Chapter Twenty

As soon as Lady Catherine was out of earshot, Georgiana whispered to Elizabeth.

"Have you hurt yourself?"

"No. I hurt my dignity and I may have a bruise, but I am unharmed," Elizabeth assured her. "Are you going to practice your music?"

Georgiana shook her head. "Will you come and sit for me?"

Elizabeth did not immediately understand what she was saying.

"I want to draw you," explained Georgiana.

"Oh." Elizabeth was not sure and yet it was good that Georgiana was talking to her. "Yes, I will if you like."

Georgiana looked relieved. "I have had scant opportunity to draw. I need to, Elizabeth."

Elizabeth followed Georgiana to her room where Georgiana insisted on locking the door.

"I would not like Fitzwilliam to come across us."

Elizabeth immediately felt guilty. "Perhaps I shouldn't…"

"You cannot take it back now. Please, Elizabeth, it will not take long and you can rest while I draw."

Elizabeth still wasn't sure but she took off her bonnet and sat down by the window. Georgiana got out her precious notebook and a pencil and got an upright chair and moved it around until she was satisfied with the position.

She then opened up her book, and staring carefully at Elizabeth, started to move her pencil across the page.

"Stay still," she ordered, when Elizabeth suddenly moved.

"I'm sorry."

"You can talk, but do not move your body. The light is perfect and I just want to capture you like that," said Georgiana.

Elizabeth had seen Georgiana's notebook, so she knew her drawings were excellent, but she was surprised to hear her talking about the light as if she was a real artist.

"Did you know, the vicar and his wife are coming to dinner tonight?" asked Georgiana.

"Lady Catherine did mention it. I shall be glad to see Charlotte."

"Well, I hope Mr. Collins will talk to our aunt. She does drone on."

Politeness stopped Elizabeth from agreeing with her.

"Would you like to play one of your new pieces tonight? I'm sure your brother would enjoy hearing you play.

Georgiana scowled. "What an awful idea. I am not a performer."

Elizabeth thought how different Georgiana was from her sister Mary, who never missed an opportunity to play in front of other people even though she was not very good.

"But it can't be the first time you have played in company."

"I have played for Fitzwilliam and cousin Richard but no one else. I cannot play to an audience of strangers."

"You need not worry about Mr. or Mrs. Collins. They will enjoy anything you choose to play. And I am sure that your aunt will be glad to hear your progress."

"She will criticise me, you know she will. Aunt Catherine is never pleased about anything."

It was true. Elizabeth had never met anyone so discontent with life as Lady Catherine appeared to be. "Well, think about it. I'm sure we will all enjoy some entertainment."

"I will see," said Georgiana, holding up a pencil in front of her and then drawing some lines again. "but if I do, you must also do something."

Elizabeth was almost as horrified as Georgiana. "I am only your companion, it is not my place to sing or play and besides Lady Catherine would never allow it."

"Well, I shall insist," said Georgiana with the same stubborn expression on her face that her brother so often used. "Now stop talking, I want to draw your mouth."

Elizabeth stayed silent. She was too worried about the possibility of Georgiana insisting to Lady Catherine she might play. She had made a fool of herself already in front of Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam and she had no intention of doing it again that day.

By the time Elizabeth accompanied Georgiana into the drawing room that evening, Charlotte and Mr. Collins had arrived.

Charlotte greeted her with a warm smile. "My dear Lizzy. How good it is to see you again. I can't wait until you can come to the parsonage." Charlotte lowered her voice. "Thursday, if you can."

"I will ask," whispered Elizabeth.

"Mrs. Collins, what are you talking about over there?" shouted Lady Catherine, who was already seated in her throne chair. She could not bear for anyone to have a conversation which she herself had not instigated.

"Mrs. Collins, you are being derelict in your duty," said Mr. Collins, who was standing by her ladyship.

Charlotte seemed unmoved by their criticism, but left Elizabeth's side to sit near her ladyship. "Do forgive me, Lady Catherine. Are you in good healthy today?"

"My dear, I am always in good health."

"It is to be expected, Lady Catherine, you are an example to us all in being able to balance a life of…" said Mr. Collins.

"Yes, yes," said Lady Catherine impatiently, cutting across Mr. Collins, who immediately put a finger to his lips and looked embarrassed.

"I am a great deal more healthy than my poor Anne." Lady Catherine smiled at her daughter who was looking very pale and kept dabbing her face with a handkerchief. "Now sit, everyone. Where is Darcy? I do want him to see how you are, Anne."

"Yes, Mother."

"Ah, Richard. Where is that nephew of mine?" she asked as the colonel joined them.

"Still resting, I think," said the colonel cheerfully.

"Still resting? Do not be so foolish. We will be sitting down to dine shortly. Dear Fitzwilliam would not miss that. I know he has been so looking forward to coming. Mrs. Collins, you have yet to meet my nephew."

"I have not had the pleasure," agreed Charlotte, looking at the colonel.

"No, no...not him" said her ladyship rudely. "This is my nephew, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam."

The colonel bowed. "I am delighted to meet any friend of Miss Bennet's"

"Richard, do not interrupt. Mrs. Collins, I was talking about my other nephew, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley."

"I have met him," said Charlotte, but Lady Catherine did not hear her.

"Naturally Pemberley is not quite up to the standard of Rosings, but never the less it is a large estate and well thought of in Derbyshire."

"Not quite up to Rosings, dear aunt?" asked Mr. Darcy, walking into the room.

Elizabeth caught her breath. In the dingy surroundings of Rosings Mr. Darcy stuck out. It was not just his height, it was his stature, the way he held himself. He was a picture of elegance. If only he wouldn't look so severe all the time.

"Fitzwilliam. I hope that you are rested."

"I am, Aunt, and it would give me pleasure to accompany you into dinner."

Everyone suddenly looked a little more cheerful. In Darcy's presence Lady Catherine suddenly seemed a lot easier to deal with.