Chapter Three

 

Cousin Richard came to Lonsdale House to visit his parents. Only Brother was closer to Georgie than Cousin Richard. Georgie more resembled her cousin than she did her brother. They both had the Fitzwilliam coloring: fair skin, blond hair and blue eyes. Cousin Richard was a few years older than Brother, he was not handsome but his manners were pleasing. He was a Colonel in his Majesty’s army, but he was assigned to the garrison and so had some flexibility in his duties.

One day, when they were alone in the drawing room, Georgie gathered her courage and said to him, “She is not dead, Thomas’ mother, I mean. Brother did not wish me to tell you but I can confide in no one else.”

Richard did not speak for many minutes. Despite his pleasing manner and soft expression, his time in the army had exposed him to the rougher side of life and he could be as hard as any of the men who served under him. Georgie was surprised to see him shocked by this information. “Do you know who she is?”

“No, but I am certain that she is from Hertfordshire. Brother was visiting Bingley’s house there at the right time. I think we are looking for a young lady with chestnut hair and hazel eyes.”

“A lady?”

“Yes, I am certain it is not a servant or someone in trade.”

“I can not believe Darcy would do that to a young lady. He would offer marriage to her.”

“I agree and yet he is not married to her.”

Richard stroked his chin. “I can send someone to make inquiries, discreetly of course.”

“I would be grateful if you would, though we must not let Brother know what we are doing.”

“I do not see a problem with that. He seems to have turned his back to the world outside of Pemberley.” Georgie’s eyes moistened. Borther’s mood was a great burden on her. She hoped she could help Brother in some way. She felt better having Cousin Richard assist in her investigation.

 

A week later Cousin Richard asked her to walk in the park with him. She felt very grown up walking next to her older cousin and taking his arm. She was now an Aunt. That made her feel old. Her aunt planned to bring her out next spring. She did not feel ready for that. Could she be both old and young at the same time?

Once they were in the park, Richard turned to her and said, “I have gotten the report from Meryton, that is the town near the house that Bingley let.”

Georgie stopped and turned her eyes to her cousin.

“Your brother and Mr. Bingley left the area after the funeral of a neighbor, a Miss Bennet. She had been visiting Miss Bingley at Netherfield when she fell ill and she did not recover.”

“Brother wrote me about Miss Bennet becoming ill. Her sister walked three miles in the mud to nurse Miss Bennet. He did not tell me that she died.”

“It is reported that Miss Elizabeth Bennet was also in the house at the time of her sister’s death. She was quite distraught at the death of the sister. They were apparently very close.”

“I can imagine.” She thought of how she would feel if Brother died. No, perhaps she couldn’t imagine.

“Miss Elizabeth Bennet left the area after the funeral as well. She came to London to live with her Aunt and Uncle. Everyone agrees that Miss Elizabeth Bennet has chestnut hair and hazel eyes.”

“I think I would like to speak to Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”

“I too would like to speak to her. My investigator was able to get the direction of her Aunt and Uncle.”

“Would it be appropriate to visit them?”

“Probably not, but I think that we shall anyway.”

 

 

Georgie and Cousin Richard visited the Gardiners in the Darcy town carriage instead of the Earl’s. Richard felt they would be better received that way. The Darcy carriage was just as imposing as the Lonsdale carriage but the crest of an Earl could be intimidating to many. As they pulled up to the door, Richard asked “Do you wish for me to talk to them?”

“No, I shall. They are more likely to talk if they believe that I represent my brother.”

“You are assuming that they have met your brother.”

“They will have at least seen him at the funeral. And what we know only makes sense if they have become acquainted.”

Georgie sent in her card, the first time she had ever visited in her own name. Normally she would accompany her Aunt or Brother and they would send their card. She felt very uncomfortable. What would happen if Brother learned of this? Would the Gardiners admit her? What would she say to them? She thought of holding Thomas in her arms. How could she refuse to do something for him merely because it made her uncomfortable?

They were admitted and led to a pallor with an elegant lady awaiting them. She introduced herself as Mrs. Gardiner. Georgie introduced herself and then introduced her cousin.

They talked at first about the weather, the air in London and the latest scandal for several minutes before Mrs. Gardiner said, “To what do we owe the honor of your visit Miss Darcy? Perhaps you bring a message from your brother. I hope that he is doing well.”

“Brother is in good health.” She could not say he was doing well. Georgie had no confidence in her power of deceiving. “I am here to…” she glanced at Richard before returning her gaze to Mrs. Gardiner’s hands. “make the acquaintance of your niece, Miss Elizabeth.”

Mrs. Gardiner paused. Her mouth began to frown before returning to a more neutral shape. “She is away, visiting friends, I’m afraid. She has been gone for some months. I’m surprised your brother has not told you this.”

“He did mention something about it.” Richard said, “But we assumed she had returned by now.”

Did Mrs. Gardiner’s eyes glisten? “No, she has not yet returned. I shall tell her that you asked about her. I am sure she will be surprised at the notice.”

“I will be in London for some weeks. If she should return, I would appreciate a note so I can pay her a visit.”

“I do not know when she will return. If she does come to London in the next few weeks, I shall pass on your message.”

They spoke for a few minutes more before the carriage was summoned. As they rode back home, Georgie turned to her cousin. “We failed. We are no closer to answers than before.”

“Patience, Georgie. We did not fail. This was a reconnaissance and we have learned the disposition of our opponents forces. I am proud of you. You did very well. You handled your first call with all the grace that a young lady should.”

George blushed at her cousin’s praise, though she would have preferred to hear Brother’s opinion. “But how are we to find Miss Bennet? This was our best lead.”

“I think the Gardiners know where Miss Bennet is. We must see how they react to you reaching out for her. I know that waiting for action is the hardest part of battle but we have done what was needed and now we must wait.”