Chapter Seventeen
"Is this everything, Miss Bennet?" asked a footman, picking up her small trunk and her hat box.
"Thank you. That's all." Elizabeth took one more look around her temporary quarters at Mr. Darcy's London home, checking she had left nothing behind. It was only a week since she had agreed to become a companion to Georgiana Darcy and four days since she had moved into the Darcys' home. Now they were on the move. Colonel Fitzwilliam was accompanying Georgiana and herself to Kent to stay with his aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, before returning to London. Mr. Darcy had already left for business in the North and had promised to meet them in Kent with the colonel in just over a few days.
He had spoken to Elizabeth before he left. "I owe you a debt of gratitude," he told her. "My sister has spoken of her pleasure that you have agreed to be her companion, yet I know your task will not be easy."
"I will do my best, Mr. Darcy."
"I know. There is no one else that I would have placed so much trust in. My sister's happiness is very important to me, Miss Bennet."
Elizabeth had been rather alarmed by his words. She was grateful for his trust and confidence in her, but was wondering whether it was misplaced. It was true that Georgiana had shown some initial delight at her presence, but had now sunk into her customary gloomy mood, refusing to speak and spending most of the time with her head buried in a book. Elizabeth was left wondering whether she really was the best person be her companion.
Elizabeth fastened her bonnet and picked up her purse and left the room. Georgiana was going in the opposite direction back to her room.
"Should you not be going downstairs?" she asked.
"I have forgotten something," mumbled Georgiana, walking quickly away.
Elizabeth wondered what she was up to, but carried on down the stairs. The front door was open and servants were going in and out of the house with their luggage. Colonel Fitzwilliam was there.
"Are you ready to leave, Miss Bennet?" asked the colonel.
"Yes sir," said Elizabeth as she joined him in the hallway.
"Where is Georgiana?" asked the colonel.
"She said she had forgotten something and returned to her room," said Elizabeth quickly, hoping that Georgiana had been telling the truth and was not using it as a ruse to delay the start of their journey.
"I'm here," said Georgiana, descending the stairs.
"Did you find what you'd forgotten?" asked Elizabeth, noting that Georgiana had nothing in her hands, though a small purse was hanging from her wrist.
Georgiana blushed. "No. It does not matter."
For some reason, Elizabeth was certain she was lying, but she did not try to question her further.
Colonel Fitzwilliam offered his cousin his arm. "We should be leaving. We have some way to go and I must return today."
"I wish we were not going." Georgiana's expression was pensive. "Our aunt would not mind if I stayed at home."
The colonel laughed. "That is not true, Georgiana. Lady Catherine has not seen you for nearly two years. We could not keep you from her any longer."
"It will be miserable, you know it will be," complained Georgiana as they descended the front steps to the waiting carriage. "Aunt Catherine approves of nothing that I do."
"This visit will be different," offered Elizabeth as they settled themselves into the carriage. "You will have me for company. I don't know Kent very well, so you must show it to me."
"Aunt Catherine is very particular about what we do. We will be expected to spend most of our time sitting listening to her."
If Elizabeth had not already formed an opinion of Lady Catherine de Bourgh from Mr. Collins she might have been inclined to think that Georgiana was exaggerating, but it was apparent from Mr. Collins that her ladyship had a high opinion of her own knowledge and was quick to share her views on everything.
They soon set off. The colonel quickly buried his head in a paper and Georgiana shut her eyes, disinclined to talk, so Elizabeth stared out of the carriage window and thought about her family. She had been disappointed to realise that she would have no time to return to Longbourn before taking up her new role, so along with her uncle she had written to tell them she would not be returning home until the end of the summer.
She had soon received a letter from Mrs. Bennet telling her what a wicked, selfish girl she was before enquiring exactly how much she would be paid.
Another letter had arrived from Jane, full of concern. Lizzy, are you certain you have not been rash in taking up this position?
Elizabeth had written back assuring Jane that she had thought it through thoroughly. I cannot be a burden to Mama when our financial position is so poor, she wrote.
The only thing that pains me is the length of time we will be parted. I shall miss you so very much. Continue to write to me often.
Elizabeth had also written to Mrs. Collins telling her of her arrival in Kent. She hoped there would be an opportunity for her to meet with Charlotte and share their news. Charlotte had kept her promise and written daily, and she sounded very satisfied with her new life, but she hoped to see her for herself. She still found it difficult to think that anyone could be satisfied with a man as silly as Mr. Collins.
They arrived at Rosings mid-afternoon. As they alighted from the carriage Elizabeth's heart dropped. The house was one of the ugliest she had ever seen. It was dark, imposing, and impossibly gloomy, built in a gothic style in grey stone and shielded on either side by tall trees that cut out the daylight. Elizabeth did not relish staying in such a miserable place.
They were greeted by Lady Catherine's butler, Mr. Hemmings. He smiled warmly enough at the colonel and Miss Darcy, but at Elizabeth he merely nodded.
"Her Ladyship is in the drawing room. She has been impatient for your arrival. This way."
They followed the black-clad figure along a dark passageway. He knocked on the door, threw it open and announced their arrival.
Lady Catherine was sitting on a throne-like chair with sofas on either side. She was a tiny woman with tight brown curls, a rather large nose, and a shrill sounding voice. Her clothes were of the best quality and yet were drab. She almost looked as if she was still in mourning.
"Richard. Richard, is that you?"
"It is, Aunt," said the colonel, moving forward. He bowed before taking the small hand his aunt held out and kissing it. "Richard, you have been neglecting me far too long."
"I'm sorry, Aunt."
"Well, you're here now. "
"Only for a couple of hours. I must return to London by tonight and then I will be back with Darcy next week."
"I did not know this," snapped Lady Catherine. "How could you not inform me? This is very inconvenient. You should stay, Richard. I am sure there is nothing so important as your visit here."
Elizabeth hid a smile. Lady Catherine seemed to think everything should revolve around her. She reminded her of her own mother.
"I cannot stay. My business is pressing."
"Well, I still think it's most inconvenient, Richard," sniffed Lady Catherine, refusing to be mollified. She suddenly turned to Georgiana who was looking very unhappy. "Georgiana, are you not going to greet me? It is a long time since I saw you."
Georgiana reluctantly stepped forward, but Elizabeth saw it was with no real pleasure and she bobbed a curtsey.
"Richard, what have you been doing with the child? She is looking most awkward."
"I am not a child, ma'am," said Georgiana.
Lady Catherine's eyes widened with horror. "You are impertinent, Georgiana. I was speaking, do not interrupt." Ignoring her niece, she turned to her nephew. "I can see you and Darcy have been too lax with her."
"Georgiana is growing up, Aunt," said Colonel Fitzwilliam soothingly.
"Well, she should not grow up too fast. She is like my dear Anne, she needs supervision."
"And that is why we have Miss Bennet here," said the colonel, beckoning Elizabeth to step forward.
"Who did you say?" asked Lady Catherine.
"Miss Bennet, Aunt, Georgiana's companion. This is she."
Lady Catherine turned her gimlet eyes on Elizabeth with a cold hard stare. Despite herself Elizabeth found her cheeks flushing red under such scrutiny.
"That dress is not really seemly for a companion," said her ladyship, looking her up and down. "It makes her stand out. She must talk to Mrs. Jenkinson. She will have far more idea of what is appropriate."
Elizabeth opened her mouth to say something. There was nothing wrong with her simple grey dress and it was one of her favourites.
She glanced across at Colonel Fitzwilliam who shook his head, so she stayed silent, but inwardly she was angry. Lady Catherine had no right to comment on her clothing.
"I think Miss Bennet looks very nice," said Georgiana.
Elizabeth smiled at her gratefully, though she thought the comment unwise.
"Georgiana, I can see in the time you are here we need to work on your manners. You say Miss Bennet is here as a companion?"
"Yes, Aunt."
"Well, she looks far too young. You made a wrong choice here, Richard."
The colonel refused to be riled by his aunt's criticisms. "Neither Darcy nor I think so. Now where is cousin Anne? I was looking forward to greeting her before I return to London."
Elizabeth had to hide a smile. It was clear from Lady Catherine's face that she did not like her nephew disagreeing with her, but he was so charming and agreeable that she said no more.
"My dear Anne is suffering one of her bouts of ill health. Georgiana, she is looking forward to seeing you. You can sit and read to her. That would be a very suitable way to spend your time."
Elizabeth saw Georgiana frown. Georgiana had spent nearly all her time with her face in a book since she had met her, but reading to a sick relative was something quite different and a plan Georgiana didn't appear to relish.
"I'm sorry that I will not see her," said Colonel Fitzwilliam. "Aunt, I am going to take a rest and then I will depart."
"Very well. You know your room. I really don't like it, Richard. Are you sure you cannot stay?"
"No, I can't. As I said, I will be returning with Darcy in a few days."
Lady Catherine's face suddenly transformed as she looked quite sentimental. "Oh, dear Fitzwilliam. How is the boy?"
"He is very well," said the colonel "as you will see for yourself in a few days."
"I am so looking forward to seeing him. Naturally he will be just as pleased to see me. He does not visit enough, but I know he sees Rosings as a second home. Dear Anne cannot wait either."
Elizabeth wondered what the colonel thought when Lady Catherine seemed so much more excited to see Mr. Darcy than himself. However the colonel's good humour never seemed to fail him and he took any preferences by his aunt in his stride.
"Are you smiling, Miss Bennet?" asked Lady Catherine suddenly.
"No ma'am," said Elizabeth, a little startled by the question.
"I should hope not. Smiling just for smiling's sake is most unladylike. How old are you, girl?"
"Is that important, ma'am?"
"You impertinent girl. Yes it is. Now tell me at once. How old are you?"
"Twenty, ma'am," admitted Elizabeth reluctantly.
"You look younger even than that. I can't think Richard why you have engaged someone as wholly unsuitable as a companion. She is too young. Georgiana needs a firm hand."
"I do not and Elizabeth is my friend."
Lady Catherine seemed lost for words and the colonel quickly intervened.
"Aunt, we have had a long journey and I am sure Georgiana is tired. Shall I call Mrs. Houston to show them to their rooms?"
"If you must." Lady Catherine glared at Georgiana. "I hope by dinner, Georgiana, I will see much improvement in your behaviour."
Georgiana's reply was inaudible and Elizabeth was relieved when the housekeeper arrived to show them to their rooms. Lady Catherine was every bit as unpleasant as she had imagined. She was relieved to think they were not staying at Rosings for long.