The girl nodded. “My gift shall have to be music,” she said slyly, casting a glance at Darcy. “For my brother knows I cannot sew.”
“Excellent!” Elizabeth exclaimed. “For if you were to do everything as well as you play this instrument, I should be quite frightened of you.”
Georgiana giggled. That was twice in two days. After being deprived of his sister’s laughter for months, Darcy thought he would never tire of hearing it.
As his sister returned to the piano and began the Haydn piece from the beginning, he held his hand out for Elizabeth. “Thank you, my dear.”
Her dark curls bounced when she shook her head. “Georgiana is a dear girl, William. You need not thank me.”
But he knew better. Darcy would be grateful to his betrothed forever, and not only for this.
After Georgiana finished the song, she came out from behind the piano and interrupted their tête-à-tête. She sat, placed her hands in her lap, and laced her fingers together. She lifted her head and tried to speak several times before changing her mind.
“Georgiana,” Elizabeth teased, “will you not speak?”
Given such permission, Georgiana blurted, “I would like to attend the wedding tomorrow. May I, brother?”
Elizabeth tipped her head to one side, bemused.
Did his sister think he would refuse? “Of course, Georgiana,” Darcy told her. “Although you must promise to remain with Aunt Matlock throughout.”
“Oh, thank you, William!” Georgiana launched herself at her brother, surprising him and knocking him back into the settee.
“My dear sister,” he said, standing up and pulling her to her feet. “I would not have had you travel from Pemberley, but as the church is near and Aunt Matlock will be there as chaperone, I see no reason to deny you.”
“I was afraid that you could not trust me.” Georgiana bowed her head. “I know I have disappointed you.”
He nearly denied it, but that would do neither of them any good. “I will not deny that you did, dearest,” Darcy said. “But I also disappointed you. I was not there when you needed me. It is my job to protect you, and I left you vulnerable.”
“No,” Georgiana protested. “You warned me. I made myself vulnerable.” Her expression was wistful. “It is only that I thought Amelia was so grown up. When George appeared in Ramsgate and . . . pretended to be in love with me, I thought that it would be a romantic adventure like hers.”
Elizabeth’s brows pinched together. “Amelia who, Georgiana?”
Darcy knew his sister’s friends and their families. He took in a sharp breath. “Amelia Howard, was it?” He felt Elizabeth stiffen. “I had not thought she was in town at all this year.”
Georgiana nodded. “She told all of us she would marry well and we should have to call her ‘Lady.’” She worried her bottom lip. “I suppose she may well be wed by now.” She studied the floor. “Amelia traveled north early in March, and Aunt Matlock has kept me under lock and key since the summer, so I do not know.”
Elizabeth met his gaze and Darcy nodded.
“Georgiana,” she said calmly, “Amelia Howard has not married. She had been sent away by her brother.”
“But why?” cried Georgiana, and then her eyes opened wide in shock. “Oh . . . He . . . and they . . . did not marry. I should have told someone! But she only said they were meeting in the park . . .” She hid her face in her hands. “Oh no.”
“You were not the only girl who knew about Amelia, Georgiana,” Elizabeth reassured her. “None of them said a word, either. And this was before your visit to Ramsgate. I am sure you have learnt better now.”
Georgiana nodded her head vigorously but made no sound.
“Did any of the girls know whom she was seeing?” Darcy asked, trying to keep his voice as level as Elizabeth’s.
“No,” Georgiana said. “Amelia and I were not intimate friends, but no. I do not think so.”
Elizabeth patted her arm approvingly, and Georgiana stood. “I think I shall remove to my chambers if you do not mind.”
“Of course,” Darcy told her, his eyes following her to the door.
The maid arrived as Georgiana exited, and Darcy took the pieces of Elizabeth’s splint from her. The girl bobbed a curtsy and hurried away. “Elizabeth,” he said sternly, “let me see your arm.”
Elizabeth pulled a face, and he shook his head. “Pouting will not help you.”