Page 32 of Leave Her Wild
The colonel had joined them for supper, and his sister had spent the evening practicing dancing with one or the other of them, while Mrs. Annesley played on the small pianoforte. Darcy had laughed as Georgiana attempted to correct their purposeful mistakes, until she realized he and Fitzwilliam had been teasing her.
“You must play for us, Georgie,” his cousin had instructed as he poured himself a splash of brandy into a glass. “Darcy and I adore listening to you play.”
Mrs. Annesley relinquished the instrument, and Georgiana rushed to do their cousin’s bidding. “Does Miss Bennet play?” his sister asked as she searched through the stack of music sheets.
“No,” Darcy answered. “At least, not in the way you mean. The lady is capable of performing, but she is not proficient. None of the Bennet sisters had a governess. Mrs. Bennet simply permitted them to pursue what most suited their natures.”
“Then none of them play?” Georgiana asked with a frown.
“Miss Mary appears to prefer the pianoforte,” Fitzwilliam explained. “When she first played for us, it was, how do I say this kindly . . .”
“Torture,” Darcy supplied. “She attacked the keys.”
“But something happened the night Mr. Bennet and Miss Elizabeth and Miss Mary did not attend the supper at Lucas Lodge. When we returned, it was quite magical how Miss Mary and Miss Elizabeth entertained us the next day.”
“Miss Elizabeth?” Georgiana asked. “I must learn which is which beforehand.”
Fitzwilliam explained what Darcy could not for fear his voice would relay his growing feelings for Elizabeth Bennet. “Miss Jane Bennet is the eldest and the most fair of face. Taller than the others as well. Blonde of head and eyes of blue.”
Darcy wished to add the words “empty” and “dull” to his cousin’s description, but all he said was, “the ideal of the English countryside.”
“And Miss Mary?” Georgiana asked.
“The third sister,” Fitzwilliam said as he joined Georgiana on the bench before the instrument. “A bit mousy. Her hair is unremarkable. Nice eyes, but they are hidden by spectacles. Kind of heart, but possesses a bit of mettle in her backbone. Quotes Fordyce’s too often, but she should make Mr. Ericks a fine wife.”
“Our Mr. Ericks?” Georgiana asked. “You did not tell me, William.”
“The Bennets’ uncle is married to Samuel Ericks’s younger sister Madelyn. I realize you likely do not recall the woman, for she and her mother left the area when I was, about sixteen or seventeen. Mrs. Gardiner was the only daughter after several sons to the late Mr. Ericks,” he explained. “Miss Elizabeth says her sister Mary and Ericks have been presented with permission by Mr. Bennet to correspond. Though no proposal has been spoken, an assumption of one remains.”
“That would be pleasant not only for Mr. Ericks to claim the rectory and a wife, but also for your Miss Bennet, William, to have her sister so close,” Georgiana observed.
“Ericks would be a good match for Miss Mary,” Darcy replied. “Ericks would have a wife who could assist him in tending to those in the parish.”
“Who else, Colonel?” Georgiana demanded.
“There is Miss Catherine, who the family affectionately calls ‘Kitty.’ She is the fourth daughter. The girl loves her fashion plates, but not in a ‘silly’ manner. She possesses an excellent eye for design and style. I understand she will make Miss Bennet’s wedding dress so, at the wedding, you will see what I mean. Sheis the closest to your age. Bubbly. Blonde like her elder sister. Blue-green eyes.”
“Miss Jane Bennet, Miss Mary, and Miss Catherine,” Georgiana repeated. “Who did you omit?”
“Miss Elizabeth,” Darcy said before Fitzwilliam could respond.
“The second sister?” Georgiana asked.
Darcy could not answer. Fitzwilliam must have understood for he quickly added, “A spitfire. Miss Elizabeth, as she likes to remind everyone, was to be the son to inherit her father’s estate. While Mrs. Bennet caters to her eldest, Miss Elizabeth is the product of her father’s influence. She is better read than many Cambridge and Oxford scholars, knows a great deal about estate management and crops, but she also possesses the voice of an angel, would you not say, Darcy?’
“Agreed,” he murmured as the image of the woman rising from the floor the last night he had spent at Longbourn easily formed in his memory. “My sister is of such a sweet nature, I am confident she shall forgive all your transgressions. I, on the other hand, owe you nothing of the sort. I shall never forgive your unkind thoughts and words regarding Jane.”
“That is four daughters,” Georgiana said, “and Miss Bennet will be the first to marry, as is appropriate.”
The colonel shot a look of concern to Darcy, “You did not tell her?”
“Tell me what?” Georgiana looked to Darcy in concern.
“There is a fifth sister,” he said as he rose. “The youngest, Miss Lydia Bennet, was made to marry a man who compromised her. The man was part of the militia stationed in the nearby village. She was only fifteen when she became Mrs. George Wickham.”
“I cannot see him again,” Georgiana pleaded, tears immediately forming in her eyes as the colonel pulled her intohis embrace. “You cannot think of making Mr. Wickham your brother.”
While his sister continued to cling to their cousin, Darcy made her a solemn promise. “I was unaware of the situation when I made my proposal, and, obviously, Miss Bennet could not know of our family history with Wickham when she accepted my offer. If I call off, not only is Miss Lydia ruined, but so will be Miss Bennet, more so, for at least Miss Lydia was made to marry. The Wickhams live in Newcastle where Mr. Wickham has purchased a lieutenancy in the Regulars.
