Chapter 1.11 #6
However, when it came to Georgiana, Elizabeth could never imagine any misunderstanding. Who could possibly judge her proud and unpleasant? And who could fail to see her kind and affectionate nature? Was Mr Wickham such a poor judge of character? Or was there something more?
Was it possible that Mr Wickham intentionally and meanly spoke ill of Georgiana only because she was the sister of his enemy? If so, what did that say about Mr Wickham’s character? And what did it say about her own wisdom since she believed him entirely from the first?
It was the fourth day of her marriage, and her world became increasingly puzzling.
And she dared not ask the questions for which she wanted answers.
Though her husband told her the detailed story of his involvement with Jane and Mr Bingley, he said not a word about Mr Wickham.
And she had no strength to inquire—at least not yet.
Also, approaching Georgiana directly seemed impossible to consider for the present.
After dinner, at Mr Darcy’s kind request, they moved to the music room. Georgiana searched for a piece to play when she suddenly displayed a timid smile.
“Elizabeth, would you like to play and sing with me?” The girl’s request took Elizabeth so much by surprise that she looked around and knew not what to say. Mrs Annesley warmly supported Georgiana’s suggestion, and Mr Darcy only watched her in silence.
“I would like that very much, thank you, although I am afraid you will regret your invitation as you might be quickly appalled by my poor skill.”
“I am sure that is not true. William has told me how much he admires your talent.”
“I cannot imagine why he would say such a thing,” Elizabeth answered lightly as she walked to the piano, glancing at her husband who hid a smile behind his glass.
They chose a piece, and Elizabeth sang while Georgiana played.
Elizabeth knew her performance was not very good, and she felt her husband’s gaze on her quite acutely.
Their fight still affected her—and likely him as well.
There were still things weighing heavily between them, and she found herself restrained and slightly embarrassed during her song.
But she lowered her eyes and saw Georgiana’s friendly face and warm smile.
Gradually, she relaxed, and when she finished the song, both Georgiana and Mrs Annesley expressed their admiration. Elizabeth looked at her husband—who sat silently, his face wearing a slight smile. Then she joined Georgiana in her enthusiasm and kept her company for another hour.
Elizabeth had decided to join the family for dinner as a gesture of truce and civility towards her husband and agreed to play with Georgiana to ease her obvious distress.
However, she returned to her apartment at the end of the evening with an easy heart and high spirits.
She congratulated herself for not remaining isolated in her chamber.
After all, she was the mistress of the house, and she had to consider her duties over her personal feelings.
She knew her husband was also pleased with the progress of the evening.
He thanked them both for the lovely music and expressed his hope that such evenings would be oft repeated.
When the ladies retired, he declared he still had some work in the library.
He embraced his sister then bestowed a proper kiss upon Elizabeth’s hand, and held it a moment longer.
“Good night, Mrs Darcy, and thank you,” he said in a low voice, holding her gaze.
“Good night, Mr Darcy.”
Once Elizabeth snuggled within the softness of her bed, thoughts invaded her again.
She recalled the conversation with her husband and with Georgiana, and along with her earlier concerns, something else began to trouble her.
Darcy had diligently pointed out to her all his reasons against an alliance between Jane and Bingley: her family’s improper manners, their poor situation in life, her mother’s unyielding resolve to find good matches for her daughters.
He also insisted that he believed Jane not to return Mr Bingley’s feelings, and he said he could not allow his friend to be trapped and unhappy in a loveless marriage.
But all of those reasons were equally valid in her situation.
Why would her family’s faults not weigh more heavily with regard to him than Mr Bingley?
And, if he doubted Jane’s feelings for Mr Bingley, he surely must know that her feelings were not at all favourable towards him, and yet he proposed to her, ignoring every barrier.
Regardless of their commitment to eventually make a good marriage, he did allow himself to be trapped—in fact, he had built the trap himself—and she could not understand why.
She eventually fell asleep, but her mind, filled with all sorts of dreams, allowed her little rest. As dawn broke, she found herself wondering how many sets her husband would dance with her at the dinner party.
She might have asked him directly had she known that, in the next room, he slept not a moment longer than she did.
The only difference was that, when morning came, she slept soundly while he woke, dressed, and silently went to his library.