would be teased later. Of course, she would return the teases when Caroline finally had the opportunity to meet and spend time with Captain Fitzwilliam. It was the sisterly thing to do, after all.
"Did you enjoy your walk?" Darcy asked them, encouraged by the fact they were still in company and both smiling.
"I did, Father," Will answered. "It was both a pleasant bit of exercise and a chance to become better acquainted with Miss Elizabeth."
"And we managed without even one argument," Lizzy added teasingly. "I consider that quite an accomplishment after our previous introduction." Will's face reddened slightly as she spoke, particularly around the tips of his ears.
"Careful, Lizzy," Caroline said, "You seem to be embarrassing him now."
Lizzy turned to Will with a questioning look and realized he had reddened even more at Caroline's comment. After giving Caroline a mock glare, she turned to Lady Ashby to change the subject.
"Lady Ashby, while we walked the subject of forms of address came up. As we found when Mr. Bingley and Charles visited, it is a bit disconcerting on all sides to address both our current visitors as Mr. Darcy. Within our private group might it be acceptable if Jane, Caroline and I address the younger Mr. Darcy as Will?"
Lady Ashby looked around the room and saw Darcy nod assent to the idea. Will looked at her hopefully and she made her decision.
"Given the existing betrothal it is acceptable for you to call him by name. As we did with Charles, we will stretch the point. Will may alsocall Jane and Caroline by name in accordance with the interconnected relationships between us all through the betrothals. However, you must all take care to use the formal address in public or if you can be heard by people outside our family even if it does cause some confusion," Lady Ashby insisted. "I want to ensure there is not even the perception of a breach in propriety at any time."
"Thank you, Aunt," Will replied with a bow. "We shall be careful outside our family group."
As Will and Lizzy returned to their original seats, the door opened to admit Georgiana and her governess, Miss Dalberry. The girl rushed into the room and threw herself into her father's arms.
"Father, I am so glad you have come! I have missed you and Will. Are you planning to stay long? I have been having such fun! Lizzy, Jane and Caroline are so kind to me. Thank you for letting me visit here!" Georgiana's words tumbled out in an excited cascade without pause for breath or response. Darcy and Will both laughed and Will noticed all the women in the room smile fondly at his sister.
"Is this my shy and quiet little Georgiana?" Darcy asked as he returned her hug then set her on her feet. "I have rarely heard so much from you at one time before."
"Oh, Father," Georgiana said in an exasperated tone before turning to engulf her brother in a hug as well.
"So you have enjoyed being in company these last few weeks?" Will said happily. "How is it you can miss us if you are having such a very good time?"
Georgiana straightened up and put her hands on her hips as she said, "I always miss you when you are away from me. I want all the people I love around me and I knew you would both have more fun here than with whatever unpleasant business took you away from Pemberley."
"You speak truly there," Will said with a chuckle. "It was very unpleasant business, and the company here is far more fun."
"Oh, it is! Caroline and Lizzy play duets with me. We all sing together or go out and practice drawing in the garden. Aunt Susan even took us all shopping and she let me order a pretty dress. I have always wanted a sister and now I have three!"
"And how do you figure that?" Will asked with a chuckle.
"Well, I am anticipating a bit, but when you marry Lizzy she will be my sister. Since Jane is her sister then she will be my sister as well. Once she marries Charles then he becomes my brother and Caroline is his sister, so she will be my sister too. Of course, that means Richard and Alex become my brothers as well as my cousins, but that is not as important." she waved her hand as if to dismiss the last idea.
Will looked up to see his father shaking his head while trying not to laugh out loud. When their eyes met neither could help himself. With almost identical snorts they choked out the first bit of laughter and then roared. With a bit more delicacy, the ladies joined in. Georgiana could not resist the impulse to giggle even as she stomped her foot and asked, "What is so funny?"
Darcy controlled himself with an effort so he could reply. "Georgiana, my dear, that is quite the chain of relationships you have built. However, I think we are laughing over your excitement as much as anything."
"I wonder if Richard and Alex will approve of being discounted as brothers so easily?" Will asked, gasping a bit as he tried to catch his breath.
"I know I was looking forward to having Charles as a brother. I did not consider I would be gaining two more brothers through Caroline's marriage as well," Lizzy said. "I will not discount their importance. A brother or two would have made all the difference in our family. Just do not apply your logic around my mother, Georgiana, or you will have her claiming Lord Ashby as her brother and the Earl as her father and using that to insist our youngest sister be called Lady Lydia."
"Why only your youngest sister?" Will asked.
"Because she is Mama's favorite and therefore the most deserving," Lizzy said as if it were self-explanatory. Will saw Jane nod in agreement. He was about to comment further when Georgiana spoke up again.
"How long will you be staying, Father? A long time I hope."
"A few days, Georgiana. That is all. Will and I have work to do at Pemberley overseeing the finish of the harvest season and making everything ready for winter. It is a very busy time for us."
"But I can stay here with my almost-sisters, right? Please, may I, Father?" She returned to where Darcy sat and took his hand, looking at him pleadingly.
"I will discuss it with your aunt," Darcy said, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "She and I will decide and let you know."
"Thank you, Father," she said. "I will try not to tease you about it, but I really want to stay."
"I understand. Now, I wonder if we might move to the music room and hear some of these duets you have been practicing with your almost-sisters, as you call them," he said, looking around the room at the others.
"I shall be happy to play with Georgiana," Lizzy said, rising from her seat.
"And I," Caroline agreed.
"I have a few items to deal with before dinner," Lady Ashby said. "If you will excuse me I shall leave Jane in charge as hostess." With a smile for the whole group she stood and left the room.
Darcy rose, still holding Georgiana's hand, and offered his free arm to Jane. "Miss Bennet, may I escort you to the music room?" She took the offered arm and the three headed for the door together. Will also stood and offered to escort both Lizzy and Caroline.
"Miss Dalberry," Darcy said to the governess who had been standing to the side of the room while the family talked together, "if you wish some time to yourself, please feel free. I will keep Georgiana in my company until just before dinner time."
"Thank you, sir," she said with a curtsy. She waited where she was while the group of six left the sitting room behind.
As promised, Lizzy and Caroline both played with Georgiana. Will's sister owned the proficiency gained by much practice at the instrument, which in the absence of playmates had become her favorite companion, but she was young and her performance could still be improved on. Lizzy and Caroline each provided good examples for her to follow in their own way. Caroline demonstrated technical excellence in her playing. Like Georgiana, she had clearly been diligent in her practice and the few extra years of effort showed in her skill. While Lizzy did not demonstrate the same precision in her playing, she made up for it with the expressiveness of her performance. Under her fingers the keys seemed to bring forth emotions as well as notes.
To Will's surprise, Jane declined to play citing a lack of skill. Instead she sang. By the end of her first song Will decided Charles had finally gotten it right. Jane Bennet was an angel, or at least she sang like one in a clear, sweet soprano. When Lizzy's mellow alto joined in the second song, enhancing and supporting her sister's voice while Caroline played, Will thought he could lose himself forever in the music. The song ended far too soon.
Will hoped they would perform another, but his father suggested it was time they all prepare for dinner. Georgiana was still considered too young to join the family, so she would return to her rooms to have dinner with her governess. Before leaving she gave Will another exuberant hug.
"I am very glad you are here, Will. Could we spend some time together tomorrow, please?" she asked.
"I look forward to it," he said. She released him and turned to her father.
"May I escort you to your room, daughter?" Darcy asked.
"Thank you, Father," Georgiana said with a giggle as she took the offered arm. The remaining company quickly scattered to freshen up before dinner.
0o0
Will was not very surprised to find himself seated next to Lizzy at dinner. Caroline sat on his other side and the three of them shared a pleasant conversation about musical composers. When the discussion lagged Caroline told him how complimentary Charles had always been regarding Pemberley and the time he spent there.
"I think I might be jealous of Lizzy's good fortune at being destined to live in such a beautiful place. Even as the future mistress of Pemberley she will have access to more than most women dream of," Caroline teased before she continued with a warm smile. "In all seriousness, though, I appreciate your efforts and support to help my brother learn to behave as a gentleman. He has always told me he values your friendship highly."
"I have always valued Charles's friendship as well," Will replied, wisely leaving the first part of her comment alone. "I would have been very lonely without his company, especially after my cousins left school. He is cheerful and outgoing in social settings. His attitude helped ease my way in unfamiliar society and often even among people with whom I was familiar."
"I can see Charles doing that for you," Lizzy said. "Your father has told me before that he was concerned for you since you never seemed at ease in company."
"I am surprised he mentioned it. Although perhaps I should not be surprised, as he often compared me with George Wickham, who always appeared very cheerful and open when he was around my father."
"I am sorry I brought up something that is a sore point for you," said Lizzy softly.
"Actually, I was the one who brought up the sore point," Will countered, with a smile for both ladies. "It would be hard to find any part of my past that does not include George in one way or another. My father and I are working our way beyond the ill feelings that have existed between us, but it is a slow process and some of the bitterness lingers. My father has had to reassess everything he ever believed to be true about both George and me while challenging all the habits of belief and speech he has built over the years. For my part, I have had to work to trust him with information about myself and to remind him while I avoid taking offense when some of his old habits reappear. I will admit it is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life." Will answered equally softly.
"Charles sometimes told us stories of things Mr. Wickham did to you both when you were at school," Caroline said. "He sounds like a very unpleasant man."
"Unpleasant and dangerous. If either of you is ever in his company do your best to leave immediately and get help. Make a scene if you must, scream or shout, whatever it takes. Do not let any consideration of ladylike behavior stop you for even a second. He hates me and he hates Charles. George would not hesitate to hurt either of you as way to get at us if he had the chance. Do not give him that chance." Caroline and Lizzy were both impressed by the vehemence with which Will spoke. They nodded agreement before they moved to another, less serious topic by unspoken consent.
"Georgiana seems very happy in your company," Will offered as a way to start the new conversation.
"She is a sweet girl," Caroline told him. "We have enjoyed her visit. It has been a new experience for me to be around a younger girl. My sister, Louisa, is three years older than I am."
"Georgiana was very shy at first," Lizzy added, "but we all did our best to make her feel welcome. Caroline and I are rather lively and scared her a bit, but once Jane helped her feel at ease she was able to warm up to us as well. You can see the results in her current enthusiasm."
"I hardly recognize her with all the excitement she was showing earlier. Do you mind having her claim you as her sisters?"
"Not at all, with as many as I have already, what is one more?" Lizzy grinned at him as she spoke. "Does it bother you to share?"
"I had not really thought of that," Will replied, looking slightly surprised. "I suppose if you somehow turned her against me it would bother me, but I can tell your company enriches her life. I will happily share her attention if it makes her happy."
"Your sister has helped me realize how much I miss my own sister. I am looking forward to seeing Louisa again next month, even if it is just for a week or two before her wedding," Caroline added.
"She has been in Scarborough with your mother's family, has she not?" Will asked. "I remember that was what Charles's last letter said."
"Yes, our aunt has been helping her prepare for her wedding to Mr. Hurst. We will celebrate the wedding a few days before Christmas. I understand my aunt has planned a very fancy affair for the occasion."
"I hope it goes well. Charles thought it was a good match for your sister." Will turned to Lizzy and asked, "Will you and Jane be returning home for Christmas?"
"We shall. Lord Ashby will be taking us to Longbourn a few days after Mr. Bingley is scheduled to come retrieve Caroline. Uncle Edward will bring our younger sisters home for the Christmas season, although he and Aunt Madeline will not join us for the celebration this year because of the new baby."
"Do they usually spend Christmas at Longbourn?"
"They do when my uncle's business allows and as long as Aunt Madeline is feeling well enough. With Paul being less than a year old and Eddy still under the age of five, my does not wish to leave them to the nursemaid long enough to make the trip. My mother's sister lives in Meryton, the closest village to us, so it is a chance for my uncle to visit with his whole family when they can spend Christmas with us. I know I am looking forward to seeing my father and sisters again."
Lady Ashby rose then, motioning for the ladies to withdraw. The three gentlemen stood and waited politely for the ladies to make their exit before Lord Ashby suggested an after dinner glass of port.
"Well, son, what do you think of Miss Lizzy now?" Darcy asked as the three men settled back into their seats with their drinks.
"I think there is a good chance we will suit one another well." Will said simply.
The two older men laughed. "Not going to commit to anything else just yet, Will?" Ashby asked with a smirk.
"What did you wish to hear?" Will asked. "For all intents and purposes, I have only just met her today."
"That is true enough, I suppose," Ashby replied. "Well, you have a couple years to decide, assuming you can manage to avoid insulting her again."
"Yes, keep those Hessians far from your mouth," Darcy teased. "You know Georgiana would be furious if you failed to procure the chain of sisters for her. Miss Lizzy is the lynchpin. Without her they would simply become a chain of cousins after the marriage of Richard and Miss Caroline."
"I imagine it would be an unforgivable offense," Will agreed with a soft laugh of his own. "I shall do what I can for her."
The conversation turned to the situation with Lady Catherine and the steps they had taken to protect Anne. Will was pleased his father allowed him to provide some of the update to his uncle and felt both men treated his ideas with respect. As he had told Lizzy, improving the relationship with his father would take time and effort, but he felt they were making good progress.
0o0
After dinner Will hoped they would have more music, but it seemed Lady Ashby preferred to have them converse with one another. Once again he saw the company arrange itself to ensure he would sit with Lizzy while the rest pointedly left the two out of the general conversation.
"It seems everyone is making certain we have time to speak together," he observed after they had been speaking of inconsequential things for a time.
"We did the same for Jane and Charles. After all, you will only be here a short time on this visit. Everyone wants us to have a chance to come to know one another better. You must realize our families hope we will marry when the time comes and for that to happen we need to feel comfortable together."
"I think I appreciate their help. I am just surprised at how obvious they are about it."
Lizzy laughed softly. "Yes, they have no hesitation in owning up to it either."
Will smiled and changed the subject. "At the risk of reopening an unpleasant topic, may I ask you something about the conversation in your uncle's study on the day of my unfortunate outburst?"
"Of course, Will. Getting to know one another means occasionally having to deal with unpleasant topics, although I hope we can both do so without anger or frustration. What did you wish to know?"
"As we mentioned on our walk, my father told me how you enjoy debating with him and he said that your comments that day were intended to start a debate, which I can understand in retrospect. I was curious, however, at your choice of topic. What brought on the subject of naval pay and conditions?"
Lizzy smiled at him. "Your father and I often discuss and debate current events when we meet. A short time prior I had read of the incident that happened this past April in Easton, when a Navy ship attempted to press into service several local men who would normally be considered exempt. Members of the community tried to stop the press gang and some of them were killed in the process. I mentioned the incident to your father and the topic led to the reasons why impressment is considered a necessary policy to fill the ranks of ordinary seamen in the Navy. I did not realize you had heard nothing of that part of the conversation."
"It certainly makes more sense now. I am afraid I was lost in my own unpleasant thoughts until my father tried to draw me into the discussion. While I expect any topic would have been unacceptable to me in that mood, the seemingly arbitrary nature of the subject inflamed my poor humor. I am still ashamed of where my anger led me."
"As the quote from Horace is often translated, 'anger is a brief madness.' I believe that is how it took you that day."
"It was certainly a very strange sensation. At times it was almost like I was watching myself from a distance instead of being the one behaving as I did. The most terrible things kept falling from my mouth and it seemed I had neither the will nor the inclination to stop them. I hope I never end up in such a state again," he finished fervently.
"I also hope you are spared such an experience. I certainly never again wish to be the object of the kind of insults you hurled around. I was embarrassed as much as I was angry and poor Jane was simply mortified. I understand the outburst was the end result of a long chain of events. Perhaps this new accord between you and your father will keep you from being in such a position again."
"I believe you are correct. That terrible day was literally years in the making. Circumstances have changed so much I believe I will be safe from having it happen again." He smiled at her and added, "You have no idea how pleasant it is to spend time with a pretty woman who is friendly without pushing herself at me, making me feel trapped or worried she is attempting a compromise."
Lizzy's eyes sparkled as she answered, "But you are already trapped, Will, and I have no need of compromise. Not that I would ever consider using one anyway," she added quickly with a slight blush, "but you worry me, sir."
"How is that?" Will knew some teasing comment was coming, but he could not imagine what it might be.
"Your choice of adjective. It seems the characteristic you value most highly is that your conversational partner be pretty."
"Why should you be worried by that? I was offering you a compliment."
"Were you?" She asked with a lift of one eyebrow and a challenging look in her eyes.
Will shifted in his seat uncomfortably. Clearly there was something he was missing. He quickly reviewed their conversation in his mind, but the answer eluded him. "I thought I was," he said tentatively, "but the look you are giving me suggests I might have put my foot in my mouth and am chewing on my boots instead."
Lizzy laughed brightly. "Not exactly chewing on them, but perhaps preparing for the meal. I do thank you for the intended compliment, Will. I am glad you consider me pretty, but if that is all you require of a conversational partner then your standards are, sadly, much lower than mine. I am concerned my looks may not be fine enough to keep your interest for long."
Will's eyes widened slightly as understanding dawned on him. "I beg your pardon, Miss Elizabeth, I mean, Lizzy," he said. "I also find it refreshing and somewhat disconcerting to be in company with a woman who is conversant with more than than the latest fashions or unfriendly gossip. Aside from my female family members it has been a rare experience for me and I hardly know how to behave. I offered the compliment that is normally most acceptable, forgetting that I was conversing with a woman who is thoughtful, intelligent and witty in addition to being lovely."
"Not to mention impertinent," Lizzy added with a broad smile.
"Well, I did not mention it," Will replied.
"I notice you do not disagree."
"You seem proud of the trait. Far be it from me to censure you for it."
"Clever side-step. Keep that up and you may avoid the taste of leather all evening."
"I think I can only aspire to such greatness," said Will, trying but failing to stifle a laugh. Lizzy laughed along with him even as they both saw the rest of the company look their way before quickly turning back to their conversations again. A few smiles appeared among the group, but they continued to leave Will and Lizzy to themselves.
"Enough of topics fraught with danger," Lizzy said teasingly. "I know from your father you enjoy reading books on a variety of subjects, much as I do myself. What other activities interest you?"
"I find great enjoyment riding, at least, I usually do. Father and I rode to town and back this time and at a faster than normal pace, which is a rather grueling trip. Once we reach home it may be a few weeks before I feel like riding for pleasure again. Do you ride?"
"I do not," Lizzy said. "Our horses were generally needed on the farm and the only one trained to sidesaddle is getting on in years. Nelly was never very cooperative to begin with and did not like me at all, although Jane will occasionally ride her without problems. Even animals all love Jane. I like to be able to walk wherever I am going without having to wait for the horse to be saddled or fight for control with a creature that is much larger than I am. In fact, I am very happy walking. It is my favorite form of exercise."
"While I would never wish to force you into an activity you dislike, I wonder if your problems riding could be due to the quality of the horse or even the skill of your teacher. There are many lovely places at Pemberley that are best visited on horseback due to their great distance from the house. I would like to share them with you in future. Would you be willing to try learning again if I found you a suitably gentle and obedient mount?"
"I cannot promise to enjoy it, but I am willing to learn. Perhaps we can make the attempt next summer? Your aunt has warned us we will be very busy this spring with activities she and Mrs. Evans have planned for us."
"I will find out if Aunt Miranda will be willing to bring you to visit Pemberley next summer. I think you will love the estate. You should see it even if you do not learn to ride. As Caroline suggested, it is point strongly in my favor when you make your final decision as to whether I will marry you."
Lizzy grinned and said, "I have heard something of it from my aunt, Mrs. Gardiner. Aunt Madeline spent part of her childhood near Lambton, which she says is near Pemberley. She told me the area is quite beautiful."
"She is correct. I am surprised Mr. Gardiner did not mention your aunt's connection to the area, although it is probable my father knows and the matter simply never came up naturally in conversation. I did not have the opportunity to meet Mrs. Gardiner when we visited. She was occupied with your sisters and her own children at the time. I look forward to meeting her at some point. Now I will have a subject for discussion when I do."
"Yes, she is always happy to speak of her time in Derbyshire. She would like to visit again, but uncle cannot currently take much time away from his business and her children are young enough she would not wish to simply leave them at home while she goes off traveling. That trip will have to wait a few years at least."
"When the time comes perhaps we can host them at Pemberley together. It is close enough to Lambton she could easily visit with her friends in the area while also allowing us the pleasure of their company. Your uncle mentioned a fondness for fishing and we have good spots to tempt him."
"You will be willing to accept my family as visitors, then?" Lizzy asked a little hesitantly.
"They are your family. There is no question they would be welcome. Even your mother," he added with a smirk, "although I would rather she not come live with us if you find her presence challenging."
"No, I would rather not have her live with us either. I suspect you would find her presence equally challenging. Should it be necessary for her to leave Longbourn she would do best with Jane and Charles, once they have an estate that is."
"That is settled, then."
"I am glad. You are definitely turning out to be much more pleasant and likeable than I had expected at first. Our conversations leave me hopeful we can come to care for one another."
"I agree. Even before he told me of our betrothal Father told me stories of his encounters with you at Mr. Gardiner's home. I have grown to like the person he has described, but I find you even better company in person."
Lizzy blushed slightly, wondering what her old friend had said of her. To change the subject,Lizzy said teasingly, "Tell me of your favorite books, sir?"
With that they began a pleasant discussion of the several books they had both enjoyed, finding many points in common with enough difference in their responses to provide opportunity for a bit of debate. The topic carried them until the company chose to retire for the night.
History Note: If you are interested in the incident Lizzy refers to at Easton, look up the Easton Massacre. It is an interesting historical tidbit as are the results of the Spithead Mutiny and the completely different response of the Admiralty after the mutiny at Nore (the first prompted negotiations and some changes to policy, but at the second the instigators were hanged).