Page 8 of The Countess and Her Sister

He had addressed his question to Elizabeth, but she was determined to direct his attention back to her sister.

“Jane plays splendidly! We have had little else to occupy us in two years of mourning; she has applied herself to mastering the pianoforte. At Longbourn, there was one instrument to be shared between all of us who wished to learn, and beyond this we were often occupied socially. We have been quiet, but anybody who hears Jane play must admit that she has spent her time well these two years. And while Jane has serenaded us all, I have idly indulged myself with expanding the family library.”

“I have also spent the last few years in such a fashion. Lady Susan’s daughter caught the illness in the last wave of sickness to sweep over the north of England. We were very quiet at Pemberley for many months after – I with my books and Georgiana with her music.”

“That sounds very cozy, but for the sorrow of the situation,” Elizabeth mused.

There had been little sadness for anyone but the dowager after Lord Robert’s death, and their own tranquility had been a healing balm at Matlock House.

But for the loss of their father, everything had turned for the better.

Jane nodded thoughtfully but said nothing. A glance at Elizabeth revealed similar reflections in her pale grey eyes, but Jane was too discreet to give voice to them.

Elizabeth felt a protective impulse to shield her sister’s private reverie from Mr. Darcy’s notice.

She laughed and asked him, “Dare I inquire if you are pleased to rejoin society? I believe it is a common sentiment in London at present – but perhaps you ought to warn us which of Lady Thurston’s set are a little too eager to be in company again. ”

Mr. Darcy gave a rueful chuckle. “Returning to London has reminded me of what will soon encompass my sister’s days, when she comes out in the autumn.

But I have resolved to look upon the coming months as a means of practice, for as your kinsman, Lady Jane, I hope to join my cousin Richard in protecting you; I shall soon do likewise for my sister. ”

Jane blushed again. “You are very kind, sir.”

“And if you are always as formidable as you were at the ball, I daresay you shall do the job credibly,” Elizabeth drawled.

“I fear I generally am. I hope I have demonstrated that I can make myself agreeable amongst my intimates, but in society at large I do what I must. My father was a very serious man, and though not of noble blood like the Fitzwilliams, he was just as powerful and respected by the peers of the realm. I have ever desired to follow his sterling example. For a widow and her sister, unaccustomed to the ton , I hope that my friendship will be of as much use to you in navigating society as it has been in advising Richard in estate matters for Matlock and Montrose.”

Jane gasped. “Richard never said….”

At the same moment, Elizabeth let out a peal of merry laughter, causing Mr. Darcy to gaze at her in astonishment. “Ha! Of course our brother would accept all your thanks, Jane, and take credit for managing it all! He is very wicked, but that is why we love him so.”

Mr. Darcy’s lips twitched as he stared down at Elizabeth; some unspoken reply died on his tongue before he turned and addressed Jane instead. “I was happy to be of assistance on several occasions – please do not think I meant to….”

“No, of course not,” Jane said softly. “I have heard that Pemberley and all your holdings are very grand, while Richard only retired from the army after Robert died, and has had little to do with his own small property in Derbyshire. Naturally, you are in a strong position to advise him – I ought to have thought of it.”

There was deepening discomfort in Jane’s gaze; Elizabeth perceived it, but was relieved that Mr. Darcy did not, for he was no longer looking at Jane.

Concealing her own concern for Jane’s strained response, Elizabeth smiled up at Mr. Darcy.

“After all your efforts on the young earl’s behalf, you must be eager to meet him. ”

This did little to ease Jane’s disquiet. “He has been brought up during our time of seclusion from society; I had thought to gradually widen his acquaintance….”

“It seems a sound plan; you are his mother and must surely know best. I am a patient man, though when I do meet young Thomas, I am sure I shall find him a credit to you. Richard says he is quite the little lord.”

“His lordship is precociously commanding indeed, ruling the house by inspiring absolute devotion in his subjects; I daresay he shall charm you, too, Mr. Darcy, and you are already in his service.” Elizabeth grinned as Jane seemed to recover herself somewhat.

“I am, as I wrote in my letters, a humble servant to you all; I hope I shall be at your disposal, that you will not hesitate to ask of me whatever you may require.” Mr. Darcy’s gaze lingered on Elizabeth before he turned to bow his head in Jane’s direction.

Jane seemed to shrink into herself as she thanked him, and Elizabeth’s heart twisted in her chest.

It was not until that evening that Elizabeth attempted to speak to Jane in privacy. Jane had sequestered herself for several hours after they returned to the house, and remained sullen throughout dinner.

Elizabeth thought that Mr. Darcy had more than achieved his intention of raising himself in their esteem, but Jane had several times struggled to maintain equanimity during their conversation that morning, which had lasted above an hour.

Even when they had recounted the substance of their discourse with him to Lady Augusta at dinner, Jane had remained anxious and unable to lift her eyes from her plate.

Elizabeth dutifully recited what they had spoken of – books and music, Miss Darcy, little Thomas, the elegant and expansive grounds of Pemberley, his friendship with Mr. Bingley, and Mr. Darcy’s commendable sense of family duty.

Each seemed to dishearten Jane in increasing measure.

As much as Elizabeth wished to know why her sister could not be pleased by a suitor so determined to make himself agreeable, she knew better than to press her when Jane was in such a mood as she was.

As she made ready for bed, Jane stammered and shook her head; she must sort it out in her mind before she could give voice into anything.

All she could say to reassure Elizabeth was that she was rather in awe of Mr. Darcy, and that he was the most impressive gentleman she had ever encountered.

She dismissed Elizabeth coolly from her bedroom, and Elizabeth retired with a strange ache in her chest.