“Yes, sir,” the butler said. He bowed again and was gone.
Darcy went back and sat down in the little sitting area before the hearth, listening to Georgiana’s expert fingers dance over the ebony and ivory keys. She had no notion that Miss Bennet and Mrs Gardiner had entered until the butler cleared his throat and announced them. As soon as she heard, Georgiana stopped playing, striking a sour note in her surprise. She stood up and hurried to join Darcy and Mrs Annesley in exchanging a bow with the visitors and introducing those who had not yet met.
“Miss Bennet, how delightful to see you again,” Georgiana exclaimed. Darcy watched her with a smile, revelling in the joy on his sister’s face at the welcome surprise of their visitors.
Miss Bennet took Georgiana’s offered hand, giving it a friendly press. “It is a pleasure to see you again so soon, Miss Darcy.”
“Indeed, the feeling is mutual,” Georgiana said, a little nervously. “And what a pleasure to see you, Mrs Gardiner. I hope you are well?”
“Quite well, thank you, and very pleased to visit, Miss Darcy. Your invitation was very kind,” Mrs Gardiner said. “And how are you today, Mr Darcy?”
“I am very well, thank you. It is a pleasure to welcome you into our home, ladies.” He glanced at Georgiana and nodded toward the sitting area. Given the informal circumstances and the kind dispositions of their visitors, it was an ideal opportunity for her to practice acting the hostess.
“Oh, of course,” Georgiana said. She wrung her hands, but then remembered herself and put them by her side. “Would you like to come and sit down? There is a lovely fire burning in the grate. Shall I call for tea?” she asked.
“I’ve already done so,” Darcy replied.
“Oh, thank you, Fitz!” she whispered, forgetting herself.
In her enthusiasm, Georgiana all but led Miss Bennet to the place next to her, while Mrs Annesley and Mrs Gardiner sat a little away. After a moment’s thought, Darcy joined the two older ladies. The place had the advantage not only of allowing Georgiana the greatest leeway to talk with her new friend, but of being an ideal vantage point from which to admire Miss Bennet.
What on earth are you doing, Darcy?Surely he could not have had such a reckless, shocking thought. But, as he was already seated, Darcy told himself it was too late to do anything about it.
“This is a very pleasant room,” Miss Bennet said to Georgiana. “And what a beautiful pianoforte. I heard you playing as we were being shown down the hall. Perhaps you would regale us with a short piece?”
Georgiana beamed at her praise. “Oh, perhaps,” she said, giving in to her shyness once more. “My brother was very kind to buy me this instrument, even though I already have one at Pemberley. He should not have gone to such an expense as to purchase two pianofortes!”
“Yes, I should have,” Darcy chimed in with a smile.
“Oh, very well, then.” Georgiana said instantly.
Darcy could not help but chuckle at her unwillingness to oppose him. He turned to their visitors with a smile. “I have a very obliging sister, as you see.”
“Oh, no!” Georgiana exclaimed, making them all laugh. “Surely you are the obliging one, Fitz, to be giving me pianos and books and all manner of things.”
Miss Bennet smiled at her. “Indeed, you are very lucky to have such a thoughtful brother.”
“Oh, Fitz is the best brother any girl could ask for. And not just because he spoils me,” Georgiana said.
That, Darcy could not allow to stand. “You are not spoilt,” he argued. “Far from it. Besides, you love music so well, and a gift like that must be fostered. It would not do to allow your gift to lie dormant during our long absences from Pemberley.” Surely it was merely a matter of practicality, and yet he could not help but notice that Miss Bennet seemed to approve of his ‘generosity’ — if it could even be called so.
“I quite agree. So few people are blessed with a natural talent that does not also need to be practiced.”
Georgiana nodded, seeming to have become a little more at ease. Indeed, her manner grew more elegant and controlled as the visit went on. And for that, Darcy was immensely proud. She even gathered her courage to venture a question. “Do you play, Miss Bennet?”
“Only a little and very poorly. It is my sister Mary, who is the pianist.”
“I suppose you do not have the time to practise,” Georgiana said innocently. “Likely you spend the bulk of your time writing, as my brother does.”
Oddly, Miss Bennet looked distinctly startled by the comment. She failed entirely to reply for long moments, until her aunt came to the rescue. “Our Lizzy has occasion to write many letters, yes. With four sisters, one can hardly keep up, I imagine.” Mrs Gardiner gave a short laugh and looked relieved when the housekeeper knocked and wheeled in the tea cart.
“Ah, here is tea,” Georgiana said. Darcy watched Miss Bennet closely. She had seemed uneasy with Georgiana’s question about her writing, but he admired a woman who took time to answer letters. And a young woman who received many letters was surely well-liked by her friends and her family. There was no reason, surely, why she would not want her letter-writing to be talked of.
“You say you have four sisters, Miss Bennet? Where were they when we came to visit yesterday?” Darcy asked. Perhaps Georgiana could benefit from making their acquaintance. If they were as kind and charming as Miss Bennet, they could only be a beneficial influence for his sister.
“Oh, yes, four sisters. I have one older sister, Jane. And three younger: Mary, Kitty, and Lydia.”
“And do they live here in London with you?” Georgiana asked. “I should very much like to meet them. Indeed, I would have invited them all if I had known.”
