Matchmaking at Pemberley Read online

  “Oh, and wait until you meet young Fitz and Aurelia. They are just darlings. I hope someday to have children just like them… but my own of course.”

  “And why would you want that? Imagine what it would do to your figure! Stop playing with that dress and try it on. I had to guess at your measurements, but perhaps it will only require a minimum of alteration.”

  Distracted by the opulence of the gown, Georgiana did not dwell on the remark about children. Besides, Lizzie had borne two and looked just as lovely as ever. If anything, Georgiana had noticed an additional sense of intimacy between her brother and his wife. At times, it had made her wistful for her own, but what they had was truly unusual. Most marriages were more like business arrangements than love matches.

  “I do love it, but I don’t think my brother would approve,” Georgiana admitted.

  Caroline finished buttoning up the back, and turned the younger woman around, allowing for full effect before the cheval. She had done her work well and the results were stunning, if not a bit daring. Normally favoring the pastels designated to unmarried women, Georgiana felt a bit like a peacock on display in the deep-sea colored gown. The fabric, a semi sheer silk, alternated between blue and green when she moved. The lining, a black satin, only enhanced the kaleidoscopic quality, yet providing modesty.

  “Nonsense, he will love it. I knew green was your favorite. Besides, its time you had a few grown-up dresses. Now, try on the ball gown.”

  A cream silk affair, the dress shimmered with the same luminescence of the other, but this one, despite its extra volume, lacked the corresponding underskirt. When a person stood in just the right light, it rendered the fabric completely translucent, a fact that Caroline chose to keep to herself. In the warm lamplight of Georgiana’s chamber, this aspect was not apparent. Despite this scandalous design, the rest of the garment was exquisite. Matching velvet ribbons crisscrossed the bodice, lacing in a deep vee down the back. Georgiana felt ethereal as the silk caressed her limbs, wishing a for a pair of wings to allow for flight in the fairy costume.

  “I…I can’t wear this.”

  “Don’t be silly, it is all the rage in Paris. You will be the first to wear it here… that is, besides me of course. I had one made for myself, but in crimson. Shades of cream do not compliment my skin as well as yours. I shall be terribly hurt if you don’t wear it at least once.”

  As if needing to provide evidence to bolster Georgiana’s courage, Caroline pulled her own gown from the wardrobe. Crimson, and trimmed with gold lace, it was more appropriate to a sultan’s harem than and English ballroom. However, Caroline had no intentions of wearing it outside of a bedchamber.

  “Well, I do love it… and there is a ball at Piper’s Bend in a few weeks…”

  “Now you need not worry about appearing in last years’ fashions. A ball is just the place to debut this confection. Where… or shall I say, what… is Piper’s Bend?”

  Embarrassment forgotten, Georgiana was pleased to share information that was not the least bit intimate. This was one of the few events that she had actually looked forward to without the anxiety of encountering crowds of strangers.

  “Piper’s Bend is the home of the Brackleburn’s. It is more of a medieval fortress than home, but as a child I used to imagine being a princess being kept prisoner there… until Robbie came to rescue me. His mother was a Scot you know... a Cameron to be exact. Then she married Lord Brackleburn, but that was a long time ago. They are both dead now.”

  Georgiana blushed slightly at the memory, but Caroline’s interest was gained by the noble title.

  “Lord Brackleburn?”

  “Yes, the seventeenth or eighteenth Earl. I can never remember. It is a very old title, going back to Edward II, but only Robbie and Agnes are left now, since their father died. It was only proper to wait until the morning period was over to entertain again and besides, Robbie wanted to finish his university studies. It seems strange to think of him as an earl now.”

  “Are they a happy couple? This Robbie and Agnes?”

  Georgina giggled slightly before correcting the misunderstanding.

  “Oh, they are not married. Robbie and Agnes are brother and sister, much like my self and Fitzwilliam, only the ages are reversed. She dotes on him like a mother, but perhaps she will marry now that caring for her father is over…Oh, forgive me… that must sound terribly insensitive.”

  “Not at all, a person must put family first. It is to be expected,” Caroline lied smoothly. All too often women sacrificed their personal wants for the whims of family. Did Charles and Jane expect her to become some sort of nanny when she returned? Smothering a snort of derision as a sneeze, Caroline returned her focus to the rest of the evening’s guests. But the discovery of a young unmarried Earl definitely improved her spirits.

  “So… who else exciting is invited?”

  Turning back to her reflection, Georgina moved in a mock dance with an imaginary partner as she rattled of the name, rank and financial status of every guest, leaving Caroline pleased with the potential suitors from which to choose. However, marriage was not on her mind, just a bit of fun.

  ~Six~

  Later that evening, as they stood greeting the arrivals, Lizzie took note of the subtle expressions each person wore as introductions were made. Caroline, being a houseguest had been included with the Darcys in the receiving line. It never ceased to amaze her at how easily Caroline took possession of everything about her. Occasionally, Elizabeth cast a glance at Ned Grandby-Jones to see his reaction. The man missed nothing as he stood in a corner of the room making his own observations. Just an hour prior, Georgiana and Caroline finally made their appearance. The Darcy and Ned had been seated in the library nursing a brandy when Lizzie announced their arrival.

  “Look who I finally found,”

  “We girls must take pains with our appearance, not like married ladies,” Caroline protested innocently, but her comment was ignored completely as Georgiana caught sight of her brother’s longtime friend.

  “Neddy!” she squealed and ran to his open embrace.

  “There’s my girl... I see you haven’t forgotten me after all, but I should not have recognized you. Where is my little girl?”

  Georgiana blushed a deep crimson, but playfully punched his arm in defense.

  “How could I? it was cruel of you to stay away so long, but I shall forgive you if the first dance is mine!”

  All eyes had turned on Georgiana. Where had the shy schoolgirl gone? Darcy raised a brow at Lizzie and nodded to the new gown his sister wore, in addition to the unusually flirtatious manners. It appeared that Caroline’s presence was having a significant impact on his sister, and he was not sure that he approved. Not wanting to cause a disturbance, Darcy gestured to where Caroline stood waiting. Her face registered some emotion, that if he was a wagering man, was a mixture between lust and envy.

  “Ned, I believe you have been introduced to Miss Bingley before?”

  “I… you must excuse me, but I cannot seem to recall…” he stammered with deliberation. He did indeed remember her. It had been some time, but the memory of her spiteful nature was as clear as yesterday. Since reaching his majority, Viscount Adley made a mental note to keenly remember every fortune hunting hell-cat in England, and avoid them.

  “It was at Lady Kenilworth’s… last year. My brother Charles… and his wife Jane, Elizabeth’s sister, was there.”

  “Ah... yes, I remember now…. Jane Bingley, a lovely woman.”

  The snub had been subtle, glazed in sugar, but still sharply aimed. He was not about to cater to her sense of self-importance. Turning back to Georgiana, he promised not only the first dance, but to take any one in which she lacked a partner.

  “I might even cut in a time or two,” he threatened before releasing her.

  “Perhaps you might dance with Miss Bingley?” Georgiana suggested, but fate was not in Caroline’s favor. Before he could reply, Stephens, the longstanding Pemberley butler announced the
arrival of the first carriage. Seeing an opportunity to escape, Darcy offered an arm to Elizabeth.

  “Shall we greet our guests? Caroline, please join us. Come along Georgiana, you can see Ned later.”

  Turing on her heel, Caroline shot Viscount Adley a venomous glare before presenting her back to him. How dare he treat her so rudely. And how dare the Darcys allow it! Plastering a smile on her face she took her place between Elizabeth and Georgiana, pouring on false charm to every man that entered.

  By half past seven, nearly all of the expected persons had arrived and milled about the hall and main salon. Only Robbie and Agnes Brackleburn remained absent. Georgiana, a touch of disappointment in her eyes, whispered in Lizzie’s ear.

  “Do you suppose something happened and they are not coming?”

  “Not that I am aware, but keep in mind, Robbie is now Lord Brackleburn, it is expected that he arrives last.”

  Caroline, overhearing the exchange, stifled a yawn. Of the eligible men that had paraded before her, none had caught her eye. Oh, they were handsome enough, and some possessed considerable fortunes, but none had a combination of both to tempt her. Only the possessive appraisal of one or two of the married men caused her enough pause to consider a flirtation. As of yet, she had no opportunity to try the contraceptive device that had cost so dear. It seemed that the only appealing man in the entire place happened to be the rudest of persons. Casting an eye about the room, Caroline frowned when she saw Ned Grandby-Jones staring at her over his brandy glass. “Arrogant ass” hissed between her teeth, unheard, as the words, “Lord Robert Brackleburn and Lady Agnes Brackleburn” were announced. She would not give him a moment of her time, even if he begged. Her aims far surpassed that of a lowly Viscount, regardless of how handsome he was. Returning her attention to the arrivals, Caroline was once again taken by surprise. From Georgiana’s limited description, she had expected a rather thin, studious man, perhaps with thick spectacles and an aging, plain spinster sister. However, nothing could have been further from the truth. Georgiana, either in her naiveté, or long-standing acquaintance, had not done the siblings credit. Simply put, the Brackleburn’s were magnificent creatures.

  Unusually tall, but not enough to be awkward, the Brackleburn family bore the traits of long-ago Viking ancestry. Robert, wore his golden blonde hair to his shoulders. A sharp widow’s peak and arched brows created a sense of watchfulness when matched with his ice blue eyes. In a word, he appeared feral as he smiled down at Georgiana taking her delicate hand in his great paw.

  “How’s my princess Georgie?” he teased, revealing a deeply timbered voice.

  “I am so pleased you could make it. I miss your father greatly.”

  “As do I, but he lived a long and full life, one I can only hope to mirror.”

  Unsure how to respond, Georgiana looked up at Lady Agnes Brackleburn and smiled shyly. Aggie had always intimidated her a bit. She never seemed to smile, wearing a constant expression of great sorrow. Where her brother was golden, Agnes was silver. Her hair was nearly colorless, and contrasting deep azure eyes sparkled with a magical ambience. Her gown, a pewter silk, shot with the same blue as her eyes, provided a fairy like appearance, only this sprite was nearly six feet tall. Agnes had always found her appearance to be more of a hindrance than asset. Far too many people stared, men were possessive and women jealous. It had only been the love of a local vicar that had drawn her interest, but that seemed so long ago and best forgotten. A serious woman, Agnes had given up on marriage to care for her ailing father. Now, some twelve years later, she had little tolerance for frivolity, but Robbie had insisted upon their acceptance. As the Darcys had been friends since before her birth, it had been impossible to refuse.

  “Aggie, it is good have you here at Pemberley.”

  Agnes only nodded and patted Georgiana’s hand before moving away. She had seen the barely masked glare of the dark woman who stood beside the youngest Darcy. Agnes knew the type and had no tolerance for one such as her. She truly liked the Darcys, and surprisingly found much in common with Elizabeth in their prior meetings, but she was past the point of idle conversation with anyone she did not like.

  Caroline attempted to maintain a nonchalance as she was introduced, but the Brackleburns drew the eyes of everyone in the room. Even Ned Grandby-Jones left his corner perch and joined the Darcys. It amused him greatly to see Agnes Brackleburn snub Caroline Bingley. Agnes had always been an odd duck, but having grown up in close proximity to Piper’s Bend, with encounters quite regular, he had gotten used to her ways. Whatever pain Agnes harbored, she had kept to herself.

  “Hello Agnes, still beautiful as ever,” he greeted with a smirk as she passed.

  Pausing, the silver woman eyed him like a specimen under glass, before responding in a voice as fluid as her person.

  “Ned Grandby-Jones? Someone hasn’t bothered to kill you yet? Now, I truly believe in miracles!

  “Indeed, I have been saving that act for you.”

  Agnes laughed, a pure sound of joy that broke the frozen mold of her features as she playfully swatted her old childhood friend. Having little to amuse her in recent years, it actually felt good. Perhaps it was time to relax just a bit. Ned would provide diversion without wanting anything in return. As she contemplated a smart reply, the sound of a gong, announcing dinner resonated through the room.

  “Shall we?” Ned, asked as he offered his arm and joined the procession.

  “Positively starving.”

  At the end of the line, Elizabeth whispered to her husband as she noted the pairings of guests. Aside from the married couples, every unmarried gentleman had offered escort to a lady.

  “Well this looks promising, but I should not have thought Ned would be suited to Agnes. I must say, Georgiana appears quite taken with Robbie.”

  “Oh, he’s not. But for her, Ned is a safe choice, she’s not on any sort of marriage hunt, and neither is he. As for Georgiana… Robbie has always been more of a friend, but we shall see. I am still adjusting to the possibility of Georgiana marrying anyone.”

  “You forget, Georgina is no longer a child. She is the same age as I, when we met… Where is Caroline? She wandered off after Agnes ignored her.”

  Darcy heard her words, but it was still difficult to imagine his sister as anything but a little girl. Scanning the crowd, he finally spied Caroline Bingley, and she did not look the least bit pleased.

  “Look past the Landervilles.”

  “Oh my, poor Caroline. How did that happen?” Elizabeth replied as she stifled a laugh.

  Miss Bingley was in a pique of anger as she leaned down over the portly form of Mr. Richard Fadden to hear his words. Having sought some distance from the icily perfect Lady Agnes, she had found herself away from the mass of guests when the call to dinner came and had been stuck with the only man without an escort. It was either accept his arm, or enter the dining room alone. Either thought was mortifying, but the former only slightly less so. Although close in age, and of considerable fortune, Mr. Fadden was hardly what Caroline or any other woman would have called handsome. His pudgy hands resembled sausages as they possessively grazed her elbow, while his short legs trotted to keep up with her stride. The awkwardness made them appear to waddle slightly as they moved forward. This, when combined with an untrimmed beard, made for comments to be overheard about a troll and a princess. With ears burning, Caroline’s mind simmered with possible schemes of escape. However, nothing short of fainting would allow for release, especially when she discovered her designated chair to be between Richard Fadden and Ned Grandby-Jones. For the next hour, Caroline focused on her plate, counting the minutes until the ordeal was over as one side ignored her and the other never ceased his chatter, despite a mouth filled with food. It was only between bites, that she scanned the table for alternatives. More than one gentleman provided looks of pity, one even rolling his eyes at her predicament as he winked across the table. Casting a wry smile in acknowledgement as she tried to remember the man’s n
ame, Caroline hoped the night would end better than it had begun.

  ~SEVEN~

  It had been nearly two hours before dinner ended and the guests repaired to the various entertainments provided. The ballroom had been divided into sections to allow for cards as well as dancing. Georgiana’s pianoforte now stood on a small dais, awaiting someone to play. Needing a bit of air, as well as having a desire to stretch her cramped limbs, Caroline headed out to the veranda as the sounds of Georgina’s talented fingers could be heard on the instrument inside. Looking back over her shoulder, Caroline saw the golden head of Lord Robert Brackleburn turning the music beside her. Well, at least someone appeared happy, the same could not be said for herself. It had taken every ounce of good breeding to not laugh when Richard Fadden asked for a dance. It had been the intervention of Ned Grandby-Jones that had saved embarrassment.

  “I am afraid that Miss Bingley has promised the first two to me.”

  The smug look on the handsome viscount’s face had been irritation, and she owed him her thanks. But now, as the music played, he was nowhere about waiting to claim her hand. That too, was a relief. From their first meeting some months ago, she had taken an immediate dislike. The way he looked at her was if he saw her every thought and dared her to act upon them. So, occupied were her thoughts, that she did not immediately hear the man behind her until he called her name.

  “Miss Bingley?”

  Turning, Caroline recognized the handsome man that had winked in sympathy across the dinner table. Tall and well dressed, he bowed slightly and the flash of a diamond encrusted in his neckcloth winked in the moonlight. Now perhaps, this one was worthy of her attention.

  “Yes… do excuse me, but in the crush, I have forgotten your name…”