Georgiana sat forward with interest, her gloominess dissipating. “A hidden cache? That sounds like something out of a novel!”
Darcy chuckled, pleased to see she was excited rather than irritated. “I suppose it does. I made a promise to Mr. Bennet I would watch out for the ladies in his absence, and while neither of us expected such events, I feel obligated to help.”
“Obligated, you say?”
His sister was teasing him, and Darcy was not certain whether to be pleased or affronted. “You are right, of course. I like the Bennets and wish to be of service.”
“And I would like to meet Miss Bennet in particular, for I think you admire her, if the letters you sent me are anything to go by.”
Darcy felt his cheeks warming. He should not have been surprised at his sister’s perspicuity, for she was a Darcy. Still, he was relieved at her easy acquiescence. “We will be heading there shortly. I told Riggs to simply remove your trunks and put them on my carriage. Do you need anything from your chambers?”
“I have everything I need with me.”
“Excellent. We shall be heading over to Hollydale directly.”
When they were on their way, Darcy said, “As far as I am aware, Miss Bennet has not mentioned the missing items to her mother, so we shall not speak of it before her.”
Georgiana frowned. “As you wish, brother. But do you not find that strange?”
He did, a bit. “Her mother is a kind but excitable woman. I believe Miss Bennet wishes to avoid alarming her.”
His sister agreed.
“And I hope you will not be too disappointed to be kept indoors at present, Georgiana. You will understand, I am sure,that there will be no riding or walking out so long as this man is about.”
“You are assuming it is a man?”
“I am. I suppose it could be a woman, but it would be more difficult for a woman to go unnoticed near the stables or the gardener’s shed.”
Georgiana nodded.
“Will you answer my question? Will you remain indoors?”
His sister nodded. “Of course. It is growing too cold to be out-of-doors for long in any case. I suppose the gardens might be acceptable should we require some fresh air?”
Darcy would have preferred to say no even to this small exception, but then he considered that Miss Bennet walked every morning, and expecting her to curtail all her exercise would not be well received. He would insist she keep Thatcher with her—not that Thatcher could be persuaded away.
“That would be acceptable,” he told her.
His sister sat back, satisfied.
Chapter Ten
Elizabeth stood in the front hall with her mother, awaiting their guests. As she heard the Darcy carriage rolling up the drive, they stepped outside.
A footman opened the door to the coach, and Mr. Darcy stepped out first, his tall figure as commanding as always, though there was a softness in his expression as he turned to assist his sister.
Miss Darcy followed, taking her brother’s hand. She was built on a larger scale than Elizabeth, a slighter, more feminine version of her brother, but the resemblance ended there. Unlike her brother, who had a darker, more serious countenance, Miss Darcy’s features were gentle and inviting. And while Mr. Darcy’s gaze was often reserved, even intense, his sister’s eyes were alive with interest. When she was safely on the ground and standing at Mr. Darcy’s side, she met Elizabeth’s gaze and offered a shy but warm smile.
“Mrs. Bennet, Miss Bennet,” Darcy said, greeting them with a courteous bow. “Thank you for welcoming us so kindly.”
Mamma shook a handkerchief at him. “The pleasure is ours, of course, Mr. Darcy. We are delighted to have you both here.”
Miss Darcy curtsied. “I am pleased to meet you both. Thank you for inviting us.”
Mamma stepped forward with enthusiasm. If there was one thing at which her mother excelled, it was being a hostess. While that duty should have fallen to her, Elizabeth would not deny her mother the pleasure. “We are so pleased to have you, Mr. Darcy, Miss Darcy. You must think of Hollydale as quite your own home while you are here with us.”
The girl’s eyes brightened at the warmth in Mamma’s voice, and Elizabeth was glad to see it. Her mother could be overwhelming at times, but she was also genuinely kind. For a girl who had never known her mother, a little overfamiliarity would not go amiss.
