She turned serious. “Of course I would. And, I imagine, it was especially so since you were young when you inherited. It must have been terrifying. You must have held yourself to an impossible standard.”
Was it terrifying? His younger self had not seen it that way. His father had taught him what he needed – he had been raised to be the Darcy heir, after all— and he knew his duty. He had quietly stepped into his father’s shoes.
He shrugged. “I have always known I would inherit. I simply got on with it, doing what must be done. I did not question it.”
“Did you not experience even the tiniest bit of resentment?”
“Why would I resent something I was born to? I considered myself fortunate. It was – it is – an honor to be part of such an illustrious heritage.”
“You speak of honor, of duty, but is there no room for joy, for happiness?”
“I am not unhappy.”
“Aha! That is a far cry from saying you are happy.”
“It depends on how you define happiness,” he said, feeling the conversation had taken too much of a serious direction. Miss Bennet’s probing questions were disconcerting, and he did not want to continue. He was also aware of Georgiana listening intently. “I have certainly not been involved in hitting anyone on the head for a long time.”
He was pleased to see Miss Bennet chuckle. Georgiana’s face lightened.
“Perhaps you should try it,” said Miss Bennet, lightly. “I have it on good authority that it helps to release your exasperation, especially after visiting difficult relatives. But perhaps you should content yourself with a boxing lesson instead.”
A choked laugh escaped him as he marveled at her insight. Hewasexasperated, and that was exactly what he had been planning.
“Are you suggesting that using a pillow to hit you on the head and boxing are similar activities?”
“They certainly have something in common. The objective in most cases is to deliver a blow.”
He smiled and turned to Georgiana. “Miss Bennet has made a convincing argument that you and I are engaging in a similar activity. In that case, I give you permission to pummel Miss Bennet as much as you choose.”
As Miss Bennet laughed and protested loudly, he took his leave. “I do not want to arrive home full of feathers. I do not want to give the impression of being hen-pecked.”
A gurgle of laughter met his remark, and he chuckled as he beat a hasty retreat. At the bottom of the stairs, he encountered Georgiana’s butler.
“Any problems, sir?” said the butler, blandly.
“Not at all, Thompson,” he said, taking up his hat. “Not at all.”
Elizabeth peered cautiously from behind the bedroom curtain, watching Mr. Darcy as he tapped down his hat onto his head and made his way to the carriage, a spring to his step. So he had a light-hearted side after all! Who would have thought it!
When he reached the carriage, he turned and glanced towards the window. Elizabeth quickly moved behind the curtain, hoping he had not caught her spying on him. The last thing she needed was for him to think she was pursuing him when she was merely puzzled about his behavior. She was surprised to find he had a playful aspect to his character. Now that she had discovered it, he would not catch her off guard again.
“Do you think William was angry at me, Miss Bennet?” asked Georgiana, her eyes full of anxiety as Elizabeth turned from the window.
Elizabeth’s heart went out to the young girl who needed her brother’s approval so badly.
“Perhaps at first, but not now,” she said. “He seems more cheerful than usual. I do believe he actually laughed.”
Georgiana’s mouth twitched as she considered Elizabeth’s statement. “You know, you may be right. He did laugh.”
“Admittedly, it was more of a bark. Or a wheeze,” replied Elizabeth, wanting to lighten Georgiana’s mood. It might be a good idea to teach Georgiana not to take her brother so seriously.
Georgiana giggled. “Maybe it was not a laugh at all. It was asneeze.”
“That is exactly what it was. Of course he did not laugh. How could I have thought otherwise?” How nice to see Georgiana reacting so playfully! “Now, shall we continue with what we were doing? Mr. Darcy encouraged us to attack each other, did he not?”
“I believe he did.” Georgiana grinned, picked up a pillow and threw it at Elizabeth.
“I will have my revenge!” said Elizabeth taking up a pillow of her own.
