‘I do love music and while I practice diligently, I would not call myself a virtuoso. Any proficiency I have gained is due to practice, rather than native talent.’
‘You sound just like my sister,’ Elizabeth said with a smile as she nodded towards Mary. ‘She also refuses to acknowledge how well she plays.’
‘My sister gives me too much credit. I do enjoy practicing to improve my performance. I frequently ask Elizabeth to play duets with me, but she rarely has time.’ Mary smiled at Georgiana. ‘Perhaps you would be inclined to play duets?’
Since they were discussing her favourite subject, Georgiana soon forgot her nervousness as she became engrossed in debating technical details with Mary.
Colonel Fitzwilliam was pleased when his ward became more animated and appeared to be enjoying herself. At that point he started paying more attention to Mary and realised that while she did not have the striking beauty of her older sisters, she was still an exceptionally lovely young woman. He was amazed at the ease with which she managed to draw out his cousin and found that he wished that she would direct those gentle smiles at himself.
As the attention of the younger girls was focused on each other, Lady Matlock engaged Elizabeth in conversation and was again delighted by her lively wit and unassuming manner. And while the countess enjoyed her own conversation, she was not so busy as not to notice her son’s attention to Mary. She suppressed a gleeful smile. Perhaps there was hope in that direction.
~T~
Darcy, blissfully unaware of any rumours, was on his way to Meryton. Having been stuck inside his house for weeks until his bruises healed, he chose to ride as he felt the need for the exercise, and it would speed his return.
It was only when he entered the outskirts of the town that he remembered that not only did he not know the way to Longbourn but last time he was here no one wanted to speak to him.
Darcy thought that fortune must favour his endeavour, since the first person he encountered was someone with whom he was familiar, although he wondered what his aunt’s parson was doing in this town.
‘Mr Collins,’ he hailed the man.
Collins turned towards the caller and, recognising Darcy, bowed deeply. ‘Mr Darcy, good afternoon. What an unexpected pleasure. I had not expected to encounter such an august personage as yourself in this humble neighbourhood.’
Despite not having been able to convince Mrs Bennet or any of the daughters to consider his suit, Collins had remained at Longbourn. Lady Catherine had given him leave to remain for at least two weeks and he was taking this opportunity to have a holiday. That this holiday included free food and accommodation at his cousin’s house was a bonus.
There had been one other unexpected benefit. He had encountered another lady, who, although not quite as beautiful as his cousins, was all that was charming and genteel, as well as being favourably inclined towards himself. She very charmingly listened to him and complimented him on his perspicacity.
Remembering the words of his most revered patroness,choose a gentlewoman for my sake, and for your own; let her be an active, useful sort of person, not brought up high, but able to make a small income go a good way, he thought that he had found the perfect companion for his life.
He was currently on his way to propose to the lady when he encountered Lady Catherine’s nephew.
‘Good afternoon, Mr Collins. Are you perchance familiar with these environs? I am looking for an estate called Longbourn.’
‘Longbourn? What a coincidence. Indeed, I am familiar with that estate since I have the honour of being its heir. But why would someone like yourself wish to visit such a humble family?’
Darcy ignored the enquiry since he had no intention of telling that snivelling sycophant anything he did not have to. ‘Could you please point out the right direction.’
‘It would be my honour to conduct you thither,’ Collins replied, eager to be of service to the nephew of his most venerated patroness.
‘I am in somewhat of a hurry and since you are on foot…’
‘Oh. Of course, sir. I should have realised.’ Collins pulled himself together and provided the directions to Longbourn.
Darcy thanked the man and made haste to finish the journey.
~T~
Mr Bennet was comfortably ensconced in his library and full of amazement when Darcy was announced.
‘To what do I owe thehonourof your visit?’ he casually greeted his unexpected visitor.
‘I have come to offer my apologies for my abysmal behaviour when I was last in Meryton.’
‘It has been three weeks since you left. Did it take you this long to work out that your manners could use some improvement?’
‘No, sir. I learnt that lesson from my cousin the day after arriving back in town. The three weeks were necessary to recover from that lesson.’
‘Three weeks to recover? Who is your cousin… Gentleman John Jackson?’
