Elizabeth had to laugh at that. “He is being extremely kind, Miss Darcy, I assure you, as my talents are no more than mediocre. But I understand thatyouare a superior performer.”
“But who…? Oh, Miss Bingley, no doubt.” The expression on Miss Darcy’s face made her opinion of Miss Bingley plain.
“You are quite right; according to her, you are the most accomplished young lady in all of England, and possibly all of Europe, as well,” Elizabeth said. “Oh, no, please do not be dismayed; I am teasing you!”
“Oh, yes, my brother says you enjoy teasing!” Miss Darcy laughed.
“When you are one of five sisters, there is a good deal of it to be had.”
“How I would love to have a sister!” The longing in the girl’s voice was evident.
“Well, we shall have to journey to Meryton so that you may meet all the Bennet girls,” Mr. Darcy said. “They may serve as substitute sisters.”
Elizabeth looked at Mr. Darcy in great surprise. Was he actually suggesting that he would allow his sister to be in company with the Bennets? She shook her head.
“No? Would you not permit the introduction, Miss Elizabeth?” Mr. Darcy asked.
“Oh! No, I was shaking my head in disbelief, Mr. Darcy,” she said. “Would you really allow your sister to meet my family? I do recall your opinion on that subject.”
He turned red. “Your two youngest sisters are a bit lively, Miss Elizabeth, but I think they could do Georgiana no harm. And it would be good for her to meet other young ladies.”
Mrs. Gardiner intervened. “The two youngest Bennet girls do have some growing up to do, but Miss Darcy’s excellent manners might serve as a guide for them.”
The tea tray then arrived, and the conversation turned to the tea (their mother’s special blend), the blueberry jam tarts (Mr. Darcy’s favourite) and the scones dotted with sultanas (Georgiana’s favourite).
“Do you plan to stay long in the area?” Mr. Darcy asked. He had longed to know this from the first moment he had discovered Elizabeth Bennet at Pemberley, but only now had he felt comfortable enough to enquire.
“Three more days,” Mrs. Gardiner replied.
“Where are you staying – oh, the Royal Oak, of course.”
“Yes; it is quite comfortable for an inn.”
Mr. Darcy turned to Elizabeth. “I hope you will allow me to call on you there tomorrow; I will have guests here who may claim an acquaintance with you.”
“I suspect it is not Lady Catherine,” Elizabeth said, smiling.
“Your suspicion is correct. No, it is the Bingleys and the Hursts. They come to Pemberley for three or four weeks every summer.”
Elizabeth could not miss the expression of distaste on Miss Darcy’s face, but forbore to comment. Instead, she simply said, “I would be pleased to see them again.” She then turned to Miss Darcy and begged for the opportunity to hear her play.
Miss Darcy agreed, and went at once to the instrument. Miss Bingley had not exaggerated the young lady’s talent; indeed, her rendition of a Mozart piece would likely have gratified the composer himself. Elizabeth praised Miss Darcy warmly, and was then coerced into assaying a duet with her young hostess.
Mr. Darcy listened to the duet, and to the two girls laughing together over their mistakes, with a contented smile on his face, unaware that he was being closely watched by one of his guests. Mrs. Gardiner, seeing his expression, was now absolutely certain that he was in love with her niece.
When the duet was done, Elizabeth turned to her host and said, “Do you not mean to make good on your promise, sir?”
“Promise?” Mr. Darcy sat up, eyes alert.
“To see your library. Surely you would not deny me such a pleasure!”
“A promise certainly must be honoured.” He grinned, delighted that she was teasing him. Surely this meant that she had forgiven him! She would not bother to tease someone she disliked, would she?
He offered her his arm and led the way into the interior of the house. Elizabeth’s eyes were wide as she took in the artwork, the ceilings, the carpets – Pemberley was the most beautiful house she had ever imagined! Finally he stopped and opened a large door; he stepped back and motioned for her to enter.
She walked into the room, just three steps, and then stopped, unable to continue. The room was two stories high, with a spiral staircase on each end leading to the upper floor. There were ladders on wheels that could be moved around the room.
“What do you think?”
