To Elizabeth’s surprise, Mr Darcy was listening to her intently. Though he had said little before, he was obviously caught by her explanation.
It made her more than a little shy of continuing, but Elizabeth refused to be intimidated. She cleared her throat and went on. “She alone holds the power to forgive and root out the seed of bitterness that has held her captive in the enchanted Castle Skybree.”
Mr Darcy raised his brows. “That is a very astute interpretation of the novel, Miss Bennet.”
“How do you know?” Georgiana laughed. “You have not read it. Although I do agree with my brother most heartily. You seem to have a deep understanding of Mrs Laurence’s novels.”
“Ah — thank you, you are too kind,” Elizabeth said hastily, wondering if she had gone too far in her analysis. Thankfully, her aunt steered the conversation into safer waters.
“How long do you intend to remain in London, Mr Darcy?” Mrs Gardiner asked.
“We intend to stay until the spring. When the roads become passable, we shall return to our home in the north.”
“Mr Gardiner informed me that you hail from Derbyshire — that your estate is Pemberley, in fact. I know it well, for I was raised in Lambton,” Mrs Gardiner informed him.
A sudden smile illuminated Mr Darcy’s face. “A very charming town indeed, Mrs Gardiner.”
“I confess I have always thought it quite the most beautiful part of England.”
He chuckled. “I could not disagree.”
“And how very interesting that we should have happened to meet last week,” Miss Darcy added eagerly. “My brother and I are always most eager for a chance to speak of the loveliness of our home.”
Mrs Gardiner smiled understandingly at her. “I feel quite the same myself. Of course, everywhere has its beauties, but there is no part of the country closer to my heart.”
Miss Darcy turned eagerly to Elizabeth. “You must see the peaks in the autumn, Miss Bennet. The mists come rolling over the tops of the cliffs and down into the valleys surrounding Pemberley. It makes one feel as if they are walking through the clouds.”
Elizabeth privately mused that Pemberley might be the perfect place to write a novel. But of course, there would be no occasion for her to see the grand house. If she ever travelled to the north, she might request a tour from the housekeeper, perhaps. “You must be very proud of your home. It sounds beautiful.”
“It is,” Georgiana agreed. With charming enthusiasm, she waxed so enthusiastic about the house and grounds that Elizabeth half-felt she could see them.
With a sudden start, Elizabeth realised that Miss Darcy was attempting to look discreetly at her hands, as though something was odd about them.
She had forgotten her gloves!
Elizabeth’s heart raced. The ink stains on her fingers were far more numerous than anyone, however clumsy, could get writing letters. The die was cast now, for anything she might do to conceal her hands would only call more attention to them. Of course, Miss Darcy was too well-bred to say anything, but what must the young woman be thinking?
“Where do you hail from again, Miss Bennet?” Miss Darcy was asking politely. “I cannot remember what you said when we met the other day.”
Though knowing it to be futile, Elizabeth could not stop herself from attempting to hide her hands at her sides. “My family is from Hertfordshire,” she answered.
“I have never been so fortunate as to visit Hertfordshire,” Miss Darcy answered, “but I am told that it is also a beautiful part of the country. Indeed, my brother was there only weeks ago.”
“I see,” Elizabeth replied, glancing at Mr Darcy.
He cleared his throat. “Very good grazing country,” he remarked.
“Yes,” Elizabeth replied with equal brevity. Like his sister, Mr Darcy could not have helped but notice her hands. She wished now that she had thought to wear her gloves, even though it would have seemed strange since they were not planning on going out. There was nothing for it now.
When the half-hour had come to a close, the Darcys stood and readied to depart. “I do hope you will return the call, Miss Bennet? I have so enjoyed our visit today.” Miss Darcy said, pressing her hand as they said their goodbyes.
Elizabeth hesitated, glancing at Mr Darcy. He was obviously a proud man. If — a doubtful if — he had not known of the glaring gap in their social standing before, he certainly must now that he had visited their home in Cheapside. Would he approve of an acquaintance between her and his sister? “You are very kind,” Elizabeth hedged. She looked at Mr Darcy, a question in her eyes.
To her surprise, he gave her a smile that she could only interpret as encouraging. “Yes, please do. We shall be delighted to receive you both,” Mr Darcy said, turning to include Mrs Gardiner in the invitation.
Her aunt smiled at this show of approval. “Well, what do you say to that, my dear?”
Elizabeth nodded. “I would be delighted to call upon you, Miss Darcy,” she said. She could not help but feel rather flattered by Mr Darcy’s attention and approval of her, at least as a friend for his sister. Would he still be so amenable to the acquaintance if he were to find out about her writing? It was doubtful. That they were far below the Darcys in social standing was obvious, but Mr Darcy had no idea of the real situation.
