Chapter 15
“It is your move, Mr Darcy,” Elizabeth said.
Mr Darcy had requested that she play a game of chess against him after her father had told him she was a most accomplished player.
The game had begun well; she had taken white, at his offer, and made the first move.
Mr Darcy had raised an eyebrow at her choice but made his countermove in good time.
They had even begun to have what seemed to be a fairly pleasant conversation.
But Mr Darcy had needed to be recalled to the game not once but twice, seeming to have been lost in thought, not contemplation of his next move.
“Forgive me,” he said, shaking his head.
“You are a most interesting player,” he explained.
But as this was a repetition of what he had said after his first episode of inattention, Elizabeth did not quite believe it, but she let it pass as he made his move, and she was the one who now needed to concentrate.
“Mmh,” she said, considering the board. He was a particularly skilful player, and he had nearly brought her to check once already.
Elizabeth was the best chess player of her sisters, but she was not the equal of her father.
He had told her time and again that she would never be a true master if she did not take time to practice, but she had not sufficient interest in becoming a master to allot the needed time to the endeavour.
She believed that Mr Darcy might give him a real challenge, and she wondered if her father had suggested he play against her in order for her to assess whether it would be worth his time.
As she made her final move, knowing that it would lead to Mr Darcy’s declaring checkmate, she had to admit he would.
The completion of the game came at the right time as Miss Farnsworth entered the room.
Miss Farnsworth was an excellent piano teacher, and in the early years of her joining their household, she had taught Elizabeth and Mary much, and they had both needed the guidance she provided, having achieved everything they could without instruction.
But they had both outgrown her abilities, and they now took lessons with a master in town when they stayed with their aunt and uncle Gardiner for three weeks each summer.
Jane did not have such a natural ability at the instrument, but she did have a sweet voice.
So, Elizabeth or Mary normally played while she sang, although Elizabeth often sang with her.
Elizabeth had been trying for some time to encourage Mary to start singing.
Mary had a fine voice, although at a different range to Elizabeth’s or Jane’s.
Elizabeth, in trying to encourage her, had suggested that the three of them practice a piece which they could perform together.
Mary had agreed, although she was still obviously nervous at the thought of performing the piece.
“Are you ladies ready to practice?” Miss Farnsworth said. It was the time they had allotted to practice the piece, but the unexpected guests at Longbourn had thrown the house into disorder.
“I think perhaps,” their mother began, but Mr Bingley had begun to speak at the same time, so Mrs Bennet halted and waved a hand to Mr Bingley and said, “pray continue.”
And with a bow of his head in acknowledgment, Bingley said, “I would dearly love to hear some music.”
Mr Darcy, on the other hand, looked faintly disapproving, and Elizabeth was unsure if it was directed at her family, who had not thought to fully rearrange their day around their guests, or at Mr Bingley for asking for entertainment when they were merely to practice.
Nevertheless, Jane and Mary looked to Elizabeth, who accepted the request on behalf of her sisters. Mary looked quite pale at the suggestion, until Elizabeth suggested that she play as they sang.