Page 110 of Mr. Darcy’s Diamonds

When she arrived, Matthew and Dinah scurried off to the areas in which they helped regularly, and she waited another minute or two for Mr. Darcy to arrive on horseback. She greeted him and took him to the manager’s office.

“Good morning, Mrs. Legg.”

“Good morning, Miss Bennet. Would you mind saving the girls’ wing for last today? Mr. Mavery cannot come, and he was to read with the middle boys in ten minutes.” The industrious woman had barely glanced up, so engrossed was she in her documents.

“Of course. First, may I introduce a friend to you? Mrs. Legg, this is Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley, in Derbyshire. Mr. Darcy, Mrs. Legg is the manager of the hospital and lives with the children full-time.”

“Mr. Darcy, what an honor it is to meet you.” Mrs. Legg stood from her desk and curtsied low.

“Miss Elizabeth has told me of the fine work you do here, Mrs. Legg. She has informed me my donations are put to excellent use.”

“Thank you, Mr. Darcy. I would be happy to show you around. Do you have any particular interests today?”

“Would it be convenient for me to go with Miss Elizabeth? I would be honored to see how the hospital functions day to day, and I feel sure she is well-suited to show me what I should see.”

“Certainly, Mr. Darcy. Miss Bennet, you need not read with the boys today if…”

“I should not wish to take away your volunteer, Mrs. Legg. If you will permit me, I will assist Miss Elizabeth in her regular work.”

“You are very good, sir. We appreciate your support.” She curtsied again.

When they moved away from Mrs. Legg’s hearing, Elizabeth chuckled at the look on his face.

“What?”

“I apologize for that uncomfortable praise, but you are perhaps the hospital’s greatest donor, you know. Poor Mrs. Legg did not know what to do with you.”

“Yes, well. I had planned to remain by your side today, so pray do not call attention to my presence again.”

Elizabeth’s heart skipped at his teasing grin, and she hurried toward the west wing.

Two hours later, Elizabeth guided Mr. Darcy outside. They had both helped the boys with their reading, and then he had watched her teach the youngest girls to sew. After observing for a few minutes, he asked for his own fabric, needle, and thread and joined in her lesson.

“Is your finger quite recovered, Mr. Darcy?”

“The bleeding has stopped. I do not understand how you embroider so exquisitely when you have to maneuver the needle even more precisely than the simple sewing I attempted.”

“Thank you for the gallant compliment, sir, but I have been sewing since I was younger than these girls. The first day our governess arrived, she began to teach us to hem handkerchiefs, and I was not allowed a day to pass without practicing some stitches or other.”

“All of your talents are hard-won, I think.”

Elizabeth felt herself blushing under his appreciative gaze, but she had not forgotten her purpose in bringing Mr. Darcy outside early today. She had awoken with a determination to share her story with him. She guided him to a bench in the shade of the side of the main building, but she did not sit. She wanted to ensure privacy for this conversation, but she thought sitting would make her feel weak.

“Mr. Darcy, may I ask you…that is, I would like to tell you something.” She looked down, already embarrassed. How would she convey all she must?

“What is it? Is anything amiss?”

She looked into his searching eyes and bit her lip. How would he look at her after today? Was she about to lose the best friend she had ever had? She took a deep breath. She could not hold onto his friendship under false pretenses.

“What do you know about my parents?”

Mr. Darcy took a startled step back. He clasped his hands behind his back and moved closer to her.

“I know they died when you were but a babe, and I understand you were raised by your Uncle Bennet, who owns Longbourn. I think your mother was his sister and grew up at that estate…”

“Yes. That is true. And my father?”

He swallowed.