“Come inside and let us show you to your rooms,” Elizabeth said, gesturing for them to enter the house.
As they moved inside, Darcy caught Elizabeth’s eye and gave her a small, appreciative nod. It was a relief to have the visit begin on a positive note. Whatever troubles lay ahead, for now they were set aside in favour of warmth and hospitality.
As the Darcys settled into their rooms, Elizabeth stepped downstairs to discuss the menus with Cook. When she returned, she heard laughter coming from the drawing room. She entered to see Miss Darcy sitting with Mamma on the settee, the two of them engaged in a lively conversation.
“I daresay you have never had to deal with your brother stealing your ribbons and lace,” Mamma was saying with a titter. “But I assure you, my dear, there is much joy to be found in having sisters.”
Miss Darcy was listening intently. “I must confess, Mrs. Bennet, I have not had much opportunity for such things. I have only Fitzwilliam, and while he is the best brother I couldimagine, we live quietly at Pemberley. It is why he decided I ought to be sent to school, so I might have the company of other girls. But I did not like it.”
“My dear girl,” Mamma said, patting Miss Darcy’s hand. “That is a pity. But you are still young. There will be plenty of time for you to enjoy friendships with other girls. And to have a brother who wishes to look after you is no small thing.”
Elizabeth watched the exchange from the doorway. Miss Darcy seemed so at ease with her mother and Mamma, in turn, appeared to have taken Miss Darcy under her wing. She entered the room. “You two have already become fast friends.”
Her mother beamed. “Miss Darcy is a delightful girl, Lizzy. We have been discussing all sorts of things—ribbons, lace, even the best way to arrange flowers.”
Miss Darcy smiled demurely. “Your mother is exceedingly kind, Miss Bennet. I feel as though I have learned more in the past hour than I have in months at school.”
Not exactly the sort of education one would expect at a fashionable seminary, but things sisters might discuss. Elizabeth’s heart ached a bit for Miss Darcy. No matter how doting a brother Mr. Darcy was, he could not replace the sort of female companionship so necessary for most girls Miss Darcy’s age.
“I am happy to see you enjoying yourselves. You will never see my mother as energetic as she is when discussing matters of fashion.”
Mamma laughed and admitted it was a favourite topic. “However, we might also discuss dancing!”
Elizabeth watched Miss Darcy soak up every word. It was clear she was enjoying the experience of being mothered in a way she had not known. After a time, she mentioned it was time to dress for dinner, and the ladies returned to their respective chambers.
Darcy though that the family dining room at Hollydale House, though not grand in its furnishing, was pleasantly intimate. Miss Bennet sat beside her mother, across the table from him.
Mrs. Bennet was in high spirits. According to Miss Bennet, her mother had spent much of the day bustling about the house ensuring everything was exactly right for her guests. When Georgiana emerged from her chamber after unpacking, the matron had accompanied his sister to the drawing room for some conversation. That had allowed Darcy time to confer with his men and to hear that nothing else had been reported missing. As he sipped his wine, he watched Miss Bennet, who was listening attentively to Georgiana’s remarks about Derbyshire and Pemberley.
“I will say again what a delight it is to have you both here at Hollydale,” Mrs. Bennet said, her high-pitched voice bubbling with enthusiasm. “Lizzy was right to invite you and your sister, Mr. Darcy. It is important for neighbours to become well acquainted, especially when there is such a natural affinity between them.”
Darcy remained composed. It was amusing, more than anything. Mrs. Bennet loved her daughter and thought it the most natural thing in the world to get her married off—and if the man lived but a few miles away, so much the better. Georgiana looked up at Mrs. Bennet with polite interest, appearing entirely unaware her new friend was making an obvious attempt to matchmake.
“Mamma,” Miss Bennet said when she had recovered herself, “I am pleased to know our neighbours better. That is all.”
“Of course, Lizzy,” Mrs. Bennet said with a little smile.
Darcy almost laughed at Mrs. Bennet’s misunderstanding. Miss Bennet was attempting to protect her mother by not telling her why he had come to stay. He had wanted to insist she do so at first, but now he saw this was not the easy way out for her; it was, in fact, a sacrifice. She must truly be concerned for her mother’s sensibilities if she was willing to put up with these machinations instead.
Not that he minded for himself. If Mrs. Bennet wished to push them together, he would not be the one to protest it. But there were other matters to tend to first.
As the meal concluded, Mrs. Bennet excused herself to speak with the housekeeper about the next day’s plans. It was an odd thing to leave the table for, and he pressed his lips together when Miss Bennet closed her eyes, mortified.
“You must excuse my mother,” she said. “I love her dearly, but she can be . . . ebullient.”
“I find your mother charming,” Miss Darcy said.
“She can also be that,” Miss Bennet said with a little smile. “I am pleased you find her so.” She stood. “Shall we adjourn to the drawing room? Mr. Darcy, I assume you will not separate from the ladies to sip brandy and hold a one-sided conversation?”
He chuckled. “I should be glad to join you. Thank you for a most enjoyable dinner.”
The three of them made their way to the drawing room, where the fire was already crackling merrily. The room was warm and comfortable. For a moment, the weight of the mystery at Hollydale lifted a bit.
After a half hour of conversation about the local countryside and Miss Bennet’s interest in Blue John stone—not only what it was used for, but how it was discovered and mined—Mrs. Bennet rejoined them. She engaged Georgiana in a discussion about the floral arrangements they would make together the following morning.
“For we have such a hothouse here, you would not believe it! Fresh flowers of all sorts all the year round—and Mr. Ellis so ill in the end. He must have been an exemplary master, that his servants would keep to their duties despite his being unable to attend to every detail.”
“He was, madam,” Darcy replied. “He did not require many servants, for he lived simply, but he was fair and generous with those he employed, and in return, they were honest and diligent in the performance of their duties.”
