Wednesday November 11, 1813 - Pemberley

A letter had been placed on the tray delivered to the Darcy's private sitting room where they had decided to break their fast this morning. Jane was inclined to rise late and, with no other guests, they preferred to enjoy the privacy of their own chambers as much as possible. Darcy accepted a cup of coffee from Elizabeth before picking up the letter. Breaking the seal, he observed to Elizabeth, "It's from Richard. I wonder…?"

Elizabeth glanced up from buttering a biscuit to see a frown cross his face, "Problems…?"

'Hmmm….problems? I do not know. Here read it and share your thoughts with me."

Matlock House

November 7, 1813

Dear Darce,

This is a rather difficult letter to write. First, the important news, Lord Albert Knowles has asked to court Georgiana who has, with considerable foresight, asked for some time to consult with you and Elizabeth. I am writing to request your immediate presence and that of your wife, if possible, in town. If the offer is accepted I believe Lord Albert will request that Georgiana remain in town for an extra month or until Christmas; however, it appears that Georgiana would still prefer to leave London no later than the end of November.

I admit I am a little uncomfortable about this courtship offer. I have not detected any particular interest on the part of Georgiana towards Lord Albert. And I cannot discern any particular interest on his part either in the few times they had been in company together. My father favours the young gentleman; however, I suspect that it is the connection to the Duke of _ that is of primary importance to him. I believe there may be issues in the House of Lords where the Duke's support might be critical. In any event, my father reminded me that their Graces and their son should be invited to your ball on the 1st of January if the offer is accepted.

When I spoke with Georgiana, I was quite pleased by her attitude. She displayed considerable poise in dealing with it. I suspect many young ladies of her tender years might have accepted without giving any thought to the merits of the offer or the man himself. She has professed no particular regard for him and, as I remarked above, I had never detected that she derives any noticeable pleasure in his company. Rather the reverse in fact. I thought it interesting that she was quite firm about her desire to return to Pemberley as soon as may be. The most that she would admit was that he was pleasant-looking and that being the son of a duke he was possessed of excellent connections. As I write this, my suspicions that my father has pressed her to accept the courtship, are becoming firmer. It is to her credit she has not done so.

While a courtship does not necessarily require the couple to wed, the opprobrium attached to a rejected proposal will tarnish Georgiana's reputation as well as that of Lord Albert. I would prefer to avoid such if at all possible. In this I am sure we are of a like mind. I could also wish that I were present when this letter is read. The little I have seen of the gentleman does not predispose me towards him and I wonder at the opinions of you both.

I plan to bring both Georgiana and Miss Catherine to Pemberley and expect to arrive mid afternoon on the 2nd of December. I will visit with you for a day or two before stopping off at Holsten for a few days on my way to Matlock Manor.

Your bedevilled Cousin,

Richard

PS My courtship of Miss Thompson is proceeding excellently I believe. I am increasingly of the opinion that we will suit exceedingly well. I can only hope that she is of a like opinion.

Elizabeth put the letter down and her surprise was evident to her husband. Her first words mirrored his thoughts, "I do not understand this at all. There was no obvious interest from Lord Albert prior to our departure."

"Do you subscribe to Richard's thoughts on my uncle's involvement, Elizabeth?"

"It is possible, I suppose. Certainly Lord Albert possesses all the attributes that your uncle would wish to see in a suitor. Wealth, connections and breeding!" If her tone was a little acerbic, Darcy was not prepared to fault her and his grin drew a most unladylike snort from his wife.

His grin faded as the other questions arose in his mind. His next question was thoughtful, "What is your opinion of Lord Albert, Elizabeth?"

Elizabeth sipped her tea and deliberately broke open and buttered another biscuit. "Mmm, these biscuits are delicious. I must remember to thank Cook for baking them." She slowly ate half of the biscuit and Darcy was content to let her deliberate. She had told him that she was increasingly inclined to consider a matter thoroughly before expressing an opinion. "After all," she opined to him one day, "my reliance on first impressions has been proven faulty on at least one important occasion. I must be more cautious in the future."

His patience was rewarded when she finally responded, the remainder of the biscuit in her hand, "I first must admit that I was in Lord Albert's company only a few times – he called on us twice in town and then two balls and a dinner, I believe. And we did not converse a great deal on any of those occasions even when he called on us at Darcy House. It is difficult to form a solid opinion on so little."

"Nonetheless, I detect that you have reached some thoughts, sketchy though they may be. I would hear them Elizabeth. You know how much I value your opinions."

"Then I shall share them with you, poor though they may be." Her rueful smile gave truth to her words. "I was, as I said, but little in his company and my impression from his behaviour was that even that little was a bit too much for his liking. He sat beside me for an entire dinner and addressed but a handful of words to me the whole time whilst talking amiably with several others around us. Those he addressed were all well connected. Did he consider me beneath his attention? I do not know but that seemed a reasonable supposition at the time. As it was, I was not so enamoured of his conversation as to take exception to his incivility or miss the lack of it. He appears to be a capable dancer but I know of no other good of him."

She paused and thought for several moments trying to recall their conversations, "When he called on us, he did not really distinguish himself amongst the other callers. He stayed the approved time. He did not single me out for conversation and spoke only briefly to Georgiana as I remember. I gather he attended Oxford, I believe, but it was not apparent, from such discussions as I overheard, that he attended for purposes of acquiring any learning. Certainly his acquaintance with his books must have been brief and unsatisfactory. His opinions seemed ill-formed and poorly expressed. His father might have better spent the cost of his education on helping the poor….better value to be sure!"

She refilled her teacup, adding a dash of cream and stirring for several seconds. As she raised the cup to her lips, she paused to state, "I cannot see what would attract Georgiana to him. His life seems to be one of visiting friends to hunt or ride or simply visit. Much of his time is spent in London and his activities are probably those of most young men of a similar age. I have heard nothing of dissolute behaviour but neither have I heard of any characteristics that would raise him in my esteem. As I said, I fail to see that she would wish for a courtship with him." She looked at her husband, "Do you comprehend more than I?"

"No, my dear. I most unhappily do not. I probably have been in his company even less than yourself. I had no knowledge that he would apply for a courtship and did not make an effort to discover his background." He shook his head, "What little I do know is not particularly favourable, although it is also, I regret to say, not uncommon amongst young men of his station."

Acknowledging her raised eyebrow with a slight grimace, he continued, "As you say, he spends his time in London and visiting the estates of friends and relations. His own estate is not small and should require a considerable amount of his time to manage properly; however, that responsibility seems to be left to his steward. You know my feelings on such behaviour. It does not recommend the gentleman to me. But, apart from that, I know no ill of him."

"William, I have seen Lord Albert only a few times in company with Georgiana. Never did I see any sign of particular attentiveness on his part. Nothing at all that would have caused me to suspect an attraction. Why ever is he asking for a courtship? What can he mean by it?"

"I know not." His air of abstraction deepened and she was content to let him deliberate on the matter. She rather expected that he would not be content to let the matter rest. She congratulated herself on her judgement minutes later when Darcy returned his attention to her, "It will not do, Elizabeth. I must go to London!"

Elizabeth's wry smile drew a chuckle from him, "Ah, so you have already decided what I should do?"

"No, my love. Only that you would not be content to leave matters in such an unsatisfactory state. You wish to ensure your sister's happiness."

"I wish I could bring you with me but …."

"And you will. I am not so delicate that I cannot survive such a trip quite well. If you send an express to Richard to halt an announcement of the courtship if it is not already been announced, we can afford to travel with less haste. Since the courtship has not been accepted or made known to society, an extra day will not materially change the situation."

She smiled at her husband who, she could see, was attempting to marshal arguments to dissuade her. "I would wish to be with you and Georgiana will need us both. I do not want to leave Jane but she will be well without me for a week or so."

The discussion that followed finally convinced Darcy that her mind was not to be altered and he eventually called Reynolds and ordered his most comfortable carriage to be prepared to leave in two hours and then gave directions to have his valet prepare a travelling kit. While he was giving these directions, Elizabeth called Mrs. Reynolds to request that a basket of consumables be prepared for the trip. Directions were then given to her maid to prepare her travelling kit.

He finished his coffee and rose from the table, "Come, Lizzie. Let us put aside these troubles for a few minutes and venture out for a short walk. The day is lovely and we have had too few opportunities to be out walking since we returned. I have heard too much of Lord Albert today and what I have heard pleases me very little. A good brisk walk should clear my head of such dismal thoughts and your company will allow me to contemplate this trip with less displeasure. I do not anticipate being away for more a week and such business that waits upon me, will surely not suffer for the delay."

Elizabeth stuffed the remainder of the biscuit in her mouth and washed it down with the last of her tea. Accepting the proffered hand of her husband to help her rise – although she was usually quick to decry the nicety of such help – they quickly left the room to don their outer wear. She knew she would have to make her apologies to her sister before she left but they were only to be gone for a week and Jane would be well taken care of in her absence.