Page 61 of Pride and Prejudice Resolutions

"Please, Miss Elizabeth," Georgiana said, her shyness forgotten in her eagerness. "I am to go as well. It will be my first time in a box since... since ever! I am terrified. If you are there... I know I will feel braver."

Elizabeth looked at the girl. She saw the genuine anxiety, but also the hope. She saw the way Georgiana leaned slightly towards her brother, drawing strength from him, and the way Darcy watched his sister with protective adoration.

Her eyes found Darcy's. He was not looking at her with arrogance now. She could see the raw vulnerability in them. He was holding his breath.

He had arranged lemon biscuits, she had seen them on the tray. This was not a coincidence. He had endured his cousin's teasing. He had welcomed her trade-connected relatives into his home. And now he was asking, with no guarantee of acceptance, for the chance to stand beside her in front of all of London.

Her heart gave a traitorous little thump.

"You are very persuasive, Miss Darcy," Elizabeth said, a smile tugging at her lips.

"Is that a yes?" Georgiana asked, clasping her hands.

"The Opera," Elizabeth mused. "I suppose... I suppose I have not been to the Opera in a very long time."

"Is that a yes?" he echoed his sister's question, his voice low.

"Yes," Elizabeth said. "I would be honoured, Mr Darcy."

The relief that washed over his face was so profound it almost made her laugh. He looked like a man who had just been pardoned at the gallows.

"Excellent," he breathed. "Monday. The twenty-third. We shall collect you."

"I will have to inform my relatives, naturally, but we have no prior engagements that I know of. So, we will be looking forward to it."

The visit wound down shortly after that. Mrs Gardiner, sensing that enough emotional ground had been covered for one day, gathered her chicks. Robert protested, of course, claiming he had not yet finished describing the second act of the play hewanted Miss Bennet to see, but eventually, they were ushered towards the door.

"Until tomorrow," Robert said, kissing Miss Bennet's hand.

"Until tomorrow," she replied, smiling.

"Goodbye, Miss Elizabeth!" Georgiana called. "I shall wear my pink ribbon!"

"Goodbye, Miss Darcy," Miss Elizabeth smiled warmly.

Darcy walked them to the carriage. He handed Mrs Gardiner in, then Miss Bennet. Finally, he offered his hand to Miss Elizabeth.

Her palm was warm through his glove. His grip was firm.

"The lemon biscuits," he said suddenly, as she placed her foot on the step.

She paused and looked back at him. "Sir?"

"On the tray. I remembered you liked them. At Netherfield. Did you try them?"

She saw him blushing again, just slightly, on the tips of his ears.

"I did. Thank you, Mr Darcy. It was very thoughtful of you. They were delicious. Please convey my appreciation to your cook."

She climbed in. The door closed.

As the carriage pulled away, Elizabeth watched him from the window. He stood on the pavement of Grosvenor Square, a solitary figure against the grey stone of his house, watching them go.

"Well." Mrs Gardiner leaned back against the squabs. "That was successful."

"The Viscount is very charming," Jane admitted, touching her cheek.

"And Mr Darcy," Mrs Gardiner added, looking at Elizabeth, "remembered your biscuits."