Chapter 27
Elizabeth and Georgiana, under the watchful eye of Mrs Annesley, played the pianoforte for a while. Within minutes, Elizabeth understood that Georgiana’s skill was far superior to her own at the instrument, so she was content to turn the pages for her.
After a reluctant beginning, the young lady seemed to relax, and her passion was revived. Elizabeth and Mrs Annesley sat and admired her talent and flawless execution. So captivated were all three of them that they did not notice the guests observing them with great interest from the door.
“My dear, what a joy to hear you playing again!” a voice interjected when Georgiana had finished. Three pairs of eyes turned to stare at the elegant woman accompanying Colonel Fitzwilliam. Georgiana and Mrs Annesley immediately stood up, and so did Elizabeth.
“Aunt!” Georgiana hurried to greet her. “Have you been waiting long? Forgive me for not seeing you!”
“Do not worry, my child. It was a pleasure to just watch you perform. You look lovely! I cannot believe the improvement from the last time I saw you. Lovely indeed!”
“I told you as much, and you doubted me,” the colonel interjected in a light tone.
“I feel better, Aunt,” the girl replied. “Please allow me to introduce to you my friend, Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Elizabeth, this is my aunt, Lady Matlock.”
“Miss Bennet, I am truly happy to meet you! I have heard so much praise of you. Considering your visible influence over Georgiana, none of it seems undeserved.”
“Lady Matlock, it is an honour to make your acquaintance,” Elizabeth said, curtseying. “I am sorry to contradict you, but I certainly do not deserve praise in regard to Georgiana. I am simply enjoying her company and her friendship.”
“How lovely of you,” Lady Matlock said, dismissing her modesty. “Come, let us sit. Tell me a little more about yourself, Miss Bennet. Oh, you have matching necklaces! I assume this is the one Anne gave you.”
“It is,” Elizabeth said.
“We all know about the incident, and I am grateful for your bravery. Now tell me, how are you enjoying London so far? When do you plan to return home? How is your family?”
“I hope Lizzy will not leave any time soon,” Georgiana whispered. “She has not seen much of London since she arrived, as she has been taking care of me.”
“Well, we must correct that,” the colonel interjected again. “I am more than willing to take you, Miss Bennet, and Mrs Annesley to see anything you would like. There is also a play people are speaking of, if you like to attend the theatre.”
“Indeed,” Lady Matlock approved. “And since you are feeling so much better, I plan to host a little party. Miss Bennet and Mrs Annesley will be invited too.”
“Oh…” Georgiana sighed, instantly paling. “I do not feel well enough for parties…or for the theatre. It is too crowded…but Lizzy may go if she wants to—”
***
“Go where?” Darcy interrupted them as he entered the room and greeted his aunt.
“We were talking about Georgiana leaving the house more,” the lady explained. “Richard offered to escort her and her companions wherever they want to go. He mentioned a play at the theatre. And I am planning a small party for her.”
“My dear aunt, we are grateful for your care and considerate intentions, but I would kindly ask you to not make any plans for us,” Darcy responded politely.
“I am thankful to see my sister’s health improving, and I am doing my best to provide her with anything she wishes, including opportunities for entertainment.
She still needs to recover her strength before considering parties or the theatre. ”
“I am sure you are doing your best, Darcy, but you are not the best example for leaving the house more,” his aunt teased him. “I fear Georgiana might also be influenced by your dislike of gatherings and parties, not to mention balls, which are so enjoyable to other people.”
“I enjoy gatherings too, Aunt. I am not a savage. As you surely know, I am a faithful admirer of the theatre and opera. I also enjoy parties, even balls when the company is to my liking.”
“You surely are too fastidious in regard to balls. They are only meant to amuse you, not to be taken in earnest,” the colonel declared.
“Speaking of enjoyable company, I heard you met Lady Campbell and her daughters yesterday. They have been enquiring after you for quite a while.”
“Yes, we met them,” Darcy replied sternly. He felt uncomfortable opening the subject in the presence of Elizabeth.
“Lady Emmeline is one of the most eligible women in London at present. Very handsome, highly accomplished, well educated, a title attached to her name, and a reasonable dowry. And she has a peculiar inclination towards you. I cannot understand why you keep refusing to call on them. Or have you changed your mind in regard to Anne?”
The colonel seemed to wish to add something but remained silent.
Darcy’s anxiety increased.
“Dear aunt, I cannot believe we are debating such a subject in the presence of Georgiana and Miss Bennet. Surely we can find a more proper subject.”
He felt embarrassed as he tried to guess Elizabeth’s thoughts, and he cast repeated glances at her. His family’s insistence that he find a wife had been bothering him for years but never so badly as that moment.
Watching Elizabeth at that very moment, his thoughts became as clear as crystal.
Although no stranger to the company of ladies, just like any other man of the world of eight-and-twenty, he had never felt real passion, attraction, desire so powerful that it would burn one’s soul. He had pretended to understand the meaning of love but had never experienced it.
More importantly, he had never desired to marry a particular lady, although he knew his duty and his responsibilities required it. Never had his heart been touched before. Until he encountered Elizabeth.
He looked at her.
He could see Elizabeth seemed disquieted too and wondered at the reason for it. Was she simply uncomfortable, or was she bothered by the subject? Could she be a little jealous? If she was, that might signify she held him in some regard. Did she, or was he simply entertaining unreasonable hopes?
Lady Matlock looked displeased with his scolding.
“Well, Georgiana must be involved in the family’s concerns.
She is already at that age. As for Miss Bennet, since she is an old friend of the family, I am sure she wishes nothing but the best for you.
If I sounded impolite, I apologise. It was certainly not my intention. However, you should decide soon.”
“Aunt, I am kindly asking you again to change the subject. In regard to deciding, I might follow in Richard’s footsteps. He is three years my senior,” he concluded, trying to sound light in order not to upset anyone.
“That is true. However, you cannot compare with me, since it is universally agreed that you are a man with no faults and impeccable conduct,” the colonel mocked him in return.
Lady Matlock did not look amused.
“I shall not continue this argument. For the present, I am just happy to see Georgiana much improved and to have met Miss Bennet. That should be enough for one day. My dear, if I may be of assistance to you in any way, please do not hesitate to tell me,” the lady addressed her niece with warm gentleness.
“Thank you, dear aunt. Mrs Annesley and Lizzy are here. I need nothing else,” Georgiana said with a small yet bright smile.
“You must come to have tea with me one of these days,” the lady continued. “Bring Miss Bennet with you, of course. Your uncle is curious to meet her too.”
“I shall.”
“You also need some new gowns. You are taller and thinner compared to last winter. I shall make an appointment with Madame Yvette.”
“Oh no, that is not necessary, Aunt. Perhaps later,” Georgiana answered with apparent anxiety.
Some tea and pastries were brought in. Lady Matlock remained for another half an hour. She enjoyed a cup of tea, talking mostly to Elizabeth and Georgiana, with Mrs Annesley rarely intervening and Darcy and the colonel enjoying their drinks.
***
Although she only meant well, Lady Matlock was rather intrusive in her enquiries to Elizabeth. However, Elizabeth kept her composure and felt more amused than annoyed.
While she did feel Lady Matlock’s behaviour was slightly superior and presumptuous, Elizabeth was not offended by it.
She recognised the lady’s concern for her niece and nephew and could not blame her for it.
However, the discussion about Mr Darcy’s decision to marry distressed her exceedingly.
Lady Campbell and her daughter had seemed very interested in the handsome bachelor; she also seemed to be on friendly terms with Lady Matlock, since she had immediately informed her about the meeting in the park.
And Anne? Who was Anne? Lady Catherine’s daughter?
After Lady Matlock and the colonel left, Georgiana let out a sigh of relief. Elizabeth smiled, as her feelings were similar.
“I hope Lady Matlock did not make you uncomfortable, Miss Bennet. She loves us dearly, but she has the tendency to impose her own way upon everybody. Strangely, my uncle is the same. I often wonder how they manage between them,” Mr Darcy said.
Elizabeth smiled again; Mr Darcy had the same tendency, only he had tempered it lately.
“We all like to have our own way, except not all of us can impose it,” Elizabeth answered.
“Perhaps. I for one admit to being guilty of such a charge,” Mr Darcy declared. “Have you played the pianoforte, by any chance?”
“Indeed, Miss Darcy and Miss Bennet practised,” Mrs Annesley said enthusiastically. “It was a delight to listen to them.”
“Georgiana played. I mostly admired her,” Elizabeth added. “My skills are so poor that I did not want to ruin her performance.”
“That is not true, Lizzy! You play very well. Perhaps you need to practise a little more,” Georgiana added in earnest.