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The music was alarmingly easy and any ten-year-old could play it, but it had been the first thing I could set my hands on.
“Yes. I don’t know what I am doing wrong.”
She asked me to play it for her, which I did, making an effort to slur the difficult part.
“I see the problem. Try it like this.”
She played it perfectly, then positioned my hands as they should go. She then rested her bare hands atop mine and I smiled at the colonel. This was exactly what I had hoped for. Now that there was nothing between us, I sent power through my hands, making sure I kept her distracted with conversation.
“You know what I would like?” asked the colonel a few minutes later. “I would like to hear Miss Bennet sing. I have heard wonderful things about her voice, but I have not heard it for myself.”
Normally, I would demur, but I had asked the colonel to do exactly this. “If it would make you happy, colonel,” I said in a teasing tone. Miss Darcy likely thought I was a strange creature, unable to play children’s songs and teasing decorated officers, but needs must.
She chose another sheet of music and began to play, and I slid a little closer to her, ostensibly to read the words, and sang my heart out.
The colonel cheered and smiled and Miss Darcy laughed, enjoying the lighthearted banter between her cousin and myself. We carried on thusly through several more songs, and when I no longer felt heat near Miss Darcy’s hip where it touched mine, and when she was sitting straighter and her cheeks were glowing, I stood to leave.
“It has been lovely seeing you, Miss Darcy.”
“I will walk you out.” Colonel Fitzwilliam escorted me to the door, helped me on with my cloak, and walked with me across the street to my aunt’s.
“You are remarkable. She was already looking better.”
“Thank you,” I said with a smile. “I do what I can. It may not have all been accomplished today. She may need another session or two.”
“Is that what you call it?”
“Do you have a better suggestion?”
He held his hands up. “No, I do not. I merely wondered.”
“Thank you, colonel. I am glad we are friends.”
“As am I. Good day, Miss Bennet.” He turned to go, then stopped himself and faced me again. “Darcy is a difficult man sometimes, but there is no one better. No one I would rather stand beside. No one I would sooner go to arms with.”
My brows lifted. “That is a strong statement coming from a battle-seasoned soldier.”
“It is.” He looked me straight in the eye. “If you choose to give him another chance, he will make you a fine husband.”
I met his look with a solemn one of my own. “I will take that under consideration.”
“Do.” His face went from serious to affable in a moment. “And if he is not all he should be, he shall answer to me.”
I laughed. “Good day, colonel.”
“Good day, my lady.”
23
Darcy
Ithadbeenaweek. A week since I last saw Elizabeth. Since I felt the sweetness of her lips against mine, the precious feeling of her arms stealing about my waist as I held her close.
I had hoped my letter would improve her opinion of me. I did not expect her to come running into my arms, but in my most secret dreams, I hoped. I hoped she would respond to my letter, or call on my sister, or something!
But she did not. I had heard nothing from her, and after a week of silence, I imagined I never would. I may see her when I visit Bingley in Hertfordshire, if I can stomach being so near to her, or I may pass her on the street, but the friendship between us is at an end, and I have no one to blame but myself.
The carriage stopped in front of Darcy House and I stepped out and into the house. I would have tea with Georgiana and think of other things. For now.
