Chapter Twelve #3
He noted the shift in those formidable shoulders and rise of her chin.
Although Elizabeth spoke both sweetly and calmly, Miss Bingley was no match for the lady.
“On the contrary, Miss Bingley. We will miss the intelligent conversation the officers brought to all the gatherings, and I suppose the community may feel more vulnerable without the military’s protection.
I also assume many merchants feel the deprivation of the additional income, but my father taught each of his daughters to be self-sufficient.
We require no outside source of diversion.
” As she said these lines, Elizabeth’s hand reached across the settee to retrieve Georgiana’s.
Darcy watched her give his sister’s hand a little squeeze and saw Georgiana’s eyes follow the motion of her hand towards Elizabeth and how Georgiana raised her eyes tentatively to Elizabeth’s face.
Elizabeth offered up a gentle smile, and a breathy expulsion announced his sister’s newfound fortitude.
Elizabeth turned her attention to Georgiana.
“I apologize for losing my thoughts, Miss Darcy. I wanted to ask about your reading preferences.”
Georgiana’s voice, initially barely a whisper, gained volume as she continued.
She never removed her eyes from Elizabeth during the exchange, putting all of her trust in the woman she hoped would become her friend.
“In my studies, I recently read Oliver Goldsmith’s The Vicar of Wakefield.
I have also lately enjoyed the prose and verse found in Elegant Extracts, as well as Frances Burney’s Cecilia. ”
“How about Mrs. Radcliffe’s The Romance of the Forest or The Children of the Abbey? My father’s library held such schoolgirl favorites for my sisters and me,” Elizabeth encouraged.
“I have enjoyed them both, Miss Elizabeth.”
Darcy watched as his adorable, but shy, sister struggled to maintain the conversation, realizing he had never appreciated Elizabeth Bennet properly before now.
Even when he had thought he loved her, this moment with Georgiana had sealed his regard for Miss Elizabeth forever.
In the background, Caroline Bingley droned on, often directing her comments to the room, but more often to the tittering sighs of Mrs. Hurst, while the rest of the party, generally, ignored them.
“Have you been able to attend the series of concerts being commissioned by the Prince Regent?” Mrs. Gardiner interjected, hoping to channel Georgiana along a familiar line of conversation.
“Yes, Mrs. Gardiner,” Georgiana smiled briefly. “The last one was the most magnificent I have ever heard, was it not, Mrs. Annesley?”
“I agree most whole-heartedly, Miss Georgiana.”
“The concert sounds thrilling, Miss Darcy. Would you be willing to acquaint me with the pieces you most enjoyed?” Elizabeth coaxed the girl.
Darcy marveled at how Georgiana’s whole body changed as she spoke to Elizabeth and Mrs. Gardiner. Her voice became fuller and less breathy, and her very posture became one of a well-bred lady, rather than a timid schoolgirl.
“Oh, yes, Miss Elizabeth, I would love that. When you come to dine, perhaps we can find time to play. Mrs. Annesley has assisted me in selecting some interesting pieces, and my music master, Mr. Steventon, has taught me some of the more difficult chords.”
“My goodness, they sound challenging, but I must admit I can think of few things I would find to be more pleasurable than spending time with you at the pianoforte. Even though I am confident your talents are superior to my own, Miss Darcy.”
Georgiana’s eyes sparkled. At last, Darcy thought.
At last, Georgiana has found someone who sees her as she really is.
As it always had been, Miss Elizabeth Bennet possessed a way of seeing people: She had seen his many flaws.
Could he truly be blessed that she might see him in other ways some day?
Dare he allow himself to believe it might happen?
Elizabeth said something about regrets and having to take her leave.
“Miss Bennet, Mrs. Gardiner, please tarry a few minutes more,” Darcy pleaded. “I will have your carriage brought around.” Darcy said this to both women, but his eyes remained on Elizabeth, memorizing her every expression. They shared an intimacy that others could not fathom.
“Thank you, Mr. Darcy.”
Realizing the impropriety, Darcy rose quickly. He executed a quick bow to his guests and averted his eyes. “Georgiana, while I speak to Mr. Shepherd regarding the carriage, why do you not show Miss Bennet and Mrs. Gardiner the conservatory?”
“Mr. Darcy, thank you again for your courtesy towards my uncle,” Elizabeth discovered her voice. “I cannot remember seeing him as content as he was when contemplating the pleasure of fishing your lake, sir.”
“Then I am well satisfied, Miss Bennet.”
“Please follow me, Miss Elizabeth. Mrs. Gardiner.”
“Happily so,” Elizabeth said as she also stood. The lady interlocked her arm with Georgiana. “Pemberley is a magnificent home. Its elegance comes in its simplistic sophistication.”
“That is ironic,” Georgiana gasped as they headed towards the door.
“What is, Miss Darcy?”
“Your description of Pemberley.” Her nose wrinkled in concentration. “It is what William says of Pemberley when he describes our home: simple sophistication.”
When they entered the conservatory, the beauty of the place appeared to leave Miss Elizabeth and Mrs. Gardiner in awe.
“I hope you love this place, Miss Elizabeth,” said Georgiana, “for it is one of my favorites at Pemberley. I feel my mother here. William says she would spend hours tending the plants.”
“Each part of Pemberley overrides the previous in its perfection,” Elizabeth gushed, “but this room would be one of my favorites also. It speaks of the magnitude of your mother’s character. A woman who loved nature so exquisitely could have no less children than you and Mr. Darcy.”
Darcy stood in the doorway’s shadows in quiet observation. He could barely breathe while watching the two women he loved most in the world. Could they become friends? Georgiana deserved these happy moments.
Elizabeth strolled aimlessly, examining the exotic flowers and the shrubbery.
She stopped at a yellow boxwood rose plant, touching its leaves lovingly, nearly caressing the petals.
Georgiana, walking now with Mrs. Gardiner, looked back and beamed.
“You discovered my mother’s favorite flower, Miss Elizabeth.
My brother reportedly fought to keep the cuttings alive after my mother’s death.
He did so to keep my mother’s memory alive, as well as to honor her. ”
“I can imagine so, Miss Darcy,” Mrs. Gardiner interjected. “Your brother took on many responsibilities at a young age. I would imagine the plant gave him comfort.”
Darcy could barely believe his ears. These people, whom he had once shunned because of his misplaced pride, understood him better than many of his close acquaintances.
He watched Elizabeth deeply inhaling the fragrance of the rose.
He could barely breathe. His heart had lodged again in his throat.
He knew he must make Elizabeth a part of his life.
If she could learn to love him, he would never question himself again.
Yet, even if all they ever had were the quiet repartee they had enjoyed since he discovered her on Pemberley’s grounds two days prior, then he would embrace the opportunity to know her.
He would protect Elizabeth. He would love Elizabeth from afar, if necessary, but he would do everything in his power to secure her happiness even if that meant finding Elizabeth a suitable romantic match.
Oh, God, could he do that? Could he watch her with another man?
He could not tolerate a life without seeing Elizabeth; that much he did know.
Making her happy took on new importance.
Darcy cleared his throat and stepped into the room.
“Mrs. Gardiner, your carriage is without.”
“Thank you, Mr. Darcy, for a most pleasant afternoon.”
“Yes,” Elizabeth agreed. “You and Miss Darcy have a most well-suited home at Pemberley. I will never be able to think of either of you without picturing you at this great estate. This has been a most unexpected pleasure.” Elizabeth colored slightly, but only Darcy noted the change.
“You are to be our guests at any time you so desire,” Georgiana said with a glow of confidence, and Darcy marveled at the change. His sister had also discovered a piece of herself in Miss Elizabeth’s gentle care.
“I see you prefer the yellow boxwood, Miss Elizabeth,” Darcy could not help himself.
When she spoke, he heard the same voice and discerned the same mind as his. “It is a cherished plant, is it not, Mr. Darcy? Or has your sister exaggerated its importance?”
“Oh, no, Miss Elizabeth,” Georgiana began.
“Georgiana,” Darcy stopped her in mid-sentence, “you will find Miss Bennet likes to test my mettle with her responses sometimes.” A smile turned up on the outline of his lips as if he and Elizabeth just shared a private joke.
The “attitude” displayed between him and Elizabeth Bennet and the intensity of their stares appeared to amuse Georgiana, but Darcy could not disguise his affections.
“Come along, Elizabeth,” Mrs. Gardiner said with a lighthearted laugh.
Elizabeth fell into step beside Darcy. He wondered if this quiet state of chaos possessed her as much as it did him.
With her eyes down so Darcy could not see her face, Elizabeth said at a barely audible level only Darcy listening with his whole being could hear.
“I meant no disrespect, Mr. Darcy. I just meant yellow is my favorite color of flower, especially the yellow rose. Some say yellow represents jealousy. I say it demonstrates a constancy of spirit; like the sun, it lasts forever.”
As he handed Mrs. Gardiner and Elizabeth into the carriage, Darcy could not resist the impulse to hold Elizabeth’s hand a moment longer than propriety allowed.
Elizabeth glanced down at his hand and slowly withdrew her fingers from his.
Her actions prolonged the sensation. Darcy’s heart beat so loudly he was assured everyone could hear it.
He could not remove the smile from his lips.
Please, God, he said a silent prayer. Give me Elizabeth Bennet, and I will ask for nothing more.