Page 31

She paused to meet my gaze. “Yes, madam. At least, she has given me no reason to think otherwise.” Her lips pressed flat. “Although, she has been even more reserved than usual last night and this morning. She had her dinner in her room and remained there for the rest of the evening.”

“I see. I believe the two of you have formed a friendship. Is that right?”

“Yes, she and I have an accord. However, despite my attempts to coax her to reveal even a bare minimum of information, she has never talked about her late husband, her family, or her life before she came here. Our conversations have been limited to our duties or other superficial topics.” Stone’s brow furrowed as she pinned up a tress. “My belief is that Sarah suffered hardships in the past and would prefer to forget about them.”

“Well, I am pleased to know that should Sarah ever wish to reveal her history, she has your fellowship. Everyone needs to have at least one person to whom they may confide.”

“Yes, madam, I agree.”

Later that day, Georgiana and I set out to visit our newest tenants, the Browns, who had moved to Pemberley from Sheffield. With the weather sunny and mild, we decided to walk. We left the avenue for a path that took us through a grassy meadow alongside the River Derwent.

“Lizzy, do you suppose we could call upon Mrs. York at Westwood Manor tomorrow?”

I turned to Georgiana, but she avoided my gaze. “Yes, I have no objection to that. Of course, I did not think you particularly cared for the lady.” Although I should not call her unkind, Mrs. York tended to be rather dour and reserved—not the sort of person whose company I should seek out.

“While Mrs. York is not the most amiable of our neighbours, she is generous to the indigent people in the area, and she is a fine horsewoman.”

Just then, another interesting item of local tidings came to me. “If I recall correctly, her son, Mr. Benjamin York, has returned home this week from his travels abroad.”

A carmine hue darkened Georgiana’s complexion. “Yes, I may have heard that.”

Did she admire the gentleman? It seemed so. “Do you know the young man’s age?”

“Yes, I believe he is twenty.”

Later, I should press Fitzwilliam for his opinion of the man. Of course, I should use delicacy and avoid arousing my husband’s concern for a possible romantic inclination that might become extinguished the first time the two principles shared company.

“Oh look, Lizzy.” Georgiana pointed up and to her left. “A pair of ravens are flying this way. I imagine it must be your two friends.” After having met Rollo and Rachel and observed their antics over time, my sister’s opinion of the birds had improved, allowing her to develop an appreciation for them.

I spied the pair, one noticeably larger than the other, and slowed to a stop as they neared us. “Indeed, it is Rachel and Rollo.” Last week, the pair’s fledged offspring had departed the nest, so the two ravens had more time on their hands—so to speak. Soaring above us, the pair folded their wings and twisted their bodies around. The two birds, upon resuming conventional flying positions, swooped down to the ground a few yards away, greeting us with their familiar croaks. “Good day, Rollo and Rachel.”

“Good day. Kraa, kraa, good day.” Rollo bobbed his head.

My breath caught in my throat. He can talk! My head snapped towards Georgiana, who met my gaze with wide eyes. “You heard him, did you not?”

“Yes, I did.” Her hand rose to her chest. “I had no idea ravens had the ability to speak.”

“Neither did I.” I grinned at Rollo. “My goodness, what a clever boy you are!” He responded with one of his rattling sounds. Rachel joined in with her own version, adding a few soft caws.

I touched my sister’s shoulder. “I am glad you are here as a witness. Can you imagine me telling Fitzwilliam about this? He might think I am going mad.”

A fit of giggles came upon her. “In truth, I should not blame him. If I had not heard Rollo myself, I should have doubted you too.”

Rollo cocked his head and let out an impressive imitation of a deep laugh. My sister and I looked at each other and burst out in unrestrained chuckles.

Friday, 17 September

Westwood Manor

Elizabeth

I followed Georgiana into the coach, sat opposite her, and signalled the driver to set off. She sank low in the seat with her shoulders rounded into a slouch. At the sight of her, a twinge afflicted my chest. The poor dear!

Our visit had begun with such promise: a few minutes after Mrs. York served us tea, Mr. Benjamin York came to join us. The charming, well-spoken young man possessed well-favoured, masculine features and exhibited frequent smiles. Upon his introduction to me, he could not have been more cordial, but he reserved his best pleasantries for Georgiana—he seemed to delight in amusing her, and his commentary revealed him to possess a keen mind. Moreover, I had never before witnessed my sister in so lively a mood with any gentleman other than family.

The previous evening, I had extracted a few commendatory comments from Fitzwilliam that convinced me of his fondness for the younger Mr. York. I had been contemplating a dinner party that included the Yorks when the butler announced another pair of guests, Mrs. and Miss Talbot from the neighbouring estate to the west. From the moment of her arrival, Miss Talbot captivated Mr. York, who adopted the demeanour of an eager puppy. The petite auburn-haired beauty, whom I guessed to be at least four-and-twenty, possessed a flawless figure, a vivacious personality, and a bosom that strained the confines of her gown.

It soon became evident that Miss Talbot took enjoyment from young Mr. York’s attention, and she skilfully played the coquette for him, complimenting the young man with an exaggerated, kittenish elocution and encouraging him to perform small services for her.