“Kitty! That is much too impertinent of a question, even from you. Besides I answered your one question and will not answer another!”
“Oh, I wish you would,” whispered the malingerer in the hallway, still holding the now cold chocolate.
“Oh, I wish you would,” echoed Georgiana.
Darcy panicked for a moment, worried that his sister might have heard him.
“Georgiana, I…”
“No, Elizabeth. You mistake me. I love my cousin Anne and know that her marriage to my brother is a good match. However, I do not believe it was fair of my mother to dictate who my brother was to marry without giving concern for his feelings. What if there is a much better love match for him, but yet he has never had a chance to meet her? Or maybe he already has, but there is no hope?” Her voice trailed off and silence filled the room.
Darcy’s throat constricted at Georgiana’s words.Have I been that transparent? Can even my young sister see my true feelings?
“Georgiana, you must not think that—”
“I know, I know. My brother is to wed Anne, and you are soon to become betrothed to Mr. Hamilton. I am sure he is a good man, but please forgive me my fancy. I have never had a sister, and since our first meeting have not only been jealous of Kitty’s fortune but dreamt of having it for my own as well.”
Darcy could listen no more. His emotions were in turmoil recognizing his sister’s true feelings and how they were so similar to his own. He was a man in love with a woman he could not have.
Regaining his composure, he lightly knocked on the door.
Light spilled from within Georgiana’s room as she exclaimed, “Wills! What are you doing here? We thought you were the maid come with our chocolate!”
He ignored the slight quaver in her voice and the quick look to Miss Elizabeth as he entered the room to set down the service. “Good evening, ladies. I am at your disposal for your chocolate needs, however, I am afraid I was detained on a matter of business, and I regret it is now cold.”
He finally brought himself to look at Miss Elizabeth whose face had turned a dark pink as he handed her a mug. “Cook also sent up some cakes, so you can attest for yourself what my younger sister was willing to begin a life of crime for.”
Miss Elizabeth smiled nervously, and pulled her robe up closer to her neck, all the while peering at him.
“I thank you for your thoughtfulness, sir, but believe I am to bed now. I do not wish to consume such a delectable treat, and then have to deal with vapors of bad dreams. Even Chanticleer’s true love knew the problems which food could cause.”
“Are you too, a pilgrim, Miss Bennet? Off to find your salvation at Canterbury?”
She smiled at his reference and shook her head. “No, sir. My salvation cannot be so easily had, for I must do more than ride to a cathedral and rely upon others to give me strength. I must save myself.” She waited a moment before standing and turned to her hostess. “Georgiana, my dear, I am to bed. Thank you for such an entertaining evening.” She embraced his sister and Darcy heard her whisper, “Not a word.” Georgiana grinned and nodded, while Miss Elizabeth embraced her own sister as well.
“Miss Elizabeth. I was hoping to retrieve the missive for Mrs. Smith’s granddaughter. My man was going to deliver it in the morning. Is it ready?”
“Why yes, Mr. Darcy it is. Shall you wait here while I get it?”
He shook his head. “No, I am for bed as well. Would you mind very much if I wait in the hall?”
“Very well. Good night, girls.” After Miss Elizabeth closed the door, a gale of laughter could be heard as they walked down the hallway to her room. She cleared her throat before she said, “I am down this way, sir, in the green room.”
“The ‘Woods’ room,” he said, more to himself than to her.
“Pardon?”
He chuckled. “It is a green room, but my mother called it the ‘Woods’ room when I was a child. She told me that there were fairies and nymphs that once came with us from Pemberley and escaped from the carriage only to find that room. They felt so at home, they refused to leave. But, have no fear, Miss Bennet. They are kind folk and will only sprinkle fairy dust in your eyes to help you sleep better. They will do you no harm.”
“That is good to know.”
“And the room your sister is in…”
“The yellow room.”
“Yes, the yellow room. That was called the ‘Sunshine’ room. Mother said that only bright and joyous things could take place in there as the rays of the sun first touch that room in the morning and bring a warmth to it before any other room at Darcy House.”
“What a fanciful character you are.”
