"Now that we have both apologized profusely," Mr. Darcy said with a smile, easing her fears, "I hope that we can be good friends, Miss Bennet."
Lizzy smiled back shyly. "I believe we shall, Mr. Darcy. I believe we shall."
*************
With that, Mr. Darcy offered her his arm, and they continued down the street towards the church.
"Now, what was that piece of news I was going to get down on my knees and beg for?" Mr. Darcy asked, as they mounted the steps of the church.
Blushing slightly, Lizzy answered, "My younger sister, Catherine, is engaged to be married to an officer in Colonel Forester's regiment, a Mr. Denny."
"That is good news, indeed." Mr. Darcy answered as they reached the top step. "You and your family, especially your sister, have my heartiest congratulations."
Elizabeth was uttering her thanks when Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner emerged from the church doors.
After expressing their surprise at seeing Mr. Darcy with their niece, they cheerfully agreed to accompanying Darcy back to Pemberley earlier than planned. Mr. Darcy walked with them back to the inn and promised to wait in the tap room for them to change into evening attire.
When she was alone with her aunt and uncle, Elizabeth told them of the contents of Jane's letters. While surprised, the Gardiners were happy for their niece, and agreed that they would send their congratulations by way of post the following morning for Longbourn.
They joined Mr. Darcy downstairs and had a pleasant carriage ride to Pemberley. Mr. Darcy was very amiable and engaged Mr. Gardiner into a conversation about fishing. When he realized that Mrs. Gardiner and Elizabeth were listening politely without real interest, he quickly changed to more agreeable topics for the whole party to converse upon.
Once they arrived at Pemberley, Mr. Darcy showed them to the sitting room, where Miss. Darcy and the Bingleys and Hursts were already situated before excusing himself to change.
Elizabeth found herself sitting next to Miss. Darcy on the window seat a little ways from the other guests.
"It is a great pleasure to see you again, Miss. Darcy," Elizabeth began, but was cut off by her hostess.
"Oh, do call me Georgiana," the young lady pleaded. "I would feel so much better if you do."
Elizabeth smiled and said, "Of course I shall, if you promise to call me Elizabeth or Lizzy."
Her new friend readily agreed, and Elizabeth continued, "Thank you for inviting us. I confess, after our conversation yesterday I was quite eager to speak with you again."
"And I with you," Georgiana said, quietly. "Miss Be-I mean, Elizabeth, would you grace us with a performance later this evening? My brother has told me of your talents, and I so wish to hear you play."
Lizzy laughed. "I do not wish to disappoint you with my poor skills, Georgiana. My playing is not as proficient as I would like."
Georgiana protested. "Oh, please Elizabeth! It would give me so much pleasure if you were to play."
Conceding with a laugh, Elizabeth answered, "very well, however, do not think that you can escape without gracing us with your talents. I also have heard from both your brother, Miss. Bingley, and Lady Catherine DeBourgh that you are quite a musician."
It was Georgiana's turn to protest her talents. The two ladies laughed and teased each other about the other's reputed talents before Georgiana said, "Did you know, Elizabeth, that Fitzwilliam plays the violin and the piano?"
Elizabeth expressed her astonishment. "I confess, I did not think your brother a musician. I thought that title rested with you."
"Oh no. Fitzwilliam is a great musician, though he only plays in front of family and close friends. At Christmas we play and sing duets when our family gathers at the Fitzwilliam's estate," Georgiana replied. "My mother taught my brother all that he knows about music. It is partially the reason why I love music so much. It makes me feel closer to her, even though I did not know her."
"It must have been very hard to grow up without your mother," Lizzy said softly, laying a hand on Georgiana's arm.
Georgiana smiled sadly. "It was at times, especially when father died." She sighed, before taking on a brighter countenance. "But Fitzwilliam is a wonderful brother. He spoils me excessively; the piano in the music room was a present from him, just this week. I do not deserve it. I could not have asked for a better one. He is so very kind and amiable."
"I'm sure he is. And I look forward to hearing you play this evening. Perhaps you could persuade your brother to play a duet with you as well." Elizabeth said.
Looking up slyly, Georgiana said, "Oh, I am sure he would, if you were to ask him to, Elizabeth."
Lizzy turned slightly pink in the face at this, but did not have time to respond, for Mr. Darcy himself entered the room, announcing dinner was ready.
Georgiana and Elizabeth stood and moved towards the door, where Miss. Bingley was standing, obviously hoping that Mr. Darcy would escort her to dinner.
The Hurst and Gardiners were already leading the way to the dinning room, leaving Darcy and Bingley with the three unmarried ladies to escort.
"Miss. Bennet, may I have the honor of escorting you to dinner?" Mr. Darcy asked, stepping forward and offering his arm.
Taking the proffered arm, Elizabeth smiled and thanked him. Mr. Bingley dutifully stepped up and offered both his arms to the remaining ladies. Georgiana smiled serenely, watching her brother and her new friend walk ahead of them, while Miss. Bingley silently fumed to herself.
Upon reaching the dinning room, Mr. Darcy seated Elizabeth at his left, while Georgiana sat to his right. Mr. Bingley and the Gardiners took their stations next to the two young ladies, leaving the Hursts and Miss. Bingley farthest from the Gardiners and Elizabeth.
The first few courses of dinner passed quickly, with lively conversation floating between the guests and hosts alike. Elizabeth found that Mr. Darcy proved to be an excellent conversationalist, if applied to, and so they talked of books, music, taking walks, the countryside, and every other agreeable subject that can be had at a dinner party.
By the time dessert came, Lizzy was in such good humor that she doubted even Miss. Bingley could destroy it. The conversation at that moment was on the opera, in particular an opera which all the parties had seen. As Mr. Darcy was expressing his opinion of a certain piece, Lizzy took the opportunity and turned to him. "Mr. Darcy, Georgiana was telling me earlier that you are quite the musician yourself."
Out of the corner of her eye, Elizabeth could see Miss. Bingley nearly choke on her dessert when she called Georgiana by her first name. Mr. Darcy seemed surprised too, but quickly recovered smiling.
"I do not know how much my sister has been telling you, Miss. Bennet, of my musical abilities, but I can assure you that they are nothing compared to your own."
Georgiana cut in, "Brother! Do not go lying to Elizabeth," (here too, did Miss. Bingley choke), "I have told her that you play quite well. You might even favor us with a performance this evening, perhaps?" She said, looking imploringly at her older brother.
Looking somewhat alarmed now, Mr. Darcy quickly said, "I confess I have not touched an instrument in quite some time…not these two months, at least!"
Laughingly, Elizabeth said, "It is quite all right Mr. Darcy, if you do not wish to perform. I believe your sister is quite set on having others perform rather than displaying her own prodigious talents."
While Georgiana protested, Darcy shot Elizabeth a grateful look.
"However," Elizabeth began, and Darcy groaned while the rest of the party laughed, "If two young ladies applied to you on their hands and knees, would you consent to entertaining us with an air or two?"
Darcy looked at Elizabeth with a twinkle in his eye, catching her reference to their conversation earlier in Lambton. "I do not think it necessary. If you insist upon hearing me muddle through a song and sound wretched at the same time, so you shall."
"I insist" Both Georgiana and Elizabeth said at the same time, to the amusement of the others in the room.
"Well, Darcy, that is mighty good of you!" Bingley said jovially from across the table. "But before I must sit through your wretched performance, do you think you could entertain us gentleman with some brandy. Perhaps stronger stuff, if we are to sit through two songs?"
Darcy joined in the laughter that erupted from the table before saying, "Certainly, Bingley." Standing, he bowed to the ladies while saying, "Ladies, if you will excuse us. We will meet you in the music room. Gentlemen, this way, if you please."
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