“Well that is good news; I know Jane would like the one we chose better than any other.”
“Would you mind very much, Lizzy, if we had to go shopping again tomorrow?”
Darcy smiled to himself at the obvious teasing tone of Elizabeth’s aunt.
“Somehow I think I shall survive!” She laughed and then said, “Here are the gloves I have chosen for Jane. I will meet you at the front in just a moment. I want to say goodbye to my new friend.”
“Very well, dear, I will see you in a moment.”
Darcy let out a breath he had not realized he had been holding and looked around him. He realized a few elderly matrons had been observing his strange fascination with the bonnet in front of him and he colored as he bowed to them and looked away. He stepped away from the rack in time to see Elizabeth say goodbye to Georgiana and walk up the aisle towards the front of the shop. He was too transfixed to move from his spot.
He watched as she stopped briefly at a table of handkerchiefs and examined one of them with obvious admiration before replacing it on the table and joining her aunt at the front of the shop. Now that he could see her aunt more clearly, he was surprised and impressed at her fashionable attire. He was slightly embarrassed at the assumption he had made about her aunt and uncle in trade and realized his mistake immediately.
When they were no longer in sight, he turned and walked towards his sister. When he reached her, she gave him a bright smile and warm welcome.
“Well, Georgiana, have you enjoyed your shopping this morning?” His heart was light, but he could not be too obvious in his interest yet.
“I had a most enjoyable time, William. I met a lady, and we had a pleasant conversation.”
“Indeed?” Darcy looked around as he asked, “And where is this lady?”
“She left with her aunt.”
“And what is the name of your new acquaintance, Georgie.” He knew she did not know or she would have immediately said, but he wanted to see what he could find out about their conversation.
Georgiana’s brow furrowed. “Actually, now that I think of it, I do not even know her name. We did not introduce ourselves.”
He led her down the aisle and, with as much indifference as he could manage, enquired about their conversation.
Georgiana laughed a little as she remembered their conversation about men and their poor taste as well as her confession about finding William a wife. She turned an impertinent smile towards her brother that caught him momentarily in its similarity to Elizabeth’s. “We ladies must have our secrets, Brother.”
He stopped, stunned by her teasing words and sassy smile. He watched as she walked up to the counter with her purchases. He quickly caught up with her and shook his head as he winked.
“Go with Mrs. Annesley to the carriage; I will make your purchases and be with you shortly.” He motioned to his groom at the door to accompany them as he turned to the clerk to pay for his sister’s items.
“Will that be all, sir?”
Darcy looked at the clerk and paused a moment before answering. “I would like to add one more item.” He quickly walked to the table of handkerchiefs and, picking up the one he knew Elizabeth had admired, returned with it to the counter.
When the purchases were made and the clerk began to wrap the items in paper, Darcy took the handkerchief and said, “I will take this one with me,” and tucked it in his coat pocket.
“As you wish, sir.”
Chapter 14
The next morning, Georgiana was interrupted in her practice at the pianoforte when her brother came into the room. She smiled at him and continued playing the rest of the piece. She watched with interest as he kept shifting uncomfortably in his chair, seemingly agitated by something. Normally, when she played, he was very calm and sedate as he enjoyed the music. Today it seemed he was impatient for her to finish.
Before the sounds of the last notes left the air, she was startled by his sudden appearance at her side.
“Georgiana, dear, I thought I would like to take you shopping again today.”
Georgiana’s eyebrows shot up, and she sat back in disbelief. “There is no need for that, William; I do not have anything I wish to buy. I went yesterday, or do you not remember?” she teased.
She pursed her lips in amusement, watching him fumble with his watch chain and shift from foot to foot. “Yes, dear, but do not all ladies enjoy shopping?” he asked, looking at her hopefully.
She laughed at his obvious impatience and could not understand his sudden interest in shopping.
“William, do you have some shopping you would like to do?”
Darcy smiled and thought perhaps he could convince her by agreeing. “Yes, I should like to browse the bookstore again.”
“And you would like me to accompany you?” she asked incredulously.
“Can a brother not wish for his sister’s company from time to time?” he countered, exasperated.
She laughed at him as she responded, “Very well. I will be happy to accompany you this afternoon if you wish.” She then turned back to the pianoforte.
“No, Georgie!” Darcy checked himself before adding, more sedately, “I have some business to attend to this afternoon, can you not come with me this morning?” He had debated how he could see Elizabeth again, and since he was not acquainted with her relations, he concluded seeing her at the shop would be his only opportunity.
Georgiana shook her head at her brother’s strange behavior. “Very well, this morning will be fine.”
She watched as her brother pulled out his pocket watch and looked at the time. The sudden smile on his face caught her by surprise, and she barely heard what he said next. “I will see you in fifteen minutes then, Georgie.”
She regained her composure in time to shout to his retreating figure, “Fifteen minutes? What is the rush?” She shook her head again as he simply waved behind his back and continued out of the room with a quick stride.
Darcy went straight to the housekeeper’s office. “Mrs. Carroll, if all goes well this morning, I hope to have some guests for tea this afternoon. Please inform Cook and make sure the necessary arrangements are made. See that she includes lemon tarts on the tray.” Darcy turned from the room after hearing his housekeeper assent to his orders and smiled to himself. He remembered Elizabeth had preferred lemon tarts at Netherfield.
Thirty minutes later saw them pull up in front of the same milliner’s shop Georgiana had patronized the day before. After securing her arm in her brother’s, Georgiana was surprised to be led towards the milliner’s shop instead of crossing the street to the bookstore.
“William, I do not have any need to come to this shop. I told you as much this morning.”
Darcy looked down at his sister and smiled widely enough to show his rarely revealed dimples before he begged, “Please Georgiana, humor me.”
She looked at him a moment, considering his perplexing behavior, then shrugged her shoulders and shook her head. “As you wish, Brother, but I cannot see why you would wish to spend any time in a shop for ladies.” She laughed before adding, “Unless you have developed a sudden interest in ladies’ fashion.”
Darcy smiled to himself. “Perhaps I have.” He opened the shop door and ushered his sister inside. She watched as he quickly scanned the establishment while they walked the aisles. She could see a moment of disappointment pass over his features before he led her towards a display of bonnets near the front.
They were standing at the display for a few minutes when Georgiana noticed her brother kept looking towards the door and around the shop. After a minute, Darcy realized he was getting strange looks from his sister and tried to act naturally.
“What do you think of this one, Georgiana?”
She narrowed her eyes at his odd behavior and turned to examine the bonnet he indicated. “It is tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt me.”
She was surprised when his eyes went wide and he seemed to choke after hearing her statement. “Is somethi
ng wrong, William?”
He stared at her a moment but then started to laugh softly and shook his head. She rolled her eyes at him but then another bonnet caught her eye and she quickly moved to examine it. Vaguely, she heard the chime of the doorbell just as she turned to show her brother the bonnet.
“I do, however, find this one quite beautiful, what do you think — ” She frowned as she realized she was facing her brother’s back. He had turned around and was suddenly interested in something on the other side of the shop. Before she could gain his attention, however, she felt a slight touch on her arm.
Georgiana was delighted and surprised when she turned around to see her friend from the day before looking at her with a bright smile.
“Well, hello, my anonymous friend! What an interesting coincidence that we should meet again in this shop!”
“Hello to you, too!” Georgiana placed a gloved hand over Elizabeth’s and leaned towards her. “I realized, yesterday, that I did not get your name. Would it be too presumptuous to request an introduction?”
Elizabeth laughed. “No, indeed, we, neither of us, are ill-qualified to recommend ourselves to strangers.”
Georgiana smiled and opened her mouth to introduce herself, when her brother turned around suddenly and said, “Georgiana, would you do me the honor of introducing your friend to me?”
Elizabeth blanched and stood frozen as she looked up at the face that had haunted her dreams and stood permanently in her heart for so many weeks. Her heart stuttered to a stop and then began to beat wildly as her voice uttered in complete astonishment, “Mr. Darcy!”
Georgiana looked from her brother to her friend in confusion. Neither one seemed inclined to speak; instead, they just stared at each other. She could tell her friend was in shock and slightly embarrassed. When she looked at her brother, she realized he was smiling like a love-struck fool, and she marveled at the sight for a moment. Who is this woman, and how does she know my brother?
“Excuse me, but do you know my brother?”
Elizabeth was startled out of her spell and reluctantly moved her eyes from Mr. Darcy’s handsome face to that of her friend. Suddenly, the words broke through the fog in her mind and she colored deeply in embarrassment. “Your brother?”
Mr. Darcy’s smile of affection and adoration turned into one of smug satisfaction as he turned to his sister. “Georgiana, it seems your friend and I are already acquainted. May I introduce to you, Miss Elizabeth Bennet? Miss Elizabeth, this is my sister, Georgiana Darcy.”
Elizabeth and Georgiana looked at each other, each replaying their conversation from the day before. Georgiana remembered how much her friend had seemed similar to the Miss Bennet her brother had described and now thought it amazing that they should be the same person. She and Elizabeth seemed to recollect at the same time their conversation about finding Georgiana’s brother a wife. They both burst into laughter and began to speak at once.
“I cannot believe — ”
“This is astonishing — ”
They laughed again as Georgiana reached to clasp her new friend’s hands. “I cannot believe that yesterday I had such a pleasant conversation with one of my brother’s acquaintances from Hertfordshire. He has told me so much about you.”
Elizabeth and Georgiana looked briefly towards Mr. Darcy, who was now feeling slightly uncomfortable at their conversation and obvious familiarity. Elizabeth smiled and colored beautifully. “I hope you have not listened to a word he has said, for I am sure it will ruin your good opinion of me.”
Darcy smiled, but Georgiana panicked and rushed to relieve her friend. “Oh, no, Miss Bennet, my brother only expressed the highest of opinions about you.”
Elizabeth looked towards Darcy, whose dark eyes seemed to turn liquid as he returned her gaze. She swallowed and tried to regain her composure.
Georgiana realized why her brother was in such a state to come shopping this morning. How did he know she would be here? She laughed to herself at the antics he was displaying. He cannot claim to be indifferent to her after this.
Elizabeth’s aunt, who had been silently observing the entire exchange, could not help but find the greatest of interest in the way her niece was obviously affected by this gentleman and pleased to see him. She could also see that Elizabeth was quite uncertain of herself and his reception in a way that was uncharacteristic of her normally confident niece. She was even more interested when she heard her niece’s next statement.
Elizabeth smiled mischievously at Georgiana and winked before speaking just loudly enough for Darcy to hear. “Have you come back to browse the ‘wife aisle’ this morning for your brother?” Georgiana’s eyes went wide, and they both stole a glance at Darcy, who had obviously heard the exchange and was nervously adjusting the buttons of his coat with embarrassment.
Georgiana gave a soft giggle and put her fingers to her lips to quiet her friend.
Mr. Darcy cleared his throat. “Miss Elizabeth, what brings you to London?”
“I came to visit my aunt for a few weeks after Christmas.” Suddenly remembering her manners, she turned and gently pulled her aunt forward. “Mr. Darcy, Miss Darcy, please allow me to introduce my aunt, Mrs. Gardiner.”
Mr. Darcy bowed over the proffered hand of Elizabeth’s aunt. “Mrs. Gardiner, a pleasure.”
Georgiana curtsied properly. “Mrs. Gardiner, a pleasure, indeed.”
The four began exchanging pleasantries about their mutual acquaintances and news from their friends in Hertfordshire, including details on the upcoming wedding of Jane and Mr. Bingley. After fifteen minutes, in which neither Mr. Darcy nor Elizabeth could remember doing much beyond memorizing each other’s features again, Mrs. Gardiner excused herself to see about their orders from the day before, leaving Elizabeth with the Darcys.
When Mrs. Gardiner returned to Elizabeth’s side, Mr. Darcy whispered something in his sister’s ear. Georgiana smiled as she nodded to him before turning to Elizabeth and her aunt.
“Miss Bennet, Mrs. Gardiner, my brother and I would like to know . . . that is, we would be honored if you would consent to have tea with us today. If you do not have any other fixed engagements that is . . . ” she stammered with a sudden lack of confidence.
Elizabeth colored and was grateful for the obvious condescension on the Darcys’ part. Her heart beat wildly at the idea. Could he really be seeking my company? She cautioned herself not to read too much into the idea and to keep her emotions in check. She did not need to make things more difficult for herself later on when their acquaintance remained unromantic.
Mrs. Gardiner looked to her niece to ascertain her opinion on the matter, and when it became apparent that an opinion was not forthcoming but that the suggestion was not unwelcome, she turned to Georgiana. “We would be glad to accept your invitation, Miss Darcy. We have no fixed engagements.”
Mr. Darcy’s face changed into one of complete satisfaction. “If you are finished with your purchases, would you like to accompany us back to our home now?”
Although it was obvious he was addressing Mrs. Gardiner, he was looking at Elizabeth for a reaction. He hoped the idea of spending time with him was not unpleasant to her, and he was already more than pleased with the budding friendship she had with Georgiana. Seeing her again had confirmed that he simply could not live without her.
Mrs. Gardiner smiled as she watched his obvious interest in her niece and wondered if this was the reason for Lizzy’s low moods in the past few weeks. She knew Mr. Darcy had been staying with Mr. Bingley at Netherfield when she arrived for Mary’s wedding and that he and Elizabeth had often been in company together.
“We would be happy to, Mr. Darcy. I will just call for our carriage.”
“Mrs. Gardiner, please allow me to escort you and your niece to my home, and you can dismiss your carriage. We will be happy to arrange for your transport back to your home after tea.”
“You are too kind, sir.”
Mr. Darcy bowed and left the shop to call for their carriage
s and dismiss the Gardiners’. When he returned, he escorted the ladies out to his carriage and handed Mrs. Gardiner and Georgiana inside. When he captured Elizabeth’s hand to assist her ascent, he felt a shock pass through him. When he released her hand, he had to open and close his own to dispel the tingling sensation before stepping into the carriage.
He sat next to his sister, directly across from Elizabeth and her aunt. Mr. Darcy offered the ladies a blanket for their legs and was happy to see Elizabeth blush beautifully when he handed her one.
Georgiana turned to her brother with a sly smile. “Brother, did you not want to visit that bookstore. I am sure I remember you saying as much this morning?”
Elizabeth quickly said, “Mr. Darcy, do not let us keep you if you have other errands to attend.”
Mr. Darcy shot his sister a warning glance. “No, indeed, Miss Bennet, I have no other errands.”
* * *
Wickham kicked at a stone in the gravel beneath his feet as he once again placed himself in the park across from Darcy House. He had watched Mr. Darcy leave that morning with Georgiana. He seemed to be in a hurry and uncharacteristically excited about something. Wickham looked up when he heard the carriage wheels over the cobblestoned street between his position and Darcy’s home.
He watched with interest as the carriage stopped and Darcy assisted first Georgiana, then an older woman he did not recognize, and then another, younger lady. Something about the younger lady struck Wickham as familiar, and he stepped around the tree to get a better look.
When she turned her head to thank Darcy, Wickham got a full view of her face. His lips turned upwards in a wicked smile when he recognized the lady. She was one of the Miss Bennets, one of the brainless chits at the house he was thrown out of by their father. He also recognized her as the one the other officers mentioned Darcy had danced with twice at the Netherfield ball.
Falling for Mr. Darcy Page 23