The Houseguest A Pride and Prejudice Vagary by Elizabeth Adams Read Free Book Online

Georgiana. Of course I am not angry with you." His face took on
a gentle expression as he looked deeply into her soft blue eyes. "I was
simply surprised that you took such a step on your own, and I must say I am
rather proud. I don't think you could have chosen a better friend for yourself
than Miss Bennet. She is certainly all I would wish for in a good friend for
you. Please forgive me for frightening you." He took her hand in his and
stroked the back of her knuckles with his thumb.

"Oh, Fitzwilliam! I am so relieved!” Her face visibly relaxed. “It is such
a joy to have Miss Bennet here and it would be so disheartening for me to be
taking pleasure in something that is upsetting to you. I am having the most
delightful time!"

It made Darcy smile to see his sister so happy. He couldn't remember the last
time she had looked so innocent, so joyful. It had been before Ramsgate, before
Wickham came in and ruined their peace. And she even appeared to be coming out
of her shell. Maybe Elizabeth was just what she needed to help her come into
her own. She was certainly more vivacious and would probably be a lightening
influence on Georgiana.

Lord knows he hadn't seen his sister laugh as much in the last eight months as
he had seen her do since Miss Bennet arrived. What was it Elizabeth had said
once? 
‘I dearly love to laugh’?
 Yes,
she certainly did. And apparently she drew everyone around her into laughter as
well. Yes, Elizabeth Bennet's presence was definitely welcome, even though it
was doing terrible things to his peace of mind. It was with a slight jolt that
he came back to the present conversation and realized Georgiana was still
there, her hand in his.

"Brother, it is so wonderful to have another girl in the house. It is
almost like having a sister!" Georgiana was almost giddy with glee.

"Is it now? I am so pleased you are happy Georgiana, it makes my heart
glad to see you smile." Darcy's eyes crinkled as he smiled at his younger
sister.

"Yes! Do you know what we did last night?" When Darcy shook his head
no, she continued, "I knocked on her door to offer help from Hannah, and
she opened the door in only a chemise and corset! She seemed to think the whole
thing was quite funny and said that when she was home she and her sisters often
help each other get dressed and fix one another’s hair."

Georgiana was so excited by her tale that Darcy did not want to stop her and
tell her that it was completely inappropriate for her to be telling him how she
had seen Miss Elizabeth in nothing but a corset and chemise, even though he
knew he should; but he was so overcome with the vision it created in his own
mind (and embarrassed by the blush that was spreading across his cheeks as he
realized what he was thinking), that he could not chastise her without making
his own imprudence evident. 

"So Hannah and I joined her and while Hannah fixed her hair, I actually
chose her dress! I've never picked out another person’s clothing before; it was
quite exciting! And I also chose the pearl pins in her hair. Did you notice
them? I thought the white pearls quite striking against her dark hair. And this
is what Miss Bennet does every day! Can you imagine? Actually sleeping in the
same bed with another person?” Darcy bit his lip. “It must be so heavenly to
have a sister." Georgiana sighed and sank back into her chair, her eyes
dreamily looking into the ceiling.

Darcy did not know what to say; it seemed that Georgiana had exhausted herself
with raptures of the Bennet sisters and was happy enough dreaming of having a
sister of her own. 
Well, at least
she'll have the experience of a sister for a few weeks. And maybe, just maybe…
 No!
He would not let himself think that way. Elizabeth was completely out of the
question. Her family, connections, and situation in life were wholly
unsuitable. If she had a healthy dowry and a family who adhered to propriety;
if even just the family were better, if the connections were better