Page 41 of Mr. Darcy’s Diamonds

It was convenient that he could see Miss Elizabeth at the same time. He had thought about her the night before while he had attempted to ignore Miss Bingley, and he had concluded that the girl relaxed him. He appreciated her curiosity and energy and her complete lack of romantic interest in himself. She made him feel secure. He could express his opinions without having to worry about raising her expectations.

Darcy had given himself another challenge, as well. The careless way her so-called friends treated the girl bothered him. He wished to give her a treat of some kind to enable her to partake of more of London than she had been allowed so far. It might have been easier had his sister been free to accompany him on these visits, but he would think on what could be done.

Elizabeth was unsettled. She had convinced herself she was not jealous of Jane for the experiences she was having with the Bingleys and Hursts, who used to profess friendship for her. She hardly wanted more time with Caroline any longer. She had not really minded thinking of them all together the previous week, when they went out most days without her. Last night, however, with the addition of Mr. Darcy, she could not imagine her friends’ evening and remain calm. She would like to see Vauxhall Gardens, but she expected the wish to be fulfilled at some future date.

No, the only difference to explain her agitated feelings was that she did not like the idea of Caroline behaving with Mr. Darcy the way she had in her drawing room. It was only because Mr. Darcy was her friend, and she knew Caroline’s attentions made him uncomfortable. They still made him uncomfortable, did they not? If he were to fall in love with Caroline…Elizabeth felt the bile rise up in her throat at the thought. Caroline would need to marry someone and had hoped for an early marriage to a wealthy man. Why did Elizabeth care if Mr. Darcy were her choice?

“Miss Elizabeth, are you familiar with London’s Royal Menagerie?”

Darcy had again been ushered to a seat far too close to Miss Bingley upon his arrival, and he had finally escaped her talons. Miss Elizabeth had moved to the pianoforte soon after his arrival, and she looked somehow out of sorts. Now as she replied, she barely glanced up before returning her gaze to her sheet music.

“No, I have not heard of it.”

“It has live animals on display. Would you like to see it?”

Whatever was bothering her, she could no longer deny her curiosity and looked to him with interest.

“Is it nearby?”

“Not so close. Would it bother you overmuch to visit the Tower? Have you been to that part of town?”

Something crossed Miss Elizabeth’s face that Darcy could not interpret.

“I have not been precisely to that location, but I know where the Tower of London is. I would like to go. Could I see live animals while avoiding the prisoners, or⁠—”

Darcy held back a laugh; it was a valid concern, one his young sister would have. “We will visit only the menagerie, if you like.”

“We? Will you go? I thought you were recommending an activity I could do with my aunt and uncle.”

“I hope they will join us, but I am available tomorrow to escort you and anyone else of the party who wishes to go.”

Miss Elizabeth’s unguarded smile returned in full force. It seemed her mood had shifted, much to his relief.

“I will speak with my relations this evening and ask whether they may chaperone Jane and me. We should be able to meet you at the Tower whenever you propose.”

“Excellent. Will you join me in asking the others whether they will come?”

Mrs. Hurst, Caroline, and Jane had all discounted the idea of going to see animals as a childish waste of time when Elizabeth spoke of it.

“Ask your uncle to take you next week, Eliza, once the gentlemen and your cousin have departed. This week, our energies are better spent in the ballroom.” Caroline eyed Mr. Darcy with a suggestive smile. “After giving up the chance to dance with you last night, Mr. Darcy, I insist we attend the ball I mentioned earlier. Apologies, Eliza, but we will all be far too tired to indulge your childish desires tomorrow. Do you not agree Jane, Louisa?”

Mrs. Hurst nodded.

“Truly, Lizzy. Could you not go next week? Perhaps Aunt and Uncle would like to take their children, as well. I should like to dance once more with Mr. Bingley.”

Elizabeth felt her shoulders slump, though she was not surprised her hopes had been dashed. “Of course.”

“I still intend to go to the menagerie on the morrow, Miss Elizabeth. I hope you and at least your uncle will join me.”

She could not restrain her smile or her gratitude. Nor could she help but notice anew how very handsome Mr. Darcy was.

Later, Elizabeth went to the Hursts’ library to look for a book she realized she had left behind in January. She found it and was about to collect Jane to return to Gracechurch Street when Caroline blocked her path out of the room.

“You spoke to Mr. Darcy for too long today. Why are you angling to catch him when you are far too young for him?” Caroline accused.

Elizabeth laughed. “What makes you think I am trying to catch him? We had a polite discussion, nothing more.”

“Well, do not speak to him in such a familiar way again. I am angling to catch him, and your wealth and connections are nothing to mine, so I will beat you if you go up against me.”