Falling for Mr. Darcy (29 page)

“No, Georgiana, you must not worry. I suspect he has been busy with his regiment, and you remember, we saw him just days ago at Aunt Ellen’s Christmas dinner.”

“Yes, we did. However, I also saw that whenever he spoke to you, he walked away chuckling while you were frowning.”

“Richard always finds things to tease me about, dear, you know that. He has just found something particularly interesting this time; that is all.”

Darcy looked at his sister as she simply nodded her head. It was not like her to approach him about something like this, but it made him happy that she felt confident enough to do so. When he thought about it, he had noticed other times when she asserted herself more in their conversations, even challenging him. He was far from unhappy about it as it made him hopeful that she was recovering, growing into a stronger version of herself. He looked towards his desk again, remembering Wickham’s words. He was not going to let that man control him or dictate their lives.

“Georgiana, how would you like to go shopping today? There is a bookstore on Brook Street I would like to visit, and it is near several of the shops I know you enjoy. Would you accompany me?”

Georgiana’s face lit up at the offer, and she smiled brightly. “I would like that very much, William. When would you like to go?”

“Will a half hour be sufficient for you and Mrs. Annesley? I have just a small amount of business to attend, and then I will be ready.”

“That will be fine. I will meet you in the vestibule then.” She leaned over and hugged her brother tightly around his neck. “You are the best brother!” She kissed his cheek and skipped happily out of the study, closing the door behind her.

For a moment, Darcy was stunned by her enthusiastic approval of his proposal. It made him feel guilty that he had not offered to take her out more often since his return to town. If doing a little shopping were all it took to make her happy, he would gladly spend the money.

With renewed determination, he strolled over to his desk and took out a sheet of paper to write to his cousin.

Richard,
Received this note from Wickham today. He says he is watching us. I will have my men look out for him near our house. –F.D.

Darcy retrieved Wickham’s letter and folded it within his own. After sealing it, he took it to Mr. Carroll to post with the rest of his correspondence and went up to his chambers to prepare to go shopping with Georgiana.

* * *

Elizabeth had just finished placing the last pin in her hair when she heard giggles outside her door. Her little cousins had taken to trying to frighten her whenever she left her room in the morning by hiding behind the door. She had been in London for a week now and was enjoying herself. The change of scenery was, indeed, helpful for her, and she relished in the undivided time with her aunt.

She smiled as she heard whispering and giggling in anticipation from the hallway. She quietly donned her slippers and tiptoed to the door. Carefully, she turned the handle, waiting to see if her young cousins had heard her, but they were still whispering and giggling. Swiftly, Elizabeth pulled open the door and roared, causing them to shriek and laugh as she chased them down the hall.

“Come here, you little urchins! I am going to get you all!” She laughed as she grabbed one little squirming body and ran to catch up with the other. Just as her arm came around the small waist, the youngest cousin, Peter, appeared in front of her.

He took his thumb out of his mouth, stood as tall as his four-year-old self could get and put his hands out menacingly. “Boo!”

Elizabeth loosened her grip on the other two and pretended to be frightened as she stumbled backwards onto a bench with her hands over her heart. The children wiggled away to stand next to their younger brother. They all laughed and then the little ones came to hug their favorite cousin.

“Good mornin’, Cousin Lizzabet. I sure scared you,” Peter said.

“You most certainly did, Peter!” She laughed as she mussed his hair. The other two children took her hands to lead her down the stairs.

Her Aunt Gardiner turned towards them as Elizabeth entered the breakfast room, escorted in a most gentlemanly fashion by her nine-year-old son.

She gave her cousin a proper curtsy. “Thank you for escorting me, Master Edward.”

This appellation caused the younger boy to stand proudly taller as he performed a perfect bow. “It was my pleasure, Cousin Elizabeth.”

Madeline Gardiner laughed softly and reached for her niece’s hand. “I hope they did not come too early this morning, Lizzy. They did not wake you, did they?”

Elizabeth smiled indulgently at her cousins. “Not at all. I was awake.”

Her aunt studied her for a minute and then smiled. “You look well this morning, dear. You must have slept better than you have been, for your cheeks are bright, and you seem in good spirits this morning.”

But Elizabeth had not slept well. Her thoughts of Mr. Darcy had followed her to London. Before she left Longbourn, Jane mentioned that Mr. Darcy was standing up with Charles at the wedding, now just over three weeks away. Knowing that she would see him again caused a mixture of feelings. She was excited and nervous at the same time. She did not know how he felt about her, and she was afraid to hope in that regard. However, she was convinced, regardless of his feelings for her, that she would forever love him.

“I slept well enough, I suppose. Perhaps I am just excited for our shopping trip today, Aunt. Where are we to go?”

Her aunt laughed at her enthusiasm. “I have a friend from school whose husband owns one of the finest milliner’s shops in London. It is on Brook Street. Would you like to go there?”

Elizabeth squeezed her aunt’s hand and shot her eyebrows up as she nodded her head and smiled.

“Very well, then, have your breakfast, and I shall order the carriage.”

* * *

Wickham adjusted the newspaper he held and lowered the brim of his hat when the front door to Darcy House opened. He had been sitting on a bench in the park across the street for a while. In frustration, he turned a page of the paper. An entire week had passed, and he was still not completely able to work out enough of Darcy or Georgiana’s schedules to determine the best time to surprise and accost them. He especially wanted a chance to speak to Georgiana alone and have her deliver his final threat to Darcy.

Darcy was everything loyal and predictable when it came to those about whom he cared. Wickham snarled to himself and let out a low chuckle. It was this predictability that had always given Wickham the upper hand. He knew well enough that, when it came to those he cared about, Darcy was willing to protect them at any cost. Wickham had sent Darcy the notes in hopes of familiarizing his old friend with a bit of fear, so that when the time came for Wickham to lay his final claim on the table, Darcy would do anything he demanded.

Wickham peeked slyly over the edge of his paper to see first Mrs. Annesley and then Georgiana exiting the house. He began folding the paper while he watched.
Today may be my day to speak with Georgiana
, he thought with satisfaction. A moment later, he frowned as Darcy exited the house and handed the ladies into the carriage.

He watched Darcy look down both sides of the street. Wickham dipped his head as Darcy’s gaze briefly washed through the park and passed over him. He smiled to himself at the obvious effect of his most recent letter. Darcy was at least taking him seriously, which was a good sign. Wickham raised his head when he saw Darcy enter the carriage and leave with his sister.

In frustration, Wickham finished folding the paper and slapped it across his leg. Once again, Darcy had accompanied his sister, and he would not get his opportunity that day. He walked apace to where he had tethered his horse near a tree and rode off through the park. As long as Darcy was with them, he knew he would have no chance of finding Georgiana alone.

* * *

Elizabeth and her aunt entered the milliner’s shop with happy determination. They had enjoyed their discussions so far that morning as they went from shop to shop.

“Well, Lizzy, this is my friend’s shop, and we have saved the best for last, I daresay. What is left on your mother’s list for Jane’s trousseau?”

Elizabeth laughed softly as she reached into her reticule and retrieved the paper her mother had sent with her to London. Her eyes scanned the lengthy list as she read, “A few pairs of evening gloves, a parasol, and plenty of ribbons and lace.” Elizabeth looked up with a smile and scanned the shop. “I believe we shall find all we need here and perhaps a bit more.”

Elizabeth laced her arm through her aunt’s, and they smiled at each other as they ventured down the aisles of the large establishment.

“Are you jealous of Jane, Lizzy?” her aunt asked with a feigned indifference when they stopped to browse a rack of ribbons, as if she were merely commenting on the weather.

Elizabeth gave her aunt an impertinent rise of her eyebrow. “Well, Aunt, you seem most direct this morning.” She laughed and continued, “Of course I am not jealous. Mr. Bingley is perfect for Jane, and she could not be happier. Her felicity is mine.”

Her aunt studied her and said, doubtingly, “You do not always appear happy to hear her say she loves him.” She turned to inspect another ribbon. “You always look away or your smile seems to freeze on your face.”

Elizabeth tried to deflect the import of the subject with humor. “Aunt Gardiner! I did not know you were such a studier of persons. Pray tell, are you hoping for a career as a Bow Street runner?”

Her aunt turned to her with a serious look. “Lizzy, tell me you have not also developed feelings for Mr. Bingley. Is that why you seem uncomfortable when Jane speaks of her love for him?”

Elizabeth’s heart melted at the sincerity in her aunt’s voice. Her concern was obvious and touching. She never could speak to her own mother about her feelings, and although she often spoke of such things with her father, not having another woman to consult was difficult. Elizabeth rested a warm hand on her aunt’s arm.

“Dear Aunt, do not be troubled for me. I do not love Mr. Bingley; he is to be my brother, and a brother’s love is all I would wish from him.”
His friend,
however, is a different story
. She smiled at her aunt to reassure her.

After scrutinizing her niece’s face for a few moments, Madeline gave a sigh of relief and patted the hand on her arm. “I cannot tell you how glad I am to hear you say so, Elizabeth. I had begun to worry for you.”

Elizabeth laughed softly to dispel the serious nature of their conversation. “Well, you need not be worried, Aunt. I hear Mr. Collins might have a cousin for me.”

Her aunt gave her a censuring look before covering her mouth to stifle a laugh, and they began browsing again.

Outside the shop, Mr. Darcy helped his sister and her companion down from the carriage. He again scanned the street around them and smiled at her.

“Would you like me to come with you?” he asked, kindly. But Georgiana could see the subtle distaste in his tone and she laughed.

“William, I know how much you dislike browsing the ladies’ shops with me.” She laughed again at his chagrined frown and acknowledging nod at the truth of her words. Georgiana lifted her chin and smiled cheekily at him. “Though, why, I do not know. There are always lovely ladies inside, and I am sure you can learn much more about a lady in a shop than on the floor of a ballroom.”

Darcy smiled at her and kissed her forehead. “Perhaps you are right. I shall go in this one directly, and if cupid is on my side, I shall find a wife
and
a pair of slippers for her all at the same time. What a time saver that shall be!”

Georgiana laughed cheerfully at her brother’s silliness and then abruptly stopped and covered her mouth. She looked around to see if anyone had witnessed her most unladylike show of amusement. Upon seeing no one around, she smiled at her brother and said, “No indeed, Brother. You would have no such luck. Your taste in lady’s fashion is something atrocious, and I am sure you will not find yourself a wife. But even if you should, the slippers you choose would drive her away just as quickly.”

Darcy smiled broadly, revealing his dimples and causing his sister’s smile to widen. Neither had seen the other smile so genuinely in quite a while, and both were glad for it. Darcy looked at his sister with affection and continued to tease her. With a dramatic pose of his hand over his heart, he said, “You wound me, Georgie! How can you say I have poor taste when, just days ago, you were so delighted with the gloves I gave you for Christmas?”

Georgiana looked at her brother with a guilty smile. Twisting her reticule strings in her hands, she mumbled, “Well . . . ”

“You did not like them?” Darcy asked with astonishment. When he saw her guilty face lower again at his discovery, he said in a softer tone, “Georgiana, I am not offended.” He lifted her chin with his finger and said with a smile, “Perhaps you are right, then. I will have no such luck finding a wife in this establishment.”

The smile on his face disarmed Georgiana and she spoke softly, but with humor. “Leave it to me, William. I will find you a wife and some slippers for her as well. Go to that bookstore across the street that you always eye longingly whenever we shop together. Leave the ladies’ business to me.”