Chapter 32 Friends #2
Elizabeth picked up the wooden box she used as a wastebasket and handed it to her. “Here, hold this. We shall use the servants’ stair.”
Mr. Darcy also rose, concern wrinkling his brow.
“We shall be back presently, sir.”
They hurried from the room. Georgiana was sick twice while ascending the stairs. Moisture gathered upon her brow, and she rested against the wall until the nausea passed.
She straightened. “Lizzy, I am much better. But look at this mess.”
Elizabeth took the box from her. “Never mind, dear. Let us go first to the water closet and then to my room so you may freshen up.”
They emptied and washed the wooden box, then went to Elizabeth’s bedchamber, where Georgiana washed her face and hands and rinsed her mouth. They emptied the water into the water closet and washed the basin.
“How are you feeling, Georgiana?”
“I feel quite well, Lizzy. It is difficult to believe I felt faint and sick but ten minutes ago.”
“Come, dear. Let us return this basin to my bedchamber and then go down to your brother, for I imagine he is quite worried about you.”
The two young women were back at the table with their books not twenty minutes after Georgiana had fallen ill.
Mr. Darcy said, “I should be interested in reading this book by Borlase, ma’am. May I borrow it?”
“Yes, sir. I have little hope of reading it anytime soon.”
“Which one is it, Brother?”
He read the title aloud. “Observations on the Antiquities, Historical and Monumental, of the County of Cornwall.”
“I will read it for you, Miss Elizabeth, as Georgiana is doing with the Camden volume. This one appears particularly interesting, as it concerns theories about ancient British monuments, Druids, stone circles, barrows, and cromlechs.”
He raised his eyes. “And I shall be certain to take copious notes of anything pertaining to the mystical, magical, or mysteriously miraculous.”
Her eyes brightened at his playfulness. Apparently, he did not think her a witch.
“Thank you, sir. I do appreciate your help, for time is running short.”
“Is it, ma’am?”
She flushed but concealed her dismay well enough. “Yes, sir. You know my uncle will return for me in late December or early January, and then I shall hire myself out as a governess. I wish to make the most of my leisure and hope to finish my studies before I become a working woman.”
“Ah, yes. Time is running short. I shall do my best for you, Miss Elizabeth.”
The siblings stayed with Elizabeth until half past one, when Mrs. Radcliff entered and found all three bent over their books, deep in study. She stopped midway into the room.
“Why, sir, I did not know you or your sister were still here. It was so silent each time I passed by.”
Mr. Darcy straightened in his chair and pulled out his watch. “Mrs. Radcliff, I apologize, ma’am. I have overstayed my welcome.”
“Not at all, Mr. Darcy. I do not complain. I have only observed that I have never known three people to lose themselves in books so completely as not to utter a word for several hours.”
He grinned. “We dare not, ma’am, or Miss Elizabeth will send us packing. We are welcome to stay with her only so long as we keep our noses to the grindstone.”
Elizabeth and Georgiana laughed, and Mrs. Radcliff joined them with an unladylike laugh of her own.
“Sir, I had not known you to be anything but staid. I rather prefer the droll Mr. Darcy to the staid gentleman who presides over Pemberley.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Radcliff. You are very kind to overlook our intrusion. We have stayed too long and imposed upon your generous hospitality.” He rose, and Georgiana followed. “You will excuse us.”
“Sir, I beg you both to stay. I came to call Elizabeth to join us for a late luncheon. It is laid in the breakfast parlor, and Mr. Radcliff has spent the morning with the husbandman. He wishes to tell me what he discovered, but I confess I have no head for such matters. He will be gratified to learn you are here and will most likely talk your ear off, for he is very concerned about his sheep and fears he may lose the entire flock.”
Mr. Darcy’s brow drew together. “I pray not, ma’am. I shall stay and speak with him, for if illness has struck his flock, others may follow.”
Elizabeth and Georgiana entered behind the others. Elizabeth was serving her plate when Georgiana approached and whispered in her ear.
“Lizzy, the odor of the fish sickens me.”
“Give me your plate, dear. I shall bring you some bread with marmalade and a few sliced apples. Go to the far end of the table where the odor will not trouble you, and I shall join you.”
Georgiana did as Elizabeth suggested. When Elizabeth brought her bread with marmalade on the side, Georgiana ate it dry and nibbled at the apples.
When she finished her bread, Elizabeth asked, “Would you like mine, Georgie? I have not touched it.”
“I feel better now I have eaten, Lizzy. I should like yours if you do not mind.”
“Of course not, my dear. If I am still hungry, I can fetch another. Once you have eaten, you should go home and rest. Perhaps you have done too much today.”
When luncheon ended, the household accompanied the Darcys outside. Mrs. Radcliff took Georgiana’s arm.
“Dear, it has been a pleasure to have you with us today. You are good company for our guest. Though you do not speak a great deal, I can see you are clever and well able to converse with our Miss Elizabeth.”
Elizabeth heard no more, for Mr. Darcy drew near and bent his head.
“Shall we meet you tomorrow, ma’am, for your morning exertions?”
His thoughtfulness pleased her. “Yes, sir, if it pleases you.”
“It does please me. We shall meet you at the same hour tomorrow morning. Miss Elizabeth, have I earned your approval?”
She raised a brow in question.
“I speak of your studies, ma’am. Have I proved useful enough to be of service?” He held the book she had lent him. “May I join you in this endeavor? I wish to help you find the answers you seek, Miss Bennet.”
She looked into his eyes. He spoke in earnest. He wished to join them on the morrow.
“Sir, I would welcome your assistance, for as I said, my time is limited, and more so with every passing day.”
Elizabeth went straight back to her books and worked until it was time to dress for dinner. She exerted herself to join the conversation and afterward played and sang every song requested of her.
When Mr. Radcliff settled down to read about sheep rot, and Mrs. Radcliff set aside her embroidery for a novel, Elizabeth felt free to resume her investigations.
She labored until eleven, when her hosts rose and announced they would retire.
Elizabeth went with them without complaint, for the day had been long and she was tired.
She looked forward to the morning and the society of the Darcys, especially the brother.