Page 38 of The Crown’s Gift

"I imagine them all leaving," Georgiana said.

Mary looked at her in wonder. "I imagine the room empty before I begin."

They laughed with the astonishment of discovering a private oddity shared.

Darcy lowered his unread letter.

Elizabeth watched his face as Georgiana relaxed. Tenderness, relief, and an old fear remained there. He did not look like a proud man granting favor. He looked like a brother who had been unable to give his sister ease and was grateful to the person who could.

"She has not laughed so with a new acquaintance since Ramsgate," he said quietly.

The name meant little to Elizabeth then, though the shadow in his voice did.

"Mary rarely does either."

"You delayed your presentation for her."

Elizabeth turned. "Who told you?"

"My aunt."

"It was not a sacrifice."

"Two seasons?"

"I had no urgent desire to walk backward in feathers."

"You altered your own plans so she would not be alone."

"Would you not do the same for Georgiana?"

"Yes."

"Then do not praise me for loving my sister as you love yours."

His gaze held hers. "I was not praising you. I was correcting an opinion."

Elizabeth felt the words land between them.

"Which opinion?"

"That your confidence made you careless of quieter feelings."

She ought to have resented being judged at all. Instead she remembered how readily she had reduced him to pride.

"And is it corrected?"

"Entirely."

Their voices had lowered. Across the room Mrs Annesley concealed a smile.

The door opened abruptly. Bingley entered, followed by a footman whose attempt to announce him came too late.

"Darcy, I must speak with you."

He stopped when he saw Elizabeth and Mary. Color rose in his face.

"Miss Elizabeth. Miss Mary. Forgive me. I did not know you were here."