The Companion Read online

  “No, it is not,” replied Anne, distracted by what her cousin had told her. “She thinks him arrogant, conceited, condescending, and above his company, and by that I mean her and those from her home in particular.”

  Fitzwilliam chortled. “How very accurate a picture she has of him!”

  “He is a good man in essentials,” said Anne, glaring at her cousin. “I do not know him well, and even I know that.”

  “Yes, he is. He never sets out to offend, but somehow he manages it nonetheless. I know not what is in their past, but it is clear she does not see him in quite the same light in which he sees her.” Fitzwilliam laughed and shook his head. “Ah, well, I suppose it does not truly signify. It is not as if she possesses the necessary allurements to knock him from his high horse. I have no doubt it shall all come to naught.”

  As the carriage was almost ready, Fitzwilliam moved away to speak to the coachman, and Darcy soon joined them. Shortly after, Elizabeth exited the inn and joined Anne while they waited. Anne eyed her friend, wondering at the intelligence she had just gained. Elizabeth did not favor Darcy it was true, but Anne wondered how much of that disapprobation was grounded in misunderstanding.

  “Are you well, Anne?” asked Elizabeth after they had stood there for a few moments.

  “I am very well, Elizabeth,” replied Anne. “I am anticipating this new facet of my life keenly. I do not doubt we shall be happy in London.”

  “I am sure you will be,” replied Elizabeth, and Anne did not miss Elizabeth’s use of the word “you.”

  As they entered the carriage and it departed, Anne turned her head to the problem. It was clear Elizabeth meant to return to her uncle’s house when they arrived in London, and from there it was no leap to assume she would leave for her father’s house soon after. Anne had become quite accustomed to her new friend’s close association and society, and she was loath to lose Elizabeth now.

  Furthermore, given what she had learned of Darcy’s feelings for Elizabeth, Anne wondered if Elizabeth could be softened toward him. Perhaps it was a hopeless cause, but Anne wished for the best for her friend, and from what she knew of Elizabeth’s situation, what could be better than a marriage to a wealthy man who adored her? The benefit of having Darcy removed from consideration as Anne’s future husband did not escape her either—if that happened, perhaps Anne could finally come to an accommodation with her mother.

  There must be some way to keep Elizabeth with her, and Anne decided to do whatever she could to bring it about. She would not descend to any blatant matchmaking, but if the opportunity existed to improve Elizabeth’s understanding of Darcy, she would not allow it to pass by.

  Chapter XIV

  As the bustle of the city began to make itself known beyond the confines of the carriage, Elizabeth allowed herself to feel a sigh of relief. She had truly treasured her time in Kent and specifically in Anne’s company, but it was time for her to begin thinking about returning to her home.

  The carriage clattered on, unheeding of Elizabeth’s introspection, and as they began to pass through the outer reaches of London, she began to see evidence of the city. The avenue through which they traveled was broad and busy. Other carriages both plainer and more opulent than Mr. Darcy’s shared the road with horses and carts, as well as the constant traffic of those individuals swiftly walking on errands, or the trudge of laborers, indifferent to their surroundings. On one street corner, a young boy cried out the headlines of the day’s paper, brandishing one as if it were a weapon. On another corner, she saw two matrons speaking earnestly to each other, their frequent darting glances toward a nearby alley suggesting they were sharing some sort of gossip.

  The streets grew ever cleaner and soon trees lined the sides, swaying in the spring breeze, their summer buds providing the greenery of which Elizabeth was so fond in the middle of the barren city. All at once, Elizabeth realized they were likely heading toward Mr. Darcy’s home, for she had never seen such buildings as they were now passing. Furthermore, Mr. Darcy had not asked her for the directions to her uncle’s house, and though she was not certain why the matter had not been raised, she felt it time to do so.

  “My uncle’s house is near Cheapside, as you may remember,” said Elizabeth, looking at Mr. Darcy and unable to keep the hint of challenge from her voice. “They are not expecting me today, but I am certain it will be no trouble for them to receive me.”

  “Yes, I do remember,” said Mr. Darcy without a hint of an adverse reaction visible to Elizabeth’s eyes. “But I would be pleased if you would accept my hospitality, Miss Bennet. You have done so much for Anne—unless I am very much mistaken, I believe she is loath to part from you.”

  “Oh, please do, Elizabeth,” added Anne, turning her beseeching eyes on Elizabeth. “You have my apologies for not considering the matter before, but I would be pleased if you would continue to stay with me for a time.” Anne flashed Elizabeth a grin. “You were still not to return to your uncle’s house for some time yet, as I recall.”

  “It is another week before he expects me,” replied Elizabeth, “but I also believe it must be time for me to return. Do you not wish to be among family at this time?”

  “I hope my cousins will take no offense,” said Anne, “but I believe I will appreciate your company as much as theirs.”

  “And my sister is in town at present, Miss Bennet,” said Mr. Darcy. “I believe she will be pleased to make your acquaintance.”

  “Georgiana is a sweet and gentle girl, and I am certain you will like her very much,” added Anne. “Please, do say you will stay with us.”

  Elizabeth was having a hard time following their conversation, and it appeared as if they had previously planned to ambush her with their entreaties to stay, much though she knew it was a silly notion. The idea of staying with Anne was appealing, as was the thought of meeting the infamous Georgiana Darcy. Unfortunately, staying with Mr. Darcy was not quite so inviting, though Elizabeth chastised herself with the thought—Mr. Darcy was not so bad as she had originally thought, and she was still required to remind herself of the fact on numerous occasions.

  “Will you not consider it, Miss Bennet?” asked Mr. Darcy. “We would be very happy to have you.”

  “I would not wish to be an imposition,” said Elizabeth, thinking of her stay with Jane the previous autumn at Netherfield. “My sister Jane is staying with my uncle as well, and I wish to be reunited with her. I am certain I may see you frequently, even if I am not staying in the same house.”

  “I assure you, Miss Bennet, that it is no imposition,” said Mr. Darcy. “We might just as easily say that you may see your sister frequently if you stay with us, though I do not suppose we are nearly as dear to you as your sister.”

  Mr. Darcy’s words were spoken in earnest, and Elizabeth almost believed him, had it not been for his instantaneous look of discomfort when Elizabeth mentioned Jane. As it was, she wondered at it, wondered how involved he had been with Mr. Bingley’s abandonment of Jane. He had said he had not seen Jane in town since her coming in January, but had he known of it nonetheless?

  “Please, Elizabeth,” said Anne, giving her no time to ruminate on the subject of Mr. Darcy, Jane, and Mr. Bingley. “If only for a few days, I would appreciate your presence to help me settle into Darcy’s house. We would all be grateful to have you.”

  “I suppose I might be persuaded,” replied Elizabeth, though slowly. “But I should write to my uncle and request his permission. Even if he is not expecting me back yet, he still believes me to be in Kent.”

  “Then it is settled,” said Mr. Darcy. “If you will write your letter upon our arrival, I will dispatch a footman with your letter and instruct him to await a response.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Darcy,” said Elizabeth.

  Anne squealed and embraced her. “We shall have so much fun, Elizabeth! And Georgiana will no doubt be happy to make your acquaintance, and I would like to meet your sister and your family too. I am anticipati
ng your continued society very much!”

  As Anne continued to extol the benefits of Elizabeth’s continued companionship, Elizabeth happened to notice Colonel Fitzwilliam looking at her with evident fondness. When he noticed Elizabeth’s scrutiny, the colonel smiled and nodded in thanks, and Elizabeth returned it. She had not done anything so especially praiseworthy, Elizabeth thought—she had been given the opportunity to provide friendship to Anne, and she had done it without hesitation. Anyone might have done the same.

  The house before which the carriage halted was large and impressive, three stories rising from the street, with a drive and a massive façade which spoke to the affluence of its owner. The carriage was immediately attended to by several footmen, who began the tasks of securing the conveyance for its removal to the stables and the unloading of Elizabeth and Anne’s trunks. Assisted by the gentlemen, Anne and Elizabeth stepped down and were led into the house.

  On the inside, it was not any less impressive. The entrance hall was spacious, the décor was elegant but not especially formal, and there were two long halls leading in opposite directions to the separate wings of the house, as well as a large stairway to the second floor. They were introduced to the housekeeper and butler, both solid and dependable sorts of people, who immediately set about making certain Elizabeth and Anne were welcome.

  “Miss Darcy is engaged in her lessons at present, Mr. Darcy,” said Mrs. Mayson, the housekeeper. “Shall I have her summoned?”

  “No, that is not necessary. Let us get the ladies settled and perhaps rested, and then I will introduce Georgiana to Miss Bennet’s acquaintance.”

  “Very good, sir.” Mrs. Mayson turned to Elizabeth and Anne. “If you ladies will follow me, I will show you to your rooms.”

  They climbed the stairs following the housekeeper, while Mr. Darcy stayed behind to speak with the butler. Of the colonel, Elizabeth could see no immediate sign. As they walked, the housekeeper spoke, ostensibly to inform them of their new situation, but Elizabeth thought it was mostly to put them at their ease.

  “I have given you the room next to Miss Darcy’s, Miss de Bourgh, and Miss Bennet has been placed on your other side. I understand that you and the lady are friends, so I am sure you will be comfortable with the other close at hand.”

  “I am certain we will, thank you,” said Anne. For her part, Elizabeth wondered if her placement in what was obviously the family wing would be completely acceptable to Mr. Darcy. But his housekeeper would surely not put her there if she thought the master would disapprove, so she decided it was unlikely he would object.

  “I will ensure your maids are directed to your rooms as soon as they enter the house,” continued Mrs. Mayson. “There is wash water for your use, and the beds have been turned over, in case you would like to nap before you rejoin the family.”

  “Might I ask for some paper to write to my uncle?” asked Elizabeth. “Mr. Darcy mentioned sending a footman to his address, for I need to ensure my uncle is aware of my change of plans.”

  “Of course, Miss Bennet. There is paper on the desk in the room. Feel free to make use of it and simply summon a servant to convey it to me—I will ensure it is sent to your uncle at once.”

  “Thank you,” replied Elizabeth.

  She was led to a set of rooms which consisted of a sitting-room, a bedchamber, and a large dressing room, the likes of which Elizabeth was certain would hold all her clothes, as well as every article each of her sisters possessed in their own wardrobes. The rooms were decorated in a mixture of soft pastels and darker blues, and Elizabeth thought either a man or a woman would be comfortable in it. The bed was large—as large as the one in which she had slept at Rosings—but the furniture, though still fine, was not nearly so gaudy as that she had seen at Rosings. Clearly either Mr. Darcy or his parents possessed different taste in furnishings from Lady Catherine’s preferences.

  She took her leave from Anne, noting her friend already looking at the bed in her room with evident intent, and she realized that as much as her own day had been trying, it had been so much more emotional for Anne. She would sleep for a time, and no doubt it would do her good.

  For herself, Elizabeth washed quickly and, when Tilly appeared with her trunks, welcomed a change of clothes. Then she sat down and composed a short letter to her uncle and arranged for its disposition. When those tasks were complete, Elizabeth turned to her own bed, realizing how weary she felt. She was soon resting on the counterpane, and though she might have thought her mind would be full of all that had happened, she soon fell into a restful slumber.

  It was perhaps two hours later when Elizabeth awoke, and for a moment she was disoriented, wondering where she was. Her memory soon flooded back, and the sound of a carriage moving past her window spoke to her new location in London. She rose from the bed and stepped to the window. Looking out, she noted that her room was situated at the front of the house, from whence she could see the street on which Mr. Darcy’s house sat. There was little traffic, naught but a carriage or two, and the avenues, as she had noted before, were wide and well-maintained. In the distance down the street, she noticed an area which teemed with the growth of tall trees and lush grasses and, given Mr. Darcy’s wealth and the path they had taken through the city, she wondered if it was the famed Hyde Park. The beauty of that bit of nature in the middle of a city called to Elizabeth, and she longed to sample the delights which awaited her.

  Tamping down on her eagerness, Elizabeth turned to the dressing room and, noting that Tilly was not there, stepped to a low vanity and tied her hair in a simple knot. Then, satisfied with her appearance and noting that her dress had not received an abundance of wrinkles because of her nap, she stepped from the room and made her way to Anne’s.

  Her friend was just waking from her nap when Elizabeth stepped in, and they exchanged happy greetings. Elizabeth rang for Laura, and Anne’s appearance was soon repaired from her short nap; she proved eager to descend and greet her young cousin, whom, she informed Elizabeth, she had not seen in some time.

  “You will like Georgiana very well, indeed,” said Anne as they left the room and made their way toward the stairs. “She is quite shy, but once you become her friend, she will talk your ears off.”

  “And you have firsthand knowledge of this?” asked Elizabeth playfully. She was thinking of Mr. Wickham’s description of the girl and wondering if it would prove to be a true likeness.

  “I have not been in her company often, but when I have, we have been friends.” Anne made a face. “Of course, we were forced to be circumspect when in my mother’s company—Georgiana is quite terrified of her, and I suppose you will apprehend that if I became too friendly with her, my mother would press Darcy even further.”

  Elizabeth laughed. “I can well imagine it. You have given her quite the recommendation. I cannot wait to make her acquaintance.”

  They descended the stairs where they were met by Mrs. Mayson. “The master and Miss Darcy are in the sitting-room, waiting for your attendance. And Miss Bennet, a reply has come from your uncle.”

  Mrs. Mayson produced a letter from a pocket in her gown and passed it to Elizabeth, who received it gratefully. She then turned and led them down the hall and Elizabeth, eager to hear from Mr. Gardiner, opened it as they walked, reading his short missive and nodding to herself with satisfaction.

  “Your uncle has given his permission?” asked Anne quietly as they walked.

  All Elizabeth could manage was a nod, for they were soon led into the sitting-room. Mr. Darcy was there, as the housekeeper had told them, and seated by his side were two ladies. The first was young, about sixteen years of age, tall and willowy, and she was possessed of a handsome face which bore some resemblance to Mr. Darcy. The other lady was some years older than Mr. Darcy and sat by Miss Darcy with an air of watchfulness. Elizabeth thought she must be the girl’s companion.

  Though Elizabeth had not allowed herself to think of Georgiana Darcy much, if she had examined her
feelings she would have felt herself rather ambivalent about the prospect of being introduced to her, notwithstanding Anne’s recommendation. Part of this was undoubtedly due to Mr. Wickham’s words which, though she was not certain could be trusted, had given her an initial poor opinion of the girl, supported by her poor opinion of Mr. Darcy. However, even more than this, Elizabeth realized that Miss Bingley had set Miss Darcy up as a rival to Jane. Considering Jane’s heartbreak over Mr. Bingley’s defection, Elizabeth’s approval was hardly guaranteed.

  But as she and Anne entered the room to Mr. Darcy’s welcome, and the two ladies rose to greet them, Elizabeth noted the look of trepidation and the way the girl’s eyes stayed on the floor, and the encouragement offered by the other lady. The introductions were completed and those newly acquainted made their curtseys to each other, but in all that time Miss Darcy did not look up at Elizabeth’s face even once. Within two minutes, Elizabeth was convinced that Mr. Wickham had misrepresented the girl at best—or lied at worst—and that Miss Darcy was only exceedingly shy. As for the other matter of Jane and Mr. Bingley, Elizabeth decided not to hold it against Miss Darcy—if the girl was fond of Mr. Bingley, Elizabeth could hardly blame her for her feelings.

  They sat down to visit and become acquainted, which turned out to be a difficult prospect. Miss Darcy rarely spoke two words together, most of her responses tending toward monosyllables. Mr. Darcy attempted to coax her to speak, and Anne spoke with her in a friendly manner which prompted a response, but with Elizabeth, she could not be induced to be anything other than reserved.

  “I see you have a letter, Miss Bennet,” said Mr. Darcy after they had sat for some moments. “Might we assume that permission has been granted for your stay?”