Elizabeth was glad of the question, for it meant he was thinking in the direction she might have hoped. “She does. I often find her reading in her room or in the library.”
“Is she very much like you?” Mr Campbell went on.
“We are alike in our love for reading, although she spends more of her time reading more serious material, and I find my enjoyment in novels and poetry.” Elizabeth looked away for a moment, thinking. “She is much more serious than I, very devoted to improving her mind.”
“I see. And does she resemble you at all?”
“No, my sister and I do not look much alike. She is taller than I, although we have almost the same shade of brunette hair. She prefers simpler gowns and hairstyles. Indeed, we can hardly convince her to spend the time to have her hair arranged for balls, as she would rather spend her time reading books on morality.”
“How very commendable,” Mr Campbell said. “I much prefer a woman who is less concerned with her outward appearance than with her spiritual life and betterment.” All at once, he seemed to realise that his words might be taken as an insult, as Elizabeth had been drawing a contrast between her sister and herself. “Oh! I beg your pardon, Miss Bennet. That was badly said of me, very badly said indeed. I intended no offence.”
“None taken, Mr Campbell, that is quite all right,” Elizabeth reassured him with a smile. Indeed, though she did not choose to say it, Mr Campbell’s preference for plain and serious ladies was exactly what she might have wished. “I think it would be wonderful if you and Mary could meet someday. Perhaps if Papa is the one to inherit, Mary might come to Scotland with him next time?”
“I would very much like to meet her. I would be flattered, really,” he said. His cheeks turned red, and he suddenly excused himself, as if he feared he had said too much. He stood in front of her and bowed quickly. “Excuse me, please. I have some tasks to attend to in the study. I shall see you all at supper,” he announced before hurrying from the drawing room.
When Mr Campbell had gone, Miss Darcy soon came over to her and sat down. She caught her breath with a shy shake of her head. “Miss Bennet, may I ask you something?”
“Certainly,” Elizabeth said, waiting.
“Well, I was only wondering how you did that?” she asked.
Elizabeth was confused for a moment. “How did I do what? Talk with Mr Campbell?” she asked.
“Yes! You seem so confident and natural. I admire your ability to converse so easily with others, especially those you have only just met.” Georgiana gave a sheepish smile. “I could never have had the courage to speak with Mr Campbell as you just did. Whenever I try to speak with others, I find myself falling silent. Or worse yet, saying exactly the wrong thing.”
Elizabeth smiled at her. “It is largely a matter of practice, Miss Darcy. I am nothing special. I have only made a point of reaching out to new people and trying to get to know them.” She shook her head. “When I first started out, I was not as comfortable with it as I am now. But practice has given me the confidence to step out and engage with people, to do my best to help others feel at ease, when I might once have feared to speak.” She touched Miss Darcy’s hand. At first, Miss Darcy startled, almost flinching. Then she stilled, and did not move her hand away. “You could learn to do it, too,” Elizabeth told her gently.
Miss Darcy only shook her head. “Oh, no, I could never —” Her words trailed off. “I am too awkward and shy. Besides, there is no earthly reason a man would want to talk to me.”
“Why do you say such things?” Elizabeth hated that she had so little confidence in herself. She was, in fact, a pretty young woman. Better still, each subsequent meeting had confirmed her first impression of Miss Darcy as both intelligent and kind. “You cannot mean that.”
“I do. I am to come out soon, and I am so filled with doubt, Miss Bennet. How am I to find a suitable husband, not only by society’s standards, but for my own companionship, when I would not blame a man for refusing to come near me?” She picked up a pinch of her skirt and let it drop with distaste. “I am destined to be an old maid. I hate my clothes. And I have never known how to arrange my hair. There is no reason a man would want to court me, much less talk to me.”
“You dislike your gowns?” Elizabeth asked. She had been afraid to say anything before, but now that Miss Darcy had opened the subject, she might have her chance to give some suggestions.
“I despise them. Most of my gowns were selected by my previous companion. At the time, I agreed with everything she suggested. I thought she knew what was best for me. But I am sure I look dreadful in them. I selected one myself only months ago, but it was just as bad. The fabric looked so elegant in the bolt, but on me…” Miss Darcy sighed. “Horrible.”
Elizabeth was beginning to see why Miss Darcy was struggling. She had had no one to guide her or give sound advice on what she ought to wear. Elizabeth was not accustomed to considering herself an expert in fashion, but she could at least give Miss Darcy better guidance than she had at present. “That is something that can be easily remedied. I would be more than happy to give you some suggestions, if you would be open to the idea.”
Miss Darcy’s eyes brimmed with grateful tears. “Would you? I would be most eternally grateful, Miss Bennet.”
“Of course,” Elizabeth said. “Indeed, I think it would be rather fun. We shall have a wonderful time together.”
“Then — I hardly can bring myself to ask, but — oh, no, that would surely be too much —” Miss Darcy trailed off into silence.
“Please, Miss Darcy, tell me what is on your mind,” Elizabeth urged her gently. “If there is something you wish of me, I will gladly help you if I can. And if it is something that I must decline, I still shall not think any less of you for asking.”
Her reassurance seemed to give Miss Darcy courage. In a voice scarcely above a whisper, she made bold enough to speak. “Would you also tutor me in manners? You are so charming and easy to talk to. I should very much like to be better versed in the art of conversation.”
Elizabeth was relieved, for the request was one she could certainly attempt. Taking this sweet girl under her wing would be an intriguing project, to say the least. And she would like to see Miss Darcy bloom and thrive. “I would be delighted to help you in any way I can,” Elizabeth agreed. “Whether or not I am charming is not for me to say, but I do love to speak to others, to draw them out and sketch their characters. If anything I have learned in so doing proves useful to you, you will be very welcome to it. Yes, let us start lessons — or perhaps I ought to say, my best attempt at lessons, for I have never taught anyone anything before — right away. Only, you must not be too disappointed if I am a very imperfect teacher.”
Miss Darcy gave a squeal of delight, drawing the attention of her father and Mr Darcy. Miss Darcy took Elizabeth’s hands and leant in, lowering her voice. “Will you accompany me to my room, and we can start now?”
“Of course,” Elizabeth agreed without hesitation. “Let us begin.”
They excused themselves, and Elizabeth’s heart warmed when Miss Darcy linked her arm through Elizabeth’s as they headed up the stairs to the room. Elizabeth smiled to herself. Only days before, they had never met, and now they were already well on the way towards becoming fast friends. Whatever her flaws, Miss Darcy certainly had a warm heart. When they arrived at Miss Darcy’s guest room, they set about laying out all the gowns she owned and looking them over.
“I see the problem,” Elizabeth said thoughtfully. “Unfortunately, it would be a bit difficult to rework these gowns to be more flattering. You see, the styles are perhaps not the most becoming to a young woman with a figure as slender as yours, but it is the colours that most draw away from your natural beauty. Here, come and stand in front of the mirror,” Elizabeth beckoned. “You see, your fair complexion would be much better enhanced by more vibrant colours that did not wash you out. Does that make sense?”
