Chapter 38
Darcy was caught by Miss Elizabeth’s endearing smile when she addressed him. Her raised eyebrow took his breath away. The addition of the lively and challenging brunette to Darcy House had certainly charged the air—for him, at least.
“When the time comes, let us agree to allow fate to decide,” he replied.
She is everything lovely. Darcy swallowed. His mind warned him off as his heart expanded its welcome. He tasted little of the meal set before him, so intent was he on listening to the lady’s conversation and opinions. Much as he enjoyed it, he found keeping his eyes from her and her bright, intelligent eyes to be an arduous and unwelcome task.
Thoughts of her plagued Darcy the following day. He sat in his favourite chair in the library repeatedly remembering the previous evening’s dinner engagement. Miss Elizabeth was well-read, witty, and beautiful. She was the kind of young lady that he never thought he would meet, lest dine with. And she was staying in his home, as the guest of his sister!
The guest of my sister. What am I thinking?he castigated himself.
He returned to his book, alarmed that he held it upside down, and quickly righted it. His eyes slowly closed; his last thought of a pretty brunette before Morpheus claimed him.
He looked up into the haze as the library door opened and Miss Elizabeth entered. He smiled as her eyes travelled the bookshelves—up, over, down, over and up again. She had nearly turned a full circle before she saw him. “Oh, excuse me, I...am I in Heaven?” she asked.
“Were we at Pemberley, I would think twice before saying you were not.”
She lifted an eyebrow, creating an enchanting vision. How shall she tease me?
“There are more things in Heaven and Earth than are dreamt of.”
Darcy smiled. She had paraphrased Shakespeare without hesitation. “Are you a great admirer of the Bard?”
She pulled a volume from the shelf and sat across from him, her choice in her lap.
She held up the tome. “I am, sir.”
He read the title. “Romeo and Juliet? I would think you would prefer comedies over tragedies?”
“Who is to say the general message is not comedic?”
Surprised, Darcy drew back. “The death of two young lovers strikes me as nothing short of calamity.”
“I find the manipulations of two families putting their dynastic interests above those of their children’s hearts laughable. What manner of father would set aside his child’s happiness for thirty more pieces of silver?”
Darcy opened his eyes as the library door closed with a thud, breaking him free from his impromptu nap. He shook his head to clear the cobwebs, unsurprised to feel a bit of remorse. Will I dream of her at night as well?
“Pardon me, Brother. I did not know you were here.”
“Did you wish to speak to me, sweetling?”
“Yes. I hoped you would escort Elizabeth and me to the Serpentine tomorrow.”
Darcy smiled. “As this is your wish, so shall it be my command.”
“Thank you.” She quickly kissed his cheek. “I shall inform Elizabeth. She will be pleased.”
Darcy watched his sister run off. “Will she?” he asked the room.
They made their way to the park early the following day. The brisk morning allowed but one thing—the walker’s expelled breaths to form visible clouds into the cold November air. The trio walked together as they entered, but the ladies were soon a few steps ahead of Darcy. He listened to their conversation, smiling at the warmth between them and amazed at the changes in his sister’s manner and outlook. His father had noticed it as well, and asked him to encourage the friendship.
“I am so happy, Elizabeth. Now I know what it is to have a sister.”
Miss Elizabeth gave her a fond smile. “My mother would welcome having you at Longbourn in the spring.”
Georgiana nodded. “I would enjoy meeting the rest of your family.”
“Yes, my younger sisters will have the parlour cleared for a family assembly. Speaking of which, did I hear Lady Catherine correctly? We are to have a dance master?”
Georgiana nodded. “I believe she is worried there might be a dance or two we do not yet know. It will aid you during the Season, and I shall stay abreast of the current trends until I come out. I-I wish to have you with me when I do.”
Stunned, Darcy bit back a smile. Georgie no longer wishes to hide away from society, he rejoiced. At least while she has Miss Elizabeth by her side.
He insinuated himself between them. “May I accompany you ladies along the Serpentine?”
“We would expect nothing less, Brother.”
An hour later, the three of them returned to Darcy House half-frozen. Cups of chocolate and warm muffins thawed the adventurers handily, and each went their separate ways. Darcy sat in his sitting room and reviewed the morning.
He had taken great pleasure in the outing with his sister and Miss Elizabeth. He had enjoyed their time together, heartened by the happiness he saw in Georgiana. The warm and growing affection that he felt for Miss Elizabeth unnerved him, yet he basked in the memory—their laughter, their conversations that flowed like water over rocks, and her hand on his arm—that made him long for another morning on the banks of the Serpentine.