One more chapter in the run up to the end -this is a little bit of a side story, but it is needed for the growth of the younger girls (at least in my head).
Please note - due to a lot of activity at work, posting will be every 3 days this week.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Viscount Farley complained incessantly on the drive to Crowhole House. Everything was open to criticism as far as he was concerned. Darcy's valet had woken him too early and was not as efficient as his own man; the roads were in poor repair; the coachman was incompetent, making the journey uncomfortable; his cousin was dull and the tradesman's son not worthy of notice that early in the morning; Crowhole was a ridiculous name for a village, never mind an estate; from the description given, the estate was too small and not worth the effort.
The eighteen miles that separated the two estates had never felt quite so long for the other two occupants of the carriage and by the time they stopped in front of his home, Bingley was desperate for a cup of strong coffee, at least in the absence of anything even stronger. Luckily the housekeeper, a very efficient Mrs Morton who had worked at Crowhole for more than twenty years, had a small collation and a large pot of freshly brewed coffee ready for them in the newly refreshed combined study and library.
"Well, that is a rather pitiful collection of books," Anthony stated, "If that is your only library in this place, your origins are showing, Bingley boy."
Darcy calmly replied on behalf of his friend who had turned red as the insult had accidentally hit home. "The house is being refurbished, even an idiot would see that. These are the remnants of the former owner's collection. Bingley's books will be sent from Netherfield Park with the rest of his furniture and possessions in a few weeks before the lease lapses. He can decide which room will be suitable for a larger library once the shelves in his study are filled."
Bingley had to bite his tongue to retain a stoic appearance. While Darcy had not lied and his books would arrive just before the end of August, his collection would barely fill two of the many empty shelves in the study. He made a mental note to ask Jane's sisters and Miss Darcy to patronise the small bookshop in the village on their next visit so that at least they would have appropriate entertainment when the weather turned cold in a few months; the vast room they were in would also look much nicer with suitably full bookcases.
Darcy continued, still sounding calm and a little bored rather than angry at his cousin for his poor manners. "We are not here to discuss books or furnishings, although I am impressed at the transformation in this room already, Bingley, and I expect Jane will be pleased with the second desk you added for her use. Shall we go and inspect the progress on the stable block before checking on the tenants' homes that were supposed to be repaired?"
Destabilised by his cousin's controlled demeanour, Farley sulked and refrained from insulting Bingley further during the inspections planned for the day and the many discussions with servants, tenants and workmen that took place.
Bingley and Darcy maintained a steady flow of chatter regarding Crowhole's improvements and the work to be scheduled next for most of the journey back to Pemberley, saving them from hearing more complaints from the Viscount.
Three days after this visit, the Bingley departed for Bath to attend the nuptials of Miss Caroline Bingley and Mr John Lawson. They would remain with the Hursts for a fortnight and bring Lydia back with them. In their absence, the Darcys and Mrs Bennet would concentrate on preparing the Pemberley dower house; the Bennets' possessions had arrived safely and Fanny was enjoying decorating her new rooms and instructing her new housekeeper on her habits and the girls' preferences.
Nothing Darcy attempted in the following two weeks appeared to make any difference to his cousin's attitude; Anthony was riding out with him when asked, but he acted uninterested and continued to address the other occupants of Pemberley without any care or respect, often insulting one or another of the ladies with thoughtless belittling words.
On a day when Darcy had gone to inspect a small bridge on the north of the estate that required minor repairs and Mrs Bennet and Elizabeth had gone to Lambton, Viscount Farley walked into the music room. Georgiana and Mary were playing a duet while Catherine attempted to sketch the two girls; Mrs Annesley sat by the window with some embroidery.
"Well, isn't that dull?" He stated in a bored voice. "Can you not play anything more lively little Georgie? Your first season will be an absolute disaster if you do not offer better entertainment. It is already unfortunate that you have taken your looks from our Fitzwilliam grandmother and Lady Catherine; you will need some exquisite accomplishments to make up for the total lack of fashion in your appearance. Your brother at least had the good sense of taking his good looks from your mother and his colouring from the Darcy side of your family."
The shy young lady paled and instantly stopped playing while the other ladies audibly gasped.
Seeing the look of horror on Mary's face, Anthony continued. "Come, Miss Mary, you must see as plainly as I do that even in just the company of your two older sisters, little Georgie does not compare well. I admit that Mrs Bingley is uncommonly pretty and few would win a contest against her, but even Mrs Darcy has some sort of spark, some wit in her conversation to make up for her short stature and plainer features. As we can hardly get two words out of Georgiana even in a small family setting. Without a stunning appearance and in the absence of a title, it only leaves her dowry, although I suppose Darcy can afford to sweeten the deal there if needed."
Shaking in shock and unable to speak, Miss Darcy stood and ran out of the room, followed quickly by a worried Mary.
As the door swung back after her sister's hasty departure, the quiet and soft-spoken Miss Catherine Bennet got angry for the first time in her life.
"Who do you think you are, you ignorant pompous oaf? You may be Georgiana's cousin, but you have no right to treat her as anything less than the beautiful, gentle lady she is." She cried with her fists balled at her sides, the drawing she had been working on forgotten where it had fallen as she stood up to defend her friend.
Farley smirked. "Banter between my cousin and I does not concern you, Miss Catherine. Do not think your name allows you to talk to your betters in such a way; my aunt is not an example to follow, and you would gain more by flattering me in accepting a familial relationship with you than you would from her."
"I have no intention to flatter you, nor will I ever claim you as a part of my family if I can avoid it," Catherine said coldly. "From the very beginning - from the moment, I may almost say - of my acquaintance with you, your manners, impressing me with the fullest belief of your arrogance, your conceit, and your selfish disdain of the feelings of others, were such as to form the groundwork of disapprobation on which succeeding events have build so immovable a dislike; you had not been at Pemberley a week before I felt you were the last man in the world I would want to be seen in public with or acknowledge in any way. The distant link between us, with you being nothing but the cousin of my brother-in-law, may be easily ignored; that my poor Georgiana and dear Anne have the misfortune of being more closely related to you is utterly distasteful. You, Sir, are no gentleman."
The Viscount had paled significantly as Catherine spoke. "You have said quite enough, Miss Bennet. I comprehend your feelings even if you seem to have misunderstood mine. My words to Georgiana were in jest as I am certain she understood."
"In jest?" Catherine was appalled at the thought of such words being considered humorous in any way. "You are mistaken if you believe Georgiana understood your obscure witticism. She was hurt by your words, it was plain to see for all but the most obtuse of people; I am certain Mary is even now attempting to comfort her. I heard your words clearly, and I see no joke in them, only meanness."
She turned to Mrs Annesley at this point. "Will you please come with me to talk to Mrs Reynolds? If at all possible, I would like to move to the dower house today, and I hope you and Georgie will join us as our first guests there. I have no wish to remain under the same roof as a man who will casually disparage my friend, my new little sister, and fail to recognise his error even when pointed out to him."
The companion silently crossed the room, took Catherine's arm and walked proudly out of the room without a glance at the shocked gentleman.
Catherine, still infuriated by the memories, recounted the unfortunate encounter to Mrs Bennet and Elizabeth as soon as they returned.
As she finished her tale, Mrs Annesley praised her. "Your reproaches were perhaps a little harsh, Miss Catherine, but they were delivered perfectly, in a collected and clear voice. I do not believe the gentleman feels any regret, but he may at least consider the consequences of his words more carefully in future."
"Indeed, Kitty," Elizabeth said gently, "I am very proud of you for defending our sister so well. You have grown and matured so much in the past few months, Lydia will struggle to recognise her timid sister."
Mrs Bennet was sitting next to Miss Darcy, gently rubbing the girl's back as she always did when one of her daughters needed comfort. "All I can say is that the man is a blind fool. Georgiana dear, I remember having a discussion with Lizzy many years ago, after her father thoughtlessly denigrated her looks. Some men, such as Mr Bennet and the Viscount, appear to perceive only one type of beauty. Jane, Kitty and Lydia meet the current standards defined by the fashionable people of the Ton, they are just what people see as pretty English roses. Lizzy, Mary and you are different, but no less beautiful. I used to call the two of them my little exotic orchids, exciting and mysterious. You are yet a different flower, my sweet girl, one with perfect porcelain-white skin. I have it, you are our precious lily of the valley, white and pure, delicate yet extremely strong and capable of withstanding even the coldest weather in England to return each year to full health."
Elizabeth came to sit on the other side of Georgiana. "Three roses, two orchids and a lily of the valley, that would make a magnificent centrepiece. For my part, and I am certain William will confirm it as I told him long ago, I found you so very pretty and sweet when we first met that I loved you immediately, despite a small tinge of jealousy; you are tall and womanly, graceful and sophisticated, everything I was not at your age if I am honest with myself."
"Thank you, both of you." Miss Darcy was smiling through her tears. "I will attempt to take Anthony's words as a joke, a proof of his poor taste, and not let them bother me. I would prefer to go to the Dower House with you, as Kitty offered though."
"Please, Mama, do say yes," Catherine pleaded, "Mrs Annesley can stay in Lydia's room, as our sister is not here, and Georgie can choose to stay with either Mary or me, it will be so very cosy."
Elizabeth laughed. "The bed in Mary's room is simply enormous, I suspect the three of you could stay in it together. I do not think you will sleep much, so perhaps it is not such a brilliant idea."
Seeing the hopeful looks on the three young girls, Mrs Bennet acquiesced while Mrs Annesley failed to hide a chuckle.
"Farley!" Darcy's voice was both harsh and icy cold. "I invited you at your father's request. My uncle hoped that separating you from the influence of your circle of acquaintances in London and your lady friend may be helpful. He was obviously wrong, you are beyond redemption and I will not expose my wife or sisters to any more of your disgusting attitude."
"Hang on a moment, Darcy," Anthony protested, "Your sister-in-law misunderstood me and proceeded to launch an unjustified attack on me. She is the one who should bear the brunt of your criticism."
"Mary and Catherine said nothing to me. Mrs Annesley told me everything she witnessed, both as my employee and as Georgiana's friend, and Elizabeth corroborated the story from the tale she heard from all the girls. How can you think that insulting a shy sixteen-year-old girl, your own cousin, would ever be acceptable? And then attacking a seventeen-year-old young lady just because she defended my sister? You told her it was a joke, well, such a wonderful joke that Georgiana chose to leave her home rather than spend another evening in your company!" Darcy was visibly disgusted.
"But it really was all in jest! Why can't you see that? I did not say anything worse than anyone in London would, and Georgie knows I love her and did not mean it. As for Miss Catherine, I grant you that her lack of exposure to the Ton explains her lack of understanding, but still, you should know better."
Darcy shook his head, "How could your young cousin know anything about your feelings when you never speak to her or her new sisters? How can you call this love? You have never given her any attention, and I certainly have seen no love or respect for any Darcy from you. Months ago your brother accused me of blindness and cruelty for some careless words I said to Elizabeth; what will he say to you for destroying the budding self-assurance his ward had finally managed to build? Make no mistake, I will not hide anything that could or has hurt Georgiana from Richard. I erred, but then I worked hard to regain my wife's trust; I do not believe you have the integrity or awareness to accept your guilt and work at it."
Moving to the door to indicate the conversation was reaching its conclusion, Darcy stared at his cousin before adding: "I have been out in the Ton for many years, and I have yet to hear such an unprovoked attack go unchallenged; you are lucky to be family as I would best you with either foils or pistols. I do not know the society you keep, but I want nothing to do with it, and neither should you. For Matlock to call your mistress a nasty, greedy thing, she must indeed be vile as your father is far more forgiving than I am; is this disdainful, mocking behaviour you have displayed since arriving a sign of her influence? If that is the type of people you wish to associate with, then do not come back to Pemberley or Darcy House. It is too late today for you to ride to your estate or your father's, but I expect you to leave soon after sunrise. I am serious when I say do not return unless you genuinely understand how hurtful you were today and are ready to grovel for Georgiana and Catherine's forgiveness."
Darcy turned and walked to the library where his wife was waiting for him.
Viscount Farley did not sleep that night, turning and returning the events of the day in his mind until, realising he would not slumber, he left his room to walk in the corridors of Pemberley. Mindlessly meandering while thinking about his behaviour of the past few weeks, Anthony found himself standing in the portrait gallery; a life-size painting of Georgiana, completed only a year previously, caught his attention. The sweet countenance of his youngest cousin looked blankly at him in the pale light given by the moon, taking his mind back to Miss Catherine's sketch he had picked up and briefly studied after her angry departure from the music room.
He remained staring at his cousin's face for over half an hour before returning to his bedchamber, guilt filling his mind at the remembrance of the tears he had seen in her eyes as she ran out of the room. Out of Pemberley, just to avoid meeting him again.
Hours later, when the noises of moving servants signalled the start of the new day, the Viscount refreshed himself and quickly wrote a note and asked a passing footman to ensure Darcy would receive it as soon as he was up. Anthony would wait for his cousin in the library, a room he had always felt comfortable in, at least he did when he was younger and still spent time in activities other than gambling, drinking or patronising paid women.
"How badly was she hurt, William?" He asked as soon as his cousin arrived.
Darcy walked further into the room and sat in his favourite chair before answering. "You look terrible, Anthony. If that is from a sleepless night, I must admit I am glad - you deserve it. Georgie was crushed by your words. Richard and your mother are aware of an incident last year, where my sister was targeted by a fortune-hunter, a wastrel who would not have made her a good husband had he succeeded; you do not need the details, but when he was exposed, the man told her he had never loved her as he pretended as she was an awkward, ugly child. Under the influence of Elizabeth's sisters, she had been regaining her confidence and her liveliness. I do not yet know how much damage your words have done, but I suspect it is a lot."
"Why did you not tell me? I know Rich is her guardian and not me, but I am her cousin too and I care about her."
"You never showed any sign of caring. We hardly saw you last summer, as you preferred the company of your gambling friends to your family." Darcy shrugged.
Farley simply nodded. "I had no idea. I thought I had reached my lowest point when I wrote the note asking you to join me, but it appears I can sink lower still. I want to talk to Georgie, Darce. I won't hurt her, I swear, but I don't want to leave like that."
Darcy hesitated. "I will discuss this with Elizabeth, and if she feels it will help Georgie, we will talk to her; the decision to hear your apologies will be hers and hers only. I do not make any promise, but I suppose you can stay at Pemberley until we decide either way."
Anthony stood and walked to the window, staring out in the direction of the dower house, even though it was not visible from the main house. He spoke quietly, his confidence all but gone. "I understand. And I guess I need to apologise to Miss Catherine Bennet too; quite a fiery little thing that one, and with a decent hand for drawing if yesterday's discarded effort is anything to judge by. Perhaps I can talk to both of them at the same time, that way you know if I mess up, there will be someone to take me to task.