With a blush Georgiana laughed. “You are so wise. That is why I wanted to come to you to ask. You will know. I do find it difficult to speak of. You know.”
“Notyet. Your manner happily suggests you do not have a dire criticism ofme, or some worse secret about Darcy to reveal before I innocently and helplessly am drawn into his Gothic web set at Pemberley.”
“No!”
“No?”
Georgiana smiled and relaxed into the joke. “Pemberley is bright and sunny. And even in the winter everything is crisp and cold. Entirely unlike a musty Gothic mansion. Also we have nocurtains.”
“I need not fear what makes the door to shudder at night when all are abed?” Elizabeth laughed. “Nor a headless monk.”
“Well…the headless monk is really sweet. You should notfearhim.”
Elizabeth laughed and clapped. “Bravo, bravo. A fine return.”
Georgiana shyly ducked her head.
“I have a suspicion of what you came to talk about. Might I venture a guess?”
Her friend’s wide eyes shot up to her. Georgiana nodded with her lips parted.
“You have a strong attachment for your old friend, the handsome and capable Mr. Peake, and you are confused and wish some advice from me.”
“How do you know!”
“You have beenquiteobvious. It is adorable. Anyone who pays attention to you must be aware of your preference.”
She blanched. “Even Mr. Peake?”
“Thatis a less certain matter. He is as fond of you as you of him. In such matters lovers oft have theleastability to see.”
“No! He cannot be. Helikesme, a little, at least. He always was kind, even before...Wickham. And after… But he is too… He is kind by letting me talk to him, and letting me listen to him about everything. And he adores Anne.”
“I despise repeating myself, but” — Elizabeth patted Georgiana’s hand, and the girl’s wide eyes looked at her, searching for reassurance — “in such matters lovers oft have the least ability to see.”
“Do you really think so?”
“I am certain. The instant your name was mentioned he stood to attention andbeggedto know how you did. And after a separation of so many years.”
“He did?”
“Your real presence canonlyincrease his affection. A man does not stand near a woman as much as he does you, if he does not care.”
Georgiana’s eyes were wide as she considered this.
Elizabeth grinned at her soon-to-be sister. Elizabeth was so happy that any affection between others simply enhanced her joy.
“But…I am not so attractive as many. Do you know how I could maybe…be a little prettier?” Georgiana sweetly looked at her hands. “Like you and Jane? I am too shamed to ask Jane, even though I know she would be helpful. Everything looks perfect upon her.”
“Not on me? My sweet dear, you need no advice ofthatsort. He likes you quite well as you appear today.”
“But…”
“I am only glad he found a woman wholikesto listen to him. I assure you most women would not be interested in the details of import regulations, while I saw you nodding along quite intently and encouraging him the day past.Thatis art enough.”
“No! I was entirely unaffected! I swear. You should listen too. His work is so interesting! Iadorelistening to stories about it.”
Elizabeth bit her lip to keep from teasing Georgiana further. Nothing could be a clearer sign of true affection than happily listening to stories about keeping warehouses stocked and selling materials at the best prices, and how easiest to manage His Majesty’s custom agents.
