At the sound of his voice, Mr. Bennet rose. Darcy turned, and his brows lifted slightly in surprise. He bowed again. “Mr. Bennet. I had not expected to see you here, sir.”
“I have business in town and chose to conclude it while my daughters were here.”
Mrs. Gardiner entered. “Mr. Darcy, Miss Darcy, pray be seated.”
Darcy inclined his head. “Mrs. Gardiner, I fear I must decline, for my solicitor expects me. Before I go, I wish to extend an invitation. If you are not already engaged this evening, would you join us for dinner?”
Mrs. Gardiner answered with a smile. “Sir, we are not otherwise engaged. We shall be delighted.”
“At what hour shall I return for my sister?”
“We shall return from our shopping by five.”
“And would seven be convenient for dinner?”
“Perfectly, sir.”
Darcy then addressed Mr. Bennet. “Sir, may we hope for your company as well? Do you intend a prolonged stay in London?”
Thomas Bennet regarded the tall gentleman. “That will depend upon the speed with which my affairs are concluded, Mr. Darcy. However, I shall be present this evening and accept your invitation.”
Elizabeth spoke then. “Mr. Darcy, would you be so kind as to show us your library? Georgiana once permitted me to view your rare Homer. I believe my father would greatly enjoy seeing your collection.”
Darcy looked toward Mr. Bennet, whose expression had grown attentive. “It would give me the greatest pleasure, Miss Elizabeth. I shall gladly conduct you and any of your party who wish for a tour. Sir, I possess a French edition of the Metamorphoses published in the mid-sixteenth century. My father would have reveled in it, but sadly, I did not acquire it until after his passing.” After a brief exchange, Mr. Darcy excused himself, and the ladies departed for the modiste.
That evening, as they dressed for dinner, Jane turned to Elizabeth. “I never imagined I should have another opportunity to see that lovely house.”
“Nor I,” Elizabeth replied. “Perhaps you can visit the conservatory with Georgiana, while Papa and I examine the library, for I know you have no interest in books.”
“Nor does my aunt, though she and Uncle Edward will surely enjoy the conservatory.”
Elizabeth ran her hands down the skirts of her black bombazine dinner gown and sighed. “It is a pity we must appear dressed liketwo old crows instead of wearing gowns suited to so elegant a house.”
Jane made a face. “Yes. At least my gown is well cut. Yours is quite unfortunate, Lizzy. It is a pity that was all you could obtain in Meryton. Had you told me it was so ill-fitting, I could have altered it this afternoon.”
Elizabeth stepped before the mirror and turned this way and that. She tugged at the fabric bunched at her waist and then pressed a hand to the bodice. “This gown fits abominably. The bosom appears to have been designed for a matron of sixty.”
Jane tried to suppress a giggle. “It very likely was. I had not realized how poorly it suited you.”
Elizabeth groaned. “At home, it mattered little, for we have lived quietly, but now I am tempted to remain here rather than show myself in Grosvenor Square looking like a fishwife. I had no occasion to wear this unfortunate gown in Meryton. I ought to have tried it on this morning.”
Jane crossed to her trunk and drew out a dark, closely knitted shawl. “Wrap this about you. It will conceal the ill-fitting bosom and the extra fabric bunched at your waist. The bodice is far too long and wide for you, Lizzy, but the shawl will go a long way toward hiding its defects.”
Elizabeth draped it about her shoulders and examined herself again in the mirror. She raised her brows. “It does conceal much. I believe I may endure the evening so long as I remain properly hidden within the folds of this shawl.”
When they arrived at Darcy House, the gentleman himself assisted the ladies from the carriage. Elizabeth was the last to descend, and both Gardiner and Bennet observed as Mr. Darcytook her hand and elbow with great care, guiding her down the steps as though she were a delicate glass figurine rather than the lively young woman who spent her youth climbing in trees.
Upon entering the house, he relieved her of her gloves and bonnet and would have assisted her with her wrap, but she said, “Sir, I prefer to keep my wrap about me to ward off the chill, if you do not object.”
“Not in the least, Miss Elizabeth. Pray allow me to conduct you to the drawing room and place you beside the fire, where you may warm yourself.”
Her relatives watched as he offered his arm and led her to the hearth. He drew a chair nearer the fire and seated her there. He then placed a screen before her and asked whether she would like a rug over her legs.
She laughed. “No, sir. The fire is quite sufficient. Already I feel perfectly comfortable.”
Georgiana hovered anxiously at her side, her hands clasped together. “Lizzy, have you taken cold? Shall I bring you something warm to drink? I can send to the kitchen for hot chocolate.”
Elizabeth turned to Jane with a grin. “Georgiana, hot chocolate happens to be the favored drink of both my sister and me. If it is no inconvenience, I shall gladly accept.”
