Page 7 of Lord Lonbourn’s Daughter

As the onslaught of guests trickled down to nothing, she surmised they had come through the ordeal with only a small scratch in their lacquer but nothing time and other scandals could not rectify.

Elizabeth had curled up in a chair in the library with a new novel, a treat she decided she had earned, when the butler announced there was an additional caller.

Huffing, she put her slippers back on and collided with a tall, imposing figure by the library door.

“I have come to offer the stroll in Hyde Park that you won last evening, Lady Elizabeth.”

“How magnanimous of you, Mr Darcy. But if there is another sister you might prefer to stroll with, I shall happily forfeit the pleasure to someone more deserving of your notice.”

“I cannot imagine someone more deserving, Lady Elizabeth. Besides, that would defeat my purpose of introducing you to my sister. I wonder whether you would mind, or do I ask too much of you?”

“Of course, I would be delighted to meet your sister. Lady Matlock speaks very highly of her, and her accomplishments on the pianoforte are rumoured to be unparalleled. I have a hankering to hear her play for myself as I dearly love music. One should think that would make me eager to apply myself to practise diligently, but that, I am afraid, is not the case. I much prefer to listen to someone who is already proficient.”

“Good. Follow me, and we shall collect Georgiana then stroll in the park before we venture back to the house for a cup of tea. I cannot promise you that my sister will play. She is shy, but if you could coax her into it, I would not mind in the least. Listening to her perform is one of my favourite pastimes.”

Mr Darcy offered Elizabeth his arm, which she took. The butler waited in the entrance hall to hand her her parasol, and off they went.

#

Miss Darcy was a sweet girl of impressive height and crippling reserve.

It took all Elizabeth’s gentle persuasiveness to coax even one-syllable words out of the timid creature.

Elizabeth’s heart was touched; she remembered well a time gone by when Jane had suffered something similar.

She did not ask the girl to play. To urge her too strongly would simply have been cruel.

When Mr Darcy escorted her home after tea, Elizabeth could not help herself from commenting.

“Your sister is of a diffident nature, Mr Darcy.”

“Yes, she is.”

“Would it not be wise to forward connections with girls of her own age? You know, a companion has her purpose, but she cannot replace a friend and confidante of the same age.”

“My thoughts exactly, which is why I have enquired whether your younger sisters may join you in town.”

“Good gracious! I hope my father had the wherewithal to object to such a scheme!”

“He did, in a way. He suggested that the ladies might benefit from each other’s company but not here in town.”

“Will you send your sister to Hertfordshire?”

“No, we thought neutral ground could be agreed upon. There are disadvantages to being in each other’s homes, but that was not the prime incentive.

All the girls have expressed a wish to see the sea.

We have not decided upon which seaside resort we shall choose, but the girls should have some say in the matter. ”

“Is there not another way? What about those seminaries that teach young girls the necessary accomplishments?”

“Georgiana attended Miss Hewlett’s ladies’ seminary, but it made her terribly unhappy. Too many ladies at once, I believe, and she retreated into herself. The teachers were pleased with her performance, but she gained not one friend.”

“How awful! Poor Miss Darcy,” Elizabeth exclaimed wistfully.

“Why do I get the impression that you do not want my sister to be connected with yours?”

“It is the other way round, sir. My sisters are full young. I suppose I am apprehensive they may have an undesirable influence on Miss Darcy.”

“I expect Georgiana’s companion and Lord Longbourn’s governess to teach them proper comportment.

I foresee your sisters as entertainment and companionship.

I think some liveliness might do her good.

I do not believe that friendships or other relationships can thrive if those involved are too similar.

A friend with a different personality is more interesting, do you not think? ”

“I see why you are such a good friend to Mr Bingley. Does he offer much entertainment? I only ask because he was one of my sister’s callers this morning. Jane’s, to be precise.”

“Bingley is unaffectedly modest and amiable but somewhat impetuous.”

“No major flaws in his character, then. I am much relieved. Goodbye, Mr Darcy, it has been a pleasure.”

They were at the door of Bennet House. Elizabeth released Mr Darcy’s arm and skipped up the steps before she remembered where she was and slowed to a more sedate pace.

A footman opened the door for her, but a quick glance over her shoulder revealed that Mr Darcy had not moved.

He was standing where she had left him, rubbing his chin with a contemplative expression.