An Old Friend Read online

  It wasn’t just the bright blue eyes she had noted, but the mass of thick golden curls, the bright red lips and the slender figure, styled quite differently from other women in London. But most striking of all had been the voice. Unusually deep, it had a richness to it that was very attractive and yet Elizabeth thought it had sounded as if Miss Dearborn was laughing at her. She had rarely felt so unnerved.

  “Are you feeling unwell, Elizabeth?” asked Georgiana anxiously. “You are looking troubled.”

  Elizabeth quickly forced a smile. She could not share with Georgiana what she was truly feeling. “I am a little tired. I think it must be the air. London air is not as fresh as the air in Derbyshire.”

  “Indeed it isn’t,” said Georgiana. “But I still like it here. Pemberley is my home, and I feel happy there, but it is rather quiet. London is busy, noise and dirty, but it is also exciting.”

  Elizabeth could not help laughing. It was unlike Georgiana to sound so poetic. She herself was not unhappy to be in London, but there was nowhere in the world she would rather be than Pemberley. She had loved it from the moment she had seen it, and that love had grown over the past two years as she had gotten to know the house, explored the grounds, the estates and the many people who helped to run them. London could never compete with that.

  As the carriage trundled onwards towards their destination at Greenhall, Georgiana suddenly said, “That was most unexpected.”

  “You mean meeting Miss Dearborn?” asked Elizabeth. “Is she a very old friend?”

  Georgiana frowned thoughtfully. “I knew her and her brother. They used to come to Pemberley occasionally. I think she hoped to marry Fitzwilliam.”

  Elizabeth felt a tightening in her chest. An old friend, Miss Dearborn had said. Had Fitzwilliam held some affection for her?

  Georgiana carried on, seemingly oblivious to the effect her words were having. “She suddenly disappeared, I am not sure why. I think there was some scandal and she went away. I wonder why she is back.”

  Elizabeth wondered too. Adeline Dearborn had been charming, and yet she had made her feel very uncomfortable.

  Georgiana pulled at a stray thread on her gloves. “I think it was rather a shock to her that Fitzwilliam is married,” she said, “perhaps she was hoping to capture him.”

  Elizabeth could think of no suitable reply. Was the elegant Miss Dearborn a former love of Mr. Darcy’s? No, it could not be, and yet… An old friend. Miss Dearborn’s words, not hers. An old friend. The words continued to rattle around her head, echoing backwards and forwards, growing in intensity. She wished Mr. Darcy was there. She had so many questions she wanted to ask. The first one was why had she never heard of Miss Dearborn? Only Mr. Darcy could answer that.

  3

  As they arrived at the haberdashers, Waitland and Marsh, Elizabeth tried to push all thoughts of Adeline Dearborn from her mind, but it was not easy. They were shown inside, Georgiana was soon exclaiming over the lace and ribbons that seemed to be hanging from every surface, but Elizabeth was not so easily distracted. Mr. Darcy and Miss Dearborn. Surely it was not possible? It had never occurred to her that Mr. Darcy might have had an attraction to another woman before their marriage.

  There had been rumours of an attraction between Mr. Darcy and Miss Bingley, but she knew they were unfounded. Her husband had never seen Miss Bingley as anything but the sister of his best friend.

  The only other woman she knew of where there had been a hope a marriage might take place had been to his cousin, Anne de Bourgh. However, the hope had all been on the part of his aunt, Lady Catherine, and Elizabeth knew that Mr. Darcy would never have married someone as dull as Anne.

  These two women she had known about, but until that moment she had heard of no others who might have hoped for a proposal of marriage from Mr. Darcy.

  Now if Georgiana was right, there was Adeline Dearborn, a woman of beauty with none of the coldness of Miss Bingley, nor the sickly, dull demeanour of Anne de Bourgh. Her clothes and her manner showed her to be a woman of good breeding and Elizabeth thought she was the sort of woman that Mr. Darcy’s family would have welcomed as a bride. Who was she? Had she really come back in the hope of marrying Mr. Darcy?

  “Elizabeth…Mrs. Darcy!”

  Elizabeth struggled to think where she was as Georgiana waved something in front of her face. “What is it?” she asked vaguely.

  “This lace.” Georgiana sound irritated at her inattention. “I thought it would trim the pale blue fabric. Do you like it?”

  “Yes… it’s very nice,” said Elizabeth vaguely.

  Georgiana sighed, and turned to the assistant and ordered five yards.

  Elizabeth left her with her lace and wandered to another part of the shop, asking to look at some pearl buttons. The buttons were brought out in a drawer, divided into small compartments. She picked one up. It felt very smooth between her fingers. She had no need for any, but she was sure Kitty, one of her younger sisters, would appreciate some. She was always looking to adorn her dresses or bonnets. “I will take twelve, please.”

  “And is there anything else you would like, madam?” asked the young assistant.

  “Feathers…” said Elizabeth and it was not long before a large range of feathers were set before her and she gradually let thoughts of Miss Dearborn slip away.

  They stayed at Waitland and Marsh a great deal longer than they had intended to. Georgiana ordered three different laces and then moved onto buttons, making her choice and then changing her mind. Elizabeth tried to curb her impatience, but she was glad when at last Georgiana appeared satisfied and all her purchases were taken away, wrapped in tissue and placed in boxes.

  Just as they were about to leave Georgiana suddenly spied a lace collar, in a glass-topped cabinet. “Isn’t it lovely? I must take that.”

  Elizabeth was about to suggest that perhaps she had bought enough, but before she could speak, Georgiana told her that it was for Mrs. Reynolds, Pemberley’s housekeeper.

  “She has been so very kind to me,” said Georgiana.

  “It will suit her,” agreed Elizabeth, examining the delicate collar with a scalloped edge. “Though I suspect she will put it away in a drawer and only take it out to look at.”

  “Well, it will be hers to do as she wishes,” said Georgiana calmly, “I only hope it will bring her pleasure.”

  Elizabeth was pleased to see that Georgiana still had such great affection for the housekeeper. She knew Mrs. Reynolds was equally fond of Georgiana and the housekeeper had secretly confided to her that she worried Georgiana was not as happy as she pretended to be. Elizabeth had been surprised to hear Mrs. Reynolds speak in such a manner, but she had listened and made a note to watch Georgiana more carefully.

  The collar was added to their other purchases and very soon a small parcel was presented to them and they said their goodbyes. From Waitland and Marsh and they moved on to two more establishments before finally going to Parmentiers on Edwards Street, where they were grateful to enjoy the soothing surroundings and enjoy tea and macaroons. Both agreed they were delicious, but not quite as good as those prepared by their cook at Pemberley. It was while they were there that Georgiana mentioned Miss Dearborn again.

  “She came to visit me when I was at school. It was the last time I saw her,” Georgiana told her.

  “And did she visit often?” asked Elizabeth curiously as a waitress poured her a second cup of tea.

  “No… just that once. Her visit was unexpected. I felt as if she wanted to tell me something, but if she did, I never learned what it was. We had tea at Laureston Place and it was excellent.”

  Elizabeth’s curiosity was piqued, but she said nothing. As much as she wanted to know more she would not discuss her husband’s business with Georgiana. She was impatient to return home.

  AFTER THEIR AFTERNOON OF SHOPPING, the Darcys sat down to dinner at a later hour than normal. Elizabeth was pleased to see her husband, as was Georgiana, who eagerly tried to tell him about the purchases the
y had made.

  “Spare me the details,” said Mr. Darcy, smiling at his sister. “You know I have no interest in fashion.”

  Georgiana gave a disdainful sniff. “Very well, but I think you are being most unfair, and I shall refrain from playing for you this evening.”

  Mr. Darcy looked at her with mock sorrow. “How could you be so cruel and deprive me of such pleasure? If that is the case, I shall listen to you for five minutes, no more.”

  Georgiana broke into a smile “Then I shall play. Elizabeth and I visited Lyttleton’s and we were able to get some music I have wanted for some time.”

  Mr. Darcy raised his eyebrows, “So it was an expensive excursion?”

  “Not very,” said Georgiana. “I only bought fabric for three dresses. Mr. Gerard was very pleased to see me, and his choices as always were excellent. He assures me that no one else will be wearing the same fabric.”

  “Stop… Please stop,” cried Mr. Darcy.

  “You said you would listen for five minutes,” said Georgiana indignantly.

  “Five minutes has passed,” lied Mr. Darcy as he speared his fork into some pheasant.

  “Oh, you… where is your honour?”

  Mr. Darcy laughed, and watching the exchange between the two of them, Elizabeth marvelled at how much more relaxed they were in each other’s company. When she had first met Georgiana, she had been so in awe of her elder brother, she had found it difficult to converse with him. Since their marriage, Elizabeth had gently encouraged Fitzwilliam to be less severe with Georgiana and Georgiana to realise that her brother only wanted what was best for her.

  “And did you buy some fabric for a new gown, my dear?” asked Mr. Darcy suddenly.

  “I did indeed, sir,” said Elizabeth, sounding quite severe. “I hear you have been conspiring with your sister to make me spend money where none was necessary. I thought perhaps it was because you were ashamed of me.”

  Mr. Darcy looked startled at her words. “My dear Mrs. Darcy. You could not be more wrong. You know how much I admire you.”

  “My fine brown eyes perhaps, but my dresses…” She paused and looked at him from beneath her long lashes, enjoying his obvious discomfort.

  Mr. Darcy opened his mouth and shut it again quickly, and Elizabeth found it difficult not to laugh out loud.

  “Th... there is no one who has such fine taste as yourself,” stuttered Mr. Darcy.

  “Really. I am sure that has not always been the case. I do remember a time when you thought I had little to recommend me.”

  Elizabeth saw her husband wriggle in his chair. She was being unfair to remind him of his rude behaviour when they had first met, but she could not resist.

  “What are you two talking about,” asked Georgiana, looking suddenly anxious. “Fitzwilliam, have you not always admired Elizabeth?”

  Mr. Darcy hastened to reassure her. “Not as much as I should have done, Georgiana. But I promise you, I admire my wife more than any woman of my acquaintance.”

  Elizabeth felt a warm glow run through her. She knew his words were sincere and she could not keep teasing him even if he did deserve it. “Do not concern yourself, Mr. Darcy. I have no doubts about your regard for me and there is no need for you to flatter me. I know there are many women with superior taste to my own. My only hope is that I do not embarrass you in any way.”

  Their eyes met and for a moment they simply stared at each other, his dark eyes softening and burning into her; hers with a mischievous sparkle that told of her love for him.

  It was Georgiana who interrupted their private moment. “Fitzwilliam, you will be shocked to hear who we met today.”

  They reluctantly broke their gaze.

  Mr. Darcy turned to his sister. “Are you going to tell me?”

  “Miss Adeline Dearborn,” declared Georgiana triumphantly. “It was such a surprise. I did not recognise her immediately, but she is little changed. I think she was shocked to hear that you are married.”

  Elizabeth wished Georgiana had not spoken. She had wanted to talk to Mr. Darcy about Miss Dearborn when they were alone. She stole a glance at her husband, who had been about to eat some more pheasant. He dropped his fork back onto the plate.

  “That is a surprise,” he agreed. He turned to Elizabeth. “Miss Dearborn is a very old friend.”

  “So I understand,” said Elizabeth, hoping that he could not hear the slight tremor in her voice. “She said it was sometime since you had seen her.”

  “Yes, it is. The last time I heard she was living abroad. I had no idea she was back.”

  Elizabeth found herself growing suddenly cold. She could not read what Mr. Darcy thought of the news. Perhaps it was her imagination, but the atmosphere had suddenly changed.. One moment there had been teasing and laughter. Now it was gone. The Mr. Darcy before her was the one she had first met, stern and inscrutable. She yearned to know more, but she hesitated to ask any questions. She did not want to give the impression that Miss Dearborn was a person who held any interest to her.

  “It was nice to be introduced to her,” she said as she helped herself to some fish.

  “She was kind enough to invite us to take tea with her,” said Georgiana, “but we did not want to upset our plans.”

  Mr. Darcy said nothing, but continued to eat. Elizabeth wished she was privy to his thoughts. She loved him a great deal, but she wished sometimes he would not keep his thoughts to himself. He must know that she was curious about Miss Dearborn. She waited to see if he would say anything else, but he was too busy enjoying his pheasant. She inwardly sighed. He might not want to talk now, but she would return to it later.

  4

  They were enjoying desert when Elizabeth remembered something which had been uppermost in her mind. “Mr. Darcy, I thought tomorrow I would call upon the Gardiners. We have been here six days now and I do not want them to think I am neglecting them.”

  Georgiana looked disappointed. “Mr. Walters is to call tomorrow to hear me play, so I will not be able to accompany you.”

  “Never mind,” said Elizabeth soothingly. “We are in London for six months. There will be plenty of time for you to see them.”

  “You must invite them to dinner,” said Mr. Darcy. “It is too long since we have seen them.”

  Elizabeth was delighted at the suggestion. She was very fond of her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner, who had been instrumental in bringing herself and Mr. Darcy together, and she was pleased that her husband had become as fond of them as she was. She hoped to see a great deal of the Gardiners while they were residing in London.

  No more was said of Adeline Dearborn as they finished dinner, and when Mr. Darcy joined them in the drawing room, Georgiana entertained them on the pianoforte. Being half-sized, the instrument was not quite as splendid as the one in the drawing room at Pemberley, but Georgiana’s playing was very accomplished, and both Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy listened to her with real pleasure.

  When Georgiana had played three pieces, she insisted that Elizabeth took her turn to entertain them, so Elizabeth sang a couple of airs including Robin Adair, which was one of Mr. Darcy’s favourites. As she sang, she gazed across at her husband who was listening intently. The happy expression on his face reminded her of the very first time she had sang in his presence when she and the Gardiners had been invited to dine at Pemberley. At the time she had been unaware of how much he truly loved her. Now she was, and she smiled as she sang, thinking how fortunate she was to be loved by him. At the end of her singing, Elizabeth tried to persuade Mr. Darcy to join them, but as always, he refused.

  “I cannot understand while you will not sing with us,” she said. “Georgiana has told me many times that you have a very good singing voice.”

  Mr. Darcy stood firm. “In my youth perhaps, but I have no intention of ever inflicting my voice upon you. I could not hope to compete with the ladies of the family who have gifts I could never match.”

  Elizabeth and Georgiana both blushed at his extravagant compliment.

&nb
sp; “I think he speaks in jest,” said Georgiana. “He has an excellent baritone and I have no idea why he refuses to use it.”

  “One day I will persuade you,” said Elizabeth.

  Mr. Darcy got up to pour himself a glass of wine. “I would do almost anything for you, Mrs. Darcy, but this I will not.”

  Elizabeth did not understand why he was so stubborn about it, but she accepted his decision in the hope that one day she would be able to get him to change his mind.

  “Let us play some duets, Georgiana,” she suggested and the two of them sat down and played once more until their fingers grew tired. Playing together was a real pleasure for both of them. Shortly afterwards Georgiana wished them both goodnight and told them she was going to her room to read before she retired.

  ELIZABETH WAS thankful to spend some time alone with her husband. Mr. Darcy poured them both another drink.

  “Elizabeth, I must tell you once again how grateful I am to you,” he said as he handed her a glass of wine and sat down beside her. “Georgiana’s confidence in her music has grown and I see a contentment that was not there before.”

  Elizabeth was touched by his gratitude, but she did not believe she was deserving of it. She was also mindful of Mrs. Reynold’s belief that Georgiana was not necessarily as happy as she appeared. “Georgiana is as dear to me as one of my own sisters, Fitzwilliam, and I care for her deeply. I hope that she will not find the coming season too much for her.”

  “And why would she?” asked Mr. Darcy in surprise as he passed a glass of wine to her.

  Elizabeth sipped some of the rich liquid before replying. “Georgiana has tried to forget the time she spent in Ramsgate, but sometimes deep feelings are not so easily forgotten.”

  Mr. Darcy gave a disgusted snort and he put his glass down. “You cannot think she still has any feelings for Wickham. That is in the past.”