“You must hear Lizzy play — her technique has greatly improved.” Georgiana said, “You must hear the duets we have practiced. We both have improved greatly.”
Darcy looked at them both with fond pride.
Their eyes caught; he was happy.
Something in her stomach, a twisting, kittens leaping and playing around, a lightness. It was a joyous ease, a warmth, and a sense of rightness.
He was her husband. He was happy to see her, and she was happy to see him.
“I assure you,” Elizabeth replied warmly, “that the improvement is chiefly on my part, and not your sister’s —Ihad far more space in which to improve.”
“I have always thought that you are perfect when you play.”
“You have said as much before,” Elizabeth replied.
“Because it is true.”
Elizabeth believed him, that he said what he really felt.She flushed and could not meet his eyes. “Saying I am already perfect is no way to motivate me to improve yet further,” Elizabeth replied.
“You have no need to improve.”
“We all have an opportunity to become better,” Elizabeth replied. “In judgement, in skill, in wisdom. I do not wish to stay the same.”
“And that is why you have no need to improve.” Darcy grinned at her.
“A sense of my own imperfection is proof I am already perfect?”
“The only meaning that sentence could convey,” he replied, his eyes twinkling.
“Andwhat aboutyou?”
“I, on the other hand, have needed to improve extensively.”
“I would not dare disagree onthatpoint, but merely when you say that you are the only one who has needed to improve.”
“Enough conversation.” Georgiana stamped her foot. “You can praise Lizzy with these unintelligible sentences for hours without end after we’ve played.” Then Georgiana stretched her fingers, sat on the bench, settled the sheet music in place, and patted the spot beside her. “Sit.”
Mr. Darcy leaned against the piano as the two began to play.
His legs were so long. Elizabeth was very aware of him as the two girls began to sing. His fine green coat, his newly trimmed and brushed hair, the finely shaved skin of his cheeks, his strong nose. The eyes with which he stared at her, longingly.
Her fingers stumbled. She could not even properly play the beginning of the piece with Georgiana — a bit they’d done enough times together that she ought to have managed it in her sleep. And likely she would have managed it ifasleep, but shewas wholly awake, thrumming with sensation.
Georgiana elbowed her. “Lizzy!” There was something that reminded her of Lydia’s whine in the girl’s voice. “Pay attention.”
“Oh, believe me, I am,” she replied with a flushed laugh.
Darcy started up straighter, and that half confused expression returned to his face.
This time Elizabeth made a determined effort to keep her attention upon the piano for Georgiana’s sake. Her new sister was proud of how she had learned to play with her help, and she wished to display Elizabeth. This time Elizabeth managed a plodding but correct rhythm, almost as though she played to a pendulum. She kept her eyes directly on the sheet music, only making small mistakes when Darcy shifted his weight from one leg to the other.
Georgiana frowned when they finished the Italian song. “Lizzy is usually much better than this.”
“Are you, Elizabeth?” Darcy’s voice caressed her. “Whatever might make the difference. Are you distracted?”
“You pay too close attention.”
“I intend to always pay very close attention to you.”
