Chapter 5

For the next several days, Georgiana talked of nothing but the menagerie and the new friends she had made. Darcy was delighted to see her so excited. They were going to the Matlock's for dinner with the Northmores that night, and Darcy had only felt his infatuation deepen after his discussion with Lady Northmore on Saturday. He wanted to know her better, and was sure that his aunt and uncle would give him the opportunity.

He and Georgiana had found a zoological tome which had detailed descriptions of the tapir, and she wanted to bring it to show to Sarah. "She had no idea what type of animal it was either, Brother! And see here, it says the tapir is from Brazil. Is that in South America?"

"It is indeed." In that moment he wondered if Georgiana needed a governess. She was old enough to go to school, after all; was she not old enough for a governess? He could not take on all her education himself. If she did not even know that Brazil was in South America, she needed further education. He thought of Lady Northmore. Did her daughter have a governess? Sarah, after all, was ten-years-old. Perhaps he should ask her for advice.

He made sure to dress himself with especial care that night. His valet, Wilson, took extra time on his appearance, no doubt wondering why his master wanted to look so elegant merely to go visit his aunt and uncle.

Darcy and Georgiana walked to the Matlock's townhouse, since it was so close to their own. Georgiana was practically dancing with excitement by the time they got to the door, so eager was she to see her friend. When they arrived, they found that Lady Northmore and her children were already there. Darcy was worried that they were late, but his aunt assured him that she had invited the Northmores early so that the children could get settled in the nursery.

"Perhaps you would like to go join them, my dear?" she asked Georgiana. "You could have your supper up there and then there would be time to play afterwards."

At first, Darcy thought she would not want to be separated from him; but then she gave an eager assent, and Lady Matlock led her up to the nursery where Sarah and Hugh were already playing.

"It is good to see you again, Lady Northmore," said Darcy, bowing over her hand.

"It is a pleasure to see you too, Mr. Darcy," she replied with a curtsey.

"Come, Darcy, sit down and tell us about how Georgiana is doing," said Lord Matlock. He was a blunt man, but kindly underneath it all, and he truly loved his family.

"Much better now that she has Lady Sarah as a friend," said Darcy, with a glance at Lady Northmore.

"You had better watch out, Mr. Darcy," replied she with a playful tilt of her head. "My Sarah will thoroughly corrupt your sister with her impertinent and energetic ways."

"It seems to me as if you have enough impertinence of your own," said Darcy, surprising himself with his flirtatious words. But Lady Northmore only laughed.

"You see, my lord," she turned to his uncle with a teasing smile, "I am found out so easily! It is not fair of you to bring one so astute here to expose my flaws!"

"No one of any sense could find any faults in you, Lady Northmore," Lord Matlock replied.

"Then you are certainly blind, my lord, and I shall credit Mr. Darcy with better sense."

They all laughed, but then Lord Matlock turned to his nephew again. "But, seriously, Darcy, how is Georgiana doing? She seems more cheerful tonight, and I do credit Lady Sarah with some of it."

"I think she is doing better. She most definitely has needed a friend her age, and she loved our visit to the menagerie. We have been reading books about animals for days, ever since then. But that does make me wonder," he turned to Elizabeth, "whether Georgiana needs a governess. Does your daughter have a governess, Lady Northmore?"

Elizabeth nodded. "She does indeed. Does Georgiana still have her nurse?"

"Yes, but I feel as if she has outgrown her. She no longer seems to enjoy spending time with her."

"She is eleven years old, is that correct?"

"Yes."

"Then she is certainly old enough for a governess."

"I would appreciate any advice or help you can give me on selecting a governess for Georgiana."

"Oh, I am sure Lady Matlock would be able to help you," she demurred.

"Ellen and I never had any daughters," said Lord Matlock, "only two sons. She would not know what kind of governess to look for either. You really must help my clueless nephew."

Elizabeth laughed. "Very well, you have convinced me." She turned to Darcy. "What you are looking for mainly is a woman who can teach French and Italian, or perhaps another language; arithmetic, painting, history, geography, and some sort of musical instrument, preferably the pianoforte. She will also need a dancing master when she grows older."

"Georgiana loves the pianoforte," Darcy put in. "I can tell she has natural talent, but it is not a skill she has been able to hone as of yet."

"I will put you in contact with the master who taught me to play well, and who is teaching Sarah now."

"He taught you to play well?" asked Darcy in astonishment. He would have assumed she already knew how to play upon her marriage.

Before Elizabeth could answer, however, Lady Matlock returned from the nursery and declared that supper was ready. She led them into the dining room and they were intimately seated just four at the table.

"Where is Richard this evening?" asked Darcy, feeling guilty, for this was the first he had thought of his cousin all night.

"He is called away on his duties," said Lord Matlock. "And Sterling is spending the evening at one of his clubs."

Viscount Sterling, Darcy's older cousin, had never been one to whom he could relate well, despite their both being the heirs to their fathers' estates. He was relieved that Sterling was away from the beautiful Lady Northmore; he might think of trying to make her one of his conquests.

As they were eating, Darcy was able to turn the conversation back to what they were discussing before they were called into dinner.

"Lady Northmore, you said you had a master to teach you to play the pianoforte. Did you not know how to play before your marriage?"

"I did indeed know how to play, but very ill. You see, I did not take the trouble of practising. There was always something more interesting for me to do: a walk to take in the woods, or a new book of poetry to read."

"Your father did not employ a master?"

"No, indeed. Perhaps you do not know, Mr. Darcy, that my father is a country gentleman, master of a small estate that is entailed away from the female line."

"I recall my aunt saying something of the sort."

"I have no brothers, and my father was ever laconic about the running of his estate – I love him dearly, but it is the truth – so my sisters and I rather had to shift for ourselves when it came to our education."

"Did not your mother teach you?"

"My mother is not a gentleman's daughter, so she had to teach herself to become mistress of an estate when she married my father. She taught us all she could, and my father took an interest in me especially, inviting me often into his study to learn. I learned Latin, French, and Italian from him. I can even read Ancient Greek texts if I concentrate very hard," she teased.

"That is impressive for the daughter of a country squire," said Darcy, not meaning to be demeaning, and apparently she did not take it that way. Probably she had heard the same thing many times over the years of her marriage. "You were your father's favourite?"

"Oh, yes. Although I soon became my mother's favourite as soon as I married Lord Northmore." She laughed.

"How many sisters do you have?" asked Darcy.

"I have four: one elder, and three younger. You have met my older sister Jane, Mrs. Crandall. Then after me there is Mary, who married Mr. Colin Tierney four years ago. They have a son, Stephen. Then Kitty, who married Oliver Winthrop seven years ago. They have two children, Belinda and Randolph. In fact, they should be arriving in London in only two days. Lydia is my youngest sister. I am honestly surprised she was not the first of us to get married. She married Sir Alexander Crawford three years ago and they have a baby girl."

"Why would you think your youngest sister would be the first to be married?" asked Lady Matlock, puzzled. "Is it not usually the oldest girls who are out first?"

"Indeed, it is. However, my mother was frantic with worry about her future in case my father should die before her, and so she put us all out at age fifteen so that we could secure husbands as soon as may be. My sister Lydia was quite wild and had no sense of propriety, and Kitty followed her. It was my marriage that truly changed them. When I was nineteen I met Lord Northmore, and after we married, he sent Lydia, Kitty, and Mary to school. Lydia had to be sent to a very strict institution to correct her behaviour, for she had been spoiled by my mother. She settled down into a proper lady, although still high spirited. She is now married to a very respectable man, and they live on his estate in Surrey."

"Are your parents still alive?" asked Darcy.

"Yes, although my mother has mellowed considerably, now that she knows her future is secure should my father predecease her. They both are in perfect health, however."

"Is your father's heir one of your cousins?" asked Lord Matlock.

"He is a distant cousin of my father. His name is Mr. Collins and he is a rector at Hunsford Parsonage in Kent."

Darcy almost choked on his fish. Mr. Collins, the parson of his Aunt Catherine? That sniveling toad the relative of Lady Northmore? He felt sorry for her for having such a relation.

"Why, that is Catherine's parson!" cried Lord Matlock.

"I beg your pardon?" asked Elizabeth. "Do you know Lady Catherine de Bourgh?"

"Yes, indeed. She is my sister."

"Interesting. I never knew of such a connection. He spoke very often of his patroness when he came to visit us. He wanted to marry one of my father's daughters, but then Lord Northmore came along and he turned his attention elsewhere."

Of course he did! Darcy thought disgustedly. Lady Northmore was far too good for a toady such as Mr. Collins. The man had no brains to speak of, and obsequiousness oozed from every pore.

"I was very thankful to have access to masters after my marriage," Elizabeth continued. "The music master forced me to practice the pianoforte even when I did not wish to, and my playing is much better for it."

"Well, we shall have to hear you after supper," said Lord Matlock.

"I would be happy to display for you; however, I am afraid I must leave early so I can get Sarah and Hugh to bed before it is too late."

"I understand. I had planned to forgo the separation of the sexes tonight. That will give us time to hear you," said Lady Matlock.

"Do your children have any family on their father's side?" asked Darcy. He could see his uncle discreetly rolling his eyes at his continued questioning, but he was fascinated by this lady and wanted to know more of her.

"My husband's parents were already deceased when he married me, and he only had one elder sister. She did not approve of me, and refused to speak to me or my husband after we married. I believe she is married to a baron in Devonshire."

Darcy thought such breaking of family ties was sad. He, too, had been surprised when he heard of Lady Northmore's background, but it was certainly not worth breaking family ties over. She was a gentleman's daughter, after all, not a serving wench!

The rest of dinner passed in friendly chatter, and soon it was time to move to the music room. Elizabeth and Lady Matlock looked through the music while Darcy and Lord Matlock sat close by so they could hear.

"Do you have the music you require, Lady Northmore?" Lady Matlock asked.

"You have some of the newest pieces here," Elizabeth replied. "A very nice selection. I think I could play some of these without stumbling too much," she teased.

Lady Matlock sat by her to turn the pages, and she began to play. At once Darcy realized that not only had Lady Northmore practised, but she was blessed with both taste and feeling. He had never heard such a marvellous performance. If she had been left to learn on her own, her own natural passions would have flowed into the music, but to add on top of that the tuition of a master made her the best amateur performer he had ever heard. He clapped heartily when she had finished, and after that his aunt graced them with a performance. It was good, but lacked the feeling of Lady Northmore's piece. They entreated their guest to play again, but she declared that she must take the children home. "It is already past their bedtime, and I know they will be awake before the rooster crows tomorrow morning!"

Darcy had always thought that a nurse or servant would see to the children in the morning; apparently Lady Northmore was different. Before she could leave, however, he entreated her once more for her aid in procuring a governess for Georgiana.

"I will send a missive to your home when I have some candidates. It would be good for Georgiana to sit in with you when you interview them. She could give you some idea of whether they would be good for her or not."

This surprised him, but he had learned that so far all her advice had been good, and so determined to follow it. Elizabeth went up to get her children from the nursery, and all four of them came down, including Georgiana. Hugh was yawning and seemed half-asleep, holding his mother's hand, while Sarah was scowling. Darcy guessed she had made a fuss about leaving and been scolded for it before they came downstairs.

"I think we shall also say goodnight," said Darcy, as Georgiana came over to him. He was surprised to see her hug Sarah goodbye before the Northmores departed. He was glad to see her making friends but was worried what would happen when they left London. The Northmores lived in Staffordshire, and while that was only a county away from Derbyshire, it was not as if they would be able to see each other often. His traitorous mind thought that he would miss seeing Sarah's mother too, but he dismissed it. He did not know what to do with such thoughts.

On the way home, Darcy walked hand-in-hand with Georgiana and asked her how she liked the evening.

"It was wonderful, Fitzwilliam! I like Sarah ever so much." She paused, then said in a softer voice, "Did you know that Sarah's papa died too?"

"I did," Darcy admitted.

"He died around the same time that our papa died. She said she was sad for a long time, and still gets very sad sometimes."

"And what did you tell her?" asked Darcy gently.

"I told her I am still very sad all the time. She said that when she gets sad, she writes down her thoughts in a diary her mother gave her. It helps her feel better, she says."

"Perhaps we can get you a diary too," said Darcy quietly.

"She told me all sorts of stories about her papa. He seemed like he was very fun to be around. Our papa was always serious but I knew he loved me."

"He was serious, but he was also playful at times. Do you remember the Christmas before he died, he took us on a sleigh ride, and afterward we built snowmen and made snow angels?"

"Oh yes! And we skated on the lake that had frozen over!"

"Yes, and he fell on his backside right on the ice!"

They both laughed. Darcy realized it was the first time he had heard either of them laugh for over a year.

"We must talk about him more often," he said quietly.

"We will, Fitzwilliam," she agreed, leaning into his arm.