Chapter Sixteen

Mr. Darcy was in a quandary. He had a number of issues, all of them pressing, that needed his attention, but which to give the first attention to he was unsure. Georgiana was continuing to cause him trouble. He had been upset when she had refused to attend dinner with the Gardiners and Miss Bennet, but she had refused to talk to him, and in the end he decided that he would have to endure the embarrassment of her not appearing. It had been kind of Miss Bennet to go and talk to her, but he was disappointed when she did not appear with Georgiana. He was very fond of his sister, but it seemed each day she became more difficult to deal with. They had to find her another companion.

"Why don't you marry Miss Bennet?" Colonel Fitzwilliam had said the previous evening.

He had ridiculed the suggestion immediately. "Fitzwilliam, I hardly know Miss Bennet."

"You know enough about her. Her sister is marrying Mr. Bingley and he is a man of good judgment. She seems a personable woman and furthermore Georgiana appears to like her. You would have a wife and a companion together. It would solve the problem of your father's will."

Mr. Darcy didn't like the suggestion at all and he said so. "I do not want a wife and I still intend to challenge the will. As for being a companion, she is much too young and frivolous. Georgiana needs someone who will ensure that she spends time on learning and preparing for the time when she herself will be married."

Fitzwilliam had laughed. "Good god, Darcy—the poor girl. Is she to have happiness in her life?"

Darcy had not understood what his cousin was talking about. "Georgiana's happiness is uppermost in my mind, but she must do her duty and behave in a suitable manner. We cannot have her sulking and defying us at every turn."

He knew he was being harsh on his sister. He did want her to enjoy her life, but he had no intention of seeing her grow into the sort of young woman who constantly made an exhibition of themselves. Much like Miss Bennet's younger sisters whose antics at the Assembly Ballroom had been one of the horrors of his first visit to Netherfield.

And that was another worry. He'd had a letter from his friend Charles Bingley. It was not detailed but it seemed Charles had some business concerns. I am a fool, Darcy, and I would welcome your advice, Bingley had written.

Darcy had always valued Bingley's friendship and wanted to help him, but without more details he didn't know how he could. He knew it was serious or Bingley would not have mentioned it. He needed to see him.

Darcy sighed, feeling overwhelmed by the number of things that needed his attention. In less than two weeks, he was due to make his annual visit to his aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. He dreaded it, but it had to be done. He worried at the thought of how Georgiana might behave and Lady Catherine's criticisms.

Darcy rubbed his tired eyes. One thing at a time. He had an appointment in the city, he would write to Bingley and then…. He would make a further call.

Elizabeth was getting ready to accompany Mrs. Groves and the children on their afternoon walk when Mary appeared to tell her that Mrs. Gardiner wanted her in the drawing room.

"Very well. Will you tell Mrs. Groves to go without me?"

"Yes, miss."

Elizabeth took off her coat and bonnet and went downstairs to see what it was her aunt wanted. She was surprised when she pushed open the door to see Mr. Darcy sitting in a chair. He stood up as she entered.

"Mr. Darcy."

"Miss Bennet."

Elizabeth nodded before taking up a seat next to her aunt.

Mrs. Gardiner smiled warmly. "Mr. Darcy has come here with a request, Elizabeth."

"What is it, sir?"

Mr. Darcy sat down again. "Miss Bennet, I came here today with a request. One I have no expectation of you accepting."

Elizabeth had no idea what he was talking about.

"I hope… I very much hope that you will not be insulted as none was meant," he stuttered.

Elizabeth stared at her aunt.

Mrs. Gardiner came to the rescue of them both. "Forgive me, Mr. Darcy. Perhaps I should explain. Mr. Darcy came here today, to ask whether you would consider being a companion to his sister for the rest of the summer."

Elizabeth was stunned. It was so unexpected. "A companion?"

"Yes… I know it is an unusual request but as you are already aware Georgiana has some difficulties. She has had a companion in the past and I wish her to have another one, but it takes some time to find the right person. She currently spends a great deal of time by herself. I would prefer she was with someone who could show her some direction."

A companion. Elizabeth had talked to her uncle about looking for work, but a companion to Georgiana Darcy? She wasn't sure it was work she wanted to accept.

"Naturally there would be recompense for your time."

"You mean you want me as a servant, sir?" said Elizabeth.

"No, Miss Bennet, I do not. You will have your own room, you will take your meals with the family. As her companion, you will look after any expenses of her day to day living and have overall responsibility for everything Georgiana does. I will furnish you with a list of activities that I consider suitable."

Elizabeth quickly looked at the ground, biting her lip and quelling the laughter that was in danger of bubbling over.

"What do you think, Elizabeth?" asked Mrs. Gardiner.

Elizabeth did not know what to say. "My uncle does not want me to work."

Mrs. Gardiner intervened. "I think this is different, Elizabeth. It is only for the summer and you could see whether it is something you wanted to do in the future."

"And what else would you expect from me, sir?" asked Elizabeth warily.

"I would expect regular reports of what Georgiana is doing."

"I will not act as a spy, sir, or her prison guard."

Mr. Darcy looked uncomfortable and Elizabeth realised that was exactly what he planned.

"If I was to be Georgiana's companion, I would need to know that she could trust me."

She could see Mr. Darcy did not like her questioning his judgment.

"Very well, but if there was something you thought I ought to know I would hope you would tell me."

Elizabeth was not going to give him any assurances she could not keep. Besides she was doubtful it was a job she wanted. She decided to stall him. "I will need time to think about it. I must consult with my uncle."

"Naturally. Would two days be sufficient?"

Elizabeth nodded.

Mr. Darcy rose, as did both women. "I will look forward to hearing from you, Miss Bennet. Good day, Mrs. Gardiner."

"Good day, Mr. Darcy."

Mrs. Gardiner waited until he had left before she spoke. "Well, Lizzy, that was a surprise."

"It was indeed. Most strange."

"Do you really think his only concern is for his sister?"

Elizabeth stared at her aunt, seeing the coy expression on her face. "What do you mean?"

"Mr. Darcy I think has more feelings for you, Lizzy, than you may be aware of."

Elizabeth wondered whether her aunt's pregnancy was affecting her mind. "He hardly knows me."

"And yet you seem to have made such an impression on him that he is asking you to be her companion."

"It is only for a few weeks."

"It may only be temporary, but even so, he is still putting a great deal of trust in you."

Elizabeth struggled to give her aunt a satisfactory explanation. "Mr. Darcy is great friends with Mr. Bingley. I am sure it is Mr. Bingley who has spoken for me. He is a very kind man."

"If that's what you want to think Lizzy, then do so," said Mrs. Gardiner, "but I am certain there is more to his request than that. But we must consult your uncle and only then can a decision be made."

Elizabeth was thankful when she was able to slip away to her room. A companion… Mr. Darcy had said she would not be a servant and yet she was sure she would be. Was she ready for that? And why had Mr. Darcy asked her? Her aunt hinted that there was an ulterior motive and he was attracted to her, but he had given no indication of it. And Georgiana; did she really want to spend more time with her? She liked her and felt sorry for her, but she was not unlike her brother, charming one moment and then haughty and distant the next. She wasn't sure whether she was ready to live with the unpredictability of the Darcys. Around and around it went in her head until she felt exhausted. Whatever her wishes, she could make no decision without consulting her uncle.