Truth about Mr. Darcy

teasing and mischief—and still do when the moment strikes us—we do happen to love one another dearly.”

“Of course you do, my dear. I believe they are all here now, are they not?”

Elizabeth nodded. “Yes, my elder sister, Jane, informed me this morning they were not going out and could all be found in one of the drawing rooms with my mother.”

“Then I should like it very much if you would introduce us, Elizabeth. Let us go down now and join them. Perhaps you can ring for tea?” She rose and offered Elizabeth her arm.

Elizabeth felt a tingle of trepidation as she linked her arm with that of Darcy’s aunt. “As you wish… Aunt, but I must caution you. Several of my sisters are young still, and their manners in company can be a bit wanting, particularly when in the presence of a handsome young man in a red coat.” She smiled meaningfully. “You may wish to keep Colonel Fitzwilliam’s profession a secret; otherwise, he may never have any peace so long as Kitty and Lydia remain in Town.”

Lady Matlock laughed. “Excellent! I daresay Richard would deserve it, too! Oh, no, my dear. We must leave your younger sisters in no doubt of his noble profession. It is about time my most troublesome son receives his just desserts for teasing poor Georgiana and Anne so mercilessly all these years!”

When Lord Matlock and Darcy, who was now refreshed, shaved, and presentably attired, went in search of the ladies an hour or so later, they found them all ensconced in the music room. It was a sight Darcy would not soon forget. Georgiana sat at the pianoforte as she chatted with Kitty and Lydia, her serious expression from the previous night now replaced by a happy smile as she played a lively duet with Mary, who also seemed to be enjoying herself. Elizabeth, whose disposition could only have been described as wretched before he had parted from her not five hours earlier, was now smiling and laughing with Jane. Jane was seated next to his aunt, who appeared to be taking an inordinate amount of pleasure in her conversation with Mrs. Bennet. He was astounded, to say the least.

He turned toward his uncle and, leaning in so he would not be overheard by any of the ladies, inquired, “Exactly how much brandy did I consume this morning, Uncle?”

Lord Matlock looked at him for a moment before clapping him on the back and erupting into hearty laughter.

Darcy grinned. Yes, perhaps all will yet be well.

Mr. Bennet entered the room then, carrying a long, slender package, and made his way over to Darcy with great enthusiasm. “Ah, Darcy! Just the man I have been looking for,” he said with a wide smile. “I have just this morning acquired an excellent new hunting rifle. Come and have a look. I daresay the craftsmanship is superior to many in Mr. Bingley’s collection, and the gunsmith has assured me that the accuracy is unparalleled.”

Darcy’s smile was rapidly replaced by a look of undisguised panic.

Chapter 17

Oh, Elizabeth!” Georgiana exclaimed with pleasure. “You look so beautiful in that color. Fitzwilliam will not be able to take his eyes off of you. Shall you wear it to the theatre tonight, do you think?”

“It is a beautiful gown, but I am not yet sure. I must confess to loving the burgundy best of all. What do you think, Jane?”

“I believe Miss Darcy is correct, Lizzy. The dark green one becomes you very well. Though the burgundy is very elegant and flattering, as well, I think it would be better suited for a ballroom rather than the theatre.”

They were interrupted then by Mrs. Bennet as she bustled into Elizabeth’s dressing room. “Oh, girls! If I do say so myself, that is the perfect dress for the theatre tonight! Mark my words, Lizzy, it is just the thing to keep Mr. Darcy’s eyes turned toward you all evening, for you know there will be many pretty young ladies with large fortunes and expensive gowns hoping to capture the interest of a rich gentleman. You would not want Mr. Darcy changing his mind about you before your wedding takes place. Much can happen in two days, you know, and I always say you can never be too careful.”

Jane smiled and gave her sister a knowing look; then, placing a quick kiss upon her cheek, she left them to begin her own toilette.

Elizabeth rolled her eyes and suppressed a smile as she ran her hand over the exquisite deep emerald silk of her new gown. “Mama, if Mr. Darcy has not changed his mind by now, I doubt very much he will do so by Saturday.”

Georgiana, however, was genuinely troubled by their mother’s statement. “Oh, no, Mrs. Bennet, you need not worry yourself over such a thing. I assure you, my brother loves Elizabeth very much. He has been nothing but caring and attentive whenever I have seen them together. Indeed, if you had only witnessed the tenderness and intimacy that exists between them, especially on Sunday last, I am certain your mind would now be completely at ease.” Then, with a gasp, Georgiana’s hand flew to her mouth as she sent a panicked glance to Elizabeth before casting her eyes downward, clearly mortified, not only by what her well-intentioned words had certainly implied, but also by what she had alluded to.

She need not have worried, for Mrs. Bennet, lost in her own musings, merely shrugged and said, “Oh, well then, I daresay I shall rest easier knowing Lizzy will at least be able to keep him interested until after the wedding takes place.” She gave her daughter a critical look and made a minor adjustment to the ribbon on the bodice of her gown. “Hmm…” she mused, “I do believe this neckline is particularly flattering to your bosom, Lizzy, and I must agree, the color is perfect for you. Yes, you shall wear it tonight with the emerald necklace and earrings Mr. Darcy was so generous to present to you the other day. And do not be late. I hardly think it would please your future husband to be kept waiting.” Mrs. Bennet then left Elizabeth to Georgiana’s society in order to oversee Jane’s preparations for the evening.

Elizabeth leaned against the door, closed her eyes, and expelled a long, slow breath. Georgiana looked contrite as she sat, perched upon the edge of the small sofa in the sitting room, staring at her lap in misery. Elizabeth approached her, and Georgiana reluctantly raised her eyes, now swimming with unshed tears. “Oh, Elizabeth, can you ever forgive me?” she whispered. “It was very wrong of me to have said such a thing to your mother just now. I never should have mentioned any of it at all. What you and Fitzwilliam choose to do when you are alone together—oh, no,” she gasped. “I certainly did not mean to say that! Please, please forgive me. It is none of my business, any of it, and I ought not to speak of such things. Fitzwilliam would be appalled by my lack of decorum. I can only imagine what you must think of me for speaking so.”

Frowning, Elizabeth sat beside her and gathered her hands in her own. “I believe I am more concerned at the moment with your opinion of me,” she said. “I had no idea you had reached this particular conclusion about your brother and me, Georgiana, but perhaps I should not be so surprised. We have done a rather poor job of keeping our affection for each other a secret from the rest of the world. As you well know, your aunt had much to say on the subject, and indeed, I am very sorry you were forced to bear witness to my shame. I am sure it must have been distressing for you, to say nothing of the shock of seeing your brother comforting me in such a familiar way. I am afraid that, in our distress, both of us were not entirely aware of our actions or their possible repercussions. I very much hope you will tell me if you are still troubled by what you have seen, my dear. I would never wish to be the cause of any pain or discomfort to you, nor, do I believe, would your brother.”

Georgiana averted her eyes. “I am fine, Elizabeth, truly. You need not worry yourself over me.”

“Come, Georgiana. We are to be sisters. You need not feel as though you cannot speak to me as such. I promise, you have no reason to fear that I shall pass judgment on you or your feelings, even if you believe what you are feeling may occasion me pain or discomfort.”

Georgiana fussed with the trim on her shawl. “I… very well, then. I will not pretend it did not bother me when I first figured out that you and Fitzwilliam have been… intimate with each other.”

Both ladies blushed, and Georgiana said, “Forgive me, Elizabeth. As I have said, I know very well it is none of my concern.”

Elizabeth cleared her throat and inclined her head.

They sat in companionable silence for a time before Georgiana spoke again. Though her voice was subdued, Elizabeth could sense an underlying agitation. “Elizabeth, I once knew a man who told me he loved me. He told me he wanted to marry me, but it turned out he did not. He only wanted my fortune and… and my virtue. He never wanted me. He was someone I had known and trusted my entire life, yet he used my