Page 160 of Companions of Their Youth
Elizabeth added, “She has quite the eye for detail. And the youngest Crowley boy insisted on calling her ‘Miss Angel’ when she brought him a scarf.”
Georgiana turned pink, ducking her head.
Darcy looked between them, deeply moved. Only a month ago, his sister was throwing tantrums and attacking her companion—she would never have acknowledged a tenant’s existence, let alone volunteer to sew garments for them. Now she was glowing with purpose, her hands busy, her voice sure.
He reached over and lightly touched her arm. “I am proud of you.”
Her eyes flickered up to his, wide and startled, then softened. She gave a small, warm smile.
And then—
The front door opened. A gust of cold air swept in.
A voice called cheerfully from the foyer, “Is the whole family home, or have I interrupted some very important talk of bonnet trimming and shoe roses?”
“Mark?” Elizabeth’s head turned sharply. “Mark!”
Darcy looked up as the young man entered, snow clinging to his shoulders, his cheeks ruddy from the wind, his grin familiar… and entirely unexpected
Elizabeth rose so quickly her sewing fell to the floor. “What—what are you doing here?”
Mrs. Bennet gasped. “Oh heavens! Did something happen to the Gardiners?”
Mr. Bennet stood as well, sharp-eyed. “Were you sent down?”
Mark blinked at the barrage of questions, raising both hands in protest. “No! No, nothing like that. Everyone is well. And I am not in trouble, I swear.” He glanced about the room. “I simply received enough letters this week to fill a trunk, and the reports were so wildly different I hardly knew what to believe. I decided it would be best to come see for myself. And… to see that my sister is well. My professors were gracious enough to grant me leave for two days.”
Elizabeth stepped forward and embraced him tightly. Darcy watched her face soften with a look he rarely saw—deep affection, slightly unguarded.
Introductions were made. Mark greeted the neighbor ladies and bowed politely to Georgiana, who blushed and offered a murmured welcome. The girls tittered behind their fans.
Darcy, observing quietly from the sideboard, studied him.
He was trim, good-humored, handsome in the careless way of someone who had never had to court attention. He joked easily with the ladies, but nottooeasily. His glances at the youngmen in the room were just as fleeting. Nothing overt. Nothing certain.
Is he the reason, Darcy wondered,that Elizabeth so fiercely defended the morality of men who… love differently?
But if so, there was no sign. Nothing he could point to. Mark behaved in the same way all young men did.
“Well,” Mark said at last, clapping his hands together, “now that I am warm again, I should like to steal my sister for a bit of air. We have important twin things to discuss—secret, sacred things.”
Laughter broke out around the room.
Mrs. Bennet wrung her hands. “Oh, but the weather! You will catch your death!”
Elizabeth grinned. “I think a walk soundsexactlyright. If Mr. Darcy does not object to my abandonment?”
Darcy straightened and nodded. “Of course not, but only for a beloved family member.”
The dazzling smile she sent his way caused a jolt somewhere in his navel. Oh, how he loved her.
Mr. Bennet stepped forward and placed a hand on Darcy’s shoulder. “Come along, then. I will keep you occupied with a game of chess while those two air out their conspiracies.”
Darcy cast one more glance after Elizabeth as she slipped out of the room beside her brother, her arm tucked in his.
He followed Mr. Bennet toward the study.
But he could not help but wonder whattwin thingsmightreallybe discussed.
