Laughter and nodding met that statement, Lady Matlock patting her spouse’s hand as she spoke. “Precisely why we should let the topic drop for the present. I can debate politics when in the mood as ably as you, my lord husband, but would rather not do so now.”
“As you wisely wish, Mother.” Richard inclined his head in respect to his parents before turning a mischievous eye back toward Georgiana. “So, fair cousin, claiming a favorite may be impossible, but surely Paris itself stole your heart more than the other great cities?”
“Indeed it did,” she replied levelly, only a hint of rosiness touching her cheeks. “The Conservatoire alone was adequate to cement love of Paris within my heart. However, Rome, Milan, and Florence equally intrigued. And not only for their beauty in landscape and music, as I discovered a surprising interest in the history.” She smiled toward her brother, teasing as she continued. “You may be shocked, dear brother, that your lengthy discourses on ruins did penetrate my stubborn skull. Imagine my own amazement when the commentaries of the tour guides resonated and piqued my attention! There I was climbing over crumbled medieval remains searching for clues to the past.”
Darcy laughed, bowing in mock approbation. Bingley visibly shuddered and groaned, speaking with exaggerated relief. “Thank goodness for miracles! Now you can haul your wife and sister on your excursions over dusty, moldy ruins and never pester me.”
“It is a promise, Bingley. You are safe from here on.”
“Well, I cannot claim that to be my favorite part, but it was not as painful as imagined, unless you count poor Uncle’s sore feet.”
“Not to worry, Georgiana dear. It was nothing days of languishing by the fire with a brandy in hand did not cure,” Lord Matlock assured. “Personally, I would rather traverse over cultured lawns and well-tended pathways, such as the Borghese gardens. Hours in the serene atmosphere of the vivarium healed every ache.”
“William, the Galleria Borghese was everything you declared it to be. I spent countless hours wandering the rooms, gazing in awe. We visited often, and it is not that large a museum compared to the Louvre especially, yet I failed in assimilating the full wealth of art and beauty. It touched me so.” Georgiana shook her head, clasping Lizzy’s hand. “Oh, Lizzy! You would have loved it! I thought of you so often. The gardens would have overwhelmed you.”
“Indeed,” Darcy offered, “the gardens are astounding and I daresay put Mr. Clark to shame. However, it is the marbles that I would most adore sharing with my wife. Bernini’s works alone are worth the trip. My grandfather acquired one of his pieces, but I was not so fortunate when I traveled to Rome.”
“I refuse to lament what I was unable to view,” Lizzy said with a laugh. “I struggled with absorbing all the wonders I was gifted to canvass, much of the journey yet dreamlike, so am relieved to stage it gradually over my life.”
“If you two can manage to space out the task of creating inhabitants for every empty bedchamber in Pemberley, you may be able to arrange another trip before the sculptures erode into dust, or whatever happens to marble.”
“I believe, my dearest, that marble is nearly indestructible,” Simone chastised her husband, Colonel Fitzwilliam winking at a blushing Lizzy before smirking at his expressionless cousin.
Lady Matlock smoothly intervened. “I delighted most in the gardens, I must confess. It was a popular locale for artists. The landscape and architecture offered an endless opportunity for sketching.”
“Quite true. An additional trunk was required to haul the creations home.”
“As if you were not delighted by Aunt’s drawings, Uncle. Raved on and on, rightfully so.”
“You do have an astounding talent, Lady Matlock, and I have not forgotten that you promised the Rotunda to me.”
“Nor have I, Simone. As soon as it is framed, it is yours.”
“The little ponds, rivers, and impressive lakes were arguably everywhere. I always thought of you, dear sister.” Georgiana again squeezed Lizzy’s hand. “I know how you adore the water.”
“Adore?” Mrs. Bennet interjected with a nervous flutter. “One would think you half fish the way you immersed yourself in the pond every chance you got. Clumsy, Mr. Bennet would insist to help you avoid the thrashing you deserved, but I never believed that!”
“Indeed I was awkward and clumsy, Mama, as Papa declared. Never as graceful as other Bennet sisters I could name.” Lizzy glanced to Jane, who blushed. “However, when it came to the pond it was simple rationality. It was hot and the water cools. Plus, it is fun to float and swim.”
“We have a large pond near our family home in Berkshire,” Major General Artois offered. “Two of my sisters were ‘fish’ same as you, Mrs. Darcy. They are both married with children now, but I am certain if possible would yet be daily swimming.”
“And why should they not?” George Darcy asked. “Ridiculous notion. Sea bathing is acceptable, why not jumping naked into a lake as men do?”
“Gracious!” Mrs. Bennet murmured with a vigorous wave of her fan.
But Lizzy laughed aloud. “Oh, do not fear, Uncle! Not all ladies are as prim as you imagine. Let us merely say that Rowan Lake has been utilized from time to time, although I shall not elaborate on the bathing attire.” Laughter rang out all around, even Darcy smiling at his wife’s jest.
“Aunt Giana?” Alexander appeared at Georgiana’s knees, arms extended. She gathered him into her embrace, nestling him onto her lap with a soft kiss on his crown.
Darcy’s smile widened, voice tender as he spoke. “Did you practice your painting as well, Georgiana?”
“Sporadically. You know I am not so proficient or enamored with painting. Aunt taught me some and I did improve, but music was what drew me most.” Her eyes grew dreamy. “The wealth of styles and compositions, arrays of instruments and grand orchestras, all unlike anything I have ever heard.” She sighed, “It was wonderful.”
“Georgiana paints beautifully,” Lady Simone said. “But I believe her greatest advancement was in playing and in composing. You will be impressed, Mr. Darcy, at the music she has written.”
“Indeed I know I shall. You must share your new compositions with us, Georgiana.”
Georgiana hid her rosy cheeks in Alexander’s curls. “I wrote nothing spectacular. Where some are inspired by nature to draw or paint, I was inspired to compose. But my skill is infantile compared to most.”
“Georgiana is modest. Mr. Butler found your compositions impressive, and that is high praise indeed,” Lady Matlock noted, turning the conversation smoothly away at that point, no one but Lizzy noting the increased color to her new sister’s cheeks at the mention of the young grandson of Lady Warrow.
The effect of Georgiana’s eight months abroad with culture and Society at its finest surrounding her at every turn was evident, even to Major General Artois who previously had limited exposure to Miss Darcy. He glanced about the room, studying the occupants with a keen eye. He found the differing characters and stations intriguing, familiar, and amusing.
His immediate family was much like the Bennets. Comprised of gentleman stock with a long history of prestige through military achievements with a historical host of field marshals and generals heading the ancestral corps of lesser ranks, they possessed modest familial estates scattered throughout the southern regions of England and were all blessed with incomes and inheritances above sufficient if not grand. The casual upbringing, middling finances, and gritty occupation made for a family that was broad-minded and somewhat boisterous.
Nevertheless, he also belonged to an extended family of extreme wealth and high social class. A number of titled gentry graced the secondary and tertiary branches of the Artois tree, capping it all with a great-uncle who was a duke. This, coupled with the strict discipline of the Royal British Army, meant that even the humble members could blend into any social situation capably.