Chapter 10: The sharpness of taste
Georgiana grabbed Elizabeth's hand and led her out of the library, excusing themselves and leaving Darcy alone. He took some deep breaths, as though he had run out of air and as unable as he was, he sat on a chair, putting his hand on his face, trying to cover it. He was desperate, vulnerable and confused. He simply did not know what to do, it was the first time he had felt the exhaustion of that kind. Whenever he did, she was there, maybe not present, but always there in his mind, in his heart. But that could not be borne with anymore; he could not spend of his days torturing himself. Ohh how she tormented him...
Elizabeth and her young cousin entered the chamber of the latter. She claimed that she needed her help to pick the right dress. At first, she showed her a light pink gown with some beautiful details on the sleeves and then a blue one, more plain.
"I am certain that the pink would suit you perfectly," Elizabeth claimed and smiled politely. "It is such a beautiful gown, but pray tell me, is there any particular reason you wish to look beautiful tonight?"
Georgiana laughed and grabbed her cousin's hand "Oh no, of course not. I am simply happy that Penelope is here."
"Are you good friends?"
"Yes, indeed we are." she paused "But I rarely get the chance to see her, we mainly write letters to each other."
"Why is that so?" Elizabeth asked curiously.
"She travels a great deal with her parents, because her papa is a diplomat." she paused. "She has seen to so many countries."
"I would love to go to France," Elizabeth explained with a sad expression, of course she knew that this was only a dream. A woman of her station would barely find anyone to hold an affection for her -as Mr. Darcy so honestly explained, so it was out of the question that that kind of dream, would come true. In fact, any of her dreams would not probably come true.
"Yes, from what I have heard, it is quite spectacular."
"How long have you known Penelope?"
Georgiana laughed. "Elizabeth, why do you keep asking so many questions?"
'Because, apparently Darcy holds a high esteem towards her and I want to know the reason,' she thought. "I simply want to know her." she explained and this was not entirely a lie. "She intends to stay for a while and I do not feel comfortable yet, not knowing things."
She smiled. "I am not going to neglect you, if that is what you are afraid of."
"I am glad to know that," she smiled. "So?" She demanded to know.
"Penelope and I, we are close acquaintances from our childhood. You see, she is cousin of Richard's and she used to spend most of her days in Pemberley. We used to play hide and seek when we were little and when we were older enough and my brother did not want to play anymore, as he claimed that he was too old for childish games, we spend our time talking and laughing." She paused and a sad expression was created in her face, "But that was before she decided that she had to pay more attention to breeding, so she left and rarely visited us."
"You speak as though you are hurt by her behavior."
Georgiana smiled a little, "I am" she paused. "I was. You see, for a very long time I thought that she was only being extremely dear to me, because of Fitzwilliam."
Elizabeth touched Georgiana's hand just to comfort her ,"What do you mean, dearest?"
"Fitzwilliam was in love with Penelope from a very young age and when he turned eight and ten years old, they formed an attachment." Elizabeth froze as she felt her heart smashed into little pieces. She could clearly hear her beating, so loudly that she thought for one moment that she had a heart attack. But, Georgiana kept speaking, making Elizabeth paler and paler as she talked. "Months later Fitzwilliam had gone to Cambridge for his studies, but begged Penelope to wait for him. She did for a while, but a year later, she send him a letter telling that she could not bore the distance any longer. So, she broke his heart."
"Did your brother tell you of these?" It was all that she managed to say.
"No, I never spoke of this with him - he never mentioned anything either. But, I could see him, I could see the difference, the impact their detachment had on him. I believe, he was never the same after that and our parents death."
Elizabeth could not say anything, she simply opened her mouth, but she preferred to close it instantly, for she had nothing to say or ask. She could barely breathe. "I am sorry"
"Do not be. She and I have made our peace, and clearly Fitzwilliam made it with himself as well."
Elizabeth tried to smile a little, "Do you think he still has feelings for her?"
"I honestly do not know, for he has never showed any preference to a lady after that. But did you not see the way he looked at her? She also said she retired earlier to get dressed." she paused and formed a wide smile "I would love to have a sister."
She took some deep breaths and without wanting to pain herself more, she just replied, "Let me see your jewelry and decide what is most appropriate for this gown."
Georgiana obeyed and happily she gave her a big box. Elizabeth opened it and sighed with amazement. Everything was perfect; sapphires, emeralds and diamonds were decorated in elegant necklaces and earrings. She had never seen anything more beautiful than this sight, for it was pure beauty -the kind of beauty that could give pleasure to anyone. Elizabeth chose some diamond earrings and claimed that they were the most appropriate for this occasion and then she grabbed a necklace. It was a plain one, but yet elegant decorated with emerald gems all over it. Elizabeth stood up and looked at herself on the mirror and she put it on.
"It is perfect on you," Georgiana said as she observed her. "You look beautiful."
"Thank you," Elizabeth said and smiled kindly to her, but as she was about to put it back, Georgiana's hand stopped her.
"No, you must have it"
"No, no I can't"
"Yes you can, I would like you to have it." She paused and as she saw Elizabeth's denial, she spoke again "I am not very fond of it"
"Georgiana, you are too kind. I do not deserve it."
"Yes you do, I would not speak to you again if you do not take it."
Elizabeth immediately hugged Georgiana and they both smiled with joy. "I do not know how to thank you."
"You do not have to and now go before we are late." Elizabeth obeyed and as she was about to open the door, she heard her from behind saying "Wear it tonight."
As the ladies walked down the stairs, the gentlemen felt their hearts hopping faster as they looked upon the bewitching sight. As they kept staring, Richard approached Darcy and whispered to him "Tolerable, huh?" The great Fitzwilliam Darcy got pale. No, she was far more than tolerable. They all looked divine, like nymphs as they were described in Greek mythology. Georgiana was the first one she climbed off the stairs and smiled civily to them.
"I hope that you did not have to wait long," Georgiana said and stood next to her brother.
"I did not know that the dinner would be formal, for I would be dressed more carefully," he paused "You look beautiful, dearest Georgiana."
"Indeed," Darcy simply replied, never taking his eyes off the stairs. It was impossible to do so, after all. It was the most beautiful sight he had ever seen in his entire life. Elizabeth was walking behind Miss Brown, keeping her look down, but he could see her blushing. She was wearing a black gown with a green olive ribbon on her waist. It was all lace, almost transparent, but well covered in the right places. The necklace with emeralds suited her perfectly, giving her the kind of beauty she deserved. She was far more beautiful than he thought she was, more handsome than he dreamt her at nights and even more tempting for his own good, he wanted her in his possession. Now.
Miss Brown reached the end of the stairs and waited there until the colonel took her hand and kissed it. She blushed and looked at Darcy, waiting for him to say something. He approached her and complimented her for the lovely light read dress she wore and how beautiful she looked in it -not so beautiful if Elizabeth wore it. Penelope moved a step forward and looked at Darcy "Would you be so kind to escort me to dinner?"
"My pleasure," he simply replied and she took his arm.
Elizabeth finally stopped at the end of the stairs and she smiled warmly at colonel, who was waiting for her. He immediately took her hand and kissed it passionately.
"You look very handsome," he looked at her and smiled "I am certain that I will dream about you tonight. I only hope that you would be so kind as you are in reality."
"You are all politeness and flattery today. Should I be worried?" She laughed.
"It is certainly not flattery nor kindness. I am simply stating facts."
"I think you are exaggerating," She paused and looked at Darcy, who stood there speechless. "But I should thank you nevertheless."
Elizabeth accepted the colonel's hand and looked for the last time at Darcy, who apparently was occupied talking to Miss Brown, she even could detect a smile on his face.
In this chapter I wanted to pay more attention to the ladies, because Georgiana was like absent in the story. I wanted to show you their connection and how they are linked to each other. Apparently, Georgiana sees Elizabeth as her sister and that is why she chose to give her the necklace. Anyway...
Ohh lovely readers. Thank you so much for all the hundred reviews, which you helped me reach and all those follows and favs. You are great! But, one of you -which I must thank for his opinion, which proved to be helpful- said that something amiss from the story and that it lacks of interest as it keep going. What do you feel about this? Should I continue, is it worth it?