Chapter Twenty-One
With only three men in the party and five women, Elizabeth found herself relegated to the end of the table, with Mrs. Jenkinson to her left and Colonel Fitzwilliam opposite her. The colonel did not seem to mind that his rightful place by his aunt was taken by Mr. Collins, who hung on every word her ladyship spoke. Elizabeth noticed that although Lady Catherine talked a great deal, Mr. Darcy remained largely silent.
"Darcy, are you not pleased to see your cousin Anne, I know that she always looks forward to your visits."
"It is good to see you," said Mr. Darcy, nodding in Anne's direction. "I hope I find you well."
Lady Catherine spoke before Anne de Bourgh had a chance to answer. "Anne has been unwell. You know she suffers with her health especially when it is hot, but seeing you will certainly make her feel better."
Miss de Bourgh looked embarrassed at her mother's effusive remarks and pushed food around her plate with her fork.
Lady Catherine continued, unsparing of the feelings of her daughter or her nephew. "I am sure that you have a lot to discuss with Anne. I know you have always appreciated what a good listener she is."
Darcy looked stunned, but he said nothing.
Anne herself suddenly spoke up. "Georgiana, will you play for us later?"
It was so unusual to hear Miss de Bourgh speak that everyone turned to look at her, but she did not flinch.
"I…" Georgiana looked desperately towards Elizabeth.
Anne pleaded with her. "I would enjoy hearing you play. Please…"
"I would too," said Colonel Fitzwilliam, smiling encouragingly at Georgiana who had gone quite pale.
"Naturally if Anne's health had allowed her the opportunity to play, she would have been an excellent player," said Lady Catherine, desperate to draw attention back to herself.
"Of course she would, Lady Catherine. Miss de Bourgh would follow in your footsteps and be a musician of some repute."
Mr. Collins looked so sentimental Elizabeth had difficulty in not laughing out loud.
"Unfortunately, Mr. Collins, I have never played," said Lady Catherine, "but you are correct, I would have been exceptional. It is well known in our family that anything we decide to do we excel at. Isn't that so, Darcy?"
Elizabeth thought she heard Mr. Darcy groan. As arrogant as he could sometimes be, he shared few traits with his aunt who constantly showed what an ignorant woman she was.
"Well, I think Georgiana should entertain us all," said the colonel.
"I am not ready," said Georgiana in a strangled voice.
"If you should want to, Georgiana, you can play in the background," said Lady Catherine, "and then no one will have to pay attention to you."
Elizabeth stared at Charlotte wondering what her friend was thinking. Charlotte was like Jane and very placid, but even so, she did not see how she could tolerate a woman such as Lady Catherine. It certainly showed that good breeding could not be equated with good manners. Lady Catherine was one of the rudest people she had ever met.
As soon as dinner was over they returned to the drawing room where more drinks were served. They all sat on sofas on either side of Lady Catherine's chair until Colonel Fitzwilliam encouraged Georgiana to play for them.
"As long as you promise not to stare at me," she hissed at him, her cheeks red.
"We won't," promised the colonel with a smile, "and perhaps when we have heard Georgiana, you would like to sing, Miss Bennet."
Elizabeth was appalled. "No sir… I cannot."
"What are you saying, Richard?" snapped Lady Catherine, who had been busy talking to Mrs. Collins.
"I was asking Miss Bennet to sing," explained the colonel. "She has a beautiful voice."
Her ladyship's lower lip quivered with anger. "No, no… that will not do at all. It cannot be allowed. If she wants to sing she can use the piano in Mrs. Jenkinson's room where she will disturb no one else."
"I too would like to hear her," said Mr. Darcy, suddenly speaking up.
Lady Catherine's objections were crushed. "Well, if you insist, Fitzwilliam. "
"I do," said Mr. Darcy, staring at Elizabeth.
Elizabeth almost froze with embarrassment. She was a companion. It was not at all appropriate for her to sing.
"Miss Bennet, please make it short. We are normally accustomed to hearing only professional voices, but I suppose you will do for a little interlude."
It was difficult to say who was the most unhappy person in the room. Lady Catherine did not want Elizabeth to shine, neither Georgiana nor Elizabeth wanted to play, and Mr. Collins was looking annoyed that Elizabeth had agreed.
Elizabeth led the shaking Georgiana to the piano, found her some music and stood beside her, ready to turn over the pages.
"Do not be afraid," whispered Elizabeth and much to her surprise Georgiana started to play. Hesitant at first she stumbled once or twice but the mistakes were lost in the beauty of the music and when she had finished everyone clapped, except Lady Catherine, and even Mr. Collins asked her to play again, and was rewarded with a furious glare from her ladyship.
"Georgiana, that was pleasant enough. You will need to practise more before you can be really good," said Lady Catherine.
Georgiana immediately looked downcast, but Mr. Darcy was soon by her side reassuring her just how well she had done. "Georgiana, even in the short time since I last saw you your playing has improved."
Georgiana's cheeks were flushed but this time it was with pleasure.
"Do you really think so, Fitzwilliam?"
"Indeed I do. And I have a surprise for you when you return to Pemberley."
"What is it?" For the first time Georgiana was really animated.
"A new pianoforte," said Mr. Darcy. "I know you have been wanting one."
"Oh thank you." Georgiana got up from the piano stool and threw her arms around Mr. Darcy's neck, and he held her before setting her gently aside.
"Are you going to play another piece?"
"No, I have had enough, but if Miss Bennet would like to sing?"
"I think we have had quite enough for one evening," came Lady Catherine's sharp reply.
"Indeed," agreed Mr. Collins. "It would be a pity to spoil such a wonderful performance by Miss Darcy."
Elizabeth pursed her lips. She had no wish to sing in front of everyone but Lady Catherine was a bully.
"I would like to hear you sing," said Mr. Darcy suddenly.
Elizabeth blushed unsure whether he was deliberately trying to annoy her.
"Sir, I have no music."
"I'm sure there must be something here." He started to rifle through the music on top of the pianoforte.
Georgiana sat down at the stool again. "I shall accompany you," she said happily.
Elizabeth felt a lump forming in her throat. She wanted to run away, but she could not stand up against the Darcy brother and sister who both seemed determined to see her make a fool of herself.
Lady Catherine sniffed. "Miss Bennet, you are very fortunate indeed that my nephew is so tolerant. I believe you will find some music there."
Mr. Darcy had found a song book and he handed it over to her. His eyes seemed to challenge her. She reluctantly took it and looked for a song which would not be too exacting.
"Perhaps Darcy should accompany you," suggested Colonel Fitzwilliam.
"Do you play, sir?"
"I did but it was a very long time ago," said Mr. Darcy, glaring at his cousin. "I am ashamed I made no effort to improve. Georgiana will play exquisitely. If you are worried perhaps you could imagine yourself sitting on a tree."
Horrid man. Elizabeth smiled weakly at Georgiana who was kind enough to play a longer introduction than had been written to give Elizabeth a minute to calm herself before she started singing. Her voice sounded a little weak at first, but her confidence quickly grew as the familiar tune came back to her and very soon her voice soared hitting the highest notes with complete clarity. She did not imagine herself out in Lady Catherine's field, but she did imagine herself back at Longbourn with them all gathered around the piano for an evening of music. Her performance went well until she suddenly became aware of the still figure of Mr. Darcy staring at her. His expression was impossible to read, but she found it unnerving and stumbled over the last few words. She was glad when the song came to an end.
Colonel Fitzwilliam clapped enthusiastically and Georgiana turned to her with tears in her eyes. "I had no idea you had such a beautiful singing voice."
Any pleasure Elizabeth might have felt was quickly dissipated by Lady Catherine.
"You were certainly clear, though I feel you still need to work on your diction and hitting those top notes. I do not know who you have studied with."
"I have not been instructed by anyone, madam," said Elizabeth.
"Well, that explains the lack of sophistication in your delivery. If I sang I know I would hit those notes beautifully and you would all enjoy hearing my voice."
"Indeed we would, Lady Catherine," said the loyal Mr. Collins. "There would be no one to match you."
"That was very accomplished, Miss Bennet," said Mr. Darcy.
"Thank you, sir. I am unaccustomed to singing to anyone but my family. It is not something I shall be doing again."
"I think you underestimate yourself," said the colonel. "Miss Bennet, I shall certainly look forward to hearing you sing at Pemberley."
"Well I hope, Miss Bennet, you have no plans to try and outshine Georgiana. It is she who's playing should be nurtured," her ladyship said.
"I would not dream of it," said Elizabeth quickly. "I shall not be singing again."
"I am glad to hear it. Now, Darcy, you have neglected Anne long enough. You have hardly spoken a word to her."
Elizabeth carefully replaced the music and shut the pianoforte. She noticed how Mr. Darcy went and sat down opposite Anne who barely lifted her eyes. Whatever Lady Catherine's intentions were at continually drawing Mr. Darcy's attention to her daughter he did not find her an interesting companion.
Elizabeth went and sat back down again. She wished the evening would soon be over.
The Collinss had gone home, and Lady Catherine and most of the household had already retired when Elizabeth was about to make her weary way upstairs. It had been a long evening and her back ached from the fall she had received earlier in the day.
"Miss Bennet."
Elizabeth took a deep breath and turned around. It was Mr. Darcy.
"Could I have a word?"
Elizabeth was tempted to ask him to wait until the morning, but she could not refuse. She only hoped he was not going to censure her for singing. After all it was him who had found the music.
"Yes, sir."
Mr. Darcy led her back into the miserable drawing room and indicated she should sit. He poured some wine from a carafe on the sideboard and brought over two glasses and offered her one.
Elizabeth took it, surprised by the unexpected gesture. She suddenly felt rather awkward, especially as Mr. Darcy didn't immediately speak. She kept her eyes firmly fixed on her goblet, staring at the dark red liquid.
"Miss Bennet, I wanted to thank you," said Mr. Darcy at last.
Elizabeth looked up. "Thank me, sir? For what?"
"For helping to brighten up Georgiana's life."
Elizabeth was embarrassed. "I am not sure I have, sir," she said, quite truthfully.
"But you have. I spoke to my sister before dinner and she told me how much she has enjoyed your company."
Elizabeth was unsure what to say. Georgiana was so unpredictable, she was unsure if Mr. Darcy's sister even liked her. Had Georgiana just said that to keep her brother happy?
"If it had not been for you, I do not think she would have found the confidence to play this evening. It is something I have been hoping for, that she would find pleasure once again in her playing."
"She is very good, sir."
"Yes, she is. I wish she would take it further… perhaps when we return to Pemberley…you will be able to encourage her."
"I have found Georgiana has her own very firm ideas of how she likes to spend her time," said Elizabeth carefully. She wanted to bring up the issue of Georgiana's drawing, but she could not.
"Indeed," said Mr. Darcy. "But I hope she will enjoy playing her new instrument. It is one of the best available."
Elizabeth had no doubt it was. A man in Mr. Darcy's position could afford the best.
An uneasy silence fell again between them and Elizabeth sipped her wine. It felt very strange, just the two of them sitting in the vast room. Although she knew Lady Catherine had retired, she worried that her ladyship might appear and she could not bear to think what type of scene might ensue if that happened.
"I also wanted to say how much I enjoyed your singing."
Elizabeth was startled. She looked to see if he was teasing her, but he was not. The dark brown eyes looked upon her sincerely and once again she found herself blushing.
"Thank you. I am not accustomed to singing in public and I stumbled, but I was grateful to Georgiana for her playing and making me sound a great deal better than I really was."
Whatever Mr. Darcy was going to say was lost as Colonel Fitzwilliam suddenly appeared. "I had no idea you had not retired."
Elizabeth put down her goblet and quickly got to her feet. "If that is all, sir."
"It is, Miss Bennet."
"Goodnight, sir. Goodnight, Colonel."
"Goodnight, Miss Bennet."
Elizabeth fled, her heart thumping hard. As she shut the door of her chamber, she was thankful to be alone. It was unnerving. For a moment, she had forgotten where she was and who she was with. Mr. Darcy. The harsh looks and the cutting, sneering words had been completely absent. She could not understand it.