Page 75 of The Long Road Back to Yesterday

In temperament, she and Lydia were not so very different. Both were lively and curious, but Elizabeth possessed an inner compass and a measure of restraint that had generally kept her within the bounds of propriety. Her youngest sister possessed neither in sufficient measure. In that respect, Lydia was more like their mother.

Elizabeth wondered what else in her own character required amendment. What had been approved of, or merely tolerated, within the walls of Longbourn did not necessarily meet the standards expected in higher circles.

Her uncle’s voice interrupted her reflections.

“Lizzy, I am sorry you will miss the fishing this morning. Shall I come for you after you have spent an hour with Miss Darcy? I can take your rod with me.”

Elizabeth’s eyes brightened. “I should like that very much, Uncle. I shall ask Georgiana if she wishes to join us. We might even walk there together, if Mr. Radcliff would permit Anna to accompany us.”

Mr. Radcliff said, “I know Anna does not care for walking outdoors. I shall instruct the footmen before we leave. All you need do is ring when you are ready, and one of them will accompany you.”

“Thank you, sir. And if I discover that Georgiana is no more an outdoorswoman than Anna, we will remain here and play the pianoforte. She could teach me a thing or two that might improve my skill upon the instrument.”

After that, she was left to herself. Would Mr. and Miss Darcy come as arranged? Surely, he would have sent word by now if he meant to cry off.

When she finished eating, she excused herself and returned to her books. Better to employ her mind in searching for answers than to brood over the loss of a man she could not have under any circumstances.

* * *

Elizabeth was so engrossed in her reading that she did not hear Mr. and Miss Darcy enter the room. She remained oblivious to her guests until Georgiana laughed and hurried toward her.

Elizabeth looked up, laid down her quill, and rose. “Have I been quite oblivious to you, Georgiana?”

The girl reached her and threw her arms around her in an affectionate embrace. “I could hardly wait to come to you, Lizzy. I woke early and dressed and had my breakfast, and still it was not time to leave, so I sat at the pianoforte and worked on my scales to help pass the time.”

“And now we are here together, finally,” Elizabeth said, laughing.

Mr. Darcy had approached by then. Elizabeth raised her eyes to his, her manner tentative.

He was smiling.

Then his expression changed. His brow furrowed, but she saw neither anger nor judgment there. He appeared concerned for her.

But he could not ask after her, nor could she offer any reassurance. Neither could acknowledge before his sister that they had been alone together upon the moor at daybreak.

“I trust you are well, Miss Elizabeth.”

He was concerned. She heard it in his voice, in his tone and in the particular emphasis he placed upon the words.

“Yes, sir. I am well. Perfectly so.”

His eyes lingered upon hers. She realized then that her eyelids must still be swollen, for she had wept all the way back from the henge.

She offered him a reassuring smile but could say no more in his sister’s presence. Turning to Georgiana, she said, “My uncle has invited us to join the fishing party after we have finished our studies. He has agreed to take my rod and flies with him if you wish to go. I can teach you to cast a line if you have never done so before.”

Georgiana turned to her brother. “May I go, Fitzwilliam?”

“What time would you join us, Miss Elizabeth?”

“Mr. Radcliff said I might secure the services of a footman to accompany us whenever we are ready to abandon our studies and join the fishing party.”

“I shall come for you myself. You need only tell me what time you wish for me to come.”

His offer surprised her. “Thank you, sir.” She consulted her watch. “It is nine o’clock now. How long do you mean to attend to your book, Georgiana? Would an hour and a half prove too taxing?”

The girl laughed. “I am very attentive to my books, Lizzy. I can easily study for an hour and a half, unless you find that too trying.”

Elizabeth returned her watch to the table. “Not at all, my girl. I can easily sit over my books for five hours at a time.”