“Have you viewed such things through a microscope before?” she asked him as she focused on a slide.
“Yes, several times.”
“I suppose seeing these things as they actually are is not so shocking to you then as it is to me,” Elizabeth said.
“No, but it is always interesting. Would that we could examine people under a microscope, especially the character of a person. Then we could see them for what they really are.”
“We would no doubt find the true nature of some as shocking as these specimens,” she quipped.
“No doubt,” he agreed, then backed away from the instrument.
Elizabeth did likewise. She noticed Mr. Darcy’s attention was on something across the room.
“I believe there is a lecture that is about to begin on the solar system,” he said, returning his gaze to hers with a smile. “Would you like to hear it?”
Elizabeth smiled up at him excitedly. “Yes, I would.”
Darcy offered Miss Elizabeth his arm, and together they walked towards the crowd of people gathered for the lecture. They approached a display that featured an array of telescopes and charts with visually striking depictions of the stars and planets. They studied the charts and took turns looking through the various telescopes, which were aimed out the windows. Unfortunately, it was too cloudy to see anything in the sky or beyond.
Darcy stood next to Miss Elizabeth, admiring her profile as she looked through the telescope. Her intoxicating scent teased him. Indeed, it had done so from the moment they began touring the exhibit together.
He leaned close to her. Keeping his voice low, he asked, “Have you spied something of particular interest?”
Darcy smiled when he saw Miss Elizabeth shiver and gooseflesh cover her skin in reaction to his quiet words and proximity.
“I did, but I think I lost it . . . wait . . . there it is!”
She stepped away, allowing him to have a look. He grinned.
“Do you see it?” she asked.
“I do.”
She had found a rabbit in the grass near the woods.
“Is it not adorable?”
Darcy chuckled and stepped back from the telescope. “It is indeed.”
Smiling, she moved to the telescope for one last look, then turned away.
“Do you think there are more planets out there to be discovered?” Miss Elizabeth asked.
“I do. I think the possibilities of what may be found out there are endless,” he replied.
After the lecture, they listened to a few questions and answers, then their party decided to take their leave. As a group, they approached Lord Rutherford, who was standing at the entrance to the room speaking with a couple who appeared to be leaving.
After bidding the couple farewell, Lord Rutherford turned to their party and asked, “Well, how was it?”
“In a word, excellent! We thoroughly enjoyed it,” Mr. Gardiner replied.
“Good, good!” Lord Rutherford said with satisfaction. “Miss Elizabeth, I hope the exhibit has supplied you with much to consider at your leisure.”
“Indeed, it has, my lord. I shall reflect on everything we have seen here, and I shall be eager to share it with my family and friends.”
“I am glad to hear it,” Lord Rutherford said, smiling. He turned to Mr. Gardiner and shook his hand. “It was a pleasure meeting you and your family.”
“The pleasure was ours, my lord,” Mr. Gardiner replied.
