Papa clapped as he turned the corner to enter the room. "That was very good, Mary."
Mama brightened. "Mary, you must teach Kitty and Lydia! If they cannot go to London for the season until they are eighteen, then they might as well play as well as you do."
Elizabeth attempted not to look too relieved. Much good could be done in one year for Kitty and three for Lydia.
Lydia, of course, balked. But Kitty rose to join Mary at the instrument, and the two huddled over the ivory keys while Lydia angrily tore the trim off a bonnet that had the misfortune to be resting on a nearby table.
Papa returned to his library.
Mama watched Kitty and Mary with a calculating gleam in her eye while the two played. Lydia continued complaining, but she was ignored. Pinching her lips together, Jane returned her attention to her embroidery.
CHAPTER30
Darcy attempted to commit his hopes for Georgiana to paper without success. He imagined Elizabeth’s face as she read, heard the comments she would mutter under her breath, felt the paper crinkle under her tightening grip. Richard’s words echoed in his mind.Who are you to make these decisions for everyone?
Who was he? His plan had been made with the best intentions for his sister’s happiness and his friend’s advantage, but Elizabeth would see it as high-handed. Precisely as Richard had said.
While Darcy stood by his original reasoning, circumstances had changed. He now saw that to persist without alteration to his scheme would be unwise. However, he was responsible for Georgiana, and from the moment he had convinced Bingley to let Netherfield Park, Darcy had become responsible for him too.
Anticipating the clarity a good gallop over Netherfield Park would render, Darcy stopped two steps short of the landing when he saw his sister in her riding habit.
“Where shall we ride today?” she asked with a bright smile.
Vexation calmed to disappointment before guilt swallowed Darcy in its clutches. In a blink, he felt her tiny, infant fingers clasping his, saw her wide eyes look up adoringly at their father, heard her laughter as he twirled and danced with her. All the promises Darcy had made within himself to protect her flooded his mind. How could he be vexed at his own dear sister?
Holding out his arm, he smiled. “Where would you like to go?”
“We so often ride toward Oakham Mount, I would like to see the other side of the property for a change.”
Darcy suppressed his scowl. There would be no conversation with Elizabeth that morning.
They mounted their horses and set off in the opposite direction than the way they usually went. Darcy, intent on some exercise if he was to be deprived of Elizabeth, suggested a race.
“Actually,” Georgiana began, chewing on her lip. “There is an important matter I wish to discuss with you.” She sucked in a breath, her cheeks puffing as she exhaled.
Darcy walked his horse closer, worried that she might swoon. “What is it, Georgie? Are you ill?”
“No, only nervous.”
Panic and concern rose in Darcy’s chest. Did she still fear he blamed her over Wickham? He thought he had convinced Georgiana that he held Wickham accountable and that her innocence was no match for Wickham’s perfidy. “Nothing you can tell me will lessen your place in my regard. You are as dear to me now as you have ever been or will be.”
“I know that, William, I do. It is only that I know you will not be pleased with what I wish to request, and I cannot disappoint you.” She shook her head. “No, I cannot. Pray forget I said anything at all.”
Now Darcyhadto know what she thought would displease him so much. “Georgie, speak. Please.”
She straightened her shoulders. “If you insist.”
He nodded, urging her on, his heart knocking against his ribs and his stomach tying in knots.
“You have been so considerate to include me in appropriate outings and gatherings while I am not yet out in society. It has come to my attention that you have refused more than one invitation because I could not attend.”
“Elizabeth agreed. Neither of us wish to exclude you.”
Her gaze shot up to his, and she looked away just as rapidly. “Oh. I… I suppose I must thank her.” Her reluctance confounded Darcy. Elizabeth had been everything kind and considerate to Georgiana. Instead of befriending her as Darcy had hoped, Georgiana had become closer to Miss Bingley recently.
Blinking repeatedly, Georgiana continued nervously, “Would it not be easier for everyone if I were allowed to come out in society?”
Darcy hardly knew what he had thought Georgiana would request, but that was not it. “Are you certain that is what you wish? I had assumed you wanted more time.” A minimum of two more years—that had been the time they had agreed on. No less than two years to mature into a confident young lady bold enough to repel unworthy suitors and, in time, attract a responsible gentleman who would treat her with devotion.
