Page 23 of Mr. Darcy’s Diamonds

“Perhaps you would like Eliza’s company, then. She is closer to your age and will find some way to entertain you.”

Elizabeth had by this time noticed a redness about Miss Darcy’s eyes, but Caroline’s dismissal appeared to have relaxed the girl rather than caused her additional pain. She approached the girl slowly and spoke gently.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Darcy. Would you like to come sit with me by the window?”

Miss Darcy nodded shyly and followed. Once they were settled on the small settee near the window, Elizabeth spoke softly so as to avoid frightening the girl. Caroline and Louisa continued their own discussion across the room.

“I think you must be about my cousin’s age. She will be eleven next week.”

“I am eleven,” Miss Darcy breathed. “My birthday is in two months.”

Tears silently streamed down the girl’s face, so Elizabeth offered her a handkerchief and then put her arm around her.

“Are you frightened to be amid strangers?” she asked.

Miss Darcy began to nod but then shook her head.

“Will you tell me what distresses you, so I may help?”

“Nothing will help. My father has d-died.” The girl turned fully to Elizabeth and soaked her bodice with her tears.

“I am sorry for your loss, Miss Darcy. My parents died when I was but a babe, so although I often miss them, I never knew them to truly mourn.” Elizabeth stroked the girl’s long blonde hair and let her cry.

After some minutes, Miss Darcy regained her composure and apologized.

“Never fear. You may cry on my shoulder all you like. Would you care to remove to a place with a bit more privacy, though?” Elizabeth had noted the Bingley sisters cast more than one disgusted look their way. At Miss Darcy’s nod, she led her down the hall to the music practice room, where she settled them onto the settee in a dim corner.

“Why have you come here if your father has died? Is your mother coming to retrieve you?”

“My mother died many years ago. The schoolmistress informed me of my father’s death yes-yesterday.” She hiccupped. “He was in London for some business and had come to see me a few days ago, but none of my other family is in town. This morning, I received a letter at school from my brother. He is on his way but arranged for me to stay with his friend’s family until he can arrive from Pemberley tonight. He thought I would be more comfortable here. He said he has never met his friend’s sisters but that they would welcome me. You are Mr. Bingley’s sister?”

Elizabeth smiled. “No. His sisters are in the room we left behind. I am their friend, Elizabeth Bennet.”

“Thank you for being kind to me, Miss Bennet,” she said, her eyes wide and wet.

“You are welcome. And you must call me Lizzy.” Elizabeth was cheered to see Miss Darcy return her smile with a tentative one of her own. “I met Mr. Bingley once a few weeks ago. That was the evening I met his father and sisters, as well. I have spent so much time with his sisters this month it seems we have known each other far longer, but I cannot say I truly know them well.”

Elizabeth was considering how to make excuses for their rudeness earlier when she saw Miss Darcy’s eyes catch on the pianoforte.

“Do you play, Miss Darcy?”

She nodded.

“Come, you are welcome to use the instrument.”

Elizabeth and Georgiana, as she asked her to call her, played together for the next hour. The girl had several more outbursts of tears but was comforted by Elizabeth’s embraces and stories of her cousins. Elizabeth was concerned that her time to return home would come too soon, and she asked Georgiana if she would like to get to know the Bingley sisters or request a room in which to rest. With obvious relief, she asked Elizabeth to accompany her to a guest chamber. Elizabeth arranged for a room and ensured Georgiana was comfortable.

“Would you like to rest in privacy, or shall I stay with you for a while?”

“Please stay.” Georgiana held her hand tightly.

“Of course. I have to return to my aunt and uncle’s home in a couple of hours, but I am happy to remain with you until then.”

Georgiana thanked her and told her she was glad her brother was coming. Apparently, he was much older than her but exceedingly admired.

“He is the best of brothers,” she said. “He talks to me as you do, as though I matter.”

When Georgiana began to cry again, Elizabeth asked whether she might read to her. She saw no books in this room, but she had brought with her the history she had been reading earlier. She was surprised by how engrossed Georgiana became in the book, one of Elizabeth’s favorites, but finally, she fell asleep.