Elizabeth turned, eager to flee from this wing before anyone saw her, yet desiring to linger and gaze a little longer into Mr. Darcy’s eyes.

Elizabeth scurried toward the stairs, holding tightly onto the cat, her heart only now beginning to still since first coming up here in her pursuit of the feline. Her mind raced with a myriad of thoughts as she considered this past week. She shook her head as she thought back to her first day, when she encountered Mr. Darcy unexpectedly in his library. She had been mortified!

Now, when faced with a similar situation, she had all the assurance that Mr. Darcy thought no less of her and possibly still had those feelings of love he once had for her. He wished to talk with her! The very thought evoked feelings of both heightened anticipation and solemn dread, depending on what it was she imagined he wished to say. There was always the possibility that he wished to put her in her place and discourage any expectations she may have in securing his affections anew.

When she returned to the north wing with Misty, she encountered not only the women and children, but the men as well. Since the immediate threat of flooding was over, they had returned to get some much needed rest. Apparently Mr. Darcy had just returned when she encountered him.

Elizabeth quickly found Rachel, who was anxiously waiting for her return, and handed Misty to her. She admonished her to keep the cat in their room so she would not escape again, although the thought crossed Elizabeth’s mind that she would not mind chasing after her if she could encounter Mr. Darcy again. She surprised herself by giggling as she considered the state in which he had stepped from his room. She shook her head as she recalled how startled they both were.

She visited with Rachel and her mother for a while, holding the baby while they chatted. When Mr. Weber returned, she was happy to make his acquaintance. He told them how the rivers had receded sufficiently, and although still muddy, the road between Pemberley and their neighbourhood was well packed down and safe enough for the conveyance of the laden carriages.

That night at dinner, everyone was in the highest of spirits, confident that things would soon return to normal. The tenants would be leaving, and Mr. Darcy would no longer be occupied with the obligations that had been placed upon him.

While Rosalyn had disparaged it, Elizabeth appreciated how Mr. Darcy had taken it upon himself to ensure the safety of his tenants and their transition to Pemberley, and then took such prodigious measures to prevent damage to their homes. As Rosalyn had informed him—as inappropriate as her meddling was—he was certainly not required to go himself. But as Mrs. Reynolds had said, he was very good to his tenants, and this was a prime example—a tangible display—of his care and concern for them. That his good friend and cousin accompanied him was an indication of their respect for this man and his ways.

The attitudes of Mr. Darcy and the other two men were a stark contrast to those of the Willstones, from their disapproving remarks to their avoidance of all association with “those people” who were brought—most unfortunately—to Pemberley. She found their response surprising, especially as they were actually being critical of Mr. Darcy himself. Almost everything she had heard them say about the man up until now had been laden with praise.

It was Elizabeth’s recollection, however, of Rosalyn’s very first remarks to her that had caused her the greatest astonishment. Her praise of Mr. Darcy had included his generosity, and she had also confided that her own father had married beneath him. Certainly her response to the tenants’ plight and Mr. Darcy’s actions should have been tempered with a little more compassion.

While she now felt a very real sense of coldness from the Willstones and Rosalyn, and was expected to continue to abide by Mrs. Willstone’s admonition, she was encouraged by every glance and smile Mr. Darcy made in her direction. From across the table, he carried on conversations with his guests, but there were times when his eyes were solely directed at her.

At one point, they began discussing the possibility of an evening of musical entertainment by those who wished to perform. Elizabeth readily noticed the sparkle in Rosalyn’s eyes. This was the type of diversion she had longed for. Elizabeth knew she wished to perform with the hopes of impressing Mr. Darcy with her voice and playing. She did play and sing well, and Elizabeth knew she would likely be the star of the evening.

With his eyes directed at Elizabeth, Mr. Darcy asked, “Shall we anticipate the children’s involvement? I do not believe a child is ever too young to perform before a small party of acquaintances.”

Elizabeth looked first at Miss Bartley. She was eagerly nodding her head. “Gladys and Harriet have been practicing a duet on the pianoforte. I am sure they would be more than willing to exhibit.”

Darcy directed his next statement to Elizabeth. “Having heard Miss Emily sing to Miss Bennet’s playing, can we expect your participation as well?”

Elizabeth eagerly looked at Emily. “Shall we oblige Mr. Darcy?”

Emily looked from Elizabeth and then back to Mr. Darcy. “We have been practicing several pieces,” she said eagerly, nodding her head.

“Good!” he said, and then turned to Georgiana. “You shall pick the night, Georgie. Tomorrow night? The following night?”

Miss Darcy seemed to search her brother’s face for reassurance, perhaps even strength. He smiled at her, and she seemed to receive what it was she needed from him. Turning to the others at the table, she softly yet decidedly told everyone that there would be an evening of music in two nights.

Rosalyn’s eyes suddenly lit up. “Would it be possible to have it in the ballroom? I noticed a pianoforte in there when Mrs. Reynolds showed it to us.”

Miss Darcy looked at her brother again. He nodded.

“That is a very good idea, Miss Matthews.”

Rosalyn then added with animation, “We could have our own private little ball… with dancing!”

The announcement was received with much delight and was considered the perfect diversion after all that had happened.

As Elizabeth spent that evening in the playroom with Emily, the anticipation of an evening of music—a ball of sorts—with the others gave her much to think upon with delight. She looked forward to performing with Emily and decided she would practice with her as much as she could on the morrow and the following day.

She wondered whether Mr. Darcy played an instrument. Or would he sing? But more importantly, she wondered whether she would have the pleasure of dancing with him. Elizabeth shook her head and told herself she ought not to get her hopes up. The Willstones most likely would not permit it.

* * *

The following day, the pianofortes in the music room and the drawing room were occupied with those practicing for their performances. Elizabeth and Emily worked on a duet on the piano, and then a song where Elizabeth played and Emily sang. After their practice, Elizabeth felt quite confident that they would do reasonably well.

In addition to practicing their music, Elizabeth worked with Emily on her studies. Then as a treat for Emily, Elizabeth retrieved the illustrated bird book from her room. As they looked at the different pictures, Emily picked out the birds she knew by name and studied the ones she did not know.

Before going back to her room to rest, Elizabeth took Emily down to the dining room for a glass of water. She came upon Miss Darcy, who was sitting at the table having some tea. Elizabeth sat down with Emily while she drank her water and asked Miss Darcy if the tenants had all left.

“Yes,” she replied. “I received word that they all were able to safely return to their homes.”

“I am glad to hear that,” Elizabeth said.

A look of anxiety crossed Miss Darcy’s face. “Unfortunately there has been some damage to some homes, and my brother has gone out to assist them. He may not return until later this evening.”

“I am so sorry,” Elizabeth replied. “Was it some of Pemberley’s tenants?”

“No, but one of the homes is a family member of one of our servants, so he wished to help out.”

Elizabeth let out a slow breath. “Your brother is certainly generous of his time and prodigious in his care for others.”

Miss Darcy wrapped her hands around her cup of tea and looked down into it. “He is too good. He feels a great sense of responsibility toward all that is his. That includes his tenants and servants.”

Elizabeth smiled gently. “You are fortunate to have such a brother.”

Miss Darcy lifted her eyes. “Unfortunately, I fear I will always measure any gentleman I meet against him. I fear there are few men like my brother.”

Elizabeth now lowered her eyes. “No, I suppose not.”

Emily finished her water, and Elizabeth thanked Miss Darcy for their visit. As she and Emily walked upstairs, Elizabeth reflected on Miss Darcy’s words. At that moment she did not think she could have ever been more wrong about someone than she had about Mr. Darcy.

After leaving Emily in her room with instructions to rest if she could, but to play quietly if she could not, Elizabeth crossed the hall to her room. She encountered a maid coming out of her room.

Elizabeth greeted her, knowing that maids came in and out all day as they did their chores. This time, however, the maid stopped.

“I left a package for you in your room. Mr. Darcy said it was something you needed.”

“Thank you,” Elizabeth said, curious as to what it was she needed. She could not recall expressing any particular need to him.