I'm not completely happy with the title for this story. I named it 'Entailed to a Brother' basically because I could not think of anything else. Let me know in the reviews if you have better ideas. This story may be someday posted on Kindle Unlimited, so you must be ok with me using the name there as well.
Miss Darcy was indeed willing to renew the acquaintance between herself and the Bennets. Miss Darcy, her brother, and her cousin called upon the Misses Bennet the next day, sheet music in hand.
"Miss Mary! How good it is to see you!" cried Georgiana when she caught sight of the lady who had become such a dear friend over the summer. It was only then that Georgiana took in that it was not only the Bennets present, but others as well.
"Miss Darcy, it is good to see you again as well. Mr. Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam, you are most welcome as well," said Mary with a very proper curtsey, "Lizzy is changing into a fresh gown, for she went riding this morning with our brother. Have you been introduced to the Lucases and my mother, Miss Darcy?"
Introductions were made between Miss Darcy and those whom she had not yet met. Mrs. Bennet was very gratified to have such lofty personages introduced to her, for she had heard much of Pemberley from her sister. Georgiana fell into conversation with Mary and Miss Maria Lucas. Mr. Darcy spoke primarily with James and his cousin, although he was polite to the ladies and the young Lucas children who had accompanied their mother.
"Mr. Darcy, sir," said young David Lucas, "what are you looking at?"
Mr. Darcy had indeed been looking out the window during a pause in the conversation with Mr. James Bennet, for the young man had been called over by his mother to admire Miss Lucas' needlepoint. Darcy was well-aware of what Mrs. Bennet was doing, for no doubt she wished for a match between the two families of friends.
"I am looking at the weather, Master David. It has rained rather too much this fall. I fear for the orchards," answered Mr. Darcy.
"What do you fear about the orchards, sir? Are you frightened of them?" asked the young boy.
"I am not afraid of them. I am afraid for them. You see, too much rain is not good for plants. It is also not good to make workers go out in poor weather, but then, the fruit must be harvested or else it will spoil. If the fruit spoils, the tenants' earnings also suffer."
"But it is not raining, sir," said David.
"It is not now. But the weather holds a dampness that means the rain will come back soon and we have already had a great deal of wet weather. See there, how some of the clouds are grey instead of white? That tells me that those clouds are filled with rain," explained Darcy.
"I am glad I am not to be the master of an estate, sir. That is John's position when Papa dies. I will be in the Navy, and I shall be able to make my fortune no matter the weather."
"Do not think that just because there are no crops that can spoil that you will be immune from the weather on the seas, my boy," said the Colonel, "I am in the army, not the navy, but the weather affects even us who serve on the land. At sea, a storm means the ship is tossed about. A bad storm has been known to bring down masts or even sink ships. A cousin on my mother's side is a captain in the Navy. We thought him lost to us last year due to a storm near Canada. He was lucky, for his crew was taken up by a Canadian vessel and not an American one, and it was only the ship that was lost."
"Let us not talk of war, if you please, sirs," said Lady Lucas.
"Indeed," said Elizabeth upon entering the room, "What did you think of our assembly last night, sirs? I know we cannot compare to London, but did you enjoy yourselves?"
"If we did not, you can scarcely expect us to admit it when so many of our dance partners are present," said Mr. Darcy with a teasing smile.
"Should I be offended, Mr. Darcy?" asked Elizabeth.
"You should not, for I did enjoy myself and I know Colonel Fitzwilliam did as well. He is much more inclined towards dancing than myself, but it is only that I choose my partners with more fastidiousness," said Mr. Darcy.
"I will then accept that as a compliment, sir," said Elizabeth.
"He is indeed fastidious in many things, but most of all his dance partners. I was quite surprised that he did not simply stalk around the edge of the room and speak to no one the entire night," said the colonel.
"Cousin, you will make these people believe the worst of me. Tell me, have you ever seen me attend a ball where I did not at least dance with my hostess and those of my party? I do my duty. I simply do not have such happy manners as you and Mr. Bingley," said Mr. Darcy.
"If your manners are not so easy as your cousin's and your friend's, we will not hold it against you so long as you dance some. There is a scarcity of gentlemen about due to the war, so many times we are obliged to sit out a few sets or dance with our sisters. It would not do to not dance when there were ladies sitting down," said Maria Lucas.
"Maria!" hissed Charlotte. Maria mumbled an apology.
"It is not truly that he does not like to dance," said the Colonel so Elizabeth and Darcy might hear but not the others, "for he does enjoy it. He simply does not like the matchmaking mamas and grasping daughters. As none in this room are that sort, I daresay Darcy should like dancing well enough."
"I must correct you, Colonel Fitzwilliam, for my mother does matchmake," said Elizabeth, "It is simply that my brother is the current subject of her efforts. You see, our estate is entailed, at least for one more generation. Therefore, my brother must marry and produce a son. While my mother might wish to see her daughters wed, it is not with the same eagerness that she wishes for James to do so. Especially as James may do the asking, so Mama becomes quite exasperated with him when he insists he cannot find someone he likes well enough to marry."
"I see. Well, I am glad then that I may be free from her attention," said Mr. Darcy.
"Indeed, although my friend is not so lucky. I would so like her for a sister if my mother should be successful," said Elizabeth, her mien thoughtful.
"She would already be your sister if you had accepted John!" exclaimed David Lucas, who Elizabeth had not even realised was still within hearing.
"Hush, David. You know nothing of the matter, and I would beg you not to bring such things up in company," said Elizabeth. She was certain her face was very red and could not look in the gentlemen's direction.
Colonel Fitzwilliam swiftly and adeptly changed the subject to something more banal, which Elizabeth was grateful for. While listening to the conversations around him and contributing little, Darcy considered Miss Elizabeth Bennet. He was curious about the lady, for she was quite unlike most women of his acquaintance. She was intelligent, well-mannered, witty, and had the finest eyes he had ever beheld. Knowing she had turned down an offer of marriage from the heir to Lucas Lodge made him even more curious, for it would be an eligible match for her. Darcy had not met the man but briefly, yet he seemed a good enough fellow with nothing of viciousness that Darcy could see. He supposed that while Mrs. Bennet may be matchmaking, if her daughter was allowed to turn down an eligible offer, she was not mercenary.
Several days after Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam, and Georgiana called on the Bennets, the Bennets returned the call and soon a pattern emerged where each family took their turn in calling two or three days after the other. Occasionally the Bingleys or Hursts joined the party in their making or receiving calls, but Bingley's interest had begun to be firmly directed in another way. Mr. Bingley, as was his wont, had found himself another 'angel' in the person of Miss Charlotte Lucas.
Darcy was surprised at Bingley's choice, for she was very different that Bingley's usual angels. She was blond, but her hair was much darker than those he usually courted. She was also not beautiful in the traditional sense. Darcy did not think her ill-favoured by any means, but perhaps plain. She was not so very mild mannered or fashionable either. Most of all, she was seven and twenty and considered by most to be firmly on the shelf.
"I do not see what you think so lovely about Miss Lucas, brother," said Miss Bingley on a morning when Bingley was readying himself to call on Lucas Lodge.
"She is pretty, intelligent, and amiable. I do not see what there is that would not be considered lovely in such a lady," said Mr. Bingley.
"She is plain, brother," said Miss Bingley, "And she has but 800 pounds for a dowry. You cannot be seriously considering her? You know she is only after your fortune."
"In a manner of speaking," said Mr. Bingley, "We talked of our differences in fortune. While I do not believe my fortune completely inconsequential to Miss Lucas, she once said that she believes she would be satisfied if she had six hundred a year and a kind man for a husband. That is the income her father had until only recently. They were a happy family, and never had any true wants with such an income."
"Surely though, you see what you say, Bingley," said Darcy. "Her family only recently came up from trade and they have such a small fortune."
"Do you hear yourself, Darcy?" asked Colonel Fitzwilliam, "Bingley's father was in trade and he does not even own an estate. Miss Lucas's father was in trade, but has a title, and owns an estate. She is above him in the eyes of society. Small portion or not, a titled relation and the estate puts her well above him."
"I would hardly call a knighthood a title," sniffed Miss Bingley.
"And what claim to nobility do you have, Miss Bingley?" asked Colonel Fitzwilliam.
Miss Bingley had no response, so she remained silent.
"I think it a good match, Bingley," said Colonel Fitzwilliam.
"Darcy?" asked Bingley.
"I believe you should watch Miss Lucas carefully to discern if she truly cares for you. If she does, that is worth much," said Darcy.
"Miss Bennet," said Georgiana the following day after they finished playing a piece at the pianoforte. Miss Mary had gone to visit the Larrysons and therefore was not present for Miss Darcy's call.
"Georgiana, will you not call me Lizzy as I asked?" said Elizabeth, "I do not require it, but I like to think you are my friend and we may be comfortable with one another."
"I apologise, Lizzy," said Georgiana with a giggle, "I forgot. Everyone in town is so formal. I rather like calling you Lizzy."
"Thank you, Georgiana."
"Lizzy, do you think I was terribly wicked this summer?" asked Georgiana.
"Of course not. Why ever would you think such a thing?" asked Elizabeth with surprise.
"You do know what happened, do you not?" asked Georgiana.
"I know Mr. Wickham paid you a great deal of attention and Mrs. Younge did not do her duty in ensuring you were accompanied by her when he was at your cottage," said Elizabeth.
"Lizzy, I fear you will not wish to know me after I tell you what I did," said Georgiana with tears coming to her eyes.
"Dearest Georgiana, whatever can you mean?" asked Elizabeth.
"I let him kiss me, Lizzy," said Georgiana.
"Dear Georgiana, is that all? You should not have allowed it, certainly. I cannot think, however, that you are wicked for allowing a kiss."
"I let him kiss me for a long time," said Georgiana, "and not just on my hand or cheek, but on my lips and my neck." She took a deep breath and continued, "and he, he touched my bosom. I feel wicked, because I liked the feeling. I wanted to do more. I think I would have allowed further liberties, should my brother not have arrived and taken me away. Wickham wanted to elope. I hadn't agreed yet, but I think I would have eventually."
"You were both clothed during your time together?" asked Elizabeth, uncertain of how to ask what she wanted.
"Yes," said Georgiana, "Although he moved the sleeve of my gown a bit so my shoulder was bared."
"Georgiana," said Elizabeth, taking the younger girl's hands in her own, "You are but fifteen. You may feel grown, but you are yet a girl. Mr. Wickham is a man grown at four and twenty. Your companion, who was meant to protect you, did not. You were preyed upon by two adults. You are not to blame for what happened. I am glad that nothing besides kissing and touching happened, but even if more had happened, I would not blame you. You were not wicked. You were simply naïve. I daresay when you come out, you will now be more prepared. Your dowry will attract fortune hunters, I am certain. You simply must tell your brother or cousin about whatever occurs when you are out and they will guide you."
"I wish I had a sister," said Georgiana with a sigh, "William is wonderful as a brother, and Richard is a good cousin. Yet, I cannot talk to them in the same way I can to you. They cannot understand. They simply rant about Wickham and do not understand that I had feelings that were confusing. I thought I loved him, Lizzy. It hurts very severely that he did not truly love me."
"I know it must, dearest" said Elizabeth, "While I have not known what you have, I know the feeling of being crossed in love."
"You have been crossed in love?" asked Georgiana with curiosity.
"Indeed. When I was seventeen, I went to stay with my aunt and uncle in London for six months. You see, my aunt was increasing. There was a problem with the baby, so she had to stay abed all the time. She had two other children already who needed care and a household to run. They have servants, but a house needs someone to act as mistress, so I was sent to fill that role. While I was there, I became infatuated with a man who works with my uncle, for my uncle is in trade, you see," said Elizabeth, "This man was handsome and kind. He was a widower and had one small son who was a delightful child. He paid me some attention and I though perhaps I might come to love him and perhaps marry. Then he found a business opportunity in the New World. He did take his leave, but he left for America. I did not see him again."
"That is dreadful," said Georgiana.
"I cannot fault him. He mentioned something to me, hinting that if I wished to go with him, he might propose, but I did not wish to leave England and all I have ever known, never to see my family again," said Elizabeth.
"He was a good man then," said Georgiana.
"As I said, it is not the same. He was just doing what he must and he did not plan to leave when he began to pay me attention. Yet, it still hurt dreadfully when he left."
"How did you heal?" asked Georgiana.
"I was not in love with him," said Elizabeth, "It was simply infatuation. Through time, I found I did not think of him as often, and now he is just a memory."
"I hope this summer shall fade away into memory," said Georgiana.
"It shall," said Elizabeth.
"Thank you, Lizzy," said Georgiana.
"You are welcome. I know I am not your sister, but perhaps you can confide in me. I cannot promise not to tell your brother or cousin if you tell me something of great importance, but I shall try to keep your confidence when it is possible," said Elizabeth.
"Would you?" asked Georgiana, "That would be so very lovely."
"Of course," said Elizabeth, "I have always felt most fortunate, for I have a brother and sisters. Mary and James are my closest confidants, as they are the closest to me in age. I am not so close to Kitty and Lydia, but they are younger and often away at school."
"Will I meet them? How old are your sisters?"
"Kitty is seventeen and Lydia is fifteen. I believe you will, should you remain through the holidays," said Elizabeth, "James will fetch them home for Christmas. I believe James said one of Kitty's friends from school shall come to Longbourn as well, for her friend is orphaned and has only distant relations."
"How dreadful! I suppose that I am orphaned, but I have my brother who has always been rather like a father to me."
"He is more than ten years your elder, is he not?" asked Elizabeth.
"He is."
"That is quite different from my brother and I. I am twenty and he four and twenty. As women are out much earlier and expected to marry earlier, I have often felt we were much closer in age than we truly are."
"Do you wish to marry?" asked Georgiana.
"I do," said Elizabeth, "I have not a particular man in mind as my bridegroom, but I do wish for marriage and children. I fear seven thousand may not be enough to overcome my average looks and impertinent manner, however. I will simply have to be aunt to my brother's children and teach them to play pianoforte very ill indeed!"
"My brother says you are one of the handsomest ladies of his acquaintance. I heard him say so to Richard," said Georgiana.
"You should not have told me that," said Elizabeth with a blush, "for I am certain he did not mean it to reach my ears."
"Oh," said Georgiana.
"Georgiana," said Elizabeth thoughtfully, "Your guardians did tell you to keep silent on the matter of Mr. Wickham, did they not? I already knew so no harm is done in speaking about the situation with me, but do know that you could suffer a great deal if it were to become widely known. Although it was not your fault, many will not care to see it that way."
"I know," said Georgiana, "I only spoke of it with you, as I thought you must already know some, so it would not be terrible to tell you all."
"And I would have you speak with me, rather than keep your feelings inside. Just when you told me of your brother's words, I thought it prudent to remind you. Parents and guardians do not always remember what young girls do not know. Much of my education has been from James, as he is more aware of my knowledge level and what I must know, as he is closer in age to I."
"I really did not mean to break my brother's confidence," said Georgiana.
"I know, dearest," said Elizabeth, "and I shall not tell your brother you said anything."
Rosing's Park, Near Westerham, Kent
28th October
Dear Cousin Fitz,
I hope Georgiana is improving from her ordeal and that all will be as it should soon. I am glad to hear that you and Georgie have taken Mr. Bingley up on his offer to stay with him, as you do deserve some time when you are not required to act in the role of master.
I thank you again for your assistance with my mother and the tenants. I know how disagreeable it was to make a second trip to Rosings in a year, but my dissenting voice alone would not have convinced Mother that the tenants would suffer greatly if the commons were enclosed. It is bad enough that she persists in punishing any poachers with the strictest possible punishment when they stumble onto our land. Now she would take away much of their fuel and grazing fields as well. I could not tolerate it.
I am improving in health since Mother hired Mrs. Jenkinson. Mrs. Jenkinson has somehow managed to convince Mama that going out of doors is good for my health and that I need not be dosed with medicines on days when I feel well. I am so grateful that you and Richard convinced her to hire her. She is so very kind and I like having a friend. She does not tell Mother everything I do and say, although Mother believes that she does.
When next you write me, do tell me more about this Miss E with the dark, fine eyes. My Mr. B is returning soon, and I am hopeful that I will be well enough to be a wife. I had not thought it possible, but Mrs. Jenkinson thinks there is not much wrong with me, and I shall be able to marry and take up my place as Mistress of Rosings within a twelvemonth.
I remain your affectionate cousin,
Anne