Just before two o’clock, the sisters were ready, and each satisfied in their own appearance, they made their way to the parlour to meet the others.
They were nearly the last to arrive. Mr. Hurst sat in the corner, possibly asleep. He held a glass of port against his side that seemed destined to tip over. Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst were on either side of Mr. Darcy. They were passing sheets of music back and forth and soliciting his opinion on which pieces they should perform that evening after dinner. Georgiana and Colonel Fitzwilliam were in the corner engaged in a chess match. It was to this pairing that Elizabeth led her sister.
“Good afternoon, Miss Elizabeth, Miss Bennet,” the colonel greeted them.
They offered their greetings to both opponents and asked to watch them play.
“Of course you may,” Georgiana answered. “I am afraid we are rather dull, though.”
“You see, Miss Bennet, my cousin and I are too evenly matched for the game to progress in any meaningful way.”
“You have been playing together for a long time?” Jane asked.
“Yes, both in years and in this game,” Georgiana answered as she moved her knight. “William and my father taught me to play when I was quite young.”
“You are still quite young,” Stephen teased with a wink at his cousin.
“Perhaps.” Georgiana stuck her tongue out at him before turning to Elizabeth and Jane. “Lizzy, will you take my place and show my cousin what it is to lose?”
“I will take your place. As to a victory, I have not had enough opportunity to assess your opponent to say whether or not I can deliver.”
“I am confident you will triumph,” Georgiana assured her friend. She rose and Elizabeth took her seat. At that moment, Mr. Bingley arrived. He offered a general “good afternoon” and scanned the room. When his eyes landed on Jane, he smiled and moved in her direction.
“Jane, will you assist me in convincing Mr. Bingley and my brother to make up a whist table with us?”
“I shall not be difficult to persuade,” Bingley assured them. “But I am not certain about my friend.”
They looked at Darcy, and at least Bingley and Georgiana seemed ready to make an argument. However, before they had the chance, he stood and offered his apologies to Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst. “You will excuse me, I trust, so that I can answer my sister’s wish?” Without waiting for an answer, he bowed to them and led the others to one of the card tables.
Though observing these manoeuvrings, Elizabeth’s focus was primarily on the board in front of her, attempting to form her strategy. She was generally able to best Georgiana on the rare occasions they played, but this was more due to the fact that her friend would grow bored if the match went on for any length of time. Therefore, she could not adequately judge the colonel’s skill based on the game thus far.
“I hope you will not hold back, Colonel. I know I shall not.”
He looked surprised for a moment but then offered her a mischievous smile. “Very well, Miss Elizabeth, I shall do my best.”
It took half an hour, but Stephen finally declared, “Checkmate.”
Elizabeth conceded with a smile, “Well done, sir. I thank you for a good match. Well-played.” She offered her hand over the board.
“I return those sentiments. You are a good player.” Stephen shook her hand, and they both stood.
“But not good enough,” Elizabeth said, a slight hint of frustration in her voice. “I hope you will allow me a rematch.”
“You name the time and place. I am at your disposal.”
Before Elizabeth could respond, Miss Bingley came to stand next to the colonel.
“You would not find it tedious to play against someone you know you can beat?” Miss Bingley asked.
The sisters had been watching the others play whist, and Mr. Hurst continued to doze on the sofa.
“That is one of the joys of chess,” Stephen answered. “Every time you face an opponent, you have a new opportunity, and neither knows the outcome until the match begins. Of course with those who play against one another often, one can make certain assumptions, but that is not the case with Miss Elizabeth and myself. I look forward to seeing what she is made of when next we face one another.”
“That sounds fascinating,” Miss Bingley gushed. “I have never learnt to play. It was not considered proper at the seminary Mrs. Hurst and I attended. Perhaps it would not be inappropriate for me to learn now. If gentlemen like yourself find pleasure in playing, perhaps you could teach me.”
“I do find great pleasure in it. I would not be a good teacher, however. I have not the patience nor do I comprehend the strategies a new player should be introduced to,” Stephen said evenly. Then, with a thoughtful quirk of his head, he added,“Darcy, however, is an excellent player and would be a fine teacher—he is all patience and strategy. What say you, cousin?”
“I thank you for the compliment, though I might take issue with your self-assessment as I believe your most recent letter of commendation from the war office indicated you had a rare gift for strategy which, and I quote, ‘contributed directly to the victory at Nivelle.’”
