Page 84 of Her Whole Heart
Nothing about forgiveness, but he did not believe Henrietta had earned that. Still a letter was a start.
“She apologised to Georgiana in person.”
She nodded but did not comment on Lady Henrietta, instead returning to a more palatable topic.
“Your sister is a treasure,” Miss Elizabeth said with enthusiasm. “Her musical talents are quite astonishing. Speaking of that, I must confess I am a bit nervous about doing justice to the piece she has written for us.”
“She finished?”
“Did you not know?”
He shook his head. “She has been working diligently on it for several weeks, but I did not know she had completed it.”
“Well, she has, and I fear my own musical skills may pale in comparison to the brilliance of her composition. I do hope my performance will not send the audience running.”
Darcy chuckled. “Miss Elizabeth, I have no doubt your performance will be enchanting.”
“Oh dear,” she said archly. “More pressure. I see I shall have to practise more to prevent too many errant notes.”
“Errant notes?” Darcy asked, amused. “I think not.Youare no tenor.”
“You have not yet heard me play, Mr. Darcy,” Miss Elizabeth teased, her smile widening. “I fear you may change your tune once you have heard mine.”
“I highly doubt that, Miss Elizabeth.” In fact, he found himself ever more eager to hear her play, if only for the privilege of being in her presence again.
“In that case,” she said flippantly, “I shall have to practise more. But at least I know I shall have one sympathetic listener who will appreciate theattempt.”
Darcy brought her hand to his lips and placed a gentle kiss upon it. “You shall have my undivided attention and support, madam.” He was elated when her cheeks pinked.
“Supper,” she murmured.
That was not at all what he had thought she would say, if she said anything at all. “I beg your pardon?”
Miss Elizabeth squared her shoulders and met his gaze. “The supper dance, Mr. Darcy. At Lady Morgan’s ball. I presume you have received your invitation?”
He smiled broadly. “I have.”
“And you have not changed your mind?”
“I have not. And I would very much like the honour of dancing the supper set with you and sitting together afterward.”
“Then I accept.”
One of the horses stamped its feet and tossed its head.
She glanced behind him at the carriage. “You had better not keep your sister waiting any longer.”
“No,” he agreed, but did not move. He squeezed her hand lightly and bowed over it. “Until the ball, Miss Elizabeth.”
“Until then,” she said, waiting until he had climbed into the coach to step back and lift a hand in farewell.
Georgiana had taken the seat as far from the door as possible and was staring out the window in the opposite direction of where he had been speaking to Miss Elizabeth. He chuckled.
“Thank you for ensuring our privacy, Georgiana.” It was not as though the footmen had not caught it all, but it was sweet of her.
“You are welcome, Brother,” she said.
He tipped his head slightly to the side. “Did you discover what she will be wearing?”
