“Could you help me with my buttons?” Georgiana asked, turning around. Elizabeth worked on the buttons while Mary fetched the sprigged muslin.
As they worked, Georgiana asked, “Are you twins?”
Elizabeth laughed. “No, my dear. I am twenty, and Mary just turned nineteen, but people often ask. Our two youngest sisters are dark as well and look much like us. Only Jane is fair, taking after our mother’s side. The rest of us favor our father’s family.”
Georgiana studied her new sister thoughtfully. “You favor Jane, though your hair is dark. I have never seen such a likeness among sisters. My cousin Richard looks nothing like his brotherPhillip. Richard resembles my brother, while Phillip is fair like the Fitzwilliam branch. My mother was blond with blue eyes, as are my uncle Henry, Aunt Catherine, and cousin Anne. Richard takes after Aunt Helen’s family; she is half French, as Fitzwilliam and I are.”
She looked to Elizabeth. “Do you speak French, Lizzy?”
“Je parle bien français, mon petit,” Elizabeth said with a smile.
“You speak beautifully! Perhaps we can practice together. Aunt Helen insists an accomplished woman must speak French and Italian, but I speak very poor French and no Italian at all.”
The young girl surprised a laugh out of Mary.
Georgiana turned to her. “Do you speak French, Mary?”
“Mon français est meilleur que celui de ma sœur, car j’aime les langues et elle préfère étudier les poètes grecs.”
Georgiana’s eyes narrowed in concentration as she struggled to translate. “Did you say that your French is better than your sister’s? I do not understand the rest of what you said.”
Mary giggled again. “I said that my French is better than my sister’s because I love studying languages, while she prefers the Greek poets.”
“So you are both scholars!”
Elizabeth smiled. “I am afraid we are. Our father is a learned man, and since we were not our mother’s favorites, he devoted his attention to our instruction.”
Mary’s smile faded. “I was no one’s favorite,” she said softly. “I am the lost child. Lizzy was Papa’s favorite and spent hoursin his study learning from him. Jane and Lydia are Mama’s favorites. Kitty is Lydia’s. And I am no one’s.”
Elizabeth and Georgiana both slipped their arms around her shoulders.
Elizabeth said gently, “I am sorry, Mary. I never stopped to consider. You must have been lonely.”
Georgiana’s eyes softened. “I understand. I am a lost child, too. First, I lost my mother, then Fitzwilliam went away to university, then abroad, and afterward, we lost our father. Fitzwilliam came home, but he is busy with estates, business, and house parties. I see him so little. I have missed him.”
Mary put an arm around her in return. “Then we understand each other. Enfant égaré”
Georgiana nodded. “Enfant égaré”
In that moment, a quiet bond formed between the two girls, the two lost children.
Chapter 18: Luncheon at Netherfield
When Georgiana was dressed, the three descended to the dining room together. Darcy rose and drew out a chair for his intended.
“May I serve you?” he asked.
A shy smile touched Elizabeth’s lips. “Bread, cheese, fruit, and mutton, if you please.”
He inclined his head, pleased to be near her, pleased that she was neither angry with him nor distant. “Very well. Let me see what I can do.”
Darcy served Elizabeth, then turned to his sister. “Georgie, what would you like to eat?”
She stood at once. “Thank you, brother, but I shall serve myself. Mary is teaching me to speak French, beginning with the names of foods.”
He smiled at the pair. “Mary, you will do more for her French than her renowned French master. She learned almost nothing from him, much to my aunt’s despair.”
The two friends followed Darcy to the sideboard, serving themselves from the generous spread.
