Chapter 6
Georgiana Enjoys Many Diversions During Her Day at Longbourn
“I must apologize, Miss Darcy. I had not expected quite so interesting a morning,” Miss Elizabeth said with forced cheer when she joined herself, Miss Mary, and Miss Bennet in the stillroom.
“I think you do not understand how lucky you are to have such a large family. I would give anything to be able to talk with my parents. I have enjoyed Miss Mary allowing me to help her ever so much. I have made my first tea blend, and Miss Mary says I can try it today,” Georgiana said, showing Miss Elizabeth the mix of dried flowers, herbs, and fruit pieces.
“We are just finished, so let us enjoy a walk in the gardens, Miss Darcy. You can see some of them through that pane. We are fortunate, our Mary makes certain none of our gardens are dull, not even in winter. This closest garden has Wood Sorrel, but another will have holly that is now showing brighter berries. If we are fortunate, the mistletoe may be growing greener,” Miss Bennet said, motioning toward a window.
“I will join you after I speak a moment with Mary,” Miss Elizabeth said, holding up her spencer and gloves.
Miss Kitty chose to walk with them when she and Miss Bennet made their way through the gardens.
They talked of Town and what it was like to have a companion rather than sisters.
The conversation turned to her studies, both with masters and her companion.
Sounds of someone playing the pianoforte drifted from an open window.
Georgiana stepped closer. Miss Bennet and Miss Kitty winced as Mary played a sonata.
“Has she had formal training?”
“Not above what Charlotte and Lizzy could illustrate, having learned when visiting relations,” Miss Bennet said.
“Then she is a marvel who is technically perfect.”
“But her music is rather…staid,” Miss Kitty said, glancing at Miss Bennet.
“True, she needs the barest of guidance. Excuse me,” Georgiana said, rushing into the house.
When Georgiana entered the small room, Mary looked up. “I understand you play. Do you wish to now, Miss Darcy?”
Georgiana placed her bonnet on the top of the instrument, proving an intent to stay for more than a moment. “Might I join you on the bench?”
Miss Mary assented, but her shoulders hunched.
Georgiana understood the posture, having adopted it after the incident at Ramsgate.
Her loving brother kept her from making the gravest of mistakes, almost eloping with a man seeking revenge against him.
After being rescued, she had expected criticism and correction.
It seemed Miss Mary expected such from her.
However, her guardians claimed it was not her fault, arguing that they and her companion, Mrs. Younge, had placed her in a vulnerable position. They forgave her naivete when she was sure she deserved their anger. And never having studied with a music master, Miss Mary did not need to be shamed.
“I shall play the same piece,” Georgiana said, then did so with swifter keystrokes.
“I shall let you have the instrument,” Miss Mary whispered, her humiliation writ on her face.
“I beg you, do not. I shall teach you the same trick I learnt from a master. Please. Your playing is exacting. So much potential, but you play each note for itself rather than the harmony.”
“I…” Miss Mary considered the words spoken.
“It is not about this one note.” Georgiana played the F-sharp with her free hand, the other pointing at the sheet before them.
“It is about these five together. And though this one must be heard on its own for two ticks, the harmony is found in these five notes, which lead to these five notes. Never does a single keystroke alone make music. Though, I daresay, some notes are quite dramatic and fun,” Georgiana whispered the last in a conspiratorial whisper.
“Play this part again?” Miss Mary asked, watching Georgiana’s fingering with interest.
“Once more, and this time watch the sheet. Read the story of the music. My piano master compared reading and playing music to reading a book. A word is but part of a whole sentence. Read out of context, a single word could lead to a great misunderstanding of the plot.” Georgiana played the section again.
“I had not considered it from such a perspective.” Miss Mary’s eyes widened with comprehension.
“I would tell you one more secret from that same master when I was not nearly so adept as you, if you will hear it?”
“Please,” Miss Mary said with elation.
“Unless one of those dramatic notes, always play as if glass is under the key.
Music is written for melody. Use a softer touch to avoid breaking the glass.
Swifter movement is preferred over strong depression.
Now, it is your turn. Play as if there's glass under the keys. The melody comes from you, not the instrument. You play with great skill. You only need to let your fingers tell the story from your heart, which holds the music you read dear.”
Georgiana picked up her bonnet and left the musician to her practice, hearing a marked improvement before she had taken four steps.
When she returned to the garden, she found Miss Bennet’s eyes spilling with tears. “You are too kind, Miss Darcy.”
“Oh, you may be the best visitor we have ever had come to Longbourn, Miss Darcy. Please do not ever leave.” Miss Kitty wrapped an arm through hers.
“She was technically perfect. She only needed encouragement,” Georgiana said.
“Still, I thank you on behalf of my family,” Miss Bennet said, leading them to Mrs. Bennet’s prized hedgerows that yet retained much of their greenery.
An hour later, Miss Mary looked up, surprised by effusive applause.
“Oh, Mary, that was just wonderful.” Miss Elizabeth rushed to hug her sister.
“Mary, my dear girl, that was masterful,” Mr. Bennet said earnestly.
“I agree,” Georgiana said, clasping her hand. This time, she was not surprised when Miss Mary held hers fast.
“Mary, it was a beautiful rendition,” a lady said, walking over and hugging Miss Mary, who was overcome with joy.
“It is Miss Darcy who offered guidance this morning,” Miss Mary explained. And though she stood, she did not let go of Georgiana’s hand.
“Will you play later, Miss Darcy? After the sewing is seen to and we have had tea,” Mrs. Bennet asked.
Georgiana hoped she hid her relief that Mrs. Bennet no longer seemed as excited as she had earlier been.
“If you like, ma’am. I hope to practice a duet with Miss Mary, if she is amenable.”
Miss Mary, too overcome to speak, squeezed her hand.
The newness of such intimacy had not subsided.
She had been hugged three times that day by the Bennets.
Georgiana thought on these last years since her father’s death, aware she had not known such affection excepting on those days her cousin, who was also her guardian, was at Darcy House or Pemberley.
“Your friendship has blessed our sister in multiple ways,” Miss Bennet said, dabbing at her eyes with a bit of lace.
“Come, we must sew,” Miss Elizabeth said, leading the way to the drawing room. “Whilst Mary played, our friends joined us. Miss Darcy, this is our dear friend Miss Charlotte Lucas and her younger sister, Maria.”
While everyone took their chairs, Georgiana was fascinated to hear her brother being so well thought of.
Each instance Miss Lucas, Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, and Miss Mary spoke of reinforced the very great effort he had made to know Mr. Bingley’s neighbors at the assembly.
That which he had promised, he had done.
Luncheon was sandwiches, fruit, nuts, tea, and lemonade.
Commenting that the lemonade tasted like none she’d had before, Georgiana was told that Miss Mary brewed it herself.
That led to a discussion of Miss Mary’s scented waters, including the one worked on that morning while she had blended a tea.
And that led to a discussion about a young lady wearing a masculine scent at the assembly and needing to try a new one.
After hearing the whole on dit, Georgiana nearly choked on her tea.
While no one confirmed or denied, Georgiana guessed Miss Bingley was the lady they spoke of.
She asked if Miss Mary might recommend a scent for herself.
Miss Mary’s eyes lit up, and Miss Elizabeth said, “Later, Mary. Today, we are sewing.”
“It is already made. I would like to gift it to her in appreciation for the gift she gave me.”
“Before our new friend leaves, then.”
Georgiana felt embarrassed as she caught Miss Kitty and Miss Maria mimicking her movements. They had only begun their efforts when Miss Lydia entered the room.
“Come sew, Lydia. The poor box will benefit from the gift of your time and skills, even if they do not know it was done by your hand. None of us can trim sleeves better than you,” Miss Bennet said.
Looking away, Georgiana hoped her jealousy did not show. She envied how well they understood one another, their affection for each other even in difficult moments.
“I suppose you will all be pleased that Mama and I have to account for everything I have borrowed. I am to go through my closet and return everything.” Miss Lydia hiccupped.
“Papa made me read the definition of selfishness. Even though I borrowed the items, your lists affirmed to Papa that you believed I took them forever.”
“We can attend to that later. It is now time to sew. Come, tell us of your favorite dance partner at the assembly,” Miss Mary said pragmatically.
It was not long before Georgiana noticed that Miss Lydia, too, began to imitate her mannerisms and follow the advice of her sisters, perhaps advice previously eschewed.
Spending time sewing collars and shirt cuffs, her two favorite tasks, Georgiana did not know why, but was surprised to learn that others enjoyed sewing sleeves, a less time-consuming task, and sewing straight hems. By pooling their skills, they were able to work on more items in a single day than one of them might accomplish in a month.