“Thank you, Mrs. Riggs,” Elizabeth said. “Perhaps we should conduct a thorough search of the house for the candlesticks on the list and see whether we can locate them all.”
Mrs. Riggs agreed and excused herself.
“Miss Bennet,” Mr. Darcy said, “I believe it would be best if we could clear the house for the day to conduct a proper search. I was thinking your mother and Georgiana might enjoy a trip to town after all. If my sister is allowed to visit a bookshop as well as the milliner’s, I think she will be eager for the outing.”
Elizabeth was pleased Mr. Darcy presumed she would remain. She would have done so in any case, but it was pleasant not to be required to quibble over it. “Your sister is much like you, I suspect.”
“Indeed she is,” he confirmed. “I too prefer books to bonnets.”
She half-smiled. “The only difficulty may be in convincing my mother Miss Darcywantsto visit the bookshop.” She paused. “I have an idea on that score.”
A small smile played at the corners of his mouth. “Between the length of time your mother shall have Georgiana in the milliner’s and the length of time Georgiana shall keep your mother in the bookshop, I believe we ought to be able to mount a credible exploration of the house. I shall instruct your mother she may put all their purchases on my account at both establishments.”
It was ridiculous how that little smile on his face made her feel warm.
Mr. Darcy was careful, clever, and thoughtful. It was the little gestures like offering Mamma a chance to mother Miss Darcy that made it increasingly difficult for her to view him only as a neighbour whom she respected. But she reminded herself his actions were due to his honour and his duty—something she was beginning to understand a great deal better herself now that the livelihoods of so many rested on the decisionsshemade. He might think fondly of her as a friend, but it was foolish to allow herself to think it was anything more.
“That is quite generous of you, Mr. Darcy,” she said. “I am sure Mamma will be thrilled at the prospect.”
He joined her for breakfast then, and as they planned the upcoming search, Elizabeth could not help but feel a growing sense of anticipation. She and Mr. Darcy would be working closely together, and while she warned herself to temper her feelings, she could not entirely quell the hope that resided in her heart.
Chapter Twelve
It was almost two hours after he and Miss Bennet had breakfasted that Mrs. Bennet and Georgiana hurried out the front door of Hollydale. Georgiana, who had been nervous about such an excursion only last evening, smiled fondly at Mrs. Bennet, who was chattering gaily as she approached the waiting carriage. Her voice carried across the drive.
“Oh, Miss Darcy, what a kind brother you have. Such a lovely day for shopping! I am anticipating how darling you will look in one of these . . .” She waved a coloured plate she had removed fromThe Repository, which she had been pouring over with Georgiana. Darcy had to admit, it would be a fetching style on his sister.
Georgiana followed Mrs. Bennet more sedately, glancing back at Darcy and Miss Bennet as they approached the steps up into the conveyance.
“Brother, I hope you do not mind,” she said, her voice pitched so low that no one else could hear.
He turned away from the other ladies to focus on his sister. “Mind?”
“I know that having left school, I ought not be spending my time shopping.”
Darcy was surprised. “Is that the reason you were uncomfortable when Mrs. Bennet suggested this outing?”
Georgiana nodded solemnly. They were so much alike, he thought as he gazed down at the face that reminded him so much of his mother. They both looked for blame to shoulder where none existed. He would have to improve himself so that Georgiana would have a better example. “My only concern was saving you from a trip you did not wish to make. If you are happy, Georgiana, then so am I.”
The shy smile on her face told Darcy he had, thank goodness, said the right thing. Freedman helped the ladies into the coach and then climbed on the back.
Mrs. Bennet opened the carriage window. “Now, Mr. Darcy, you need not worry about a thing. I will take excellent care of your sister, and we shall have a wonderful time.” The window remained open long enough for them to hear her say to Georgiana, “After the milliner’s, I shall require your assistance at the bookshop, Miss Darcy. I have an idea for a present, you see, perhaps more than one, and you are just the person to assist me.”
Miss Bennet held up a hand in farewell as the carriage trundled away at last. “You have given my mother a gift, Mr. Darcy.”
“How so?”
“She has always wished to have untold wealth at her disposal to dress a daughter. It may not be her wealth or her daughter, but it is close enough.”
He did not move. “Untold wealth?”
“Oh dear,” she said, lowering her arm and turning her attention to him. “Youdohave a limit on your accounts, I hope?”
He was still for a moment longer. “You are teasing me.”
She laughed lightly. “I am, a bit. Your account at the milliner’s might be strained before the day is out, but Mamma will not make you a bankrupt.”
Miss Bennet had inherited a portion of her father’s teasing humour, though she was kinder when employing it. He shook his head ruefully. How effortless it was for her to lift his mood with her good cheer, to strip away the formality that he so carefully maintained. And how dangerous it was, for with each passing day, his admiration grew more difficult to hide. How he wished he could confess how he felt about her. But it would not be right to do so until the matter at hand was resolved and he had left Hollydale. Only then could he be certain. He would not have her response influenced by any sense of obligation or expectation.
