Elizabeth said, “Of course you would, for he is your guardian and it is only proper.”
They heard footsteps. The three turned, but saw nothing in the surrounding darkness. Alarm stirred them to their feet. Elizabeth moved a few steps forward, with the other two close at either side, all three peering into the grove to discern who approached, when a man’s voice called out, “Who goes there?”
“Fitzwilliam.” Georgiana saw her brother and ran to him. “You frightened us.”
He drew her close. “Georgiana, what are you wearing?” His gaze traveled over her. She was wrapped in a most unflattering, heavy woolen cloak. He then observed his cousin and her companion, both attired in the same fashion. He inclined his head. “Anne, Miss Bennet.”
Richard approached, his pistol in hand, lowered toward the ground. He secured it and concealed it beneath his coat. “Ladies, we had supposed you long since retired.”
Miss de Bourgh laughed. “It is only eight o’clock, sir. No one but a child would be abed so early.”
“True, yet we saw all three of you follow my aunt upstairs. What brings you out this evening?”
Georgiana pointed to the blanket. “We are taking a glass of wine, and we have a telescope. We mean to study the stars.” She asked, “But Fitzwilliam, what brings you out?” She regarded them both. “You are still in your dinner clothes.”
“We saw the flickering light of the candle and wondered if there were poachers abroad,” Richard said.
“Or smugglers,” Darcy added. “I am relieved to discover it is only my family, enjoying a ramble on a fine autumn night. Sweetling, which of these ladies is your instructress?”
“I am,” Miss de Bourgh replied. “Mrs. Jenkinson and I came out each night for many years, and she taught me the constellations.”
“Naming the stars is your accomplishment,” Georgiana said, and laughed a little too loudly with unguarded delight.
Elizabeth glanced at Mr. Darcy. He had raised a brow and turned his narrowed eye upon her. His expression was disapproving. Did he suppose she ought to have kept his sister from the wine? Annie was the hostess, the elder, and the relation. Surely, he must know such a duty fell to her. Elizabeth lowered her eyes, unwilling to give him further cause for displeasure.
Richard intervened, and the moment passed.
“Show me your glass, my dear. I shall find Cassiopeia for you.” He indicated where it was located. “And there lies Perseus.”
All five gazed skyward, but Georgiana swayed. “Brother, I may have had a little too much to drink. May I lie upon the blanket and look up? At any rate, Annie assures us it is the best way to observe the heavens.”
“Of course, my dear.”
She lay down, and her cousin joined her. Elizabeth remained standing, too conscious of herself to follow. Richard stretched out between his cousins and pointed out Perseus, Cygnus, and others, recounting a tale for each.
Elizabeth stood at the edge of the blanket, trying to discern the figures. She must have appeared perplexed, for Mr. Darcy came near and raised his arm. “Can you see Cygnus, Miss Bennet?”
“I am afraid I do not possess imagination enough to discern the figures traced by the constellations, sir. I am quite at a loss. Cassiopeia is plain enough, though.” She gestured. “And I see Pegasus, but I cannot discover where Cygnus lies. I shall consult a book and perhaps recognize it another evening.”
He asked for the telescope and found the Pleiades for her. “Once you have seen the Seven Sisters, you will find it easier to locate the others.” Drawing closer, he guided her view. She caught the faint trace of his scent, and his shoulder brushed hers from time to time as he pointed out the constellations and the brightest stars. She found she was drawn to him, and she reveled in his nearness.
He addressed Georgiana, his voice affectionate. “Sweetling, have you heard the Greek tale of the Pleiades?”
“No, brother.”
“They were the daughters of Atlas, pursued by the hunter Orion. It is said they fled across the heavens until the gods took pity and set them beyond his reach. One, Merope, shines more faintly, for she married a mortal, which was thought a lesser match.”
Richard followed with the tale of Vega, set within the lyre of Orpheus, and their cousin surprised them by speaking of Aldebaran, the bright eye of the Bull, which the ancients believedmarked the form Jupiter assumed when he carried Europa across the sea.
After several minutes had passed, Darcy invited Elizabeth to sit at the edge of the blanket and took a place beside her. Georgiana lent him her cup, and Elizabeth poured him some wine. Colonel Fitzwilliam drank from Anne’s cup, and the five passed the evening first in discourse on the stars and their legends, then in lighter talk. Richard recounted Darcy’s trials upon the marriage mart. At first, Darcy showed some embarrassment and displeasure, but as the ladies expressed sympathy and spoke against those who had treated him poorly, he was restored to good humor and added his own wry remarks until all were laughing, himself included.
When it was time to return, they gathered their things, and Richard offered his arm to Miss de Bourgh while Darcy offered an arm to Elizabeth and his sister.
Elizabeth was acutely aware of Mr. Darcy’s nearness. Once again, she caught the faint trace of his scent, and then her thoughts strayed to what it might be like to receive his kiss.
Elizabeth sat at the dressing table, taking down her hair, when she heard a tap at the door, followed by noisy laughter. Miss Anne entered, with Georgiana close behind.
Elizabeth rose, concerned. “Georgie, my dear, are you unaccustomed to wine?”
