Part 32 - 'Georgiana, this is Miss Elizabeth Bennet'

For the twentieth time that morning, Darcy looked out the window of Pemberley House, only to sigh with frustration as he did not see the carriages bringing his sister and guests. He had been awake since dawn, waiting for them to arrive. Forcing himself not to pace the room, he sat down in a chair and thought back to the day before. He had arrived home, decided to take a quick swim and met the last person he expected to see walking in his grounds. After hurriedly changing, he rejoined Elizabeth and met her aunt and uncle then conducted them personally on a quick tour of his estate. They had parted amiably, with a desire to meet again.

Darcy blushed again as he wondered how Elizabeth must have felt, suddenly seeing him, less formally attired than usual. Though each had been extremely shocked at the meeting, it did not seem as if the misunderstandings, pride, prejudice and other troubles were still there between himself and Elizabeth.

Yesterday's events were still very clear in his mind, but only one thing mattered at the moment.

Elizabeth was only five miles away, and not only did she no longer hate him but she was also willing to meet his sister.

Darcy smiled, imagining how delighted his sister would be to know that she would finally meet the woman who had affected his life so much.

A slight movement outside caught his eye. A closer observation proved that it was Georgiana and the Bingleys' carriage. Darcy leapt out of his chair and quickly went outside to greet them.

The first carriage slowed and came to a halt just in front of the stairs. Bingley exited first, then handed is spinster sister and Georgiana out. Behind them, Mr Hurst did the same to his wife. Georgiana smiled when she saw who was waiting to greet them. Darcy descended the stairs and told the carriage driver, who was about to leave, to wait for them.

"It is good to be home!" his sister said. Close by, Mrs Hurst and Miss Bingley were looking around appreciatively.

"So it is," said Darcy, taking his sister's arm. "But right now, there is someone I want you to meet."

Georgiana curiously asked who it was.

"We need to go to the Lambton Inn - she is staying there at the moment," continued he, side-stepping the question.

Bingley joined them in time to hear this conversation.

"She? Who is here, Darcy?" he asked.

Unable to restrain himself any longer, Darcy anounced, "Miss Bennet and her aunt and uncle are five miles away in Lambton!"

This brought all conversation to a halt. Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst looked stricken, Bingley hopeful and Georgiana pleasantly surprised.

"Which Miss Bennet?" asked Bingley urgently.

Darcy looked at his friend, who was obviously hoping it was Jane Bennet. "Miss Elizabeth."

There was complete silence for a moment, broken by Georgiana's happy exclamation, "She is here? You have seen her?"

Bingley was disappointed, but his face still expressed delight. Georgiana was impatient and dying of curiosity to meet the famous Miss Elizabeth Bennet, whom she had heard so much about. Miss Bingley and Hrs Hurst, however, were looking at each other, shocked. Darcy reveled in their expressions for a moment, then turned his attention back to his sister.

"Yes, I have seen her, and I am quite anxious for you to meet her. Would you come with us, Bingley? Miss Bingley?"

Bingley with no surprise, immedietly accepted. Miss Bingley did not answer immediately; Darcy watched desire to come and desire not to struggle for supremacy on her face. After a few moments, she declined.

"If that is all settled, then we shall leave," finished Darcy. Georgiana began to enter the carriage she had just vacated a few minutes ago, when Miss Bingley said,

"You are going now?"

"Of course," replied Darcy. To halt any further delays, he joined Georgiana, Bingley following behind.

"Is she expecting us so early?" inquired Georgiana as the carriage pulled away.

Darcy hesitated. Did Elizabeth expect them today or later?

"I am not sure. But I wish very greatly for you to know each other."

"I am very eager to see her too," said Bingley. "Ii will be interesting to hear what has happened in Hertfodshire in our absence, and to know if all our acquaintances are well; Sir William, Mr Bennet, Mrs Bennet . . . ."

He trailed off, staring out the window. Darcy felt a pang of guilt - he should have told Bingley the truth of Jane's feelings for him and apologised for not informing Bingley of Jane's presence in London.

But he would do that soon enough - right now all that mattered was that the two women he loved most in the world were finally to meet each other.

The carriage pulled in front of the Lambton Inn. As soon as it came to a complete stop, Darcy got out, leaving Bingley to assist Georgiana. He took off his hat and nodded a greeting to the innkeeper. The man's eyes grew wide as he saw who his visitor was.

"Sir!" He looked behind Darcy to see Georgiana and Bingley come in as well. "This is an unexpected pleasure, my dear sirs and madam. How can I be of assistance to you?"

"Good morning, " said Darcy. "I understand you have some guests at the moment - a couple traveling with their niece. Mr and Mrs Gardiner, and Miss Bennet."

"Indeed I do, sir. Very genteel folk they are; do you wish to see them?"

"Yes I do."

"I am afraid they are out at the moment; I believe Mr and Mrs Gardiner are visiting friends while the young lady is out walking. Miss Bennet should be returning shortly; the gentleman and lady sometime later."

Darcy glanced at his companions. "We shall wait."

The innkeeper nodded, then turned to shout through the door behind him, "Hannah!"

The girl stuck her head through the door. Upon seeing Mr and Miss Darcy and Mr Bingley she came out at once.

"Yes, Papa?"

"Show Mr Darcy to where Mr and Mrs Gardiner are staying - and if you see Mr or Mrs Gardiner, or Miss Bennet, give them a shout and tell them they have visitors."

"Yessir."

"Is there anything else I can help you with?" asked the innkeeper.

"Yes, you can get me a cup of tea, please," said Bingley. "I am eager to see Miss Bennet but if she is not here as of yet I will wait here. You dragged us here before we had even gone into the house to take breakfast," he said to Darcy.

Hannah shyly joined them and said, "This way, if you please sir."

Darcy and Georgiana followed her up the stairs.

The rooms where Hannah led them to were comfortable and well-kept. There was no one inside, but Darcy was determined to wait for as long as he could. He sat down in the chair near the door, while Georgiana restlessly looked around. Hannah was obviously uncomfortable in their presence, and though Darcy tried to ease this, she was still uneasy and regularly looked out the window.

After a while, Hannah leaned out the window and called out to someone in the street below. Darcy could not hear what she said, but surmised that either Elizabeth or her aunt and uncle had returned.

Hannah turned back to them with a smile and said, "She is here and will be coming up directly." She bobbed a curtsey and hurriedly left. Darcy watched the door, listening for footsteps. Georgiana was in the inner room, partially hidden by the wall, looking out the window at the countryside.

At long last, Elizabeth Bennet arrived. Darcy quickly rose, absently noticed that she was wearing the same colours as Georgiana - pale blue coat over a white muslin dress.

"Mr Darcy." She curtsied and he gave a bow. "I hope you have not been waiting long."

"Not at all. May I," said he, stepping to one side to reveal Georgiana. "introduce my sister, Georgiana."

Elizabeth smiled and moved to face Georgiana Darcy. Darcy watched as his sister shyly looked at the woman who had touched her brother's heart.

"Georgiana, this is Miss Elizabeth Bennet."

The two women curtsied to one another. "How do you do?" asked Georgiana softly.

"Very pleased to meet you, Miss Darcy - I've heard so much about you," replied Elizabeth.

"And I about you."

Darcy hoped to goodness Georgiana would know not to talk about how he still loved Elizabeth. Remembering that Bingley was still downstairs he said, "Mr Bingley is here with us, and very desirous to see you as well. He insisted on accompanying us." He gestured towards the door. "May I summon him?"

Elizabeth turned to face him, a large smile covering her face. "Of course! I should like to see him very much."

Darcy bowed and left the room, leaving his sister and Elizabeth to talk.

Things were going very well - Georgiana and Elizabeth liked each other immediately.

As for Elizabeth herself, there was certainly no reproach in her manner towards him. Did he dare hope that he could actually win her love?

He looked around the room in search of his friend. He espied him in a corner, talking gaily with the innkeeper.

"Miss Bennet is here, Bingley," said Darcy.

"She is? Wonderful!" He drained his cup, picked up his hat and gave the innkeeper some coins. "Let us go!"

He motioned for Bingley to preceed him. They quickly ascended the stairs and entered the room. Elizabeth and Georgiana were deep in conversation but turned at the gentlemen's arrival.

"Miss Bennet!" began Bingley happily. "I can't tell you how delighted I was when Darcy told me you were not five miles from Pemberley! How do you do?" He bowed; Darcy stood at a slight distance away from the group, content to watch. "I can see that you are well."

"Very well indeed, I thank you."

"Good, good, excellent!" Bingley looked at Georgiana, then back to Elizabeth. "And your family? are they in good health?"

"Yes, very well."

"Yes?" There was something in Bingley's tone that Darcy did not miss. "Pray tell me, are all your sisters still at Longbourn?"

It was obvious to Darcy that there was only one sister Bingley was inquiring about.

"All except one," replied Elizabeth.

Even though Bingley's back was to him, Darcy could tell his friend was distressed.

"My youngest sister is at Brighton."

No doubt she is enjoying herself immensely, thought Darcy remembering Lydia Bennet's flirting with the officers. But he politely did not say this aloud.

"Ah," said Bingley, the relief plain in his voice. He looked meaningfully at Georgiana, who curtsied to them both and left to join Darcy. Bingley and Elizabeth carried on their conversation while Darcy whispered to Georgiana,

"How do you find her?"

"Perfectly amiable. I like her a great deal," replied his sister.

"That is good."

They looked towards the lady in question. She laughed and smiled which touched Darcy greatly. He had not seen her for so long, though he had thought of her often, but not always with fondness.

But she was right in every respect, except with Wickham, thought he. I have changed - and so has she in some respects.

"Maybe we can invite her to dinner tomorrow?" said Georgiana hopefully.

Darcy looked at his little sister. "I think you shall."

"Me?"

"Yes."

Darcy remembered his cousin saying that his sister was brilliant in devising schemes. Whether this was another of them, he did not know. Either way, she was too shy to put her plans into action.

"Do you know, I don't think I can remember a happier time than those short months I spent in Hertfodshire," said Bingley wistfully.

"Go on," said Darcy. His sister shook her head, embarrassed.

"Miss Bennet," said Darcy, "my sister has a request to make of you."

Georgiana slowly moved towards Bingley and Elizabeth.

"Miss Bennet . . . My brother and I would be . . . honoured if you and your aunt and uncle would be our guests at Pemberley for dinner. Would tomorrow evening be convenient?"

Elizabeth smiled. "Thank you - we shall be delighted."

Georgiana looked back at Darcy, relieved and pleased.

"I can answer for Mr and Mrs Gardiner, we have no fixed engagements."

"And shall we hear you play?" asked Georgiana hopefully.

"If you insist upon it, yes, you shall."

Darcy was delighted that she had accepted. He made a mental note to himself that tomorrow night, everything would have to be perfect for Elizabeth.

Footsteps were heard entering the door. They all turned to see Mr and Mrs Gardiner there. Their faces showed their surprise and delight.

"Mr Darcy, we did not expect to see you so soon, but is a wonderful pleasure to see you again" said Mr Gardiner.

"As it is for me to see you again," replied Darcy.

"Lizzy dear, would you introduce our gusests to us?" asked Mrs Gardiner, glancing at Bingley and Georgiana.

"Of course, Aunt." Elizabeth moved to stand beside Darcy. "Miss Georgiana Darcy, Mr Darcy's sister," said she, indicating the lady, "and Mr Bingley, who resided in Hertfodshire for a few months in Netherfield."

"Bingley, Georgiana, this is Mr and Mrs Gardiner, Miss Bennet's aunt and uncle," said Darcy. "We have invited you all to dine with us at Pemberley tommorrow night - Miss Bennet has accepted the invitaion on your behalf, sir."

"That is excellent news, thankyou sir."

Mrs Gardiner, upon hearing this, looked at her husband and silently directed his attention to Elizabeth and Darcy. He wondered what they were thinking of about himself and their niece.

Do they suspect more than is actually there?

"Would you not like to come earlier, Mr Gardiner? My invitation of coming to fish is still open," said Darcy. He caught a glimspe of Elizabeth, still looking at him with an expression of astonishment.

Mr Gardiner readily agreed to this proposal. The visit did not continue for much longer afterwards, and Darcy, Georgiana and Bingley soon took their leave. Mr and Mrs Gardiner saw them off; Elizabeth stood off to one side after expressing her farewells, staring at him. Darcy looked at her and their eyes met for one moment. She was the first to look away, blushing.

"Till tommorrow, then," said he before the carriage pulled away. _

In the carriage, Bingley and Georgiana talked gaily about the visit, each saying how pleased they were to meet them, either again or for the first time. Darcy was silent, wondering what Elizabeth felt for him. He still loved her, but did she feel the same?

Every time I answer one question, another rises in its place.

"I wonder what it is like, living with four sisters," wondered Georgiana. "Miss Bennet said she wished she had a brother."

"If you had four sisters, Darcy would go mad trying to keep all of you happy," joked Bingley.

"I wish I had a sister. I wish Miss Elizabeth Bennet was my sister," said Georgiana aloud.

She looked at Darcy, as did Bingley.

"What?" asked Darcy uncomfortably.

Miss Bingley was waiting for them inside.

"And how is Miss Eliza?" asked she of Darcy. "Are her eyes as fine as they were in Hertfodshire?"

Darcy was too pleased to take offense. "Yes, maybe more so. Her aunt and uncle are here with her, Miss Bingley - the ones who liv in Cheapside." He paused. "I have invited them to dine with us here tomorrow."

The look on Miss Bingley's face was priceless, but Darcy pretended not to notice and led Georgiana to see her birthday presents.