Page 90 of Mr. Darcy Comes to Town

Kitty and Lydia curtsied slightly to their mother and rushed out of the breakfast room. Their passage served as the last lively moment of their gathering. Lizzy managed to down a bowl of savory oatmeal porridge, dotted through with crumbled bacon and mushrooms. She swallowed half a glass of milk, ate a few almonds and dates, and asked to be excused.

“You may go,” her papa said, waving his hand toward the door.

Lizzy made her escape. As she approached the entrance hall, a knock sounded at the door. She stepped to one side as Hill left the breakfast room and went to the door. He opened it, admitting Georgiana and Mr. Darcy. Lizzy hurried forward, her heart thumping alarmingly.

“Hill, kindly tell Miss Mary that her guest has arrived,” she said to their butler.

“Yes, miss.” Hill closed the outer door and walked calmly in the direction of the breakfast room.

Lizzy curtsied, Georgiana curtsied, and Mr. Darcy removed his hat before he bowed. “Good morning,” she said brightly. “Mr. Darcy, what a pleasant surprise. We had not expected you. Georgiana, Mary is so looking forward to your visit.”

“I am glad,” Georgiana replied simply. She removed her bonnet and Lizzy stepped close to take it from her. “Thank you.”

“You are welcome,” Lizzy said, hurrying to set the bonnet down on the hall table. “Mr. Darcy, may I take your hat?”

He did not hand it to her. “If you would like, I thought we might go for a walk.”

Lizzy blinked at him, thrilled by his suggestion. She grinned. “I have an errand to run this morning that involves some walking—I am taking Jeffry to the lending library in Meryton, where I will ask the patrons if anyone knows him. Does this activity suit you?” She frowned in a mocking way, adding, “I warn you, sir, that my mother does not think this a proper way for her daughter to spend her morning.”

“And what does your father say?” Mr. Darcy asked.

“He has given his permission, for he is certain I will ask the patrons in a perfectly tasteful way.” Lizzy shrugged. “I certainly do not plan on making myself a nuisance.”

“I am, unquestionably, happy to accompany you.” He indicated the front of the house. “Though, I feel I should mention that we could use my gig, instead of walking.”

I will have his company for longer if we walk. Oh, dear, why am I acting as though he is my suitor? Surely, he is only using me—perfectly politely—as a distraction while his sister is visiting?

“Thank you, but it is a beautiful morning, and I would prefer to walk,” Lizzy asserted. “Ah, here is Mary. Mr. Darcy, if you will do me the honor of waiting a few minutes, I will fetch Jeffry and my outer things.”

“Certainly.”

Lizzy hurried away, hearing Georgiana and Mr. Darcy greet Mary behind her. When she arrived in the orangery, Jeffry appeared to be waiting for her. She took down a covered basket from off of a shelf, placed a folded piece of flannel and some straw bedding in its bottom, added a few raisins, and then plucked Jeffry from his enclosure.

“We are going for a walk with Mr. Darcy. Pray, do not embarrass me by disappearing from the basket,” Lizzy begged, staring into his tiny eyes as she held him up. “We are taking you to the lending library to see if anyone recognizes you.” She had the impression that Jeffry felt anxious, and so she sought to allay his fears. “Do not worry. I will not give you away to anyone who is not your owner.”

This seemed to satisfy him. Lizzy placed him in the basket and closed its lid, fastening it shut. She hurried back to the great hall where only Mr. Darcy stood, and offered him the basket—which he took.

“I will just go and get my pelisse, bonnet, and gloves,” she told him.

“I will be here.” He gestured toward the wall where several straight-backed chairs waited. “May I sit?”

“Certainly, you may,” Lizzy said. “I will be only a minute.

Darcy watched her race up the stairs, admiring her verve and lithe figure. He found a seat, settled into it, and put the basket on the floor. After only a moment, Miss Bennet entered. He stood and bowed his shoulders. She paused and curtsied.

“Good morning, Mr. Darcy.” Miss Bennet looked around. “Did you mean to wait for your sister?”

“I am waiting for your sister, Miss Elizabeth. We are walking into Meryton together.”

Miss Bennet nodded knowingly. “Ah, the lending library.”

“Is there a commission we might perform for you while we are there?”

She chuckled gently. “I need nothing, thank you.” She glanced shyly away and then hesitantly asked, “Is Mr. Bingley looking forward to our drive today?”

“He is, indeed. I expect him to arrive any minute.”

Her eyes widened. “Oh, dear, pray excuse me. I must inform our maid that she is accompanying us.”