He saw her straighten those formidable shoulders and raise her chin. Then Elizabeth spoke both sweetly and calmly, “On the contrary, Miss Bingley.We will miss theintelligentconversation the officers brought to all the gatherings, and I suppose the community may feel more vulnerable without the military’s protection. I also assume many merchants feel the deprivation of the additional income, but my father brought up each of his daughters to be self-sufficient enough to entertain herself. We need no outside source of diversion.”As she said these lines, Elizabeth’s hand reached across the settee to retrieve Georgiana’s hand into her own grasp. Darcywatched her give his sister’s hand a little squeeze and saw Georgiana’s eyes follow the motion of her hand toward Elizabeth and how she raised her eyes reluctantly to look tentatively into Elizabeth Bennet’s face. Elizabeth offered up a gentle smile, and Georgiana started to drop her eyes, but a breathy expulsion gave her the fortitude to stare at Elizabeth. Elizabeth turned her attention back to Georgiana. “I apologize for losing my thoughts, Miss Darcy; I wanted to ask your reading preferences.”
Georgiana’s voice, initially barely a whisper, gained volume as she continued. She never took her eyes from Elizabeth during the exchange, putting all of her trust in the woman she hoped would become her friend. “In my studies, I read Oliver Goldsmith’sThe Vicar of Wakefield.I have also lately enjoyed the prose and verse found inElegant Extracts,as well as Frances Burney’sCecilia.”
“How about Mrs. Radcliff ’sThe Romance of the ForestorThe Children of the Abbey? My father’s library held such schoolgirl favorites for my sisters and me,” Elizabeth encouraged.
“I have enjoyed them both, Miss Elizabeth.”
Darcy watched as his adorable, but shy, sister struggled to maintain the conversation, realizing he never appreciated Elizabeth Bennet properly before now; he observed Elizabeth leading others before—Maria Lucas’s needlework flashed before his eyes—but even when he thought he loved her, this moment with Georgiana sealed his regard for her forever. In the background, Caroline Bingley droned on, often directing her comments to the room, but more often to the tittering sighs of her sister Mrs. Hurst.The rest of the party, generally, ignored them, however.
“Have you been able to attend the series of concerts being commissioned by the Prince Regent?” Mrs. Gardiner interjected, hoping to channel Georgiana along a familiar line of conversation.
“Yes, Mrs. Gardiner,” Georgiana smiled briefly. “The last one was the most magnificent I ever heard; was it not, Mrs.Annesley?”
“I agree most wholeheartedly, Miss Georgiana. The room was filled with an indescribable essence.”
“This sounds so thrilling, Miss Darcy.Would you be willing to acquaint me with the pieces you most enjoyed?” Elizabeth coaxed the girl.
Darcy marveled at how Georgiana’s whole body changed as she spoke to Elizabeth and Mrs. Gardiner. Her voice became fuller and less breathy, and Georgiana’s very posture became one of a well-bred lady, rather than a timid schoolgirl.
“Oh, yes, Miss Elizabeth, I would love that.When you come to dine, maybe we can find time to play together. Mrs. Annesley helped me select some interesting pieces, and my master, Mr. Steventon, taught me some of the difficult cords.”
“My goodness, they sound challenging, but I must admit I can think of few things I would find to be more pleasurable than spending time with you in learning what pieces you chose, although I am sure your talents are so superior to my own, Miss Darcy.”
Georgiana’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Elizabeth.At last,Darcy thought.At last, Georgiana found someone who sees her for what she really is. Of course, Elizabeth Bennet had a way of seeing people—she saw his many flaws. Could he imagine she might see him in other ways some day? Dare he let himself believe it might happen?
Elizabeth said something about regrets but having the need to take her leave.
“Miss Bennet, Mrs. Gardiner, please tarry a few minutes more,” Darcy interjected, “and I will have your carriage brought around.” Darcy said this to both women, but his eyes remained on Elizabeth, trying to memorize her every expression.
“Thank you, Mr. Darcy,” Mrs. Gardiner offered, noting Elizabeth could not look away from his intense stare.
Coming to himself, Darcy, making a quick bow and averting his eyes to his sister, rose quickly.“Georgiana, while I see Mr. Shepherd about the carriage, why do you not show Miss Bennet and Mrs. Gardiner the conservatory?”
“Mr. Darcy, thank you again for your courtesy toward my uncle,” Elizabeth discovered her voice. “I cannot remember seeinghim as contented as he was when contemplating the pleasure of fishing your lake, Sir.”
“Then I am well satisfied, Miss Bennet,” Darcy replied and quickly left the room to find Mr. Shepherd.
“Please follow me, Miss Elizabeth, Mrs. Gardiner,” Georgiana offered as she stood to lead them toward the conservatory.
“Happily so,” Elizabeth said as she also stood.Then interlocking her arm into Georgiana’s, Elizabeth smiled brightly at Darcy’s sister. “Pemberley is a magnificent home. Its elegance comes in its simplistic sophistication.”
“That is ironic,” Georgiana gasped as they headed toward the door.
“What is, Miss Darcy?”
“Your description of Pemberley,” her nose wrinkled a bit showing she was still a schoolgirl at heart.“It is what Fitzwilliam says about Pemberley when he describes our home—simple sophistication.”
Elizabeth turned to make sure Mrs. Gardiner followed close behind but also to conceal the blush overtaking her face.
Entering the conservatory, the beauty of the place awed Elizabeth and Mrs. Gardiner, but it also had a calming effect on them.“I hope you love this place, Miss Elizabeth,” said Georgiana,“for it is one of my favorite rooms at Pemberley. I feel my mother here. Fitzwilliam says she would spend hours tending the plants.”
“Each part of Pemberley seems to override the previous, Miss Darcy,” Elizabeth gushed, “but this room would be one of my favorites also. It speaks of the magnitude of your mother’s character. A woman who loved flowers and nature so to replicate this atmosphere could have no less children than you and Mr. Darcy.”
Darcy came back to escort Elizabeth and Mrs. Gardiner to their carriage. He stood in the shadows of the doorway watching his precious sister and the woman who possessed him completely. He could barely breathe while watching the two of them together. Could they become friends? Georgiana deserved these happy moments. Elizabeth strolled aimlessly, looking at the exotic flowersand the shrubbery. She stopped at a yellow boxwood rose plant, touching its leaves lovingly, nearly caressing the petals. Georgiana, walking now with Mrs. Gardiner, looked back and beamed. “You discovered my mother’s favorite flower, Miss Elizabeth. My brother reportedly fought to keep the cuttings alive after my mother’s death. I felt often he did so to keep my mother’s memory alive too.”
“I can imagine so, Miss Darcy,” Mrs. Gardiner entered the conversation. “Your brother took on many responsibilities at a young age. I would imagine the plant gave him comfort.” Darcy could hardly believe his ears.These people whom he once shunned because of his misplaced pride understood him better than many of his close acquaintances.
He watched Elizabeth in Pemberley’s conservatory, deeply inhaling the fragrance of his mother’s boxwood rose. He could barely breathe; his heart lodged again in his throat. He knew at this moment he must make Elizabeth Bennet a part of his life. If she could learn to love him, Fitzwilliam Darcy would not hesitate or question himself again.Yet, even if all they ever had was the quiet repartee they enjoyed since he found her on the grounds of Pemberley two days ago, then he would settle for that. He would protect Elizabeth. He would love Elizabeth from afar if necessary, but he would do everything in his power to secure her happiness even if that meant finding Elizabeth a suitable romantic match.Oh, God, could he do that? Could he stand to see her with another man?He could not stand a life without seeing Elizabeth; that much he did know; making her happy took on new importance. Maybe she would consider becoming a traveling companion for Georgiana. Mrs. Annesley gave Georgiana refinement, but Elizabeth Bennet could give her confidence.What was he thinking? He thought of Elizabeth being a part of his life. He thought about Elizabeth Bennet as he had thought since his days at Netherfield. Darcy cleared his voice and stepped into the room. “Mrs. Gardiner, your carriage is without.”
