Tuesday, January 5, 1813 - Pemberley

Darcy and Georgiana were relaxing in the library when the butler, Mr. Reynolds knocked and entered to inform them that a carriage was sighted and should arrive in ten minutes.

"That will be Bingley. Good, he has not run into any bad weather." Darcy leaped to his feet and moved quickly towards the front doors, followed closely by Georgiana. It was too cold to wait outside and so they greeted Bingley in the front hall when he entered.

After the usual greetings, Darcy directed Bingley to his room to bathe and change from his travelling clothes before dinner. He rejoined them an hour later looking much refreshed. Dinner was a quiet affair held in the small dining room with just the three of them. Conversation was amiable and comfortable as they discussed their Christmas activities. For Bingley, it had been the first Christmas spent in company with his father's family since his childhood. He regaled them with stories of the various relatives and quickly had Georgiana laughing at the antics of some of his younger relatives.

After the meal, they repaired to the library to continue their chat in front of the fire. Darcy and Bingley enjoyed a glass of port whilst Georgiana was allowed a glass of wine, albeit cut with water at her brother's insistence. The conversation continued in a lighthearted manner for the remainder of the evening covering such topics as the wars against Napoleon and the Americans, theatre, plays, books and music. As the evening wound down, Georgiana induced both men to join her for a sleigh ride the next day. Since both Darcy and Bingley had business to transact in the morning, Darcy to meet with his steward for planting plans and Bingley to review several reports he brought with him, it was agreed that they would venture out in the early afternoon.

Georgiana was practising a new piece when she realized that there was someone in the music room besides Mrs. Annesley. Turning, she realized that Mr. Bingley had come in to sit in an armchair behind her. He quickly apologized, "I am very sorry. I did not mean to intrude and interrupt your session."

"You certainly do," she replied with a smile; "but it does not follow that the interruption must be unwelcome."

"I should be very sorry indeed if it were. We are good friends, are we not?"

"Indeed we are, I hope. "

"Tell me Miss Darcy, will you be coming out this season?"

"No, my brother and aunt have decided that it would better to wait another year."

"How you feel about it?"

Georgiana's response was thoughtful, "I am quite happy to wait. Brother has said that I will attend a number of balls and family parties. I will only be allowed to dance with family but it will be good experience."

"I am actually still trying to accept the reality that you are even considering coming 'out'. Only yesterday it seems you were still in the nursery and now look at you, a delightful young lady." Bingley laughed, "I hope I have not been improper. You are very like a sister to me."

"Really?"

Georgiana was not altogether sure she wanted Mr. Bingley to think of her as a sister and thought a change of topic was in order, "I understand you are arranging to transfer your household to York. Have you sold your house in London?"

"Yes, indeed. In fact, my furniture is being carted to York as we speak. While I have some business in London and will be visiting my sisters, my main purpose is to complete the sale."

"Will you miss London? I seem to remember that you enjoyed society, the parties and balls, quite well."

"I have found that business dealings absorb a lot more of my time than in the past. Nonetheless, I still find time for parties and dances and quite enjoy them. I do not find the loss to be irksome at all. But speaking of balls, will your brother host a special ball for your 'coming out' next year?"

"I believe so. Aunt Eleanor is also talking of hosting a ball."

"Indeed. Your brother will obviously dance the first set with you but would you save me a set in your first ball?"

"Of course. I look forward to it."

Georgiana was not sure how to understand Mr. Bingley's request. The compliment of being asked did not escape her. She rather liked the changes that were taking place in Mr. Bingley, but his intentions were not clear. Did he ask because she was his friend's sister or because he was possibly interested in her? Mrs. Annesley had been quietly noting the whole exchange and thought she saw enough to speak to Mr. Darcy.

For Bingley's part, he was only just becoming aware that his friend's sister was growing into an attractive young lady. Too young as yet for serious interest, but, he thought, getting to know the young woman she was becoming, would be very interesting. If she had some of the characteristics of her brother, she could be a very formidable woman; however, would she, or her brother, ever consider someone like himself, with a trade background, as an appropriate suitor?

The conversation between Georgiana and Bingley continued for several minutes until Darcy entered to say his business was complete and that the sleigh would be waiting for them in a quarter hour. All three made haste to don the warmest clothing available and, shortly thereafter, spent a delightful three hours touring the grounds. Later that evening, Mrs. Annesley related the conversation to Darcy. Inasmuch as Georgiana was unlikely to encounter Bingley with any frequency during the next twelve months, Darcy saw no reason to get overly concerned. He had no real objection to Bingley as suitor given the maturity he seemed to be acquiring. It would be a good match for Georgiana, although most of society might not see it in that light.