Chapter 5

"Melody, would you like to go over to see your Aunt Georgiana?" Darcy asked a few days later.

"Oh, yes, Papa! I want to play with cousin Aileen."

"Not with Callum?" Darcy asked.

Melody made a face. "Callum is a baby."

Darcy hid his smile. "He is only three," he said. "Perhaps he is not old enough to play with you yet."

Darcy had spent some time every day with his sister since she had arrived in town. They were both glad to see each other again and had much to talk about.

When they arrived at the Dunmore's townhouse, however, they saw that Georgiana had a guest. Darcy's eyes widened to see who it was.

"Brother!" Georgiana rose. "How lovely to see you! And Melody! I have heard that you know my guest, Miss Elizabeth Bennet."

Miss Elizabeth had risen and was curtseying. "Hello, Mr. Darcy, Miss Darcy," she said with twinkling eyes.

"Miss Elizabeth," Darcy said with a bow. His heart had skipped another beat at seeing her smile.

"Miss Lizzy!" Melody exclaimed. "Have you come to play?"

Miss Elizabeth opened her mouth, but Georgiana forestalled her. "Miss Elizabeth has come here as my friend, Melody. But I am sure Aileen would be more than happy to play with you," she said with a smile.

"Maybe next time, Miss Darcy," said Elizabeth with a twinkle in her eye.

Melody was persuaded to go up to the nursery, and the three adults were left alone.

"I was not aware you two knew each other," said Darcy, looking at his sister for an answer.

"Lady Sedley introduced us when I was with Lady Matlock," said Georgiana offhandedly. "I wanted to get to know Miss Elizabeth better, so I invited her over for tea."

Darcy accepted this explanation. "I am sorry to interfere. Perhaps I should come back later?"

"And take Melody away from her playmate? I do not think so," said Georgiana with a smile. "Besides, you could never interfere."

Darcy smiled in return and relaxed back into his chair. His eyes involuntarily went back to Miss Elizabeth.

"Lady Dunmore was just telling me about Pemberley," the young lady said. "She said it is a beautiful place."

"It is. The best place in the world, though perhaps I am biased," he said.

Miss Elizabeth laughed. The sound was like a tinkling bell and filled Darcy with warmth. "My aunt would agree with you. She grew up in Lambton, which is only a few miles from Pemberley. She said she was only twelve when you became master of Pemberley, but that she always heard that you were a good master, and generous to the poor."

Darcy found himself almost blushing at this praise. What was wrong with him?

"My brother has indeed been the best master Pemberley could have," Georgiana interjected with pride. "He has made it into a great and prosperous estate."

Mr. Darcy felt embarrassed by this praise. He did not want Miss Elizabeth to think him proud. "I have only done my best," he said humbly.

Miss Elizabeth apparently saw that he was uncomfortable, for she changed the subject. "Your sister was telling me that Pemberley has a great library."

"It is. It is the work of many generations," he replied.

"Do you like to read, Mr. Darcy?" she asked.

"I do," he said, perking up at the topic change. "I love to read."

"What sorts of books do you like to read?"

"I like all sorts of topics. As I recall, your father taught you to read everything."

"Yes, he did," she replied with a blush. "What think you of poetry?"

"I love poetry," he said, and she looked surprised. "Why does this surprise you?"

"Most gentlemen will not admit to admiring poetry."

"I have always thought of poetry as the food of love," he said without thinking.

Miss Elizabeth laughed. "Of a fine, stout, healthy love it may. Everything nourishes what is strong already. But if it be only a slight, thin sort of inclination, I am convinced that one good sonnet will starve it entirely away."

Now it was Darcy's turn to laugh. He was delighted by her. Had he ever met such a lady in his life, he wondered? He knew he had not.

"I suppose you have not had many beaux recite you poetry, Miss Elizabeth?"

"None which I should care to remember. Indeed, I find the young men today to be a shallow, immature sort. It was lucky for Jane that she found one so steady."

Just then the children's nurse entered the room discreetly. "Yes, Mrs. Gross?" asked Georgiana.

"Forgive me for intruding, my lady, but Master Callum has fallen and scraped his knee. He is crying for his Mama."

"Of course. I will be right there." Georgiana looked at her guests. "I assume you can entertain Miss Elizabeth while I am gone, Brother? I shall be back in a trice."

Before either of them could answer, she was gone, leaving the door open for propriety's sake. What was she thinking, leaving them alone, Darcy wondered? But then again, no one would think anything of it. It was not as if he could have any intentions toward her. He was old enough to be her father!

Darcy turned back to Miss Elizabeth, wanting to continue their conversation. "Have you read Lyrical Ballads, Miss Elizabeth?"

"Oh, yes. I love the poetry of Wordsworth, Blake, and Coleridge. My father gave me a copy for my last birthday and I have enjoyed it immensely."

They spent the next quarter of an hour discussing Lyrical Ballads before Darcy noticed that Georgiana still had not come back. What was she doing? Surely Callum was not hurt that badly.

"I hope the boy is all right," said Elizabeth, as if she had ascertained his thoughts.

"I am sure he is fine," said Darcy. "The nurse said it was only a scraped knee." But he was not sure.

"Tell me more about the library at Pemberley, Mr. Darcy," Elizabeth said.

This topic piqued Darcy's interest again, and they spent the next ten minutes discussing Pemberley's library before Georgiana returned.

"Is Callum all right?" Darcy asked worriedly.

"Oh, yes, he is fine," said Georgiana, smoothing her skirts out and sitting beside him. "Forgive me for taking so long. He needed his Mama."

That Darcy could understand. "I am glad he is well," said Miss Elizabeth. Then she stood. "I am sorry to say that I must be departing. My aunt has an evening planned with some acquaintances. Thank you so much for inviting me, Lady Dunmore."

"I am glad that you could come," said Georgiana, standing too.

"I am glad we could speak, Mr. Darcy," said Elizabeth, smiling at him. "I hope one day I may see your library in person!"

Darcy hoped the same thing, but then he quashed the thought. What was he thinking? He had no business envisioning a future with this young woman. Instead he bowed over her hand. "Good day, Miss Elizabeth," he said instead.

Georgiana walked her friend to the door, and then came back to serve the tea, which was cold. "I suppose I should call for a fresh pot," she said, pulling the cord for a servant. "I am sorry I did not serve you any when you first arrived."

"Do not trouble yourself. I was well entertained."

Georgiana looked at him, but to his relief said nothing about Miss Elizabeth. "I have heard the menagerie is a good diversion," she said instead. "What do you think of taking the children there tomorrow?"

Elizabeth thought of Mr. Darcy as she travelled back to Gracechurch Street in the Dunmore carriage, accompanied by a maid. He was a very intelligent man, she mused. She had never met a gentleman as enthralled with poetry as she was, or at least one who was not afraid to admit it. Her father had always rather scorned poetry as not being one of the natural sciences, a frivolous thing he called it. Mr. Darcy was different. How she wished she could see Pemberley's library! She knew it would not be possible, however. The likelihood that she could ever tour that great estate was nil. According to Aunt Gardiner, Mr. Darcy's income was more than £20,000 a year. Pemberley had been worth £10,000 a year in his father's day, but it was said that he had raised its income a further £2,000. And Rosings Park, which he had inherited from his wife, was worth £8,000 a year. She marvelled that such a wealthy and highly-placed gentleman should be so approachable and apparently humble. The sadness that she always saw behind his eyes had been pushed back while they talked, and she was glad she was able to give him a little relief, for whatever reason. She wondered what had made him so downhearted. Lady Dunmore had said that he never loved his first wife, so it could not be grief.

She decided to make it her mission to make him smile as often as she could.

She was flattered and pleased that Lady Dunmore had seen her as a friend and taken her under her wing. She was an elegant lady, who was as intelligent as her brother. Elizabeth looked forward to spending more time in her company.

Jane was busy spending time with her fiancé and her soon-to-be in-laws, so Elizabeth had been rather left to her own devices. She had spent much of her time drawing and painting and writing verse, and she hoped to present another book to her nephews and nieces soon.

A few days later, Lady Dunmore sent a note asking if Elizabeth would like to go shopping with her. Elizabeth had not done any shopping since she came to London, although Jane had been busy shopping for her trousseau. Her father had given her some pin money to spend on clothes, and so she gratefully accepted the invitation.

"I cannot tell you what a relief it is to get some shopping done," said Lady Dunmore as the carriage trundled down the road toward Bond Street. "I normally have all my clothes made in Scotland, and while they do have a sense of style, it is not the same as a London-made garment."

Lady Dunmore took her to a modiste called Madame Celeste's. "She is a true Parisian," she told Elizabeth. "Not one of those London knockoffs with a fake French accent. My husband took me to Paris for our wedding trip and I know the difference. She has the best gowns in town."

The proprietress was all courtesy when she found out who her customer was. Lady Dunmore introduced Elizabeth and said they were looking for some gowns for the season. Elizabeth was a little nervous to hear this. The look of this establishment made her think the gowns would be very expensive; she would probably only be able to afford one.

Fortunately Lady Dunmore did not seem to expect her to buy many dresses. She looked through the designs and picked some of her own, then seemed intent on helping Elizabeth pick a dress for herself.

"All women need one special gown to help them feel beautiful," she said with a smile.

After they had placed their orders, Lady Dunmore asked Elizabeth if she would like to join her at Gunter's for an ice. "I have not had one since we were last in London, six years ago."

"I have never had one. I would like to try it!" replied Elizabeth.

"You will like them," Lady Dunmore assured her.

When they entered the store she saw Mr. and Miss Darcy sitting at a table, apparently waiting for them.

"Brother! I am glad you could meet us. Miss Elizabeth and I have just come from an afternoon of shopping and need something refreshing."

Mr. Darcy's eyes widened briefly upon seeing Elizabeth, as if he had not expected her too, but then he smiled. "It is nice to see you again, Miss Elizabeth," he said in his deep voice, and she saw the sadness retreat from behind his eyes.

"It is nice to see you as well, Mr. Darcy, Miss Darcy."

"Hello, Miss Lizzy!" Miss Darcy exclaimed.

"Come, Melody, I have not been here in ever so long. We must examine which flavours they have," Lady Dunmore said, taking her niece's hand. That left Mr. Darcy to escort Elizabeth to the counter.

"Have you ever had an ice, Miss Elizabeth?" Darcy asked.

"I have not. I suppose I am as excited as Miss Darcy to be experiencing one for the first time," she said, remembering her determination to make this man smile more often. "Do you have any flavour recommendations?"

To her pleasure, he did smile. "I recommend the raspberry. That is my favourite."

"Ah, but raspberry is often too tart for me," she said. "What about strawberry? Do they have that?"

"I am sure they do. I do not have all the flavours memorized," he said with another smile. "But I think you will find that none of these ices are too tart. They add enough sugar to make them delicious."

"Maybe I will have to try the raspberry then," she conceded.

After they placed their orders, they sat down again to eat and talk. Elizabeth was pleased to find that Darcy was right; the raspberry was just sweet enough to please her palate.

"Brother, Miss Elizabeth tells me that she likes to ride," Lady Dunmore said.

Darcy opened his mouth to reply, but was interrupted by Miss Darcy. "Oh, I love to ride!" she cried. "You must come riding with us one morning, Miss Lizzy!"

"That would be delightful," agreed Lady Dunmore. "My brother is the one who taught me to ride when I was only a child, Miss Elizabeth."

Elizabeth was about to reply when Miss Darcy interjected, "I have my own pony!"

"Do you indeed?" Elizabeth turned to her with a smile. "My sister and I both share a mare at Longbourn. She is a sweet horse."

"Perhaps you can come riding with us sometime, Miss Elizabeth?" asked Mr. Darcy.

"I would be delighted! Where do you usually ride? Hyde Park?"

Mr. Darcy shook his head. "Hyde Park is mainly where people go to see and be seen. We have found a lesser-traversed park that is perfect for riding."

"That is settled, then," said Lady Dunmore cheerily. "We shall all go together. Are you occupied tomorrow morning, Miss Elizabeth?"

"No, my morning is free," she said. "I have much free time now that Jane is busy with Mr. Cranfield and his relations."

"We should be happy, then, to see you then," said Mr. Darcy softly, and Elizabeth saw a smile behind his eyes.