Miss Darcy's Companion: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Joana Starnes Read Free Book Online

had her wish. The exquisite composition for piano and harp was performed for him, and Darcy found it utterly delightful. His sister was in the right: Miss Bennet did sing like an angel, her clear voice a perfect foil for Georgiana’s.
    The time in the music room was short, for the brother and sister were both eager to talk about their time apart instead – or rather he was eager to learn how Georgiana fared with her new companion. Admittedly, minute inquiries might have to wait until he could speak privately with both, but for now he was content to witness their interaction. Thus, when Miss Bennet sought to excuse herself and leave them to enjoy a private reunion, he added his voice to Georgiana’s to persuade her to stay.
    His choice was rewarded with cheerful tales of their exploits. To his unconcealed delight, Georgiana spoke at length and with great animation, while Miss Bennet left her to it, only occasionally interjecting to add a detail or another. The shared reminiscences often made them both dissolve into fits of giggles, as Darcy stared incredulously at the changes in his little sister. So Fitzwilliam had the right of the matter once again. She merely wanted suitable encouragement to conquer her shyness, and in that a youthful, light-hearted companion was worth a dozen staid ladies decades older than herself.
    “Goodness, I have turned into a chatterbox,” Georgiana said once she had concluded her tale of determined treks around the lake to find and sketch the best view of Pemberley reflected in the waters. “My sole excuse is that I have missed you so very much, but here I am, not letting you fit a word in edgeways. Do tell me about Rosings, Brother.”
    Darcy grimaced. He would have greatly preferred tales of muddy treks around the lake.
    “There is not much to tell. Forgive me for having stayed away from you for so long, dearest, but there were matters to address. Those affected by the blaze had to be properly cared for and Lady Catherine needed my assistance, that is all.”
    Truth be told, most of the time she had resented it, but he was not about to share that with Georgiana.
    “Then pray tell me about Mr Bingley’s new estate. Miss Bingley wrote that he leased one at last.”
    This topic was not much more palatable either. He did not wish to pain Miss Bennet with references to her former home. However, his scruples were appeased when the young lady herself chose to pursue the topic.
    “I understand from Miss Darcy that the estate your friend has leased is but five miles from Longbourn.”
    “Oh, Lizzy, must we return to ‘Miss Darcy’? ” his sister interjected. “I thought we had seen the last of this formal distance. You do not object, do you, Brother?” she added a trifle diffidently, quick to recognise her friend’s reason for reverting to formality.
    “Not at all,” he assured them both, much as the new appellation had surprised him. Of course he had no objection to their closeness, but… Lizzy? For his part, he found that he preferred the full, resonant ‘Elizabeth’, but still, what did it signify? He could not address her as anything other than Miss Bennet. “Aye, so it is,” he resumed at last, to confirm Netherfield’s proximity to Longbourn. “I have learned as much myself during my visit into Hertfordshire.”
    “I assume you have not been occasioned to see the place. The main road from London passes at some distance from the village.”
    “I was asked to,” he cautiously owned, “but I fear I have declined that invitation rather brusquely. Mr Collins’s society is not one I would willingly seek.”
    “Ah. So you have met the gentleman himself,” Miss Bennet concluded with rueful amusement.
    “We were acquainted while he was my aunt’s parson in Kent. I must say that since then his conversation has become even more… hm, fulsome.”
    “I fully comprehend your reservations, Sir. I felt unable to bear it myself for longer than strictly necessary. Sadly, I believe