Page 47 of Elizabeth in Scotland (Elizabeth and Darcy Abroad #2)

“I do understand,” Elizabeth said softly.

“And I thank you for telling me. Georgiana, I cannot feel anything but sympathy for you and disdain for this man who lied to you and abused you.” She paused for a moment before going on, listening to the wind dancing through the tree branches.

“Nor do I think any gentleman to whom you might entrust this story would feel differently. Particularly not one so kind and understanding as Mr Bingley. It was not any lack of virtue on your part that caused this; it was this man’s deceit — and that of this Mrs Younge, who you ought to have been able to trust.”

Georgiana nodded. “Still, many men would not want to be saddled with a woman who had nearly run away with another man, even if their virtue was still intact. It is the principle of the thing.” Georgiana worried her lower lip, then turned to Elizabeth and pressed her hand.

“Before this visit, thinking of him only as my brother’s friend, I had never considered that Mr Bingley and I might suit.

His manners are so excellent, his spirits so good, and his face and person so handsome — I would not have thought he could ever be interested in me.

However, when he greeted me so warmly yesterday, it made me believe I may yet find a good husband.

Perhaps my life is not over, as I believed it was a year ago.

” Her eyes glowed with unshed tears when she met Elizabeth’s gaze a moment later.

“Perhaps I may yet make my dearly departed Mama and Papa proud of me. I never knew my mother, but Fitz says that I grow to look more and more like her each day. Thanks to your lessons, of course.” She beamed at Elizabeth.

Elizabeth smiled back at her protégé, who had become as close as a sister to her. “You give me too much credit, as always. But I am certain that your mother would be most proud of the woman you are becoming.”

“Thank you,” Georgiana said with a soft smile. “I wish she were here right now. I am so confused about my feelings. It was so immediate when I saw Mr Bingley yesterday, and I do not want to make the same mistakes again.”

“Perhaps it would be best to wait, in any case,” Elizabeth said thoughtfully.

True, some women married at Georgiana’s age or even younger, but she had no opinion of the practice.

Sixteen was surely too young to choose a partner for the rest of one’s life, let alone to run a household.

“You are young yet. I would encourage you to take things slowly. If you are truly meant to be with Mr Bingley, then he will wait for you.”

“Thank you for that very sound advice. You are certainly right. I know he has started looking for a wife, but I would like to take my time in getting to know him better. He has always been kind to me, but until now, I was not old enough to be involved in his conversations with my brother — not really. He must get to know me as a young woman in my own right, and I must know him as a friend to myself and not just Fitz. Only then will we know if there could really be something between us one day.”

By the time they finished their conversation, clouds were rolling in, with the promise of rain on the horizon.

When they returned to the drawing room, Elizabeth could not help but smile, for Mr Bingley’s eyes immediately went to Georgiana.

For her part, Georgiana returned his quick, curious gaze a little shyly before sitting next to him and joining the conversation that he was having with Mary and Mrs Bennet.

Elizabeth took a moment to watch the proceedings.

Jane and Miss Bingley were speaking rapidly together in the corner, turned to each other and acknowledging no one else.

Mr Collins stood behind Miss Georgiana and Mr Bingley as her mother and Mary talked of Meryton and the public assembly to be held shortly.

Lydia and Kitty were standing with Mr Darcy near the window, but quickly excused themselves as they spotted more callers coming up the drive.

Elizabeth joined Mr Darcy and bowed as she approached.

“It is good to have your sister with us. She grows more lovely every day, it seems,” she said warmly.

“She does indeed. And all thanks to you.”

“Not all, but I am glad I could be of some use,” Elizabeth replied.

She looked on tenderly as Georgiana and Mr Bingley spoke to each other, their eyes shining with fond regard.

Her friend had spoken of her fragile, tentative hopes with such diffidence, but Elizabeth rather suspected that they would be a match one day.

With new callers coming to pay their respects, the guests from Netherfield Park took their leave, promising to call again soon, and begging a return visit at their earliest convenience.

Mr Darcy bowed to Elizabeth as they were leaving, took her hand, and pressed a gentle kiss to the back of her hand.

“Good day, Miss Elizabeth. I hope we may have the pleasure of seeing you at Netherfield again very soon.”

Her heart beat fast as he turned to leave, but he looked over his shoulder one last time before disappearing around the corner of the hallway.

Elizabeth let out a long breath. She had given Georgiana such wise counsel to have patience, but her own was sadly lacking. If Mr Darcy felt as much for her as she did for him, it could not be known too soon.