Chapter 31
Chapter Thirty-One
Sitting at the pianoforte with Miss Darcy was a pleasure and a mistake.
The two giggled together while choosing from the sheet music, and Elizabeth felt as if they had known one another their whole lives. There was an ease between them, and Elizabeth wondered how Miss Darcy was so joyful when Mr Darcy was, at least when in the company of a crowd, so dour.
They settled on a dance tune, and banged away at the keys laughing.
Kitty and Lydia rose to dance, and after a few turns, crashed into Mr Darcy, who looked none too pleased.
Elizabeth attempted not to care, and focused her attention on her fingers, which faltered.
She laughed and apologised. Miss Darcy nudged her shoulder and suggested they begin from where they left off.
But Mama said, “Mr Darcy, you look as if you’ve eaten something rotten.”
Elizabeth’s chest squeezed, and her fingers faltered again.
Mr Darcy straightened in his seat. “I…was simply listening to the music.”
“Do you not like what you hear? I taught Lizzy to play.”
Why could her mother not hold her tongue or, at the very least, think before she spoke?
The look on Mr Darcy’s face turned Elizabeth’s stomach.
It was so full of disdain and unspoken criticism that it made her hate him.
She had to say something in response. “The problem is not in the master, but in the pupil. I have said I do not practise nearly as often as I ought, turning my attention to other interests.”
“Your playing is better than you think,” said Miss Darcy, with guileless encouragement. “Come, let us play another tune. Something slower?”
Elizbeth locked eyes with Mr Darcy, whose face she could not read, and stood. “No, I think that is enough.” Registering Miss Darcy’s disappointment, she added, “I would prefer to hear you play alone. I know your talents far exceed mine, and it would be lovely to hear a piece well played for once.”
“I play well!” announced Kitty, and Lydia laughed. “I do! Mama, tell everyone!”
Elizabeth, moving to a seat far from Mr Darcy, said, “You do play well, Kitty, but we have heard your repertoire, whereas Miss Darcy could lift our spirits with the joy of something new.” She beckoned Kitty to her side and squeezed her hand as Miss Darcy began to play.