“I think I shall wear my new pink satin gown. And what about your new blue waistcoat, Fitzwilliam? It would look very well with the dark suits you like so well, would it not?”
Georgiana’s happy chatter called him back from his reveries. She looked at him expectantly, as if there were not even a question of their accepting the invitation. “What?”
“For the supper with the Bennets, of course. I said I think that new blue waistcoat you had made for you in London would do nicely. You brought it with you, did you not?”
Darcy stood, casting a knowing glance in Mrs Younge’s direction. “Well, Georgiana, I am uncertain whether we should accept —”
“What? Why ever not?” Georgiana asked. “They have been so kind to me, Fitzwilliam. It would be rude to refuse them.” She took a step back from him, something she had never done before. A pain clenched in his chest. He had hardlyrefused her anything since she was a little girl, but this could have a bearing on her future. If Elizabeth Bennet was only using Georgiana to get close to him, the pain of such a betrayal would be worse the longer he allowed their friendship to grow.
“I am not saying that we should never accept an invitation from them, but I should like to meet them first —”
“But you can meet them at supper. Please, Fitzwilliam,” Georgiana pleaded. Her eyes were filled with such longing that he could not very well tell her no.
He sighed heavily and placed his hands on her shoulders. “Do you really want to go?”
She lifted her chin and gave a decided nod. “Yes. Yes, I do, brother.”
Darcy let his hands fall back to his sides, defeated. “Then you may write back and accept.”
Georgiana gave a squeal of delight, jumped up eagerly, and kissed him on the cheek. “I’ll go write the letter now! Thank you, brother! Oh, thank you!” She rushed toward the parlour door and turned just as she was about to clear the door jamb. “You will not regret it, I promise you.”
Once Georgiana had gone, he turned to Mrs Younge and took his seat once more. “I suppose accepting this supper invitation will be a good way for me to judge their character. If Elizabeth Bennet is trying to gain entrance to my society, and thus earn my good opinion, I will see through her ruse and better be able to protect my sister.”
Mrs Younge shifted herself on the settee but did not look convinced. “If you say so, sir.” She took a cautious sip of tea. “You know best.”
For some reason, he did not think she meant that last part. But she was right, after all. He did know what was best for his sister, and no one could tell him otherwise. There was no need to fear this Elizabeth Bennet, anyway. Many women had thrown themselves at him in the past, and none of them had succeeded. He could hold out against a scheming young lady, however cunning she might be.
Chapter 9
Darcy adjusted his cravat as he waited for his sister in the foyer of the home he had rented for Georgiana and Mrs Younge. The older woman had already come downstairs, stating that his sister had wanted to make an entrance. Darcy had only raised a brow. Georgiana had never been one to show off. However, perhaps this was a good sign that she was beginning to come out of herself. If it meant that Georgiana might begin to take a greater interest in her appearance, he could only encourage her.
He turned as Georgiana cleared her throat at the top of the stairs. Darcy watched as his sister descended, looking radiant. For a moment, tears pricked his eyes. Every day, the little girl he had grown up with and helped to raise was slipping away, replaced by a young woman of refinement.
“Well, how do I look?” she asked. Her blue eyes sparkled as he looked her up and down with an approving nod.
“You are ever more becoming a fine young woman. Our mother and father would be proud of you.” He took her hand and helped her down the last couple of steps, kissing her cheeks when she set foot on the landing. “Not only in outward appearance, but in heart and mind.”
She playfully swatted at his arm and then he spun her round so he could see the full effect of her shimmering, dusty pink gown. “You spoil me, brother.”
“I cannot help it, Georgiana, for you are entirely deserving of being spoiled,” Darcy replied with a smile. However, as he looked at her more closely, he wondered if her ensemble was a bit too lavish for the supper party they would attend that evening. He told himself to forget the concern. Of course, Mrs Younge would have seen to her apparel and made sure it was appropriate. “Before long, you will be the belle of Meryton.”
Georgiana hung her head and wrung her gloved hands. “I do not care for all that, as you well know. I only wish to make some genuine friends while I am here, and overcome this shyness that has held me so tightly until now.”
Darcy offered her his arm as they made their way to the door. “And do you feel its clutches loosening, Georgie?” He reverted to her childhood nickname, now used so rarely. “It seems so, from what I can see.”
“Yes, I believe so. I think there is only one way to go from here, and that is up.” She glanced over her shoulder at the parlour and suddenly dropped her arm from his. “Oh, I almost forgot!” She rushed into the parlour and soon returned with some sheet music. “Do you think they will mind if I bring along a new piece for Mary and I to try after supper?”
“No, not at all.”
She took his arm once more, and they headed to the door. Georgiana raised her chin, took a last look in the large gilded mirror to her right, and took her wrap from the maid standing dutifully by the door.
“I am glad to hear you are feeling more at ease here.”
“As am I.”
He helped Mrs Younge and Georgiana into the carriage, the latter sitting across from the two siblings.
The ride to Longbourn was quiet, save for the occasional remark on the mildness of the evening, and how beautiful the stars were as they accompanied the full moon across the sky. “I shall have to remember this night, so I might paint it in my sketchbook tomorrow. Would it not make a beautiful landscape?”
