Page 82 of The Long Road Back to Yesterday

“That is very generous of you, Fitzwilliam, and it makes me very happy.”

* * *

That evening at dinner, Mr. Darcy could scarcely keep his eyes from Elizabeth. Everyone noticed except his sister and, for a time, Elizabeth herself.

They sat side by side, and Elizabeth listened as Georgiana recounted all she had learned of Thomas the Rhymer.

“I remember the tale from our childhood fairy stories, but so many years have passed that I hardly recall the particulars,” Elizabeth said.

“He lived in Scotland, Lizzy, and the stories claim he truly existed.”

As the two young women discussed the fairy story, conversation continued easily around them. The Gardiners would return to London in the morning, and no one seemed eager for the visit to end.

Mr. Darcy sat almost directly across from Elizabeth, eating his dinner. By the time the meal was half over, Elizabeth became aware of his earnest regard, for each time she raised her eyes, she caught his gaze fixed on her.

His marked attentions troubled her, for if his feelings matched hers, he would suffer when he learned of Lydia and realized there was no honorable path forward.

If she could be at the henge on December 21, though nothing happened, she would at least know she had done everything within her power to save her family. And if fate granted her another chance to live those months again, she would begin with Lydia.

Perhaps then, if she met Mr. Darcy under happier circumstances, they might have the chance to know one another as they should have from the beginning.

But all of that belonged to another time, if a second chance ever came. For now, she must concentrate on finding a way into the past.

Mr. Darcy’s voice drew her from her thoughts. She raised her eyes from her plate.

“Miss Elizabeth, are you quite well? Did you have too much sun today?”

She met his concern with a pleasant expression, and the tension left his brow. “No, sir, I feel quite well. I was thinking of the lovely day we enjoyed, though when my thoughts returned to our studies, I became mired in them.” She laughed at herself.

“Lizzy, may I join you in your studies each morning? I promise I will not speak out of turn, and I will take very detailed notes.”

“You wish to cage yourself up in the house and pore over books, my dear?”

“I do, Lizzy. I should like it very much. I should like it above all things.”

“Well then, you are welcome to join me. You may continue with Camden while I struggle my way through Brand.”

Mr. Darcy said, “I find your work most interesting, ma’am. May I stay for a quarter hour when I bring my sister tomorrow? I should like to examine your collection and study your notes more closely.”

Elizabeth raised her brows. He wished to examine her books and notes. Perhaps he feared his sister might be led astray by such unusual studies. She would work to ease his fears.

“Yes, sir, you are welcome. I know my studies are unusual, and I imagine you wish to assure yourself the subject is appropriate for a young lady of your sister’s age.”

Mr. Gardiner joined the conversation. “That is entirely reasonable, Darcy. I believe Lizzy’s studies to be quite harmless and see nothing in them to cause concern, but as her guardian, I think better of you for taking such care of your sister.”

A flush rose in Mr. Darcy’s face. “Thank you, sir.” He addressed Mr. Radcliff. “May I spend a quarter hour in your home tomorrow morning visiting with Miss Elizabeth?”

Mrs. Radcliff answered before her husband could speak. “You are welcome, Mr. Darcy. My sister leaves us tomorrow at ten, but I shall be here to chaperone. You may stay as long as you wish, for I shall spend the morning in the drawing room with my needlework.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Radcliff. I accept your hospitality.” He looked to Elizabeth. “At what hour shall I bring my sister?”

“Ten o’clock would suit me, sir.”

After dinner, Elizabeth and Georgiana played and sang for the company. The elders then settled to a game of whist while the Darcys and Elizabeth repaired to her worktable.

Elizabeth handed her notebook to Mr. Darcy. “Sir, here are my notes. Perhaps you will rest easier once you discover there is no cause to fear for your sister’s well-being.”

He accepted the notebook, his expression grave, but the amusement in her eyes betrayed her teasing, and his expression softened as he opened the book.