Chapter 3

"Lady Northmore? Why do you ask about her?" said Lady Matlock in surprise.

Darcy was sitting in the Matlock townhouse, where he had ostensibly come for tea. It had taken him some time to insinuate his question about Lady Northmore into their conversation. He had been mesmerized by the woman on their first meeting and wanted to know more about her.

"Georgiana and I came across her in the park, and Georgiana seemed to make a friend of her daughter," he hedged.

"Oh. Well, any daughter of the Northmores would make a suitable companion for Georgiana."

Darcy did not want to talk about Lady Northmore's daughter. He wanted to hear about the woman herself. "Yes, but what sort of woman is she?"

"I have not seen her for more than two years now, but what I remember was a woman full of liveliness and vivacity. Her husband was ill for most of their marriage, you know."

"Yes, I had heard that he had passed away."

"He married her against the advice of his family. She was a simple country girl, the daughter of a minor gentleman in … Hertforshire, I think. She has several sisters, as I recall, but no brothers. Her father's estate is entailed away from the female line."

"That must be very difficult for them," said Darcy.

"Yes, well, once Lady Northmore married well, there were no other problems for the family. Of course, Lord Northmore received the censure of his family, but he never seemed to regret his choice of wife. Indeed, everyone could see how much happier he was once he had married."

"Georgiana seemed to enjoy playing with her daughter and their dog very much. She was so cheerful yesterday when we came home. She has not ceased speaking of it."

"Ah, and you wonder how you can bring Georgiana together with Lady Sarah again, do you? I see. Very clever of you, Darcy. Georgiana needs some sprightliness in her life. I will arrange a formal introduction, since you very improperly took it into your own hands at the park."

Darcy thanked her, but he felt he was coming very close to deception. It was true that he wanted a companion for Georgiana that was her own age, who would bring her out of her grief; but he was also fascinated by the beautiful Lady Northmore with the fine eyes, and he wanted to see her again.

Lady Northmore had not been Lizzy Bennet for eleven years, but she often felt like her old self, especially at the worst times.

"I swear, it is true, Jane! I arrived at the house with my petticoats six inches deep in mud!"

Elizabeth's elder sister turned to her, still beautiful at age thirty-two, and shooed away her eight-year-old son from his one-year-old sister who was crying. Jane picked up her daughter and came over to where Elizabeth was arranging the flower bouquet.

"But, seriously, why did you need to walk the three miles to see her? And after the rain?"

"I needed to stretch my legs!" Elizabeth protested. "You should have seen Mrs. Garret's face when Lady Northmore showed up at her doorstep for visiting hours with mud all over her hems!"

The sisters laughed together.

"It has been a long time since I have heard you laugh, Lizzy," said Jane gently. "I am glad that you seem to be feeling somewhat better."

"Gregory was ill for so long, Jane: it seemed as if I mourned the full year before his death. He was in so much pain. It was a mercy that he passed at last."

Jane looked sympathetically at her. Married for nine years to Nicholas Crandall, a friend of the Earl of Northmore, she had lived close to her sister in Staffordshire for most of her marriage. Now that Elizabeth's mourning was over, Jane had convinced her to come to London for the spring with her and her husband. That way the cousins could spend time together too. Jane had two sons and a daughter, and they and Elizabeth's children loved each other dearly, although they sometimes squabbled. Elizabeth had wanted more children, but Gregory had grown ill after their first year of marriage, and so they had only ever had two.

"Lady Matlock asked to call today," Elizabeth said, changing the topic from her gloomy thoughts.

"Lady Matlock? I do not think I have met her," said Jane.

"She and her husband were friends of Gregory. I have not seen them since I was last in London. I never knew them very well. I wonder why they want to visit."

"Perhaps they merely want to wish you well, to console you on your loss," said the ever-kind Jane.

"Perhaps," Elizabeth admitted. Then she thought of something. "I met their niece and nephew in Hyde Park the other day. Mr. and Miss Darcy. Miss Darcy was quite enamoured of Chester and she and Sarah played for a full half-hour."

"Maybe they wish to renew the acquaintance," suggested Jane.

"I almost hope that is so. Sarah talked about the beautiful Miss Georgiana for two days afterward. I know she wished to see her again."

"Mama, is Belinda coming to town soon?" Ten-year-old Sarah had just entered the room to question her mother.

"Sarah, what have I told you about interrupting conversations?"

"I am sorry, Mama, Aunt Jane."

"Thank you, Sarah," said Jane serenely.

"What did you wish to ask, Sarah?" Elizabeth said.

"Are Belinda and Randolph coming to town soon?"

"Kitty said she and Oliver were coming to town next week."

Belinda was the girl cousin closest to Sarah in age, so she always loved it when her Aunt Kitty and Uncle Oliver came to visit. She clapped her hands with glee, but Elizabeth called her over. "Come, Sarah, and sit like a lady. We are going to have some visitors, one of whom I think you know."

Sarah at once became interested. "Who is it?"

Elizabeth smiled mischievously. "You shall have to wait and see. You can work on your sampler while you wait."

Sarah groaned, but her mother laughed. "All we ladies have had to do it, Sarah, and so do you."

Sarah picked up her needlework and obediently began to labour away, when the butler finally announced their guests.

"Lady Matlock, Mr. Darcy, Miss Darcy."

"Miss Darcy!" Sarah nearly jumped out of her seat, but Elizabeth laid a hand on her thigh discreetly to warn her to behave properly. Just then their two acquaintances from the park, as well as their aunt, entered the room, and the ladies rose to curtsey.

"Lady Matlock, it is a pleasure to see you again. May I introduce my sister, Mrs. Crandall, and my daughter, Lady Sarah?"

"It is a pleasure to meet you," said Lady Matlock. She was a handsome woman with blonde hair, about the age of five and forty. "This is my nephew, Mr. Darcy, and my niece, Miss Georgiana Darcy."

Georgiana's eyes had gone wide at the sight of Sarah. Both girls seemed to be staring at each other, aware that they could not run to each other because of social strictures, but wishing to all the same.

"It is good to see you again, Miss Darcy," Sarah managed.

"I am happy to see you too, Lady Sarah," said Georgiana with a wide smile. Mr. Darcy seemed surprised to see it, but pleased.

"Please have a seat," said Elizabeth. "Perhaps, Miss Darcy, you would like to sit next to Sarah? That way you can keep each other company while we old crones speak together."

Sarah giggled while Georgiana came over to where Sarah was sitting, and took a seat beside her on the chaise with a smile. Lady Matlock and Mr. Darcy sat across from Jane and Elizabeth.

"And who is this little sweetheart?" Lady Matlock asked of the baby in Jane's arms.

"This is my daughter Alice," replied Jane. "She is a year old and not quite ready yet to play with her older cousins."

"She is boring," Sarah put in unexpectedly. "She cannot really play. She just eats and sleeps."

Georgiana looked interested in the child. "Would you like to hold her?" asked Elizabeth. "I am sure Mrs. Crandall would not mind."

"No indeed," said Jane. "Alice likes to be held."

"I – that is –" Georgiana stuttered. "Yes, I would like to," she finished shyly.

Jane rose and put the plump baby on the eleven-year-old's lap. Georgiana looked down into the fat, healthy cheeks, rosy as apples. Alice had a little patch of golden hair on the top of her head, and her eyes were blue like her mother's. She babbled at Georgiana and stuck her hand in her mouth to suck on it.

"She is a beautiful babe," said Georgiana.

But just then baby Alice made a burping sound, and a milky white emission came from her mouth, dripping onto the front of Georgiana's dress. Georgiana gave a little shriek of disgust.

"Oh dear," said Jane, taking the baby back. "I am so sorry, Miss Darcy. Babies are not at all tidy creatures. I had better go clean her up. If you will excuse me." Jane left the room with the baby in her arms.

"I suppose we should go home, Georgiana, so you can change your dress," said Mr. Darcy reluctantly.

The girl looked crestfallen to have to leave so soon. "Perhaps Sarah has something you can change into," said Elizabeth. "Goodness knows she has too many dresses as it is."

"That is a wonderful idea," sad Lady Matlock. "Why don't you girls run along?"

Without a second glance, the girls got up together and fairly ran from the room. "Ring for Milly if you need help, Sarah," Elizabeth called after them.

"Yes, Mama," came Sarah's voice before the two girls disappeared from view.

"You will have to excuse my daughter's exuberance," said Elizabeth with a playful gleam in her eye. "I afraid she takes after her mother."

"Was your husband a more serious type, then?" asked Mr. Darcy.

"No, indeed. He was bright and cheerful. Even when he became ill he still kept some of his vivacity. But he could no longer play with the children at that point. He was confined to bed."

"I am sorry to hear of your husband's passing," said Lady Matlock. "He was good man."

"Thank you. Yes, he was," said Elizabeth, trying to smile.

"Georgiana could probably relate to the feelings your daughter is experiencing," said Mr. Darcy. "We lost our father last year."

"Oh, I am so sorry," said Elizabeth, really looking at the young man for the first time since they met. He did not have the air of the fops and rakes who squandered their inheritance in idleness and debauchery. He seemed somber and somehow melancholy, and now she could tell why. "Is your mother still alive?"

"No. She passed away when Georgiana was two."

"That must have been terribly difficult for you. You must have been young at the time."

"I was only ten and four," said Mr. Darcy. "It was difficult, indeed; but at least I remember her. Now Georgiana has neither parent, and no memory of her mother. It has certainly been worse for her."

Elizabeth could tell that the young man was stymied with what to do for his grief-stricken sister, especially if he was her guardian. She suspected Georgiana needed someone her age who understood what she was going through. She then made a resolve.

"Perhaps you and your sister would like to join us at the menagerie this Saturday? I have heard they have many animals on display there. Does Miss Darcy like animals?"

"I had no idea that she did until she met your dog the other day," said Mr. Darcy with a smile. "She certainly loved that beast."

Elizabeth laughed. "Indeed she did. And I must warn you, after they dress the girls are probably going directly to find Chester to play again."

Darcy waved off her concern. "That is well. I am glad to see her enjoying herself."

They chatted on easy topics for another twenty minutes, until they heard the bark of a dog and the sound of girls squealing and laughing.

"That will be the Chester and the girls. I wonder what trouble my daughter is getting your sister into, Mr. Darcy?" asked Elizabeth playfully.

"Nothing too serious, I am sure," replied Darcy with a smile.

A moment later, the hound came racing into the room, with something white and fluffy in his mouth. The girls raced in after him, shrieking and calling his name.

"Now, Sarah, what behaviour is this?" asked Elizabeth sternly. "We have guests here. This is not the way to behave."

"But, Mama," said Sarah with a quivering lower lip. "He has Mr. Snowball in his mouth! I am sure he is going to tear him up!"

"How did he get Mr. Snowball? Chester is not allowed up on your bed, Sarah."

"I know, but Georgiana – Miss Darcy – wanted to see him, and so I took him down, but Chester snatched him from me."

Elizabeth rose and sternly bade the dog to sit. Chester's hindquarters hit the floor with a thump, and Elizabeth pried the sodden mass from his mouth. It was a toy rabbit, whose white fur was now saturated with canine saliva. "We will have Milly clean it," said Elizabeth. "Do not cry, my love. See, he is unharmed."

"Thank you, Mama," Sarah sniffed.

"I think Chester shall spend the rest of the day in the stables," said Elizabeth. She rang for a footman, who soon appeared in the door. "Please take Chester to the stables," she said.

"Yes, my lady." The man snapped his fingers and clicked his tongue, and the dog followed placidly after him, as if he had not just caused all this chaos.

"I am afraid it is time for us to go," said Lady Matlock, although both Mr. Darcy and Georgiana looked reluctant. But the half hour had passed. "Perhaps you and your family might come to an informal dinner at the Matlock townhouse," she continued.

"Your ladyship is very kind," said Elizabeth. "I do not know if my sister and her husband can come, but I know Sarah, Hugh and I would be delighted."

"Hugh?" asked Lady Matlock.

"Hugh is my four-year-old son. He is the new Lord Northmore, but it is so strange to think of anyone but my husband by that name, especially my little boy."

Mr. Darcy and Georgiana were having a conversation in an undertone. Then, Georgiana turned to the group.

"Thank you, Lady Northmore and Lady Sarah, for the visit, and for letting me borrow the dress."

"It is no trouble, my dear," said Elizabeth. "And do not worry about rushing to return the dress. Sarah has far too many as it is."

"Good bye, Miss Darcy," said Sarah. "I hope I shall see you again soon."

"Dear, I have invited them to the menagerie with us on Saturday, so you shall see her then," said Elizabeth.

Georgiana and Sarah both brightened at this news. There were pleasant farewells on all sides, and then the three visitors took their leave.