Page 45 of Mr. Darcy Comes to Town

“May I introduce my sister to you?” he asked pleasantly. “Georgiana, this is Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, and Miss Mary Bennet.”

“Hello,” Miss Darcy said, a nervous smile on her lips. “I am pleased to meet you.”

“We are delighted to make your acquaintance,” Jane said. “Have you only recently arrived in Meryton, Miss Darcy?”

She nodded and said, “I arrived yesterday.” After smiling again at Mary and Jane, Miss Darcy’s gaze met Lizzy’s. “May we have a moment to speak with you, Miss Elizabeth?”

Lizzy exchanged glances with her sisters. Jane took Mary’s arm and led her away into a group who included Mr. Bingley.

“Harry came to visit us earlier,” Mr. Darcy mentioned.

“Did he?” Lizzy asked, lifting her eyebrows.

“We were walking in the garden,” Miss Darcy explained.

“I hope he did not jump on you,” Lizzy said, wincing in what she hoped was a comical way.

Miss Darcy took her words seriously, however. “Oh, no. Harry behaved in a perfectly gentleman-like way.”

“I am grateful for that. Do you have a dog, Miss Darcy?” Lizzy asked.

“We have multiple dogs, but they do not come in the house,” Mr. Darcy explained for his sister. “We thought you might be able—and willing—to find a smaller dog for Georgiana.”

“One who is permitted in the house?” Lizzy glanced from him to his sister. Georgiana appeared hopeful and eager. “Do you wish me to find you a puppy?”

Mr. Darcy shook his head, but Lizzy had the feeling Miss Darcy longed for a puppy. After a moment’s thought, she said, “Perhaps what you need is a young dog who is housetrained.”

“He must be a calm dog,” Mr. Darcy pressed, looking from her to his sister and then back to her, widening his eyes a trifle.

“I shall look about for one,” Lizzy promised. She examined Miss Darcy’s expression, expecting to see gratitude there. Instead, Lizzy caught her staring down at her reticule.

“Miss Elizabeth,” Miss Darcy said in a quiet whisper, “your reticule is moving.”

Lizzy brought her bag up in front of her waist and put her hand over the warm lump inside. She looked about her, hoping that no one else had noticed either her odd action or the movement inside her reticule.

“Oh, dear. If Mama finds out…” Lizzy muttered.

“Is it a mouse?” Miss Darcy asked.

“It is too big for a mouse.” Mr. Darcy said calmly. He shifted his body to shield her from prying eyes.

“I think it is Jeffry, my guinea pig,” Lizzy confessed, embarrassed. “He seems to have a rather magical way of showing up wherever he wishes. He will not stay where he is put.”

“Magical?” Miss Darcy breathed. “Pray, tell me it is so.”

“I have never had a magical animal before—if such a thing exists—so I cannot promise you I am right.” Lizzy pulled open the drawstrings on her reticule. Mr. Darcy’s hand came forward, palm up, to cradle the bottom of the bag. “Thank you,” she whispered, slipping her hand inside, beneath Jeffry’s belly, and lifting him part of the way out. “You may pet him, if you wish, Miss Darcy.”

Georgiana tugged off her glove and gently stroked the hair on the guinea pig’s back. Jeffry poked his nose upward, and she giggled softly.

“He has such tiny ears,” she observed. “I am pleased to meet you, sir. But what are you doing here? Are you trying to get your mistress in trouble with her mother?”

Jeffry meeped, and snuggled further into the reticule, pushing against Fitz’s cupped hand. Miss Elizabeth swiftly closed the reticule and lifted it off Fitz’s hand.

“Here comes my mother,” she explained, glancing to one side. “Mama, come and meet Miss Darcy.”

Georgiana and Fitz turned in the direction of Miss Elizabeth’s gaze, seeing a handsome woman in her mid-forties bearing down upon them. Georgiana curtsied and her brother bowed. Mrs. Bennet came to a stop and nodded genially.

“Mrs. Bennet,” Fitz said, taking Georgiana’s hand gently and setting it on his arm. “Allow me to present my sister, Miss Georgiana Darcy. Georgiana, this is Mrs. Bennet.”