Darcy, caught, inclined his head with the smallest smile.
Elizabeth returned her attention to the music.
Darcy leaned back slightly in his chair. Very well, he thought. If he wished to win Miss Elizabeth Bennet, he must begin by learning how to court her properly. And that, he suspected, might prove far more difficult – and far more interesting – than anything he had attempted before.
Elizabeth continued to play, the notes filling the room with cheerful animation.
Darcy listened for a time, though his thoughts had begun to wander again.
If he truly wished to gain Miss Elizabeth’s good opinion, he must proceed with greater care than he had shown before. Mere civility would not suffice. Nor would the empty attentions which so many gentlemen seemed to believe constituted courtship.
Miss Elizabeth valued sincerity.
She valued character.
And she valued family.
His thoughts turned then to Georgiana.
She had already shown a readiness to defend his sister with Wickham. Elizabeth Bennet, he thought, would like Georgiana very much. Indeed, he suspected she would like her exceedingly.
The idea settled comfortably in his mind. If Miss Elizabeth were to see him in the society of his sister, to observe their natural affection for one another, she might form a different opinionof him. And Georgiana, he reflected, possessed a softness of manner which very few people could resist.
At that moment, Mrs. Bennet’s voice broke across the room.
“Lizzy, my dear! That piece is vastly serious for the morning. Pray, play something a little more cheerful. Mr. Darcy cannot possibly wish to be melancholy before luncheon.”
Elizabeth did not stop playing, though a smile appeared briefly on her lips.
“I shall try to oblige you, Mama.”
Mrs. Bennet turned eagerly toward Darcy. “My daughter is very fond of music, Mr. Darcy. She practises whenever she can. I always say there is nothing so agreeable as a little music in the house.”
Darcy inclined his head politely. “I quite agree, madam.”
Elizabeth turned a page of the music. Before she began again, she glanced toward Darcy. “You must forgive my mother, sir,” she said lightly. “I am fond of music, but practising is another matter. I think you said that your sister plays very well.”
Darcy allowed himself a faint smile. “Miss Bingley mentioned it, I believe. But yes, Georgiana plays very well. It is one of her accomplishments.” He paused a moment before adding more quietly, “I miss her.”
Elizabeth looked at him with sudden warmth. She paused playing. “Then why do you not ask her to join you here?” she said. “I promise you we would take very good care of her.”
Darcy felt an unexpected stir of guilt. Bringing Georgiana to Hertfordshire would not merely be a social visit. Wickham was here. Darcy’s expression grew thoughtful. “I should likeit very much,” he said at last. “But I must consider whether Hertfordshire is the best place for her at present.”
Elizabeth did not question him further. She sensed at once that the hesitation had some deeper cause, so she stopped the unwelcome thought from forming that their society was judged wanting. Instead, she turned back to the instrument. “Then until she comes,” she said lightly, “you must endure my very inferior performance.”
Darcy looked at her again. “I assure you, Miss Elizabeth, that I endure it with the greatest pleasure.”
Elizabeth raised one eyebrow slightly, as though uncertain whether to accept this as sincerity or politeness.
Then she began to play again.
Darcy listened.
But now, he found his attention far more fixed upon the lady at the instrument than upon the music itself.
It was not merely admiration that occupied him now.
It occurred to him then, with a clarity that left little room for doubt, that Miss Elizabeth Bennet would suit not only his inclinations, but his life.
