“And admit that he might be wrong!” Elizabeth put in.
“Then the marriage is unlikely to succeed,” her husband finished.
“And how do I know if he is willing to listen and admit that he might be wrong?” Georgiana demanded.
“That is what a courtship is for,” Elizabeth said. “The rules are then relaxed a bit in order to give the couple some time to learn more about one another. A rushed marriage is always a mistake.”
***
That night, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy spoke again about the difficulties that an engagement between Georgiana and Lord Fane would create.
“Do you think we should tell her our fears about Ramsgate coming to light?”
“Not yet,” Elizabeth advised. “It might still come to nothing. We know that his mother does not approve of the match, and her feelings might very well sway her son. I do not think Georgiana has really made up her mind about Lord Fane, as she likes Mr. Stanley quite a bit as well. But that might just be wishful thinking.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
The next day, theMorning Postprinted this:
Sources close to the Queen say that Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy and Miss Georgiana Darcy were invited to take tea with Her Majesty yesterday. After enjoying the afternoon repast, Her Majesty then invited Miss Darcy to play the pianoforte for her.
Her Majesty was certainly impressed with the performance, as she applauded the fair performer enthusiastically and pronounced Miss Darcy “a musical prodigy!” Such praise from the Queen can only add to Miss Darcy’s allure this Season!
Georgiana was put to the blush when Mr. Darcy read it aloud, but she seemed more pleased than embarrassed.
***
That day saw a constant stream of visitors and admirers to Darcy House, all congratulating Georgiana on having so impressed Her Majesty. A good number of congratulatory bouquets arrived as well, each more elaborate than the last. Georgiana’s favourite was a simple selection sent by Master Lombardi; the enclosed card said simply, “I never doubted you.”
To each visitor, Georgiana described the tea, the treats, the room itself, the instrument, the selections she had played, again and again, until she was almost hoarse. Lord Fane came, of course, with Lady Agatha, and they were both overjoyed with her success.
“You must be so proud!” Lady Agatha enthused. “How I wish for a talent like yours!”
But Lord Fane said, “If I know Miss Darcy at all, I would guess that she is more relieved than anything.”
“Well, then, youdoknow me, Lord Fane, for that is exactly how I feel. I know it was a great honour, but I could not help but be nervous.”
“As would anyone,” Lord Fane said, soothingly. “But I would wager that the nerves vanished the moment you sat down at the instrument.”
Georgiana confessed that this had indeed been the case, and the two of them smiled at one another quite fondly, while Lady Agatha beamed at both of them. Lord Fane asked her to drive to the park with him on the following afternoon, and Georgiana agreed readily. Then she added, “We will be at Almack’s Wednesday night; do you ever attend?”
“We will make certain to do so that day!” the Earl responded enthusiastically.
Elizabeth was present for this interaction, and the fond look the two exchanged concerned her greatly, as did the happy smile on Lady Agatha’s face. She shook her head.
“Is something amiss, Lizzy?” Georgiana asked.
“Oh! No, certainly not.”
“I saw you shake your head.”
“Just a…momentary thought.” Elizabeth managed a smile.
Mr. Stanley visited, of course, and he and Georgiana had a lively discussion regarding her selections to play for the Queen. “Why did you pick such difficult pieces, Miss Darcy? I would imagine that simpler selections would have eased your nerves considerably.”
“Why, it never occurred to me to do so, Mr. Stanley. I wanted to show the Queen the very best that I could do, and that required me to be…well, bold, I suppose.” Georgiana reflected on this for a moment. “I have never been considered brave, you see, but I suppose that I was very brave indeed to select the most difficult pieces I knew to play for Her Majesty.”
“I think you very brave, Miss Darcy.” His admiring tone set Georgiana to the blush.
