"Since he seems to like the ribbons so much, shall we tie a pretty bow around his neck?" Elizabeth asked Elise and Samuel. The family had spent the day decorating for Christmas, bringing in greenery and ribbons, partaking in treats of the seasons, while Grandmama Lee played the pianoforte to accompany their efforts. It was an idyllic scene that left Mr. and Mrs. Hurst on the brink of tears throughout the day.
Tessa and Henry had returned to Raber Hill with their children and Elizabeth had met her niece and nephew. They had stood before her for introductions, shy but curious. They quickly warmed to their new aunt, persuaded by her willingness to play and read with them. It did not hurt that Dogberry did not stray far from Elizabeth's side. This acceptance by their feline friend ensured they, too, were soon fast friends.
"He is a boy cat. It would be a handsome bow," Sam said. "I am a boy, and I would rather have a handsome bow than a pretty bow."
"Very well, let me see if I can fashion a handsome bow for him." Trying to tie a ribbon around the neck of a cat while said cat is playing with said ribbon proved to be a challenge but Elizabeth was finally successful. "It is a bit crooked, but I think the young master Dogberry is very handsome, indeed."
"I would never have thought a cat could preen but there is the proof right there." David was seated nearby, occupied with pencils and a sketchpad. He had been thus for the last few days, taking down scenes as if trying to imprint them in his memory all the more firmly. Dogberry did, in fact, seem very pleased with his new accessory. He went from person to person as if to show off his finery.
It was such a joyful scene that Elizabeth sighed in contentment. The following days were festive as well and only served to inspire more contentment. The Hursts enjoyed traditions that had long ago been set aside as well as new ones Elizabeth had been encouraged to share from her years with the Bennets. It had been a happy time, though Elizabeth missed Longbourn and the family she had left there. While in London, Elizabeth had thought of the 'firsts' they would all have to contend with; the Hursts would experience those as gains while the Bennets would experience them as losses. She would have to experience both facets and any delight she experienced was coupled with guilt.
One thing she could think on without guilt was Mr. Darcy. She had been anticipating his and Georgiana's visit to Warwickshire with great excitement and finally the day was upon them. She wondered at how she could miss him almost as much as any of the Bennets, given the duration of their acquaintance was so short. The discussion of dances at the Kern's Twelfth Night celebration had stayed with her and she thought of it often. She worried about offending Mr. Darcy by asking him to make a public exhibition, informal though it may be. However, she did so want to dance the supper set with him.
All thoughts of dances were out of her head, when he entered the room with his sister upon their arrival. Lydia's words replaced them, "Do you want to kiss him?" She had tried to avoid thinking on the question since she had received Lydia's letter, but looking at him now, she could avoid it no more. His hair was longer than when she last saw him and a little windblown from the walk from the carriage to the door. She thought it suited him quite well. There was also a bit of ruddiness to his complexion from the cold. It was all somehow very attractive.
When he saw her, he smiled widely, and she was lost. "Yes, yes I do Lydia."
"Oh, is Miss Lydia here with you?" Georgiana asked. "I should like to see her again."
"No, I am sorry to cause any confusion. I was just thinking of something that Lydia had asked me once."
"And all is well? You responded in the affirmative. That is good, yes?" Georgiana seemed concerned but Elizabeth was mortified that the words had escaped her.
"Yes, all is quite well, but let us just say, new challenges present themselves. I am afraid I cannot reveal anything more and it was rude of me to even have brought it up," Elizabeth offered her apologies.
Curious about what unsettled Elizabeth, Mrs. Hurst tucked the information away for later. She performed her hostess duties and gave Elizabeth a chance to collect herself. Eventually the conversation landed on the accommodations for their visit, "How did you find Clessondale?" Darcy and Georgiana were staying at the Lee estate. Mr. Hurst was being very careful with his daughter's reputation and any perception of impropriety. "I am sorry my parents could not join us this evening, they have a previous engagement
"They explained when we arrived. We were made very welcome, and I am sure we will be very comfortable. Mr. and Mrs. Lee are very kind to host us," Darcy said.
"Yes, and the house is so lovely. I am in a room with the most stunning watercolors of the sea," Georgiana added.
"Those are my mother's. She is from Devon and enjoys having images of her home county around her," Mrs. Hurst shared. "David gets his skill as an artist from her. I am afraid it quite skipped me."
"Elizabeth has a fair hand as well. In fact, I saw her sketchbook when she was at Netherfield. Her subjects are varied though. I think she leans a little more toward portraiture than grandmama." He wiggled his eyebrows at her, as Elizabeth blushed at the thought of her attempts at capturing Mr. Darcy's likeness while in Hertfordshire. Before she could respond, he had moved on to recounting her use of the name Zibby as a signature of sorts.
"After my initial suspicions, seeing Zibby on the page in black and white was quite the shock. Lizzy, they have all heard the story, but I do not know if they have had a chance to actually see the real thing. Perhaps you might show us this evening."
Elizabeth knew exactly what David was doing. While she may be Zibby Hurst she was also Lizzy Bennet. She had three younger sisters who had tried hard and often to get the best of her. One big brother was no match for that kind of experience. She had learned to meet their efforts head-on and show no sign of weakness. "Of course, I would be happy to. In fact, there are a number of drawings I would like to finish but I have not yet had the time. Mr. Darcy, might you be available to sit for me, and you, too, Louisa. I was making a study of you both while at Netherfield. It would be so much easier without trying to sneak glances during the after-dinner conversation."
Once they agreed and the others also pledged to either sit for her or offered suggestions for other subjects, she turned and gave David a triumphant grin. He acknowledged her victory with a tiny bow while mouthing 'spoilsport'.
After what seemed like a long time, Mr. Darcy found his way to Elizabeth's side. "Miss Hurst, I am very pleased to see you. It has seemed far too long since I was last in your company. Is it too forward to say you cross my mind quite often? I frequently see or hear or read something, and my fondest wish is to talk to you about them. I hope I may share some of them with you during my visit."
"So intriguing. You could not write about them? I am sure my father would have no concerns if you did so. Though, I suppose somethings are much suitable for face-to-face conversation."
"That is quite often the case. What is more, I find certain things resonate with me differently than they did before and require a bit more discretion. 'Hear my soul speak: The very instant that I saw you, did my heart fly to your service.'" He gave a bashful smile. "We saw a performance of The Tempest at the theatre a few weeks ago."
"Yes, much better in person," Elizabeth whispered. "I look forward to hearing more when you would like to share. Though, I always enjoy your letters."
Mr. Darcy looked pleased with himself as he took in Elizabeth's reaction. She was flustered, a state he often found himself in when it came to Elizabeth. He had not intended to disclose that particular example, but it appeared well-received. He then, perhaps, got a bit overconfident in this tiny moment of intimacy. "May I ask a question? What was it Miss Lydia once said that provoked your response when we entered? Was it about me? You were staring at me most intently."
Again, she knew what he was doing and just as she did with David, she met Darcy's teasing head-on. "Lydia asked me in one of her letters if I wanted to kiss you. That is all." She walked away to join the other ladies.
Darcy was flabbergasted at her words and his mouth went dry as Elizabeth's response ran through his brain over and over. Yes, yes, I do Lydia. He stood rooted to the spot until David summoned him to join the rest of the party.
"Darcy, come, we wanted to discuss something with you regarding the Kern's ball. You received your invitation, did you not?" David asked.
"Yes, I have accepted. If Miss Hurst will grant me the privilege, I would like very much to have the supper set," Darcy replied. Elizabeth agreed with eagerness.
"We assumed as much. Now while we have no doubts of your intentions, we just wanted to ensure Zibby is protected and in doing so we may err on the side of caution," her father stated.
"Papa, it is not necessary to protect me in this manner," Elizabeth interrupted.
"Elizabeth, it is necessary, for you and Mr. Darcy both. Mr. Darcy, the moment you set foot on that floor with Zibby that creates a link, especially when the gossips hear you are staying at Clessondale. Are you prepared for what is essentially a public announcement of your courtship? You dancing the supper set with any young lady is enough to spur talk. But you dancing the supper set with the mysterious, recovered heiress at the ball of her parents' dearest friends during an extended visit to her home county while staying at her grandfather's estate will spur so much more. I am sure that you have thought of the implications but how would you like to proceed?"
Darcy, still a bit stunned that Elizabeth admitted she wanted to kiss him, looked into her eyes, his decision made. "Ask her for the last set as well and hope for a waltz."