Page 31

“You are radiant, my dear cousin,” Fitzwilliam told Georgiana. He helped her into the carriage, then climbed in after her, leaving Darcy to come along last.

The evening would have looked much brighter if only Elizabeth were to attend. He might then have had the pleasure of seeing her eyes sparkle with delight at the music, of introducing her to Georgiana. And to speak with her again, to have the joy of being surprised by her wit and insight —

Darcy sighed, watching the dark streets of London pass outside the carriage windows. That was ridiculous, of course. Elizabeth was in Meryton. Likely he would not see her again, particularly if his friendship with Bingley proved impossible to repair.

“Do not tell me you are nervous, Darcy? Not after all these years of attending social functions,” Fitzwilliam teased.

Darcy shook his head. “Hardly,” he replied. “You must excuse me. I was merely distracted for a moment.”

Georgiana leaned forward, patting Darcy’s hand even as she spoke to Fitzwilliam. “He has fallen madly in love with someone, but he will not admit it,” she whispered, loud enough for Darcy to hear.

“Georgiana,” he said sharply.

She sat back and gave him an apologetic smile. “I did not utter her name. Let us simply say Miss E has quite bewitched him.”

Fitzwilliam sat back and rubbed his chin as if he were deep in thought. “Ah, I love a good mystery. Let us see if I can guess the young lady’s name. Miss Everingham? No. Miss Elder? Perhaps the Elders of Kent?”

Darcy let out a sigh of relief: Fitzwilliam had thought the “E” stood for her surname. “You shall never have it out of me,” he said, then shot a warning glance at Georgiana, who promptly bit her lip to keep back the mischievous smile. “And neither will you weasel it out of Georgiana.”

The carriage drew to a halt. Darcy stepped out and handed Georgiana down.

They all walked up the steps together, Fitzwilliam offering Georgiana his arm on the right and Darcy on the left.

Much as Fitzwilliam and Georgiana had embarrassed him in the carriage, he was glad they were all together again.

Out of all their relations, the three of them were the most kindred spirits.

When they entered, Fitzwilliam began looking about the crowded foyer, no doubt looking for his special lady.

“Ah, there she is!” he exclaimed after several moments.

He immediately let go of Georgiana’s arm and walked away, leaving the siblings alone.

“He seems quite smitten. I do not think I have ever seen him so enthralled with a lady,” Georgiana laughed.

“Well, you have only just become old enough to be included in such discussions. One day you will have a beau of your own, and then married with a home and children. Though not too soon, I hope.” He could not help the sadness that crept in, although he would be happy to see her settled when the time came.

Even so, he would miss having Georgiana at Pemberley.

It would not be the same without her. He hardly knew what he would miss more, her soft smiles, or the sounds of the pianoforte played as only Georgiana could play it.

“I am no longer a child,” she said.

He detected a touch of sadness in her tone. Georgiana was right in more ways than one. To his joy, she was blossoming into a graceful and intelligent young woman. But to his sorrow, Wickham had stolen much of her innocent faith in the world.

They were about to climb the stairs when he heard Fitzwilliam call to him from across the room. He frowned, hating to have attention drawn to them so publicly. Nonetheless, Darcy steered Georgiana away from the stairs, towards Fitzwilliam and his lady.

Darcy’s heart nearly stopped when he saw her. She was standing with her back nearly touching the wall, as dazzling as ever.

Elizabeth.

He looked to Fitzwilliam, and at the brilliant smile on his face, Darcy realised he was about to be confronted with a disaster he had not even known to fear.

“Miss Elizabeth Bennet, May I present my cousins, Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy, and his delightful sister, Miss Georgiana Darcy?”

It was necessary to conceal his dismay, and yet it was all but impossible. Worse still, Georgiana was clearly aware of the disaster.

He cleared his throat and bowed, and Georgiana curtsied. She wore the same surprised expression Darcy knew must be on his own face, her eyes filled with concern and compassion for the position he now found himself in.

“It is a pleasure to see you again, Miss Bennet.”

The lady gave him a curt nod while Colonel Fitzwilliam frowned. “You know each other?”

Miss Elizabeth curtsied to Georgiana, giving her a warm smile. But when she turned her gaze back on Darcy, her eyes were cold. “Mr Darcy and I met in Hertfordshire, some weeks past.”

To Georgiana and Fitzwilliam, Elizabeth was her usual charming self, but there was no mistaking her displeasure at seeing him.

Could Elizabeth have overheard his conversation with Mr Bingley about her family being unsuitable to intermarry with?

It hardly seemed possible. But then what could account for her coldness?

“Ah, well, I suppose I should have put two and two together. I forgot you had just come from Netherfield. Is it quite close to your ancestral home?” Fitzwilliam went to stand beside her, and she stared daggers at Darcy.

“It is,” Elizabeth replied.

It was almost as if she were saying it was too close .

What had he done to elicit such a greeting?

There was no accounting for it. He racked his brain as Georgiana and Elizabeth spoke for a few minutes.

But all the while, he could feel annoyance, even dislike, rolling toward him whenever Elizabeth glanced his way.

And always she tore her gaze from his as soon as she could.

What had happened to make her treat him thus?