The next morning dawned gray and dreary. Rain pounded against the roof, and the wind danced across the windows. Elizabeth awoke from a surprisingly lengthy night of sleep. She was not haunted by her dreams, giving her a boost of energy, and happiness. She remembered Mr. Darcy professing his love for her, and her own profession of sorts. She stretched, and stood, looking about the room before pulling the bell for Mira.
Mira scurried in seconds later, apologizing. Lizzy felt herself smiling faintly.
"It's no matter" She replied. "I believe I shall wear the jade green morning dress today" She told the girl. The dress was not something she had brought herself; it was a piece of her new wardrobe.
"A beautiful choice ma'am" Mira told her, pulling out the dress. Once she was laced in and buttoned up, Mira set about clasping a simple pearl necklace around her neck, and began to brush out her hair. Her hands were tiny, leaving Lizzy to wonder how old she truly was. She couldn't be more then ten and five, yet her eyes looked older. Unable to stand it any longer, Lizzy finally caved.
"How old are you Mira?" Lizzy asked curiously.
"Ten and seven" Mira answered. "Ma'am" she added hastily.
"Have you worked here long?"
"M'whole life, ma'am" Mira replied. She blushed and looked down. "My sister is Miss Darcy's handmaid, my parents used to be tenants. They perished in a fire when I was just a babe. The late Master Darcy gave Mrs. Reynolds leave to raise us, as she had no little ones of her own. I used to be a cleaning maid, but Mrs. Reynolds gave me this position when Master Darcy wrote to her last week" Mira finished tying a piece of lace in her hair. She pulled out several pearl pins.
"You speak remarkably well" Lizzy commented.
"Mrs. Reynolds was once a governess. She taught me everything she could" Mira told her.
"Do you read?"
"Whenever I find time" Mira replied. She added the last pin and handed Lizzy the mirror from the table.
"Do you like it?" She asked, gesturing to the elaborate style.
"Yes, thank you Mira. Perhaps you could show me where the breakfast room is?" She asked. Mira nodded eagerly. As they walked through the corridors, Mira was quick to point out everything of import, from pictures of past Darcy's, to priceless family heirlooms. After a maze of doors, stairs, and hallways, they reached the room.
"This used to be just a sun room ma'am, but Miss Darcy liked the windows so much that we now serve breakfast here instead of the dining room" Mira told her.
It wasn't an extremely large room, but she could imagine how well it would look when the sun was actually shining. Mr. Darcy sat at the head of the table with a cup of coffee and the morning print.
"Ah, good morning Elizabeth. I quite forgot that you would not know the way to the breakfast room. Thank you Mira" Mira curtsied before leaving.
"Good morning Mr. Darcy" She stated.
"You seem well this morning Elizabeth" He commented as he helped her navigate the food laden table.
"I slept wonderfully Mr. Darcy, it was refreshing" She told him honestly.
"I am glad to hear it," He said. He stopped her hand as she reached for an orange colored pastry.
"I would recommend against that particular pastry. It is quite spicy, and not so good in the morning" He told her.
"If it is not so good, then why is it served?" She asked.
"Georgiana is quite fond of the things on the right, while I am quite fond of the things on the left" He informed her. "We shall have to determine what best suits you, and assign you the middle"
"And where is Georgiana? I should very much like to meet my new sister" Lizzy asked as he pulled out her chair for her. He sat down again at his chair.
"Georgiana often rises early to eat, before retiring again to sleep. She shall awaken in a few hours to play the piano. You shall meet her then" Mr. Darcy replied. He was pleased to see her take a few bites of a pastry, before trying a different one. He watched in fascination as she scrunched her nose at the blueberry tart, and grimaced at the eggs. She seemed to enjoy the bacon and the toast the most.
"If there is something in particular you enjoy for breakfast, I shall ask the cook to prepare it for you for tomorrow" He told her.
"No, this is plenty good" She replied, crunching on a piece of bacon. She flushed, but he only laughed.
She was surprised to hear his laughter; he had such a pleasant, carefree laugh. After finishing breakfast, she sampled his coffee, which she found to be most bitter. He again smiled at the face she made. She settled with traditional tea, and stole half of the paper from him, as she was wont to do with her father.
"Shall I give you a tour of the grounds?" He asked as she finished her tea. She smiled and nodded eagerly. He offered his arm, and set about showing her the massive estate.
They ended the tour in the library, where she promptly gasped. She ran her hand lovingly over the covers of several first editions.
"It's beautiful," She told him.
"As are you," He told her. He had not meant to be so obvious in his attraction, but he was unable to stop the comment before he said it. She blushed and looked down. "Georgiana should be awake by now, if you wish to meet her"
"Of course" Again she took his arm and allowed him to navigate through the halls and stairways. As they approached, she could hear the music. It was sad. Mr. Darcy opened the door, and allowed her to enter first. They did so quietly, so as to not disturb the playing.
Sitting at the most ornate piano Elizabeth had ever seen was a tall blonde. From behind, her blonde curls fell all the way to the bottom of her back. She wore a light purple dress. Beyond that, Elizabeth could not tell anything else.
As the last chord played, Mr. Darcy cleared his throat. The girl startled, and turned about in her seat. At the sight of her brother, whom she hadn't seen in three months, she quickly abandoned her seat, and ran.
"William!" She cried, wrapping her arms about his shoulder. Mr. Darcy smiled, an honest to god smile, and swung her around. "I have missed you so much brother" The young girl stated. Elizabeth guessed she was no older then 16. She had Mr. Darcy's bright blue eyes, although hers were more open.
"As I have missed you. Now, Georgie, this is Elizabeth, my wife" Mr. Darcy drew her closer, until she was almost in his arms. "Elizabeth, this is my sister, Georgiana"
"It is a pleasure to meet you Miss Darcy" Elizabeth said politely. Georgiana flushed pink and nodded.
"Georgiana, sweetling, Elizabeth has stated what a pleasure it is to meet you. Perhaps you should return the sentiment" Mr. Darcy prodded gently. She was surprised at the level of adoration he treated his sister with. They were obviously quite close.
"I ap-pol-logize" She stammered. She was flushing darker now, her eyes drawn down in shame. "It is a- a pleas- sure as well to- to meet you Miss Elizabe- No, Mrs. Darcy" She finished.
"You may call me Elizabeth, or Lizzy, since we are now sisters" She told the poor girl. She was obviously ill at ease with strangers.
"You may call me Georgie, or Georgiana" She said faintly, no traces of a stammer.
"Georgie it is" She said with a smile. "Perhaps you could help me with my pianoforte. I am afraid I play quite dreadfully" Georgiana smiled genuinely at this. She looked to her brother for approval.
"May I?" She asked. Mr. Darcy smiled and nodded. Elizabeth had already put Georgiana at ease, and with such kindness too. He was loath to deprive them of their bonding.
"Of course. Shall I go attend to business, or am I welcome to stay and listen?" He inquired. Georgiana smiled and swatted his arm.
"Of course you are welcome William!" She told him. "Is-is h-h-he not Lizzy?" She asked, suddenly worried.
"You are welcome to do as you please Mr. Darcy, this is your home after all," She said.
"Our home Elizabeth" He reminded her. Georgiana blushed and set about finding a duet as they stared at each other. "What is mine, is now yours. Although this room is mainly Georgiana's, so she may forbid me if she pleases" Lizzy smiled at his attempt of a joke.
"I must warn you that I do not exaggerate, my playing is dreadful," She told him. He sat down on the settee, and stretched.
She walked back to Georgiana, who was trying to decide between two duets. Lizzy noticed their complexity, and sighed.
"Perhaps you can play while I sing," She suggested. Georgiana readily accepted. After a few songs, a servant came in with an express for Mr. Darcy. He excused himself seconds later. Georgiana stopped playing then and sighed.
"Shall we call for some tea?" Lizzy asked, seeing the disappointment in her eyes. Georgiana nodded and allowed Lizzy to ring for tea. A few minutes later a maid came in with the cart. Lizzy poured for them.
They spoke of pleasantries for a few hours, until Georgiana retired to change for the evening, dinner was fast approaching. Lizzy made it back to her own chambers, after getting lost a few times. Mira was waiting for her with a maroon dress laid out. Once she was dressed, and her hair was done, Mira departed, and Mr. Darcy knocked on her door.
"You look beautiful Elizabeth" He complimented her.
"Thank you Mr. D-, William" She amended.
"Shall I show you the way to the dining room?"
"I believe I should be quite lost without your guidance sir" She smiled. He smiled back and offered his arm.
That night, he showed up at her door again, hot chocolate in hand.