Georgiana rose, but her hands remained twisted together. “Then . . . would you call me Georgiana? If you please, that is.”
“Thank you, I shall.”
The girl nodded anxiously. “I am honoured to make your acquaintance. My brother has told me about your ordeal, and I wished to—that is, I hoped I might—” She glanced at Mr. Darcy as though seeking approval.
“Sit, Georgiana,” he said gently. “Princess Elizabeth does not bite.”
“Darcy!” Adrian exclaimed. “Why did you not tell me you had a sister?”
“I have mentioned her on several occasions.”
“Have you? I do not recall. You must not have made it interesting enough.” Adrian smiled at Georgiana. “I am Adrian.”
Despite her nervousness, Georgiana smiled. Elizabeth liked her immediately.
“Might I . . .” Georgiana began hesitantly, then seemed to gather her courage. “My brother mentioned your journey to London was rather eventful. Would you tell me about it? Only if you are well enough, of course. I do not wish to tire you.”
Elizabeth saw her opportunity at once. Here was a chance to make light of the dangers, to tell the tale in a way that would ease Georgiana’s awe and highlight the heroism of others—particularly the heroism of the gentleman who kept looking at her with those dark, serious eyes.
“I should be delighted,” she said. “Though I must warn you, it was not precisely the grand adventure it might sound.”
“Oh, but it was!” Georgiana perched on the edge of her seat. “You were abducted!”
“Well, yes. We all trusted people we ought not to have. But Mrs. Hobart was very like a normal companion. It is difficult to feel properly imperilled when one is being lectured about deportment.”
This earned the laugh for which she had hoped. Elizabeth then spun a story that spent little time on her own ordeal and emphasized Mr. Darcy’s honourable deeds.
“William!” Georgiana turned to her brother in astonishment. “You shot at highwaymen?”
“I did not fire my pistol,” Mr. Darcy assured her.
“More’s the pity,” the colonel said. He and Adrian exchanged a look that told Elizabeth they would insist on the entire story later.
“He was extremely persuasive,” Elizabeth assured Georgiana. “They left with considerable haste.”
Mr. Darcy protested that it was the mail coach that had made them scatter.
Adrian laughed. “I should like to have seen that.”
Georgiana gazed at her brother with something like adoration. She was fourteen. Sheshouldidolize her brother. There was time enough to learn he was only human.
She continued with her story.
The room filled with warm laughter. Mr. Darcy looked thoroughly discomfited, but Elizabeth noticed the small smile he could not quite suppress. He was embarrassed by his sister’s praise, but also . . . pleased? The combination was unexpectedly endearing.
“Dried peas!” Adrian exclaimed, when they arrived at that part of the tale. “How clever of you!”
She sighed.
“I have tired you,” Adrian said, rising at once. “Forgive me, cousin. I shall call again when you are better recovered. We shall speak more then.”
“You have not tired me,” Elizabeth protested.
“Rest,” Adrian said firmly. “That is a princely command on behalf of the king.” He bowed over her hand. “I am glad to have found you safe, Elizabeth. Exceedingly glad.”
Georgiana rose as well. “Thank you for the story. And for being so kind to me.”
“You must visit again soon,” Elizabeth said warmly.