Minerva looked up.“Yes, I am.”
“Come with me.”Elizabeth stood and moved to the door, Minerva following slowly behind her.
Elizabeth led her to the music room down the hall, far enough away from anyone else in their party that they might speak undisturbed.
“Do you play the pianoforte?”
“Yes, of course.Though I prefer the harp.”
“Oh, you are impressive!I enjoy the harp, but I do not play it myself.I believe there is an instrument at Netherfield.Perhaps I might hear you before you leave Hertfordshire.”
“Perhaps.”
“Do you mind if I play something?”
“Not at all.”
Elizabeth sat at the instrument and played a slow tune, something simple that did not require her full attention.Minerva shuffled through the music sheets set in a basket on top of the pianoforte.
“Do you have any advice for me?”asked Elizabeth.
Minerva looked up with frightened eyes.“What do you mean?”
“You have recently joined the family.You might know what topics to avoid to prevent an awkward dinner.”
Minerva looked relieved.“I would not bring up politics when Lord Matlock is at table.”
“Does he feel passionately about it?”
“Depending on the topic, he can go on for hours.Once, he would not stop talking long enough for Lady Matlock to direct the servants.We ended up missing the entire third course because the souffle had fallen by the time he was done.”
Elizabeth laughed lightly.
“Cook was terribly upset.”
“I can imagine!”
Minerva seemed more relaxed now.Elizabeth ventured another tack.
“Do you often visit Pemberley?”she asked.
“I have only been once, last year, for a week before the Season.”
“Would you like to come this summer?Fitzwilliam and I are hosting a house party, and I would so love to have a familiar face in the crowd.My sister Mrs.Bingley will be there.”
Minerva smiled tremulously.“Mrs.Bingley is very kind.”
“She is.It has been a longstanding joke around here that Jane got all the goodness in the family, that is why the rest of us are so mischievous.”
Minerva almost laughed.
“Truly, I would love for you to come.Please think about it.If I may make a confession, I am a little nervous about Pemberley.”
“It is a beautiful estate.”
“I am sure it is.It is not the estate itself that worries me.I will be miles from my home and all my sisters, and I will know no one there.It seems a daunting task.”
“You will have Mr.Darcy to assist you.”
