Page 144 of Mr. Darcy Comes to Town

I will be sick for certain if I eat any of that. Drink tea, Lizzy Bennet. Drink tea.

Lizzy sweetened her tea before taking a sip of the reviving beverage. To keep herself from thinking of her roiling stomach, she concentrated on Georgiana’s answer.

“Mary urged me to use my anger to face him.” She added some sugar lumps to her tea and stirred them in while she spoke. “That is what I did. I was able to say to him the things I have longed to impart. Imagine if I had been in a London drawing room full of the ton and had come face-to-face with George there for the first time.” She shook her head. “I hate to think of what my reaction might have been.”

“You have done amazingly well,” Mr. Darcy praised. “I am proud of you.”

Georgiana smoothed her napkin beside her saucer. “I am still trembling inside, but I did not run away.”

“Bravo,” Lizzy said, smiling what she thought must be a sickly smile. “You are doing better than I am.” She held out her hand to show how she trembled. “I cannot tell if I am reacting in anger at my sisters or from fear for their futures.”

“Their futures are not your responsibility,” Mr. Darcy said in a gentle, but firm voice. “Miss Lydia is still very young. She will grow up.”

“I am so sorry that my two youngest sisters have behaved poorly,” Lizzy said, her voice humble. “And that you, Georgiana, have been subjected to the company of a potentially dangerous man while in my aunt’s home where you should have felt safe.”

Lizzy could scarcely look at Georgiana or Mr. Darcy. After a swift, assessing glance at him and at Georgiana, she looked away, down at her saucer containing the untouched seedcake. They do not look disgusted or offended.

“I forgive you, Lizzy. You could not have known. Do not berate yourself so. Drink your tea, instead,” Georgiana admonished. She lifted her own cup. “It will do us both good.”

Obediently, Lizzy drank, finding herself calming with each sip of the sweet beverage.

“I think he came here deliberately, hoping to see me,” Georgiana stated in a troubled voice. She rubbed her cheek with the flat of her hand.

Lizzy took her hand and held it between both of hers. “If so, he must be an idiot. I cannot imagine how he could have known that you and Mary meant to come here today.”

“Kitty knew,” Georgiana told her, her brows furrowed. “She heard us talking over our plans. She could have easily mentioned it to the officers.”

“I suppose she could have,” Lizzy said, at a loss to know what to say next.

“I am glad Mary is staying overnight with me tomorrow,” Georgiana confessed, sighing.

Mr. Darcy patted his sister’s arm. “If you like her, Mrs. Inwood will be staying as well for a few days. I would enjoy having Miss Mary’s opinion of your potential governess-companion, if she will give it to me. She is a sensible girl.”

“Yes, yes,” Georgiana said, nodding rapidly. “I would like Mary’s estimation of Mrs. Inwood’s character as well.”

“Once you are settled back in London, perhaps you would like to invite Miss Mary for a visit?” Mr. Darcy asked, smiling tenderly at his sister. “I am certain Aunt Orillia would be delighted to have her company.”

Georgiana’s expression brightened considerably. “Thank you, Fitz. That is a wonderful idea.”

Lizzy thought so, too. Her insides had settled into a hollow sort of place. Though her stomach and nerves had responded to the sweet tea, she felt immensely tired. Mr. Darcy will go away, and I will stay here with my animals. He cannot possibly wish to marry into a family such as ours. And, if that is not enough to sap my energy, Jeffry is gone now, too. Back to his owner. At least Mr. Darcy is happy for his sister to remain friends with Mary.

“Will you pencil my name into your dance card for the first dance at the assembly, Miss Elizabeth?” he asked.

He is being polite…

“And for the supper dance?” he asked in a hopeful voice.

More than polite? Lizzy’s heart beat faster. “I will be honored, sir.”

“Not as honored as I will feel to lead you onto the dance floor tomorrow night.”

Inexplicably, Lizzy no longer felt in the least bit tired.

“Excellent,” Georgiana said, beaming. She lifted her eyebrows at her brother. “Do you think Cousin Douglas is back with Mrs. Inwood?”

Mr. Darcy stood. “I expect they will be back soon. Shall we return to Netherfield so you can freshen up in preparation of meeting her?”

“Yes,” she said, rising. “What about our horses at Longbourn?”