“I see.” She tapped her finger on her cheek as she paced the clearing.“Perhaps a story will help. Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, a young girl was to join the adults for the first time, making calls on the neighbors. She dressed carefully, peering into the mirror frequently to make certain that every hair was in place and no blemishes dotted her skin. Her father, who enjoys laughing at the foibles of others, asked her, ‘Did you check yourself in the mirror before we departed.’ Since the answer was in the affirmative, this silly girl answered him confidently.”
Darcy suspected that she was the young girl.
“At every house, the girl smiled at the hostess. Each time, she was met with a chuckle before she was placed away from everyone else. Not understanding what was happening, her girlish sensibilities were crushed. It was only when they were on their way back to their housethat her father informed her that spinach was stuck between her front teeth.”
“So, every time the girl smiled, her hostess saw only your teeth.”
“Yes, Mr. Darcy. You see, from that time on, I understood that flaws are more easily discerned by others and that we can be blind to what others can clearly see. This is why I believed everything Mary told me about myself and our situation.”
He nodded. “It is, I imagine, why you are willing to exchange ideas with me. As I am always better at managing others’ affairs than my own, might I go first?”
“Please do.”
“If I were you, Miss Bennet, I would hoard every farthing of my pin money, even going so far as to ask your father for more after letting him know your purpose. Perhaps he will be generous. The next thing I would do is to stop pretending that something magical will occur to keep your mother and sisters together with your current standard of living. Knowing that you are responsible for your happiness will keep you looking ahead rather than back.” He removed his hat and ran his hand through his hair before replacing it. “This brings up the question you raised of how you currently spend your time. Ask yourself, within the next twelve months, which skills might you improve upon to give you more marketable prospects? What would you need to learn to be able to support yourself without help from anyone else? No housekeeper. No cook. No footman. Who could you ask to teach you?”
“Longbourn’s servants are capable. I suppose I could ask Cook…”
“Very good. I believe that planning for the worst will prepare you for any eventuality, even if it means stepping beyond the ranks of the gentry. As I see it, you have two choices. Stay and learn at Longbourn or go to London to expand the scope of eligible men as potential husbands. Some tradesmen would attach themselves to you as a gentleman’s daughter to elevate them above their peers.”
Her discomfort was easily discernible.“Is this whatyouare doing, sir?”
He understood her pique because he felt the same. “Please know that my intentions are kindly meant. I mean to help. In truth, I want Pemberley restored to me so badly that I refuse to accept defeat. I will do anything honorable to be the master once again.”
“I appreciate your candor. Very well, then, I will be as frank as you have been with me.” Squaring her shoulders, she said, “I, too, believe that you have two choices, sir. The first, revenge.”
Vengeance constantly lingered at the back of his mind, threatening to overpower his reason. “And the second?”
She studied his face. “Start anew.”
“Start over? As if I was not born the heir? Impossible.”
“Sir, I understand your frustration. Anger even. By setting aside your birthright, it seems that a door of opportunity has opened if you are willing to walk through it. You might try making something of yourself without the aid of your family, your family name, or any association with Pemberley.”
“That seems like giving up, losing hope.”
“No, you should not give up hope. What you will doin the meantime may reveal something that would give you an advantage.”
His hands flexed. “What do you suggest?”
“Expect that your sister will face eventual heartbreak, for what else could result from marrying a thief. Although I do not know Mr. Wickham, I do not doubt he will manipulate others as he did your sister and man of business. What is your family’s current treatment of Mr. and Mrs. Wickham?”
“They shun Wickham.”
“Ah, I see. In doing so, they shun their niece, adding to her misery. Under her husband’s control, as you say, everything you hold dear will suffer. Your sister will need support where she can find a measure of peace. Properties can be restored, but your sister may not. What I suggest is to write to her and explain how well you are doing. Reassure her that you are the same reliable brother she has always known. Be specific, as that will increase her confidence. Suggest that Mr. Wickham’s course will not be easy since he was not born to the position. This means that you recognize that it may be a hardship for her. Let her know you will always be available to her, even at the cost of being in company with him.”
What?He could never be in the same room with George Wickham. Ever! Except, Darcy had asked for her opinion. He should have expected that he would not like it, as she had not liked what he suggested. Since she had not balked, he would not either.
Considering her direction, he easily saw the wisdom in it. Writing to Georgiana was no hardship. To give aid to Georgiana was well worth any trial to his esteem. He sawthe wisdom in Miss Elizabeth’s suggestion. “Is there anything else?”
“Do you consider yourself to be a vengeful man?”
“For the most part, I do not.”
“Then, if you have done everything within your power to regain Pemberley and have met with no success, you need to let your vengeance go.”
He almost choked. Spinning away from her, he stomped to the edge of the clearing. She could not know everything that had been stripped from him. What she asked was impossible. Unthinkable.
His pulse raced. He ran his hand through his hair, hoping to swipe her words from his brain. Except he could not.
