Page 17 of Sweet on Mr Darcy

“I consider you among my friends, and I wish for you to address me as such,” the young lady insisted.

“And I as well! I would like you to call me Georgiana, or Georgie, as my family does! All your sisters, in fact! You are all such good friends. I have no desire to be on formal terms with any of you.”

“As long as you are certain your father and brother will not disapprove. And you must both call me Lizzy.” Elizabeth smiled at her friends. “Now, the two of you must protect me from Mr James for the rest of the evening. I forbid either of you to leave me with him. I really must speak with Charlotte. When I require her to invite a gentleman to marry me off, I will tell her so myself.”

The three ladies rose from their chairs and organised the card tables for Charlotte. They spent the evening keeping Kitty and Lydia amused and away from Mr Wickham, and ignored Mr James entirely.

Chapter Nine

Monday 6 July 1812

Lady Barry’s drawing room was in a state of comfortable disorder. There seemed to be a shawl thrown over the back of every chair, a book lying open upon every table, and the window open as it always was to the sea air, regardless of the season or the complaints of the maids. Lady Barry lounged upon a sofa with a plate of sandwiches in her lap.

“The door, which had resisted every former attempt, now yielded to her trembling hand,” Elizabeth read aloud. “And disclosed–”

A tap on the door interrupted her. Elizabeth stood near the open window in the best light the room had to offer, a gothic novel by Mrs Worthington in hand and Belle at her feet, as the butler announced Miss Darcy and her brother.

Lady Barry did not even turn her head in their direction, waving them to seat themselves. “Sit down,” she instructed them. “Quietly.”

Disobedience, even hesitation, was impossible. Mr and Miss Darcy sank quickly into the indicated chairs as Elizabeth waited to continue reading, her manner theatrical and suspenseful in the most amusing fashion.

“Well?” Lady Barry demanded. “Must we all suffer for their arrival? Go on, Miss Bennet–she has opened the door–and I insist upon knowing what is behind it!”

Elizabeth grinned at Georgiana and resumed reading obediently, her voice passionate and captivating, as if she were reciting in front of an important audience. “...and disclosed…not the expected passage but a chamber hung in black, in which stood a figure–”

Lady Barry leaned forward in anticipation, ignoring her dog as the spaniel left Elizabeth to greet the newcomers enthusiastically, as if their arrival heralded the highlight of her day.

“...a figure so still, so ghastly pale, that for an instant, the lady believed it to be no living form, but when it moved–”

Their hostess curled her hand about her walking stick. “If it proves a dream, I shall never forgive Mrs Worthington.”

Elizabeth’s voice rose. “–when it moved, and slowwwllly raised its countenance toward her, she perceived–”

She stopped, grinning impishly.

“Well?” Lady Barry demanded imperiously.

Elizabeth snapped the book closed. “The end of the chapter,” she informed them.

For one uncertain instant, it seemed as if Lady Barry might commit an act of violence. “What an abominable woman Mrs Worthington is, though she is an improvement upon Mrs Radcliffe. Set it aside, we shall resume it later, when we are not at the mercy of expectation and civility.”

Elizabeth laid the book aside obediently.

“Now,” Lady Barry continued. “You may be acknowledged, Miss Darcy. I declare, there can only be one identity for the gentleman who accompanies you.”

“Lady Barry, may I present my brother, Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy.” Miss Darcy rose and curtsied as her brother bowed seriously. “Brother, our mother’s friend.”

“I remember you at ten years of age, young man,” Lady Barry said, before the gentleman could offer any greeting. “You were too grave for a boy then, and you do not appear any more amiable now. I see you have not improved.”

Elizabeth bent her head and lavished attention upon Belle to hide her grin. She suppressed a laugh under what was intended to sound like a cough.

“I recall that meeting, Lady Barry, and I apologise for your disappointment.” Darcy’s wit was dry. “I hope it is not too late to improve, and obtain your approbation.”

“You have my permission to try,” Lady Barry waved them back to their chairs as the butler returned with a new tray with a teapot and fresh cups. “It is more than most gentlemen ever attempt. Lizzy-girl, pour the tea, dear.”

She sat back and appraised Darcy with a keen eye as Elizabeth obeyed. “Your mother was a lifelong friend to my Isobel. For Lady Anne’s sake, you and your sister are always welcome.”

“My mother spoke of Mrs Hagerman and of you often,” Darcy answered. “She would be very happy to know that we have seen you.”