Chapter 1.3 #4
Various feelings arose in Elizabeth as she stood before the main door.
Miss Darcy had not mentioned her brother, so Elizabeth could not presume he would be present.
She did not know whether she desired or dreaded seeing him again, but she had decided to enjoy the company of Miss Darcy without allowing any dark thoughts to mar her time there.
As soon as she entered the house, a servant showed her to the music room, where she was told Miss Darcy was awaiting her. As she approached the room, she heard music; reports of Miss Darcy’s expertise on the pianoforte were not exaggerated.
The moment Elizabeth appeared in the doorway, Miss Darcy hurried from her place at the instrument, an open smile brightening her face. “I am so happy to see you again, Elizabeth!”
The couple of hours Elizabeth spent with Georgiana were a continuous source of enjoyment and revelation.
First, she discovered that, like her brother, Miss Darcy improved on closer acquaintance.
Once she was able to put her shyness aside, she proved to be a lively companion with a sweet disposition who was inclined to find amusement in many things.
Her talent at the pianoforte amazed Elizabeth because it was more than a simple consequence of practicing diligently.
Both Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst were proficient at the piano, but they could not compare to Georgiana.
Secondly, Elizabeth was surprised to find that Miss Darcy knew many of the details surrounding her brother’s stays in Hertfordshire and Kent.
While she evidenced no awareness of Mr Darcy’s proposal, she appeared to know about Mr Collins, her confrontations with Lady Catherine and even her discussions with Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst. Mr Darcy obviously had talked a great deal about her—and Elizabeth’s heart seemed to beat irregularly at this new proof of his interest in her.
In time, she grew more at ease in Georgiana’s company and was beginning to feel as if she had known her all her life; even the prospect of seeing Mr Darcy again caused her no more distress.
They were playing and singing together at the pianoforte and did not notice the door open, revealing Mr Darcy and Lady Cassandra.
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Darcy had been out the entire morning and had tried to finish his business as quickly as he could; Georgiana had told him of Elizabeth’s visit, and he hurried home, forgetting a previous engagement with Lady Cassandra.
When he arrived to discover her waiting for him in front of his house, he was subjected to a round of merciless teasing before he was able to enter.
He was indeed desirous of seeing Elizabeth again and did nothing to conceal it.
The call at Gracechurch Street had given his spirit a boost. He could not deny the obvious: Miss Bennet was not as opposed to him as he previously imagined.
She seemed uncomfortable in his presence, and her manners were more restrained than before, but that was understandable considering their history.
He still could not credit his good fortune in meeting Elizabeth again; he was given a chance to show her he was not mean-spirited or resentful about the past. With the small signs he perceived during his call, he was determined to do all in his power to obtain her forgiveness and lessen her ill opinion of him; she must see that he was attending to her reproofs.
Of course, he could not be certain of the accuracy of his judgment.
After all, he had failed miserably before to recognise her feelings, as well as those of Jane Bennet and Bingley.
His presumptions had caused nothing but suffering to those around him; this time, he promised himself not to act in haste.
He would show her he had taken her words to heart and changed because of her and for her.
He would not conceal his feelings behind challenging talks and silent stares across the room.
He would show her—and everyone else—his preference for her, but he would do it with as much decorum as possible, careful not to embarrass her or place her in an indelicate situation.
He heard the sound of music and followed it, stopping in the doorway. Darcy watched as Elizabeth played a duet with his sister, laughing and at perfect ease—so beautiful and natural in her enjoyment. He wished nothing more than for her to appear as contented in his presence.
However, just as he feared, the moment she noticed him, the laughter died on her lips, and she hurriedly rose from her chair.
Her cheeks turned crimson, and she tried to avoid his eyes, causing his doubt to rise again.
Clearly, it was his presence that made Elizabeth uncomfortable.
Yet in her uncle’s home, she seemed so different.
Perhaps that was the reason, he thought while advancing toward them.
Perhaps she feels more comfortable among her relatives than in my home.
He approached and bowed to her, expressing his delight in seeing her again. Then he took a seat quite far from them, allowing her the opportunity to regain her composure while talking to Cassandra.
He intended to become involved at some point, when Lady Cassandra insisted Elizabeth play and sing.
He noticed her reticence; he did not want her to feel obliged to comply with anyone’s wishes while in his house.
Yet, she agreed in the end and began to play.
He was certain the sound of her voice was the most beautiful he had heard in some time.
To lessen her embarrassment, he struggled to direct his eyes away from her.
However, in the end, her beauty was simply too much for him to withstand, so he permitted himself to gaze upon her and hoped he was not the reason for her high colour and embarrassment.
“Miss Bennet, you play very well indeed. It is a pleasure to listen to you,” said Lady Cassandra as soon as Elizabeth ended her song.
Elizabeth knew her cheeks were already burning under the penetrating stare of Mr Darcy—she even lifted her eyes a few times and met his—yet the compliment took her by surprise, and she was certain it was responsible for her blushing even more.
“Thank you, Lady Cassandra; you are too kind. However, I know only too well that I am not very good; I am neither as proficient nor as talented as Georgiana.” She did not fail to notice Mr Darcy’s surprise at the familiarity of her address, but he did not seem displeased at all.
“I agree you are not as proficient or talented as Georgie, but then again, few people are. However, your interpretation was quite enjoyable—a true pleasure to hear.”
“Indeed,” Mr Darcy finally spoke up, “to hear you playing and singing has always been a pleasure, Miss Bennet.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“So, did you ladies have a pleasant time?” asked Lady Cassandra, as Elizabeth managed to breathe deeply in an attempt to calm her emotions.
“Yes, we did; Elizabeth is the most delightful company.”
“Yes, so she seems. Miss Bennet, how is your time spent in London when you are not going to the theatre or visiting Darcy’s home?” asked the lady with a tone that confused Elizabeth and made her wonder about the meaning of her words. “Do you miss your family?”
Elizabeth hesitated a moment before answering. “Yes, I do, very much. Though I am very fond of my entire family, I must confess I mostly miss my father and my eldest sister, Jane.”
“Yes…Miss Jane Bennet. Darcy told me about her.” Elizabeth’s face paled and unconsciously turned to him. Had he told everything to Lady Cassandra?
“From what I have heard, she is remarkably beautiful,” she continued.
“Yes, she is, thank you. But aside from her beauty, she is a most kind and gentle lady and has the sweetest disposition. She is much like Georgiana in many respects.” Miss Darcy blushed, taken aback by the compliment.
To Elizabeth’s shock, it was Mr Darcy who spoke further.
“Georgiana, I did not know Miss Bennet’s true character well enough to see the similarities while I was in Hertfordshire, but now that Miss Elizabeth mentions it, I am sure she must be right.
She is far more perceptive than I am. While I fancy myself a good judge of character, I have learned I am by no means always correct in my initial impressions. ”
Elizabeth’s eyes—wide in surprise after his declaration—fixed on his, and for a few moments, they stared wordlessly at each other. Upon his countenance was the deepest regret, which he took no pain to hide.
“I am also told that you have three other sisters besides Miss Bennet. Are they all as beautiful as your eldest?”