Elizabeth took some time to browse, then they returned to the drawing room to await the Darcys’ relations.
“Uncle Byron, Aunt Sophia, Stafford, this is Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn in Hertfordshire,” Darcy said. “Miss Elizabeth, please meet my uncle, Lord Byron Fitzwilliam, Earl of Matlock; my aunt, Lady Sophia Fitzwilliam, Countess of Matlock; and my cousin, Lord Andrew Fitzwilliam, Viscount Stafford.”
Elizabeth curtsied. “It is a pleasure to meet you.”
Stafford bowed over her hand and smiled at her. “Miss Elizabeth, the pleasure is ours.”
Aunt Sophia stepped forward, smiling. “Indeed, it is, Miss Elizabeth. We have been eager to make your acquaintance. Come, please, let us sit and get to know one another.”
Aunt Sophia sat next to Elizabeth. “So, tell us, how did you two meet? William told us the estate Mr. Bingley leased borders your father’s estate, but he did not tell us the circumstances of your first meeting.”
“We met at the bookshop in the village. Two of my sisters and I had accompanied my father there. Mr. Darcy, Georgiana, and Mr. Bingley were preparing to enter the shop just as we were. My father and Mr. Bingley were already acquainted, and so introductions were made all around.”
“Did my cousin make himself agreeable?” Stafford asked with a mischievous grin.
“Well . . . eventually,” Elizabeth said with a cheeky grin aimed at Darcy.
“No, I did not make myself agreeable,” Darcy said to his cousin, “but it was not my intention to be offensive. You know I am reluctant to form new acquaintances.”
Stafford grinned again. “Yes, we know.”
“Unfortunately, I made a poor first impression,” Darcy admitted. “As a result, Miss Elizabeth did not like me at all.”
“Is that so?” Uncle Byron asked, surprised.
“I am afraid it is, my lord,” Elizabeth replied. “As Mr. Darcy said, initially, he did not make much of an effort to make himself agreeable to the neighborhood. He seemed rather dismissive of everyone. So, after our first meeting, I left him to himself and did my best to avoid him whenever we were together in company.”
“I did not realize all of this,” Georgiana said, looking back and forth between Darcy and Elizabeth.
“You are used to your brother’s reticence, Georgie,” Fitz said. “However, when he is overly so with people who do not know him, it can be perceived as a slight.”
“When I realized Miss Elizabeth disliked me, I determined to find out why at the next opportunity,” Darcy said, omitting the fact that he had slyly created the opportunity. “So, that is what I did. I asked if I had offended her. She was hesitant to speak of it at first, but in the end she did. Fortunately for me, since I learned there were a few things I needed to apologize for. She was also gracious enough to accept my apology.”
Stafford chuckled. “You mean apologies, plural, do you not, cousin?”
Darcy’s ears turned red, and he sent Stafford an irritated look.
“He was very sincere inallhis apologies, and he also explained what led to the reserve and caution he shows with people,” Elizabeth added, offering Darcy a smile.
“Yes, my nephew has had more than his share of dealings with mercenary individuals,” Uncle Byron said. “Many, no doubt, were hoping to take advantage of his youth and inexperience. They obviously had no idea how well Darcy’s father had prepared him for his role. Nor had they an inkling of how intelligent and capable he is. Most of these instances took place years ago, but a man in his position will always need to be on his guard. His wife must be as well to some extent. For instance, she would need to exercise care whenever she ventures out. If a person managed to abduct Mrs. Darcy, he would have a great deal of power over my nephew, would he not?”
Uncle Byron had Elizabeth’s undivided attention. A look of sudden comprehension ran across her features.
“Yes . . . he would,” she said as she seemed to contemplate his uncle’s words. “I see what you mean.”
Darcy hoped his uncle had not unnerved her with his frankness or given her the impression she would need to be imprisoned in his home or kept in some tower.
“So, you are the second of five sisters. I would think your home is never very quiet with so many women,” Aunt Sophia said with a smile.
“You would be correct, my lady. My father spends a great deal of time in his bookroom for more than one reason,” Elizabeth said, humor in her eyes and her tone.
His aunt chuckled. “I can well believe it. Are all of you accomplished?”
“A few of us are.”
“William says you play and sing beautifully.”
Elizabeth glanced at Darcy with a small smile. “I appreciate his compliment, but I believe he is a bit too generous.”
