Chapter 39

39

D arcy sat with the other men in Bingley's so-called library after dinner. He was glad in one way that he and Richard had refused Miss Elizabeth's implicit offer to dine at Longbourn, even though she had not come back into the room so he could explain himself.

But he would not have wished to leave Georgiana here alone with Mr. and Mrs. Hurst — and Georgiana's companion, of course. She was good for Georgiana, but an older woman was not what his sister needed right now, which was younger company. She needed Miss Elizabeth.

His lips tightened; what was Miss Elizabeth about? She was concerned about something, and he was not at all certain that he was not tied up in that concern somehow. And she was different again, even today. Was it Richard's presence, or anxiety about the militia? He didn't know, and that she was not open with him somehow fuelled his displeasure. What could she possibly have to hide? She must know that she could trust him with her concerns, and that she did not was an insult to his integrity.

How had he ever thought he might wish to know her better? How had he even once contemplated marriage?

He became aware that his cousin was calling his name, and shook his head to bring himself back to the company.

"I am sorry, Richard. I was wool-gathering. Is it time to rejoin the ladies?" He sat forward.

"No, not yet." His cousin's eyes had narrowed. "What were you wool-gathering about?"

Darcy shrugged as he tried to think what to say. "I was interested to think Bennet thought Miss Elizabeth would have known how to finish that game."

It seemed Richard knew he wasn't being entirely truthful, but he was grateful that his cousin did not take him to task.

"She did not say that she could."

"I think she thought it might be too humiliating for you." Darcy grinned, and Richard shrugged.

"Perhaps she would have been right."

"It was a bit of a shock for you, I think."

"Certainly. I could not have imagined the way that Bennet wriggled out of certain defeat."

Darcy leaned forward. "I am glad to have seen it. I made notes after we returned here, so I might ponder all that there is to learn."

His cousin laughed. "It might be a few days yet until I can bring myself to challenge Miss Elizabeth to a match."

"It cannot be tomorrow, in any event," Darcy said. "She has invited Georgiana to join her then."

Richard gazed at him, but said nothing. Darcy was grateful for it.

The next morning, he escorted Georgiana to Longbourn, with Richard and Bingley, steeling himself to attempt to be sociable with the family, while Miss Elizabeth bore his sister off to the music room. He was fortunate; Miss Elizabeth smiled at his sister. "I think your brother and cousin may prefer to sit quietly in the music room while we entertain ourselves, rather than remain here with my family and Mr. Bingley — who has eyes for no one but my sister!"

Richard chuckled, but Darcy looked at Georgiana. If she looked disappointed, then he would leave her with her new friend, however much he would prefer to listen to them, but she seemed quite happy with the suggestion.

He sat beside Richard, making the occasional quiet comment to him, but this was nothing like Tuesday. Today, Miss Elizabeth did not sing, and she played from a variety of composers. But she also listened attentively to Georgiana, complimented her and diffidently suggested a different way of fingering something, in a way that would not have caused his sister a moment's concern. It was a peaceful time, and he was able to let his thoughts wander. Not that they wandered far from the enticing lady sitting beside his sister.

After the calling hour came to an end, he rose with a sigh. "Georgiana, I am afraid it is time to return to Netherfield. I know it will disappoint you."

She turned on the seat to look at him. "I understand. Elizabeth must have so much else to do with assisting to plan the wedding." She turned back to Miss Elizabeth.

"Thank you so much for our time together, I have learned so much! I cannot believe that what I learned was never spoken about by my masters."

Miss Elizabeth huffed a quiet laugh, and whispered something in his sister's ear which prompted a nervous giggle.

"Perhaps so. But thank you again."

Miss Elizabeth glanced at him and Richard, and then turned back to his sister. "Perhaps you would agree to take a turn briefly in the garden with your cousin, while your brother and I speak of something?"

Georgiana nodded, bemused but unconcerned. In her eyes, nothing Miss Elizabeth could do was wrong.

But Darcy frowned; what did she wish to speak to him about? Then he remembered his question of yesterday, and she had wanted to watch the chess match. He was glad he had also had the opportunity of learning from it. If she was now going to answer his question, he would be pleased — perhaps she would even trust him with what it was concerning her, and his heart swelled with the satisfaction that she would trust him.

The day was crisp and cold, and Darcy was worried that Georgiana may not wish to remain outside very long. But he knew that Richard, walking with her, would ensure she was not outside long enough to become chilled.

He turned his attention to the lady beside him. Miss Elizabeth was walking out at a brisk pace, breathing deeply.

"I am glad of this opportunity to speak to you, sir, but also of the chance to walk outside. It is going to be difficult here now the militia is causing concern."

He nodded. "I am sorry for it."

She took a deep breath. "I am aware you asked me a question yesterday, which I put off, but there is also another matter which is important that you know before the wedding, as Papa and I would not like you to be surprised on the day itself."

Darcy frowned. "What could that possibly be?"

Miss Elizabeth looked up and away over the trees. "It will seem a long way round of explaining, Mr. Darcy. I hope you will later be able to understand why." She drew another deep breath. "I suppose you remember the piece I played at the first gathering at Lucas Lodge. You recognised it as a Santorio that your sister had not ever played."

He nodded silently. And the moment I first knew that you were different to all other ladies I had ever met.

"Then, while I was staying at Netherfield with Jane you asked why your sister had not received that music, and I explained that I sometimes had the opportunity to receive a faulty printing before official publication?"

He nodded again. I did not believe it then, and I still think you were dissembling. Perhaps now I will hear the truth.

Her jaw clenched. "Since Miss Bingley made it obvious to you that my uncle is ‘ in trade ', I believe you thought I might receive the music perhaps from the rejects on the printing press floor, as Uncle swept the room or some similar trade ." She was trying to keep her voice level, but he could hear hidden anger.

He spoke carefully. "I did not know quite what to think, madam."

She was silent for a few moments, seemingly considering how to continue, and he allowed the silence.

When she spoke, he was surprised at the change of subject. "Have you met the publisher? The publisher of Santorio's music and some other Italian composers?"

He hesitated. "I have. Mr. Gardiner is an excellent man, and trustworthy to do business with." He had better not say more; he was not quite sure where the conversation was going. But she seemed to be waiting for him to speak.

"Have you met him, Miss Elizabeth? Does he permit your uncle to send you the early versions of the print runs?"

He saw a brief flash of annoyance cross her features, but her expression smoothed quickly, and she smiled tightly. "Mr. Gardiner is my mother's brother, Mr. Darcy. He is my uncle."

Gardiner? That gentlemanlike man? Brother to loud, vulgar, unmannered Mrs. Bennet? Darcy almost staggered under the shock. And that he had previously agreed silently with Miss Bingley that the Cheapside connection rendered Miss Elizabeth almost impossible to think of as remotely marriageable.

Miss Elizabeth looked up at him challengingly. "I think you might now understand why Papa and I thought you ought to know before being introduced on the day of Jane's wedding and discovering that you know him from that."

He nodded, still reeling with the shock of it. "I agree, Miss Elizabeth, and thank both you and your father for the consideration." He must think before he said anything else; he would not want to offend her with an unthought outburst due to his anger. Would she ever have told him without the knowledge that he would have found out on the day of Bingley's marriage?

So he turned to her and bowed. "I think we should take our leave now. It is approaching the luncheon hour and I would not wish to outstay our welcome."

She nodded. "And I would not wish your sister to become cold." She turned, and he followed her to join Richard and Georgiana.