“One begins to feel as though the former might involve less risk,” he replied, a light smirk playing upon his lips. It faded quickly. “I trust you remember our purpose tonight, Miss Elizabeth.”
“Of course.” Elizabeth’s eyebrows rose. “But just because we hunt a scoundrel does not mean we can’t enjoy ourselves. It will give credibility to our scheme if you appear to be enjoyingmy company. Surely we can do both without falling into any traps.”
“An admirable goal.” Mr Darcy’s eyes scanned the ballroom, no doubt hunting for the gossip-monger.
Elizabeth stopped walking, drawing Mr Darcy’s attention to her. They stood in the room’s corner, draped in golden candlelight. The past week had yielded no results. They needed an alternative approach to their plan. “Perhaps it would be better to separate,” she said. “There are dozens of people here familiar with the scandal sheets. If we divide our efforts, we can gather twice as much knowledge.”
Mr Darcy frowned in thought, considering her suggestion. “Very well. Stay within sight as much as possible.”
Was he so afraid of leaving her to fend for herself amidst the vultures of theton? Elizabeth’s heart softened unexpectedly at his concern. “That would defeat the purpose of a subtle investigation,” she chided.
But Mr Darcy’s attention was once again on the crowd. At last, he seemed to find what he had been searching for. Elizabeth felt some of the tension leave him.
“Before we part, there is someone I would like to introduce you to.” He guided her across the room to where a young woman stood with her chaperone. There was something remote, even withdrawn about her as she surveyed the crowd, yet her face softened as Darcy approached.
“Miss Bennet, allow me to present my sister, Georgiana Darcy, and her companion, Mrs Annesley. Georgiana, Mrs Annesley, allow me to introduce Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”
They exchanged a bow. “A pleasure, Miss Bennet,” Mrs Annesley said, giving her charge a look that seemed to prompt her to speak.
Georgiana Darcy looked ill at ease, but hurried to respond. “I am pleased to meet you, Miss Bennet. My brother has spoken of you.”
Elizabeth returned the greeting, surprised that Mr Darcy would have mentioned her at all. Had he confided in his sister about their plan, as she had to Jane?
“The pleasure is mine, Miss Darcy. I have hoped to have the honour of making your acquaintance.”
Georgiana fiddled with the strap of her fan and added nothing further to their introduction.
While her silence might have indicated arrogance or dislike, Elizabeth did not think it did — not when one also considered the girl’s stiff, careful posture, her downcast eyes, and the blush in her cheeks. She reminded Elizabeth of her own sister at that age. Jane had hesitated to speak when first introduced to strangers. Anxious in company, overly aware of every gaze, too sensitive to imagined faults. It was not pride, as Mr Wickham had once ascribed to Mr Darcy’s sister, but shyness.
She reached for a compliment; one she would have given to Jane when she felt overwhelmed. “You have chosen a lovely gown this evening, Miss Georgiana. That shade of blue suits you remarkably well.”
Georgiana glanced at her brother, then back to Elizabeth. “Thank you,” she whispered. “I was not sure whether I ought tochoose it, or if it was perhaps too bold, but my brother approved of the choice.”
Elizabeth offered her a gentle smile. “It is a wise brother who understands such matters. Having four sisters, I am familiar with the sensation of having my gowns judged, but less so with that of having them approved.”
That coaxed a soft laugh from Georgiana. It was small and fleeting, but there nonetheless.
Darcy’s expression altered in the wake of his sister’s display of merriment. Pride, relief, and earnest affection shone through the carefully controlled mask he usually wore. Elizabeth had never seen him look at anyone that way. It startled her more than she cared to admit.
Their conversation then took a little turn, as two ladies of middle age walking by their group recognised Mrs Annesley and, upon the latter being reassured by her employer and her charge that they might do very well without her for a time, went off to speak with her friends. Scarcely had she disappeared into the crowd when Mr Darcy observed a gentleman he had particularly wished to meet with. Though at first unwilling to leave his sister attended only by Elizabeth, their united urging at last convinced him to do so.
“Do you require anything, Georgiana?” Mr Darcy asked yet again, hesitating before he would go.
“No, brother, but thank you. I am perfectly content to observe the party.”
“Do not hesitate to call upon me if I can be of assistance.”
Georgiana squeezed her brother’s arm fondly. “Thank you.”
“Very well, then. If you are sure you have no objection, Miss Bennet,” Mr Darcy said, turning to Elizabeth, “I shall leave you both a moment while I speak to Sir Edward.”
Elizabeth inclined her head, and Darcy departed. Dense as the crowd was, he moved through it with ease. Elizabeth watched him with an odd mixture of amusement and something she could not define — growing familiarity, she supposed. How like him to be both so commanding and so uncommunicative!
Left with his sister, Elizabeth felt an unexpected protectiveness stir. “Do you enjoy assemblies?” she asked gently.
“Oh, very much. In theory.”
Elizabeth laughed. “I understand that very well.”
