Chapter V #3
Thus, when the gentlemen returned, Miss Darcy was sitting amid the Bennet ladies, speaking with composure, though still a little hesitation.
Elizabeth fixed her gaze on the gentleman, arching an eyebrow in challenge.
To her surprise, Mr. Darcy said nothing.
Instead, he took himself to a nearby chair to listen.
It was, Elizabeth supposed, the best she could hope for from such a disagreeable man.
He seemed to have some sense of propriety, sufficient to prevent him from interrupting again that evening.
CONTRARY TO ELIZABETH’S suspicions, Darcy was not at all averse to his dear sister speaking to her or even taking her likeness.
Darcy had often worried about his sister’s reticence.
Restraint was a Darcy family trait, but Georgiana had been cursed with more shyness than reserve.
As there were few others her age in the neighborhood, she had often wanted for companions, and as she did not warm to others easily, she tended to remain alone more than he thought healthy.
She was sixteen and would come out in two years—part of her coming out was to become more comfortable in the small society around Lambton.
Miss Elizabeth, though he suspected her of wishing to entrap his friend for her sister, was not shy like his sister.
Instead, Miss Elizabeth was bold, forthright, and confident, at home in any company, regardless of her other flaws of character.
There were few, Darcy thought, who would be a more beneficial mentor for Georgiana than Miss Elizabeth Bennet.
And if any hint of leading Georgiana in a direction Darcy did not approve of appeared, Darcy thought himself equal to intervening on his sister’s behalf.
“Georgiana,” said Darcy as he approached, settling himself nearby, “is everything well?”
“We were discussing music,” said Miss Elizabeth, her look at him a mixture of reproach and self-satisfaction.
Darcy did not understand what it meant, but he had no time to consider it.
“Very well, Brother,” said Georgiana in a tone livelier than he had heard from his sister in months.
“Miss Mary is as much of a devotee of the pianoforte as I am, and Miss Elizabeth enjoys it too.” Then Georgiana directed a look at Miss Elizabeth that might have been arch, uncertain, given his sister’s reticence.
“Miss Elizabeth claims she is not proficient because she does not practice.”
“It is the truth,” said Miss Elizabeth without a hint of disguise. “I have far too many interests to sequester myself at the pianoforte for hours at a time.”
“Practice is not only work,” said Miss Mary, her tone almost severe. “It can also be enjoyable.”
“You are correct, Mary,” said Miss Elizabeth, not appearing displeased. “Again, however, I will direct you to my comment about having many interests.”
“Well,” said Georgiana, “I should like the opportunity to judge for myself.”
“I am happy to submit to your judgment whenever convenient.” Georgiana giggled at her turn of phrase, no doubt as Miss Elizabeth had intended. “If you will offer us the same opportunity.”
Darcy saw the protest on his sister’s tongue, but she surprised him by not voicing it. “Perhaps you may persuade me.”
“Before this intrepid exchange of talents occurs,” interjected Darcy, “you should know that Miss Elizabeth’s modesty leads her to protest. I have heard her play and know that she does well, though perhaps her claims of infrequent practice have some merit.”
“That is what I have always told Lizzy,” said Miss Mary.
Miss Elizabeth did not respond, for she was watching him as if uncertain. “Where did you hear me play, Mr. Darcy?”
“At Sir William’s party at Lucas Lodge not long after our first assembly in Meryton,” replied Darcy, recalling the event as if it were yesterday. “If you recall, we were speaking when your friend, Miss Lucas, insisted you play for the company.”
“Yes, of course,” said Miss Elizabeth. “I beg your pardon, Mr. Darcy, but it surprises me to learn that your memory is so exact.”
Darcy shrugged, not wishing to betray anything more than he already had. “It was a memorable evening in more than one respect.”
It was a deflection, and Miss Elizabeth understood what it meant at once.
She could have no notion of his meaning, and spent several long moments considering him, though Darcy did not know her conclusions.
It was not only the evening, Miss Elizabeth playing, or the presence of the officers, but Darcy recalled it as the night he had first noticed his attraction for her—the night he had commented to Miss Bingley about her fine eyes.
The woman’s behavior after that told Darcy it had been an error to be so open, but the sentiment was not untrue.
Georgiana and Miss Mary continued to carry the conversation, speaking of playing techniques, favorite composers, and even their opera preferences.
After that initial exchange, Darcy did not speak much, contenting himself with listening, prepared to interrupt should the conversation take an improper turn.
It did not—though Miss Mary could become improper at a pianoforte, was not beset by troubling behavior, and Miss Elizabeth was as she always was.
To own the truth, Darcy was pleased that his sister had become comfortable among these ladies so quickly.
The friendship would not last long if Darcy succeeded in pulling Bingley away from Miss Bennet and Hertfordshire altogether, but he thought she would benefit from a short acquaintance.
If Bingley defied him, then Darcy could withdraw with his sister at any time.
Once they left, there would be no expectation of their return.