Page 26 of Elizabeth Bennet and the Scottish Laird

"Oh brother, may we stay a while?" Georgiana asked eagerly. "I should very much like to help Moira with her French."

It was, of course, another way for Georgiana to assist him in the quest she'd set them both on. Three weeks, even a month might be enough to find out once and for all what sort of man this MacKinnon was.

"I thank you for your generosity, Sir William," he heard himself say. "We should be honoured to accept."

Georgiana's face lit. Moira grinned, her earlier distress forgotten. MacKinnon inclined his head, questions in his eyes that Darcy could not answer.

***

A few days later, after settling at Lucas Lodge, Darcy walked with Georgiana to Longbourn for her first lesson.

Sir William had put a carriage at their disposal, but Georgiana had wanted to walk the short distance, even though winter was steadily advancing.

Despite the cold, Darcy had to confess the countryside had never been more beautiful. Fog clung to the hedgerows, muffling sound, and frost glittered upon the grass.

He had spent the previous evening turning matters over in his mind. Eventually, he reached a resolution. As tempted as he was to approach Elizabeth again, he knew it was now time to step back. He would accompany Georgiana to the lessons and attempt to find out what he could about MacKinnon – while hoping his solicitor and Grant would uncover more. If they found him honourable, he'd take Georgiana and Mrs Annesley back to town or Pemberley at his earliest convenience.

These resolutions lasted until he entered the morning room to see Elizabeth sitting there with Moira and Mrs Hill. Her fine dark eyes crinkled up in a smile as she greeted them.

As Moira accompanied Georgiana to the small table that had been placed near the window, Mrs Hill took a seat near the door with her basket of mending. Choosing a book from the shelf, Elizabeth sat on a sofa by the hearth.

After a moment's hesitation Mr Darcy seated himself nearby. They were not close enough to invite censure, yet close enough to converse without raising their voices.

"She has not fidgeted once this half-hour," Elizabeth said at length, keeping her voice low so as not to disturb the girls. "It is most gratifying to see."

Darcy inclined his head. "She appears to have a natural aptitude for French. My sister seems less anxious in instructing her than I had feared."

"I had observed as much," Elizabeth replied. Her expression softened as Georgiana corrected Moira with quiet patience. "Miss Darcy possesses a delicacy of manner that suits a child who has known so much change."

Darcy glanced at her. "She would not feel so at ease if you were not here."

Elizabeth looked surprised. "I have done nothing of consequence."

"You have done precisely what was needed," he said, his tone grave rather than complimentary. "Georgiana trusts you, though she does not know you well."

She smoothed the fold of her glove, seeking a safer thread of conversation.

"I hope we do not detain you overlong, sir," she said. "Watching two pupils recite French verbs cannot be an enlivening occupation."

He shook his head. "I assure you, Miss Elizabeth, I am very well here."

Moira's laughter interrupted the moment, with Georgiana joining in.

"It is good to hear her laugh," Elizabeth murmured, pleased.

Darcy's expression altered almost imperceptibly. "It is." A beat passed. "She has not laughed so since before Ramsgate."

Elizabeth said nothing at first; the significance of the admission was not lost on her.

"I am glad she feels safe enough to do so again," she said quietly.

The lesson continued. Yet beneath the tranquillity of the room something had shifted, almost imperceptibly. It was almost like an understanding half formed, set aside for the moment, but not forgotten by either of them. It was astonishing how swiftly ease returned between them, though so much stood altered since his disastrous proposal.

Elizabeth spoke after a moment. "It is good to see Moira happy. Mr MacKinnon mentioned she struggled greatly after her mother's death."

Darcy turned his gaze from Georgiana to Elizabeth. He wished he could claim indifference to the subject, but her mention of MacKinnon stirred something unsettled within him.

"Mr MacKinnon appears a devoted parent," he replied.