Page 97 of May I Have the Pleasure
“That sounds like a good choice.”
“If you want an easier path, I will set you one. You could have a season, and probably find a quite amiable husband with no more work than attending a few months of balls and entertainments.”
“I like the first choice. I should like the chance to see what I am made of. It would be nice tonotbeone of the silliest girls in the country.”
“All right. We are off to the modiste now. I hate to say it, but that dress will have to be burned… today. Let us see if my maid can stuff you into one of my old dresses for the trip to Bond Street.”
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Pemberley—October 1815
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“Welcome to Pemberley, Lady Mawbry! Welcome Miss Bennet.”
“I thank you,Mr Darcy, but I am still Elizabeth or Eliza to you.”
“Of course.”
“Thank you, Mr Darcy, Miss Darcy. I feel privileged to visit your home.”
“You are most welcome, Miss Bennet. Did you enjoy your visit to Rosings? Are my aunt and cousin in good health and spirits?”
“Yes sir, they are, and I enjoyed their company immensely. I fear your cousin Anne quite considers me a little project she is anxious to get started with.”
“You will survive it, I believe… probably... I think.”
“Georgiana, it is good to see you again. You seem to have survived your first season relatively unscathed.”
“I did. It was diverting but exhausting.”
“No good suitors, I imagine?”
“I must confess, I developed an ardent appreciation for theInfamous Darcy Scowl. I practise in front of a mirror when nobody is watching and study my brother in company to ensure I have it right.”
“Why Georgiana Darcy,that is the most unforgiving speech, that I ever heard you utter. Good girl!”
“It is a solid observation, Elizabeth. Just wait; you shall see. The ton is like a giant funnel used to concentrate insincere people in one place to save the rest of the population from bothering with them. Brother’s cricket bat came in quite convenient; I can assure you.”
“Give it time, Georgiana. Give it time. The existence of your brother and cousin prove there are at least a few good men left in the world, and even some in theton.”
“Yes, I believe you… and… I have time.”
“The wisest words ever spoken. If you do not care for the marriage mart, perhaps you might tour the continent or America. Perhaps you will get farther than I did.”
“How far did you make it?”
“A mile or two past the docks. I could have gone ahead with the tour, but I felt the weight of responsibility and missed my friend too much.”
“Let me express my sympathy, Elizabeth. The world lost a good man—a very good man.”
“And I shall add mine.”
“Thank you, Georgiana… Fitzwilliam.”
“Elizabeth, Miss Bennet, pray, refresh yourselves and then we shall have a light dinner.”
“Fitzwilliam, might we call my sister by her given name? Kitty or Catherine will do.”
