Page 86 of Companions of Their Youth
“It is my singular gift,” the colonel said with a grin. “You admire her.”
“I do,” Darcy said simply. “She is intelligent, compassionate… And she helped me when I was at my worst.”
Fitzwilliam glanced at him in surprise. “What do you mean?”
Darcy’s jaw tightened. “I was planning on writing to you, but there have been more suspicious notes here at Netherfield.”
“What?” Fitzwilliam exclaimed loudly, causing his horse to rear slightly.
Darcy recounted the details of Elizabeth finding the first note tucked away in the book he had lent to her. The colonel listened without interruption. When Darcy finished, he whistled low. “And you never thought to tell me?”
“I had planned on it, but then you arrived without warning—and it is not as though we have had much time to speak privately.”
Fitzwilliam’s expression was sober. “Well. I look forward to meeting the paragon who cracked open your locked-up heart and made you stop pretending you could do everything yourself.”
Darcy gave a quiet snort of amusement. “Do not tease me, Richard.”
“I would never,” he said solemnly, then ruined the effect with a cheeky wink.
They turned down the final lane toward Longbourn, its hedgerows silvered with mist. As the house came into view, its chimneys just beginning to smoke, Darcy felt the tightness in his chest ease ever so slightly.
This must be what it feels like to have true friendship with someone who is not away at war all the time.
This visit was the first time Darcy had come to Longbourn and not been immediately overwhelmed by the chaos and noise that can come from a household of girls. Only Mr. Bennet and Elizabeth were awake, other than a few servants. They greeted the men warmly and showed them to the study.
“My cousin has a few more questions,” Darcy said.
“Then by all means, fire away,” said Mr. Bennet with a small wink at the military man, who grinned at the expression.
Fitzwilliam cleared his throat. “There is the matter of discipline. If Georgiana behaves inappropriately—violently, for instance—what sort of consequences might she expect?”
Mr. Bennet leaned back. “I have used physical discipline only a handful of times, and never in anger. Not something I prefer.”
“But in certain cases,” Elizabeth said carefully, “it may be warranted. She is old enough to know better. If she throws objects at people—particularly something like a chamber pot—a switching might remind her of the seriousness.”
Darcy nodded slowly. “Agreed. Only in cases of genuine harm. And never in anger. It must be measured and purposeful.”
Fitzwilliam asked several questions: would Georgiana go hungry? Would she be publicly shamed? Who would supervise her?
Both Bennets assured them that while Georgiana might be served unappetizing food as a consequence, she would never be denied nourishment or publicly humiliated.
At last, the matter was settled, and it was agreed that Georgiana would be brought to the Bennet’s home that afternoon. Mr. Bennet stood. “Will you stay for breakfast?”
They did, and over the meal, Mr. Bennet explained the situation to the family. Lydia, to everyone’s surprise, was most serious.
“I think it is a good idea,” she said, biting her toast. “I was selfish and spoiled before Papa put rules in place. I was not happy then—not really. I am now.”
Elizabeth met Darcy’s eyes across the table. He gave her a faint, grateful smile.
∞∞∞
Two hours later, Elizabeth stood at the window of the nursery, arms crossed and brow furrowed as she considered the layout of the room. The chamber was small but bright, its single bed already stripped in preparation. Lydia’s things were in the process of being moved down the stairs to Kitty’s bedroom, and Kitty was still giddy at the idea of having her sister back as a roommate.
“I shall like having company again,” Kitty said cheerfully as she carried a folded nightgown. “I do not care for sleeping alone—every creak makes me jump.”
Elizabeth managed a smile. “Let us hope Miss Darcy does not creak.”
Lydia trailed behind, slower and more contemplative than usual. “Does this mean I am out, now that I am no longer sleeping in the nursery?” she asked as they passed Mr. Bennet on the stairwell.
