“Yes, yes, I am sure they did. I am not questioning your hospitality, sir. I only speak as a mother concerned for her dearest child.” With a calculating eye that could only make her daughter cringe, she continued. “I do hope you will offer us a tour of your grand home.”
“Of course, ma’am.” Mr. Darcy stiffly nodded. “We were just going up to dress for dinner. Might I suggest you follow Mrs. Reynolds to the guest wing and prepare for dinner yourself, and I will show you the house afterwards.” His tone was very controlled, and Lizzy was sure he was regretting the association.
Her mother quickly followed the housekeeper, leaving her father and intended to trail behind. Mr. Hamilton squeezed her hand and Mr. Bennet winked at her before leaving the room. When the door closed behind the group, there was a collective sigh from Kitty and Lizzy.
“Sir. Please allow me to apologize for my mother.”
Kitty nodded her acquiescence but kept her own eyes cast downward.
A polite smile graced Mr. Darcy’s lips. “Miss Bennet, neither you nor Miss Katherine owe me an apology. I merely saw a mother who was concerned about the well-being of her daughter. There is nothing to forgive. Now if you will excuse me, Fitzwilliam and I have some business in my study.” He bowed before walking through the doorway and leaving them to go up and prepare for dinner.
* * *
The party had retiredafter dinner to the drawing room, having separated only long enough for the men to pour themselves a brandy.
“What a lovely meal, Mr. Darcy.”
“Was the venison to your liking?”
“Oh, yes, sir,” Mrs. Bennet said. “But, I am guessing with your income, you would make every accommodation for guests to feel at ease and receive the best treatment.”
“I do the best I can, ma’am.” He refrained from rolling his eyes and instead he asked, “Georgiana, might you play something for us this evening?”
“Kitty and I have been practicing a new piece. Might we play that for you?”
“Of course, poppet.” He took her hand and led her to the piano bench before walking to the window to observe the full moon.
Hamilton joined him at the window and said, “Darcy, I wanted to thank you for being so hospitable toward the Bennets and myself.”
“There is no need to mention it. Consider it recompense for your staff’s hospitality when I was waylaid at Ashby by weather.”
“Yes, I know, but I know that my future mother can be quite a handful, and I am grateful you did not throw us out on our ear at some of her remarks.”
“Hamilton, I would never think to do that to a friend’s mother.”
“Yes, yes, but she is not my mother—not yet, at least.”
“Yes, well, I was referring to Miss Bennet.”
Hamilton seemed to weigh his words before asking, “Darcy, what occurred with Elizabeth? How did she come to be discovered alone in Pemberley’s woods?”
Darcy’s jaw clenched. “I was at a neighboring estate. When I discovered Miss Bennet was lost in the storm, I did all in my power to find her. Luckily, my cousin was quicker than I, and because of his speed, her life was preserved.” Darcy took a sip from his glass and turned at the opening bars of the duet. “If you will excuse me.” He walked over and stood next to his cousin where he could see the piano better.
When the girls were done and polite applause had subsided, Richard entreated Miss Elizabeth to play.
“Miss Bennet, if you are up for the challenge, might you enchant us with a song as well?”
“Richard,” Darcy said. “This is her first day down from her room.”
“I thank you, Mr. Darcy, but I am feeling quite recovered and would love to play once again on this fine instrument before we depart tomorrow.”
“Is that quite fixed then?” he asked, turning to Mr. Bennet.
Mrs. Bennet interjected before Mr. Bennet could respond. “Yes, sir, it is. We must get Lizzy home to finish preparations for dear Jane’s wedding and of course, begin hers to Mr. Hamilton. Although it’s not official, I am sure the young man will not mind me saying so amongst such dear friends?”
Elizabeth pushed on the keys, sending up an awful noise. “Pray, excuse me.” She turned her attention back to the piano, bit her bottom lip, and flexed her fingers.
“Would you like me to turn the pages for you, Elizabeth?”
