Chapter 2
Darcy had not been in London since his father's death a year before; he and Georgiana had spent their mourning at Pemberley, where they both felt closest to their parents who were gone. Darcy House seemed barren and lifeless now, without the presence of George Darcy and Lady Anne.
He had the good fortune of meeting Bingley at his club the second day of their stay. He had not seen Bingley since before his father's death, but the young man had written to Darcy faithfully (although nearly illegibly) on every stop of his Grand Tour, and also once he had returned; so they both had had news of each other. Bingley invited him over to dinner at his townhouse the next day, but Darcy was hesitant to leave Georgiana alone at home. When Bingley perceived this, he invited Miss Darcy as well. Darcy knew it was not common to invite children to such affairs; but it was to be a private dinner, and he was grateful to his friend for thinking of it.
Georgiana had never met Bingley before, but she accepted the invitation. Darcy hoped maybe Bingley's sisters would make her feel welcome. He had only met Mrs. Hurst, Bingley's older sister, and his younger sister, Caroline, once, over a year ago, but they had seemed like genteel ladies.
When they arrived at Bingley's townhouse, Bingley greeted them pleasantly, although Darcy could tell that Georgiana was feeling shy. Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst were very welcoming, although Mr. Hurst, whom Darcy had never met before, could barely rouse himself from his drink in order to greet them.
Miss Bingley at once began to attempt to draw Georgiana into conversation; but after a few minutes it was obvious that she had no experience with children. She was asking questions and making comments that would be more appropriate for a debutante of eighteen. Darcy soon saw that Georgiana was feeling uncomfortable with all the attention, and entered the conversation so that he could direct it into channels that made his sister more at ease.
"Mr. Darcy, this is the first time you have been in London for a long time, is it not?" asked Miss Bingley. "We have not seen you for quite some time."
"Yes, we have been at Pemberley since my father's death."
Miss Bingley gave a little moue of sympathy. "We are exceedingly sorry about Mr. Darcy's passing, are we not, Louisa?" Mrs. Hurst made a little sound of agreement as she played with her bracelets. "But now that you are in London you can enjoy the season."
Darcy frowned involuntarily. "I do not plan on enjoying the season, Miss Bingley. I am not here for pleasure. I am here for business. But I brought Georgiana with me so that we might have some time together."
"Of course! And what a grown-up little lady Miss Darcy is!" Darcy did not care for her condescending tone, but Miss Bingley turned to Georgiana with a smile that was a little too bright. "Perhaps you should like to go shopping with me sometime? My modiste is the most fashionable in all of London, and I am sure we could find you some new dresses."
"I – I went to the book store with my brother yesterday," whispered Georgiana, clearly intimidated.
"Oh! Bookstores are not places for ladies such as you and I," said Miss Bingley. "We shall leave the intellectual matters to the men."
Darcy gritted his teeth. "Your modiste is perhaps not an appropriate place to obtain dresses for a child, Miss Bingley," he said, attempting to keep his voice pleasant. "I assure you, Georgiana is clothed well and appropriately for her age."
"I never thought otherwise, Mr. Darcy," replied Miss Bingley, seeming surprised, as if she had never disagreed with him.
"The Pemberley library has been the work of many generations," he added. "I would hope that Georgiana would grow up loving to read as much as her brother and parents."
"Oh of course! I do always like to closet myself with a good novel when I can find one," cried Miss Bingley.
Darcy politely chose not to point out that she had just contradicted herself, and tried to move the conversation to other channels. But he could tell that Georgiana grew more uncomfortable as the evening went on. For one thing, Miss Bingley had not seated him next to Georgiana, but next to herself. He would have thought that at an informal dinner they could relax the rules of seating a bit so that his sister would be comfortable. Unfortunately, Miss Bingley seemed determined to usurp all his attention to herself during dinner. He barely even had a chance to speak with Bingley.
Darcy tried to not show his annoyance. It was clear that Miss Bingley had set her cap at him, for she asked many questions about Pemberley's furnishings and the number of rooms. She even mentioned how Pemberley must need a woman's touch. Darcy was insulted on behalf of his mother; for even though she had been dead for nine years, Lady Anne had had excellent taste and Pemberley was very tastefully decorated.
After dinner it was time for the separation of the sexes; but though Darcy wanted some time with Bingley, he perceived that Georgiana was not at ease, and excused them until another time.
"Oh, but before you go, you must allow me to call on you, dear Miss Darcy," insisted Miss Bingley.
"I'm afraid my sister is too young to be receiving callers," said Darcy protectively, seeing Georgiana look uncomfortable at the woman's suggestion. "It was kind of you to invite her to dinner this evening."
"Of course! We were delighted!" said Bingley. He shook Darcy's hand. "Perhaps I will see you at the club tomorrow?" he added.
Darcy was relieved at the suggestion. "That is an excellent suggestion, Bingley. Until then."
When they were in the carriage, Darcy asked his sister how she enjoyed the evening.
"It was very nice," said Georgiana politely.
"Did you like Bingley's sisters?" he asked carefully.
She hesitated. "They were kind to me," she said.
"But perhaps a bit too old to be friends for you?" he asked knowingly.
She nodded. "They were very attentive, Fitzwilliam, but…" She paused.
"I understand, my dear," he said, but secretly he wondered if he could ever find anyone of her age and station who could relate to her.
The next day, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam stopped by Darcy House to see his cousins. He was very fond of both of them, but Georgiana was especially dear to him. Darcy was glad that Richard had been made a co-guardian of Georgiana in his father's will. He did not think he would know what do to with her all by himself. He thought to ask Richard's advice about her as soon as they could get a private moment.
Seeing that Darcy was going to his club, Richard invited himself along, and together they were on their way.
When they met Bingley, Darcy thanked him again for the entertainment the evening before, but Bingley said, "I say, Darcy, I had no idea your sister was quite so young! I am sorry about Caroline and Louisa. Perhaps they thought she was older too. They do not really know how to treat children."
"It is well, Bingley. I do not blame them. Sometimes I myself do not know what to say to her," replied Darcy.
They began to discuss the new horseflesh at Tattersall's, when a gentleman with whom Darcy had attended school joined them. Darcy had never liked Steven Bolton, and made little effort to welcome him. He was one of those who had followed Wickham in his misdeeds.
"Have you heard that Lady Northmore has come back to Town?" asked Bolton.
Northmore… The name sounded vaguely familiar, but Darcy could not place it.
"Is her mourning over already?" asked Colonel Fitzwilliam. "It did not seem so long ago that her husband died."
"It has been a year," replied Bolton. "He had been in ill-health for a long time. It makes me wonder which lover she will take first." He had a salacious glint in his eye and it made Darcy feel sick. How could he be speaking of a poor, bereaved widow in such a disgusting manner? It was then that something shifted in his mind and he seemed to recall of whom they were speaking.
"The Earl of Northmore? From Staffordshire?"
"The very one," said Bolton.
"But as far as I know, he was only forty or so."
"It is a sad thing," Richard shook his head. "He had consumption. He was ill for most of his marriage."
"Did he have any children?" asked Darcy.
"I do not know," Bolton shrugged as if he had no interest in children. "But his widow will be ripe for the picking," he continued. "She was always a beautiful creature, but would never take a lover during her marriage, it was said, no matter how sick her husband was. But now," he rubbed his hands together with lascivious glee, "we shall see how long it will take."
Darcy was disgusted. He quickly took his leave of the other gentlemen, making an appointment to meet Bingley again soon, and returned home to Georgiana.
The next day, Darcy thought to try to take an outing with Georgiana. Being cooped up all the time in Darcy House was not good for her, he thought. She looked pale and wan. Perhaps a trip to the park would cheer her up. He decided to steer them away from Grosvenor Square, which was close by, since he was sure to see many acquaintances there who would want to stop and take up his time. This outing was about Georgiana.
Instead, he steered them toward Hyde Park. It was large enough that he could avoid any acquaintances. Georgiana walked sedately beside him, and he thought that she had had to grow up too quickly. He wished he knew what to do to help her.
They walked through the park, smelling the occasional flower, discussing how spring had come early this year. They came up to the Serpentine, and at last Georgiana perked up. Darcy looked to where she was gazing, and saw another little girl about Georgiana's age, frolicking with a large dog that appeared to be some kind of retriever breed. As they came closer, he saw the dog dart into the water (whence he had already seemingly been, since his coat was wet), and the girl looked inclined to go after him. He heard a female voice say, "Sarah! Do not dare to go into that water! What have I said before?"
He was surprised, for he had not seen the woman, so focused was he on the spectacle before him. She was standing only a few feet away, clearly dressed in the garb of a gentlewoman, but with light pastel colours for spring. She was about thirty years old, he would guess, and had curly brown hair. She had sparkling green eyes, which she turned on them as Georgiana crept closer.
"Hello, my dear," she said. "You must forgive my daughter. She sometimes forgets to behave like the gentlewoman she is."
"Is ... is that your dog?" Georgiana asked shyly.
"Alas, it is," said the woman with a sigh of feigned exasperation. "My husband loved dogs and kept this one as a pet. It has become my children's best companion." She looked at Georgiana knowingly. "Would you like to pet him, my dear? That is, if your companion," she glanced at Darcy, "says it is all right?"
Georgiana looked up at Darcy for permission, and he nodded his head, grateful that the woman had deferred to him first. Georgiana approached the other girl and the canine almost cautiously. Darcy did not have any dogs as pets; he only had hunting hounds, which his sister had not been around much.
"Hallo!" said the other girl. "What is your name?"
"My name is Georgiana Darcy. Who are you?"
"I am Lady Sarah Hampton. This is my brother, Hugh," she motioned toward a boy who looked about four or five. He was pulling a toy boat back and forth in the water by a string. "But he is boring," Sarah added. "Chester is much more fun to play with."
"Chester? Is that your dog's name?" asked Georgiana. She seemed to have forgotten that anyone else was there as Darcy and the woman watched the exchange.
"Yes. He was my papa's best dog," she said. "Come here, Chester. Come meet Miss Georgiana."
The dog obediently came forward.
"Give your paw to shake."
Chester obediently lifted his paw, and with a laugh that lifted Darcy's heart, Georgiana grasped onto it and gave it a firm shake.
"What other tricks does he do?" she asked.
"Oh, ever so many. We shall have to have you over to our house so you can see all of them. Chester, play dead!"
While the canine rolled onto his back with his legs up in the air and his tongue lolling out of his mouth, Darcy turned to the woman next to him. He had not noticed before, in his abstraction, how beautiful she was, or how lush and womanly her figure. Now he tried not to stare.
"I hope you will not mind that your ward gets a little wet. Chester has been in and out of the river the whole time we have been here," she said.
"No, not at all," said Darcy, indeed thoroughly pleased by how animated Georgiana appeared.
"Is she your sister?" the woman asked.
"Indeed, she is."
"She is a lovely girl."
"Thank you."
"Since there seems to be no one to introduce us, perhaps we should introduce ourselves, although it is not strictly proper," said the woman.
"Perhaps we should," he said with a smile, liking her playful air. "Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy at your service, madam."
"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, sir. I am Elizabeth Hampton, Lady Northmore."
"Lady Northmore!" Darcy exclaimed. "I was sorry to hear about your husband's passing."
"Thank you very much," she said gravely. "He was sick for a long time. This is our first time in town for more than two years." There was a pause, then she said, "Darcy. I recognize that name. Are you a relation of the Matlocks?"
"Indeed. They are my aunt and uncle. Do you know them?"
"I have some acquaintance with them," she said. "They were the friends of my husband. But I have been out on our estate in Staffordshire for the past two years, so I have not seen them for some time. They are kind people."
"They are," Darcy replied, thinking that that was an odd thing for her to say. Most people would go on about their wealth, their position, or their connections; but Lady Northmore had instead focused on the fact that they were kind. He liked this Lady Northmore. He would like to see more of her.
Lady Northmore moved over to the boy – Hugh – when he was in danger of falling into the water. He cried and wailed because he had lost the string on his boat and the vessel was making its way down the Serpentine. Darcy quickly ran after it and recovered the lost craft.
"Here you are, lad. No need to cry," he said, bringing it back to Hugh.
The boy took it eagerly. "Now, Hugh, remember to thank the gentleman properly," reminded his mother.
"Thank you very much, sir," said Hugh, and sketched a little bow.
"You are welcome," said Darcy, wondering if, with his father's death, this boy was now Lord Northmore. Did he perhaps have an older brother?
"Do you only have two children, Lady Northmore?" he asked.
"Yes, we were only blessed with two," she said, watching her daughter fondly as she and Georgiana frolicked with the dog. "Do you have any other siblings?"
"No, it is only Georgiana and I," he said.
They stood in companionable silence and watched the children play. Finally, Lady Northmore called out, "Come, Sarah, Hugh, it is time for us to leave." They whined a little about it, but she reminded them, "We have been at the park for over an hour, much longer than I said we should be gone. If you want to have the privilege of returning here again, I do not want to hear any complaints."
As the children quieted and got ready to go, Darcy turned to their mother. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Lady Northmore," he said.
"Even if it was not quite proper," she said teasingly.
"Indeed not," Darcy replied with a smile. "Perhaps we shall see one another again soon."
"That would be lovely. I am sure Sarah would enjoy seeing Miss Darcy again. Good day, Mr. Darcy, Miss Darcy."
"Good day," said Darcy.
Georgiana seemed much more sorrowful as she watched her new companions watch away; but there was a new spring in her step as they walked home, and Darcy distinctly heard her humming a tune.