Page 82 of Attempted Compromises
He opened his mouth to respond, perhaps to suggest they share a quiet breakfast together, when the distant sound of Andrew’s voice carried up the stairs.
“Papa? Papa, where are you?” The boy’s enthusiastic calls for his father broke the moment, and Darcy sighed, running a hand through his hair.
Darcy’s lips quirked in a smile, though he sighed ruefully. “It seems Andrew is not inclined to waste the morning, either.”
Elizabeth looked at him with a teasing smile on her lips. “It seems your presence is in high demand this morning.”
“As it should be,” Darcy replied, though his tone was warm rather than prideful. He rose from the bed and Elizabeth averted her eyes instinctively. “I will see what Andrew requires, he said, pulling on his dressing gown. “Perhaps you might join us in the nursery afterward?”
Elizabeth nodded in agreement, her expression soft. “I would like that. I’ll join you as soon as I’m dressed.” He gazed at her bare shoulders appreciatively, and she blushed, spotting her nightdress in a heap on the floor.
A soft knock at the door saved Elizabeth’s blushes, but she pulled the blankets up to her chin. “My nightdress!” she hissed. Darcy grinned roguishly and threw it to her before he opened the door. A maid stood in the hall with a neatly folded note. “A message from Mrs. Bingley, madam,” the maid said. Darcy accepted the missive, and the maid left with a knowing smile.
“You can dress, now,” Darcy said. Elizabeth stared at him with wide eyes, biting her lip in hesitation. Darcy laughed and turned his back, holding the note up.
Elizabeth threw the nightgown over her head and slipped out of bed. “Thank you,” she said, taking the note. She scanned the words quickly, her brow furrowing in thought.
“From your sister?” Darcy inquired, turning back to her. “Is everything well?”
“Yes,” Elizabeth replied, her gaze lifting from the note to meet his eyes. “She’s requested my assistance with meeting the housekeeper this morning. It seems she would like my support managing the household.” Her voice held a touch of uncertainty, though it was clear she wished to oblige her sister.
Darcy’s lips quirked in a faint smile. “Courage is not something you lack.”
Elizabeth’s cheeks flushed slightly at the compliment, but she nodded. “It will be good to keep busy. Though…” She hesitated, her fingers toying with the edge of the note. “I wonder if Georgiana might benefit from attending, along with Mrs. Annesley. If Jane has no objection, of course.”
Her request startled him, though not unpleasantly. It was an unexpected consideration, one that showed not only her thoughtfulness but her understanding of Georgiana’s shyness and need for guidance. He felt a surge of gratitude and something deeper as he regarded her.
“You would include Georgiana?” he asked softly.
Elizabeth’s cheeks flushed under his scrutiny, but her voice was steady. “She is my sister now,” she said simply. “If Jane has no objection, I believe Georgiana might benefit from learning such matters. And Mrs. Annesley’s experience could only be of benefit to us all.”
Darcy’s heart swelled at her words. That she would so naturally embrace Georgiana and seek to involve her in meaningful ways was more than he could have hoped for. He nodded, his voice warm. “If Mrs. Bingley is agreeable, I think it an excellent idea. And as for Georgiana and Andrew, you may do whatever you feel is best for them, so long as we first discuss any major changes you wish to make. I trust your judgment entirely, Elizabeth.”
Her eyes widened, her surprise evident, and for a fleeting moment, Darcy thought he saw something deeper in her expression—something that gave him hope, though he knew it was too soon to dwell on such notions. Still, he couldn’t resist the impulse to lean down and press a gentle kiss to her forehead. Her eyes fluttered closed at the contact, and when she looked up at him again, his heart was nearly undone.
“Thank you,” she said softly, her voice filled with sincerity.
“It is I who should thank you,” he replied, his voice low. “You have already done more for my family than I could have asked.”
She smiled, and the sight of it sent his heart into a quiet turmoil. “They are my family now, too,” she repeated.
“Shall we meet after our tasks are finished?” he asked softly.
Elizabeth nodded and began to make her way towards her dressing room. Darcy watched her retreating figure, his chest tight with emotions he could scarcely name. Leaving his room in search of Andrew, his young son’s face blurred in front of him as thoughts of Elizabeth consumed him. How was he to accomplish anything when her presence lingered so vividly in his mind? He sighed, picking up his pen with a rueful smile.
She had, unknowingly, made a hopeless fool of him already.
∞∞∞
The steady jostle of the carriage and the rhythmic clatter of wheels against the road jarred Caroline Bingley into consciousness. Her head throbbed, a dull ache radiating from her temples, and her vision blurred as she blinked, trying to make sense of her surroundings.
The coarse blanket draped over her lap scratched at her skin, its scent of horse and sweat making her stomach churn. The dim light filtering through the small carriage window did littleto ease her confusion, though it thankfully did not aggravate the hammer pounding in her skull.
Where am I? What is happening?
She pressed a hand to her forehead, struggling to make sense of her surroundings. The plush cushions of the carriage seat felt unfamiliar, and the coarse wool blanket draped haphazardly across her lap reeked of horses. She blinked, forcing her eyes to adjust, when a figure seated across from her came into focus. Her mind felt sluggish, disoriented, but she clung to the last thing she remembered—the drawing room at Netherfield. Darcy’s jacket…
Mr. Darcy!
