The indulgence of tea and a custard pie was most welcome indeed, Elizabeth mused, as she took a sip watching their hosts over the gilded rim of her cup. The scene before her was adorable. Jane, who sat next to her, was drawn to converse with Colonel Fitzwilliam whose mirthful countenance would ease even the shyest person. Miss Darcy watched them without uttering a word herself, but she beamed with joy. When she realized Elizabeth was watching her, she blinked, her cheeks tinted pink.
"I am really sorry for mentioning the mud, Miss Elizabeth." Her voice was soft and low. "I did not mean to embarrass you."
"You did not," Elizabeth smiled. "I reckon your brother reported the muddy footprints I had left in the hall as well."
"He did." Miss Darcy toyed with the hems of her sleeves, her long-fingered hands restless. Mr. Darcy shared the habit as well. "But he did not mind, even though he really hates dirt. He always writes about his travels when we are apart." She gave her a quick bashful smile. "He mentioned your family. It must be nice to have so many sisters. I have got a lot of cousins, but I do not think it feels the same." She turned her eyes to the Colonel then back to Elizabeth. "Uncle's house is never so quiet," she said with wistfulness that stabbed at Elizabeth's heart.
Jane, ever so kind, asked about her favourite music. Although Miss Darcy turned bright red, the question prompted her to delve into a detailed analysis of Mozart's sonatas and her difficulties of adapting Vivaldi's work for a fortepiano. Colonel Fitzwilliam shared a knowing grin with Elizabeth. She recalled the fondness with which Mr. Darcy spoke of his little sister's talents. Deservedly, so.
The more she watched her talk the more she noticed other traits the sibling shared. The roman nose with a bump on the top. The very same curved upper lip, and the straight eyebrows that made their expressions almost mournful. The shade of grey of their almond-shaped eyes. And although her hair was light brown to Mr. Darcy's dark auburn, it formed the same soft waves. Yet it was the similarities that underlined the contrast between their characters.
An unkind, shameful memory wormed its way to Elizabeth's mind: the way she had gossiped with Wickham about this wisp of a girl, who reminded her of a startled fawn more than anything else. Proud! This sweet, lonely girl who hung on every kind word uttered to her, who cast worried looks at the colonel as if to ensure she was proper, who had almost ruined herself because of a rake's trap.
"What about your favourite composers, Miss Elizabeth?" Miss Darcy turned to her; her eyes bright.
"I am afraid my tastes are not as refined by the musical theory as yours," she laughed. "I like the simplest songs of the countryside. I love ballads of old, I love jigs one can dance to. Make me play anything serious and I will not notice the pages being shuffled."
"I can attest to that," said Colonel Fitzwilliam. "Miss Elizabeth somehow managed to jump from Beethoven's sonata to some piece by Haydn without so much as a pause."
"Lizzie!" Jane giggled. "Really? You surely noticed at least the change in tempo!"
"You must live with the fact your sister does not subscribe to such silly notions, dear Jane. Larghissimo or Vivace, the only Italian thing I understand is this cake," Elizabeth said taking a spoonful. "But do not think me a total barbarian, Miss Darcy. The colonel was in charge of turning pages. The blame lies partially with him."
"I do not consider you a barbarian," said Miss Darcy with gravitas. "That was not nice of you, Richard."
They spent the next hour at the tea shop, chatting about everything and nothing. When they finally rose to take their leave, Miss Darcy mustered all her courage to speak.
"The Darcy house is located nearby at Grosvenor square. Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth. If you happen to have time tomorrow, I would love to host you." Again, she looked at her cousin. The colonel nodded encouragingly.
"Sure, we will love to call, Miss Darcy." Jane gave her the sweetest smile. "Till tomorrow then."
Later, while they walked towards Gracechurch Street, Jane made a note about Elizabeth's friend from Kent.
"Do not take it wrongly, Lizzie, but how did you meet the colonel? You two seem rather familiar for passing acquittances."
"I have already told you, Jane. He was one of the guests at Rosings. Given the company we were forced to rely on each other when in a desperate need of a civil conversation." She frowned. "It was Colonel Fitzwilliam who told me about Mr. Darcy's involvement."
"I shall thank him then," said Jane gloomily. "But you are dodging, Lizzie. You know too well what I meant."
"There is no romantic involvement if you hint at that. I will not pretend I did not entertain the idea, but neither he nor I are in the financial position that would allow such union."
Jane stopped at her tracks, gaping at her.
"I mean – we talked about our marriage prospects in general among other topics. It just came up in a discussion, I swear." She felt her cheeks burn. Jane did not need to know the details about who involved himself with her romantically, despite his better judgement. "If you were at Rosings, you would understand how desperate for a sensible discussion one gets when stuck in between Mr. Darcy, Collins and Lady Catherine."
"Alright." Jane sounded unconvinced.
"Just do not tell Mama."
"That does not give one peace of mind."
"Jane, do you trust me so little?"
Her sister sighed; her shoulders slumped.
"I am sorry. The stress of what happened with Mr. Bingley – it makes me see things that are not there. Forgive me."
"Jane, there is nothing to forgive." She reached for her hands, squeezing them firmly. "Now, tell me what you think of Miss Darcy? I must admit she is not at all what I expected."
"Lizzy. You expected a Mr. Darcy in a morning dress and a bonnet. That particular expectation is not that hard to exceed."
"The horrors you bestow on my innocent mind, Jane, the horrors…"
And now the events caught up to the date of Darcy receiving Bingley's letter in the second chapter, and to the number of chapters I've posted on AO3. Also, if you're curious, check my deviantart (Samiram) where I post the de-moviefied versions of the characters.