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Authors: KaraLynne Mackrory
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judging that if she had not yet entered the room he would encounter her there and invite her to join them. If she had entered, it could make his own entrance less abrupt. But as he reached the doorway, he had watched in stunned appeal as Elizabeth and his sister spoke comfortably with each other. In the end, he had not intruded on their interlude and had left to assure that his valet would be ready for their early departure the next morning.
Later that evening, when he was on his way to his study to retrieve a book, he had been surprised to hear music as he had assumed the ladies had retired long before. Expecting only Georgiana, perhaps still waiting for his return, he had walked right into the room. Discovering that neither lady had retired but were instead engaged in a rather silly duet, he backed to the edge of the doorway and left again soon after the piece was over. He made his way slowly to his study, thinking that the day could not have gone better and then hastily regretting his tactlessness as he remembered the loss of her sister.
It was with these dark thoughts of self-reproach that he spent the remainder of the journey to the last posting inn where they would change horses before reaching Longbourn. Those few days with Elizabeth had taught him a lesson, hard indeed at first, but most advantageous. He was beginning to learn his own insufficiencies. Worst of all, he was beginning to realize that Elizabeth may not be aware of his regard for her if the shock and surprise on her face at his boldness in the library the day before were any indication. He was beginning to wonder whether he knew how to please a woman worthy of being pleased.
* * *
After their last stop, Elizabeth was startled when Darcy entered the carriage. She had thought he would continue on horseback for the last leg of their journey. She carefully observed his darkened brow and wondered at its cause. She rationalized he was ill tempered upon returning to a part of the country that he had so quickly abandoned for fashionable London not six months before. A familiar disapproval of him returned to her heart, aggravated by how little he esteemed her friends and neighbors. Having determined that Mr. Darcy might also disapprove of her friendship with his sister, Elizabeth decided to speak. Coldly, she stated, “I would speak to you about something, Mr. Darcy.” Georgiana should not have to suffer the consequence of her brother’s disapproval of her friendship with Elizabeth.
Mr. Darcy looked up from his hands; Elizabeth’s frosty demeanor was not lost on him. Considering his own self-censuring thoughts, it seemed oddly deserved. He nodded for her to continue.
Observing Maria still asleep, Elizabeth thrust Georgiana’s note at Mr. Darcy.
Puzzled, he reluctantly accepted the missive and raised his brows for explanation.
“Your sister made a request of me that I thought you ought to be aware of, sir.”
“And will you not tell me the manner of this request, Miss Elizabeth?” Darcy held the letter in his hands, preferring not to read the private letter of his sister.
“If you will not read the letter yourself, then I will tell you. She requested permission to further our acquaintance through correspondence.”
Mr. Darcy was well pleased with the prospect of his sister and Elizabeth furthering their friendship through letters. I wish I had thought of that. His joy was open until he realized her tone was anything but happy. His visage became grim.
Hiding his disappointment, he said, “Am I to assume the prospect is distasteful to you?”
Elizabeth narrowed her eyes in confusion. “On the contrary, sir. I like your sister very much, and I would be happy to further our friendship in this manner. However, I am conscious of the fact that you are her brother and guardian and therefore have the power to choose her acquaintances. I simply made you aware of her request, so that you could inform her of your disapproval in a manner best suited for
Later that evening, when he was on his way to his study to retrieve a book, he had been surprised to hear music as he had assumed the ladies had retired long before. Expecting only Georgiana, perhaps still waiting for his return, he had walked right into the room. Discovering that neither lady had retired but were instead engaged in a rather silly duet, he backed to the edge of the doorway and left again soon after the piece was over. He made his way slowly to his study, thinking that the day could not have gone better and then hastily regretting his tactlessness as he remembered the loss of her sister.
It was with these dark thoughts of self-reproach that he spent the remainder of the journey to the last posting inn where they would change horses before reaching Longbourn. Those few days with Elizabeth had taught him a lesson, hard indeed at first, but most advantageous. He was beginning to learn his own insufficiencies. Worst of all, he was beginning to realize that Elizabeth may not be aware of his regard for her if the shock and surprise on her face at his boldness in the library the day before were any indication. He was beginning to wonder whether he knew how to please a woman worthy of being pleased.
* * *
After their last stop, Elizabeth was startled when Darcy entered the carriage. She had thought he would continue on horseback for the last leg of their journey. She carefully observed his darkened brow and wondered at its cause. She rationalized he was ill tempered upon returning to a part of the country that he had so quickly abandoned for fashionable London not six months before. A familiar disapproval of him returned to her heart, aggravated by how little he esteemed her friends and neighbors. Having determined that Mr. Darcy might also disapprove of her friendship with his sister, Elizabeth decided to speak. Coldly, she stated, “I would speak to you about something, Mr. Darcy.” Georgiana should not have to suffer the consequence of her brother’s disapproval of her friendship with Elizabeth.
Mr. Darcy looked up from his hands; Elizabeth’s frosty demeanor was not lost on him. Considering his own self-censuring thoughts, it seemed oddly deserved. He nodded for her to continue.
Observing Maria still asleep, Elizabeth thrust Georgiana’s note at Mr. Darcy.
Puzzled, he reluctantly accepted the missive and raised his brows for explanation.
“Your sister made a request of me that I thought you ought to be aware of, sir.”
“And will you not tell me the manner of this request, Miss Elizabeth?” Darcy held the letter in his hands, preferring not to read the private letter of his sister.
“If you will not read the letter yourself, then I will tell you. She requested permission to further our acquaintance through correspondence.”
Mr. Darcy was well pleased with the prospect of his sister and Elizabeth furthering their friendship through letters. I wish I had thought of that. His joy was open until he realized her tone was anything but happy. His visage became grim.
Hiding his disappointment, he said, “Am I to assume the prospect is distasteful to you?”
Elizabeth narrowed her eyes in confusion. “On the contrary, sir. I like your sister very much, and I would be happy to further our friendship in this manner. However, I am conscious of the fact that you are her brother and guardian and therefore have the power to choose her acquaintances. I simply made you aware of her request, so that you could inform her of your disapproval in a manner best suited for
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