Though Elizabeth was unaware she was in the presence of Miss Georgiana Darcy. In fact, the thought of Mr. Darcy's sister had rarely crossed her mind as she traversed Pemberley.
Her head was too full of Mr. Darcy.
Miss Darcy was thin and tall, and her features slim upon her face. Where her brother's hair was dark, hers was light. Where his stature commanded attention, Miss Darcy blended naturally into the room. She reminded Elizabeth of a willow tree, and though she had since learned first impressions were fallible, Elizabeth got the distinct sense that this girl was very delicate.
"Forgive me—"
"I beg your pardon, I—"
Both girls blushed and looked away, finding themselves without a means to a proper introduction. Elizabeth, in her traditional fashion, was the first to break propriety for the sake of curiosity.
"Forgive me, madam, for I seem to have stumbled too far from my party. I'm Elizabeth Bennet—"
A whisper of her name fell upon the lady's lips and her features grew an animated light, making her most becoming.
"And I'm with my aunt and uncle on holiday in Derbyshire. Pray, forgive me for the intrusion upon your playing. It was most lovely."
She was playing the piano, Elizabeth realized. And suddenly Elizabeth felt a sense of foreboding as she realized just who she had discovered.
"Miss Bennet!" A brief curtsy was remembered. "I am delighted to make your acquaintance. I am Georgiana Darcy. I hope I do not overstep, but my brother has shared so much about you."
At this, Elizabeth's eyes widened and her face burned. Georgiana's features were quick to follow. Elizabeth feared just what exactly Mr. Darcy had shared with his sister regarding herself and her family. Her family now wandered these halls with expressions of awe, gaping at every corner. Elizabeth swallowed, realizing she needed to find her family soon. The Darcys would naturally resent such lowly connections sullying their halls. She refused to feel beneath them once more.
"All wonderful and joyful things, of course!" Georgiana's schooling rushed to the forefront of her thoughts. "Oh, please come in! Would you like some tea?"
Miss Darcy was determined to overcome her shyness in light of Miss Elizabeth's company. Her brother had mentioned Miss Elizabeth no less than three times in his letters, which was a feat that exceeded all of his other female acquaintances (including Caroline Bingley).
"I'd be delighted, but I do worry that my aunt and uncle might suspect me lost in one of the many hallways if I do not find them."
"Why, you are quite right. How about we find them together and then we shall all take tea? That is if you are amiable?"
Elizabeth's astonishment crossed even greater bounds since she stepped across the threshold of Pemberley. Though she had long pitied Miss Darcy for Mr. Wickham's ghastly behavior towards her, Elizabeth still harbored the unjust belief that Miss Darcy would be as proud as her brother.
And instead, her judgments were met with an eager and delicate flower! Miss Darcy was only painfully shy. And Elizabeth registered with painful clarity that this was a family trait. She swallowed nervously as she recounted her and Mr. Darcy's brief conversations at Rosings.
"Yes, very amiable indeed."
And so Elizabeth Bennet and Georgiana Darcy met.
As the three young ladies set out to find Elizabeth's relatives, Elizabeth soon made the acquaintance of Miss Darcy's governess, Miss Annesley. Miss Darcy took pains to share little anecdotes of her childhood home, unused to leading visitors around her home. Miss Darcy was most desirous of female companionship though, and she also felt compelled by Miss Elizabeth's playfulness and earnest nature.
Her brother had been more reclusive of late, ever since Easter Time. He was attentive as ever, but Miss Darcy could see he took pains to be amicable despite his downtrodden demeanor. But Miss Georgiana was more perceptive now than her brother gave her credit for! She had long suspected he had fallen into heartache; a feeling of which she had much practice in. Oh, how she wished he was here to bask in the presence of Miss Elizabeth.
"Why, that vase is hiding a secret! Fitzwilliam and I were running down the halls away from Mrs. Reynolds in pursuit of a fruit tart, as they're Fitzwilliam's favorite. I ran right into this vase, and it chipped on just one side. So we now display the vase backward!"
Miss Annesley masked a chuckle as the girls all giggled. Elizabeth's heart raced at the mention of his Christian name.
"Miss Darcy, I must confess Longbourn has no such finery below eye level. With four sisters all grown up, one must always remain vigilant for swinging elbows and skirts before a ball or dinner. We've lost many an heirloom in the fight for ribbons."
"Four sisters! How wonderful! I can hardly imagine such a full home." Miss Darcy let out a wistful sigh and then remembered herself. "But Fitzwilliam is the most devoted of brothers. I am very grateful to him. He has done so much for me. More than you can imagine, Miss Bennet."
Miss Darcy's guilt at her previous deception muted the party, and Elizabeth placed a placating arm on her shoulder.
"I am sure Mr. Darcy did no more than what you deserve, Georgiana. We all need grace and understanding from those we love." Elizabeth prayed her speech would not arouse the suspicions of Miss Annesley or Miss Darcy, but she strongly believed Miss Darcy required a confidante. Luckily, Mr. Darcy's letter prepared Elizabeth for the truth, and she was now able to offer the highest level of comfort Miss Darcy required.
If Miss Darcy ever felt comfortable enough with Elizabeth to share. Elizabeth refused to overstep.
The party finally descended into the gardens in pursuit of her relatives, and Elizabeth could not prevent her mouth from gaping.
While the front of Pemberley was designed to effortlessly impress all who beheld her, the back of the house bowed to the prowess of nature. Flowers and bushes abounded and flourished in the late summer season. Though the design spoke of meticulous care, the gardeners seemed to nourish the natural desire of the flora. The only symmetry that mattered was the plants' natural inclinations. And just beyond the garden, a skyline of forest beckoned exploration to Elizabeth.
This was no garden for promenades and niceties. This was a garden for the greatest admirers of nature. And Elizabeth was such an admirer.
Miss Darcy's voice was quieter than it was inside. "This is my mother's garden."
Elizabeth at once turned to the young lady. Where she saw beauty, Miss Darcy saw grief. She was quick to hold Miss Darcy's hand.
"Oh, Miss Darcy, the grounds are lovely. I am grateful you have such a treasure to remember her by."
Miss Darcy's eyes searched Elizabeth's to find the depth of her appreciation. Miss Darcy understood why her brother was so baffled by Miss Elizabeth. Though his letters did not directly address her temperament, his phrases and stories of Miss Elizabeth spoke of a kind of wonderment. The same wonderment Miss Georgiana felt at present. Miss Elizabeth had little to say of the aesthetics of Pemberley, impressive as they were. Instead, she had a unique awareness of the sentimental. A wonder, indeed.
Miss Darcy's heart burned with the newfound warmth of a friend.
"Yes, exactly so, Miss Bennet."
"Lizzie, we were just about to return inside in search of you!" Her Uncle Gardiner faintly admonished. All this walking had left him breathless. The rest of Elizabeth's forgotten party caught up to her uncle.
"Aunt, Uncle, I'd like for you to meet Miss Georgiana Darcy and her companion Miss Annesley. I had the unexpected pleasure of meeting her acquaintance when I was lost." Intentionally so, though Elizabeth would never admit it to her proper aunt and uncle.
"Would you all like tea?" Miss Georgiana fairly blurted, so desirous was she to continue her newfound acquaintances. She was so used to hiding away during visiting hours at Pemberley, too afraid to perform her role as hostess. Yet her desire for company overrode her fear of strangers.
The Gardiners looked at one another and the situation only for a spell. Elizabeth's aunt truly was too quick for her own good.
"We'd be delighted." They said in unison. Mrs. Reynolds could not suppress the mighty twinkle in her eye, as the housekeeper's pride for the youngest Darcy could barely be contained.
As the merry little party stepped into Georgiana's sitting room, they all expressed their delight in some refreshment. The Gardiners accepted their surroundings with equanimity, though their eyes roved around the tasteful decor frequently. Every element of the room spoke of taste and wealth. And at the heart of the room proudly stood Georgiana's heart–her beloved grand piano.
"What a lovely piano, Miss Darcy. Do you play frequently?" Mrs. Gardiner inquired, hoping to set Miss Darcy at ease. She had been a bundle of nerves since she invited the party to her private sanctuary, for the youngest Darcy fairly trembled with a blend of shyness and excitement.
"Oh yes, I play as often as I am able. This piano is one of my most treasured possessions. My brother got it for me last year. He shouldn't have, of course." Miss Darcy was quick to admit.
Mr. Gardiner felt a lethargy settle over him, and he eagerly hoped the snacks would restore his energy.
"Would you not play something for us, Miss Darcy?" Mrs. Gardiner requested.
"Oh no, I'd hate to impose. I still have much to learn. Perhaps Miss Bennet can play in my stead."
"I am afraid my playing would be the actual imposition to the party Miss Darcy. I play very poorly indeed."
"But my brother says you play quite well!"
The party quietened. Each member had much to ruminate in regard to such a statement.
"I am sure he meant barely fair. But I propose a solution. How about we play together? And my fair playing will accompany your far more skilled playing, for Mr. Darcy says you play most impressively as I recall." And Elizabeth smirked in triumph.
The duo went to the piano and began to play. One with incredible skill, the other with charming character. The music enveloped the lovely room in the afternoon sun.
Mr. Gardiner restlessly moved about his seat, a bead of sweat rolling down the side of his face. The room felt rather heated for being south-facing. Where was the blasted tea?
As the musical piece concluded, Mrs. Gardiner clapped delightfully. She was ever so glad for their day at Pemberley. It had turned into quite a delight. She turned to her husband with happiness.
"They play so happily together, wouldn't you say, Mr. Gardiner?"
"Mr. Gardiner?"
Mrs. Gardiner stood. And suddenly the party was bereft, for slumped in his chair was Mr. Gardiner.
Mrs. Reynolds arrived with the tea tray as Mrs. Gardinder shouted, "Edward!"