At that, all three of them began to laugh, and if there was an edge of hysteria in Georgiana’s laughter, no one could blame her.
There was no doubt that Georgiana would be asked to play for Her Majesty at this tea; it was a tremendous honour, of course, but one that Georgiana would have gladly done without.
***
Dear Aunt Eleanor,
As feared, Georgiana has been invited to tea with Her Majesty, doubtless so that she might exhibit her musical skills. I, too, am included in the invitation. Whatever should we wear? I think we do not have time to have new gowns made, as the invitation is for next Wednesday.
Please help us!
Your unhappy niece,
Elizabeth
***
The Countess came to Darcy House the very next day. “Show me the invitation!” she commanded after everyone’s health had been enquired after.
Georgiana complied at once.
The Countess read it over several times before looking up. “Excellent,” she said. “I could not have hoped for anything better!”
Georgiana immediately complained, “I would very much prefernotto go, Great-Aunt!”
“But you must, of course, so you may as well make up your mind to it.” The Countess’ brisk, no-nonsense tone was exactly what was needed, for Georgiana gave a great sigh and then settled back into her chair.
The Countess spent twenty minutes telling Georgiana and Elizabeth what to expect, and reminded them to never turn their backs on Her Majesty, nor disagree with her if at all possible. “Do not praise the food or the china,” she said. “Behave as if you expect such grandeur. You already know how to curtsey to her, as you did so at your presentations.”
“What shall we wear?” Elizabeth asked.
“Let us go look through your wardrobes.”
The Countess spent the next three hours sorting through everything that Elizabeth and Georgiana owned before making her recommendations. “I shall send my own maid to do your hair,” she said.
“Is there not a more important issue here?” Georgiana asked.
“What could be more important than your attire?” her great-aunt demanded.
“What I shall play for her, of course!”
***
Master Lombardi was immediately summoned – or, rather begged! – to come to his pupil, Miss Darcy, at once. Upon being informed of the nature of the crisis, he grinned broadly and rubbed his hands together. “Her Majesty could not have chosen better!” he vowed dramatically. “You are not to be nervous!” he instructed Georgiana. “You will do credit to us both, I have no doubt of it!”
Then, much as the Countess had ransacked Georgiana’s wardrobe, Master Lombardi went through all of Georgiana’s music sheets, hearing her play one thing after another before settling on Herr Beethoven’sPiano Sonata No. 23 in F Minor, Ignaz Pleyel’sPiano Trio in C, and Franz Schubert’sFantasie in C Major. The latter piece had originally been intended as a piano and violin duet, but Master Lombardi had helped Georgiana adapt it to be performed as a piano solo. These were all advanced pieces, designed to impress the Queen.
“Practice, practice, practice!” Master Lombardi instructed her. “At least four hours every day! I will explain to Mrs. Darcy that you must be allowed this time, and I will come each day to listen and instruct!”
Elizabeth had been standing just outside the door, listening to the music that had been pouring forth, and now opened the door and stepped inside. “I understand completely, Master Lombardi. We will make her excuses to any visitors.”
“Excuses? No, indeed, madam! Explanations, perhaps, but practicing for the Queen requires no excuses!” Master Lombardi’s opinion on the matter was quite firmly expressed.
“Quite right,” Elizabeth said, hastily. “Explanations, not excuses!”
***
Georgiana’s visitors protested at her unavailability, but the protests were cut short by Elizabeth’s brief explanation. Practicing to play for the Queen was not something to be argued with!
