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Since arriving at Pemberley, Mr. Darcy had spent scarcely any time with his sister.

He had been obliged to visit the estate of one of his neighbours and friends to agree upon certain improvements to the irrigation canals that crossed both properties.

Moreover, he preferred not to interfere in the developing relationship between Georgiana and Elizabeth.

He wished to give them time to become acquainted and, above all, for his sister to learn to trust her new companion.

At last, having resolved all pending matters with his neighbour, Mr. Darcy returned to Pemberley.

That evening, he planned to dine with Georgiana and Elizabeth to observe how things were progressing between them.

For her part, Elizabeth had succeeded in conversing a little more with Miss Darcy.

In fact, upon discovering that her brother was absent from Pemberley, she felt considerably more at ease and even dared to walk with her in the garden one afternoon when the weather was not so cold.

"Miss Darcy, what do you think of trying to sing, in addition to playing the piano?

" Elizabeth said to encourage her. "No, I am far too mortified to sing.

My voice is not nearly as pretty as yours, Miss Bennet," Georgiana replied.

"I believe we agreed yesterday that you would call me Lizzy.

I do not know why, butMiss Bennetsounds terribly formal.

It makes me feel like an old and grumpy lady," Elizabeth said, smiling.

"I am sorry, Lizzy. Let me clarify that you are neither old nor grumpy, but quite the opposite.

But if I am to call you Lizzy, you must call me Georgiana—if you wish, of course," Georgiana said timidly.

"Of course I wish to, Georgiana. I do not think we could ever become true friends if we always speak so formally.

" "Do you wish to be my friend, Lizzy?" Georgiana asked, quite surprised.

"Of course, Georgiana. My presence here with you is indeed part of my contract, but it need not be a mere employment arrangement.

In a way, we both need each other, and we ought to assist one another in every way we can, like true friends do.

" "Thank you, Lizzy. I wish to be your friend as well," Georgiana replied happily.

"Well, since we are agreed upon that, how about singing for me?

I would love to hear your voice." "It makes me feel insecure.

Are you not ashamed to sing before others?

" "Sometimes, depending on who is in the audience.

You know some people love to criticise everything and everyone," Elizabeth said, thinking of Mr. Darcy.

"When I began singing, to avoid feeling uncomfortable, I imagined that the people listening were the animals we had at Longbourn.

Mrs. Long was my cat Sophia, Sir William Lucas was Willy the donkey, Mr. Morgan was my dog Bruno, and Mrs. Lucas was our cow, Molly," Elizabeth explained, describing her neighbours.

Georgiana could not cease laughing while talking to Elizabeth.

"But I do not possess so vivid an imagination as you, Lizzy.

" "I believe I can help you," Elizabeth said.

She went to a small table in the music room and drew several animals as best she could on a piece of paper.

"Here, look at these animals and sing." "What are those animals?

Lizzy, you are certainly not very skilled at drawing.

I shall teach you to draw," Georgiana said, still laughing.

"And I shall gladly take those drawing lessons, if you sing for me," Elizabeth replied.

Georgiana took a deep breath and, while looking at Elizabeth's foolish sketches, began to sing a lovely song.

Elizabeth was delighted with her voice and thought that they could sing duets in the evening to entertain themselves and brighten the somber air that reigned at Pemberley.

Mrs. Reynolds informed Mr. Darcy that Georgiana was in the music room, and he went there to greet his sister and speak with her.

He imagined that she had been confined there for hours, repeating the same notes until achieving perfection.

It always pained him to see her isolated, playing the piano in silence, lost in her world of grief.

At least now, Elizabeth was with her, and she was not alone.

Thus, he was surprised when he heard his sister laughing heartily and singing a beautiful melody.

Upon entering the music room, he saw Georgiana singing while looking at the sheet music.

Elizabeth sat beside her, listening with attention.

When Georgiana saw her brother, she stopped singing at once.

"William, I…" "Georgie, darling, please do not stop.

I am sorry to interrupt you; the song you were singing was lovely.

" Georgiana looked at Elizabeth, who pointed to the animal drawings.

Georgiana smiled and continued singing without looking at her brother.

In that moment, Mr. Darcy realised that his aunt had been right: his dear sister needed someone like Elizabeth Bennet in her life.

"Did you like my song, William?" "It was wonderful, Georgie.

Fitzwilliam and I have always said you have a beautiful voice.

" "Lizzy and I are thinking of preparing some duets to sing in the evenings, if you do not mind.

" "Lizzy?" Mr. Darcy asked, surprised. "It is just that Miss Bennet…

" Georgiana began nervously. She feared her brother might disapprove.

"I asked Miss Darcy to call me Lizzy. That is what my sisters call me…

" "I understand; there is no need to explain, Miss Bennet.

If Georgiana is comfortable calling you that, I have no objection.

" "It is simply that, from your tone, Mr. Darcy, it seemed as though youdidobject," Elizabeth said and immediately regretted it.

That man was now her employer, and she could not defy him as she had done at Netherfield.

"Well, do not mistake me, Miss Bennet. Though I must admit, I believe your name,Elizabeth, is far more elegant and sophisticated than what your sisters call you," Mr. Darcy replied.

He could not tell his sister's companion that the name Elizabeth suited her perfectly.

Elizabeth could scarcely believe Mr. Darcy would dare imply her family nickname was vulgar.

"I like both—my name, Elizabeth, and the unsophisticated Lizzy.

" Mr. Darcy could not help but laugh at Elizabeth's impertinent and sly remark.

Georgiana was astonished her friend had spoken thus to her brother, but she, too, found it amusing.

She was particularly animated that day and felt genuinely content.

"Mrs. Reynolds said dinner will be served in ten minutes.

If you do not mind, I should be very pleased to hear you sing after dinner," Mr. Darcy said with a smile.

"We have not prepared anything yet, but we may improvise.

What do you think, Miss Darcy?" Elizabeth asked.

She preferred not to use "Georgiana" in front of Mr. Darcy.

"We can try." Georgiana rose, kissed her brother's cheek, and went to her room to dress for dinner.

Elizabeth gathered the sheet music to place it back in the trunk, but one page fell to the floor, and Mr. Darcy picked it up.

After examining it for several seconds, he could not help asking, "What is this?

" Elizabeth was surprised, for she thought Mr. Darcy had already left.

When he handed her the page, she could not help but blush, but without lowering her gaze, she replied, "Those are some of the animals we had at Longbourn.

" "Animals?" "Yes, sir, animals. If you will excuse me, I must change.

I do not wish to be late for dinner." She would not allow that man to humiliate her.

She was his employee, not his slave. "I must change as well.

Perhaps, as we walk to our rooms, you might explain what sort of animals these are.

" "No, Mr. Darcy, I cannot explain it. You see, it takes an artistic eye to discern what lies beyond the drawing.

" "Miss Bennet, there is nothing artistic about this drawing.

I believe I drew better than this when I was four or five years old.

" "Very well, sir. Then I must have had a more artistic sense as a child than you have now," Elizabeth replied with a defiant smile.

She felt so offended that she entirely forgot her position in that household.

All she wished was not to let that man have the last word.

"I studied art history for a year at Cambridge, and you mean to imply that I do not know what art is, or what qualifies as artistic?

" "Mr. Darcy, there are things that cannot be learned in books or at any university," Elizabeth said, pleased they had reached the foot of the stairs leading to her room.

She planned to ascend quickly to prevent him from responding further.

"And what cannot be learned from books or at one of the most prestigious universities in Europe, Miss Bennet?

" Mr. Darcy asked, unable to look away from Elizabeth and the way her eyes sparkled as she prepared her answer.

"I see you did not learn that at Cambridge either, sir.

There are many things that cannot be taught in books or through study.

No university can teach one to value simple things, for that is subjective and depends on the eye of the beholder.

Without doubt, for you, Pemberley is the most beautiful place in the world, whereas to a Duke, it might seem a simple and even modest house.

" "I understand. But how is that explanation related to this childish drawing?

" "If you knew how to appreciate simple things and were not always in search of perfection, you might understand what it represents," Elizabeth replied triumphantly.

She was pleased to have said everything she wished, yet in such a subtle way that he could not reprimand her.

"And what does it represent?" Mr. Darcy asked, sincerely curious.

"It represents a gesture of friendship, sir.

" "Mr. Darcy, forgive me for interrupting," said Mrs. Reynolds.

"Well, Mr. Darcy, I shall see you at dinner," Elizabeth said, walking away as quickly as she could.

"Yes, Mrs. Reynolds, please—tell me what you need," said Mr. Darcy, though he heard not a word.

He was still pondering Elizabeth's remarks.

Once again, she had spoken to him defiantly, yet subtly.

And yet, the conversation was not over. He intended to ask her to clarify her meaning during dinner.

He looked forward to it, certain that dining with Elizabeth would be quite diverting.

"What do you think, sir?" Mrs. Reynolds asked.

"I… Yes, do what is appropriate," Mr. Darcy replied and excused himself.

He had not realised he had just authorised that dinner be served in the small dining room, as the floor in the main dining room was being polished.

Mrs. Reynolds had watched her young master and did not know whether to be glad or worried.

'I hope this time you will not think about what you ought to do but about what makes you happy, my dear Mr. Darcy. '