Page 18 of Saving Jane
With green ribbons in her hair and about her waist, the simple muslin gown was attractive with Elizabeth’s youthful figure that Mr Darcy had noted when her uncle helped her remove her wrap in the foyer of his London home. The simple gown was appropriate for a family dinner, and he was gratified when Georgiana participated in the conversation with Mrs Gardiner and Miss Bennet throughout dinner.
And just as pleasing, at the other end of the table, Mr Gardiner allowed Darcy to guide the conversation into politics, the wars on the continent and general discussion of trade without any specifics of their businessarrangements.
At some point in the dinner, Elizabeth shared the story of her oldest sister’s engagement. “My sister Jane has become engaged to a distant cousin who will inherit our father’s estate. I have never met the man–his first visit to our family occurred while I have been in London and my parents made the match.”
“Such things happen in society regularly,” Mr Darcy replied. “It is even more common in our circles.”
“What is your cousin’s name, Miss Bennet?” asked Miss Darcy.
“His name is William Collins. I understand that he is a parson at an estate in Kent.”
“A parish named Hunsford,” Aunt Gardiner added.
“Hunsford? Are you certain?” Miss Darcy asked with even more animation than shown earlier.
“Yes,” Elizabeth replied. “The parish where Mr Collins serves is named Hunsford.”
Mr Darcy leaned forward and joined the conversation. “Miss Bennet, your cousin is the new vicar for our aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. The glebe supporting your cousin consists of the farms on my aunt’s estate, Rosings.”
“Brother, what can you tell Miss Bennet of her cousin?” Georgiana asked. “She has never met Mr Collins and learned of her sister’s engagement in a letter this week.”
“I have not met Mr Collins, Georgiana. But Miss Bennet, I can tell you that our aunt is a very determined woman that is used to having her way in every instance.”
When the two gentlemen separated from the ladies for a few minutes after dinner, Gardiner asked after Darcy’s opinion of different ports and cigars. When they moved from the study to the parlour to return to the ladies, Darcy heard someone playing on the pianoforte and smiled thinking that Miss Bennet must be playing. Stepping into the room he was very surprised to find his shy sister performing with Miss Bennet standing beside the bench and Mrs Gardiner sitting nearby on a sofa enjoying the performance.
“Your sister plays delightfully sir,” Mr Gardiner added.
“Thank you, but it is very seldom she will play for company.”
Shaking his head, Mr Gardiner assured theman, “My niece has a way of making anyone feel comfortable.”
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Chapter 7.Georgiana’s New Friend
Two mornings later, a note arrived from Miss Georgiana Darcy inviting Miss Elizabeth Bennet to spend the afternoon at the Darcy home. During the visit, Georgiana’s music master arrived, and Elizabeth was invited to remain for the lesson. After he departed, Georgiana and Elizabeth practiced the piece a few times before the older girl departed for her uncle and aunt’s home. That evening after their supper, Darcy noticed a difference in his sister’s performance.
“Georgie, has your music master found the manner to reach you with the new music he brought last month?”
“Mr Larson is an excellent instructor brother, but I believe that Miss Bennet helped find the feeling needed in this piece,” Georgiana answered.
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Two days later, another invitation arrived at Grace Church Street and brought Elizabeth to Darcy house for a second afternoon of musical lessons. During this visit, Georgiana began talking of other things she did–embroidery and painting.
“My brother will hire another companion for me before long but today I have no lessons in languages and literature, so I practice my playing. But I must have something more to fill the late afternoons and evenings. My brother is absent many days with business and the estates.”
“What do you like to read?”
Georgiana shrugged. “I do not really care for Milton or sermons. My brother only allows me to read some histories and a few novels after he has read them. Then he makes me discuss the stories with him!”
“That is a good practice,” Elizabeth told her friend. “He wants you to develop your ability for a discussion. Does he express opinions different from your own and make you defend your ideas?”
Georgiana nodded while Elizabeth smiled. “My father often does the same with me when I find a new book and we both read it.”
The door to the music room opened just then and Mr Darcy strode into the room.
“Good afternoon, Georgie! Good afternoon, Miss Bennet,” he said to greet the ladies.
