“The pianoforte,” Anna responded shyly.
“Like Lizzy and Mary,” Kate offered. “Jane,” she inclined her head towards her eldest sister, “is very good on the harp, I play the cello, and Lyddie here is a violinist. Lizzy is good on the pianoforte, but nothing to Mary.”
“I do like playing the pianoforte a lot, although I am not very accomplished yet,” Anna replied self-deprecatingly.
“Oftentimes we all play together and make a mini orchestra,” Lydia volunteered. “Of course, there are times when we see how off-key we are able to play, but that is only for fun and never when the music master is present.”
“Miss Darcy, would you like to come to the music room and play some music with us?” Kate invited.
“I-I d-do not know i-if I-I can pl-play in front of you,” Anna stammered.
“Well then, you can listen to us,” Lydia encouraged. “Your companion is more than welcome, as Mrs Dudley, one of our companions, is in the music room, and they can speak, if they so chuse.”
Although somewhat nervous, Anna asked her guardians’ permission to go to the music room with Misses Kate and Lydia. She was given permission without delay. Mrs Annesley followed the three young ladies to the music room, which was next to the drawing room. The doors connecting the two rooms were closed.
Lydia introduced the two companions who were soonchatting together amiably.
Remembering her determination not to have the Bennet sisters misled about her, Anna took a deep breath. “Before you two begin to play. There is something I must tell you, which once you hear, may change your willingness to associate with me. I will not blame you if that is the case,” Anna said softly.
“We will listen to what you want to tell us, Miss Darcy,” Kate responded. “However, unless you are an evil person with hate in your heart, I do not believe there is anything which will cause us to send you away.”
“Will you relate what I am about to tell you to your older sisters?Ifwe are all to be friends, I want them to know as well,” Anna requested.
“It will be as you have requested,” Lydia assured the nervous girl.
“Earlier this year…” Anna told the tale of her almost seduction haltingly. The tears ran as she did, but she kept to her purpose and told all. When she was done with the telling, her eyes were pointed at the rug because she did not want to see the condemnation she was sure she would see in their eyes.
“If I ever had the displeasure of meeting that dishonourable man and the lady who helped him, I would kick their ankles with my hardest half boots!” Lydia exclaimed. “Miss Darcy, we do not think worse of you; if anything we think the better of you that you were so brave to tell us.”
Anna looked up and saw only compassion in the looks the sisters were giving her.
“You are Lyddie’s age, fifteen; is that not true?” Kate enquired.
“Y-yes, I am,” Anna responded.
“And this man, George Wickham, who tried to seduce you, with the aid of your then companion, was close to twiceyour age, was he not?” Kate saw Miss Darcy nod. “Your only error was giving into their manipulation. How were you to know that dastardly woman was not posting your letters to your brother and not giving his to you?”
“You told Mr Darcy all as soon as you saw him, but before that, you attempted to tell him in your letters that that faithless woman did not post.” Lydia paused. “We do not think you did anything so very wrong. You only allowed him to kiss your cheek and nothing more. If I had been in your position, I am sure I would have done the same as you. In the past, I may have even been excited at the prospect of an elopement. Now I am aware that ladies who elope have none of the protections provided in a marriage settlement.”
William was correct. The Misses Bennet would not condemn her for her error, instead they sympathised with her. “You will tell your older sisters, will you not?” Anna reminded them.
“We will, on one condition.” Kate smiled widely.
“What is that?” Anna wondered.
“You must call us Kate and Lydia, or Lyddie as we all call her,” Kate stated. “I think we will be great friends.”
“I would like that. Please call me Georgiana, or as most who are close to me do, call me Anna.” She paused as she thought, feeling her confidence growing just a little. Based on Kate and Lyddie’s reactions, Anna was certain their older sisters would not want to cut the acquaintance because of her error. “If you are still to play some music, and I know the piece, I would be honoured to play with you.” As an afterthought she asked, “Who is your music master?”
“Signore Alberto da Funti,” Lydia revealed.
“What a small world; theSignoreteaches me as well. You must all be talented for him to agree to teach you,” Anna said inwonder.
“We play well but nothing like Mary,” Kate stated.
“I hope I get to hear Miss Mary play soon,” Anna replied as she sat at the instrument. She was impressed to see it was a Stodart grand.
The three new friends found a piece they all knew and were soon playing well together. The strains of music brought most of those in the drawing room to the double doors between the two rooms. Elizabeth and Jane opened the doors slowly so as to not disturb the musicians.
