Welcome to our Pride & Prejudice prequel! P&P: Prelude to Pemberley tells the story of the time leading up to the events of Pride & Prejudice, including what Darcy and Elizabeth were doing and thinking, Georgiana Darcy’s story, the events of Ramsgate, how Mr. Bingley came to lease Netherfield, and much more! Join us on our journey as the Austen Variations authors post the events of 1811 in real time on the date they happened – 214 years in the future.
Darcy Gives Georgiana the Bad News
January 20, 1811
Darcy stared down at the letter from Lady Matlock again, hoping the words might have changed since he last read it. But it was just the same.
Absolutely not. Do you not recall why that school was chosen for her? The headmistress is a distant cousin – and the particular childhood friend – of Lady Jersey. If you take Georgiana out of school in the middle of the year, she will no doubt report it to her cousin, who will make certain Georgiana’s Season is not a success. A young lady seen to be in disfavor with the Patroness of Almacks will not receive invitations, and everyone will wonder what is wrong with her. It will reflect badly on you as well, and possibly on all her connections. I simply will not have it.
Not that the decision was Lady Matlock’s to make, but it would be very hard to go up against her. Richard would have equal say with Darcy in a change in Georgiana’s education, and Darcy doubted his cousin would be willing to quarrel with his mother simply because Georgiana disliked her school. Not to mention that Darcy suspected Lady Matlock was right.
Damn it, he did not want Georgiana to be unhappy! But he had often tolerated unpleasant situations for similar reasons, his miserable years at Eton not the least of it. How often had he put in an appearance at a ball simply because Lady Matlock had told him he must keep up a position in society – precisely so that he would be able to help Georgiana during her Season? He would far rather have stayed at home with a book, but he had forced himself to take part because it was his duty. He had sacrificed his own pleasure so that Georgiana could be a success in the ton and a credit to the family name.
Georgiana had a duty to the family name, too.
Enough. He rose to his feet and followed the tinkling notes of the pianoforte, striding out of his study, through the library, and into the music room where Georgiana sat at her instrument. Apparently she was caught up enough in her playing not to hear him approach, so he leaned against the doorframe and listened.
She did have a talent for music, no question of it, well worth the cost of the special master he paid to visit her school twice a week to work with her. He did not know the piece she had chosen, though he had heard her practice it before. Once she had loved Bach and Mozart, but now her choices seemed filled with passion rather than precision.
Still, he applauded when she came to the dramatic conclusion, which made her start and turn rapidly towards him.
Her cheeks were overlaid with a light blush. “Oh! I did not know you were there.”
“I am sorry to interrupt your practice,” he said. “It sounded lovely.”
Her brow furrowed. “Is something the matter?”
Apparently he was altogether too easy to read. “I have, as I promised, written to several people about the matter of your school. Unfortunately, they all agree that taking you out of Miss Dalrymple’s Seminary in the middle of the year would have unfortunate consequences. It could make your Season much more difficult.”
The color fled her face. “I do not care about my Season! I will not go back there!”
He braced himself. “I am sorry, Georgiana, but you must. I will speak to Miss Dalrymple and tell her that you should not be required to recite your lessons. I hope that will make it easier.”
“It will make me stand out more, and everyone will hate me for getting special treatment!”
Darcy took a steadying breath. “Obviously, if you would prefer that I say nothing, I will do as you wish.”
“I prefer not to go back! Do you not understand that I am miserable there?” Her voice was shaking.
Dear God, how he hated this! “I do, but I also know we must both do our duty to the family name. I am willing to offer this much: if you finish out this year at Miss Dalrymple’s, I will press Lady Matlock to allow you to live with her or one of her daughters instead.” Not that her ladyship would be pleased, or likely to agree. She was bringing out two of her own granddaughters next year, and Georgiana was prettier, more accomplished, and above all better dowered than them. Lady Matlock would not appreciate either the comparison or the distraction, and she had told Darcy as much. And unless he miraculously met a lady he would be willing to marry within the next two years, he would need Lady Matlock’s help when it was time for Georgiana’s first Season.
If only they did not have to tolerate so much nonsense for the sake of her Season! It was supposed to be a privilege, but at the moment it felt more like a punishment.
Georgiana wrung her hands, her eyes glittering with unshed tears. “Is there nothing I can do to make you change your mind?”
What would his father have done? Darcy pictured him sitting behind the desk that was now his, the old man’s face stern, and he hardened his heart. “I have made my decision. We must all do things that are not to our liking.” But it made his stomach clench to watch her misery. Had she not suffered enough already, losing both her parents?
She jumped to her feet. “How can you do this to me? I hate you!” And then she ran from the room, sobbing loudly.
He watched after her. Could he somehow have handled this better? But there truly was no other choice. If only his father were still alive, and he had not been thrust into this guardianship that he was so ill-suited for. Then he could just be the elder brother who brought Georgiana gifts, rather than the one who forced her to do unpleasant things.
But this was his reality now. Georgiana would go back to Miss Dalrymple’s Seminary. She would be miserable, and she would despise him for it. And there was nothing he could do about it except to reassure himself that he had no other choice.
Author’s note: Come back on Wednesday to see what Georgiana does!
2 comments
Oh dear. I can slowly see why and how poor Georgiana would be vulnerable to anything that would get her away from there, even if it is in the form of a rake. Poor thing.
So, they obviously had the terrible teens in those days as well! Poor Darcy, he can’t win whatever he does (although getting rid of Wickham would be good, it’s a shame he can’t see into the future!)