Some people feel a special connection immediately upon meeting that defies reason, and it feels as if they have known each other forever. Such was the case for Elizabeth Bennet and Georgiana Darcy.
They had not known each other for two weeks and had seen each other only five times, but they felt a strong sense of mutual trust.
Darcy was initially afraid that Miss Bennet was not being truthful, and as had happened so many times with other young women in the past, Miss Bingley included, she was pretending to be his sister's friend to get close to him. However, as the days passed, he became convinced that Miss Bennet was not that type of young woman. On that particular day, Miss Bennet would accompany Georgiana to purchase some sheet music at the bookshop and ribbons at the milliner. Since the incident with Wickham, Darcy had been more concerned about his sister's well-being and happiness, and it was only natural that he wanted to accompany her.
After noon, the Darcys fetched Elizabeth at the parsonage. She awaited Georgiana in the garden and was a little surprised to see Mr. Darcy.
Elizabeth smiled and greeted them cordially, adding, "I did not know you were to join us today, Mr. Darcy."
Darcy smiled slightly and said, "I confess it was a last-minute decision. I wish to acquire some books, as the Netherfield Library is sadly short of reading material that interests me."
Georgiana nodded emphatically and added, "It is true, Lizzy. There are only nine books, including two of Shakespeare's plays and two books by Milton. Lord Sebastian told us that his uncle, the owner of Netherfield Park, took his entire collection of books to his estate in Kent."
Elizabeth nodded and sighed. "It makes sense that he took them to his estate. I would do the same."
Darcy nodded, and Elizabeth continued, "One of the things that hurt the most when I had to leave Longbourn was the loss of several of my favourite books, which belonged to the estate, and the new owner would not let me take them with me. I could only take the books my father had given me and those I had bought with my money."
"Lizzy, you should see the Pemberley Library; there are manuscripts over 500 years old and first editions of Shakespeare!" Georgiana exclaimed.
Elizabeth smiled and said, "I would certainly love to see it one day. Miss Bingley said it is the biggest library she has ever seen, and you buy more books to add to it every year."
Darcy nodded. "The library is the work of more than ten generations."
Elizabeth looked at him and asked, "What book are you going to buy today, Mr. Darcy? I guess you will not be purchasing a novel."
Darcy shook his head and smiled slightly. "I do not yet know; I have only been to Meryton's bookshop once and then only for a few minutes."
"I have not been to Meryton's bookshop for several years. I do not know if you are aware that Mr. Stevens had been the owner for almost three decades, and he sold it when he married Mrs. Barton's mother."
"No, we did not know." Answered Darcy.
Elizabeth continued, "Back then, he had an excellent collection of books, and you could pay a monthly fee and read up to four books each month. The only condition was that you must return the book in the same condition in which you lent it, and if you liked the book and had money, you could buy it later."
PPP
The bookshop's new owner, Mr. Johnson, was a middle-aged man who had another bookshop in London. Coincidentally, Mr. Darcy was one of the London bookstore's best customers for a few years. Knowing the gentleman's tastes well and that he had much money and a love of books, he took it upon himself to show the gentleman all the latest selection of titles he had shipped from London.
Meanwhile, Georgiana and Elizabeth were going through several music sheets for sale. They were looking for one by Beethoven or Mozart, and after a few minutes, they found what they were looking for. Since Darcy had not decided which books to buy and was interested in reading a new agricultural treatise, Georgiana told him they would go to the milliner's shop.
The milliner's shop was relatively small but had a lovely collection of ribbons in several colours and sizes. The two friends immediately began to look at and compare several of the hair ribbons when they heard the voice of a gentleman that they both knew. Neither of them desired to see him again for different reasons. He stood chatting intimately with a young woman on the other side of the shop.
Georgiana turned pale when she saw him and began to tremble and gasp for breath. To Elizabeth's surprise and concern, she vanished in a few seconds. Everything happened quickly, and she could not stop Georgiana from falling to the floor. Given the commotion, several curious neighbours entered the milliner's shop to find out what was happening.