Chapter 9
“Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth Bennet,” Killion announced as Jane and Lizzy paid a return call to Miss Darcy. Georgie was in the drawing room with her cousin Tiffany and companion Mrs Annesley. As the Bennets were announced, the three ladies stood and both parties curtsied to one another.
“Miss Darcy, will you introduce us to the lady, please?” asked Jane as they had not met her companion yet.
“Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth, my companion, Mrs Helena Annesley; Mrs Annesley, Miss Jane Bennet and her younger sister, Miss Elizabeth Bennet.” Following the introductions, the ladies sat and Miss Darcy rang for tea.
A short while later the ever-efficient Darcy House servants brought in the tea service with some small cakes and biscuits.
“Is your brother away from home Miss Darcy, or is he hiding from me, afraid that I will take him to task again?” Elizabeth’s wit caused smiles from all of the ladies, even Mrs Annesley despite the lady’s effort to school her features.
“He is not hiding, Miss Elizabeth,” Georgiana giggled lightly. “He is away from the house on a matter of business with my cousin Richard. As far as I know, they should be here soon; I am sure that once Killion informs them of the presence of visitors that the gentlemen will make an appearance.
Miss Darcy abruptly changed the subject. “It would please me greatly if both of the Misses Bennet would address me by my familiar name,” she said in a rush, as if she could barely contain her eagerness to impart the request. As she spoke, she glanced at Mrs Annesley, who gave her an approving nod.
“Please call me Tiffany. Although a few of my relatives use it, I do not prefer ‘Tiff’ as it is a word used to describe a fight or disagreement,” Lady Tiffany added before either Lizzy or Jane could answer, the last said with a huge smile.
“I will, as long as you call me Elizabeth, or Lizzy like most everyone does.” Elizabeth smiled warmly at their new friends.
“I, too, agree, as long as you call me Jane.” It was thus decided that the four would address each other with informality, which helped deepen the friendship that was developing between the young ladies.
“Lizzy, I need to thank you for what you said to William about me and Ramsgate,” Georgie said with her head down.
“For the longest time William tried to absolve me of any wrongdoing, even though I knew he was wrong. Being able to address things openly and honestly has helped us both heal. You have done us a great service.”
“At the time I was so angry at your brother for the hypocrisy that I felt I saw. To know that my words have had a positive effect in the smallest way, makes me very pleased,” Elizabeth replied gently.
“The smallest way, you say!” exclaimed Lady Tiffany.
“Your words have caused such a change in my cousin that it is hard to recognise the man he is now versus the man he was but weeks ago. My family had despaired that anyone would be able to get through to him. As my father said, it took this,” Tiffany pointed at Lizzy with a playful smile on her lips, “‘slip of a girl’ to do that which we had all tried and failed to do.’”
“I wonder why he is willing to change for you, Lizzy,” Jane teased.
“It was not for me Jane,” Lizzy retorted; her blush much deeper than her protest. “If he is becoming a better man, then everyone, including himself, will benefit.” Lizzy decided that she needed to change the subject.
“Within a week Jane and I, along with our friend Mrs Collins, will move into Bennet house across the square from your house, Georgie. Miss Lucas is returning home to her parents in two days. We have three younger sisters; two of whom will be going to school soon, which is one of the things about which I wanted to ask your brother.” The ladies had been engrossed in their conversation and did not notice the door had opened and that Darcy and the Colonel stood in the open doorway.
“What is it you wished to ask me?” Darcy’s voice startled the ladies, and the gentlemen bowed in unison.
When the men had taken their seats, Mr Darcy spoke again.
“Welcome to Darcy House, Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth. You remember my cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam?” He spoke to them both, but seemed to direct his gaze to the younger Miss Bennet.
Darcy noted with some amusement that his cousin’s gaze was fixed firmly on the blond beauty seated on the chaise.
Miss Bennet’s gaze was likewise on his cousin.
“I do, Mr Darcy, thank you.” Miss Bennet blushed when she answered.
‘That is a good sign, maybe?’ the Colonel thought to himself. ‘Although, will she want a poor second son, even if he is the son of an Earl?’ he worried before he had even actually said more than a salutation to her.
“Rich, it is good to see you,” Lady Tiffany beamed.
After the men sat, each near his preferred Bennet sister, Darcy looked at Miss Elizabeth and asked how he could be of service.
Elizabeth explained that her father had asked for school recommendations, relating what he said about separate schools for Kitty and Lydia, and why.
“Both Georgie and Tiffany went to Greenlake School for Young Ladies here in Town. As I am sure they will tell you, it is a good school that did not tolerate bullying or degradation of any of the girls, regardless of whether they were the daughter of a peer or of a tradesman. If I may, I will write to the headmistress on your behalf and ask her if she knows of a school like the one Mr Bennet would like to send Miss Lydia to,” Darcy said after ruminating about it for a short while.
“Thank you, Mr Darcy, that would be perfect. I will let Father know that you will see him when they arrive in Town.” Elizabeth nodded, her smile calm, her blush fading and deepening in turns. He was most relieved to see that it deepened when they made direct eye contact.
“I will do just as you suggest. Did we hear you say that your family will be arriving at Bennet House within a sennight? It will be good for both Georgie and Tiffany to have girls close to them in age on the square,” he enthused.
‘And for myself it will be very good to have you so close to me, my Elizabeth.’ Darcy paused as he considered his thoughts.
When had she become ‘his Elizabeth?’ He knew he still had much to do to win her good opinion, let alone her heart.
She had been very forthcoming about her desire to marry only if her heart were truly engaged, and Darcy wished it no other way.
He ruminated silently to himself, hoping against hope that such a thing would be possible for him to achieve.
“That is very generous of you, Mr Darcy, I am sure that we would be very appreciative. I will inform my father so he might write to the headmistress at Greenlake to apply for a place for Kitty.” Lizzy surprised herself with the thoughts she was having regarding the man before her.
What a difference there was in him. The way her heart was racing informed her that there was something.
..more there, but she was determined to see this change prove a constant one before entertaining the idea of Mr Darcy being more than simply a friend.
The Bennet ladies told of the conversation and decisions as it related to Bingley’s sisters from the tea with Lady Matlock.
It was agreed by all that the Bingleys and the Hursts would decide their future, or lack thereof, by their own behaviour.
Anyone who knew them was sure that the older two would not be able to reign in the younger, which would lead to their ultimate downfall.
“Please do not hesitate to bring Mrs Collins with you when you come again, if her mourning will allow her to have tea with friends,” Georgie said with the approval of her brother as the Bennets stood to take their leave.
“Miss Elizabeth, before you go, if I may I would like to make a request of you.” Seeing the challenge written on her countenance he rose to it. “No, not THAT question!” He grinned, making all in the room laugh together including himself.
‘I am very impressed; he has learnt to laugh at himself,’ Lizzy thought.
“Then, Mr Darcy, I am most interested in hearing your request,” she teased in return, following him when he walked to the corner furthest from the rest of the occupants of the drawing room, though they were easily seen for propriety’s sake.
“Miss Elizabeth, I was very grateful for your agreement to our starting over. I would like your permission to call on you from time to time so we may get to know each other better. I am not requesting a courtship…yet, simply the opportunity for us to spend some time together so you may know me better and I you.” Darcy was holding his breath as he waited for the response of the lady that held his heart in her hand.
Would she relax the grip and agree, or refuse and crush his heart into millions of grains of sand?
“I admit I do like what I see of the ‘new’ Mr Darcy thus far. Yes, Mr Darcy, I would like to get to know you better. To that end, you may call on me from time to time. I must also say that I am enjoying getting to know your sister. If I did not already know what a lying snake that dastard Wickham was, as soon as I met your sister I would have known. He called her proud and disagreeable, when she is in fact the opposite. If it meets with your approval, we decided to address each other informally today.” Elizabeth waited for his approval, knowing in her heart she already had it.
“I could not be happier. I always believed that Georgie would love you and I have been proved right so far.” He offered her a small smile that spoke volumes of how much that meant to him.
“No need to be smug,” she teased. It warmed his heart that she teased him. He took that as a very good sign.
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