Page 62 of What Change Entails

Mrs. Hurst swatted her husband teasingly. Even Elizabeth smiled before catching herself.

Miss Bingley redirected conversation quickly after that, though not before Lydia noticed Georgiana studying her with something suspiciously resembling gratitude.

The evening continued through cards and music while Lydia’s patience steadily deteriorated. Miss Bingley insisted Georgiana play.

Georgiana complied after enough urging to make Lydia’s teeth ache.

“She always chooses pieces too melancholy for summer,” Miss Bingley remarked while arranging cards near the candlelight. “I tell her spirited music would better suit her age.”

Georgiana’s fingers faltered upon the keys.

Lydia shifted her attention from the pianoforte to Miss Bingley and experienced a violent urge to throw something decorative.

Darcy’s attention went to Georgiana instantly. “Play whatever you prefer.”

Miss Bingley smiled toward him. “My dear Mr. Darcy, you indulge her excessively.”

“She requires very little indulgence.”

The answer arrived too quickly. A tiny pause followed.

Lydia examined Darcy with renewed interest.

Oh, he is annoyed. Properly annoyed.

Miss Bingley either did not perceive it or chose bravery over wisdom. “I wish Georgiana to shine,” she said. “A young lady of her consequence ought to distinguish herself.”

Georgiana kept her attention fixed stubbornly upon the music.

Lydia rose before she entirely understood why she was doing so. “I think Miss Darcy shines perfectly well already,” she declared.

Elizabeth closed her eyes from across the room.

Miss Bingley blinked. “How affectionate you are.”

“Yes.” Lydia crossed toward the pianoforte. “And since Miss Bingley dislikes melancholy music, we shall have something cheerful instead.”

“I did not say—” Georgiana began.

Too late.

Lydia dropped beside the instrument and turned pages at random until she found something lively enough to suit her purposes.

“Here. This one sounds energetic.”

“It is an Italian hunting song,” Georgiana whispered.

“Excellent.” All the better to annoy Miss Bingley.

Darcy abandoned all pretense of interest in the card game. Mr. Bingley leaned forward eagerly. “Do play it. Anything with hunting sounds promising.”

Miss Bingley appeared to be horrified.

Georgiana acted like she was trapped between terror and laughter once more. Then, unexpectedly, she began to play, and not timidly either.

The music bounded brightly through the room. Lydia could not have sung the Italian words correctly if Parliament itself depended upon it, but she attempted them anyway. Mr. Bingley applauded the effort. Mrs. Gardiner shook her head helplessly, silent chuckles shaking her shoulder. Even Mr. Hurst opened one eye.

By the final verse, Georgiana herself was laughing too much to continue.