Page 28 of Mr. Darcy’s Diamonds

“We spent a lot of time together when I was home for summer holidays—with my sisters, of course—and she always had something intelligent or humorous to say no matter the conversation topic. She has read far more books than I have. She has intricate flowers and birds embroidered onto each of her gowns, and she did it all herself. Lizzy plays the pianoforte almost as well as Caroline and sings far better.” Bingley shook his head.

“She sounds like a paragon.”

Once again, Bingley sighed, and Darcy chuckled. “Mayhap you have a reason to apply yourself more next term at Oxford.”

Bingley laughed. “I doubt I could ever catch up with Lizzy.”

“Do you think I could?”

Bingley turned to him, eyes wide, and then a smile overtook his face.

“That would be perfect. You are correct. You are far better suited to Lizzy than I am⁠—”

“That is not at all what I meant!” Darcy said. “I only asked if I could catch up with her physically, not mentally, and I mean…will she be visiting your sister any time soon? I only wish to apologize, not…whatever you are thinking.”

“Mmhmm.”

“Bingley, I am three-and-twenty, far too old to be looking at a sixteen-year-old⁠—”

“Fifteen until the end of February.”

“Exactly! And less than a month after her birthday, I will celebrate my twenty-fourth. Besides, I have no time for a wife yet. I have far too much to do at Pemberley. I wish my Aunt Catherine had not insisted the whole family gather in London for the festive season. I should have refused and stayed at Pemberley with my sister.”

“But you wanted her to have the support of your family this year, which was a good choice,” Bingley reminded him, suddenly more sober than was his wont. “Savor this time with your family before you hole up at Pemberley again. You have been away from London for too long, my friend.”

Bingley had not answered his question, but they were at the Hursts’ doorstep now.

They went in and spoke with Hurst for a few minutes, and then they all played billiards. The clacking of the balls and men’s chatter relaxed Darcy a fraction, but he needed to know whether he was likely to encounter Miss Bennet in this house today. Until he apologized, he would continue to think about her.

Between games, with the sounds of the balls gone, Darcy heard music. He went to the door and opened it slightly.

“Do you know who is playing, Bingley?”

“I am unsure; it does not sound like a piece Caro or Louisa have been playing this week since my return. Perhaps it is Lizzy,” Bingley ended with a smirk.

“I need to speak with her, Bingley, that is all.”

“I am sure you do.”

“Bingley! I need to apologize to her. She is not out, but I assume she is currently playing in a public room?”

“That she is. Shall we attempt your introduction one more time, Darce?”

Darcy sighed. “Yes, please. If you can control yourself.”

Bingley only laughed as he left the billiards room, but what choice did Darcy have but to follow?

He was frankly a little worried now to face the girl. He had been concerned before due to the shame he felt, but now he was self-conscious in another way. He had barely looked at her on their first meeting, but he had also not forgotten her fiery eyes or her thick, dark curls that had flowed around her shoulders and down her back.

He really had not thought anything of it, knowing she must be young. Now he knew she was too young, and yet he had heard nothing but praise of her for days. Combined with Bingley’s inappropriate innuendos, he was worried he would not see her for the fifteen-year-old she was. He would think of her as his sister’s friend, he quickly decided. His sister’s friend and nothing more. She would be like another sister to him.

Yes. Perfect. He could do that.

They were about to enter the music room when she joined her well-practiced notes with song. Her voice! Just like a sister. That is all she would be to him. When he entered the room behind Bingley, he was relieved that she abruptly stopped singing and stood. He did not even mind that she glared at him.

“Lizzy,” he heard Bingley say, and he remembered why he was here. “Lizzy, may I properly present to you Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley, in Derbyshire?”

Miss Bennet came out from behind the instrument and curtsied, and Darcy bowed. Where had her hair gone? It had previously done a fine job of hiding her slight, graceful figure, but now it was pulled back in a braid, which fell over her shoulder when she curtsied.