When Elizabeth retired that night; her aunt followed her.
"Elizabeth, I would speak to you if I may?"
"Oh Aunt" laughed Lizzie "so serious?"
"No my dear, but I would tell you my concerns"
Lizzie stopped laughing. "Of course Aunt"
"I couldn't help but notice some of the attentions Mr Darcy was bestowing on you." She noticed Elizabeth's flushed face "I am not berating you child, it is lovely to see that you both feel so much for each other. But I would caution you, feelings such as the ones you and Mr Darcy have are hard to fight. You must be vigilant against finding yourself in a situation whereby things could get out of hand."
"Aunt!" Elizabeth exclaimed horrified "I would never..."
Madeleine Gardiner was not so much older than her nieces hat she did not remember being in the first throws of love and how powerful and confusing some of the feelings were. She held up her hand to stop Elizabeth.
"I know my dear, but you are not wise to the ways of men and the feelings they can inspire. They can be overwhelming sometimes. I am merely cautioning you about finding yourself in a difficult situation. I am not condemning your feelings."
"Thank you aunt, I will take it under advisement"
"If you have any questions about wifely duties, it is probably best if you discuss with me rather than your mother, but I see I have reached the edge of your sensibilities for one day, perhaps another?"
Elizabeth could not get any redder at this point and merely nodded. Madeleine bestowed an affectionate kiss on her forehead and left her to ready for bed.
Elizabeth was slow to get in to her nightgown, trying to make sense of all that her aunt had said as well as her feelings from the day. She had heard her aunt, there was nothing wrong with the way she responded to Mr Darcy, that was a relief. From very young she had been told that a lady should show no emotions, and the ones she was displaying for Mr Darcy were most unladylike. But maybe they were just unusual.
She had always vowed that she would marry for love, like her aunt and uncle. She had seen some of the exchanges they had when they thought no one could see them and she had always yearned to be the recipient of such tender affection. Now that she was the object she was confused about her reactions. Her aunts well timed warning had served both to warn and reassure Elizabeth. After some deliberation she vowed to stop censuring herself, but to be more discrete when in company. She fell asleep with a small smile on her face remembering the heat that she had felt at Mr Darcy's touch.
The day that Elizabeth was engaged to take tea with Miss Darcy started well. Elizabeth was up at her normal time, took a walk with some of the children in the local park. She practiced on the pianoforte and generally avoided discussing Mr Darcy. Her feelings were still so new that she was not sure how to express them. the last week had been a very difficult one and she was still sorting through the heady emotions. Mrs Gardiner's advice and warnings had helped her a little but a day away from her betrothed had given her a lot of perspective. She found that she was missing him most intensely and could not help but hope to see him at some point in the course of the day.
At a proper time, Elizabeth made her way to Berkley square. She looked up at the large house fronting the popular green and tried not to be intimidated. It was a large, handsomely fitted house, but Elizabeth found her courage rising and started up the steps ready to face the occupants.
Miss Darcy gave her an enthusiastic welcome further putting Elizabeth at ease. she couldn't help but laugh at Miss Darcys exuberance and happily settled with her in the informal parlour to take tea and sweet cakes. They chatted about music and books and the plans for the theatre. At a pause in the conversation Elizabeth looked around the room, it was simply decorated but tasteful.
"oh Miss Elizabeth, you must think me so remiss. You must be wanting a tour. This is to be your new home after all!"
Elizabeth smiled "now Miss Darcy you must call me Elizabeth or lizzie if you prefer as my sisters do."
"If you like, but only if I am Georgiana or Georgie to you"
"Which would you prefer?"
"Georgie is my preferred, but I am worried it sounds too young"
"well maybe I should use Georgiana in company and Georgie when alone?"
"oh that would be perfect miss, I mean Lizzie, thank you"
Elizabeth smiled and started a conversation about bad nicknames that had Georgiana laughing and holding her sides.
"oh Lizzie, you sound just like miss Bingley when you use the name Eliza! and surely your mother never referred to you like that?"
"Indeed she did Georgie, I was quite wild as a girl and I am afraid my mother quite despaired of me"
It was in this state of mirth that Mr Darcy came upon them. He watched for a few moments enjoying the sight of his two ladies enjoying themselves in each others company.
"Well ladies" he said after he could no longer restrain himself "I had hoped to find my betrothed and my little sister, both very proper young ladies I assure you, have you seen them by chance?"
Georgiana looked horrified at the statement but Elizabeth was not afraid to respond. In her best cokney accent she beagan.
"why ther' not be no ladies 'ere sir, you best be movin' on!"
Georgiana looked more horrified, but one look at both faces and she and Elizabeth dissolved in to giggles. Mr Darcy chuckled along and came in to the room fully
"I am pleased to see you both getting along"
"Yes brother, I was just suggesting to take Elizabeth on a tour, would you care to accompany us?"
He agreed and offered each an arm and escorted them around the house. Both siblings had differing thoughts to offer on each of the principle rooms that they inspected. Mr Darcy indicated some would need redecorating and Elizabeth could do as she wished.
Elizabeth had no compulsion to decorate for new decoration sake and expressed her satisfaction with things as they were and would happily discuss with Miss Darcy and the housekeeper when the time came. Darcy was more and more pleased with what he saw of Elizabeth, she was kind to Georgiana, thoughtful to the staff and curious about his home and his history, which he was more than happy to discuss.
After the tour they repaired to the music room where Georgiana sat and played a little for them. In relative privacy Elizabeth and Darcy could discuss their hopes for the wedding and the season and Elizabeth's introduction to Lady Matlock on the morrow.
"I have written to my sister Jane with the hopes that she might be willing to share her day with us. I confess I have blamed you for the impertinence of the question informing her that you were keen to join your good friend Mr Bingley in the married state and impatient for it not to be too delayed."
"I am certain Bingley will forgive me, I must write and ask for an invitation to Netherfield for when you return to the country!"
Elizabeth smiled, "so certain of my desire for you to join me?"
"Indeed madame, I have it on good authority that you are much pleased with my presence!"
Elizabeth blushed as he had picked up her hand in his and was tracing circles on the back.
"tis not fair sir, I believe you have me at a disadvantage here"
he smiled "Oh I hope so, for I am aware that soon it will be me at a disadvantage and I mean to make the most of mine now!" the circles on her hand increased in pressure slightly. Elizabeth began to find it difficult to keep breathing.
Luckily at that point Georgiana finished the piece she was playing and both Elizabeth and Darcy applauded. Elizabeth stood and moved to express her pleasure at Georgiana's playing and threw a coy look at Darcy over her shoulder. He smiled and relaxed back in to the sofa.
Too soon for all concerned it was time for Elizabeth to return to Gracechurch street. Georgiana tried to persuade Elizabeth to stay to dinner but she knew it would not be proper and so was firm. The carriage was ordered and she was off. The prospect of meeting Lady Matlock on the morrow competing with thoughts of Darcy's touch and the beautiful house that she would call her own soon.
These same thoughts were present when at length she closed her eyes that night.