“Anytime, anywhere.”
“Very well, then I would very much like to return to the duck pond on the morrow.”
“I shall ask Cook to save some bread.”
“Do I have to invite myself to come, too?” asked Richard.
Georgiana’s brow arched. “Do you require an invitation?”
“Well, it would be nice.”
“As would be your company,” she replied lightly.
Feeling light and eager for the next morning, they left the library and found Bingley walking up the hall. He looked as happy as Darcy felt.
“Louisa wished for me to apologize to you, Miss Darcy, for her and Caro’s absence. They left only minutes ago to call on Lady Lucas.”
Georgiana’s happiness faded. “I did not know that Mrs. Hurst intended to pursue a friendship with Lady Lucas.”
“It took me by surprise, too! Until now, I have had to coerce my sisters to call anywhere with me. Had I known this was how they would react when I asked them to help me throw a ball, I might have done it sooner. Finally, they are taking an interest in our neighbors!”
Georgiana’s smile did not reach her eyes.
CHAPTER 29
Elizabeth cleaned the mud off her half-boots outside her uncle Philips’s house and prayed that her aunt would be out making calls. She did not feel up to idle conversation and gossip, knowing how easily she could become the topic of such. The sooner she wrapped up her business and got the paintings out of the hunting lodge before anyone else discovered her secret, the better.
Mr. Goode greeted her and Remy happily. “Miss Elizabeth! Remy! How good to see you today!” He pointed at the rug by the door, and the dog loped over to it, twirled in three circles, and lay down.
“Thank you, Mr. Goode. It is always a pleasure to see you.”
“How fares your family?”
Elizabeth answered his real question. “Mary is well. She has been writing a great deal in your journal.”
He blushed. “I am eager to hear what conclusions she has made. Now, how may I help you?”
“Is my uncle busy?”
“Mr. Philips is never too busy to see you, Miss. Family first and always.”
A lovely sentiment which would have brought her more comfort had her family’s interests not directly opposed Mr. Darcy’s.
Her uncle stood to receive her, closing the ledger he had been studying and locking it away in his desk drawer in one fluid motion. He gestured to the chair opposite him. “This is an unexpected surprise, Lizzy.”
Elizabeth folded her hands in her lap, frustrated when her eyes began to blur and leak. She laughed, as much to conceal her sadness as to convince herself that she bore wonderful news. “My final paintings as Mario Rossi are complete,” she said with a tone that tottered between triumph and desperation.
“Ah.” He laced his fingers and rested against the desk, as though he had wondered how long it would take her to finally draw this conclusion.
Elizabeth straightened her shoulders, holding herself together. “My father has provided for us, and there is no need for me to continue defying social norms at the risk of my reputation.”
“I am not sorry to hear that. But Lizzy, you do not look happy.”
Uncle knew her too well. She could not pretend with him, and the need to unburden herself with someone she trusted was too great. “The paintingformerly belonged to Mr. Darcy. He is eager to have it returned to his property for an equally honorable reason. He promised it to his own sister.”
He sat back in his chair with a heavy sigh. “I see.”
Elizabeth had no doubt that he did see. She took a deep, shaky breath and forced another smile. “I am confident he will purchase the painting from me… eventually. He is a good man, a true gentleman in every sense of the word, and will pay a fair price, a handsome one, even.” Her voice faltered and her chin quivered.
