Page 22 of To Go Against Her Heart
“My cousin does prefer staying in Pemberley, but this year, he has promised to spend more time in town,” Richard said.
During supper, Darcy could see that Mr. Harrington made an apparent effort to prove to the company that he was very much in love with his wife. Though his sentiments seemed genuine, Darcy sensed something insincere in how he hovered over his wife.
“Miss Darcy, my sister and I plan on visiting a couple of shops tomorrow to order a few dresses. We would be delighted if you could join us. I am certain your brother can spare you for a few hours,” Mrs. Harrington asked.
Georgiana dreaded spending time with them alone and had rarely accompanied anyone apart from her aunt for shopping.
Darcy looked at his aunt, sensing Georgiana’s discomfort.
“I can accompany you, Georgiana, if you wish to go,” Lady Matlock said, and Georgiana agreed. Darcy was not thrilled about his sister spending time with women who had littleto offer beyond fashion and general gossip. But he did not want to deprive Georgiana of the chance to move into society and understand the world. His mind immediately circled to Elizabeth, and his heart yearned for his sister to meet the woman who had impressed him in more ways than one. He could not understand why she so persistently filled his thoughts, though he had supposed that a departure from Hertfordshire would bring relief. His reflections were soon interrupted by Mr. Kingston, who addressed him.
“I heard you recently traveled to Hertfordshire, Fitzwilliam. Did you enjoy your time there?” he asked.
“It was a short visit; I was there to assist a friend with his estate,” he replied.
“Where in Hertfordshire?” Mr. Harrington interrupted, and Darcy perceived some uneasiness and alarm in his tone.
“Netherfield Park, my friend Mr. Bingley is leasing the estate,” he replied , observing the gentleman keenly.
“Have you been there, Mr. Harrington?” Richard asked with curiosity.
“No! I have not; I have never been there,” he said, visibly agitated. Both Richard and Darcy observed him gulping down his food with distress, even avoiding his wife for the next few minutes.
The night ended with Georgiana and the other women entertaining them with music. Darcy and Georgiana decided to spend the night there.
“If you do not wish to go tomorrow, you can always say so, Georgiana,” Darcy said to his sister before she retired.
“I am glad aunt is accompanying me; otherwise, I would not know how I would manage,” she confessed honestly.
“You must endeavor to overcome this; please do not be like me. I have allowed myself to find comfort in the company of my friends and family during gatherings, rather than make theeffort to form new acquaintances. Honestly, it has been my greatest failing, Georgiana. I did not realize how much it had impacted my perception in society until someone pointed it out to me. We must try not just for the sake of society but for ourselves; I am trying to make amends for my past failing.”
“Was it Miss Elizabeth?” Georgiana asked, much to Darcy’s surprise.
“Do not look surprised; she is all you have spoken about after your return. I wonder how she managed to convey this message to you; as you say, you can be very intimidating,” she said with a smile.
“Is that so?”
“Yes!”
“I assure you; she does not care whether I am intimidating or not. She did point it out quite frankly to me.”
“I would love to meet her, Fitzwilliam. Would it be too much to ask if I could accompany you on your next visit?” his sister asked earnestly.
“I do not plan on returning there in the near future, but if I do, I will be most happy to have you accompany me. I must mention that Bingley insisted on the same,” he said, witnessing the excitement on her face.
Later that night, Richard and Darcy sat in the study as usual for a chat.
“So, tell me, what are your thoughts on Mr. Harrington? You did seem to scrutinize the man,” Richard asked, taking a sip of whisky.
“I could not help it; something seems to be off with him.”
“Well! He does seem to shower his wife with compliments and attention without losing a chance; I bet it is one of the reasons to fall into your bad books.”
“I have no say in that, Richard. He does not come across as honest. Did you see how he reacted to your question about Hertfordshire?”
“I did; it looked odd. Whatever said, we must take lessons from him to suitably complement our future wives; it would greatly ensure our marital felicity,” he said with a smile.
Somehow, the mention of the future Mrs. Darcy immediately brought Elizabeth’s face to Darcy’s mind.
