Darcy remained very still, hoping Elizabeth would go on to talk of her other relatives, whose mention was less incendiary, but she did not. He took it upon himself to mention one of his own instead.
I hope my sister does not know I have been waylaid, for it will make her excessively anxious also.
“How could she not know? Does she not live with you?”
He extended a finger to indicate not.
She has her own establishment in town where she lives with her companion. We deemed it better that she not be troubled by the comings and goings of an older brother.
“Troubled by or witness to…” Elizabeth said with a smirk. “A most convenient arrangement for all concerned, I am sure.” She did not give him time to object. “May I be so bold as to enquire whom you meant bywe?”
My cousin and I are joined in the guardianship of my sister.
The ghost of a frown passed over her countenance and, as often occurred with Elizabeth, Darcy found himself revealing more than he intended in an attempt to explain that which was likely of no concern to her at all.
My father hoped that between Fitzwilliam's good humour and my good sense, Georgiana might have some hope of a rounded upbringing.
He could easily discern Elizabeth’s delight in this characterisation and basked in her warm smile—until she tipped the matter on its head and he found himself skewered by his own words.
“Even your father thought you were ill-tempered then?”
It was said with a broad grin—an obvious tease—nonetheless, it stung.
He knew me to be serious by nature, certainly. A quality disdained by young ladies in general, I have observed.
She conceded with a chuckle. “I cannot argue with that, as you well know, for you have met my youngest sisters.” She pulled up a chair, marking her increased interest in the conversation. “Yoursister is not silly, though, surely? Can she really give you much trouble?”
Darcy tensed in alarm. Did Elizabeth know of Georgiana’s near-ruin? He wished the heightened crackle of his breathing would not so obviously give away his agitation as he wrote,
Have you reason to suppose she might give us any uneasiness?
“None—that was my point. Evenwithone good-humoured guardian, the influences on Miss Darcy must still have been mostly the same as those that influenced you. I wondered if it were not more likely she shared your opinion of pride being a virtue.”
Darcy would have sighed with relief had not he thought it might choke him. Far better a conversation about his sister’s pride than one of her reputation.
Would that she did.
Elizabeth pulled a face that was a mixture of disapproval and incredulity. “You mean, she isnotproud, but you wish she were?”
He touched a finger to the back of his other hand—“Yes!” When Elizabeth continued to look puzzled, he wrote,
I wish she had learnt to take proper pride in her descent. She loves her family, yet for her, ‘Darcy’ is but a name. She would throw it away in an instant.
“And what is the name Darcy to you?”
Without hesitation, he answered,
Everything.
Elizabeth read this and turned to him expectantly. “You must have a better explanation than that.”
He looked into her eyes. If ever there were a woman clever enough, sensible enough, passionate enough to comprehend the value of all his family had achieved, all it stood for, it was Elizabeth. He had never thought to have the opportunity to discuss it with her and was vastly gratified to observe herevident interest in his answer. It put him in mind to give a fuller reply than he might otherwise have attempted.
The Darcys have always been a just and honourable family. We have opposed many sickening practices and helped advance countless worthy ones. The name represents generations of hard work, ethical investments, liberal thinking, and innovation. Pemberley alone employs hundreds of servants and supports hundreds more tenants and their families.
My sister believes that if she were to give it all up, she would be the only one to sacrifice anything. She has no concept of the very great responsibility we have to all our dependents and to all who have worked hard to make us what we are. For myself, being a Darcy is an honour unequal to any other.
Almost. Thegreatesthonour he could wish for was something duty would not permit him to pursue. He jumped slightly when the object of that embargo reached to take the sheet of paper from him.
