B00CO8L910 EBOK by KaraLynne Mackrory Page A

the sheet music and then again when she began speaking of the music and asking after her favorite parts. Elizabeth was pleased to see that soon Miss Darcy seemed more at ease and their conversation came more readily. She liked Miss Darcy very much and ventured a brief thought for the complete mischaracterization that Mr. Wickham had described. For someone who is so intimately acquainted with the family, he ought to have known her better , she mused.
    Miss Darcy gave Elizabeth a heartfelt smile and a look of compassion. “Miss Bennet, I am sorry to hear about your sister. It is difficult to lose a loved one.”
    Elizabeth could see what effort it took for Miss Darcy to put forth such a sentiment and reached for her hand to give it a little squeeze. “I appreciate your words, Miss Darcy. It has been very difficult.”
    She was astonished to hear the young lady continue. “If you would like to speak of her, I will listen.”
    When Elizabeth did not say anything for a moment, merely out of surprise and gratitude for the tender offer, Miss Darcy hastened to add, “Forgive me for my presumption. I know it can be helpful sometimes . . . When my father died . . . ” Her voice broke off uneasily at her own lack of decorum. Apologizing again, she attempted to stand and leave the room.
    Elizabeth reached for her hand and forestalled her quick departure. It still hurt too much to speak of Lydia, but she could see her silence had given Miss Darcy the impression that she had said the wrong thing. She was not sure what prompted her, but she said, “Please, Miss Darcy, if you are still willing, I think speaking of Lydia might be helpful.”
    As soon as the words were out, she regretted them. What am I to say? I do not want to say anything. But Miss Darcy sighed in relief as she resumed her seat at the piano. It made Elizabeth smile. Elizabeth found that she did not know where to begin; indeed, she did not want to begin at all.
    “Why do you not tell me what Miss Lydia was like?”
    What started as a stilted recital of her sister’s likes and dislikes, general appearance and habits turned slowly into a tender narration of a few favorite memories. Before Elizabeth realized it, she was speaking freely of her sister and animatedly recalling past experiences. Miss Darcy sat silently, never speaking a word, though Elizabeth knew her to be listening attentively. One poignant memory of a kidnapped bonnet made Elizabeth laugh. She had even sent Lydia a ransom note for the article of clothing. Miss Darcy smiled kindly while she listened, allowing Elizabeth to relive the memory. Elizabeth was embarrassed when her laughter quickly turned to tears.
    Miss Darcy pulled out her handkerchief and handed it to Elizabeth as she bravely extended an arm around her shoulder to rub her back. As Elizabeth’s round of grief subsided, she looked up thankfully to Miss Darcy. Attempting a lightheartedness she did not really feel, she said, “You Darcys must have a vast number of handkerchiefs.”
    Miss Darcy’s bemused expression made Elizabeth chuckle. “Thank you for listening, Miss Darcy. I believe it was helpful.” Elizabeth was surprised that she did feel better. She smiled again at Miss Darcy.
    “It was nothing, Miss Bennet.”
    “After all I have related to you this evening, I believe ‘Miss Bennet’ sounds a bit too severe. Would you mind very much using my Christian name?”
    Miss Darcy smiled a wide, generous smile that struck Elizabeth as similar to the one her brother rarely displayed. It rendered her as beautiful as it did him handsome.
    “I would like that, Elizabeth, if you will call me Georgiana.”
    “I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Georgiana.”
    Both girls giggled. Georgiana was gratified to have found a friend in the poised, lovely Miss Bennet. And Elizabeth was amazed to feel such a strong connection with Mr. Darcy’s sister: the last girl in the world she ever could have expected to befriend! Georgiana, after much gentle