When Noah failed to continue, I gave him a pointed look. “You have declared that you are disposed to think well of him. Has your opinion changed?”
“No.” My cousin’s weight shifted as he leaned nearer to me. “Still, I met a few men at university who hid their base natures well enough that most of their acquaintances would have been shocked to discover their predilections.” He grimaced.
The words I had been prepared to utter next died on my tongue. “You seem to be implying that Mr. Darcy is one of those men.”
“Not exactly. I have no reason to accuse him of that.” His index finger tapped my wrist. “But as an unmarried lady, you ought to be vigilant any time you are alone with an unfamiliar man.”
So, he meant to caution me in a general fashion. “That is sound advice.” Oh yes, I could ease his mind by informing him of Miss Darcy’s expected arrival. “At any rate, Mr. Darcy’s fifteen-year-old sister will come to Springvale soon, and she will be riding with us.”
“That is welcome news.” Noah rested his arm upon the back of the sofa. “Have you become…reconciled”—his voice softened—“to losing Lily?”
“No, and my continuing to ride her is a double-edged sword. But whilst she remains in the area, I cannot forgo the opportunity to spend as much time with her as possible.”
“Yes, I can understand that.”
Wednesday, 25 September
Springvale
Darcy
When I knocked at the door to my sister’s guest chamber, she bade me enter. Since her and Mrs. Annesley’s arrival, this would be our first opportunity to speak in private. Georgiana had changed from her travelling attire to a yellow muslin gown, and she occupied a chair at a table near the window. I gave her the scarf from the haberdashery, and she showed every sign of approving of it, thanking me with apparent enthusiasm.
I sat across from her and studied her appearance. Without doubt, my earlier impression upon greeting her had been correct: in comparison to our last meeting, a healthier glow enhanced her skin, and she sat erect, meeting my gaze. She seemed to have escaped her earlier state of dejection.Thank Heaven.“I appreciate that you came despite your earlier disinclination.”
Her blue eyes flickered and widened. “When I read your letter, I decided at once to join you and do whatever is in my power to be of assistance. This is such an unusual predicament, and Lily must be an exceptional horse!”
“Yes, without question.” I could not help but smile; she had not been this animated in many months.
“May we go to the stables before dinner? I am eager to see her.”
“Yes, but…” I adjusted my seat nearer to Georgiana. “Take care not to become attached to her. Even if my initial plan goes awry, I hope to devise another method to reunite Lily with Miss Bennet.”
“Oh, you need not be concerned. I am even more keen to meet Miss Bennet. To my knowledge, you have never lauded a lady this way before.”
A burst of heat invaded my neck and face. I could not deny her assertion.
“It will be a pleasure to help bring her and Lily together again.”
“I am glad to hear it.”
Georgiana tensed, and her hands formed a ball on her lap. “However, you know that I tend to be…awkward and shy with new acquaintances, and Miss Bennet is older than me. Have you considered she may find me tedious and uninteresting? Maybe she will not want to befriend me.” Her mouth hardened to a flat line.
My sister’s disquiet prompted an ache in the back of my throat. How could I dispel her anxiety? I put my hand upon hers. “One of Miss Bennet’s most admirable qualities is the gracious way she engages with those around her. She possesses a genuine curiosity for the interests and concerns of her friends and acquaintances. I am certain she will treat you with the kind consideration she has shown to others.”
The tension in her posture abated. “Thank you, that is reassuring.”
Thursday, 26 September
Springvale
Elizabeth
I spotted Mr. Darcy’s familiar figure in front of the stables. He stood with his head inclined near a tall, blonde lady as the two conversed. My teeth clinched together. Why did he stand so close to her? But in the next moment, the answer came to me: she must be his sister, despite the lack of an overt family resemblance, at least from this distance.
He straightened at the sound of Thea’s hooves thudding the hard dirt and turned towards me, as did the pretty young lady, who regarded me with undisguised interest. He came closer, and we exchanged greetings. I removed my left leg from the stirrup and freed my right one from the hook in preparation for my dismount.
“Pray allow me to assist you.” He held out his hands. Although I did not need the help, I had grown accustomed to accepting his aid and could not bring myself to refuse him.
