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 Takes Georgiana from School
April 22, 1811
Darcy descended wearily from his carriage onto the pavement in front of Miss Dalrymple’s Seminary. At least the sun was shining again. For a time the sky had clouded over and he had worried it might rain.
Perhaps it was a sign that all would go well. He could take Georgiana out for a walk, or perhaps to that elegant little tearoom that she liked, to set the stage for the conversation he had prepared. Yes, getting her outside the grounds of the school was a good idea. He would start with an offer of the tearoom.
He instructed the coachman to proceed to the George and Dragon. After he saw Georgiana, he could decide whether to stay overnight or not. Then he strode up to the doorway of the seminary and knocked with the head of his cane. A maid in a perfectly starched uniform answered the door.
Darcy handed her his card. “I am here to see Miss Darcy.”
“Oh, yes, sir. Miss Dalrymple is expecting you. She wishes to speak to you first. Will you come this way, sir?”
Another delay, but understandable. He followed the girl to the elegant sitting room he had visited each time he dropped Georgiana at school, where Miss Dalrymple had always beamed at him and assured him that she was beyond delighted that he had chosen her establishment for his dear sister.
Today Miss Dalrymple was not smiling. Instead, she invited him to sit by the fire. And she ordered a tea tray, which suggested this would not be quick.
She asked him about his journey as he settled in the wingback chair she had indicated. After that polite necessity of chatting about the weather and the state of the roads, she straightened and said, “Mr. Darcy, I must thank you for coming so promptly. I am very sorry that matters have reached this point; I consider it a personal failure.”
Automatically he said, “I am certain you have done your best.”
She inclined her head. “I have tried, but it is not enough. It does not help that Miss Lloyd’s family is not prepared to let the matter go. Ah, here is the tea. May I pour you some?”
“Thank you. Milk, no sugar, if you please.”
She did not hurry the process of preparing it. To fill the silence, Darcy began telling her about his plans for what he would say to Georgiana, and assuring her that when he was done, Georgiana would be ready to apologize.
Her lips tightened. “I wish I could say that would be enough, but in truth, Mr. Darcy, I am not certain it will be. Miss Lloyd is popular among the other young ladies here. I think it unlikely your sister will ever be accepted among them again.” She shook her head slowly. “I have made it clear that anyone who is unkind to her will be dealt with sternly, but I cannot have an eye on them every minute of the day and night. Girls of this age can be cruel.”
He frowned. “May I ask what you are suggesting?”
“Although it pains me to say so, I believe your sister would be better served away from this establishment. She has many strengths, it is true, but she has not thrived here.”
He swallowed the mouthful of tea he had just made the mistake of taking. This was beyond unfortunate. Lady Matlock had made it clear just how important it was to Georgiana’s future to finish out the year. “I appreciate your opinion, Miss Dalrymple, and no doubt there is wisdom in it. I wonder, though, if there is a way she could remain here until the end of the term, which would allow me time to make other arrangements for her.”
“I wish I could oblige, Mr. Darcy. Truly, I do. Permit me to ask you to put yourself in the position of Miss Lloyd’s family. Suppose your sister had been attacked by another girl here, knocking out one of her teeth and leaving her scarred. What action would you expect me to take?”
He winced. He would have demanded that the other girl be sent away instantly. “It is a difficult position indeed,” he temporized. And if he did not miss his guess, it was only Georgiana’s status as an earl’s niece that had protected her place here this long.
“To be frank, sir, I have two families threatening to withdraw their daughters because I cannot guarantee their safety. I have a business to run and a reputation to uphold.” She set down her teacup. “I am fond of your sister, and I do not wish to send her into her future with an even larger black mark on her record than the one she has already given herself. I would rather be able to tell people that you decided to withdraw her voluntarily.” Her unsaid words hung in the air – that otherwise she would order her to leave.
How could it have come to this? That his sweet sister had behaved so badly that she was being sent down? Through numb lips, he said, “Of course, Miss Dalrymple. I will follow your good advice and take her with me this very day.” Though God alone knew what he would do with her then.
A smile touched her lips. “Thank you, Mr. Darcy. I appreciate your understanding. And I do wish your sister all the very best.”
***
Georgiana’s face was white as Darcy strode into her tiny sitting room, and she drew her arms in tightly as if to protect herself. If she was pleased to see him, she was hiding it very well indeed. Then she lifted her chin. “I had wondered when I might see you, Brother,” she said coolly. “I suppose you are here to make me apologize.”
Her disrespect snapped the last of his restraint, already sorely tested by his conversation with Miss Dalrymple. “It hardly matters now, except to your own conscience,” he said brusquely. “We are leaving. Gather anything you wish to bring with you. A maid will pack the rest and send it on.”
An incredulous look came over her face. “I do not have to stay here?”
“More accurately, you cannot remain. Is that not what you wished? Although I cannot approve of your method.” His wish to be sympathetic to her was long gone. What would his father say if he could see this day – and how badly Darcy had failed in his guardianship?
She froze. “Where are you taking me?”
That was the hard question, one he would need to discuss with Richard. It would be improper to have her live with him at Darcy House, and he could hardly send her to Pemberley where she would have even less oversight than she did now. Likely he would have to set up a household for her, though she was far too young for that, too. But that could not be done overnight.
There was truly no choice, at least in the short term. “To Rosings.”
Her eyes widened. “But I hate Lady Catherine!” Which was in itself a completely inappropriate statement for a young lady.
“Perhaps you should have thought of that sooner,” he snapped. “Now get whatever you need, or we will leave without it.” He rubbed his forehead.
How was he to explain this to his aunt? Not that she would need much of an explanation; she loved to be of use, even when her help was not wanted.
Georgiana stamped her foot. “I will not go!”
He was tempted to point out he was her guardian and he could take her wherever he liked, even against her will. But she already knew that, and saying so would accomplish nothing. “If you cooperate now, I will try to find you a different situation soon. But for the moment, there is no other option.”
“Will you stay there with me?” she asked in a small voice.
“Cousin Richard and I have to remain there a little longer for our Easter visit. As you would know if you had read my letters.”
Her guilty look confirmed his guess. Before she could respond, though, there was a light rap at the door and a woman some years older than he was came in, her face pinched with concern. Not a maid; her clothes were finer than that, though still showing signs of wear.
She held out her hands to Georgiana. “Miss Dalrymple tells me you are leaving. I will miss you.”
Georgiana ran to her and threw her arms around her, bursting into loud sobs. “You are the only person here I am sorry to leave,” she choked out.
Darcy lifted an eyebrow. So at least one person at this school liked his sister; that was something. Who was she? He cleared his throat to draw their attention.
Georgiana glanced at him over her shoulder, not releasing the woman. “Mrs. Younge, may I present my brother, Mr. Darcy? Fitzwilliam, this is Mrs. Younge, the best teacher here, and the only one who has ever been kind to me.” It was clearly presented as a challenge.
He bowed. “A pleasure, Mrs. Younge.”
Mrs. Younge stepped away from Georgiana and curtsied. “Mr. Darcy, I am so sorry it has come to this. Miss Georgiana has always been an excellent student in my classes, and I have had the honor of offering her private lessons in the last month.” She lowered her voice, as if speaking in confidence. “No one can deny she has had some unfortunate moments this year, but I dearly hope you understand that she also faced severe provocation. She has a good heart, and with proper training, I have the greatest faith that she will move past the errors she has made. Indeed, I have seen improvement just in the last few weeks.”
Darcy inclined his head. “That is welcome reassurance, Mrs. Younge.”
She cast an affectionate smile at Georgiana. “We all make mistakes when we are young. What determines a person’s future is how they go forward afterwards.”
Exactly what he had been thinking himself, before Miss Dalrymple had put him in this terrible position. “I am in full agreement with you.”
“My dear, where will you be going?” Mrs. Younge asked.
Georgiana pouted. “He says I have to stay with my horrid Aunt Catherine.”
The teacher reached out to smooth a stray curl from Georgiana’s face. “You have overcome worse obstacles than this. I know you can do it.”
His sister seemed to straighten, as if finding some new strength. Then she nodded. “I will find a way. May I… may I write to you, Mrs. Younge?”
The older woman beamed. “I would be delighted. And if your brother gives his consent, I will write back.”
At least Mrs. Younge seemed to recognize that he had some authority, unlike Georgiana. It was a mark in her favor. “I have no objection,” he said carefully.
All in a rush, Georgiana said, “I will be at Rosings Park, in Hunsford, Kent. Will you tell…all my friends they may reach me there?” She stared pleadingly at the teacher.
Mrs. Younge patted her hand. “Indeed I will. You know you can rely on me. Now, shall I help you prepare for your journey?”
Georgiana nodded vigorously. “Yes, if you please! Oh, how I wish you could come with me and be my teacher there!”
The woman looked regretful. “If only I could! But I cannot afford to leave my employment here. Still, I am determined that we shall see each other again someday.” She held open the door to Georgiana’s private bedroom and ushered her in.
Darcy said, “I must go make arrangements for our departure, but I will return shortly.” And perhaps it will give his temper some time to cool before he was trapped with Georgiana in the carriage for hours.
She nodded. “I will remain with your sister until then.”
Exactly what he needed to hear. “I thank you, Mrs. Younge.” And he thankfully left his sister in her capable hands. He would have to remember to give her a generous gratuity when they left.
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