Darcy smiled, and said, "I will fetch my violin from its dusty place of honor," before turning and striding across the room to a music case.
Georgiana turned to Elizabeth and whispered, "My brother must like you very much. He does not give in so easily to me."
Elizabeth blushed and hastily said and a hurried whisper, "Georgiana!"
"What?!"
*********
Before Elizabeth could admonish Georgiana, Darcy's voice came floating across the room. "I am ready when you are, Miss Bennet."
Shooting a look at Georgiana that clearly said that their conversation was not over yet, Elizabeth rose from her seat and went to sit at the pianoforte.
Darcy came over, tuning his violin as he walked. Stopping in front of the piano, he turned to the others in the room. "Ladies and Gentlemen, Miss Bennet has very obligingly agreed to play a duet with a lesser musician."
Bingley laughed and took a seat next to Mrs. Gardiner on the divan, while Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst took up seats across from Mr. Gardiner and Georgiana. Mr. Hurst, of course, was sleeping off to the corner near the wine.
Turning to Elizabeth, Darcy said in a lower voice, "Shall we, Miss Bennet?"
Elizabeth looked up at him for a moment. His dark eyes, which she had seen at so many previous occasions as dark and stony, were now filled with merriment and good nature. There was also something else, a sort of almost tenderness in them, which she had only seen once this morning in Lambton.
"Miss Bennet?" Darcy asked again, after Elizabeth did not answer him right away.
"Excuse me Mr. Darcy, I was just…" Elizabeth tried to cover up her noticeable lack of response.
"Not at all," Mr. Darcy said. "You may begin whenever you are ready and I will come after the fourth bar.
Elizabeth nodded and turned to the piano. Placing her hands on the keys, Elizabeth took a deep breath and began.
She started well, and held her breath as the end of the fourth bar came. All of a sudden the sounds of a violin pierced the air. Elizabeth nearly stopped playing at the sheer beauty and emotion of the sound.
Darcy plied the bow across the strings lovingly, as if it were a long lost friend or lover. He played at her tempo, adding embellishments here and there. Elizabeth continued to play, though her eyes flickered over to Darcy every few beats. The interlude finished, Elizabeth began to sing.
You who have tasted love's mystic spell
What is this sorrow naught can dispel?
Elizabeth fought the urge to look at Darcy.
Fair dame or maiden, none else may know
My heart o'erladen, why is this so?
What is this yearning, these trembling fears
Rapturous burning, melting in tears?
Unbeknownst to Elizabeth, Darcy's eyes were trained on her as she sang Fair dame or maiden.
While thus I languish, wild beats my heart,
Yet from my anguish I would not part,
I seek a treasure Fate still denies,
Darcy's playing nearly took on a desperate passionate sound…
Naught else will pleasure,
Naught else I prize...I'm ever sighing,
I know not why, near unto dying, when none are by,
My hear is riven night, morn and eve,
But ah 'tis heaven, thus, thus to grieve!
You who have tasted love's mystic spell
Elizabeth and Darcy's eyes finally met and held. The violin almost became a whisper, letting the piano and Elizabeth's voice take center stage.
What is this sorrow naught can dispel?
What is this sorrow naught can dispel?
Even after the last notes of the song faded away, applause rained from the small audience. Elizabeth and Darcy reluctantly tore their eyes from each other's as they turned and smiled to their friends.
"Oh, Elizabeth, that was lovely!" Georgiana cried, hurrying over to her. "You sing and play just as well as Fitzwilliam said!"
Blushing, Elizabeth offered a small smile towards Mr. Darcy, who had come to stand next to his sister.
"Miss Bennet, it was quite a pleasure to hear you play again," Bingley said, coming up to the trio. "I remember your elder sister telling me of your great love of music."
"Yes, music is a joy I share with her as well. Jane, however, has better taste." Elizabeth replied carefully, watching Mr. Bingley's reaction closely.
At the mention of Jane Bennet's name, Mr. Bingley looked slightly depressed. "She did say she loved listening to others perform, though she does not take part in the pleasure herself." He said, to no one in particular.
Bingley turned and went to join the Gardiners, seeming lost in thought. Darcy watched his friend, and knew that his friend still loved Jane Bennet. It pained him to know what hurt he had caused the young couple, and resolved that he whatever he could to set his mistakes right.
Turning back to Elizabeth and Georgiana, Darcy said, "Miss Bennet, I must second Bingley's compliments. It was a privilege to accompany you." And with that he offered a small bow.
Elizabeth grinned up at him, though she addressed Georgiana, "Again, your brother is all politeness. It is your turn, now, Mr. Darcy, to be praised."
Before Darcy could open his mouth to protest, Miss Bingley's sharp voice cut through the conversation once more.
"Oh, yes, Mr. Darcy! Let me be the first to congratulate you! You did not tell me, sir, that you were just as an accomplished musician as Georgiana! Why, I do not think there are finer musicians I know in Derbyshire! You must be proud of your musical accomplishments!"
"Proud Miss Bingley? I should hope not." Darcy replied coldly. "And as to being the finest musicians, I think you overlooked Miss Bennet's performance. She exceeds myself in talent. The depth of emotion and passion she conveys in her playing and singing is quite touching."
For the first time in Elizabeth's acquaintance with Miss Bingley, she saw Miss Bingley rendered quite speechless. As Miss Bingley scrambled for words, Georgiana piped in,
"Oh, I'm sure Miss Bingley only excluded Elizabeth because she does not permanently reside in Derbyshire. By limiting you and I brother, to being the best in Derbyshire, Miss Bingley means to say that Elizabeth is one of the best she has heard, regardless to where she may be. Isn't that so, Miss Bingley?"
Again, Miss Bingley seemed at a loss for words. Georgiana turned cheerfully to Elizabeth. "Well, I must say, Elizabeth, that you and my brother play quite well together. I hope that we may have the pleasure of hearing you two play together again in the future." And with that, Georgiana looped her arm through Miss Bingley's, and drew her away to join Mrs. Hurst, successfully leaving Elizabeth and Darcy alone together.
"I must apologize for my sister's behavior," Mr. Darcy began, as he put his violin away and Elizabeth straightened the music on the piano. "She has the tendency to say too much when she is in familiar company."
"Not at all Mr. Darcy," Elizabeth said, smiling. "Georgiana is young, and she has a delightful disposition. As she grows up, she may have a slightly teasing manner, but nothing out of the common way improper. She is a dear girl, and I am glad to have made her acquaintance."
"Thank you."
Elizabeth looked up at Darcy in surprise. "For what, may I ask Mr. Darcy?"
"For being so kind to Georgiana, after her brother has treated you with the most abominable behavior. For being so gracious enough to tolerate my company." Darcy said solemnly.
"Mr. Darcy," Elizabeth said, looking him full in the face with a determined air. "First of all, sir, I am glad to be Georgiana's friend, regardless of who she is related to. I meant every word I said. She is delightful young lady who I wish to become great friends with." She stopped to gather her words. "And as to your past conduct sir, I already forgave you this morning. Or is your memory so at loss that you do not remember this?" She asked, playfully.
Darcy looked slightly abashed. "It is just that—"
Elizabeth cut him off. "Sir, I distinctly recall us agreeing to be friends. And so, as your friend, Mr. Darcy, I refuse you to be harsh upon yourself."
"Again, Miss Bennet, your quickness to forgive is astounding. I cannot ask for a better friend for Georgiana." Darcy said, again honoring her with a bow.
Elizabeth cast a quick look towards Georgiana, who was now situated next to Bingley and the Gardiners. The young lady did not seem to be paying attention to the present conversation; rather, she was looking in the direction of Elizabeth and Darcy.
Turning back to Darcy, Elizabeth said, "Well, Mr. Darcy, I suggest we rejoin your guests, or else give your sister something else to talk about."
Mr. Darcy followed Elizabeth's gaze and grimaced good-naturedly. "Ah yes. Excellent point, Miss Bennet."
And with that, the two of them went to rejoin the others.
Thank you for all of your comments and encouragement! I will be starting school tomorrow, so I won't be updating every day. I will update once a week, probably Saturday/Sunday at the minimum. If it's a light week, I'll try to update more than once. Thanks for your patience and support and keep the feed back coming! It makes my day and makes me want to write more
It was hard writing the song piece, so I apologize if it's not satisfactory. If people want, I can put in another Darcy/Elizabeth duet thing in again later.
Coming up: Part of the story from Darcy's point of view
Yes, Jane will be brought back into the plot eventually.
Georgiana is 16, ergo she is going to be a bit naïve and have a teasing nature, especially towards her brother.
And for all of those who wondered if Miss Bingley is ever going to get what's "coming to her," don't worry….She's going to get it