Page 38 of Attempted Compromises
Farewell, farewell for evermore.
This anguish, this step
is hard for me to bear.
Ah! Where is the temple, where is the altar?
Dear heart, farewell forever!
A life as bitter as this
can be borne no longer!
As the song continued, Mrs. Annesley glanced up and noticed Elizabeth. Her expression shifted to one of surprise before she smiled and held a finger to her lips, signaling for Elizabeth to remain quiet.
Elizabeth nodded, not daring to disturb the spellbinding moment. Georgiana’s voice soared, each note carrying emotion so pure it felt almost tangible.
When the song ended, Elizabeth could not contain herself. She clapped her hands, her applause breaking the silence.
Georgiana spun around on the bench, her face pale with shock. “Oh! Miss Elizabeth!” she gasped, her hands flying to her lap. “I didn’t know anyone was there,” she stammered, her voice tinged with embarrassment.
“I beg your pardon, Miss Darcy,” Elizabeth said quickly, stepping into the room. “I could not help myself. That was the most beautiful music I have ever heard.”
Georgiana’s cheeks turned pink as she averted her gaze. “You… you heard all of it?”
“Indeed, I did,” Elizabeth replied with a warm smile. “And I am very glad I did. Your playing and singing are extraordinary. I feel quite privileged to have been an audience, even if it was uninvited.”
Georgiana’s blush deepened, her shyness rendering her almost speechless. Looking down at her hands, she whispered, “I… I wasn’t expecting anyone to hear. I only play for myself, really.”
Elizabeth’s smile softened. “Well, if it helps, I can assure you that your audience was thoroughly enchanted.”
Still, Georgiana fidgeted nervously, clearly uncomfortable with the unexpected praise.
Sensing her unease, Elizabeth decided to lighten the mood. “Perhaps I should play something next,” she said brightly. “That way, you’ll see how poor my attempts are, and you’ll feel much better by comparison.”
Georgiana blinked, her mouth dropping open in surprise. “You… you wish to play?”
“Most certainly!” Elizabeth declared. “But be warned, I shall mangle the piano terribly. You might regret this act of kindness. Prepare yourself for something quite dreadful.”
Georgiana hesitated, then gestured toward the bench with a small smile. “Please.”
Elizabeth sat down and began to play a simple tune, deliberately striking a few wrong notes. She sang along, off-key and with exaggerated expressions, her playful antics drawing a hesitant giggle from Georgiana.
“See?” Elizabeth said, glancing over her shoulder with a mock-serious expression. “Your playing is leagues above mine. Now, will you forgive me for intruding?”
Georgiana burst into laughter, the sound light and genuine. Even Mrs. Annesley chuckled softly.
“Miss Elizabeth,” Georgiana said between giggles, “you cannot possibly be this terrible!”
Elizabeth stopped abruptly, pretending to be offended. “I assure you, Miss Darcy, this is the peak of my ability. You mustn’t accuse me of lying, else Mrs. Annesley will forbid me from spending any time with you!”
Georgiana’s laughter rang out, her face wreathed in a charming smile. “I believe you are far better than you let on.”
“Shall we prove it by attempting a duet?” Elizabeth asked.
Georgiana’s eyes widened. “A duet?”
“Why not? You lead, and I shall do my best to keep up.”
