Page 48 of Mr. Darcy Comes to Town

“Thank you,” Miss Darcy said. She turned her attention to Lizzy’s youngest sisters and nodded.

“We are charmed,” the two girls said at the same time—and then they giggled behind their hands.

“Where is Mama? I thought she was sitting with you.” Lydia craned her neck so she could look around the drawing room. “Oh, I see her. She is sitting with Lady Lucas. It is a shame Maria must sit with them, too.”

Jane shook her head at Lydia’s forthright speech.

Kitty sat back again and addressed Miss Darcy. “Maria Lucas is our particular friend. Charlotte,” she added, waving at her, “is Lizzy and Jane’s particular friend.”

“I see. Does the Lucas family live near you?” Miss Darcy asked Charlotte and Lydia together, but glancing at Mary, who sighed and looked down at her lap.

Is she wondering who is Mary’s particular friend. It is a shame Mary has none.

“Yes, indeed,” Kitty replied. “We see them most every day.”

“That must be exceedingly agreeable,” Miss Darcy said. “Where I live, we have no one so close by that we visit every day. I know some young ladies in the village of Lambton—the closest village to Pemberley, you understand. But Lambton is nearly five miles away. I take a pony trap when I go there, for it is too far to walk often.”

Kitty laughed. “Not too far for Lizzy. She tramps all over the county with Harry.”

“I met Harry,” Miss Darcy informed them, a smile in her voice. “I liked him excessively.”

“I like him, too,” Mary stated, lifting her chin, if not her gaze. “Some people prefer cats, but I prefer dogs.”

“So do I,” Miss Darcy agreed fervently. “Miss Elizabeth has agreed to look about for a small dog for me to keep in the house.”

“Harry is allowed in the house,” Mary mentioned. “But then he is extremely well behaved.”

“He is allowed in my bedchamber and in the corridors, for the most part,” Lizzy reminded her. “Mama has quite a bit to say if I let him into the drawing room, or the dining room, when we have company.”

“We have several dogs whom we let into the family parlor,” Charlotte remarked.

Mr. Darcy arrived with a cup of tea for Lizzy. “Here you go, Miss Elizabeth. How are you feeling?”

Lizzy took the cup and saucer. She smiled up at him. My, but he is handsome in his concern. What an interesting feeling I had when resting on his chest. Lizzy swallowed. Goodness, what thoughts I am having.

“I am quite recovered,” she said. “Thank you for the tea. I am certain it will do me good.”

“I am glad you feel better.” He looked politely at the other ladies. “May I get tea for you?”

“Here is a footman with a tray,” Jane said, nodding behind him.

“Ah, yes.” Mr. Darcy stepped to one side so they could be served. “I will procure a cold compress for your head, Miss Elizabeth.”

“You are so kind,” Lizzy said, smiling up at him. He nodded and departed, heading for the butler.

Another footman joined the one with the tea, holding a tray of cakes, tender honey-glazed biscuits, and sugared hazelnuts. Tiny savory scones and soft cheese accompanied the sweets. He gave them saucers and put the plates of treats on the table.

“These look delicious,” Jane said, serving them all a piece of cake and a biscuit each. “May I pass around the nuts? Miss Georgiana, would you care for some?”

“I love sugared hazelnuts, thank you,” Miss Georgiana said, holding up her saucer so the nuts could be spooned onto it. “I hope they have cinnamon on them.”

Lizzy spied Basile wandering out of the drawing room, his tail high, his ears forward. She placed her free hand over her reticule, but Jeffry had not returned.

Chapter Eight

Jeffry appeared in front of the cat who sat in an alcove in the corridor near the drawing room. Basile was sniggering, his tail wrapped around him as he sat. As soon as he noticed the newcomer, he jumped and glared at the guinea pig.

“You think you’re rather clever, don’t you?” Jeffry asked, seething with annoyance. He did not wish to point out the cat’s strategic error, but if he did not, Basile might trip Lizzy at the top of the stairs, resulting in a disastrous injury—if not worse.