Chapter 1.13
Preparation for the Bennet sisters’ visit proved to be an opportunity for genuine improvement in Georgiana. Consulting the doctor and obtaining his approval, Darcy transformed Georgiana’s dressing room to host this visit so she could leave her bedroom after more than a month.
The most comfortable settee in the house was transformed into a resting place where Georgiana could recline among the elegant pillows to keep her warm and cosy.
She insisted on having her hair arranged as she would for a special occasion.
She was prepared in a snug sitting position even before Darcy left to retrieve their guests, and she employed her time reading Shakespeare—which she knew almost by heart—with Mrs Annesley watching her carefully.
For the Bennet sisters, the moment was no easier.
Jane, though she knew her concerns were unfounded, still harboured mixed feelings and felt uncertain about the introduction; meanwhile, Elizabeth was distressed by her desire to make a good impression.
The moment they entered the room with the anticipation of the formidable presentation, they almost gasped in amazement at seeing, in an improvised bed, a pale young girl, obviously more intimidated than they were.
They expected to see someone similar to Mr Darcy, and it surprised them to be proven wrong.
“Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, allow me to introduce my sister, Georgiana. Georgiana, may I present Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”
“How do you do?”
“Very pleased to meet you, Miss Darcy,” they answered warmly.
She tried to return their smiles. “Would you like to sit down?” She indicated various places around a small table arranged for the purpose of their visit and positioned near the settee.
Elizabeth agreed and took the place nearest to Miss Darcy.
Darcy returned to the drawing room after a few minutes, not wishing to leave the Gardiners alone too long. Once he was gone, Georgiana became even shyer and seemed frightened.
However, Elizabeth did not allow her to feel that way for long. “We are very happy to finally meet you, Miss Darcy. We have heard so many things about you from both Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley.”
Georgiana blushed. “And I about you both, Miss Elizabeth. You are very kind to come to see me under these unpleasant circumstances.”
“No indeed, Miss Darcy, we are happy to be here. And I must say I am pleased to see you looking so well.”
“Thank you. I hope to have the opportunity to see you again very soon.”
“And perhaps then,” said Jane, also shyly, “we shall have the pleasure of hearing you play. We have also heard you are fond of music and very accomplished at the pianoforte.”
Georgiana blushed even more and with difficulty tried to find a proper answer to such a compliment but could say no more than, “Thank you.”
Elizabeth, with sympathy for this young girl—so timid and painfully shy—tried to remember what Mr Darcy had told her in order to find a comfortable topic. Happily, she noticed the book on her left and saw an opportunity.
“Am I to understand you like Shakespeare, Miss Darcy?”
“Indeed, I do.”
“As do I—very much indeed. I also enjoy any play I can attend.”
“I share the same passions, Miss Elizabeth. My brother introduced me to Shakespeare’s work when I was very young and also took me to every new performance. We saw many plays more than once as I was too young to understand some of them fully.”
Masterfully, Elizabeth encouraged her to talk about various things she seemed to enjoy, not ceasing to wonder at how thin and pale she looked.
She had pleasant features, though different from her brother, and her eyes were incredibly blue—perhaps, thought Elizabeth, more accentuated by contrast with her pale skin.
Jane entered little into the conversation, but whenever she did, she was kind and gentle, which increased Georgiana’s comfort. Her easiness grew as Elizabeth continued to ask questions she knew would give her pleasure, and the girl indeed answered with great delight.
From books to music and theatre to opera, Georgiana began to relate to them her tour of Italy and the extraordinary spectacles she saw there.
Both sisters seemed pleased and surprised by her stories, which give her more encouragement.
Though still reserved in expressing herself, her intelligence and education were evident and greatly appreciated by both her guests.
They were in the middle of a pleasant, animated conversation when the door opened, and Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley entered.
The moment he saw Jane, Mr Bingley’s face began to glow, and he went directly to her, smiling, his happiness apparent.
Then he greeted Elizabeth, moved to Georgiana, kissed her hands tenderly, and asked how she was feeling.
Both Mr Darcy and Elizabeth looked at Jane with worry at the same time, but she appeared serene and not unpleasantly affected by Mr Bingley’s familiarity towards Georgiana. When their gazes met, they smiled at one another, amazed once more at how their thoughts seemed to coincide.
“Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, your presence is required downstairs,” said Darcy. “Miss Bingley and Mr and Mrs Hurst have just arrived and were asking after you.” He was fully aware that this was the least reason to make Elizabeth leave her present company.
“So soon?” asked Georgiana without considering her words and trying to conceal her disappointment.
“Not so soon, dearest, a half an hour has passed since I left you, and we want to begin a tour of the house as I promised Mr and Mrs Gardiner.”
“You are right, of course,” she agreed, obviously in low spirits.
Suddenly, Elizabeth interjected cheerfully, “Actually, Mr Darcy, I must confess you were interrupting us precisely in the middle of a very interesting story. If Miss Darcy is not fatigued, I would be grateful if you allow me to stay a little longer.”
Her request took the others quite by surprise, and Darcy was about to protest—he truly wanted to show her the house—but then he met her eyes. How could he refuse her when all she wanted was to please Georgiana?
“As you wish…I shall return to escort you to the dining room later.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Jane bid goodbye to Georgiana, supported on Bingley’s arm. She was followed closely by Darcy, who turned to cast a last glance at his sister and Elizabeth. As he left, he could hear Georgiana’s shy voice.
“Miss Elizabeth, I am indeed grateful for your decision to stay a little longer, for I know the meaning of this. But I know you would prefer to be with the others from the party, and I do not want to keep you from the enjoyment and their pleasant company. So please do not feel obliged to stay with me.”
Elizabeth was not to be discouraged so easily and decided to be honest.
“Miss Darcy, although it is true that I remained to keep you company, it is equally true that I enjoy talking to you, and I infinitely prefer your company to Miss Bingley’s, whom I am not desirous to meet at the moment.”
Georgiana’s eyes and mouth opened in great surprise at such a statement, and she did not know quite what to do or say, but she ceased feeling guilty for prolonging Elizabeth’s visit. “Thank you…” was her whispered answer.
Elizabeth resumed their previous discussion, asking for more details, and she was amazed at the number of places and countries Georgiana had visited, despite her young age.
More than once, her questions were directed to something related to Mr Darcy, and his sister was only too happy to answer, careful to present her brother to his best advantage, although soon she could see there was no need to improve Elizabeth’s opinion of him.
As their conversation became more animated, Elizabeth asked Georgiana not to address her as Miss Bennet any longer but by her given name, and when the girl accepted under the same condition, they soon ceased the formal manner of addressing each other.
An hour later, which passed unnoticed, Mrs Annesley entered with two maids who carried a tray full of various courses of food and fruits. She apologised for disturbing them, but it was dinnertime for Georgiana.
“Mrs Annesley, please postpone it a little longer. I am not hungry, and I could not eat in front of Miss Bennet.”
Mrs Annesley was disconcerted. She knew it would be impolite to interrupt the visit, but the doctor and the master were strict regarding her mistress’s meals, and she was diligent in respecting their directives as it was in Georgiana’s best interest.
“Mrs Annesley,” interrupted Elizabeth, “I do not think you should change Miss Darcy’s dinnertime for me. I shall stay only a few more minutes; you can leave the tray on the table.”
The maids did as she requested and left while Mrs Annesley sat discreetly in a corner in case her help was needed. Elizabeth cast a quick glance towards the plates.
“Georgiana, I cannot believe how much food is here. Do you eat this much at every meal?”
“No, of course not,” she answered, a little uncomfortably. “But my brother has ordered that all the types of food that I favour be sent to me, even Italian or French food, so I can choose.”
She blushed and continued, feeling quite guilty.
“I am not a very good patient, and I always upset William by not eating enough. The doctor said I shall not recover if I am not well fed.”
Elizabeth tried to lighten the tone of their conversation as she inspected the tray with great interest.
“Georgiana, this smells delicious.” She leaned closer and whispered, “You know, I must confess I was so excited about Mr Darcy’s invitation that I did not eat anything today, and now I am feeling quite hungry.”
“Oh, I am sorry! I am sure you will be invited to dinner very soon.”
“Yes, but until then, would you mind if I join you and eat a little now?”
“Of course not, Elizabeth, but what about dinner?”
“Oh, do not worry. I shall just taste a very little now to temper my hunger so at the dinner table I shall be able to eat no more than a proper lady should.”
“A proper lady should eat little? I did not know that.”