Sunday, January 24, 1813 - Pemberley

Darcy was up early as was his habit and immediately sent a note to Georgiana's maid advising her of the change in plans and the need to begin packing for the trip to London. His own manservant, Hawkins, had been advised the previous night of the change in plans, Darcy had a number of letters to write and meetings with his steward before he could depart and he did not expect to have much free time today. Meetings that had been scheduled for Monday and Tuesday would now have to be completed this afternoon. He also had to ensure that the carriage was checked and travel arrangements changed at the two stops along the route.

Realizing that his work had reduced the time available to get ready for church services, a small breakfast was brought to his room for him to eat while getting ready. As a result, he was waiting in the front hall for the others to arrive. Once they reached the chapel, Darcy and Fitzwilliam unobtrusively ensured that Georgiana and Bingley did not sit together.

After lunch, Georgiana went to the music room to work on several pieces that she was [A1] practicing. Colonel Fitzwilliam had gone to the library after lunch but, upon hearing the sound of the piano, went in search of Georgiana. Finding her, he was quite contented to sit unobserved while she practiced. Finally, after a particularly good effort on one of the more difficult pieces, he applauded her heartily which quite caught Georgiana by surprise.

Fitzwilliam knew it would not get any easier if he waited to impart the news that he was going to Portugal but wanted to do so as gently as possible. Rising to his feet, he said, "Georgie, do you realize that I have not visited the conservatory for several years? I would like to see it again. Will you accompany me?"

Georgiana was agreeable and arm-in-arm they strolled to and into the conservatory. Fitzwilliam maintained a steady flow of light conversation as they walked. When they arrived at a spot with benches for sitting, he sat down and invited Georgiana to sit beside him. He took her hand and spoke in a very matter-of-fact voice, "Georgie, I am sure you have a suspicion of my news but I wanted to tell you myself. Headquarters has given me my orders and I am taking my regiment to join Wellesley in Portugal. I leave at the end of the month. I know that you, along with the rest of my family, do not wish for me to go but I am bound by honour and duty to serve my country. I can make no promises about my safety but I value my life and the lives of the men I lead. I risk neither their lives nor mine unnecessarily."

Fitzwilliam could see her distress, "What troubles you so, Georgie? You know I have seen active duty before and always returned, I will do so again. I plan to dance at your wedding and I insist right now you save the third set for me. I will allow your new husband the right to the first set and won't deprive your brother of the second, but the third is mine. Understood?"

Giving her a quick hug, he teased some more, "Now, if I am to be a proper guardian, I need to know your wishes in terms of a husband. Who and what should we look for in your husband? Short? Fat? Scottish with a brogue you could cut with a knife? Old? You really must help your brother and me to sort through all the candidates and let us know your preferences."

"Richard, I don't want to even think about marriage right now." Georgiana replied trying to stifle a giggle, "And certainly not about a short, fat, old Scotsman." And she gave a delicate shudder.

"Nonsense, my girl. All young ladies think about potential husbands. Come, come …confess it now, what does he look like? Tall, perhaps? Dark hair? A bit of a fop? An Earl, at the very least?"

Georgiana giggled, "No, No ….. Well, perhaps tall, anyway."

"You need to help me a little more, Georgie. You have only eliminated two out of three men in England. That still leaves me with a very, very large crowd. If he must have a title, that can reduce the numbers quite a bit. There cannot be that many men with a title, can there?" The last was uttered rather plaintively by Fitzwilliam.

Georgiana hesitated slightly. She found this teasing to be slightly uncomfortable and decided to hedge her answer, "A title would be nice I suppose, but hardly necessary." She paused and then, more seriously, responded, "I think I want a good man. With such examples as you and my brother, I could hardly settle for less, now could I?"

"Ah….you are not playing fair, Georgie. Be careful what you wish for. You could get my visage and your brother's manners."

"Oh, my brother's manners are not so bad." Georgiana replied attempting to control a smile.

Fitzwilliam laughed, "Minx!"

They both fell silent for several minutes and then Fitzwilliam looked at Georgiana, "I may not be home in time for your first ball but if I am, I want the second set. Promise?"

"I promise! It is yours!"

Fitzwilliam went over to her and gave her a hug, saying "I will write as often as I can but the post service is rather poor when people are fighting. I hope you will write to me often. I will be in London for about three weeks before I depart. I expect to be very busy but will make an effort to see you several times before I leave."

They both started at the sound of a cough and turned to see Bingley standing on the pathway.

"I hope I am not intruding?"

"Not at all, "responded Fitzwilliam. "I was just getting Georgie to tell me what she wants in a suitor when she is of age to have such. So far we have only determined that she does not want a short, fat, old Scotsman with a heavy brogue."

"Does anyone want such a man?" chuckled Bingley as he sat down. He had been standing on the path for several minutes watching and considering Georgiana before making his presence known. He was more and more impressed with her. He knew she was obviously still too young to consider marriage and he himself was not ready either; but he could see no reason not to cultivate her acquaintance as a friend and thus keep himself in her attention.

"Miss Darcy, I have been living in York for several months now and have yet to hear your equal on the pianoforte. Could you oblige me with a little music?"

"I would be happy to do so." Saying which, Georgiana led the way back to the music room and began playing some lively Scottish and English ballads. After playing for an hour, she excused herself claiming a desire to rest. The two gentlemen continued to talk in a desultory manner until Bingley suggested a game of billiards, which claimed their attention until it was time to prepare for dinner.

Dinner itself was a quiet affair, as was the remainder of the evening, which most spent reading and completing their preparations to depart at first light in the morning.

Sunday January 24, 1813 – Gracechurch Street, London

Jane was trying to remember the last time she had been as content – happy perhaps – as she did at this moment. Captain Stovall had been courting her officially for a fortnight and she had been in his presence almost every day that he was not in Portsmouth. Oddly enough, while some of that time his attention was directed to the Gardiner children or to the Gardiners themselves, that had not lessened the pleasure she took in his company. She could not remember now if she ever had talked with Mr. Bingley as she talked with Amos – for she was beginning to think of him as Amos now. They had talked about his years at sea, her time in Hertfordshire and some of their hopes for the future. She was getting to know the man and she approved of him very much. His comfortable play with the children – and he had become a favourite with them – bode well for a future in which they had children. Her mind came to a lurching stop – they had children. Was she…had she already arrived at a decision, should he offer marriage? She blushed and looked quickly at his face as he walked beside her. Yes! Should he ask, she would be very happy to accept.

Captain Stovall was equally contented with one small niggling concern. He believed strongly that the woman on his arm was one he would delight to call his wife. She had a good heart, a kind heart, a loving heart and a strong, sensible approach to life. But he must know if some part of that heart still belonged to another man. He was determined to speak and this seemed as good a time as any.

"Miss Bennet! I am going to ask what most people would consider a very improper question. You see, the first evening I dined with you and your family, Mr. Gardiner and I had a short discussion over port after the meal. His sole concern was for your well-being and he intimated that your affections had been engaged by the particular attentions of a gentleman who then left without making an offer, which caused you considerable distress. Mr. Gardiner considered the gentleman's behaviour somewhat dishonourable and wanted to prevent a reoccurrence. I was most willing to provide such assurances. My question is simply this, Miss Bennet – Is your heart unattached?"

Jane's feet simply stopped working as she came to a complete stop and looked up at him in some amazement. By stopping, she had forced Captain Stovall to partially turn and face her. She continued to gaze at him for a few more seconds and then, reaching a decision, forced them both to resume walking.

"Captain Stovall, you promised me honesty, when you offered a courtship. I find myself unable to be anything less. The gentleman, Mr. Bingley – I see no reason to hide his name, since you will likely learn it should you meet my mother – was quite handsome and amiable. He most assuredly engaged my affections and I certainly believed myself to be falling in love with him. Then he left, promising to return but did not. I was hurt - hurt and very confused - for months. I learned that he had been convinced by friends and relatives to leave because of my poor connections, some impropriety of my mother and younger sisters, a lack of dowry and a belief that I was only interested in him because of his wealth. My hurt and pain gradually turned to anger. Anger that he knew me so poorly as to believe such of me. Now…..even the anger is gone. If I were to meet Mr. Bingley tomorrow, it would be as an acquaintance…..no more. The only person in Longbourn to now regret his departure is my mother and her lamentations do nothing more than cause me irritation."

Jane turned her face to look directly at the Captain, raised an eyebrow and smiled, "So Captain, if I have not answered your actual question, I have, I think, been honest in answering the implied question, have I not?"

He stopped turned to face her and taking her hands in his bestowed a kiss on each, saying, "Yes, Miss Bennet, you most certainly have." Then turning to walk once again, he settled her hand on his arm, placed his other hand over hers and intertwined their fingers. "She did not say her heart was unattached, only that it was not attached to this Bingley. Excellent!"

In this fashion, they continued to stroll through the park until recalled by Elizabeth's reminder that dinner was approaching. Elizabeth was quite amused by Jane's absorption in the Captain and the pleasure expressed on her countenance. She was convinced that removal from her mother's profusions and manipulation had allowed Jane to display her feelings more openly since she no longer had cause to guard the expression of those feelings.

She thought back to the past two weeks during which they had gone to the play Twelfth Night, walked in Hyde Park and attended a dinner party; society enough to satisfy even her desire for company. A grin crossed her face when she considered the night they went to see the play. While she had chosen to wear a relatively modest evening gown, Jane had selected one that was rather more daring. It was deep blue with simple, classic lines and a v-neck which displayed the upper portion of her breasts. She looked absolutely stunning which described the look on the Captain's face when Jane descended the stairs in the Gardiner house. He hardly took his eyes off her on the ride to the theatre and, once there, was the first to exit the carriage. Turning, he offered his hand to help Elizabeth descend and then offered his hand to Jane who, grasping his hand with her own stepped out of the carriage bending forward slightly as she did so. The Captain's intake of air was quite noticeable and a blush spread over both his and Jane's countenance. Only Elizabeth noticed the small smile of pleasure on Jane's lips.

After Mr. Gardiner assisted his wife out of the carriage, the party moved slowly through the crowd. After divesting themselves of their outerwear, they moved into the intermission area. Jane quickly attracted surreptitious and admiring glances from many of the men. Captain Stovall did not appear to mind at all, satisfied to be the man escorting her to the play. Several couples known to the Gardiners approached and were introduced but Mr. Gardiner and the Captain were persistent in moving their party forward and towards their seats.

Once seated, Elizabeth had enjoyed and attended the play so closely that she had little attention left for the rest of party. While it was not one of her preferred Shakespeare's histories[A2] , it was so well acted that she was lured in almost despite herself. Captain Stovall was completely enraptured, repeating several times that seeing the words come to life on a stage gave new meaning to them. He vowed that he would make every effort to see another play before his time onshore[A3] ended.

Returning home, they had partaken of a light tea after which Captain Stovall made ready to leave. Elizabeth and Jane accompanied him to the front door and, Elizabeth having deliberately stepped several paces back to give them some privacy, he turned and took Jane's hand, saying, "I thought tomorrow I might visit a bookstore. Would you and Elizabeth wish to accompany me?" Upon receiving her agreement, he raised her hand and turned it, pressing a kiss to the palm of her hand causing a small gasp by Jane. A pleased smile graced his face as he murmured, "I will call at ten then, Miss Bennet."

Elizabeth had teased her sister quite thoroughly afterwards and was now only wondering when the good Captain would offer for Jane. Her sister's affections were no longer in doubt. The pleasure she received from his attentions left little doubt Captain Stovall's suit would be successful. The only issue lay in when he would make his offer.

[A1]Do you really want to use this verb? It seems to imply that she is composing, rather than practising.

[A2]Twelfth Night is a comedy, not a history.

[A3]Onshore (one word) = adjective