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Chapter Fifteen - A Special Friend

Posted on 2011-11-11

Not many days after Mr Darcy's departure for London, Elizabeth received a letter from his sister, which was overflowing with gratitude and praise. Though it was evident that Julia was most apprehensive and anxious at the daunting prospect of emerging from her secluded world into society, she was also palpably alive with anticipation and excitement.

Within a week of her letter, Julia arrived at Ashbourne. Elizabeth was overjoyed to receive her, and welcomed her warmly, as did Jane and Bingley. She was given the guest apartments beside those of Elizabeth, who came to help her unpack her things and make herself comfortable; and later they sat together and talked into the night.

"There are no words to adequately thank you, Elizabeth, which truly convey my feelings of gratitude. For although I feel overwhelmed at all that lies before me, I feel as if you have freed me from a prison, in which I have spent all of my life - and, but for you, I would very likely have lived all my remaining years. How can I ever thank you enough?"

"To start with, by calling me Lizzy; for it is what my sisters and close friends call me; and, pretence and appearances aside, I am hopeful that you and I shall become the very best of friends."

"Oh, yes, I would wish for nothing less. My brother told me that you are to be my guide and mentor. I have read a great deal, including modern romances, so I am aware of how I must comport myself amongst others; but it is one thing to read of it, and quite another to actually have the experience."

"You may trust me, Julia, to do my very best to help you and advise you. One thing you will very soon discover is that not everyone is honest or forthright; and even those who are sincere and trustworthy, may sometimes dissemble - out of modesty or politeness, or simply in conformity with what is expected in the circumstances. As you gain experience, and become adept at deciphering the nuances of tone and expression, you will learn to understand a meaning in words that is often not at first apparent."

"Goodness, it all sounds so frightfully difficult," said Julia apprehensively.

"If you are uncertain of anything - for example, of the intentions or feelings of another - then you must learn to ask me. Most especially, you must be very careful of your behaviour towards gentlemen."

"Oh yes, my brother spoke to me at length upon that subject, and of the need to be careful and give no encouragement to a gentleman who would be unable to consider marriage to a lady such as myself."

"Yes," said Elizabeth. "Your brother and I also had a long discussion upon the subject. You need not be fearful of gentlemen - only circumspect. If you feel yourself attracted to a young man, be careful not to show him any preference out of the ordinary, until you have consulted with me, and I am able to advise you on how to proceed."

"Elizabeth - I mean, Lizzy - do you really believe that there are gentlemen who would wish to marry me despite my background?"

"You are so beautiful, and your character is so artless and charming; you must prepare yourself for the inevitable interest of a great many young men; and yes, I believe there are those, who if they truly loved you, would wish to marry you regardless of your parentage."

"But Lizzy, I would be entirely unable to speak upon such a subject."

"You need not fear, Julia, for I would take that task upon myself - if you would permit me. But in any case, we are getting rather far ahead of ourselves. For the first few weeks, you shall remain quietly here at Ashbourne. On some days, there may be visitors who come to call; and Jane wishes to give her first dinner party soon, now that she is comfortably settled. But it will not be very large, and she will wait until you are feeling more at ease."

Several days after Julia's arrival, Georgiana came to pay a visit, in the company of Colonel Fitzwilliam, who was but recently arrived in Derbyshire. Elizabeth suspected that Mr Darcy had chosen not to join them, on account of the awkwardness of having to pretend that he was meeting Julia for the first time.

Julia had been eagerly awaiting the opportunity of making the acquaintance of her younger sister, Georgiana, whom she had heard so much about; and she struggled to restrain her wild emotions, knowing that she must not betray the truth of their relationship - and to Georgiana, most especially.

Elizabeth observed Colonel Fitzwilliam closely, and it was evident that he very much admired Julia, and it was only with the greatest difficulty that Bingley was able to detach him from the ladies, for he was eager to show off all his fine fishing spots to the Colonel, and to engage with him in the sport while the ladies were taking tea.

The bulk of the conversation was carried on by Jane and Elizabeth, for Georgiana was shy by nature, and in the presence of a stranger she was initially reserved; and Julia seemed almost too terrified to open her mouth.

Attempting to draw Georgiana into the conversation, Elizabeth asked her, "Did you perchance write to Caroline Bingley following our conversation in the spring? I recall that you had received a letter from her, soliciting an invitation to visit Pemberley."

"Yes, and I did just as you suggested; rather than issuing the invitation that was so clearly sought, I wrote that I was expecting various friends, and that my brother anticipated that he, too, would be much occupied over the summer. I must admit that I did not reply to Miss Bingley immediately, for I have always found her most daunting, and I did not feel sufficiently brave to deny her. However, after some weeks, upon enquiring into the matter, and discovering that I had not yet written, my brother advised me that I must; for Miss Bingley, he said, would otherwise pretend to have understood the lack of a reply as an indication of my complaisance with her scheme, and that I would very likely receive a further letter from her announcing the day of their intended arrival."

Elizabeth laughed. "Your brother is no stranger to Miss Bingley's cunning wiles. So you wrote to her about a month after we visited you at Pemberley, then?"

"Yes," said Georgiana, "It was about the time that Jane and Mr Bingley took up residence here, at Ashbourne."

"Then it is just as you suspected," said Jane to Elizabeth. Turning to Georgiana, she explained, "When Bingley and I returned to London, and Caroline learned that her brother intended to purchase an estate quite close to Pemberley, her affection - and desire to assist me in setting up my new establishment - was most marked, indeed."

"I am sure you have long been aware, Georgiana, of Miss Bingley's designs upon your brother," said Elizabeth.

"I would have to be blind not to have noticed it," observed Georgiana. "And I so dislike her insincere attentions to myself; for I know that it is all pretence, and that she cares for me not in the least."

Jane smiled sympathetically. "I, too, have been subjected to Caroline's insincere ways. Her affections towards me go from one extreme to the other - depending upon her present self-interest. Her new-found regard, upon learning of Ashbourne, lasted only until she heard that Elizabeth would be staying here for the foreseeable future."

"Sadly," said Elizabeth with mock remorse, "I am not Miss Bingley's favourite person; and you may imagine how disconsolate I was to learn that she did not wish to stay at Ashbourne, so long as I resided here."

"I think I can guess Miss Bingley's principal reason for disliking you," said Georgiana, regarding Elizabeth shyly.

Julia, who had taken no part in the conversation, yet was following it closely, and finding it most instructive, also looked at Elizabeth inquisitively; for although they had not spoken upon the subject since Elizabeth's second visit to Freston, she was well aware of Elizabeth's feelings for her brother - and of his for her, and was impatient for an opportunity of seeing the two of them together.

To save Elizabeth the embarrassment of the curiosity of both his sisters regarding their brother, Jane quickly continued, "Upon learning that Elizabeth would be staying here, Caroline's affections cooled markedly, and her desire to visit Ashbourne evaporated entirely."

"But did not her affection, at least, revive somewhat, when she learned that her cousin, Captain Radford, was unexpectedly discovered to be wealthy?" asked Elizabeth, with an ironic smile.

"Oh, yes indeed. Upon learning that the penniless cousin, for whom she had reserved her haughtiest disdain, was in fact very wealthy, Caroline's enthusiasm for my company was equalled only by her eagerness that I should invite her to dine at Fairfield Gardens - along with Captain Radford. However, when, in consideration of the Captain's wishes in the matter, I was unable to oblige her, my stocks fell."

"However, they have lately risen, again," said Elizabeth, satirically, "and I imagine it is on account of Caroline receiving your letter, Georgiana. For upon learning that her cousin, too, had bought an estate in Derbyshire, and realising that her only means of being in the society of the two gentlemen upon whom she now pinned the chief of her matrimonial aspirations - at least until they might be in town again next winter - was to locate herself thither; and with Pemberley denied her, she applied again to Jane. She must be desperate indeed, to knowingly wish to reside in the same house as myself."

"Which of those two gentlemen do you believe she prefers?" asked Georgiana.

"I imagine she is willing to be desperately in love with whichever of them will have her," said Elizabeth with a smile.

"I suspect," said Jane, "that she may very likely direct the chief of her efforts at her cousin, for she is well aware of a significant obstacle which stands in the way of the realisation of her long-held designs upon Mr Darcy."

Georgiana and Julia again looked enquiringly at Elizabeth, but she said nothing.

"But surely," objected Georgiana, "Miss Bingley cannot be so mercenary that she would marry any gentleman with money."

"It is above eighteen months, now, that I have known Caroline," said Jane. "And though I wish to think well of everyone, and most especially a sister-in-law, I regret to say that in Caroline's case I have found the task daunting, indeed."

"It was fortunate," continued Elizabeth, "that by the time Caroline's letter arrived, I had spoken of my desire to have you stay with us, Julia. Although there are guest-rooms enough to comfortably accommodate Caroline, and the Hursts, also, I suggested to Jane that your visit provided a providential pretext to put her off."

"At my sister's suggestion," explained Jane, "I wrote to Caroline, informing her that I expected to soon receive a second guest, a friend of my sister; and I had not yet succeeded in engaging the full complement of servants that a house of this size requires; and, lamentably, there were not yet a sufficient number to serve any additional visitors; nor were all the guest apartments yet furnished to a standard that I felt was owed to such esteemed relations, as themselves."

Elizabeth noticed Georgiana looking curiously in Julia's direction - perhaps wondering if she, too, was from Hertfordshire; and at the nature of their acquaintance. In order to deflect her interest, and at the same time wishing to draw Julia into the proceedings, and make her feel more at her ease, she said, "Since you last visited Ashbourne, Georgiana, the pianoforte has arrived. Jane, why do we not take our tea in the drawing room, so that Georgiana may inspect it, and perhaps play something for us?"

This had the desired effect; for Julia, having never had the opportunity of hearing any other performer, aside from her masters, was delighted, and warm in her praise of Georgiana's playing. And when Elizabeth afterwards begged Julia to play, and eventually she was persuaded to oblige them, her performance was exquisite. Although she was no great judge, it seemed to Elizabeth that Julia's virtuosity exceeded that of Georgiana, and that the excellence of her performance was the equal, at least, of that of Victoria Barclay.

Georgiana was lavish in her praise of Julia's playing; and the two young ladies found a great deal to say to each other upon the subject of music, and their favourite pieces; and were very soon entirely at ease, taking turns at playing and singing.

After Georgiana and Colonel Fitzwilliam had departed, Julia was unable to find words enough to praise her younger sister, and express her delight at having at last made her acquaintance.

"And how did you like Colonel Fitzwilliam?" enquired Elizabeth.

"Very much," admitted Julia. "But I could not determine if he admired me or not, for I am not at all used to being in the company of gentlemen."

"Then I may tell you that his regard for you was warm, indeed - would you not agree, Jane?"

"Yes I would. When he and Bingley returned from their fishing and entered the drawing room while you were at the pianoforte, he was entirely enchanted. But Colonel Fitzwilliam would not be suitable, I think, Lizzy?"

"No, unfortunately not," said Elizabeth. "For one thing, he is a second son, and though he is the last man I would regard as a fortune hunter, he is used to his comforts, and is obliged to marry a lady with money."

"That may not be an obstacle," said Julia. "My brother has told me that should I wish to marry a man without money, he would settle a large sum on me - as much as thirty thousand pounds."

"Good gracious; that is generous indeed!" said Elizabeth, shaking her head. "Although it would likely be a sufficient amount, still the Colonel would not do. He is the son of an earl, and once he became aware of your background, he would be obliged, by what he owes to his family, to withdraw his interest - and if he did not, his aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, would demand to know all about you; and you may depend upon it, that she would go so far as to make the circumstances of your birth known to the world, in order to thwart her nephew."

"Oh," said Julia sadly, "I do so admire him; and now I shall have to be on my guard and behave with reserve."

"Yes, you shall," concurred Elizabeth. "But in any case, despite his obvious admiration, I think it unlikely that the Colonel would develop any particular preference, for there is another lady, with whom I suspect he is already a fair way to being in love with."

"You speak of Victoria Barclay, I imagine?" said Jane. "I am hoping that we shall see her very soon, for I received a letter, today, informing me that she has arrived at Hartington, and intends to very soon wait upon us."

Not many days after the visit from Georgiana and Colonel Fitzwilliam, Victoria Barclay visited in the company of Captain Radford. Bingley was eager to have his cousin fish with him, but his invitation was politely declined. "Please excuse me, Charles, but on one occasion when I was sailing in the Pacific, we were becalmed for so great a time, that having consumed all our provisions, we were obliged to survive by fishing. I regret to say that the experience has rendered me quite unable to enjoy the sport."

"Then I shall come to Hartington to fish, if ever I fish out my own stream," said Bingley. "But allow me, at least, to give you a tour of my grounds, for you have not yet seen them."

"I shall be delighted," said the Captain; although Elizabeth observed that he looked anything but delighted as he was led away from the ladies; and she suspected that his reticence at leaving them was chiefly on account of Julia.

Julia was shy in the presence of Victoria Barclay, and took no part in the conversation, but she observed it closely, and was most curious about the relationship between Miss Barclay and Captain Radford.

"I am utterly delighted with Hartington," said Victoria. "The Captain, having spent almost his entire adult life aboard ship, has very little idea of how a house should be arranged. Luckily for him, I do; and I intend to remain the whole summer, here in Derbyshire, and get everything properly organised."

"He is most fortunate indeed that you are able to perform that office for him," observed Jane.

"Yes, he is; but it is done for myself, also - for I hope to visit him often, and I wish to be comfortable. I have already ordered the pianoforte, for I cannot live without music."

"An instrument has only recently arrived at Ashbourne, and it is very fine, is it not, Julia?" asked Elizabeth, attempting to draw her into the conversation.

"Yes, it is, indeed," replied Julia softly.

"Oh, do you play, Miss Harrison?" asked Victoria.

"Yes. Music is one of my greatest pleasures."

"Oh, I must hear you," exclaimed Victoria.

"You will not be disappointed," said Elizabeth, "for she plays wonderfully."

"Let us take our tea outside, in the gazebo," suggested Jane, "for it is a delightful day, and you have not yet seen the gardens, Victoria. Afterwards, we can repair to the drawing room for music."

"I have received a letter from your husband's sister, Miss Bingley," said Victoria to Jane, as they were drinking their tea.

"Please excuse my surprise," replied Jane, "for I was unaware that you were much acquainted with one another."

Victoria smiled, "Yes, I, too, was unaware of it. I am evidently become particularly unobservant of late; for Miss Bingley assured me, in her letter, that nothing had given her greater pleasure than making my acquaintance in town; and of how excessively delighted she had been with my society. I must own to being unable to recall her speaking more than two words to me, and I cannot remember her bestowing a single smile. Clearly, my memory is deficient; for she wrote with great enthusiasm of her eagerness to be in my society again; and that she looks forward, with delight, to the opportunity of calling upon me in the not too distant future."

Elizabeth and Jane exchanged a glance of astonishment. "I am surprised, indeed, to hear that she expects to be in this part of the country," observed Elizabeth. "For although she indicated that she would be pleased to receive an invitation to stay either at Pemberley or Ashbourne, I understand that she has been politely informed that prior arrangements, at both establishments, make it impossible to presently oblige her."

"Miss Bingley mentions in her letter that her sister's husband, a Mr Hurst, has a cousin living at Macclesfield, in Cheshire, which is not so very far from Hartington. It would appear that Miss Bingley had greater success in securing an invitation at Macclesfield than she did at either Pemberley or Ashbourne."

Elizabeth shook her head. "Are you aware of Miss Bingley's reasons for wishing to visit this part of the country?"

Victoria laughed. "She is the most transparent and designing of ladies. It was obvious in town, that she was eager to gain the attentions of Mr Darcy - although I never observed her to have the slightest success in that endeavour - for his attentions appeared to me to be otherwise engaged," she said, raising an eyebrow as she looked directly at Elizabeth. "However, that hardly explains her new-found affection for me, and her yearning to visit Hartington. Do you suppose that it might be in any way related to her recent discovery that her cousin, Captain Radford, who tells me she has always treated him with the utmost disdain, is, contrary to what was generally believed, very wealthy?"

Elizabeth sighed. "She is a most determined lady; and must rate her charms highly, indeed, to think that she might secure the affection of either gentleman; for there is not the least cogent reason for believing it."

"No," agreed Victoria, with a smile. "Captain Radford was as much distressed as yourself, at learning of her impending arrival at Macclesfield. He has asked me to request that Miss Bingley give notice, in advance, of her visit - so that he can be sure to take himself well out of the way."

"Oh, that it would be so easy for my sister," thought Elizabeth to herself. "Not only will Caroline and Louisa call upon Jane, but they will expect an invitation to dine."

"Jane," she said. "When were you planning to give your dinner party?"

"I have consulted with Georgiana, and Saturday next, it seems, would suit Pemberley. Would it be a convenient day for yourself and Captain Radford?" asked Jane, turning to Miss Barclay.

"Indeed it would; we will be delighted to attend," replied Victoria.

"Jane, why do you not send out the invitations immediately," suggested Elizabeth, "before Caroline informs you of her arrival. For the dinner party will then consist of nine persons, three from Pemberley, two from Hartington and four from Ashbourne; and you would find great difficulty, I am certain, in accommodating any larger a party, at the present time. If she should write to advise you that they are arrived - or expect to arrive in the district before Saturday next - you may inform her that, regrettably, you do not yet have sufficient plate, or serving and kitchen staff to include them."

"What a clever idea - yes, I shall send out the invitations today," said Jane. "Although, I shall, of course, be obliged to invite Caroline and the Hursts to dine at some time during their stay in these parts."

"Lamentably, I am not yet finished enumerating all the persons who seem determined to bless us with their society," said Victoria.

The other ladies looked at her with alarm.

"When I received Miss Bingley's letter, I was at a loss to understand from whence came her intelligence that I was staying at Hartington. Unfortunately, it seems that Mr Hurst and I share a cousin in common, from whom she learned of it."

"Not Captain Russell?" asked Elizabeth, guardedly.

"The same. You may be aware that my mother and his were sisters. Captain Russell's father, it seems, had two sisters; one of them was the mother of Mr Hurst, and the other married a Mr Jarrod of Macclesfield, whose son inherited the estate. He is the cousin of both Mr Hurst and Captain Russell."

"But what could Captain Russell mean by wishing to come into this part of the country?" demanded Jane.

"I imagine that he still has designs upon Georgiana," said Elizabeth, giving her sister a meaningful glance; for she did not wish to publish the fact that Georgiana had been duped and infatuated, and perhaps on the point of eloping with the rogue - not that Victoria Barclay would have been greatly surprised to learn of it. She imagined that when Georgiana failed to meet him in St James Park, Captain Russell very likely tried to call upon her at Grosvenor Square, where he would have been informed that she was not at home. Perhaps he presumed that without his persuasive presence to encourage her, Georgiana had become faint-hearted. He had no reason to suppose that she would have revealed anything to her brother, or anyone else, and he very likely held hopes of prevailing upon her in Derbyshire.

"I have not the slightest doubt," said Victoria, "that she continues to be his object. But you did warn Miss Darcy about him, when you visited her at Grosvenor Square, did you not, Elizabeth?"

"I did; she is now well aware of what he is about and of his deceitful ways; there is no need to fear for Georgiana. Should he attempt to visit her, Mr Darcy will doubtless take the earliest opportunity of informing him that he is unwelcome at Pemberley."

"And at Hartington, also," added Victoria. "For although I presently preside over the establishment, it belongs to Captain Radford, who assures me that my cousin would not dare show his face on his estate."

"Let us hope, then, that he will remain in Cheshire," said Elizabeth.

Victoria commented no further on the subject of her cousin, for her attention was drawn to an easel stood up against the wall, with a large cloth thrown over the canvas, which it concealed. "Which of you ladies is the artist?" she inquired.

When Julia remained silent, Elizabeth said, "It is my friend, Miss Harrison, who is the artist - and a most gifted one, too; but she refuses to allow us to view her painting until it is finished."

"Why Miss Harrison," said Victoria, "You are an artist as well as a musician - as am I. You cannot refuse to allow a fellow artist to view your work - even though it be incomplete. May I?"

She begged so sweetly that Julia could not refuse her, and uncovering the painting, which was, in fact, almost finished, she gasped in wonder. It was a landscape, which captured the beauty of the gardens sloping down to the tree-lined river and the rolling hills behind it, with green pasture giving way to the ancient forest on the upper slopes.

"You are indeed gifted," said Victoria staring admiringly at the painting.

Though she could not be insensible to the praise, Julia was embarrassed. And her embarrassment increased, for the gentlemen, upon observing the ladies in the gazebo, as they were returning to the house, had decided to join them. Captain Radford admired Julia's painting, and was evidently as much impressed with it as Victoria Barclay. Elizabeth, Jane, and Bingley were also warm in their praise. Julia was distressed at the attention, and observing her discomfort, Elizabeth suggested that they return to the house, so that Victoria might inspect the pianoforte in the drawing room.

Victoria was happy to play the instrument, which she found to be excellent; but when she applied to Julia to play for them, she at first declined. However, Elizabeth and Jane spoke so highly of her talent, that Captain Radford and Victoria were eager to hear her, and she was eventually persuaded to play a piece.

"Miss Harrison," said Victoria, when she had finished Mozart's Fantasia, "though I am reckoned to be one of the finest performers amongst the many young ladies who play the instrument in London, I could never have played that piece so exquisitely. Do you not agree, Captain Radford?"

"I would not wish to make such a judgement; I will only say that I have never heard anything quite so beautiful," said the Captain, regarding the performer with unconcealed admiration.

"You must have had the very best of masters, both in music and painting," observed Victoria, looking at Julia thoughtfully. "And you must have practised exceedingly long hours, indeed, to have reached such an extraordinary level of accomplishment. For as my dear mentor, Madam Lasalle, who was herself a famous opera singer, oft reminds me, great talent and the best tuition are not enough; to truly attain the highest - diligent practice is also required."

Julia was greatly embarrassed at the excessive praise, and to find herself the object of the entire party's attention. She blushed, and kept her eyes fixed on the instrument. "You are quite correct, Miss Barclay on both heads; my masters were excellent, and I have practised a great deal - although I can hardly call it that; for it was never onerous. Music and painting are two of my greatest joys."

"I shall write to you, Mrs Bingley, as soon as the instrument has arrived at Hartington and I have the place in a suitable state to receive guests, and then you must all come to visit us."

"We shall be delighted," said Jane.

After their guests had departed, and the three ladies were alone, Julia immediately asked Elizabeth, "What is the relationship between Miss Barclay and Captain Radford? I could not make it out; and I recall you saying of Colonel Fitzwilliam, that he was a fair way to being in love with Miss Barclay."

After Elizabeth had explained their unusual relationship, Julia seemed well pleased, and remarked, "Yes, I observed that they behaved very much as brother and sister. Miss Barclay is most fortunate indeed, for he is the most delightful man - so thoughtful and gentle. I know you must think me silly, and wishing to fall in love with every gentleman I meet; but I cannot imagine there exists one whom I could admire more than the Captain."

"I cannot disagree with you; for when Captain Radford was in Hertfordshire, staying with Mr Bingley, I had the pleasure of being much in his company, and I found it entirely pleasing."

"And you did not fall in love with him?" asked Julia. "But no - your heart was, perhaps, already engaged?"

Elizabeth smiled, but directed the conversation away from herself. "Julia, though he be a fine gentleman, you hardly know him. I fear, that having been cut off from society, your whole life long, that you may now be inclined to act with undue haste. Please, take my advice, and exercise greater caution and contemplation."

"But… if I were to fall in love with the Captain, and he with me, how do you think he might receive the information about my birth?"

Elizabeth considered the question for some time. "Of all the gentlemen I know, he is very probably the one who would be the least disturbed at it. Would you not agree, Jane?"

"Yes, I would. For, like Bingley, he is not from an ancient family. The families of both his father and mother were in trade. Of course, there are some from such a background, who seek to hide it and strive to climb higher."

"Such as Caroline Bingley," observed Elizabeth.

"Exactly," agreed Jane. "But Captain Radford is quite different in that regard, and seems to care little for social distinction."

"Or convention," added Elizabeth. "His own origins were humble; and I imagine that having lived much of his life on board ship, at close quarters with men of every class, he is more used to judging people on their merits, than who were their forebears."

Julia smiled happily at this news, and Elizabeth again felt herself obliged to caution her, "Please, Julia, be careful; do not lose your heart too quickly, or attempt to encourage him unduly."

"I shall try."

"If, after you have been more in Captain Radford's society, you believe that you are truly falling in love with him, then you must tell me; and if it appears that your feelings are returned, then I shall be obliged to have a conversation with him about the circumstances of your birth."

Later, when Elizabeth and Jane were alone, they talked further about Julia's preference for Captain Radford. "Lizzy, I watched Captain Radford closely today, and I must say that I thought him entirely enchanted with Julia."

"Yes, I too. Although I always found him pleasing, I never had the impression that his interest in myself - or Georgiana, or any other lady - was in any way romantic. But the way he looked at Julia today, betrayed a marked preference; although he was guarded in his language."

"Your advice to Julia was quite correct. It must all be so very strange for her, and difficult to know how she must behave, after living without any contact with gentlemen - save for her brother."

"Oh, her brother!" exclaimed Elizabeth, suddenly, "I had quite forgot about Mr Darcy, and his inexplicable attitude to Captain Radford."

"Concerning Georgiana?" asked Jane.

"Yes! In town I imagined it was because Captain Radford was thought to be poor, and that Mr Darcy assumed that he was after his sister's fortune; but even after it became known that Captain Radford was wealthy, Georgiana said that her brother instructed her not to invite him to Pemberley."

"What objection can he possibly have to Captain Radford?" asked Jane.

"That I do not know; and I do not understand. If Mr Darcy objects to Captain Radford marrying one sister, then he will very likely object to him marrying the other. It is all so unfortunate, for I truly believe that Julia and the Captain might make an excellent match."

"Yes, I agree, Lizzy; their temperaments are well suited to each other. But what can we do?"

"Conceal their interest in each other from Mr Darcy for as long as we possibly can, in order to give them the opportunity to discover if they truly love each other."

"Do you think it wise?" asked Jane. "If they fall in love and then Mr Darcy becomes aware of it, and forbids it, Julia's heart will be broken - and the Captain will likely suffer greatly, also."

"I am convinced that Captain Radford is a good and honourable man. Perhaps Mr Darcy has been deceived; but whatever is his objection, I think it is very likely wrong-headed. If Julia is determined to marry the Captain, her brother cannot prevent it - for she is above the age of twenty, and would be in no need of his money. If her brother truly has a valid objection, then let him provide it, and attempt to convince her not to proceed."

"But Julia has such a high opinion of her brother," objected Jane. "She would find it difficult to go against him."

"True, but if she were truly in love with the Captain, and was not convinced by her brother's objections, then she would marry him in spite of them - and though it might be difficult and painful at first, Mr Darcy is not a vindictive man. He loves his sister, and he would, I believe, be eventually persuaded to forgive her."

"And who would persuade him?" asked Jane with a smile. "You?"

"Yes," said Elizabeth.

"Lizzy, are you confidant that he means to pay you his addresses?" asked Jane.

"I am all but certain of it. Since he returned into Hertfordshire with Bingley last autumn, he has, I believe, only been waiting for an opportune moment. But first there were the questions concerning his involvement with Lydia, and then my discovery of Julia at Freston, whom I imagined to be his mistress. There has been an unspoken understanding between us the whole time. He can be in little doubt that I am in love with him; and I must say that the events of the past nine months have only served to increase my feelings."

"And his, for you. For despite his reserve, his affection is unmistakable; and you have in many ways, already assumed the role of a sister, in very likely saving Georgiana from a most imprudent elopement, and freeing Julia from what seemed destined to be a lonely and loveless life. Now that he has overcome the two obstacles which he understood would have prevented you from accepting him, he must be only in want of the opportunity of a private conversation."

"Yes, very likely," replied Elizabeth, "but circumstances have conspired against him; for since Julia's arrival, we have not ventured out, and he has avoided coming to Ashbourne, I believe, because he is uncomfortable at having to be introduced to Julia as a stranger. His nature is forthright and open, and he is not accustomed to artifice; but it is a challenge he will have to meet, sooner or later."

"But what of his mysterious attitude to Captain Radford, do you think he might confide it in you?"

Elizabeth shook her head. "I think not. I have tried several times to learn his reasons, but he will not divulge them; and while it troubles me, it in no way lessens my opinion of him, or my feelings for him - or my resolve to accept him."

"Perhaps once you are married - or even betrothed - he will be more inclined to share his reasons with you?"

"Perhaps, but I am not hopeful. All we can do is to try to hide the attachment between Julia and Captain Radford, if it continues to develop; for if Mr Darcy were to observe it at the present time, and beg Julia to eschew the Captain, informing her that he has good reasons, which he is unable to divulge, she would, very likely, obey - out of love and deference to her brother, and his superior judgement. But if their love has the opportunity to blossom and become strong, then it may be another matter entirely."

"Yes, I agree; but it may not be so easy to hide their affection," cautioned Jane.

"I shall speak with Julia and advise her on how she must act to avoid betraying her feelings; and without explaining my reasons, I will suggest that it would be best if her brother remains ignorant of them at present. Men often appear almost oblivious in such matters, although in the case of his sister, Mr Darcy is likely to be more attentive."

Jane smiled. "Yes, my dear Charles never seems to notice such things."

"But there is someone who will - and who is bound to create difficulties, given the opportunity," said Elizabeth, forebodingly.

"Oh - Caroline!" exclaimed Jane.

"Yes! Everything is already so complicated! Why, oh why, does she have to come here?"

"She will very probably have already developed a dislike for Julia, even before she has met her," said Jane. "Firstly, she is your special friend; and secondly, I gave Julia's presence here as the reason why I could not invite Caroline and the Hursts to stay at Ashbourne."

"Exactly," agreed Elizabeth. "Caroline will be resentful and jealous, and take every opportunity of attacking Julia; who, having never encountered her variety of sugar-coated malice, will be defenceless before her. I imagine that Caroline will be eager to discover as much as possible about Julia's background in the hope of finding some means of embarrassing and belittling her - and discrediting me."

"Sadly, you are most probably correct, Lizzy; and she will very likely begin by addressing the very matter which will do the most damage - whatever are we to do?"

"I shall warn Julia not to reply to any such questions. And if Caroline should call upon us, we will send Julia up to her apartments. She will have a headache whenever Caroline visits."

"That will make her even more suspicious," said Jane.

"Yes, but she will have no choice, but to direct her questions at me - and I shall know how to deal with her."

Chapter Sixteen - A Visit to Pemberley

Posted on 2011-11-14

Julia was eager that they should return Georgiana's call, for she wished, very much, to see her younger sister again; and she was also desirous of seeing her brother and his estate, about which she had heard so much. Bingley accompanied the ladies, in the hope of some sport, but was disappointed to discover, upon their arrival at Pemberley, that neither Mr Darcy, nor Colonel Fitzwilliam, were inclined to relinquish the company of the ladies.

"Mr Darcy, allow me to introduce my friend, Julia Harrison," said Elizabeth. Julia curtsied, keeping her eyes fixed to the floor.

"A pleasure," said Mr Darcy, bowing somewhat awkwardly. But since he was never particularly at ease when meeting strangers, and on account of Julia's striking beauty, the suspicions of Georgiana, Colonel Fitzwilliam, and Bingley were not in the least bit aroused.

They were barely seated, following the greetings, when the butler entered to announce a "Mr Hurst, Mrs Hurst, Miss Bingley and Captain Russell."

As they returned to their feet to greet the new arrivals, Elizabeth, though alarmed, consoled herself that at least they had arrived first, thus sparing Julia and Mr Darcy the trial of performing their introduction under Caroline Bingley's critical and inquisitive eye. Julia was excessively shy and bashful at being introduced to the newcomers, and Elizabeth saw that Miss Bingley's interest and curiosity were already awakened.

Georgiana was exceedingly shocked at the entrance of the Macclesfield party - for Elizabeth had not yet had the opportunity of informing her of their arrival, and in particular, that of Captain Russell, in the neighbourhood - she blushed deeply and knew not where to look. Captain Russell attempted, with some perseverance, to engage her eye, but she would not look in his direction. Elizabeth stood beside her and unobtrusively took her arm to offer support. "Captain Russell," she said, "are you fond of fishing?"

"Why, yes, Miss Bennet, it is a noble sport, and I enjoy it when the opportunity presents itself. Alas, my cousin's estate at Macclesfield is without river or pond, so I am presently denied the pleasure."

"Then you are fortunate, indeed, sir, to be visiting Pemberley; for it is noted, is it not, Mr Darcy," she said looking pointedly in his direction, "for its fine fishing?"

Immediately alive to her intention, Mr Darcy said, "It would be my pleasure, Captain, to lend you rod and tackle, and show you the most promising spots."

The Captain was in no way eager to abandon the ladies for fish, most especially since he had only just attained his object of gaining the society of Miss Darcy - and then there was this ravishing new beauty, Miss Harrison, whom he wished to become better acquainted with - and to ascertain her degree of wealth. "Thank you, Mr Darcy, that is most generous; however, I would not dare risk giving offence so many lovely ladies - who might be persuaded that I prefer sport to their charming company."

"You are far too gallant, sir," said Elizabeth. "I give you permission on behalf of all the ladies - for I do you the justice of presuming that you were complimenting us all - to go off and enjoy your sport. I am certain that we will neither be offended, nor suffer, unduly."

Caroline Bingley looked sharply at Elizabeth, for her speech bordered on insolence; but while she was searching for a sharp rejoinder, she was stunned and perplexed to hear Mr Darcy say in a commanding voice, "I am quite determined to show you my delightful river, sir."

There was something in his tone that alerted Captain Russell to the possibility that his host knew more than he had previously supposed, and after politely excusing himself, he followed Mr Darcy from the room. Colonel Fitzwilliam showed not the least interest in joining the fishing expedition and Mr Hurst, recalling the fine cakes and other delicacies he had enjoyed at Pemberley on previous visits, preferred to eat and drink, than to fish. Only Bingley was eager to join the other two gentlemen at their sport; but before he could give utterance to his desire, Jane whispered that it would be most impolite of him to abandon his sisters, whom he had not seen for many months.

After the two gentlemen had left the room, Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst looked at each other in puzzlement and alarm; for evidently, Mr Darcy was in possession of intelligence to the disadvantage of their companion, of which they, themselves, were entirely ignorant; and they wished not to be tainted by association, in the eyes of their host. Miss Bennet, it seemed, was also privy to the information, and Caroline conjectured as to whether she was in fact its source - perhaps she had unjustly maligned Captain Russell. But why?

Bingley broke the awkward silence. "Allow me to say how delighted I am to see you, my dear sisters - and, of course, you too, Hurst - but I must say, that it is somewhat of a surprise, for I was under the impression that you all remained in town." Turning to his wife, he demanded, "Why did you not tell me, Jane, that my sisters and brother-in-law were in the neighbourhood?"

"I would have informed you immediately, my dear, had I received a letter, conveying the information - but I did not," replied Jane.

"I cannot believe it!" exclaimed Caroline, in an accusing tone. "Surely you received my letter, informing you that we were invited to stay at Macclesfield?"

"I can assure you that I have received not a single letter from you since we arrived at Ashbourne," replied Jane earnestly.

"I am astonished!" cried Miss Bingley, throwing her hands up dramatically.

Elizabeth shook her head at Caroline's blatant lie. "I am not surprised, Jane, and neither should you be; for do you not recall, the winter before last, when you were in town, staying with our Aunt and Uncle Gardiner, how you wrote twice to Miss Bingley, informing her that you were in town - and that when eventually you went to call upon her, she had received neither letter? Clearly, the postal system, though generally considered excellent, cannot always be relied upon."

Caroline knew not how to respond; and ignoring Elizabeth entirely, she began speaking of her delight that she and Louisa would very soon have the opportunity of seeing their brother's charming estate; and how delightful it was to see them all again; and how fortuitous it was that they were all staying within so easy a distance, etc., etc.

Jane felt obliged to say that it would be her pleasure to have them dine at Ashbourne; and Caroline appeared delighted. "I understand," she said, "that the estate of our dear cousin, Captain Radford, is in the vicinity. What a wonderful family occasion it would make, Jane, if you were to invite him, also, to dine."

Jane simply smiled, for she was well aware that he would most certainly decline the invitation if he knew who were to be the other guests.

"It is so delightful," said Caroline, turning towards Elizabeth with a supercilious smile, "to have so respectable and distinguished a gentleman in one's family - a person whom one can truly be proud of; for there are those, I believe, who are not so fortunate as to wish to remind the world of some of their connections."

Elizabeth was incensed at this vicious attack, clearly designed to bring a recollection of Lydia's disgrace to the consciousness of the company; but she was saved the intended embarrassment by the unexpected return of Mr Darcy.

In response to the questioning glances of some of the company, he said, "Oh, I have handed Captain Russell over to the care of my gamekeeper, for I did not wish to be so impolite, as to abandon my other guests."

Caroline Bingley, taking this to be a compliment to herself, smiled with pleasure; however, Elizabeth suspected that while his speedy return was very likely on account of Miss Bingley, it was prompted not by his desire to enjoy her society; but, rather, by his anxiety at what she might say to Julia.

Mr Darcy was relieved to observe that Julia did not look particularly distressed, and concluded that she had been spared Miss Bingley's attentions thus far. Miss Bingley had, in fact, purposely awaited his return, before commencing her attack on Miss Harrison - who was of course, merely the proxy of her true object - Miss Elizabeth Bennet.

Turning to Julia, she said, "It is a great pleasure, Miss Harrison, to meet the special friend of Miss Bennet; although I am surprised not to recognise you from amongst the many of her acquaintances whom I had the pleasure of meeting upon my two visits to Hertfordshire."

Julia blushed deeply, but Elizabeth quickly drew the attention of the party upon herself, saying, "That is hardly surprising, Miss Bingley; for it was a most circumscribed pleasure, indeed. As I recall, you evinced not the smallest desire of becoming better acquainted with our local Hertfordshire society."

"I fear your recollection is faulty, Miss Bennet," said Caroline with a condescending smile.

"Yes, very probably it is; for just before you were speaking of your cousin, Captain Radford, as being a most respectable and distinguished gentleman. Yet my, evidently faulty, recollection of your opinions of the Captain, which you did not scruple to conceal, either in Hertfordshire or in town, is quite the opposite."

Mr Darcy failed to suppress a snort, and Jane and Bingley could not help but smile.

Caroline wisely chose to give up that particular skirmish, and turned back to her principal campaign. "When I meet someone new, Miss Harrison, I always like to enquire of their background - who are their parents, and so on."

Before the rest of the party were able to observe the terror that this question struck in its object, Elizabeth said. "You astound me, Miss Bingley! You are the very last person whom I would expect to ask such a question."

"Why? Whatever do you mean?" asked Caroline guardedly.

Elizabeth was surprised that her remark was not enough to silence Caroline. "I am aware that there are those, who see nothing vulgar in demanding of a lady or a gentleman that they prove their pedigree by reciting who was their father, and their father's father, and so on. I must say that I find the practice disagreeable; and prefer to judge a person by their own manners and behaviour, rather than by who was their great-grandfather. I must say that I am greatly surprised to learn that you are an adherent of this boorish custom, Miss Bingley. However, let me assure you, that if we were all to recite the rank of our forebears, my friend, Miss Harrison, would acquit herself as well as any lady or gentleman in this room. How many generations are you intending to regress in your own recitation?"

This had the desired effect of silencing Caroline; and though her own attack was more malicious than she had intended, Elizabeth felt satisfied that Caroline Bingley would never again ask Julia that particular question - certainly not in her presence. Julia was, none-the-less, greatly discomposed after her fright, and would find great difficulty engaging in conversation, particularly with Caroline; who, Elizabeth observed, was looking at Julia thoughtfully, doubtless seeking some other avenue of attack, which could not be turned back upon herself.

"Miss Darcy," said Elizabeth, "my friend has expressed an interest in seeing your magnificent instrument, and hearing you play it."

"And if you would leave the doors to the music room open, my dear, we may all share the pleasure," said Mr Darcy to Georgiana; eager to support Elizabeth's clever suggestion that would remove Julia from the immediate threat of further attacks from Miss Bingley.

The sound of Georgiana's delightful performance could soon be heard from the adjoining room, and Miss Bingley, denied any further opportunity of attacking Miss Bennet's friend, by her deft manoeuvre, took advantage of Georgiana's absence by putting herself forward, and assuming the role of hostess - one which she evidently still held hopes might one day be hers. While she was presiding over the table, pouring tea and offering cakes to the other guests, Mr Darcy seated himself beside Elizabeth, and said softly, "Miss Bennet, I cannot thank you enough, for your robust defence of Miss Harrison; you were masterful."

"It was my pleasure, Mr Darcy; I must say, I rather enjoyed the sport."

Mr Darcy smiled. "And thank you for your quick thinking, regarding Captain Russell. Though I wished to remove him from the house, from the very moment he entered the room, I was unable to think of a suitable pretext for achieving it. I had briefly considered offering to show him my duelling pistols," he said with a smile. "I left him in no doubt that he is no longer welcome at Pemberley - or at Grosvenor Square."

"Poor Georgiana suffered a great fright at seeing him; but I believe she is now recovered," replied Elizabeth.

"Do you think it likely that he will visit Ashbourne, with Bingley's sisters?"

"Probably; but you need not fear for Julia, for if he does visit, I shall inform him at the earliest moment that she has no money. I shall also give him to understand that I am aware of all that transpired between himself and Miss Darcy in town, and that I do not consider his presence in the company of young ladies, such as my friend, as desirable. If he does visit Ashbourne, then his first visit shall most certainly be his last."

"Thank you, Miss Bennet, you are the perfect older sister - of which both of my sisters have been in want, their whole life long," he said, fixing her with a most affectionate gaze, which left her in little doubt that a third Darcy was also in desire of her.

Elizabeth blushed at the intensity of his look, but remained silent.

Caroline Bingley was constantly looking in Mr Darcy's direction, in the hope of a smile of approval, or some sign of appreciation of the service she rendered him in ministering to his guests; and, perhaps, just a hint of recognition at how well she performed her office - and what a fine mistress of Pemberley she would make. But instead, she was dismayed to observe that he never once looked in her direction - and that his attention was totally engrossed in that artful Miss Bennet; and upon witnessing the unmistakably ardent gaze that he now bestowed upon her unworthy rival, she relinquished her teapot, and came to seat herself on the sofa, on the other side of Mr Darcy.

The company was listening attentively, to the beauty of the music. When it was finished, Miss Bingley was gushing, and eager in her praise. "Mr Darcy, I can scarce believe how vastly improved is your sister, Georgiana, since last I heard her - when, I might add, she was already a great adept at the pianoforte. Whenever I hear her play, I am always jealous, for though she is younger than myself, her performance is unquestionably superior. Is it not true, Louisa? Have you not heard me speak so?" she asked, looking towards her older sister for confirmation, which was readily given.

"But that last piece, which she just now performed, was utterly exquisite, and several notches of accomplishment beyond anything I have heard from her heretofore," continued Miss Bingley fawningly. "Your sister is truly the most accomplished young lady I have ever encountered. It is sad, is it not, that all young ladies are not so accomplished as dear Georgiana - but of course that would be quite impossible. Most regrettably, there is many a young lady whom one encounters these days, who is entirely without accomplishment at all - save for a poorly netted purse or suchlike.

"Pray tell, Miss Bennet, has your friend, Miss Harrison, attained any great success in the pursuit of accomplishments?" she asked, leaning forward, with a smug smile that betrayed the eager expectation of an answer in the negative.

"I shall leave that for you to judge, Miss Bingley," said Elizabeth cryptically, with just the hint of a smile upon her face.

"I beg your pardon?" demanded Caroline. "How, precisely, do you propose that I form a judgement on the matter?"

Elizabeth said nothing, but Colonel Fitzwilliam, who had stood himself by the doorway to the music room, that he might better admire the performance, answered her, "You have already passed judgement on the matter, Miss Bingley, for that last piece, which you praised with such unrestrained enthusiasm, was performed not by Miss Darcy, but by Miss Harrison."

"Oh?" was all Miss Bingley could find to say at this remarkable piece of news; and she could hardly be insensible to the smiles on the faces of many of the party, who, having previously heard Julia play, had been in little doubt, all the way through Miss Bingley's remarkable rant, of which lady had lastly performed upon the pianoforte.

Elizabeth hoped that Miss Bingley would judge it prudent to stay well away from any mention of her special friend; and, indeed, her voice was not heard for an unusually long period of time.

Turning to Elizabeth, Mr Darcy said, "I find myself obliged to stay in Derby for the next several days, to discharge my duties of magistrate at the summer assizes; however, rest assured, that I shall return in time to honour your sister's dinner invitation on Saturday."

Elizabeth smiled at Mr Darcy, who looked at her fondly; but she greatly regretted his making mention of the dinner at Ashbourne; for she was well aware that Caroline was listening intently to his every word. She only hoped that she would make no mention of the matter until the opportunity presented itself to speak privately with Jane. Sadly, her hopes were disappointed; and doubtless Caroline felt not the slightest doubt that it was Jane's intention to invite both herself and the Hursts.

"Good heavens, Jane, why have you not yet told us of the dinner party?" scolded Caroline.

Jane blushed, and Elizabeth realised that her sister would be too embarrassed to publicly rebuff Caroline with what was, after all, a contrived excuse.

"It is most unfortunate," said Elizabeth, "that the letter you wrote my sister, advising her that you would soon be in the district, was lost."

"Why? What possible bearing could that have upon the matter?" demanded Caroline, leaning forward to glare at Elizabeth on the other side of Mr Darcy.

"It is to be the first dinner party given at Ashbourne; and, as you may imagine, all the myriad arrangements, required for setting up so considerable a household, are not yet complete. It is, perhaps, a little premature for such an event; but Mr Bingley and my sister are naturally anxious to return some of the generous hospitality they have been so fortunate to receive at Pemberley. You will appreciate that at this early stage, with a limited amount of plate, and without the full complement of serving and kitchen staff yet engaged, a large dinner is not possible."

Caroline looked at Elizabeth suspiciously. "Seven persons, is hardly enough for it to be called a dinner party at all. Surely it must be possible to accommodate a few more?"

"Why, Miss Bingley, I agree with you entirely - and in fact I raised that exact same objection with my sister - did I not, Jane?"

"Indeed, you did," confirmed Jane, more than happy to pass the thread of the conversation back to her sister, whose skill at engaging with her cunning sister-in-law, she was unable to equal.

"And I carried my point," added Elizabeth. "It was agreed that a party of nine might just be accommodated; which is why it is so very unfortunate that your letter went missing; for had we known you were to be in the district, you most certainly would have received an invitation. But as it was, Mr Bingley's cousin, Captain Radford, and Miss Barclay were invited; and being a great deal less forward than ourselves at Ashbourne, in their own endeavours at bringing together the establishment at Hartington, they were delighted to accept."

"I see," said Miss Bingley, sceptically, as she continued to glare at Elizabeth; believing not a word of it.

"But we shall be delighted to have you dine with us on the following Tuesday," said Jane quickly. "Indeed, it has been my intention to invite you since the moment you arrived here, today."

"Then you will invite our cousin, Captain Radford, and Miss Barclay, of course," said Caroline. "It is only unfortunate that you are unable to accommodate a larger party and that our dear friends from Pemberley cannot be invited, also."

"We shall bear it, as best we can," said Mr Darcy, struggling to suppress a smile; for along with his sister and cousin, he considered Miss Bingley's company a pleasure he could forgo with a good deal of complaisance.

But the Pemberley party were of little account; for it now seemed that the artful Miss Bennet presently held Mr Darcy in her power. Caroline yet hoped to remedy the situation at some future time, when she discovered some means or other of discrediting her rival. For the moment, however, the object of her hopes was Captain Radford; and she was determined to press the advantage of their relationship.

"It will be delightful, will it not, Louisa, to have an intimate family meal - we are both in such admiration of our new-found cousin. But that will make ten at the table. Can you accommodate ten persons?"

"I think there is something amiss with your arithmetic, Miss Bingley; and before you send out the invitation cards, you may wish to inform my sister of whom, exactly, you are intending to invite on her behalf." Elizabeth was astounded at Caroline's impertinence in taking it upon herself to decide who should be invited to Jane's dinner party.

"There is nothing wanting with my arithmetic," she said coldly. "You are four at Ashbourne, two more from Hartington makes six, and four from Macclesfield makes ten."

"I am quite certain that my sister wishes to invite only three from Macclesfield, is that not correct Jane?"

"Yes, just yourself, Caroline, together with Louisa and Mr Hurst," Jane said quickly.

Miss Bingley could be in not the slightest doubt that there was some objection to Captain Russell. She suspected that he must have given offence to Miss Bennet in London; most likely he had rebuffed her attentions - and who could blame him - and she had taken her revenge upon that charming gentleman by blackening his name. However, judging from their host's earlier behaviour, in all but escorting Captain Russell from the room, it was evident that Mr Darcy, at least, accepted Miss Bennet's account of events, so she dared not challenge her on the matter in front of him.

"Oh well, if nine is all you can manage, Jane, then it shall just be us three," said Caroline unnecessarily.

Elizabeth and Jane were in no doubt that the actual number would be seven, for Captain Radford, and Victoria would most certainly decline the invitation.

Chapter Seventeen - A Matter of Strategy

Posted on 2011-11-14

Not many days following their visit to Pemberley, the ladies of Ashbourne were delighted to receive a second visit from Victoria Barclay and Captain Radford. Bingley knew better than to offer the use of a fishing rod to his cousin; and his attempts at drawing him away from the ladies, to shoot or to walk with him around the grounds, met with not the slightest success.

It was evident that Captain Radford came with a single object in mind - to better acquaint himself with Julia. He begged to see the painting, now completed, that he had viewed in the gazebo upon his previous visit; and succeeded in prevailing upon her to allow him to view it, and other examples of her work, also. The party adjourned to the south-facing room that Julia had taken over for her art, and were much in admiration of all they saw - but none so much as Captain Radford, who paid a good deal of attention to her drawing book. His behaviour was far warmer, and less circumspect, than on his previous visit.

Jane suggested that they take tea in the drawing room, for the Captain was hopeful of hearing Julia perform for them; and he was not disappointed. Only those from Ashbourne had previously heard her sing, for Julia was more self-conscious when singing than playing; but evidently, she felt at ease in the company of Victoria and the Captain, for after playing a piano sonata, she regaled them with several delightful songs.

Captain Radford sat utterly enchanted; and the undisguised affection with which he regarded the performer was unmistakable. When Julia eventually closed the instrument, the Captain, who appeared to be in no way eager to end the visit, said to his cousin, "I should be most happy, Charles, to take you up on your earlier offer of a walk in your delightful grounds. Let us all set out together."

Captain Radford was almost immediately beside Julia, and Elizabeth observed that they remained deep in conversation for much of the outing.

"I must tell you," said Victoria Barclay as she walked beside Elizabeth, "that while I was eager to visit Ashbourne again, I was not the author of today's visit. It almost seemed to me that the Captain had taken a resolution."

"What resolution is that?" enquired Elizabeth.

Victoria smiled. "It was most obvious after our first visit that my dear friend was entirely smitten - although he tried hard not to show it. In all the years I have known him, I have never witnessed anything like it. He is a man of strong resolve, who gives much importance to order - doubtless a consequence of having spent much of his life in the confined spaces of a ship. My dear father is much the same in that regard."

"Yes, it is entirely understandable," agreed Elizabeth.

"When he decided to come ashore, so to speak, the Captain devised a plan for establishing himself in what would be an entirely new life. Of course, the discovery of his relationship to Mr Bingley and his sisters, temporarily postponed its execution."

"And may I enquire as to his plan?"

"Certainly, he would not object in the least to your hearing it. His first object was to purchase a country estate and establish himself there and amongst the local society. As he is in no great hurry, he has allowed himself a year for that task. Next, he intends to buy a house in town, for although he knows that my father will always welcome him, he feels like any young man, grown up, who wishes to have his own residence. Concurrently with these first two objectives, he intends to devote himself to his poetry and endeavour to ascertain if he can attain a high enough standard, that he might have some of it published."

"Yes, I recall him telling my mother - she was not particularly impressed that he wished to devote his life to such a pursuit; and being under the false impression of him being in want of money, believed him to be likewise in want of a profession. She advised him to become a clergyman, as I recall."

Victoria laughed. "I fear that your mother has mistaken his character."

"My mother is in the habit of believing people's characters to be as she would wish them to be, in accordance with her own purposes and schemes. In the case of Captain Radford, her scheme was to marry him to my sister Mary, who would be most eager for, and well suited to, the life of a clergyman's wife."

"Your mother was not entirely off mark. For once all the other objects had been attained, the Captain then planned to turn his attention to the possibility of matrimony. I use the word, possibility, advisedly; for when we discussed the subject, he was by no means certain that he would ever find a lady who would suit him, and whom he might be able to love. He is quite the romantic, and would prefer, I think, to remain unmarried, than to marry without love."

Elizabeth smiled. "I suspect that he has perhaps discovered that life does not always bow to one's plans."

"Precisely," agreed Victoria.

Before they departed, Captain Radford asked, "Victoria, how soon do you believe we shall be able to receive visitors? I am most anxious to show Hartington to our friends from Ashbourne."

It occurred to Elizabeth that only one of their number had not yet seen Hartington; for she, Jane, and Bingley had all visited along with Captain Radford, and the whole party from Pemberley in the spring. However, she chose not to point this out to the Captain, whose object was unmistakable.

"I think we are almost far enough advanced to receive a visit from our Ashbourne friends," said Victoria, "and the pianoforte is promised for today. Indeed, I am eager to return, for I am hopeful that it may have arrived."

"Then, would tomorrow be too soon?" asked Captain Radford eagerly.

"A little," replied Victoria. "Perhaps the following day - would that suit you?" she enquired of Jane, who looked at Elizabeth, who smiled and nodded. Julia, who could not be unaware that the Captain's principal object was to show her his fine estate, stared at the ground while the arrangements were completed.

After their guests were departed, and Bingley had set off in pursuit of some outdoor activity, Elizabeth and Jane both looked enquiringly at Julia.

"Did I give away my feelings?" she asked shyly.

"Yes, a little," said Jane. "But compared to the Captain, you were circumspection and reticence, itself."

Julia smiled. "As you know, I am unaccustomed to being in the presence of gentlemen; particularly in such circumstances. I admit that it seemed to me that he greatly admired me; but I distrust my judgement. What is your opinion?"

Jane laughed, "I have never seen a man so openly disclose such a degree of admiration in company."

Elizabeth shook her head. She had not the least doubt that the Captain was unquestionably in love; but she thought it unwise to encourage Julia; for two significant obstacles stood in the way of her hopes. Giving her sister a cautionary look, she said, "I suspect that Captain Radford, while not quite a complete novice in such matters as yourself, Julia, is nevertheless unlearned in the finer nuances of comportment and propriety."

"I value his forthrightness and openness," said Julia, rising to his defence.

"It was not a criticism - I, too, value those qualities. I merely mention it because his artlessness needs to be taken into account in forming an opinion of his feelings."

"Then you do not believe that he might be in love with me?" asked Julia.

Elizabeth sighed, and shook her head. "I do believe he is in love with you."

"His affection could not be more marked than my own - it is not possible! You are trying to cool my ardour, I believe, because you fear he will not wish to marry me when he learns of my origins," she said forlornly.

"No, it is not that at all," said Elizabeth, smiling reassuringly. "As I told you after his last visit, I suspect that it would not be an insurmountable obstacle for him; but I cannot be certain until I have spoken with him upon the subject."

"Then will you speak with him when we visit Hartington - please - for I cannot bear not knowing!"

"I shall. But Julia, there is a further difficulty, of which you are, as yet, unaware."

"What is it?" she asked in alarm.

"For some inexplicable reason, your brother harbours misgivings concerning Captain Radford."

"I cannot believe it - he is unquestionably the most honourable and amiable man who ever lived; what possible objection could my brother have to him?"

Elizabeth sighed, and shook her head. "I can neither understand, nor explain it, myself. I have attempted on a number of occasions to seek an explanation, but your brother refuses to speak on the subject. For some equally inexplicable reason, he has formed the opinion that Captain Radford favours your sister, Georgiana."

"Oh, no!" exclaimed Julia in dismay. "If he favours Georgiana, then I must withdraw! I cannot deny my own sister the man she loves."

"Do not trouble yourself, my dear, for she does not love him," said Elizabeth comfortingly. "I have spoken with your sister on the subject a number of times, and she has been most explicit."

"But what then of Captain Radford - does he care for her?"

Elizabeth shook her head. "He likes her, and he enjoys her company - and Georgiana feels comfortable in his - but there is nothing in the least way romantic on either side."

"So you think my brother mistakes friendship for preference?"

"Yes," replied Jane. "He seems to imagine that they might fall in love, and wish to marry."

"But if it were indeed so, why would he object to Georgiana marrying so fine and respectable a gentleman as Captain Radford?" asked Julia. "It is incomprehensible."

"Jane and I find it likewise so. Before the Captain bought Hartington, we thought that perhaps your brother suspected him of being a fortune hunter, because everyone believed him to be poor."

"Why did they think that?"

"It is a question that only the Captain can answer," said Elizabeth. "Although he never explicitly said that he was poor, he certainly allowed everyone to think it. Victoria Barclay told me today, that when the Captain retired from the Navy, he formed a plan of how he wished to proceed. First he would buy a country estate, then a town house, all the while devoting himself to his poetry. Marriage, it seems, was something he did not wish to address for several years, if ever."

"It would appear that Julia has upset his carefully laid plans," observed Jane, smiling.

"Yes, indeed," replied Elizabeth. "But given his plan, perhaps he chose to conceal his wealth so as not to become the object of young ladies and their mothers - such as our own."

"Do you think the Captain might believe I am after his money?" asked Julia anxiously.

"No, not for a minute," replied Elizabeth. "The reason I mentioned that he was thought to be poor, was by way of attempting to find an explanation for your brother's apparent fears concerning Georgiana."

"You think he imagined that Captain Radford was after our sister's fortune?"

"Yes, exactly," replied Jane. "It seemed the only plausible explanation. But Georgiana now tells us, that since the Captain purchased Hartington and his wealth has become known, that your brother still appears to harbour objections to him; for he discouraged her from inviting him to dine at Pemberley."

"Do you have any idea at all of what might be the reason for my brother's objections to the possibility of Captain Radford marrying my sister?"

"No, none, whatsoever," said Elizabeth, shaking her head.

"And you believe that the same objections would apply, equally, if he wished to marry me?"

"It is difficult to imagine otherwise," said Elizabeth.

"Perhaps," conjectured Jane, "Mr Darcy believes that Georgiana is too young to marry; or he simply wishes to enjoy her company at Pemberley a few years more - for he is excessively fond of her."

"Yes, it is possible," said Elizabeth. "If that were the case, his behaviour towards Captain Radford may simply be on account of Georgiana's evident ease and pleasure in his company, which he mistakes for something else."

Julia was quiet for some time, before asking, "If Captain Radford and I did wish to marry, would I need my brother's permission to do so?"

"You are over twenty years of age," replied Elizabeth, "you do not need his permission; and furthermore, Captain Radford can hardly request it, for he is entirely ignorant of the fact that you even have a brother."

"Yes, that is true. But I should hate to go against my brother's wishes. What a truly terrible choice that would be, between the two men whom I love," she said, shaking her head unhappily.

"Indeed, it would," agreed Elizabeth. "But since your brother wishes to hide your relationship from the world, he would have no means of preventing the match; even were you younger than one and twenty."

"Elizabeth, if I did marry Captain Radford - with or without my brother's permission - would I never be able to tell him who I really was - who was my father, and who is my mother, and who are my sister and brother? It would be terrible not to be able to share that with one's husband."

"I imagine you could introduce him to your mother; but as to revealing her true identity, or that of your father, brother and sister, I fear that Mr Darcy would not wish it - you would have to discuss it with him, I think. Of course, you do not need his permission to tell your husband the truth; for while your brother is under an oath to keep his father's secret - you are not."

"No, but still, I do not believe I would wish to tell it to anyone without my brother's agreement. And as to marrying against his wishes - I do not know if I could do that either. Oh, what am I to do?"

"I shall endeavour, once more, to get your brother to reveal to me what are his objections to Captain Radford," said Elizabeth. "It is possible that there is some mistake, or misunderstanding, and that I may be able to alter his opinion on the matter."

"If anyone can, it is you, Lizzy," said Jane, smiling shrewdly.

"Until then, it would be best to attempt to give your brother as little reason as possible to suspect your preference for the Captain."

"I shall find it most difficult," said Julia, "but I shall try my best."

"Fortunately, your brother has not yet had the opportunity of seeing the two of you together," said Elizabeth.

"But he shall on Saturday," said Jane, "at the dinner party. Perhaps I should not seat Julia beside the Captain, at the table, as was my plan?"

"No, definitely not! Seat them far apart. And, if you seat the Captain beside Georgiana, Mr Darcy will most probably persevere with his obsession about them; and will, very likely, fail to observe anything relating to the Captain and his other sister."

It was apparent from the moment of their arrival at Hartington on the following day, that Captain Radford was most eager that Julia form a favourable opinion of his estate - and he was not disappointed. He proposed that before taking refreshments, they make a tour of the grounds. He and Julia were soon walking beside each other, strolling down towards the magnificent river, as he pointed out objects of particular beauty, or of special interest, with great animation.

"I think I should inform you, Elizabeth," said Victoria, as they followed behind, "that I shall not be at all surprised if Captain Radford should wish for a private conversation with Miss Harrison at some point during your visit today."

"So soon?" exclaimed Elizabeth.

"I have tried most assiduously to persuade him that there is no need for haste; for it seems to me that while your friend very possibly returns his affections, there is an innocence and naïvety about her, which is unusual in a lady of her age; and in deference to which, he should proceed more gently, and allow her time to become accustomed to being the object of such intense affections."

"Your penetration is most acute."

"Regrettably, I am not at all convinced that my words of caution have had the least effect. I have the utmost difficulty in reconciling my friend's present indomitable passion with the calm, reasonable, and considered behaviour that has heretofore been his enduring temperament."

"And you consider it possible that it may be his intention to pay his addresses today?"

"I think it highly probable."

"Then I must speak with him. When we reach the river, perhaps you could call Miss Harrison, and engage her in conversation, while I take her place beside the Captain."

"If you wish, but I will be surprised if you have any greater success than I, in cooling his ardour."

Upon reaching the river, they executed the manoeuvre, and wasting no time, because she feared that Captain Radford would attempt to regain the company of Julia, Elizabeth said, "Captain Radford, we need to have a serious conversation."

"Oh," he said, looking up at her, with surprise, as they followed a path that ran along the river bank. The others were far enough behind to be unable to hear them.

"Forgive me, sir, if I presume too much, or am mistaken in my assumptions regarding your intentions; but it appears to me that you have possibly formed a resolution to pay your addresses to my friend, Miss Harrison."

Captain Radford smiled. "You have not assumed too much, Miss Bennet. Regrettably, I am not in possession of those social wiles which allow a gentleman to feel one way - and act in another. I suppose that my feelings are obvious to all."

"Captain, before you take any such step, there is some important information that I must impart to you concerning my friend; and which demands your serious deliberation."

"Oh?" he exclaimed with surprise.

"It is with regard to Miss Harrison's parents. Her father was a gentleman and her mother a gentleman's daughter - but they were not married to each other."

"I see," said the Captain, falling into a long silence. Eventually, he said, "It explains a great deal."

Elizabeth looked at him questioningly.

"Miss Harrison's shyness, and her lack of confidence in the company of others; also her naïvety and apparent lack of experience in social situations - it all makes sense now. Her father, I imagine, was a gentleman, who had a liaison with a younger lady. He was already married, I suppose; so upon discovering that the young lady was with child, he secluded her away in some lonely place. I imagine that Miss Harrison must have grown up, and spent much of her life, in seclusion. Is my surmise at all close to the truth, Miss Bennet?"

"It is close, indeed - and, in fact, it is only a matter of weeks since she emerged from that seclusion - when she came to Ashbourne. Captain, most gentlemen would not wish to marry a lady, knowing that her birth was illegitimate. I urge you to give the matter careful consideration."

He laughed. "I am not such a one, Miss Bennet. All that you have just now revealed makes me love her more, not less; and it increases my resolve to marry her - and soon - for it must necessarily diminish any interest in her background. And if anyone should persist in demanding such information after we are married, I will simply say that I do not wish for it to be known - and let them think what they will! When my recent victories at sea, and all my prize money, are gazetted, and become generally known - something which until now I have looked upon without enthusiasm - I doubt that anyone will wish to ask questions concerning my wife."

"Your response is most admirable, sir; but I must tell you, that on account of certain measures taken by her father to hide the scandal of her birth, you may never learn the names of her parents."

"It would hardly trouble me - what care I, for who they were - I care only for who is their daughter!"

Elizabeth was greatly pleased at how the Captain had taken her news, but her task was not yet complete; for she wished to delay his proposal until an opportunity presented itself of canvassing Mr Darcy's sentiments upon the match; for Julia would have misgivings accepting the Captain's addresses until she knew that her brother approved it.

"Captain Radford, as Miss Harrison's friend, I am delighted with how well you have received my information; and although I am in little doubt as to her feelings for you, I must ask you to wait a little while longer, before pressing your suit."

"Why? I can think of no cogent reason to wait a moment longer - can you not see, Miss Bennet, how desperately in love I am?"

"Certainly, I can see it. You are a naval captain, sir, who has engaged in battle, so I need not explain to you the value of strategy. Sometimes when pursuing your quarry, it is best to slow down, or to hold back and wait until the wind, and all the other conditions, are right - is it not so?"

"I see you have been reading some of the books on the subject in your father's library. Yes, it is so, but please explain the need of waiting."

"Perhaps you will recall, sir, when you first went to sea. Probably, there were times when you were ordered by an ensign, or a second lieutenant, to perform some task - perhaps to raise or lower the sail. You did not know why you were required to do this, and perhaps neither did the one who gave the order; but the Captain, knowing far more than yourself concerning the present action, was aware of the exact reason why the order was given - and you were obliged to trust in his judgement. Was it not so?"

"Indeed it was, Captain Bennet!" he replied, giving a mock salute. "You are asking me to trust you, and to follow your advice in this matter, because you are in possession of information that I am not?"

"Exactly," said Elizabeth. "Nothing could give me greater happiness than to see you and my friend betrothed; and I shall endeavour to do all in my power to bring it about - but in a way that will save her a great deal of pain; both now, and in the future. Will you trust me?"

"I will."

"What I am about to ask you, may seem most strange and inexplicable; and, regrettably, I cannot give you my reasons, but only beg that you do as I request. Firstly, do not pay your addresses to Miss Harrison today - or until I advise you that the time is right to do so. Secondly, when you come Ashbourne to dine on Saturday, endeavour, as much as possible, to conceal your feelings for her from the other guests. She will attempt to do likewise."

"Miss Bennet, you are turning out to be a lady of great mystery, indeed. I suppose you will not wish to hear my suppositions on the possible reasons for your most unusual requests?"

"I would prefer not; although I doubt, very much, that you could guess them. But, in any case, I could not answer you. Captain Radford, will you do as I ask?"

"I shall do my best. But how long will I have to wait?"

"That, I cannot say for certain; but I am hopeful that it will be no more than a week. Although Miss Harrison is aware of the substance of this conversation, and will be fully aware of your reasons for circumspection regarding herself when you dine at Ashbourne, it would spare her some distress if you did not make mention of it; nor, indeed, of any of the other matters we have discussed today."

"I shall do as you request. But, I hope that today, at least, I need not be so guarded in my behaviour towards her?"

"You need not, sir; and I thank you for hearing me. Before you rejoin your preferred companion, I wish to have a quick word with her, if I may?"

"Certainly. While I do not understand your reasons, Miss Bennet, I trust you; and I thank you, most sincerely."

Elizabeth dropped back and detached Julia from the rest of the party.

"Well?" she asked anxiously.

"All is well," said Elizabeth reassuringly. "The Captain now knows about your birth, and has assured me that it matters not in the least to him. He has acceded to my request to hide his feelings at the dinner party on Saturday - even though I could not provide him with the reason - and he has also agreed to postpone paying you his addresses, until I advise him that the time is propitious."

"Oh, thank you, Lizzy! Thank you so much!" exclaimed Julia, joyously. "I knew I could trust you to arrange everything!"

"You have no need of thanking me; it is Captain Radford you must thank - but not today; for I have asked him not to discuss our conversation with you, for I suspect that you might find it difficult."

"Indeed, I would. Thank you again, you have thought of everything."

Elizabeth smiled as Julia rejoined the Captain. He had behaved very much as she had expected of him; and she had not been disappointed in the high regard in which she held him. But there was still Mr Darcy to deal with; and she doubted that the dinner party the following day would provide the opportunity she desired.

Chapter Eighteen - A Private Conversation

Posted on 2011-11-14

Jane's dinner party went off very well indeed; for the company were so well-matched, and well-disposed, one to the other - almost. The one exception was Mr Darcy, whose behaviour towards Captain Radford, while polite, was clearly reserved.

Jane and Elizabeth had spent some time discussing the seating arrangements. They wished to seat Julia well away from Captain Radford, whom they seated between Georgiana and Elizabeth, with Mr Darcy beside her on one side of the table, and Jane at one end; and then Victoria, Colonel Fitzwilliam and Julia along the other side, with Bingley at the other end. This made it difficult for Mr Darcy to observe what passed between Georgiana and Captain Radford. Though evidently conscious of their frequent conversations, he was unable to follow them; and very likely imagined them to be of more intimate a nature than, indeed, they were. Elizabeth was hopeful that he would, consequently, continue to mistake the object of the Captain's preference as Georgiana, rather than Julia.

Mr Darcy and Julia had also been placed well apart, for neither of them was comfortable together in the company of others, when they were obliged to feign the role of new and disinterested acquaintances. Victoria had requested that Jane seat her beside Colonel Fitzwilliam, if at all possible, and although he was well mannered enough not to ignore Julia on his other side, Victoria was well-pleased with her allotment of his conversation.

After the meal, the gentlemen did not tarry long at their port and cigars, for the three bachelors were eager to join the ladies in the drawing room. Elizabeth looked up and smiled invitingly at Mr Darcy, as they entered, which was sufficient to draw him to sit beside her on the couch that she had chosen for its distance from the pianoforte; for she suspected that Captain Radford would be unable to hide the warmth of his admiration when it was Julia's turn to perform. In the event, she was quite correct, and made sure to engage Mr Darcy in conversation at those times when it was most evident.

Having exhausted the subject of the Derby assizes, she surprised him by saying, "We intend to wait upon Georgiana tomorrow, Mr Darcy; and if you happen to be at home, I would very much like the opportunity of speaking with you privately."

He smiled. "I was not intending to be at home - for I had planned to visit Ashbourne, either with my sister and cousin, if it suited them, or otherwise alone; for there is a matter upon which I have been hoping to speak with you privately - for a very long time," he said, looking at her with an intensity that made her heart quicken. "But I shall be more than happy to remain at Pemberley and await your arrival there."

Elizabeth had not the least doubt concerning the matter he wished to discuss; she was only uncertain as to whether it would be to her advantage, in gaining his approval of Julia's betrothal to Captain Radford, to allow him to speak first or not. On the whole, she decided, her power over him might be greater if he had not yet attained his object. She might even persuade him to divulge his reasons for distrusting the Captain.

"Please remember, Mr Darcy, that it was I, who first indicated a desire to speak privately; so you must allow me to speak first."

When they arrived at Pemberley the following day, Georgiana was alone in the sitting room, but they were very soon joined by the gentlemen.

"It is such a delightful day," said Mr Darcy, "why do we not make a round of the gardens before taking tea?" The others were favourably disposed to his proposal, and also to Georgiana's subsequent suggestion that they have the tea served in the pavilion.

Mr Darcy wasted no time in separating Elizabeth from the rest of the party by allowing them to fall behind, and when the opportunity presented itself, of taking a side path behind an avenue of trees, that concealed them from view. He looked at her entreatingly.

"Mr Darcy," she said, as they walked beside blooming flower beds, "I feel myself obliged to speak with you upon a subject which may, I fear, cause you some consternation; and yet it cannot be avoided."

He looked at her with alarm and surprise, for he had anticipated that their conversation would be as delightful as the surroundings he had deliberately chosen for it.

"I shall not keep you in suspense, but tell you directly: your sister and Captain Radford are very much in love, and wish to marry."

Elizabeth was alarmed at the extraordinary effect of her words upon him. He stopped in his tracks and stared at the ground, shaking his head, with an expression of deep distress. "No, no, no... She cannot marry him... I shall never allow it..." he muttered repeatedly to himself, as if in a trance.

Elizabeth took him by the arm and gently steered him towards a nearby seat, for he seemed to have lost all awareness of his surroundings. She gently drew him down, and when they were seated, she asked, "Why can she not marry him?"

"Because she is his sister!"

"What?" exclaimed Elizabeth in astonishment. "How can that possibly be? It is entirely incomprehensible. Are you quite certain?"

"Absolutely certain."

"I knew that the Captain had a sister, whom he had never known, for he told me of it in Hertfordshire; but how can his sister be your sister also?"

"He knows he has a sister?" asked Mr Darcy in surprise. "I had always believed him to be ignorant of it."

"Yes, he knows. For many years he believed that his sister had died at birth, along with his mother; but her midwife later made a deathbed confession, that the sister had survived. There were no relations who were able to bring up the little girl, and eventually she was given over to a lady who was in search of a little girl, who paid the midwife handsomely for her."

"Yes, I know," said Mr Darcy, gravely, "the lady of whom you speak was my mother's agent."

"What?" demanded Elizabeth. "Of which sister are we speaking?"

"Why, of Georgiana, of course."

"Georgiana? Oh, now I understand your inexplicable behaviour, since first you heard Captain Radford's name," said Elizabeth, smiling with relief, "and why you seemed so fearful of the possibility of an attraction developing."

"Yes, yes! And now, despite my best efforts, it has happened - Georgiana wishes to marry him - I cannot allow it!"

"No, she does not!"

"What? But did you not just say that they wished to marry? I do not understand," said Mr Darcy in evident confusion.

"When I said that your sister and Captain Radford wished to marry, I was speaking of your other sister, Julia."

"Oh!" exclaimed Mr Darcy, with an enormous sigh of relief. "Julia! It is Julia who wishes to marry Captain Radford?"

"Yes. Do you have any objection?" asked Elizabeth.

"To Julia marrying the Captain? No, none whatsoever! When I told you in Hertfordshire that I intended to commission an investigation into Captain Radford, it was principally to determine whether he could possibly be related to Georgiana - for I knew that the name of her true father was Radford. I have her birth documents; but they gave no information concerning the families of her parents, and no indication of the relationship that Captain Radford claimed to Bingley.

"My investigation confirmed both the relationship to Bingley; and also that Captain Radford is, indeed, the brother of Georgiana. It also revealed that he is of impeccable character. All my dealings with him have confirmed his good character - even if I was, perhaps, more than a little annoyed in Hertfordshire, and again in town, at the degree of attention he showed to one particular young lady - and I do not now speak of my sister, Georgiana. I am delighted at the news that he wishes to marry Julia.

"I am most pleased and relieved to hear it," said Elizabeth.

"But does she really love him? It all seems so very sudden - they have only known each other for a few weeks. Is Julia certain she wishes to marry him? My sister is well aware that marriage will save her from the scrutiny concerning her background, which has been my great concern since she came into Derbyshire; for we discussed it at length on the journey from Suffolk. I sincerely hope that she is not simply accepting Captain Radford's suit in order to avoid curiosity concerning her family and to relieve my anxieties."

"She is utterly in love with him, I can assure you - and he returns her love in equal measure. Although they have known each other but a short time, their mutual attraction was immediate, and they have had several opportunities of a tête-à-tête, both at Ashbourne and Hartington. Having previously spent a good deal of time in the Captain's company, myself, I was able to confirm all of Julia's good opinions concerning his character."

"Captain Radford is evidently a most decisive man," observed Mr Darcy.

"Certainly compared to some gentlemen of my acquaintance," replied Elizabeth, with a playful smile. Observing Mr Darcy's evident discomfit, she continued, "I imagine it comes from being a naval officer, who must sometimes be obliged to make very quick decisions. He wasted little time in determining that he must have Hartington; and I believe it was much the same from the moment that he first set eyes upon Julia."

"But how will he react, do you think, when he is made aware of the circumstances concerning her birth?" asked Mr Darcy cautiously. "He must be informed."

"He knows it all, already - or at least that her parents were not married; for I related it to him myself, some days ago. I can assure you, it troubles him not in the least."

"Why did you not tell me the good news immediately? You spoke not a word of it last night - and as I recall, Julia and Captain Radford were not seated together at the table, and showed not the least sign of the preference of which you have spoken."

Elizabeth smiled. "It was on account of your obvious anxiety about Georgiana and the Captain, which was never anything more than friendship. I was concerned that you had some secret knowledge, which gave you cause to object to Captain Radford, which would apply equally to Julia. I therefore cautioned her to conceal her affection until I had spoken with you about the possibility of them marrying; for as you might imagine, she very much wishes to receive your blessings."

Mr Darcy smiled. "And so she shall; I am overjoyed at the news."

"I shall inform Julia at the earliest opportunity; she will be utterly delighted to hear it," said Elizabeth happily. "But as to your other sister, Georgiana, she is obviously unaware that Captain Radford is her brother; and he, likewise, is unaware that she is the sister he has longed to know, all his life, and had resigned himself to believe that he would never find."

"Miss Bennet, what I have told you must remain a secret between you and me. Georgiana has not the least idea that my father and mother are not also her own; and I am determined that she shall never know the truth."

"If you wish me to keep your secret, Mr Darcy, then I shall oblige you to tell me the whole story - of how came your parents to take a child who was not theirs, and raise her as their own - deceiving all the world, including Georgiana, herself. I wish to better understand the need for such secrecy that would prevent a brother and sister from knowing of each other's existence."

He stared at her for some time, deliberating. "I shall tell you then; but you must understand that it is told in complete confidence. It is so terrible and shameful a story - even your sister, Jane, may not know it."

"You have my promise."

"Very well, then. You know already about my father's liaison with the daughter of the rector of Kympton, which resulted in the birth of my sister, Julia. I suppose it is not so very exceptional an occurrence. However, my father, being an otherwise moral and upstanding gentleman, was deeply ashamed, and went to great lengths to conceal it. I have heard of other gentlemen, in similar circumstances, who have not taken the same trouble to hide their wayward behaviour, and society, at large, hardly thinks the worse of them. Though it may be spoken of in private, in public it is never acknowledged."

"Yes, sadly it is so. But I must tell you, Mr Darcy, that my good opinion of such a man would be lost forever; and were I his wife, I could no longer be happy," said Elizabeth, looking him in the eye as she spoke.

"My sentiments on the matter are completely in accord with your own, Miss Bennet. What I was attempting to intimate, is that while society may choose to ignore such behaviour in a gentleman, and his reputation might barely be tarnished, in the case of a lady, it is an entirely different matter," he said sombrely, and fell into a silence, seemingly sinking into himself, staring at the ground before him, barely conscious of his companion.

Elizabeth was aware that he was greatly troubled, and she began to wish that she had not ventured to ask him for an explanation. But at length, he spoke.

"My parents' marriage was never a particularly happy one; which may, perhaps, in some way account for my father seeking happiness elsewhere. When he made his confession to me, on his deathbed, he told me also of another indiscretion, which I found far more shocking - for rather than himself, it concerned my mother. She had, he told me, likewise engaged in a liaison. Perhaps she had wished to take her revenge upon him, for she knew of his indiscretion with the rector's daughter; or perhaps she was in love - or possibly it was on account of her desire to have another child. My mother had, apparently, always wanted a daughter; and perhaps she believed her failure to produce a second child was because of my father.

"It must have occurred when I was ten years old, some five years after my father's liaison with Julia's mother. He told me that he had not visited my mother's bedchamber for many months; so when it became obvious that she was with child, he knew it was not his. He demanded to know the identity of the father, whom my mother eventually revealed to be a young footman in my father's service. Upon being confronted with the accusation, the footman vigorously protested his innocence, but was nevertheless immediately dismissed.

"Despite my mother's pleas, my father refused, outright, to allow her to keep the child, and to raise it as her own. To avoid a scandal, he sent her away to stay with her sister, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, in Kent. My mother agreed that after the child was born, she would find suitable people, who would be paid handsomely to raise it as their own. It was to be done through an agent, so that they would never know the true identity of the child's parents. My mother would then return to Derbyshire, where the story would be circulated that the child had not survived a difficult birth."

"Your story is indeed astonishing, Mr Darcy; and though it might cause you great pain to tell it, perhaps in sharing it with another, your burden may become a little lighter. But, what you have thus far related, in no way explains the relationship between Captain Radford and Georgiana."

"Indeed it does not. You must understand that everything that I have spoken of thus far, I learned from my father, before he died. But there is more; and of much of it, he, himself, was ignorant. My mother passed away a dozen years ago, and my father some five years later. About two years ago, I undertook the task of putting my mother's papers in order, with a view to selecting anything worthy of a place in the archive of records and items of family interest, which is kept in the Pemberley library. Much of what I will now tell you comes from a collection of letters and documents I came upon at that time. The illness which ended my mother's life was unexpected, and mercifully brief. If she had had the opportunity, she would most certainly have destroyed them. I am quite certain that my father could never have looked at them - for if he had, he, too, would have wished to destroy them.

"You have heard the plan which my mother had reluctantly agreed upon with my father; however, as it transpired, she did not follow it. When she arrived at Rosings Park, Sir Lewis de Bourgh was still alive; but her sister, Catherine, was childless, and had all but given up hope of ever bearing him a child. The two sisters concocted a most devious scheme, which would allow my mother to maintain contact with her child, and give her sister, Catherine, her cherished desire of becoming a mother - and if not of her own child, at least of one who was her blood relation."

"So Lady Catherine pretended that she, too, was expecting a child?"

Mr Darcy nodded.

"Good heavens, then Anne de Bourgh is your sister?" exclaimed Elizabeth.

"Yes," said Mr Darcy, sighing.

"You have two half-sisters?"

"Yes."

Elizabeth shook her head in amazement.

"When the time came for their confinement, the two sisters went together to stay with an aunt in Hampshire, who was in their confidence. My mother bore a baby girl whom she gave to my aunt, who named her Anne, after her own mother."

"I must tell you, Mr Darcy, that the news that Anne de Bourgh is, in fact, your half-sister strikes me as utterly astonishing."

"You are referring, no doubt, to my aunt's cherished scheme of wedding me to her daughter, Anne?"

"Indeed I am. It cannot be lawful!"

"It most certainly is not! I have been well aware of my aunt's scheme for many years, now; almost from the moment that my mother passed away. Since that time, Lady Catherine has told me, repeatedly, that the marriage was the favourite wish of not only herself, but of my own mother. Clearly she wished to convince me that it was my duty to wed Anne. Even before I discovered the truth about Anne, I found my aunt's claim quite incredible; for my mother had never once mentioned such a wish in my presence. It was quite a shock, you may imagine, when I discovered, two years ago, that the person whom I had always believed to be my cousin, was in fact my half-sister."

"Did you confront your aunt with the information, and demand to know what she was about, in attempting so extraordinary a thing as to marry you to your own sister?"

"I did not. When I became cognisant of the true state of affairs, and the implications of what my aunt was attempting, I concluded that she could not be entirely in possession of all her faculties."

"Perhaps, having pretended that Anne was her own daughter for so many years, she eventually convinced herself that it was true. Your aunt is a prodigiously determined lady. I have sometimes observed that very strong-willed persons, who are in the habit of imposing their views upon others, sometimes develop a tendency to believe in the veracity of their own views, without reference to others - or, indeed, reality."

"Yes, perhaps. My aunt certainly fits your characterisation. In any case, I have never had the slightest desire to marry Anne, even before I knew she was my sister; and, I must say, that the discovery has hardly changed my feelings for her, which have always been cool and distant. They are so totally different from my feelings for Julia, whom I have come to love and cherish, quite as much as my other sister, Georgiana."

"Who it transpires is not your sister at all?"

"No, as I learned from my father on his deathbed; and yet I assure you, Miss Bennet, that my affection for Georgiana has not diminished in the least."

"But, how came she to be brought up as your sister?"

"When my Aunt Catherine returned to Rosings Park with the baby girl, my mother was bereft at the loss of her daughter. Her aunt, it seems, was aware that it was not unheard of, for a woman who was unable to bear children, to obtain a baby whose mother has died in childbirth, or who had been born to an unwed woman who was unable to keep it. Hampshire is close to Portsmouth; which, being a naval town, was a promising place to search. My mother eagerly accepted her aunt's proposal - so long as a pretty little girl from a respectable background could be found; and the necessary legal documents obtained to prove that it was not her own child.

"My aunt engaged an agent to act as an intermediary. She was never told the identity of the lady for whom she was commissioned to find the child. The agent learned of a midwife who had delivered a little girl, whose mother had died in childbirth, and who was eager to find a good home for her. The agent assured the midwife that the little girl's prospects would be excellent, and paid handsomely for the baby.

"My mother was absolutely delighted with the little girl, whom she named Georgiana. Unlike herself - or the footman - her hair was blonde, which, together with the birth certificate she had obtained from the midwife, was sufficient to convince my father that Georgiana was not my mother's own child, when she returned with it to Pemberley.

"My father, of course, had absolutely no idea that Anne de Bourgh was, in fact, the real daughter of his wife; and though, initially, he was angry at my mother's artful scheme of gaining a daughter, he came to love Georgiana as much as any father could love his own daughter. When he told me all that he knew of the matter, before he died, he begged me to never allow Georgiana to learn the truth; for he feared it would discompose her and make her unhappy."

"What an extraordinary history - it is more akin to what one might encounter in some fanciful novel, than in real life. Did your mother's collection of letters include any from the father of her child? It seems to me that her naming of the young footman may have been yet another clever device - perhaps intended to prevent her lover from being banished?"

"You are most astute in your surmise. There were such letters. They were from my father's steward - Mr Wickham; the father of George Wickham."

Elizabeth shook her head at this final piece of information. Mr Darcy and George Wickham, it seemed, had a half-sister in common. While she was pondering this whole fantastic story, which entwined the lives of so many of those with whom she was acquainted, the sound of a gong was heard, calling them to tea.

"I fear we have been away from the rest of the party for a very long time," said Mr Darcy, "they will wonder what has become of us."

As they walked back towards the house, Elizabeth observed, "You must have found it most unsettling when your father first revealed these matters to you."

"Indeed I did. To discover that both my father and mother, whom I had my whole life believed to be virtuous and honourable, had both broken their marriage vows; and that I had a sister, who had, my whole life, been unknown to me; and that the one I had believed to be mine was not, in fact, the daughter of my parents - I found it all most disconcerting. Although it in no way diminished my love for Georgiana, and I had the great joy of becoming acquainted with Julia, yet the burden of hiding my parents' shameful secrets has been great indeed; and, yet, rests most heavily upon me."

"You said that your father begged you to never tell Georgiana the truth, because he feared it would make her unhappy. Did you give him a solemn promise never to reveal the truth - either to Georgiana or to others - as you did in the case of his own indiscretion?"

"No, my father requested my secrecy, but he did not oblige me to give a formal promise. Why do you ask? I must tell you that I find my mother's infidelity, and all the subsequent artifice, including the deception perpetrated upon Sir Lewis de Bourgh, in having him believe that he had fathered a daughter, more shameful than that of my father."

"Mr Darcy, if you will permit me to express my opinion on the matter, I believe that it is wrong to deny Georgiana and Captain Radford the information that they are brother and sister."

Mr Darcy sighed. "I could never allow Georgiana to learn the terrible truth about my mother."

"But there is no need to tarnish your mother's memory. You can simply tell your sister that your mother went to Hampshire to stay with an aunt for her confinement; and that when the baby did not survive the birth, she agreed to a proposal of her aunt to adopt a baby girl, and claim it as her own. All the other details, including the relationship to Captain Radford, can be related in full. The truth about her origins can be given without any need of reference to your mother's infidelity."

"Yes, of course! It never occurred to me," said Mr Darcy, shaking his head. "But, do you believe that the benefit to Georgiana, of knowing the truth, would outweigh her distress at learning that her parents are not who she has thought them to be, her whole life long? Would she cease to love me as her brother? And how would she feel about others knowing the truth - would she not be ashamed?"

"I think you do not allow sufficiently for your sister's intelligence, Mr Darcy; she is no longer a child. Though she may feel some confusion upon learning the truth, it is, I believe, her right to know. I am certain that she will always love you as her brother - as you continue to love her as your sister, even though you know she is not. And she will have the joy of learning that she has another brother - as you have had the joy of discovering a sister, in Julia."

"You are quite correct, Miss Bennet; how fortunate I am to have your incisive mind to help me unravel this conundrum. I can see, now, that I am too close to it all, to view it as clearly as you. Georgiana must be enlightened; but I must tell you that I do not look forward to the conversation - it will be a most difficult one, indeed."

Elizabeth smiled. "If you will allow me, I believe that I may be able to impart the unsettling information to your sister in a manner that will allow her to come to terms with the astonishing news without suffering undue distress."

"Would you do that, Miss Bennet? I would be greatly obliged to you; for I fear my own anxiety over the whole matter would prevent me from performing the task as well as you. I shall, however, inform Captain Radford, for he also needs to be enlightened. Do you agree?"

"It is Georgiana's secret. I shall offer her my counsel, but I believe it is up to her to decide if she wishes for anyone else to know the truth; although I suspect that she will wish to inform Captain Radford."

"Would Georgiana wish to reside at Hartington, do you think? If Captain Radford marries Julia - which you appear to consider as certain - she might be very happy living with such a sister."

"I doubt very much that Georgiana would wish to leave Pemberley; and she could not do so without publishing the truth of her birth, which I think unlikely. And as to gaining a sister, I believe that she entertains hopes, that if her brother chooses well, she might gain a suitable sister at Pemberley," said Elizabeth, with a playful smile.

Unfortunately for Mr Darcy, having finally arrived at the subject he was most eager to address, he found that regrettably, they had likewise arrived at the pavilion, where tea was being served.