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“She laughs too much and always seeks to agree with you, but I suppose she might change her ways after marriage,” replied Georgiana, her discernment once again surprising her brother.

Darcy was astonished by her keen powers of observation. Rowena was always too close to him and had a habit of using the word ‘wonderful’ excessively. “And what of Lady Marianne?” he queried.

Georgiana hesitated momentarily before responding, “Well, she possesses all the qualities we seek, but…”

“Come now, sly little one,” laughed Darcy, now completely caught up in their game. “You initiated this conversation—you have no right to hold back!”

“Well, she would not accept your proposal, as she aspires to become the wife of a peer of England,” Georgiana revealed.

“Perhaps,” Darcy replied, withholding the fact that love often intervened, thwarting all other plans and desires.

Georgiana relished their game, for it was the first time her brother had treated her as a grown-up and regarded her opinion with due consideration. Reluctant to bring their conversation to a close, she beamed at him and exclaimed, “I know of one lady who cannot even be considered!” They both nearly burst into laughter, shouting in unison, “Cousin Anne de Bourgh!” Yet Darcy suddenly halted and said, “It is impolite and unkind of us to mock her, for she is nothing but a girl who has had a bitter and sad life because of her mother.”

They continued to play and laugh as they had during their long winters at Pemberley.

“What of Miss Bennet, brother?” Georgiana’s bright smile illuminated the carriage as she spoke.

Darcy’s heart leapt with unexpected anticipation, threatening to overwhelm him. With a voice he endeavoured to keep composed, he asked, “What of her?”

“I can find no fault in her, brother! I believe she may be the perfect match for you,” Georgiana replied.

“Perfect? You cannot discern any shortcomings in her?” Darcy asked with scepticism.

“Perhaps there are some, but none that would be disagreeable to us,” Georgiana answered.

“Nevertheless, there are some problems…” Darcy mused, still thinking of the horrible behaviour of Elizabeth’s mother and some of her sisters.

“You will solve it all, I am certain!” Georgiana retorted.

Remembering how he had once allowed small objections to blind him to a woman’s merits, Darcy asked, “So, you think Miss Elizabeth would be suitable for our little game?”

“She is intelligent and educated, but what I admire most about her is her modesty and genuine warmth. Her presence puts me at ease…” Georgiana gushed.

‘But she can be harsh in her judgements and stubborn,’ he might have added if it had been an honest discussion, not a game. ‘And she is a little too proud and has prejudices.’

Yet he refrained from voicing his honest opinion, as it would reveal his ardent secret—he was as smitten with Elizabeth as he had been when he proposed to her at Hunsford. His heart still ached from the memory of her scathing rejection. Their chance encounter at the theatre had stirred up his emotions, and he struggled to keep his composure in her company. He could still feel the tingling sensation in his hand where he had touched her shoulder.

‘Yes,’ he wished to tell Georgiana, ‘Miss Elizabeth is my ideal choice, but regrettably, I am not hers.’

“And…” Georgiana interrupted his thoughts, “I believe she regards you with more than just friendly affection.”

Darcy’s heart skipped a beat. How could his sister know such a delicate matter? Only yesterday had she been a child.

“How can you be certain?” he asked with a harshness he didn’t intend.

Georgiana met his gaze with an expression he had never seen before. It was as if their positions had reversed; she was now the adult, and he the child.

“It was evident! She blushed every time she looked at you and could not take her eyes off our box during the first act,” Georgiana explained.

Darcy tried to contain his disbelief. He could scarcely believe she liked him after rejecting him so vehemently only a few months earlier.

“She admires you! Alicia whispered to Amelia to take care, as there was a spark between the two of you,” Georgiana added.

Darcy leaned back in the carriage, breathing deeply, hoping his sister couldn’t see the turmoil raging within him.

They soon arrived home, where Scott, his butler, waited with a tray of letters. Darcy excused himself to read them, glad of a reason to leave his sister’s questions unanswered.

Chapter 6