“She is very lively and clever. She wished to walk in the woods while her relatives visited the house, which is how she found Shadow. She seems rather singular but I do not think it is a bad thing. I look forward to hearing your opinion of her afterwards.”
Georgiana looked a little frightened at the prospect of offering an opinion but she nodded and they went downstairs to welcome their guests.
11
For the second time in as many days, Elizabeth admired Pemberley as Darcy’s carriage brought them to the front of the house. Mr and Mrs Gardiner exclaimed over the rich upholstery and the new springs which meant their journey that evening was taken in far more comfort than the one the day before. Elizabeth pressed her lips together as they spoke. She could not help but admire the carriage but she would not speak her thoughts out loud.
Darcy came down the steps as the carriage drew to a stop. A young lady held his arm. She was taller than Elizabeth and well-built but her features showed her to be very young; probably of an age with Elizabeth’s youngest sister, Lydia. But unlike Lydia who was loud and had high animal spirits, this lady kept her eyes fixed to the ground. Even in the evening light, Elizabeth could see the faint blush over her cheeks.
Darcy came forward to greet them as they were handed out of the carriage.
“I am glad you could come,” he said. He looked at Elizabeth. “May I present my sister, Miss Georgiana Darcy? Georgiana, Miss Elizabeth Bennet and Mr and Mrs Gardiner.”
The ladies dropped a curtsey and Mr Gardiner bowed. There was a silence as Darcy looked meaningfully at his sister. She cleared her throat as she took the hint.
“Welcome to Pemberley. Won’t you come inside?”
Georgiana’s face burned as she spoke and she glanced at her brother for his approval. He smiled at her and nodded his head slightly. Elizabeth could not help warming to the shy young girl. She fell into step beside her.
“I must thank you for the invitation,” she said. “I did not have a chance to see inside the house yesterday. I am looking forward to seeing more of it now.”
“I can show you over it after dinner if you would like,” said Georgiana.
Elizabeth smiled. “That would be lovely. Have you spent much time in Derbyshire?”
“My main home is in London.” Georgiana’s voice was so soft Elizabeth had to strain to hear her. “My music master is there. But I do love to come home to Pemberley. I am glad my brother changed his plans so we could spend some weeks here together.”
“I should not wonder at your happiness. I have only been here a few days and I am already captivated with it. Hertfordshire is much gentler. The wild and rugged landscape here appeals to me.”
Georgiana gave Elizabeth a little smile. She looked uncertain as though she would like to speak more but did not know how. Elizabeth thought it would be best to not demand too much of her within minutes of meeting her so they walked in companionable silence until they reached the drawing room.
Elizabeth deliberately slowed her steps as she entered the room so she could see where Darcy would place himself. He stood before the fire, looking slightly uneasy. Elizabeth wondered when was the last time the siblings had entertained guests in their home. She selected the chair furthest away from him.
Darcy cleared his throat. “You had a good journey to Pemberley? The carriage was comfortable?”
His question was directed at all of them but his eyes rested on Elizabeth. When she did not respond, Aunt Gardiner spoke up.
“Very comfortable, sir. It is kind of you to offer it to us. Was it not, Lizzy?” She pressed her elbow gently against her niece’s.
“Most comfortable,” said Elizabeth in a crisp tone.
“I am glad you found it so,” said Darcy. He continued to look at Elizabeth. Her irritation grew. What on earth was he staring at? Did he think she might pinch the silver if he looked away for a moment? Unable to resist the temptation to place the discomfort back at his door, she spoke again. “I am surprised you trusted me with your vehicle considering your first encounter with me.” She tilted her head and fixed him with an arch look.
Darcy’s face softened with a smile. “No, I believe I am satisfied you are no thief come to plunder my lands. I need have no fear of allowing you access to my property.”
Georgiana gave a small gasp. Elizabeth smiled at her.
“I think your brother has told you of our first meeting, Miss Darcy?”
The younger girl gave a small nod. Her face flushed as she glanced at her brother, eager for some guidance through this strange situation.
“I am afraid Mr Darcy’s dog favoured me over him. He was most put out and tried to insist I was stealing him. What do you think of that?”
“I think it is shocking of Fitzwilliam,” said Georgiana in her low voice. “How could you have been so mistaken? I look at Miss Bennet and I cannot imagine that anyone would consider her a thief. She is so refined and genteel.”
Elizabeth threw Darcy a triumphant look. Darcy smiled.
“But you did not see her as I did, Georgiana. Miss Bennet did not sit there with her hair dressed and wearing a very pretty gown. In fact, she looked quite the opposite. Come, Miss Bennet. You must admit that or my sister will think me a cad.”
Elizabeth’s lips twitched as she gazed at him. There was a slight smile about his lips and a curious look in his eyes. Without taking her eyes from him, she addressed Miss Darcy again.
“I am forced to admit your brother is right. I did look a little different yesterday. But that does not mean I looked like a thief.”
Georgiana looked from her brother to Elizabeth and then glanced at Aunt Gardiner who smiled and took pity on her.
“Lizzy has a penchant for wandering, Miss Darcy. And she does not always stick to paths. Yesterday, I can admit she looked rather a fright by the time she returned to Pemberley. Her dress was torn and covered in mud. Your brother’s dog had also muddied her gown and her hair was dishevelled. I was not overly shocked as although I had never seen her in quite such a state, I was used to her coming home looking a little weathered. But for one who was unknown to her, I can admit, Lizzy would have made a startling sight.” She looked at her niece and shrugged. “I am sorry, my dear, but it is true.”
Elizabeth threw her hands up and adopted a tragic expression. “It seems everyone is against me tonight. I do not know what I am to do.”
“Not quite against you, my dear. I agree you looked rather frightful. I do not agree that it is fair grounds to consider you a thief.”
“I quite agree,” said Elizabeth with a hard look at Darcy. She deliberately turned her head away from him to smile at the bewildered Miss Darcy. “Do you play music, Miss Darcy?”
“Oh, yes.” The tone of breathless relief in Georgiana’s voice to escape the previous conversation made Elizabeth feel guilty. “I am very fond of music.”
“My sister is an excellent performer. I do not know that I have ever heard anyone who gave me more pleasure,” said Darcy.
Georgiana coloured. “I do not know about that. My brother is not impartial.”
“I know it is the rule that one must always be partial to their siblings but that is not how the reality is,” said Elizabeth. “My sister, Mary, plays the pianoforte day and night. But between you and I, Miss Darcy, I could not say her music brings particular delight to anyone. So you see, I am in a position to know one is not necessarily partial to their sisters. If Mr Darcy says you are an excellent performer, I am inclined to believe him.”
“How many sisters do you have, Miss Bennet?” asked Darcy.
Elizabeth spared him a glance before turning her attention back to Georgiana. “I have four. One is older than me and the rest are younger.”
Georgiana gasped. “Four sisters. I should love that. I always wanted to have a sister.”
Elizabeth laughed. “You may have some of mine. I have plenty to spare. But I cannot part with Jane. She is too dear to me.”
“Where does she fall in the line?” a
sked Darcy.
Elizabeth bit back an impatient sigh that would have been the height of rudeness if released. “She is my older sister. We are very close. But Miss Darcy, you are welcome to any of the others. Although I think you would soon send them back to me.”
“Lizzy,” said Aunt Gardiner softly. “You forget, Miss Darcy and Mr Darcy are not used to your lively manner and your teasing, my dear. They will not realise you are joking.”
“Oh, I do not mind,” said Georgiana quickly. “I rather like to hear Miss Bennet speak. I am not used to it but I am so accustomed to people who are reserved that her tone delights me.” She blushed at having expressed an opinion and glanced down at her skirts.
“And I met with Miss Bennet’s humorous way of speaking yesterday,” said Darcy. “I do not mind it.”
Though Elizabeth was loath to admit to Darcy defending her, she felt obligated to smile and thank him.
After dinner, Elizabeth stood at the pianoforte with Georgiana. Georgiana was seated on the bench as Elizabeth turned the pages.
“I do not like to play before people,” said Georgiana.
“Pay no attention to them,” said Elizabeth with an encouraging smile. “Just pretend you are playing for me. If you like, I will play first. You will be so confident in your ability to play better than me that it will not trouble you in the slightest.”
Her words prompted a little laugh from Georgiana. Out of the corner of her eye, Elizabeth saw Darcy turn his head to observe them.
“I am sure that is not true. But it is kind of you to say so.”
“It is kind of you to believe it must not be true,” said Elizabeth with a pained expression. “Come, play this piece. I have not heard it yet. I would be obliged if you played it so I might catch the air for my performance.”
Delighted to believe she was helping Elizabeth rather than performing to strangers, Georgiana’s fingers ran over the keyboard in a fluid manner as if born to it. She did not need to play for long before Elizabeth realised Darcy was not impartial at all. Georgiana was every bit the superior player he said she was. She bent her head over the music and for all her shyness, she soon lost herself in her playing. Elizabeth was so captivated by the performance that she did not notice Darcy approaching until he was at her side. He looked down at his sister with a soft smile that tugged at Elizabeth’s heart despite her determined dislike of him.
“You play better than ever,” he told her when she eventually noticed him. Georgiana blushed prettily.
“Mr Barlow is an excellent master. It was good of you to appoint him for me.”
Darcy shook his head as though his generosity was of little matter.
“Will you play as well, Miss Bennet?” he asked.
“I may,” said Elizabeth. “Though I think Miss Darcy has put me to shame. I am not sure how I can play without being overshadowed by her performance.”
“Oh, please do not —“ Georgiana began. She caught the twinkle in Elizabeth’s eyes and laughed. “You are joking. I shall have to grow accustomed to your teasing ways.” She glanced at her brother. “I am sure we both hope we will see you again while you stay in Derbyshire?”
“I would like that very much,” said Elizabeth. She deliberately kept her gaze fixed on Georgiana so she would know the compliment was for her alone.
12
Darcy tried not to look too helpless but he could not for the life of him think what he should do. Every attempt he made to converse with Elizabeth was shot down. Was she really so displeased with him for his actions yesterday that she would all but give him the direct cut? Never in his life had Darcy had to battle for a woman’s attention. Why hers should be so important to him he could hardly understand. But it was. He wanted her to turn those fine eyes towards him and flash that bewitching smile. He wanted her to enjoy conversing with him as much as she enjoyed speaking with Georgiana. But she was cool and Darcy had no experience with women holding themselves apart from him. His problem was frequently the opposite. He was hopelessly ill equipped when it came to having to work to earn a person’s good will. Life had been too easy for him.
He looked at her as she smiled down at Georgiana and tapped her feet to the music, humming softly under her breath. A dozen potential conversations ran through his mind but he dismissed them one by one. He knew she would just give a brief response as she could and then turn her attention away. What could he do that would make her turn to him with a smile? His eyes drifted to the window as he considered.
Of course. How could he not have thought of it before? He smiled ruefully as he realised the answer to that question. He had never had to consider it before. He turned to Elizabeth to excuse himself but paused when he saw how her entire focus was on Georgiana. How extraordinary. Poor Georgiana was in the unhappy situation of courting many women’s friendships but only ever as a stepping stone to get closer to him. Very few people were interested in her for herself alone. But Elizabeth Bennet appeared to be the rare lady who paid attention to his sister. If he could keep her around for that reason alone, it would be enough.
Just about.
But he still needed to see her smile at him.
There was little point in excusing himself to Elizabeth so he crossed the room to say a quick word to Mr and Mrs Gardiner and then slipped from the room.
Georgiana was still playing the pianoforte when Darcy returned. Never had she played so long and with such enthusiasm in front of others. Elizabeth and the Gardiners seemed to have the skill for setting his timid little sister at ease. Darcy smiled with quiet pride as he slipped into the room and watched her play a more complicated piece. She was far more talented than she realised. He remained where he was at the back of the room to listen to her. From there, he had the added advantage of noticing how the candlelight played over Elizabeth’s features, lighting her dark hair to gold. She was not the sort of woman Darcy had ever imagined he might be interested in, but something about her appearance arrested him more than any other woman’s he had ever come across. If it were not for her excellent influence over Georgiana, he might have decided he would do better to stay away from her for fear that he should be in some danger.
Georgiana’s song finally came to an end. Elizabeth’s face lit up and she clapped with sincere enthusiasm, no polite affectedness about her. Georgiana beamed back at her then looked around for her brother. Her eyes widened in surprise when she saw him.
“Shadow!” she exclaimed.
Elizabeth followed her look and her face lit up with pleasure when she saw the excited little puppy in Darcy’s arms. Darcy crossed the room to her at once.
“You rendered him an excellent service yesterday,” he told her. “I thought you might like to see one another again.”
Elizabeth looked up with a heart-stopping smile before turning her attention back to the little dog.
“I am very glad to see him,” she said as Darcy carefully handed him to her.
“The feeling is clearly mutual,” Darcy smiled as Shadow licked her face with such joy anyone might think he had never been held before.
“He is a dear little thing,” said Georgiana. “I was distressed when I got your note to say he was missing, Fitzwilliam. Were we not fortunate Miss Bennet was in a position to find him?” She gave Darcy an uncharacteristically firm look that would tolerate no disagreement. Darcy had to restrain himself from laughing. Georgiana was possibly even more bewitched by Elizabeth than he was.
“Yes, we are fortunate,” he said. He reached out to caress the puppy’s silky ears for the tantalising sensation of knowing his hand was so very close to Elizabeth’s that they might accidentally touch at any moment. “I hope you know that, Miss Bennet.”
Elizabeth gave him a rather droll look. “I do, sir. You have apologised several times and I have accepted them.”
Then why are you so cold to me? Darcy wanted to demand. But his tongue was tied. He would not beg for this woman’s approval, no matter how fascinating he found her.
“Take him,” he s
aid in a gruff tone. “He likes you.”
Elizabeth did not need to be asked twice. Beaming, she took the puppy in her arms. She crossed the room to the sofa with Georgiana and the two girls sat together as the puppy bounded between them. Darcy watched them until he became aware of someone standing at his side.
“I hope my niece does not offend you,” said Mrs Gardiner in a soft voice. “She is a dear girl but she can be rather pert at times. Those who do not know her well to understand her teasing manner might take offence to her.”
“I am not offended, madam,” said Darcy in a crisp tone. “It pleases me that your niece and my sister are forming a friendship. She need not regard me.”
Mrs Gardiner moved away. Darcy felt a flush of shame at his rudeness and turned to her to apologise but she was gone. He grimaced with irritation at himself and remained in silence for the rest of the evening.
13
Breakfast in the common room meant that Elizabeth and her family were objects of great curiosity among the other diners. News had spread that they had been invited to dine at Pemberley. Everyone wondered what they had done to receive such a rare invitation.
“Lizzy assisted Mr Darcy with recovering his dog,” said Mr Gardiner mildly to a very inquisitive matron who almost had her elbow in the butter in her eagerness to hear why they had been found worthy. “He wished to show us his gratitude.”
“And what did you think of him, my dear?” asked the matron, turning round eyes on Elizabeth. “He is terribly handsome, is he not? I am sure he is the handsomest man you have ever seen.”
Elizabeth gingerly moved the butter away from her elbow so she could use it.
“He is not displeasing to look at,” she said in a careless manner.
The matron burst out laughing. “Not displeasing? Ah, you must be far too nice. When I told my daughter you had been invited to dine with him, she was green with envy. There is not a girl in Derbyshire — and I daresay in the entire kingdom — who would not give everything they could for a dance with him.”
An Engagement at Pemberley Page 5