Page 22 of Saved By Mr. Darcy
“This is the most contemporary.”
“Thank you,” she extended her arm, taking the book from him. She shuffled back, taking care to keep her leg still.
She opened the book, and he watched as she began to read. He pulled a book from the shelf for himself at random, settling in a chair and opening the tome at the first page. If questioned, he would be unable to recall even the subject of the book, for he could not take his eyes of her as she read.
She was a remarkably quick reader, each page complete in mere moments.
“Miss Elizabeth!” Georgiana’s voice echoed from the corridor. “Lizzy, where are you?”
Miss Elizabeth darted an apologetic look to Darcy at the use of such a familiar address, but she smiled all the same.
“In here!” Miss Elizabeth called back.
Georgiana came bounding in, a smile spreading over her face.
“Oh, I was so worried! I went to your room and you were not there. I needn’t have worried so, this is wonderful! You have moved!”
Miss Elizabeth smiled back, reaching out a hand to his sister. She walked over, taking Miss Elizabeth’s hand and raising it to her cheek. It was an easy display of affection, and he found himself once again resenting his sister’s easy manners. She seemed to draw such comfort from the company of others, charming everyone she met. What a pity that a girl so kind and caring was cursed with an ogre for a brother.
“The library is just as splendid as you promised, my dear. My spirits are gladdened just by the room itself!”
“What would you like to read? I see my brother has thrust the very boring account of Pemberley’s history onto you.”
“Not at all. I asked for it, and I shall be pleased to educate myself.”
“When you have finished, the new novels I ordered from London have arrived,” Georgiana grinned. “If you are still awake.”
Georgiana was simple in her tastes, requiring only her pianoforte and a healthy supply of books for entertainment. Darcy was happy to settle as many bills from the bookseller as were sent to him, if it meant Georgiana was content. She read broadly with Mrs Annesley, educating herself in all the world had to offer; and so he made no comment on the novels she chose to read in her free time. He knew that, for all she teased Elizabeth, Georgiana had read that very book herself from cover to cover.
“Lovely,” Miss Elizabeth smiled, stretching back on her perch like a contented cat. She yawned widely, clamping a hand over her mouth. “Forgive me, I am sorry. I have done nothing but sleep, and still I am tired. You must think I'm terribly lazy, Mr Darcy.”
“I think you to be unfathomably brave, Elizabeth,” Georgiana interrupted before he could speak. “You may sleep as much as you wish.”
“Thank you. I shall read for a while, and do my best to enjoy this beautiful room.”
“I shall leave you both,” Darcy rose to his feet. “I hope the book is of interest to you. I shall see you for dinner. I hope we might endeavour to make it possible for you to join us, Miss Elizabeth.”
“In a day or two, perhaps. It would be my pleasure,” she said, a smile spreading across her features. “I fear I would make a poor dinner companion tonight. Miss Darcy, perhaps you would play for me?”
“Of course! And my brother says that you played very finely at Rosings, so when you are feeling able we must perform a duet!”
“Your brother overstates my talent, Miss Darcy.”
“Do call me Georgiana, or Miss Georgiana at least. And I am sure he does not! I do not know how closely you are acquainted with Fitzwilliam, Miss Bennet, but he is not in the habit of false praise. I have never known him to engage in idle flattery.”
He felt heat rise in his cheeks at his sister’s assessment of his character.
“I am well enough acquainted with Mr Darcy to agree with you, certainly,” she nodded. “It is a rare trait in our society indeed; but one I have grown to admire. Even if, perhaps, I could claim not to understand it upon our first meetings.”
He stared at her, stunned by her frankness. He pressed his fingernails to his palm, the sting of pain making him certain that this was no dream. He wondered what had changed that Miss Elizabeh would speak to him with such apparent admiration. And still, a hint of teasing. He could not bring himself to mind, for during the long days of her unconscious state, he had longed to hear her tease him, to say any words at all.
He stood in silence, unable to compose a response to such an unexpected statement. Elizabeth stared at him a moment, a familiar glint in her eyes that he loved so dearly. Then, she turned her attention to Georgiana, the two falling into an easy conversation. He watched, feeling a sting of jealousy that hissister possessed such a warm demeanour. A foolish thing, to be jealous of someone as sweet and loving as his dear sister, but it was something that surged upon him without his consent. Had he been terrible company for her all these years? If he had taken a wife years ago, would such a guiding influence have prevented Wickham from…
No. No, he could not think like that. The past could not be changed, and the future would be what it was.Rumination would do nothing to help matters.
He left the room without a word, leaving the two to their conversation. He made for the front door, wishing for fresh air. The day was a pleasant one, the sky a patchwork of white clouds amongst bright blue. Darcy took no notice of the weather. Time was, he would go straight to the stable and saddle his favourite horse. He had no taste for riding now; just the thought of it brought back terrible memories of the day he had found the scene of the accident.
He walked for miles, away from the house and out into the estate. There he found himself on the North road once more, the very place where this had all begun. Why he had come here he did not know; perhaps he meant to torture himself with memories. The clearing was as it had been before, the debris of the accident removed by his men. This place was no different to any other now.
