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Authors: Wendi Sotis
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chuckled without mirth. “And we do not even know the gentleman’s name. They might not even have met him yet!”
~%~
July 24, 1811
After having tea at the Gardiner’s temporary residence at Ramsgate, Georgiana waved her goodbyes to the Bennets and Mrs. Gardiner and settled back into the seat of a coach that her brother had left behind for her use. Infinitely pleased with her visit, she was lost in her recollections of the afternoon when Mrs. Younge spoke.
“I feel it necessary to point out that I do not think your brother would approve of these ladies, Miss Darcy.”
Georgiana paled. “Why?”
“Mrs. Gardiner is the daughter of a tradesman—the former haberdasher from Lambton , no less. Would your brother approve of your spending a great deal of time with the daughter of Lambton’s baker or butcher?” Mrs. Younge frowned and shook her head. “The Bennets may be the daughters of a gentleman, but their mother is the daughter of a tradesman, and her brother is a tradesman in London still!”
“You cannot deny that they are perfectly polite and genteel. My brother already did grant his permission—”
Mrs. Younge interrupted, “Mr. Darcy was unaware of their background at that time. It is my opinion that they are not suitable company for a lady of your stature, and I would feel uncomfortable allowing your acquaintance with them to carry on without his continued approval. I will write to Mr. Darcy directly upon arriving at the house. Until we receive his answer, I do not believe you should see them again.”
“But—”
“I am sorry, Miss Darcy, but my livelihood may depend upon waiting for your brother’s approval.” Her well-practiced expression of remorse hid Mrs. Younge’s true feelings.
Ashamed of the tears that had begun to well up in her eyes, Georgiana lowered her gaze to the gloved hands folded in her lap. Unable to speak again, she only nodded.
Look at her! I do not like being proven wrong, but I could not guess how her meeting the Bennets would be the perfect addition to our scheme. Now Miss Darcy will be feeling even lonelier than ever, waiting for her brother to answer a letter that will never be sent! She will have a day to mourn the loss of her friends—and then the next stage of our plan will be put into action.
~%~
July 25, 1811
Mrs. Gardiner, Elizabeth, and Jane stood before the Darcy residence in Ramsgate. The butler answered the door.
“May we see Miss Darcy, please?” Mrs. Gardiner asked.
“Miss Darcy is not at home. Would you like to leave your card?”
Mrs. Gardiner handed over her card, and the threesome turned to leave.
“That is odd. As she was leaving yesterday, Miss Darcy said that she would be at home today.” Elizabeth looked up at the second floor and saw a curtain move. Her step faltered, and she hesitated a moment before continuing.
~%~
Mrs. Younge came up behind her charge, who was standing at the window watching her would-be guests walk away from the house. When Elizabeth had turned and looked up, Georgiana stepped back from the window and bumped into Mrs. Younge. “I am sorry.”
“Is something wrong?”
“I do not like deceiving them.”
“Now, now, Miss Darcy. The letter I have written to your brother was sent in this morning’s post. You shall know his decision before long. If he does approve, you may return their call very soon indeed.”
“And if not?”
“Then in delaying your meeting with them again, we have made the correct decision.”
Georgiana’s forehead furrowed as she turned back to watch her friends round the corner.
“Have I done anything to cause you to doubt my word, Miss Darcy?”
Unwilling to give anyone pain, Georgiana turned quickly from the window. “Oh, no, Mrs. Younge, of course you have not.”
Mrs. Younge smiled slightly . Foolish child!
Chapter 4
Later in the day, as they stood watching the children play in the sands whilst their aunt was busy speaking to a lady of her acquaintance, Elizabeth
~%~
July 24, 1811
After having tea at the Gardiner’s temporary residence at Ramsgate, Georgiana waved her goodbyes to the Bennets and Mrs. Gardiner and settled back into the seat of a coach that her brother had left behind for her use. Infinitely pleased with her visit, she was lost in her recollections of the afternoon when Mrs. Younge spoke.
“I feel it necessary to point out that I do not think your brother would approve of these ladies, Miss Darcy.”
Georgiana paled. “Why?”
“Mrs. Gardiner is the daughter of a tradesman—the former haberdasher from Lambton , no less. Would your brother approve of your spending a great deal of time with the daughter of Lambton’s baker or butcher?” Mrs. Younge frowned and shook her head. “The Bennets may be the daughters of a gentleman, but their mother is the daughter of a tradesman, and her brother is a tradesman in London still!”
“You cannot deny that they are perfectly polite and genteel. My brother already did grant his permission—”
Mrs. Younge interrupted, “Mr. Darcy was unaware of their background at that time. It is my opinion that they are not suitable company for a lady of your stature, and I would feel uncomfortable allowing your acquaintance with them to carry on without his continued approval. I will write to Mr. Darcy directly upon arriving at the house. Until we receive his answer, I do not believe you should see them again.”
“But—”
“I am sorry, Miss Darcy, but my livelihood may depend upon waiting for your brother’s approval.” Her well-practiced expression of remorse hid Mrs. Younge’s true feelings.
Ashamed of the tears that had begun to well up in her eyes, Georgiana lowered her gaze to the gloved hands folded in her lap. Unable to speak again, she only nodded.
Look at her! I do not like being proven wrong, but I could not guess how her meeting the Bennets would be the perfect addition to our scheme. Now Miss Darcy will be feeling even lonelier than ever, waiting for her brother to answer a letter that will never be sent! She will have a day to mourn the loss of her friends—and then the next stage of our plan will be put into action.
~%~
July 25, 1811
Mrs. Gardiner, Elizabeth, and Jane stood before the Darcy residence in Ramsgate. The butler answered the door.
“May we see Miss Darcy, please?” Mrs. Gardiner asked.
“Miss Darcy is not at home. Would you like to leave your card?”
Mrs. Gardiner handed over her card, and the threesome turned to leave.
“That is odd. As she was leaving yesterday, Miss Darcy said that she would be at home today.” Elizabeth looked up at the second floor and saw a curtain move. Her step faltered, and she hesitated a moment before continuing.
~%~
Mrs. Younge came up behind her charge, who was standing at the window watching her would-be guests walk away from the house. When Elizabeth had turned and looked up, Georgiana stepped back from the window and bumped into Mrs. Younge. “I am sorry.”
“Is something wrong?”
“I do not like deceiving them.”
“Now, now, Miss Darcy. The letter I have written to your brother was sent in this morning’s post. You shall know his decision before long. If he does approve, you may return their call very soon indeed.”
“And if not?”
“Then in delaying your meeting with them again, we have made the correct decision.”
Georgiana’s forehead furrowed as she turned back to watch her friends round the corner.
“Have I done anything to cause you to doubt my word, Miss Darcy?”
Unwilling to give anyone pain, Georgiana turned quickly from the window. “Oh, no, Mrs. Younge, of course you have not.”
Mrs. Younge smiled slightly . Foolish child!
Chapter 4
Later in the day, as they stood watching the children play in the sands whilst their aunt was busy speaking to a lady of her acquaintance, Elizabeth
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