A/N: So I was gonna put this up on Sunday, but I decided to put it up two days earlier because I am just that nice. ; P Anywho, thanks to those who reviewed, and I hope that more of you start to. It's nice to get a little feedback. Keeps me motivated and reminds me that I have this story up! Anyway...
Last time, in An Impossible Treasure...
"Miss Elizabeth," Darcy said finally gaining his courage now that they were speaking to themselves. "Would you do me the honor of dancing the next set with me?"
"It would be my pleasure," she said with a smile. Since the next set was due to start soon, Darcy offered his arm which she accepted and led her to the dance floor. They made leisurely talk as they danced and once the set had come to a finish they walked out of the assembly hall and took a stroll around the gardens in the back.
Chapter 2
Once they had made it outside, Elizabeth looked up at the sky and said, "The moon shines on us all in triumph, knowing it has played the game of hide and seek to the fullest, and only comes out at night to mock us all."
Darcy smiled as did Elizabeth. His reply was, "You have read E.B. Anne."
Elizabeth's head shot over in his direction and she looked at him thoughtfully. "Why do you say that?"
"I have read all of E.B. Anne's work," he admitted. "I know her style anywhere and that just so happens to be one of my favorite lines from her first novel."
Elizabeth smiled and blushed a little. "I am afraid you have found me out sir. I too have read all of her novels."
"Do you hold a high regard for literature?" Darcy asked hopefully.
"I do, sir," Elizabeth replied. "My father's library holds many books and I have read nearly all of them. Shakespeare is one of my favorites."
"One of mine as well, although my absolute favorite would have to be Byron."
"I see that we are alike in tastes," she said with a hint of a smile. "'Away with your fictions of flimsy romance, those tissues of falsehood which folly has wove! Give me the mild beam of the soul-binding glance, or the rapture which dwells on the first kiss of love.'"
He smiled and continued the poem, "'Ye rhymers, whose bosoms with phantasy glow, whose pastoral passions are made for the grove; from the blest inspirations your sonnets would flow, could you ever have tasted the first kiss of love!'"
"I would have to say that that poem is my particular favorite," Elizabeth said with a smile.
"I cannot say I am particularly fond of it," Darcy replied.
"Why is that, Mr. Darcy? What could be more passionate than writing of true love?"
"How can you write of what you know naught of?" Darcy asked. "How can Lord Byron write of true love when he has never experienced it himself? It is the very falsehood he is refuting."
"Maybe he has loved. How can you say that he has not? How do you know?"
"It is easy to read between the lines," Darcy answered. "He does not know what love is, only what he wishes for it to be."
"Well then Mr. Darcy, we must agree to disagree."
He chuckled a bit as they came into a grove in the gardens. She took a seat on a bench and he sat on the one opposite her. "Do you have any siblings other than Miss Jane?" Darcy asked.
"Three other sisters and no brothers," Elizabeth replied. "Jane is my elder by a year, and then Mary is a year under me. Two years under her is Katherine, however we call her Kitty, and finally two years under her is Lydia, the youngest."
"I cannot imagine having four siblings," Darcy said. "Though I suppose there can scarce be moment when there is not some liveliness."
"Indeed, sir you are correct. There is rare a dull moment to be had especially with the youngest so young and the two eldest just recently presented into society. Do you have any siblings, sir?"
"Just one sister. Georgiana is but 10 years old."
"That is a vast age difference," Elizabeth remarked. "Are you two very close or…forgive me. It is not my place to ask such a personal question."
"It does not matter to me. Yes my sister and I are very close even given the twelve year difference in age. You are close to your sister Miss Jane, I think."
"I am, Mr. Darcy," Elizabeth replied.
They walked on in a content silence for a few moments before Darcy asked, "Are you a great lover of music, Miss Bennet?"
"I am," she answered.
"Do you play and sing?"
She replied in the affirmative then added, "I should warn you, however, that I play very ill indeed. I have not taken much time to practice. Does your sister play and sing?"
"Yes," Darcy answered. "Although she has only just begun. She has not yet mastered the skills, but she gets along very well."
"One cannot expect a girl of Miss Darcy's age to be perfect the first time she plays. I hope that she practices so that she may get better."
"She does, Miss Bennet. Practicing for her is a treat, and it is indeed a delight to see how much she is improving."
"You must be very proud of her," Elizabeth said with a smile, knowing already that he was indeed proud of his sister.
"I am," he replied. "Our mother died when Georgiana was very young, consequently, Georgiana does not remember her. I have tried to be the best brother to her to make up for it."
"You are of the right frame of mind; however nothing can make up for the loss of a mother."
"I know," he admitted.
"I am sorry," she added, condoling for his loss.
"It was years ago. It is the past. I thank you, however."
She nodded, noting that this was still a fresh topic for him, no matter how long ago his mother's death occurred. Also noting that a change of conversation was in order, Elizabeth said, "Do you often stay in London, Mr. Darcy?"
"Unfortunately yes," Darcy replied. "I much prefer it at Pemberley, but my father cannot manage to stay up there any longer than the summer months. He is still grieving over the loss of my mother. We stay in our townhouse on Grovesnor Square for the majority of the year."
She nodded her head in understanding and he said, "And you, Miss Bennet? Do you reside in London as well?"
"No," she replied. "My sister Jane and I are just visiting our aunt and Uncle Gardiner for my being presented into society. We reside at Longbourn in Hertfordshire."
"Are you fond of the countryside? Or do you prefer town?"
"I fear I will always prefer the countryside. What is town compared to rocks and mountains and the untamed beauty of the wilderness?"
"On that, Miss Bennet, we also agree. I know not of a county so beautiful as Derbyshire. Perhaps I shall have to visit your Hertfordshire sometime to see if my opinion still stands as such."
He gave her a smile which she returned. It was then that they heard the call for the last dance being announced. He offered his arm and requested her hand for the dances, and she gladly accepted. They walked back into the assembly hall and danced the final dance of the evening. When they had finished, Darcy bestowed an unseen kiss upon her hand and disappeared into the crowd.
Elizabeth was instantly smitten.
He could not remember a more enjoyable evening. Upon his return he was in a very pleasant mood. This was the first time he had gone to St. James' and returned with a smile.
Actually it was the first time he had gone anywhere and returned with a smile. His father pretended not to notice. Maybe he was just smug that for once he hadn't gotten bombarded with ladies who wished to dance with him. George recalled his first season of London when he did not have the women all around him. What a pleasant evening that had been indeed…
The following day, Georgiana reminded her brother of the shopping trip they had planned for the day. Darcy said he had not forgotten, and they left the house shortly after breakfast. As they walked the streets of London, Darcy found himself remembering the previous night and how enjoyable it had been with Miss Elizabeth. Just then he saw the subject of his reverie in a shop window across the street from their present position.
"There is the ribbon shop, brother," Georgiana said pointing to the shop that he had seen Elizabeth in. He smiled a bit as he led his sister across the street and into the shop. He pretended to be occupied with ribbons whilst his sister went to question the shop owner about his selection.
Just then the lady had been occupying his thoughts came barreling right into him. "Oh my!" she cried as she collected herself from her embarrassment. "Please, sir, allow me to apologize. I was not paying attention to where I was going."
"It is quite alright Miss Elizabeth," Darcy said with a smile. "I am come to know harm."
"Mr. Darcy!" she cried surprised. "Goodness, I am indeed deeply sorry sir. Had I known it was you, I assure you I would have taken better care to avoid colliding into you."
"As I have said, I am come to know harm. Are you alright?"
"I am well, thank you." She blushed at his smile and it was then she realized that her sister and aunt had joined her. "Mr. Darcy, you remember my sister Jane and my aunt Mrs. Gardiner from last night."
"Indeed," Darcy said politely as he bowed respectfully. Just then his sister came and joined them as well. "Georgiana, might I introduce Miss Jane and Elizabeth Bennet, and their aunt Mrs. Gardiner. Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, Mrs. Gardiner, my sister Miss Georgiana."
"It is a pleasure to meet you Miss Darcy," Mrs. Gardiner said as the four women bowed to each other. They reached a breech in the conversation so Elizabeth said, "Have you long been in London Miss Darcy?"
"I arrived earlier this month," Georgiana said shyly. "I came with my brother and father. Do you live in London, Miss Elizabeth?"
"No, I do not," Elizabeth answered. "My sister and I reside north in Hertfordshire."
Again they went silent. This time it was Darcy who started a new topic. "Did you all enjoy yourselves at the ball last evening?" he asked the Bennets and their aunt.
"It was a very agreeable evening," Jane said. "Did you enjoy yourself as well, Mr. Darcy?"
"I did," he replied as he stole a glance at Elizabeth who looked down so he would not catch her blushing. After a few more moments of polite conversation, it was decided that the party would finish shopping together and then they would all dine at the Darcy townhouse later in the day. At luncheon the party separated to ready themselves before they would see each other again for dinner. Darcy would need to inform his father and the staff of their guests.
That evening Darcy waited anxiously for the Bennets and Gardiners to arrive. When he saw their carriage pull up it took all of his strength to not rush out and greet them. He walked at a quick pace, however to reach the drawing room where his father and sister were. The Darcys rose when their guests were announced and introductions were made.
"We are much honored to be here, Mr. Darcy," Mr. Gardiner said. George just smiled falsely at them and replied, "Well when both my son and daughter told me of a family they became acquainted with where there was not an ill word to describe them, I knew I could never pass up the opportunity to meet them."
The Gardiners blushed at the compliment, but Darcy looked at the ground ashamedly. He knew better. He knew his father was angry that he had to entertain guests. It only worsened because it was such short notice and he had never met the people before. Darcy looked back up at his father, but George would not make eye contact with him.
Soon the hosts and their guests were all seated in the dining room. They all made polite and ample conversation for the majority of their meal. George then addressed Elizabeth, "Miss Elizabeth, am I correct in assuming that you have just been presented to society this season?"
Elizabeth nodded and replied, "Yes."
"And how do you find London society?"
"I like it well enough," Elizabeth answered. "I find, however, that the country air suits me better."
"Ah yes, the country is a wonderful place to be," George said. "I only wish I could go there more often."
"Do you not have a home in Derbyshire?" Elizabeth asked. She blushed in embarrassment as she realized what she had just asked. George smiled sincerely, and when Darcy saw this, he nearly dropped his fork.
"I do," George replied. "Unfortunately business usually keeps me in town."
Elizabeth only nodded, wishing more than anything that she could just vanish. She contributed little to the rest of the conversation for fear that she might say something impertinent again. She mostly kept her eyes on her plate, but whenever she looked up she would see Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy staring at her intently. She would blush and return to her plate.
A/N: That's all for now, so review! Tell me what you think because it's super important to me. Critique me, I don't care! Just gimme some feedback so I know how I'm doing! )