Miss Bennet did not remark upon it.
The terrace lay beyond, the night air cooler, the brightness of the assembly softened by distance. The contrast was immediate.
His companion exhaled. “That is better.”
Darcy released his breath as well, though he had not been aware of holding it. “The room is excessively lit,” he said.
“It is,” she agreed. “Though I cannot deny that it has its advantages.”
“For you?”
“Yes. It clarifies what lies nearest. At a cost, perhaps, but not without benefit.” She closed her eyes briefly and the tightness around her eyes relaxed.
Darcy considered this. “You adapt remarkably.”
Elizabeth smiled faintly. “One must.”
They walked slowly, remaining within sight of the room. The sounds of music and conversation drifted outward, softened by the open air.
“I am told your sister is at Netherfield,” Elizabeth said.
“She is.” Georgiana. Yes, his irate, irrational young sister had not answered the door when he tried to bid her farewell.
“And she does not attend?” Her tone was curious, not censorious.
“She does not.” Even though she had wished it.
“Is she very young?”
“Sixteen.” Too young to have men ogling her. And far too young to expose herself to the pettiness of society.
Miss Bennet nodded. “Then Lydia would say she is quite unjustly excluded.” There was humor in her tone.
Darcy’s lips curved slightly. “Lydia?” Who was Lydia? He scolded himself for not paying more attention to introductions.
“My youngest sister.” Miss Bennet tapped her stick on the stones beneath their feet.
“I see.” He did not. In fact, he was more confused than ever.
“She considers herself fully prepared for society. And at just fifteen years of age.” Miss Bennet chuckled, and the sound washed over him, warming him from head to toe.
“And is she?” His words sounded strangled. The smell of Miss Bennet’s perfume filled his senses. It was all he could do to focus on their conversation.
Miss Bennet smiled. “She believes she is. That may suffice. My sister is remarkably mature for her age. Life has the tendency to shape us in ways we did not expect.” There was something in her tone that called attention to more than her words. He wondered if their meaning was broader than they seemed. Darcy allowed the answer to stand.
“Will your sister join you in society in time?” Miss Bennet asked. “I find that young ladies adapt better to being out if they are allowed some freedom to socialize.”
It was a conclusion he had already reached. “She will,” Darcy said. “Though she was not pleased to be left behind tonight.”
Elizabeth tilted her head. “No?”
“No. She wished very much to attend.”
“And you refused her?”
He huffed a little. “I did not think her ready for an assembly. A card party, perhaps, or even supper at another manor, but not a place where she knows no one.” Georgiana was shy. Darcy feltcertain his little sister would have joined him on the wall and not danced a single set.
Miss Bennet’s expression shifted slightly. “Was she angry?”
