Page 86 of Miss Bennet's Dragon
I waited the next day,not willing to stir until the sample of lake water was delivered. Not that I was certain it had any value. But I would pursue every chance.
My aunt and uncle raved about Pemberley, then puzzled over Mr. Darcy, then raved about Pemberley again. I paced, trying not to listen.
“Lizzy,” called my uncle. “Should I accept his offer to fish? Mrs. Gardiner and I have difficulty making him out. I found him charming, but from your description, I expected a very different man. If he is so changeable in his moods, perhaps I will be chased off if I return?”
“I think he is not changeable,” I said. My uncle appeared unconvinced, so I added, “My original description may have been in error.”
“Oh. Well, I should like to give it a try, then.” To his wyfe, he said, “What do you say?”
My aunt was studying me with a disconcertingly perceptive expression. “I am not yet sure.”
I heard a carriage outside and ran to the window. A curricle with a gentleman and lady was driving up the street, followed by a large coach with a four-horse team.
“Oh.” I turned to my aunt and uncle. “It is Mr. Darcy.”
They exchanged a look, and my aunt folded her arms triumphantly.
I plunked down in the nearest seat. An excessive number of feet began stamping up the stairs. There was a knock, and my uncle invited them in.
The chambermaid opened the door and curtsied, announcing, “Mr. Darcy.” Even as we rose, Mr. Darcy strode in. He greeted my aunt and uncle cordially, then turned to me and stalled. Finally, he bowed. “Miss Bennet.”
I nodded, distracted by the stream of footmen placing large wicker boxes beside the wall. This continued until there were twelve, which filled half the floor.
A footman opened the lids, revealing a variety of glass containers packed in straw, from the size of saltshakers to huge jars, all filled with clear liquid and corked and waxed.
We had fallen silent at the display, including Mr. Darcy, who appeared abashed. As the last lid opened, he said, “I hoped this would assist your project. But this may be excessive for transportation by carriage.”
“Perhaps we could take just one?” I suggested. He nodded, and I chose a box with a collection of manageable jars.
While the footmen packed up the remaining eleven boxes, Mr. Darcy stepped closer to speak privately. “I have reviewed my notes from other cases. Only one treatment for binding sickness has proven benefit, an extract of rowan flowers. It is not a cure, but it slows progression. My apothecary has begun preparing the medicine and will finish tomorrow. I can have it sent to Longbourn, or to here if you will still be in Lambton.”
“Thank you. That is wonderful. Please send it here. I would prefer to carry it with me.” My aunt and uncle were too settled to leave today anyway.
Once all but one wicker box had vanished out the door, a young lady, reed-thin and slightly taller than me, entered. She wore a dark blue muslin dress and bonnet, impeccably fitted but simply cut.
“Miss Elizabeth Bennet,” Mr. Darcy said. His tone had become serious. “It would be my honor to introduce my sister, Miss Georgiana Darcy.”
We exchanged greetings while I recovered from my surprise at such a significant introduction. Under her bonnet, her eyes were as dark blue as her dress. I knew she was sixteen, but I could have guessed her younger or older. She was a wisp of a creature, like a child who has shot up in height, but her voice was melodious and mature.
Beautiful voice aside, each time she spoke, her words were brief. She was well-spoken and polite, but I wondered if she was shy.
“Your brother speaks of you often,” I told her, smiling and trying to put her at ease.
“And of you, very often,” she said with her own smile, and I was the one who felt shy.
Unsure what to say next, I introduced her to my aunt and uncle.
After greeting them, Miss Darcy said to my uncle, “I understand you will visit Pemberley again. Will you attend this afternoon?”
When my uncle agreed, having little choice when invited so directly, she continued, “If you are not engaged, would you dine with us after?”
My uncle accepted, but I saw his stunned surprise.
Then Miss Darcy gave her own gasp of surprise and bent to peer under the table. She had spotted the Gardiners’ tykeworm, who was observing the bustle from a safe location.
Miss Darcy dropped to her knees, her reticence forgotten. “Oh! You are a handsome creature!”
I waited for the tyke’s reaction. Ever since the Pemberley gamekeeper spoke of Miss Darcy, I had wondered if she had the same strange ability as me.
