“Thank you. Now girls,” she said turning her attention to the Bennet sisters. “Let us change for I believe if we use all powers of persuasion, we can convince my brother to take us for chocolate and cakes. Anne, will you join us?”
“Of course.”
* * *
“It almost seems unpatriotic,” Kitty said. “It is different when the cook at Darcy House prepares croissants but to be eating at a true French patisserie in the middle of London? I am worried Napoleon will come marching out of the back door and drag me to Paris!”
The delicacies were all the girls imagined they would be: croissants, petit fours, macaroons, éclairs, and cream puffs.
“I have never tasted cream like this! I wonder if Cook could replicate it.”
Mr. Darcy chuckled. “The owner François uses only his grandmother’s recipes and will not divulge them to anyone…not even for a fair price. Believe me, I have tried. Many a day have I purchased an éclair and a coffee to eat at White’s. And Miss Katherine,” Mr. Darcy said, smiling at the young girl. “François is an honorable man. Do not concern yourself that he is hiding foreign emperors in his kitchen.”
“Not even the little emperor?” Lizzy smirked.
“His wife Marie would never allow it.”
“Wills, would you escort us to the music shop? I would like to look over the new sheet music.”
“Did I not just purchase you some last week?”
“Yes, but I would so like to purchase another duet.”
“Very well,” Mr. Darcy said rising. “Anne, Miss Bennet, would you care to join us or shall you wait here?”
Both women looked at each other before Lizzy said, “I believe I shall wait here, if Miss de Bourgh is not averse?”
“No, not at all. I am quite enjoying these macaroons.”
“Very well. We will return for you.” Mr. Darcy bowed to the ladies, not a little curious at the irony of the woman his heart yearned for and the woman he was to marry sitting in each other’s company as he turned to walk out the door.
Once alone, a silence fell between the two women.
“And do you play, Miss Bennet?”
Anne de Bourgh was a puzzle. Lizzy had expected a woman full of condescension and haughty disdain for others—someone more like Caroline Bingley—someone who would parade her dominance as the future mistress of Darcy House. Yet, she did not.
“A little, and very ill indeed. I do not presume to delight as Georgiana. But, I do enjoy music. And you, Miss de Bourgh? Do you play?” As soon as the words were said, Lizzy remembered Mr. Darcy’s confession of his intended’s lack of accomplishments.
“Yes, I do. But, I prefer not to arouse anyone’s anticipation in that area. Therefore, I am more apt to dissemble and say I am too unwell to play.” The twinkle in her eyes caught Lizzy off guard. From all she had heard, Anne de Bourgh was sickly and spiritless. She had not expected such quick wit nor her dry sense of humor. Though she was a mousy thing, with very little presence, she had a quiet kindness which Lizzy sensed at once.Maybe I could be friends with this woman? She obviously is intelligent and appreciates an intellectual humor.
“Georgina has spoken very highly of your playing.”
“Oh, she is all politeness,” Lizzy replied.
“No, I am sure she is more than truthful.” The corner of Miss de Bourgh’s mouth turned up. “I do believe she might be showing a bit of partiality, but is that not why we adore youth so much? Their enthusiasm. Which as we grow older, we seem to lose?”
“You are quite an acute judge of character.”
“I live a quiet life at Rosings. I prefer not to draw attention to myself. You have yet to meet my mother, correct?”
“I admit I have not had the pleasure.”
Anne bit her bottom lip. “Well, some might say you are fortunate, Miss Bennet.” Before Lizzy knew how to respond, Miss de Bourgh asked, “Now, what do you think of art?”
* * *
“And how isour Jane doing? Does her letter say if she and Mr. Bingley are still enjoying each other’s company?”
