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He could not deny that Elizabeth had also affected his own life.

The evening before, during dinner, they had conversed about art, the natural beauty surrounding Pemberley, and the many picturesque spots Derbyshire offered.

After dinner, Georgiana and Elizabeth sang and played the piano, thus concluding a perfect evening.

He had been so cheerful that it took him several hours to fall asleep, his mind filled with thoughts he knew he ought not to entertain.

Having completed his letter to Mr. Arnold, Mr. Darcy contemplated reading a book.

The day was too cold for riding or walking.

He sat near the fireplace, but although he attempted to read, his thoughts were elsewhere.

He knew that Georgiana was in the yellow room, beside the art gallery, teaching Elizabeth how to draw.

He was well aware that he should remain in the study, but his desire to spend time with Elizabeth and Georgiana was stronger.

At last, he placed the book on the table and left the study.

"I thank you very much, Georgiana, for starting with something as simple as drawing an apple," Elizabeth said with a laugh. "I suppose you do not trust my talent."

"Lizzy, the important thing is to learn to observe. In order to draw well, you must notice details and shapes. This apple may seem easy, but it is not. If you observe closely, you will see that it differs in form from the other. That is what you must capture."

"I see, dear. Now I understand why drawing has always been so difficult for me. If you have not yet noticed, Georgiana, I find it quite hard to remain still for long, and looking at an apple for more than ten seconds seems nearly impossible," Elizabeth said, laughing again.

"Then you should attempt to draw landscapes, Miss Bennet. I daresay you have no difficulty gazing through that window at the forest surrounding the lake," said Mr. Darcy, smiling.

Elizabeth and Georgiana were slightly startled upon seeing Mr. Darcy enter the room with a smile.

"William, will you help me teach Lizzy to draw?" Georgiana asked with delight.

"I shall, if Miss Bennet has no objection," said Mr. Darcy, turning to Elizabeth.

"Of course, I have no objection, sir. Although I must confess, drawing an apple did not seem overly complicated, but a forest appears rather impossible, especially for a first lesson. You had the opportunity to view one of my finest drawings, and I gathered you did not quite appreciate my talent."

Mr. Darcy could not help but laugh. "Miss Bennet refers to the animal sketches. Well then, the first thing we ought to do is move these chairs and seat ourselves near the window to better observe the landscape."

"Did you learn to draw at Cambridge, Mr. Darcy?" Elizabeth asked curiously.

"No, my mother taught me. The painting of Pemberley at the entrance to the gallery was done by her."

"And the one where William is holding me in his arms was also painted by our mother," Georgiana added.

"I see. Lady Anne was undoubtedly very gifted," Elizabeth said, a little awkwardly. She was not accustomed to such informal conversation with Mr. Darcy and, for reasons she could not explain, found him both fascinating and rather dangerous.

Once the three were seated by the window, Mr. Darcy began to explain what Elizabeth ought to observe.

Georgiana passed him her sketchbook, and Elizabeth had her own.

"William, I am going to my sitting room to fetch more paper and shall return at once.

" Georgiana ran out to retrieve drawing materials.

It had been some time since she had spent such a pleasant moment with her brother.

Mr. Darcy explained several points to Elizabeth, instructing her on what to focus upon and which lines to sketch.

"So, first, I must draw a horizontal line to separate the lake from the garden, and then a circular one to represent the lake," said Elizabeth, as she traced both lines.

"Precisely, although you must be mindful of proportions. If you place the horizontal line too high, you will have too much space here and not enough there. It depends, too, upon the perspective and which element you wish to emphasize."

"I understand. If I draw the line here, there will be much forest; if I draw it lower, I shall have a large lake and some tiny trees," Elizabeth said, laughing.

"Precisely," replied Mr. Darcy. "Well, Miss Bennet, now it is time for you to draw what you see before you."

Elizabeth began drawing the outlines while Mr. Darcy also sketched in his book, intentionally avoiding looking at her.

Once she had finished the basic lines, he demonstrated how to add details.

Elizabeth focused for five minutes, observing the landscape and continuing her drawing, and upon finishing, she was pleasantly surprised by the result.

"What do you think, Mr. Darcy?" she asked a little nervously.

"Very good, Miss Bennet. You are a fine pupil. I knew you would be far more engaged in drawing a landscape than an apple."

"May I see your drawing, sir?" Elizabeth asked with curiosity, having noticed he, too, had been drawing.

"Certainly. It is not very good, for I did it quickly," Mr. Darcy replied as he handed her the sketch.

"Mr. Darcy, how could you do this in five minutes?" Elizabeth asked, astonished. "Now I understand why my drawing seemed so ridiculous to you. Sir, you are an artist," she added, smiling.

"Pray, do not exaggerate my talents, Miss Bennet. My mother was an artist. She taught me well, that is all."

"Have you ever painted?" Elizabeth inquired.

"When I was a boy, with my mother," Mr. Darcy replied.

"And why did you not continue painting?"

"I still draw—it is a pleasant distraction when there is little to occupy one's time.

But I have not painted since my mother died.

.. My father thought it an activity suited to women, or to men with too much leisure.

Miss Bennet, I am the head of my family, and I cannot afford to waste my time painting," said Mr. Darcy.

Elizabeth recalled what Georgiana had shared the day before and could not help but look at Mr. Darcy with a touch of tenderness.

She had always believed him to be stern and unfeeling.

Yet, in that moment, she saw a boy of eleven who had lost his mother and had been forbidden to pursue the one activity he most enjoyed because it was deemed unworthy of the Pemberley heir.

As Elizabeth looked at him, Mr. Darcy found himself gazing into her eyes.

At that moment, he wished he could capture them in a drawing—they were so vivid and full of life.

He recalled attempting to sketch them at Netherfield but had failed to render the curve of her lashes and the delicate arch of her brows.

He remembered Miss Bingley once making sport of her fine eyes, and he had told her that no painting could ever do justice to Elizabeth's eyes.

Elizabeth noticed the way he looked at her and could not help but blush. She had never truly acknowledged how handsome he was; his face was strikingly masculine, and his eyes, an intense shade of blue, full of mystery.

"Lizzy, show me your drawing," Georgiana said as she re-entered the room.

Mr. Darcy stood, and Elizabeth took a deep breath to calm her nerves. "Here it is. It is far from perfect, but it is my first lesson."

"Very well. Now we must add trees and flowers…"

Georgiana could not stop chattering, but Elizabeth found it hard to concentrate on anything she said.

She was still trying to make sense of what had just occurred and why she felt so unsettled.

Moreover, she noticed that Mr. Darcy had walked to the window and was staring out at the landscape, lost in thought.