Page 117 of The Crown’s Gift

"The son of people your aunt approves."

"That is not reassuring."

"He asked Georgiana, not your aunt."

Across the room, Mary spoke with Mr Avery, the barrister from the concert. He admired her second composition, then asked whether she believed music should imitate conversation or improve upon it. When she answered that most conversation would not survive being set to music, he laughed with her rather than at the unexpected sharpness.

They spoke for fifteen minutes. Mr Avery asked about Georgiana's part in the new piece, Mary's work with Lydia's charity concert, and the books she read when no one required accomplishment. By the time Lady Bennet noticed them, Mary had spoken more about loyalty, annoyance, and ambition than about scales.

Lady Bennet saw and began to rise. Sir Thomas placed one hand upon her sleeve.

"Let her speak without our hopes standing beside her."

"I only wished to hear."

"From six inches away."

She remained seated with visible suffering.

Queen Charlotte's private musicale took place at Windsor. Mary performed her new piece, A Measure of Courage, with Georgiana. Elizabeth and Darcy attended beside Sir Thomas and Lady Bennet.

Afterward the Queen spoke to the family.

"His Majesty has few clear days now," she said to Sir Thomas. "But your letter remains in his room."

Sir Thomas bowed, unable to answer.

The Queen turned to Elizabeth. "And Pemberley?"

"It is becoming home, ma'am."

"Becoming is honest. Too many brides claim perfection before learning the servants' names."

"I confused two footmen for a week."

"Only two? You are accomplished."

Darcy smiled.

The Queen looked at him. "You appear less solemn, Mr Darcy."

"Marriage has corrected me, Your Majesty."

"No wife should receive so impossible an assignment."

Even Darcy laughed.

On the carriage ride back to London, Sir Thomas sat opposite his daughter and son-in-law. Lady Bennet slept against his shoulder.

"The King saved you too," Elizabeth said softly.

"By nearly dying. An inefficient method."

"Effective."

He looked at her and Darcy together. "Yes."

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