Page 85 of The Engagement at Longbourn

Georgiana looked up from the pianoforte. "I am always frightened."

Lydia stared. "But you play anyway."

"Yes."

"Why?"

Georgiana considered. "Because I like playing more than I dislike being watched."

Lydia sat heavily beside her on the bench. "That is very sensible."

"I learned it from Miss Elizabeth."

"Do not tell Lizzy. She will become smug."

Georgiana smiled. Lydia picked out one note with a finger.

"I thought brave people did not feel frightened."

"So did I."

"Colonel Fitzwilliam said courage can come after foolishness."

Georgiana's hand stilled. They had not spoken directly about Wickham. Both knew they shared some knowledge of him. Neither knew how much the other understood. Lydia looked down at the keys.

"He wrote to me."

Georgiana went pale. Lydia noticed and immediately regretted the words.

"Not now! Before he was arrested. I am sorry. I should not have said his name."

Georgiana took a breath.

"It is all right."

"No, it is not. You look ill."

"I am not ill."

"That is what Mr. Darcy says when his leg hurts."

Despite herself, Georgiana laughed.

Lydia waited.

At last Georgiana said, "He wrote to me once too."

Lydia's head turned.

"Before Ramsgate," Georgiana added quietly.

The name meant nothing to Lydia, but the pain in Georgiana's face did.

"Did he lie to you?"

"Yes."

Lydia swallowed.