Chapter Ten: Please Accept my Apologies
Elizabeth took a deep breath, and rapped her fist on the door. It was opened by a servant, whom she thanked nervously as he led her into the drawing room. A beautiful young woman, with golden curls and fair skin and eyes was sitting in white linen, embroidering a handkerchief. From the distance she was at, she could only make out the letters Fitzwillia. The lady looked up, and expressed her surprise to find someone there. "I beg your pardon, I did not see you there! Tell me, what is your name?" the girl asked her.
"Elizabeth Bennet. I take it you are Georgiana?" Elizabeth inquired.
"Yes, I am! Oh, Miss Elizabeth! I have heard so many good things about you from my dear brother! He is out for a walk right now, with my cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam. Oh, but do not let that interfere! Please, stay for awhile!" Georgiana insisted.
"Oh, of course I will! I have long wanted to meet you, and am glad to see you have recovered from your sickness. It is regrettable that you could not see the ship before now."
"Oh, I have had good company though! My brother is a most attentive caretaker. He ensured that he or my cousin were always in my company, unless I had the, um, pleasure of my Aunt Catherine, or cousin Anne. Have you by any chance met them?"
"Yes, I actually have met them all! My cousin, Mr. Collins is the rector at your aunt's estate. I was invited for dinner one night."
"I'm glad to hear it." Georgiana laughed.
The two ladies talked for a long while, enjoying themselves. Lizzie's tenseness evaporated, and the more she talked with Georgiana, the more and more ridiculous Wickham's opinion of her pride seemed. She came to be very comfortable in her presence.
"Georgiana, I have heard of your delightful performance on the piano. Please, do show me!" Elizabeth exclaimed,
"Oh, I would be glad to! I have not been able to play while I've been ill, and I have missed it greatly."
Georgiana moved to the piano, and began to play a piece by Beethoven. It was her favorite! Georgian had impeccable taste. Elizabeth stood next to her, turning the pages for her. She smiled at the young girl. Georgiana looked up for a brief moment when Eliza went to turn a page, before stopping her performance and exclaiming, "Brother!"
Elizabeth's stomach sank. She had come to speak with him, but was now unprepared. Mr. Darcy stared at her, not understanding what was going on. Georgiana was then called away from where she sat, by Colonel Fitzwilliam. Elizabeth stared at the floor, then looking up began, "I came to see you, only to find you were not here. I instead go to speak with your sister. I enjoyed talking with her very much. You did not do her justice when you spoke of her skills on the piano."
Mr. Darcy nodded, as he replied with, "Yes, there is not a way to do justice to it. It is remarkable how well she plays."
"I came to apologize."
Once again, Mr. Darcy stared at her. "I came to apologize for everything I said to you yesterday. It was all unfair. I, prided myself on my good judgment, and I was deceived horribly. Your remarks about me at the first ball, left upon me a greater impression than I led myself to believe. What you said hurt me, but after your explanation, I understand and fully accept all apologies. You are also right about the matter of my sister and your friend. Jane is very shy, and often does not show her true emotions to anyone, not even me. She was so enamored of him that she told me, and that is the only way which I was informed of it. You are also right in the matter of my younger sisters. They are not behaved well, and I can sadly blame my entire family. I think their greatest influence may have been Mama, but I, nor Jane, nor my father, take any trouble in checking their behavior."
"No apology is needed. I have looked over all my behavior towards yourself. Upon my review, I have seen how terrible it has been. It is I who should be the most ashamed. You thought nothing wrong. No reproof was undeserved."
"I do not feel like a continuance of an argument that revolves around the greater share of the blame. Perhaps we both conducted ourselves poorly, and we should call it even."
He smiled at her and nodded. "Of course. That would be the most logical thing to do, for I know I would own up to all wrong-doings for eternity. Maybe we all should abide more by the famous words of Charles Bingley, ' I do not like arguments, for they are too much like disputes.'"
Elizabeth laughed. "Well, Mr. Darcy, Jane is probably wondering where I am, for I did not tell her where I had gone. Have a very good day, and give my highest regards to your sister, and Colonel Fitzwilliam. Oh! And Lady Catherine and Anne," she said, grinning mischievously. It was Mr. Darcy's turn to laugh, and he duplicated the words for her sisters and cousins.
She was halfway out the door before he stopped her. "Miss Elizabeth, would you and Jane like to dine with me and Georgiana tomorrow?"
"Yes, we would very much! Thank you," Elizabeth said warmly. He nodded, and she closed the door. She grinned broadly as she returned to her rooms. She found Jane awake, sipping a tea wearing a sad expression. Lizzie skipped into the room joyfully, causing Jane to make inquiries.
"Lizzie, what on earth can you be so happy about?"
She then proceeded to tell Jane of the entire tale, (excluding the part about the separation of Bingley and herself) and of their invitation to dinner the following day. "Lizzie, that's wonderful! I knew he couldn't be as bad as you made him out to be. There were only misunderstandings and misbehavior that led both of you to believe what was not true!" Jane told her, reverting to her usual manner of good-nature. Elizabeth smiled. Today was truly looking up.
AU: So, what did ya'll think? I know that I have to start wrapping up their time on the ship, cuz it sank two weeks after it left the docks. I thought this would be a great way to bring back Bingley, AND put in the time they shared at Pemberley. I know you are all wondering how Wickham and Lydia do their elopement. You shall have to wait and see!!! It's very unexpected I think, so be reay for some turns!!! Love ya'll!!! Lady Annabelle. P.S. Keep Reviewing!!!!