Anne ran towards them, alarming Mr. Hume, who meowed and jumped up to run once more under a sofa.
Instead of chasing Hume, Anne childishly leaped onto Georgiana’s lap. The mother opened her arms and held her close. “Tasty! It was! The pastry! Bennet says his Grandmamaalwayshas treats. She told me that I am a perfectly dressed young lady. Grandmama Bennet is such a nice woman. I wish I had a Grandmama.”
Georgiana kissed the girl’s forehead.
The little girl turned to Elizabeth, “Your mama is so nice!”
Elizabeth giggled. “Might I hold her?”
Georgiana pushed Anne to crawl into Elizabeth’s lap, while Elizabeth held open her arms. The child made a fragrant, warm weight.
“You like my mother?” Elizabeth asked.
“She gave mesomany tarts.” Anne held up three fingers, one of which had a smidge of jam left on it. “Mrs. Bingley is nice too!”
“Everyone adores Mrs. Bingley.”
Elizabeth cuddled the little girl while she and Georgiana played silly little games with her.
Then a knock and the door opened again.
Anne jumped off Elizabeth’s lap. “Uncle Will!”
Mr. Darcy swept her up into his arms in a single effortless movement, sitting the girl high in his arms and listening with a smile while she happily babbled.
Lord! He made a handsome figure. Elizabeth’s insides twinged at seeing him appear so fatherly. Her breath caught.
The attractiveness of a man was usually increased when he showed care for a child. But this was more intense than ever. Elizabeth helplessly watched Mr. Darcy’s innocent smile as he nodded at his niece. His was lit by the window, making every strong angle and firm contour of his remarkable face jump out at her eyes.
Anne pointed towards Elizabeth. Her winsome voice lisped, “My new friend! Miss Lizzy! Come meet her. She is so nice!”
Mr. Darcy looked at Elizabeth, and an embarrassed flush crept up Elizabeth’s neck at being caught leering at the gentleman.
She looked down and quickly back towards him. He still looked at her, but from his expression she had no sense of what he was thinking.
Anne pulled at the lapel of Mr. Darcy’s coat and begged him to go meet Miss Lizzy. He walked towards her, easily and securely holding the child in one arm.
Almost helplessly, Elizabeth rose to greet the approaching man.
He stuck out his free hand to her. “Miss Bennet. I am pleased to see you.”
Elizabeth quirked her mouth mischievously as she shook his hand. “Even though I have defeated you in honorable verbal combat twice.”
“Once only, madam.” He smiled back at her. It made his face glow.
She’d once encountered in a terrible novel for young women obsessed with marriage the phraseHe was unfairly handsome. An absurd notion, she had thought then.
Fitzwilliam Darcy wasunfairly handsome.
“I believe I gained victory twice.” Elizabeth had a bubbly smile.
“Nay, you had scored against me in our second match, but while bloodied, I was yet undefeated when Mr. Bingley divided the combatants.”
“I am surprised he allowed you freedom to seek out a third match.”
“I resorted to stratagem. Georgie, are you well? I worried about you.”
Thatwas why she could resist Mr. Darcy. What did he imagine was to happen to his sister in their house?
