sideways glance. “Yes, music is my greatest joy, but I have heard from my brother that you also play and sing very well, too. In fact, he told me that he has rarely enjoyed hearing anyone play and sing as much.”
Elizabeth was caught unawares by this compliment and raised an eyebrow in Darcy’s direction. “Your brother greatly exaggerates, I fear, Miss Darcy. I play very ill indeed. I am surprised he could listen to me with any pleasure after hearing you so often.”
“Oh, Miss Bennet, my brother never gives compliments that are not fully deserved. I hope to have the pleasure of hearing you very soon.”
“Perhaps we could attempt something together—you could play while I sing?” Elizabeth suggested.
Georgiana blushed and stammered a little but finally agreed. “I will play, but only if it is just the three of us in the room. I do not usually perform in front of anyone but my family and my music master. My brother is always telling me I must work to overcome my shyness.”
While they talked about their favorite music pieces, Darcy simply sat back and listened. Their tea arrived, and as hostess, Miss Darcy poured although she was clearly not comfortable in the role. Elizabeth observed that the refreshments included fresh strawberries and cream. Glancing over at Darcy, she saw he was smiling at her. Returning the look, she wondered in what other ways she had misjudged this man. Over the past few days, he had been more than kind to her. Even though he sometimes lapsed into his old ways, he had made very real attempts to be more genial around people.
After they finished their tea, Georgiana said, “Miss Bennet, as we are to be sisters, I would very much like it if you would call me ‘Georgiana.’”
Elizabeth saw the girl exchange a look with her brother and suspected that Georgiana’s suggestion of using her first name was a signal to her brother of her approval. Darcy’s look in return was so warm and engaging that it left no doubt of how much he loved his sister and of his joy in her acceptance of Elizabeth. For a moment, Elizabeth was lost studying his face observing again how handsome he looked when he smiled.
“I would consider it an honor. You must call me ‘Elizabeth.’ I hope very soon to introduce you to all of my sisters. Jane is the oldest and considered by everyone to be the most beautiful. Lydia and Kitty are about your age, and Mary who is just a little older has almost as great an interest in music as you do although she is not nearly as accomplished, I am sure.”
“I will look forward to it. I see my brother has given you Grandmother Darcy’s ring. He sent to Pemberley for it while he was still in Kent,” said Georgiana.
Elizabeth turned to Darcy and said in a teasing voice, “You were so sure of me you sent for this ring even before you proposed?”
Darcy blushed. “I only hoped,” he replied softly.
Georgiana looked a little uncomfortable that she might have made an error in speaking, but when Elizabeth continued to smile at her brother, she relaxed. “I understand you are a great walker, Elizabeth. Maybe you would like to take a turn around the gardens with me? After some hours in the carriage coming from London, I would find a walk very refreshing.”
It was agreed that since the day was indeed very fine that they should all three go outside to enjoy the afternoon before Elizabeth returned to Longbourn. Darcy seemed content to let the two women walk beside each other so they could continue to converse while he proceeded just behind them. Elizabeth could feel his eyes on her as he followed making it difficult for her to concentrate on conversation. Finally, she invited him to walk beside her, as the path would just accommodate three abreast through most of the formal part of the garden.
By the time they were to leave for Longbourn again, Elizabeth found she genuinely liked Georgiana and had high hopes for a true friendship with her soon-to-be sister. Darcy suggested
Elizabeth was caught unawares by this compliment and raised an eyebrow in Darcy’s direction. “Your brother greatly exaggerates, I fear, Miss Darcy. I play very ill indeed. I am surprised he could listen to me with any pleasure after hearing you so often.”
“Oh, Miss Bennet, my brother never gives compliments that are not fully deserved. I hope to have the pleasure of hearing you very soon.”
“Perhaps we could attempt something together—you could play while I sing?” Elizabeth suggested.
Georgiana blushed and stammered a little but finally agreed. “I will play, but only if it is just the three of us in the room. I do not usually perform in front of anyone but my family and my music master. My brother is always telling me I must work to overcome my shyness.”
While they talked about their favorite music pieces, Darcy simply sat back and listened. Their tea arrived, and as hostess, Miss Darcy poured although she was clearly not comfortable in the role. Elizabeth observed that the refreshments included fresh strawberries and cream. Glancing over at Darcy, she saw he was smiling at her. Returning the look, she wondered in what other ways she had misjudged this man. Over the past few days, he had been more than kind to her. Even though he sometimes lapsed into his old ways, he had made very real attempts to be more genial around people.
After they finished their tea, Georgiana said, “Miss Bennet, as we are to be sisters, I would very much like it if you would call me ‘Georgiana.’”
Elizabeth saw the girl exchange a look with her brother and suspected that Georgiana’s suggestion of using her first name was a signal to her brother of her approval. Darcy’s look in return was so warm and engaging that it left no doubt of how much he loved his sister and of his joy in her acceptance of Elizabeth. For a moment, Elizabeth was lost studying his face observing again how handsome he looked when he smiled.
“I would consider it an honor. You must call me ‘Elizabeth.’ I hope very soon to introduce you to all of my sisters. Jane is the oldest and considered by everyone to be the most beautiful. Lydia and Kitty are about your age, and Mary who is just a little older has almost as great an interest in music as you do although she is not nearly as accomplished, I am sure.”
“I will look forward to it. I see my brother has given you Grandmother Darcy’s ring. He sent to Pemberley for it while he was still in Kent,” said Georgiana.
Elizabeth turned to Darcy and said in a teasing voice, “You were so sure of me you sent for this ring even before you proposed?”
Darcy blushed. “I only hoped,” he replied softly.
Georgiana looked a little uncomfortable that she might have made an error in speaking, but when Elizabeth continued to smile at her brother, she relaxed. “I understand you are a great walker, Elizabeth. Maybe you would like to take a turn around the gardens with me? After some hours in the carriage coming from London, I would find a walk very refreshing.”
It was agreed that since the day was indeed very fine that they should all three go outside to enjoy the afternoon before Elizabeth returned to Longbourn. Darcy seemed content to let the two women walk beside each other so they could continue to converse while he proceeded just behind them. Elizabeth could feel his eyes on her as he followed making it difficult for her to concentrate on conversation. Finally, she invited him to walk beside her, as the path would just accommodate three abreast through most of the formal part of the garden.
By the time they were to leave for Longbourn again, Elizabeth found she genuinely liked Georgiana and had high hopes for a true friendship with her soon-to-be sister. Darcy suggested
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