When Elizabeth asked for a private word with him, she never expected him to take her into his office. It was a smaller room, filled with antiques if she were to be honest. The furniture was custom made and from great, qualitative materials. She couldn’t help but take a long look at the art adorning the walls, which was of great exuberance. There were many portraits but it wasn’t as crowded as she expected. His office was probably the one her father would have dreamt of but never received because of how expensive it was.

Darcy couldn’t help but watch her. She was analyzing the room in great detail from the way her eyes would travel very slowly from one corner to the other. But it was so odd because he could swear she was not in awe, she wasn’t surprised at all.

“What is it that we must discuss, Miss Bennet?” he asked, growing sleepy. He wanted to get rid of this issue and have a bath before enjoying a good book and getting to bed.

“I have found myself in a terrible predicament,” she started, hearing a grumpy response from her interlocutor. “I do not want to intrude, Mr. Darcy. Believe me, I’d like to be anywhere but here. However, some accidents happened and I ended up here. It is true that I am lost from my family and I do not know how to return to them. Your sister was kind enough to help me but I’m afraid that I won’t be able to leave soon.” She said, seeing his eyes narrow further with every word she spoke. “One month.” She started and approached him. “Give me one month. Let me stay here and I promise I will find a way to leave by the end of the month. I don’t know the countryside, I have no money, no carriage, no means to survive all by myself. Of course, I will not stay here for free,”

“Why would I accept your conditions? They sound terribly inconvenient,”

“I heard that Miss Darcy learns piano from a tutor different from her governess,” Elizabeth added, knowing that was her only shot.

“Mrs. Spotts, although talented in her own way, does not bring any richness to Georgiana’s play.” He explained, sensing where she was going.

“A tutor from the city must come with a price to match, not to mention the travel cost. I could help Georgiana with the knowledge that outperforms any piano player of this time. And not just music, I could share with her my knowledge about art, history, literature, and even philosophy,”

Darcy couldn’t help but laugh, which came as terribly rude to someone who has been raised to be the perfect Regency daughter.

“Trusting Georgiana’s education with you, Miss Bennet could place her at a great disadvantage,”

“Or not. You don’t know me nor what I know. It is a risk, I can understand that, but it could prove life-changing,” She added, her eyes gleaming in the dim candlelight.

Darcy stood there, staring deep into her brown eyes, and found himself wondering what made her so confident. She clearly had a temper and could endanger the peace of his home, and yet he was curious about her. His eyes fell over her clothes and for a moment he had this sensible thought of escorting her outside. But he didn’t. This woman, if she was as educated as she said, could be a good companion to his sister. After what happened with Wickham, someone so strong-minded was good to watch over Georgiana or take the fall for her if needed.

“All right. One month.”

Elizabeth’s eyes filled with relief and her whole posture relaxed. She smiled brightly, a sight Darcy will see a lot more of.

“Thank you, Mr. Darcy.” She said, happy that she had a roof over her head and food for the time being.

One of the servants showed her to her new room, which was not far from Georgiana’s and two halls from Mr. Darcy’s. Once inside, the servant left and Elizabeth took the time to fully comprehend the situation she was in. The sheets of the bed were smooth and clearly expensive, but the room was taken from a history book. Everything was so simple and yet exuberant, but it was still lacking. She was sure there was no bathroom and no electricity.

Elizabeth only had the clothes she was wearing so in the end, because there was no light, she shrugged her jacket onto a chair she found and went to sleep. Whatever worries and hardships she had to face were going to be dealt with tomorrow.

Light shimmered through the curtains and she realized someone was inside her room. Her eyes widened but she was too tired to jolt and make a fuss.

“Good morning,” Elizabeth said and the servant smiled at her before she brought something. “What’s that?”

“For you, ma’am. To wash your face and brush your teeth,”

Elizabeth stared at the middle-aged woman before she got off the bed and looked with confusion at the bowl of water.

“How do I brush my teeth?” She asked, unsure of the Regency ways.

The servant was shocked but tried not to show it. It was crazy how she had to teach a grown-up woman how to brush her teeth, which was, in Elizabeth’s defense, not as easy as in modern times.

By the time Elizabeth was done getting ready, she realized she had no idea where the dining room was. The house was big and she had no interest in learning where every room was, so she turned once more to the servant with an awkward smile.

“Could you please show me to the dining room?”

The middle-aged woman chuckled and nodded, finding this guest very odd compared to all the rest she had taken care of. Firstly, Elizabeth was still in the clothes she arrived in, which consisted of a floral pink dress over a white shirt, white socks, and pink sneakers. Her jean jacket was left behind because it was still wet, Elizabeth made a mental note to hang it to dry later.

“Is it proper to ask you what your name is?” Elizabeth asked as she walked next to the servant.

“Jane, ma’am. Jane Lovings,” the servant replied meekly.

“That’s a great name,” Elizabeth said with a smile, noticing that Jane did seem to have a ghost of a smile as well. “How long have you worked for the Darcy family?”

“A long time. I watched Miss Darcy grow up from the day she was born,” she added, radiating with pride and warmth.

“You must really like this family, then,” Elizabeth remarked, trying not to sound rude.

“I do ma’am. Everyone does. It is a most honorable family,” Jane replied and took a turn before opening a door, “This is it, ma’am.”

“Thank you,” Elizabeth said and curtsied, finding it awkward to do anything else.

“Miss Elizabeth! How did you sleep?” Georgiana exclaimed as soon as she set her eyes on the guest.

Elizabeth glanced at Darcy, who was sitting at the head of the table, looking like he had an awful night. However, he still looked impeccable, which was annoying. Nobody needs to be perfect at all times.

“I slept well, thank you.” She said and looked at the empty seat next to Georgiana, “Is Mrs. Spotts not coming down for breakfast?”

“Mrs. Spotts is sick. I’m sure she would appreciate it if we do not speak of her illness so early in the morning,” He explained, narrowing his eyes at his guest.

“Why don’t you call the doctor if it has gotten so bad?” Elizabeth asked, assured that if this was happening in her head, she might as well ask her curiosities.

“We did, but her nausea persists. Ever since she returned three months ago from her hometown, she has repeatedly felt feverish.”

“Does she throw up in the morning?”

“Well, sometimes,” Georgiana answered now that she was being asked so directly.

“Does she get tired more often from doing small chores?”

“Yes, she does,” Georgiana replied with a confused glance at her brother.

“Is she married?” Elizabeth threw another question that made both Darcys stop eating.

“No, she’s not. But she does have a suitor,” Georgiana said, remembering their girly discussions.

“Is it possible that she’s pregnant?” Elizabeth asked while taking a bite from her self-made sandwich. The bread was freshly baked, it was delicious.

Mr. Darcy blinked, completely taken aback by such a thought. Georgiana remained deep in thought as well, trying to connect all the information.

The next hour was crazy. Mr. Darcy called for the doctor once more and Georgiana literally ran to Mrs. Spotts’ side. Elizabeth decided to enjoy her breakfast for a little more and then just sat aside, not wanting to create any more chaos. By the time the doctor arrived, it was already midday and the sun was warm on her skin. She quite enjoyed spending time in the garden, but she still had so many curiosities about her state of mind. Why would her brain choose Pemberley out of all places and all books? She disliked even watching Austen movies because of her mother.

“I believe you should be rather proud of your judgment, Miss Bennet. Mrs. Spotts is, indeed, with child.” Mr. Darcy started, approaching her from the house. “She wants to return to her hometown as soon as possible to share this great news with her future husband.”

“Good for her,” She said, having no deep thoughts about this pregnancy.

“With Mrs. Spotts gone, that means Georgiana will need a new governess,” He added, “I thought you were interested in that position,”

“I’m not a governess. Besides, I will only be here for a month.”

“It is enough time for me to find a replacement,” he added, staring ahead as if he was still rummaging on this decision.

“Are you truly considering letting your sister’s education in my hands? I’m not going to teach her how to be a good wife.” Elizabeth said turning fully towards him. “Girls at her age go into society and search for suitors. They get married and have children and that’s it. As I’m sure it is obvious, I do not seek such a life.”

“I know, that is the main reason why I will spend this month here, watching you,” He added with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Elizabeth couldn’t help but be amused. With a father who was a philosophy professor and a mother who taught British and French literature, she already knew that the values she was going to pass on to Georgiana will go against the perfect Regency woman.