Sufficient Encouragement Refresh– Chapter Seventeen

It’s time to get back to refreshing this series!

Previous Chapters: One / Two / Three / Four / Five / Six / Seven / Eight / Nine / Ten / Eleven / Twelve / Thirteen / Fourteen / Fifteen / Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Plans were made for Arlington to accompany the Bingleys and Darcys. As such, he was surprised to receive a message from Darcy two days before the intended departure date.

Arlington,

Bingley has determined he must go to Hertfordshire early as there will now be additional guests. He has requested I join him when he leaves on the morrow. You know I am going for his sake. I entrust Georgiana to your care.

Arlington chuckled as he read the missive. Everyone knew a housekeeper that oversaw the arrangement of things before Bingley resided in the house could certainly handle two additional guests. Bingley was eager to see his Miss Bennet, and it was plain to see Darcy had an equally fervent desire to return. He hoped his cousin was not lusting over a woman that seemed spoken for. He knew Darcy to be too loyal to act on his desires and harm a friend, but the heart wanted what it wanted.

****

Elizabeth looked over the afternoon post with greedy eyes, snatched Miss Darcy’s letter from the tray, and ran upstairs. Quickly scanning its contents brought immediate relief. Darcy arrived on the previous Saturday, and they would have left for Netherfield again this very morning, but his doctor recommended waiting a few more days as Darcy’s cold had returned. Bingley, his sisters, and his brother-in-law were to return as well. Elizabeth could hardly believe it.

She let out a sigh. She had not lost Jane’s chance with Mr. Bingley because of her imprudent treatment of Darcy. More than that, she was coming to realise she may wish to know more of that enigmatic man himself. Mr. Collins’s proposal had made Elizabeth face a reality for which she was unprepared. She was surprised when her father had only reluctantly supported her refusal, and in general, he was behaving oddly of late. Even he took notice of Mr. Bingley’s absence and now spent many evenings with the officers.

For all Elizabeth’s boasting, she had not met with many gentlemen. There were few in her own neighbourhood. Bingley was pleasing but suited someone like her sister. Mr. Wickham was too…something. Mr. Collins was entirely out of the question. And Mr. Darcy was…not as repulsive as he was only a few weeks ago. Knowing of his admiration soothed her vanity and inspired her gratitude. She was coming to see he even had his kind moments, and they could feel alike at times. Perhaps it was foolish to dismiss him so quickly from the offence of one night and a taciturn, reserved nature.

More than the logic of it all, she wished for her own sake to know more of him. She had been wrong. She thought he held her in contempt. Instead, he admired her. Now she wished to know the true him.

These thoughts were all the more fervent as she considered how upset she was over Charlotte’s acceptance of Mr. Collins’s proposal. Elizabeth considered again the potential for Georgiana to be led astray by her friends or simply by societal pressures and expectations. It was likely too forward, but she poured her heart out to her new friend. It reminded her of the kinds of letters she would send her aunt Gardiner when she was at such an age. Mrs. Gardiner was less than ten years older than her, and while Elizabeth did not have quite that claim on seniority over Georgiana or the intimacy, she sensed the girl needed feminine guidance.

While Elizabeth and Jane were out of sorts over the absence of the Netherfield party, although neither spoke more of it, and their father acted peculiarly, the remainder of their family behaved as much as they ever had. Mr. Wickham had become a favourite of all the others, including her father. Wickham frequently called and was requested to stay for dinner. Elizabeth was relieved, however, that she was not the sole object of his attention. He played many games of chess with her father in the library. Fond of the game herself, they engaged in a few matches of their own. There was little doubting he was a gifted strategist. When they would meet in the drawing room, he no longer spoke of Darcy but instead confined the topic to books, news, and music. Still, his conversation was somehow wanting. He was pleasant, perhaps too deliberately pleasant, but not exactly intriguing.

Georgiana had indicated that she and the others would arrive on Friday. All letters were consigned to the regular post now and Elizabeth expected no reply to her last missive. She admitted to feeling a twinge of trepidation over meeting the younger girl. Her letters proved her to have a pleasant disposition, and her brother characterised her as nearly shy, but Elizabeth had heard from Bingley’s sisters and even Wickham about Miss Darcy’s talents.

The afternoon before the expected arrival, Elizabeth was walking the lane just beyond Longbourn when she recognised a familiar posture on a horse. In the instant before he greeted her, she wondered how she became so acquainted with Mr. Darcy that she could make out his figure from a distance when she had only seen him mounted on one occasion.

“Miss Bennet!” he called out before she had a moment to answer her own internal questioning. He directed the horse towards her.

“Mr. Darcy.” She smiled and curtsied. “Miss Darcy’s letter indicated you all would not be arriving until tomorrow.”

He dismounted before speaking. “She was correct. Bingley and I left this morning, however, as he had some matter with the butler and housekeeper to discuss.”

Elizabeth raised her eyebrows in question, and Darcy provided the answer. “Amongst other things, he needed to request that an additional room be readied as one of my cousins will be staying with us through the holidays.”

This accounted for him not bringing Georgiana with him. Surely he trusted his cousin, but she had not thought they meant to stay in the area so long. “You will not spend Christmas in Town? Or at your estate with your family?”

Darcy stiffened a bit. “Georgiana and I generally celebrate alone.”

Elizabeth perceived he needed a lighter mood. She said smilingly, “You can be assured you will not be left to your own devices here. My mother, amongst others in the area, has lived their whole lives wishing to display their accomplished holiday meals to someone of your consequence.” As always, the reminder of his position discomfited her.

“For my sister and cousin’s sake, I will attend every festivity.”

She smiled, and a quiet descended between them. “Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth began at last, “I wish to thank you for the kindness I believe you have done to my sister, Jane. When we last discussed the matter, I had believed you disposed to think ill of a match between her and Mr. Bingley, and I did fear when the entire Netherfield party left that you had wanted him away.”

He stepped closer to her. “I was inclined to think so at first, but I was afforded a moment of clarity. Did you not say love took time to bloom?”

“Thank you then for suggesting your friend return, for I am certain you will see the love between Jane and Mr. Bingley grow.”

He blinked in apparent confusion and shook his head slightly. “Yes, I think you may be correct.” He looked at her steadfastly again before abruptly asking, “May I escort you home?”

“Thank you, but you must be tired from your journey, and your sister would never forgive me if I caused you yet another cold.”

“Fear not, I am entirely well.”

She looked closely at him. “You are fatigued. Take care, sir.” She waved at him and turned before he could argue again.

*****

At the appointed hour, Arlington arrived at Darcy House to ride with Georgiana to Hertfordshire. Although he kept no coach, Darcy had one in town. He had gone in Bingley’s chaise while Miss Bingley and the Hursts would go in their own. Or so Arlington had thought. He was surprised, however, when he was taken to the drawing room and found a young lady seated with Georgiana.

“James,” Georgie said nervously and introduced the other lady as Miss Bingley.

“Dear Georgiana was so gracious as to invite me to ride with her. She desired female companionship and Mr. Hurst’s carriage makes three crowded.”

“I see,” he replied. He did see. She had heard that a viscount would be accompanying Georgiana and hoped to insinuate herself in the situation.

“I am sure your carriage would be even larger, but there is no need for us to have that much space.”

She stood and selected a few grapes from the refreshments laid out on a table across the room. Arlington recognized the activity for what it undoubtedly was. Her figure was displayed to its best advantage when walking, and she meant for him to notice. Attempting to not roll his eyes, he instead took in Georgiana’s pale face. “I actually have no carriage. Did you eat, Georgie?”

“No. I never eat before a journey.”

“Then we had better leave as soon as possible so you may refresh yourself when we arrive.”

“Have no fear of that,” Miss Bingley said returning to her friend. “The housekeeper has specific instructions about the meal and rooms. Your brother was so good to go ahead and make sure everything was to your liking.”

The butler then arrived telling them the carriage was ready. Arlington took a deep breath, quelling the strength to bear with such a grasping lady for the next several hours. As they gathered in the hall, Georgiana spoke with the butler about something and Miss Bingley whispered to him.

“I understand you have not travelled much with her before. She often feels ill when not facing the road. If you will forgive the impertinence of not allowing your lordship to choose the better seat, I think Georgiana should take it.”

Her words startled him. He had planned on giving the ladies the better seat in any case, but her obvious concern for Georgiana was unexpected. Her eyes continued to watch her younger friend.

“And perhaps we ought to stop more often than usual.”

Arlington nodded his head but inwardly he was assessing the lady at his elbow. She came from trade but must be worth nearly as much as Georgiana. She was past the first bloom of youth but still handsome. Her dress suggested she hoped to look of the first circles of Society. A gentleman of Darcy’s family legacy or a title such as his own would be a tempting catch for her.

Still, she might have married earlier in life. Darcy seemed to believe she always hung on his arm, but this lady was too intelligent to hang every hope on marrying her brother’s friend when he had maintained indifference for so many years. Arlington, however, was fresh meat and yet she did not seem to be circling too much to prey. In fact, she seemed resigned. He had no doubt she would offer the usual compliments to a peer and attempt to gain his notice, but she did not seem to have real feeling behind it. She only played a part, as much as he did.

Before he could allow the startling dual revelations too much time in his head, he called Georgiana away from the servant and escorted the ladies to the carriage. In a matter of minutes, they were on their way. Georgiana soon squeezed her eyes shut to stave off a headache. At first, Miss Bingley was silent, but at last, she spoke quietly.

“I will not pretend to you, Lord Arlington, that I am happy to be going back to Hertfordshire.”

“Will you return to London after Christmas?” He only intended to stay for a few weeks and imagined few things worse than being trapped in a country house for the winter.

Miss Bingley sighed. “I suppose that is up to Charles. Usually, he takes my feelings into consideration so much but…” she trailed off and motioned at the window, “here we are.”

“Here we are,” he vacantly replied. And then, simply because he was bored, he smiled his most charming smile. “How shall you spend your time, Miss Bingley? Do you need recommendations for activity?”

Her eyes grew large as she understood his deeper meaning. Of course, he would not actually proposition her, she was a lady and his host’s sister. It was merely fun to tease. He waited for the shock to give way to pleasure as was usually the case but any feeling soon left her eyes. She returned to her falsely blank exterior and cleared her throat.

“Will you stay until Parliament returns or will you spend the Holidays with the earl and countess?”

Arlington shuddered. He would rather fall off a cliff than spend holidays at the family estate. “I have no fixed plans. I will see what my business determines.”

“Men are fortunate. They can travel as they wish.”

“Indeed,” he said but considered his brother who now resided with their parents and would be spending Christmas in Yorkshire. Richard had been a soldier for most of his life. The only travel he had done was to the Spanish Peninsula.

They said little else and their journey was without incident. At the first stop, they encountered Mr. and Mrs. Hurst. The other lady seemed to bring out more liveliness in Miss Bingley. Georgiana continued to feel unwell, but he could see she did not appreciate too much attention. He chose to take her at her word when she declared she was well. Displaying his trust, he was rewarded later when she admitted she was fatigued and thought returning to the road would be best rather than prolong the journey. After that, the other stops had a better air of efficiency about them.

At last, they arrived at Netherfield. It was a large, handsome building. Darcy and Bingley greeted them on the steps.

“Georgiana, are you well?” Darcy asked when he took in her pale face. He cast an accusing eye on Arlington.

“I only need refreshment and rest. James took excellent care of me,” she said, and Darcy visibly relaxed.

“Of course,” Arlington said succinctly and led her inside.

Miss Bingley came to life in a flurry of activity as the hostess and Arlington never would have imagined she had no desire to be there. He saw, too, as the act she put forward included flattery to Darcy and coddling of Georgiana.

“When will we meet the Miss Bennets?” Georgiana asked as they all sat in the drawing room eating a cold luncheon.

“I can hardly imagine why you would be in such a rush to meet them. Whatever your brother must have told you of them must hardly be complimentary,” Miss Bingley said leaving Arlington to conclude she did not approve of her brother’s attachment.

“Indeed! The whole family is noisy and loud! Such uncivilized manners!” Mrs. Hurst chimed in.

“Do you think two days’ time ought to be sufficient, Darcy?” Bingley ignored his sisters’ remarks like the affable chap he was.

“You can hardly call on them on Sunday,” Darcy said.

“Why not have the ladies here?” Arlington suggested. If he was meant to determine a lady’s feelings, seeing her reaction to the possibility of her future home would be beneficial.

“A splendid idea, Arlington!” Bingley seemed to find his voice around him now that it involved an intention to see Miss Bennet and tell her the longings of his heart…eventually. “Caroline, will you write them at once? I recall they may need advance notice to arrange matters with their carriage.”

“Yes, with the horses on the farm,” Caroline sneered.

Arlington watched Miss Bingley in fascination. Who was this woman with so many faces? Which was the true her and why was she so attractive? Disliking the train of his thoughts, he stood and quickly excused himself. In the safety of his room, he wondered if madness over Claire’s death was finally consuming him. Why should the harpy interest him? He knew little of her but that she dogged Darcy’s steps for half a decade.