Assumed Engagement (25 page)

The meal was almost completed when Georgiana turned back to
Elizabeth
, after having had a lengthy conversation with her two younger sisters. "
Elizabeth
, would it be possible for me to call on you tomorrow morning. I would greatly enjoy the pleasure of your company for a while. There are some things I would like to talk with you about. We could go for a walk, if that would be acceptable."

"I would so enjoy that and am already looking forward to it. I think the morning would be just fine."

Georgiana smiled. "I do need to go to the church in the afternoon and practice playing the music for the wedding before the rehearsal, but my morning is free. How does ten o'clock sound?"

"Would you prefer that I come to
Netherfield
?"
Elizabeth
's heart pounded, hoping she would say no.

"I think I would prefer to walk the grounds around Longbourn. My carriage will bring me round."

"I shall be waiting."

As the meal ended, the men were escorted by Mr.
Bennet
to his study. Mrs. Gardiner quickly came up to
Elizabeth
as the women left the dining room. She put her arm through hers and gently nudged her off to the side.

"I am so glad to have been able to have some conversation with Mr. Darcy. I do not find him proud and disagreeable at all! I was disappointed when we first walked in and saw that we had been moved and were no longer seated next to him. I noticed earlier that we were." She paused, watching
Elizabeth
's reaction.

Elizabeth
took a deep breath and looked away. Her aunt continued, "Do you know,
Lizzy
, how the seating arrangements came to be changed?"

Elizabeth
did not answer, colouring slightly and she was unable to look at her aunt. The look on
Elizabeth
's face told her aunt she had been correct in her assumption. Finally her aunt tenderly whispered, "Why did you do it,
Lizzy
?"

"You knew it was me?"

"It was most obvious."

"Why… I… it was an impulsive, immature act to see whether Mr. Darcy's true character would emerge by seating him between Mr. Collins and my mother. He had been so easygoing and amiable all evening. Trust me, Aunt, he has been very different tonight than what he was when he was in the neighbourhood before."

"It appears to me that he passed your little test. Would you not say so?"

"He did, yes. Most admirably. Do you think he was aware of what I did?"
Elizabeth
asked, knowing that inwardly she felt he did know.

"I believe he was very much aware of it."

Elizabeth
turned, feeling more remorse than satisfaction for her little trickery. "He must hate me for purposely placing him between them."

"No,
Elizabeth
, I do not think he hates you. I do not think he believes that is the reason you moved him."

"You do not? What other reason is there?"

"I believe he thinks you moved him as far away from you as possible because you wanted nothing to do with him."

With that, she turned away and
Elizabeth
was left with the stunning realization that, once again, she had caused another misunderstanding between the two of them. How many times had one or the other misconstrued the other's words or actions? And usually it was her! She wanted to argue her aunt's observation, but she could not. He had been so congenial the whole course of the evening, even after being seated where he was, and he believed the whole time that he had been moved because she did not want him near her!

She turned in great anger with herself to find Georgiana walking toward her. "
Elizabeth
, I see you have a piano in here. Would you do me the honour of playing and singing? You did promise me that you would when we parted last."

"Yes, I did, indeed." Her voice faltered as she spoke and she wondered how she would be able to play, let alone sing, when she felt so terribly distressed. Her heart pounded ferociously and she knew her fingers would not easily obey, let alone her voice. "Could you give me a few minutes? I should like a cup of tea, first."

Georgiana agreed and
Elizabeth
went back into the dining room to make herself a cup of her special brew of tea. She kept herself secluded in the dining room while she drank, savouring its calming effect. She looked back at the table and saw, in her mind, Mr. Darcy, as she had watched him furtively while she talked with Georgiana through the course of the meal.
So friendly, so amiable!
She took another sip of tea as she felt herself grow dizzy with confusion. She had to calm down!

When she finally returned, Georgiana was looking through the music and picked out a few songs that she liked, asking if
Elizabeth
could play any of them.

Elizabeth
looked through them and found one that was a rather slow tune that was easy enough to sing. She hoped that the conversation in the room would continue, as she disliked the idea of performing before others. She would rather just provide some background music.

She placed the music upon the piano and began playing and singing. It was soothing to her and she closed her eyes as she continued, knowing most of the song by memory. Suddenly she felt her heart stir, as she felt the presence of someone behind her. She hoped it was not who she thought it might be, but was not going to look. The easy flow of her fingers across the keys became more of an effort; she struggled to keep her composure in singing, as well as playing.

She recalled Georgiana's account to her of how Darcy would often come up behind her whilst she was playing and he would quietly listen.
Elizabeth
had no idea why she thought he was there; she just did.

She had two more pages to play through before she was finished, and prayed she would make it through. She looked up at Georgiana, who returned an encouraging smile. She noticed her gaze move beyond her and another smile directed behind her; this time more serene. At the end of the song, the party of women politely responded with light applause.
Elizabeth
steeled herself, took a breath and turned around. There was no one there.

Her hands shook so greatly that she berated herself for imagining things. She rose and walked over to Georgiana, asking her if she would oblige her now and play.
Elizabeth
knew that Georgiana's ability greatly exceeded hers and knew she would be enjoyed by all in the room.

Georgiana reluctantly agreed to play only, not sing, and
Elizabeth
sat down to join the others. As Georgiana played, Caroline continually praised Miss Darcy's ability and how accomplished she was.
Elizabeth
was convinced that the woman was more enthralled with the sound of her voice than Georgiana’s playing.

In the course of Georgiana’s song, the men returned and seated themselves around the room. Darcy settled in a sofa off to the side of his sister, obviously enjoying her playing.

Caroline suddenly spoke up and said to
Elizabeth
, "Are not the militia removed from
Meryton
? They must be a great loss to your family."

At this,
Lydia
broke in. "Oh, it has been so unbearable since they left! And to think I had received a personal invitation from the
Forsters
to join them all in
Brighton
. But because of the wedding, I was not able to. How we miss all those fine, handsome officers! Mr. Wickham was by far the most handsome and charming!"

When Georgiana heard
Lydia
’s remark, it caused her great distress and she suddenly lost her place in the song. She feebly tried to improvise, and
Elizabeth
rushed over to her immediately, putting her hand on her shoulder, and quickly pointing to the place on the page where she had last played. "I am sorry,"
Elizabeth
said to her. "Let me help you by turning the pages."

Darcy's colour heightened at the mention of Wickham's name and he had immediately begun to rise from the sofa to come to Georgiana's rescue, but was halted in his actions by
Elizabeth
's quick response to his sister's distress. As Georgiana regained her composure, she looked up at
Elizabeth
, and then to her brother. At that moment she came to the startling realization that
Elizabeth
knew of the situation between herself and Wickham. She must have known all along! Everything inside her reeled of shame at
Elizabeth
knowing.

Elizabeth
was aware of Georgiana's sudden comprehension of this, and the inner struggle she faced. She murmured to her that it was all right, she was doing fine.
Elizabeth
kept her one hand on the young lady's shoulder, patting it, and the other on the music, readying to turn its page. Her actions comforted Georgiana, at least outwardly, as she continued to play.

When
Elizabeth
was confident that Georgiana was composed, she dared herself to look up at Darcy. The look on his face made her feel as though he was wrapping his arms around her. She glanced back down at Georgiana, feeling that now
she
was the one who needed composing. Then she looked back up.

There may have been a hint of gratitude in his expression, but there was something else there that touched
Elizabeth
to her core. A hint of a smile played at the corners of his mouth, but seemed to be more recognizable in his eyes. With great feeling exuding to the surface from within, she returned a smile.

When Georgiana finished playing, everyone expressed their appreciation of her wonderful talent and applauded heartily.
Elizabeth
reached down and gave the girl an encouraging hug. "You played beautifully, Georgiana." Neither of them alluded to what happened beforehand at the mention of Wickham's name.

When the music was over, it seemed to signal an end of the evening, as everyone began to stand up and take leave.
Elizabeth
wished with all her heart to walk over to Mr. Darcy and apologize for her very immature actions earlier this evening, but he was suddenly surrounded by Caroline and Louisa. She decided it would have to wait. All she could do tonight was send him off with a polite farewell.

As everyone walked outside to their waiting carriages,
Elizabeth
came up to Georgiana, who was now standing aside her brother, and she gave her a hug. "I shall look forward to seeing you tomorrow morning, Georgiana." She looked up at Darcy and with her arm still resting on the girl's shoulder teasingly added, "…if
you
will permit me some time by myself with her, Sir. I promise I will take good care of her."

He looked upon his sister with a feeling of envy sweeping over him. If only he could be on the receiving end of a hug from
Elizabeth
. In a soft, husky voice he returned, "I do not doubt that you would."

Silence hung heavy in the air, as the two seemed locked in the other's gaze. Darcy, reeling from her scent due to her close proximity and the captivating look of her eyes, braced himself against the onslaught of feelings that urged him to take that one small step closer to bridge the distance between them. He was grateful for the throng of people around, particularly his sister, for that helped keep himself in check. How he wished they were alone, yet in reality he knew that if it were just the two of them right here this evening together, such actions would most likely be rebuffed by her.

Elizabeth
struggled with what to say to him; wanting to throw caution to the wind and to let him know how sorry she was for causing any misunderstanding this evening. Yet it was difficult for her to come up with words that came from her heart. She could easily banter with him, tease him, and make light conversation with him. But for some reason, to speak from her heart caused her much uneasiness.