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She did not put it into words, merely shook her head.

“You will be careful Lizzie?”

“Yes. I was going to say that it will take more than a few smiles to turn my head. But he has started to act in other ways. I am unsure that I want to be courted by Mr. Darcy. And I know that I am putting the cart well in front of the horse as there is no indication yet that he wishes to court me.”

“Why are you unsure? Do you not think it would be a good match for you?”

“I think it is too soon. When did you write? The first Saturday in October, the 5th. I was back at Longbourn by the Wednesday, no sorry the Thursday, and I had words with Mr. Darcy the next evening. It is now only the 29th, barely two weeks since his apology. Look at that timeline. The first week of October I did not know the man, I had not even heard of him. The second week of October I spent plotting ever more elaborate retribution, culminating with my performance at Lucas Lodge. And fine he apologises the next day but here we are in what is it? The fifth and final week of October discussing his bold behaviour and dangerous smile.”

Elizabeth resorted to throwing her arms up in the air in frustration. Mary was diverted. Here was the most uncompromising of her sisters, the one who could hold a grudge for weeks, months even, reduced to incoherent frustration. She pulled her sister into a big hug, it was good to see that she was human.

--

Darcy strode back to Meryton, unaware of the turmoil he had left in his wake. He had not thought for a second about accompanying Miss Bennet home. It was no more than the act of a gentleman and he felt the need to prove that status given his poor beginning in the district. Contrition and a degree of spending in the town had improved his reputation quickly but he was still sensitive to Miss Bennet’s charges. And he was completely oblivious as to the impact of something as simple as smiling.

The reason for his smile was a solution that was staring him in the face. Netherfield Park had no hostess and he found himself in need of one. Darcy had a little sister that he wanted to help recover from her foolishness of the summer. That the society of the area was so small, he had heard there were only four and twenty families, was a good thing. Georgiana’s first tentative steps as a hostess would be in small increments.

What he tried to force from his mind was the prospect of having Miss Bennet as a visitor at Netherfield Park, invited by the hostess, his sister. He did not want to consider his feelings at such a prospect.

Ten days later Darcy was off to London as soon as the morning sky was sufficiently bright to safely ride. He had sent the carriage off the previous day so that it was ready for this morning. Darcy himself took the opportunity for a hearty three hour ride, horse and rider happy to be out on the open road. It was not long after 10.00 in the morning when the carriage left Matlock House bearing the siblings. Darcy smiled as the questions from his sister started.

“I have never acted as a hostess before William, are you not worried it is too soon?”

She did not say it but there were three silent words at the end of that sentence, ‘especially after Ramsgate’. Darcy smiled at her, and included her companion, Mrs. Annesley, in his reply.

“I am not worried Georgie. I actually think this will be good for you. It is a small society out there in Meryton, barely more than a score of families. And within those families there is but a single knight, the only gentleman with an honour. Do I expect you to be perfect, not at all. But Mrs. Annesley tells me you have been diligent in your lessons and what better way to improve than by putting your lessons into practice. It would not be fair to ask you to act in such a way at Matlock House. You are too young, the guests too consequential, it would have been nothing but a daunting ordeal for you.

“You will be visited by the gentry, but they are country folk, similar to those around us at Pemberley. That is the best way to think of this, it is nothing more than Pemberly but in a southern county.”

Georgiana did not look completely convinced but Darcy noted that Mrs. Annesley was pronounced in her nod of approval. He would leave further talks to the two of them, while being ready to answer any of his sister’s questions.

“What are the people like?”

“Like I said, no different than those we would expect to find within Derbyshire.”

Darcy sighed.

“It took me a week to realise this myself. I was still pompous Darcy, the catch of the Ton, when I arrived. I did not present well at all, and I was rightly humbled for my behaviour. Once I had thrown off the cape of London society everything was much better.”

Georgiana had what felt like a thousand questions and did not know how to ask any of them.

“I can see you have questions Georgie, I will not be offended, far from it.”

“What did you do?”

Blunt and to the point. Darcy was pleased at the question, a hint of the spark of old returning. Even before he started he was blushing but he decided to be honest. It was not ideal that Mrs. Annesley was present but he was not going to delay. The next hour of the journey passed with an honest recitation interspersed with gasps from his little sister. It was doubly humbling, telling of his humbling at the hands of Miss Bennet, while humbling himself to his sister.

But it was important that she saw him as human, not some paragon of impeccable virtue. He could be rude and boorish, just like any other man. Darcy would swallow plenty humble pie if it would aid in the recovery of Georgiana’s spirit.