“And what aboutyourhandsome, eligible gentleman, Mary?” Jane asked.
Elizabeth sat on the bed. “Yes, dear sister, tell us all about Mr. Whitney Hadley.”
Mary smiled and shook her head. She looked down for a moment, then back at her sisters.
Jane chuckled. “Do not keep us in suspense!”
Mary hesitated, then said, “He asked if he may call on me.”
For a moment, Jane and Elizabeth simply looked at her, then they both spoke at once.
“That is wonderful, Mary!”
“And you are just now telling us?!”
“I was flattered that he asked, but I did not know if I should truly expect it. No one has ever asked to call on me before,” Mary explained shyly. “I did not want to raise my hopes if his asking did not really commit him to doing so.”
“You are correct, of course, that he is not committed, but when a gentleman asks for permission to call, it is because he means to do so,” Jane said.
“I think you like him a great deal,” Elizabeth said knowingly.
Mary grinned. “I do.”
Elizabeth and Jane shared a smile, then looked back at Mary.
“He is a very likable young man, and I enjoy our conversations,” Mary said. “I do not know what he thinks of me, but I would like the opportunity to get to know him better.”
“We are so excited for you, Mary!” Jane exclaimed.
“Yes, indeed!” Elizabeth agreed.
Mary then launched into an animated discussion of all things Whitney Hadley.
As they neared the Gardiners' home, Darcy contemplated the afternoon ahead. He hoped he would have the pleasure of Miss Elizabeth’s company on the ride to Rutherford House. He would need to ask her uncle’s permission for her to ride in his carriage.
“Georgiana, I plan to ask Mr. Gardiner if Miss Elizabeth and Miss Bennet can join us in our carriage. Would you like to ride with Miss Mary in the Gardiners' carriage?”
“Yes, I would,” she replied, then narrowed her eyes. “William, do you have feelings for Elizabeth?”
Fitz suddenly began coughing and laughing.
Darcy figured his sister might suspect his intentions when he asked for her cooperation with the proposed seating arrangements.
“I do,” he said, watching her reaction carefully.
An expression of joy came over her face. “That is wonderful!”
Darcy gave a quiet chuckle. “I am glad you feel that way, Georgiana, but . . .”
“But?”
“But . . . I have not yet spoken to her of my feelings, so you must not say a word . . . to anyone.”
“No, of course not! I shall not say anything, William, I promise,” Georgiana assured him, a knowing smile spreading over her face.
Fitz chuckled.
Darcy shook his head, wondering what he had gotten himself into by acknowledging his feelings for Elizabeth to his sister.Miss Elizabeth, I mean, Miss Elizabeth . . .
