A Governess at Pemberley: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Grace Belton

Author:Grace Belton [Belton, Grace]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Pride and Prejudice & Related Fandoms, Alternate Universe, DNF, Not in Amazon Library, KindleCoverMissing
Goodreads: 228577670
Publisher: Grace Belton
Published: 2025-02-27T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 7: Elizabeth

The morning room at Pemberley had quickly become Elizabeth’s favorite place for conducting Georgiana’s French lessons. Situated on the east side of the house, it received the full benefit of the morning sun, bathing the chamber in a warm, golden light that seemed to encourage both learning and conversation. The windows overlooked a charming rose garden, now in early summer bloom, providing a picturesque backdrop that Elizabeth often incorporated into their lessons.

“Le jardin est plein de roses rouges et roses,” Elizabeth prompted, gesturing toward the view.

“Oui, et les roses sentent délicieux,” Georgiana replied, her accent improving daily under Elizabeth’s guidance. “J’aime beaucoup les roses blanches, mais mon frère préfère les roses rouges.”

“Very good,” Elizabeth nodded approvingly. “Your pronunciation has become much more natural. You are beginning to think in French rather than merely translating from English.”

Georgiana smiled at the praise, her confidence in her abilities growing steadily over the weeks of Elizabeth’s tutelage. “It is because you make it practical, Elizabeth. When we converse about real things—the gardens, the weather, our daily activities—the language feels alive rather than merely academic.”

Elizabeth had been gratified by Georgiana’s request to address her by her Christian name in private, seeing it as evidence of the trust developing between them. Their relationship had evolved into something more meaningful than the typical governess-pupil association, approaching a friendship despite the differences in their ages and stations.

“Today I thought we might practice vocabulary related to emotions and expressions,” Elizabeth suggested, returning to her lesson plan. “These terms often have subtle gradations of meaning that can be challenging to master.”

“Oh, yes,” Georgiana agreed with unexpected enthusiasm. “Les émotions. Like le bonheur, la joie, and la tristesse?”

“Precisely,” Elizabeth confirmed. “And also words for various expressions—sourire for smile, rougir for blush, froncer les sourcils for frown...”

“Rougir,” Georgiana repeated with a mischievous glint in her eye that Elizabeth had rarely observed in her typically reserved charge. “That is what you do when my brother enters the room.”

Elizabeth felt heat rising to her cheeks, confirming Georgiana’s observation despite her wish to contradict it. “I am sure I do not know what you mean,” she replied, attempting to maintain her composure. “Let us continue with our—”

“Vous rougissez maintenant!” Georgiana exclaimed, delighted. “You are blushing now, Elizabeth! And it is merely at the mention of Fitzwilliam.”

“Georgiana,” Elizabeth said, striving for a tone of gentle admonishment though she could not entirely suppress a smile at the girl’s unexpected playfulness. “This is hardly an appropriate direction for our lesson.”

“But it is perfectly relevant to our vocabulary study,” Georgiana persisted, her typical shyness momentarily forgotten in her eagerness to pursue this line of conversation. “We have rougir for blush, and regarder for look or gaze. Fitzwilliam vous regarde constantly when you are not observing him.”

Elizabeth set aside her book, recognizing that the formal lesson had been temporarily derailed. She considered redirecting their conversation firmly back to safer ground, but there was something so heartening in Georgiana’s animation that she was reluctant to dampen her spirits.

“Your brother regards all members of his household with appropriate attention,” she said diplomatically.

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