The clock struck eleven, as Mrs. Annesley said goodnight to her young charges and retired for the night with a headache. Miss Darcy was playing the last few bars of a sonata while Kitty Bennet lounged in a chair nearby.
“I am so delighted you invited me to stay with you this evening to keep you company. It has been so enjoyable pretending to be the grand lady of an estate.” Kitty stifled a giggle, attempting to be as well-mannered as Miss Darcy and not reminiscent of Lydia.
“Someday, I am sure that will happen, Miss Katherine.”
“No, Miss Darcy. I am not destined to greatness as you. I will likely marry a parson or a barrister, which will suit me quite nicely.”
“Oh, and what about a young, dashing officer?” Miss Darcy asked with her eyes twinkling.
“No, I think my days of chasing regimentals is behind me. I do not know if there is enough merit in all of England to make one good sort of man in a red coat.” Both girls giggled at the thought of their future lives.
“And what is it that makes the little song birds twitter?” asked a deep voice from the doorway. “I do hope, Miss Kitty, that your thoughts on officers does not include all gentlemen serving in His Majesty’s service.”
Stunned, the girls turned to find George Wickham standing at the door. His arrogant grin made Kitty squirm.
“Mr. Wickham. What are you doing here? How did you get in without the butler’s notice?”
Silence filled the room for but a moment. “Mr. Wickham? Georgiana, I have known you since your cradle, can you not call me George?”
“Why yes. George,” she said, glancing at Kitty who was still attempting to collect herself. “You have come upon us unannounced and I am afraid we are preparing to retire for the evening. I shall ring for Fellows to see you out.”
“Oh, what is the hurry?” He bowed solicitously to Kitty. “Miss Bennet. How do you do?”
“Very well, thank you, Mr. Wickham.”
His eyes then swept around the room before resting back upon Miss Darcy. “Georgie, you sound so grown up. Not the child who followed Fitzwilliam and I through the woods of Pemberley on her little pony. You are a fine young lady now.”
“That is true, sir. But what brings you to Netherfield and so late in the evening?” The tension in Miss Darcy’s voice further added alarm in Kitty.
Mr. Wickham crossed over to the piano bench where she was sitting and sat down next to her. “Won’t you play for me, Georgie? It would feel almost like we were back home at Pemberley before your father died.” There was a catch in his voice and he looked away not meeting her eyes.
Miss Darcy visibly relaxed, reached over and tenderly took his hand in hers. “Of course, George. Forgive me. Would you like to hear Bach? I remember he was your favorite.”
He smiled at her as she began to play Concerto Number 1 in D Minor.
Kitty knew not how to behave. Though Georgiana may not have noticed something in Mr. Wickham’s eyes, as she played the piano, Kitty had. Stable boys looked at Lydia in much the same manner and her skin began to crawl.
At the end of the piece, both Kitty and Mr. Wickham clapped. Seizing the opportunity, Kitty stood. “Mr. Wickham, it has been a lovely surprise having you here this evening, but as Miss Darcy and I were about to retire, we must bid you goodnight. I shall ring for Fellows now.”
“That won’t be necessary, Miss Katherine.” Wickham looked perturbed as he met her eyes, then glanced back at Georgiana. “I would love to seek a private audience with Georgiana if you feel the need to go to your room.” She gasped as he looked hopefully at Miss Darcy.
“Oh, George, I do not think that would be proper,” the young girl stammered becoming nervous. “Miss Katherine and I were…”
“Georgie, there is nothing improper about an older brother wanting to spend time with his sister who he hasn’t seen in years. I only wanted to speak about your father and mother and the wonderful times at Pemberley. Miss Katherine has no connection to our memories and would therefore not be missing out on any of the conversation. You must know how I miss them both.”
The look in her eyes softened, and she reached for his hand. “I miss Father as well. I loved the stories you would tell me about Mama. I would so enjoy hearing them again.” Her eyes lowered. “Fitzwilliam so rarely speaks of them anymore. I believe he thinks me too young to manage my emotions…”
“He cannot recognize that you are a young lady, Georgiana, and not a child.” He lowered his voice and whispered, “In more ways than one.”
Miss Darcy gasped and raised her gaze as he bent over her hand and tenderly kissed it before speaking again.
“Unfortunately, I believe Miss Katherine may be correct. It is entirely too late to begin our conversation. However, would you promise me that we can meet again? I forgot how enchanting you are.” His fetching smile was not entirely lost on the innocent girl, who blushed pink at the compliment.
Kitty had sat back and began to sew, feigning privacy. She had seen both Jane and Lizzy do the same many times in similar situations.
“Now, my dear. Let us not worry your brother about our meeting. He does not deem you old enough and would not understand our need to meet and think of the past as its remembrance gives us pleasure.”
“Oh, I could never keep this from William. I think he would be so happy to know you were here. It has been such a long time.” After a moment, Kitty peered back up at the two, catching Miss Darcy’s eye and she cast a questioning look at Mr. Wickham. Cocking her head, Miss Darcy turned back to him. “George, I just realized you never stated your reason for arriving here so late. Unannounced.”
