“Elizabeth?” Darcy said, turning back to her. “This is my sister, Georgiana.” He indicated the girl who was waiting quietly for her turn. Georgiana was a little taller than Elizabeth, with Darcy’s dark coloring and features. But where those features were extremely attractive on Darcy, they were merely pleasant on Georgiana.
Elizabeth shook the girl’s hand and smiled warmly. Georgiana looked extremely nervous and ducked her head as she was introduced to the party.
When the introductions were finished, Elizabeth found herself facing Darcy again. She looked into his dark eyes and paused, and then touching her tongue to her upper lip, she found her voice again. “So, what are you doing here?” she asked warmly.
“We have a long connection with Tanglewood from when my mother played as a guest artist. My summer home is nearby and we try to get here at least once every summer.”
Darcy stared at her, smiling for a long moment. Then he caught himself. “We were just about to go to lunch. Would you like to join us?”
Elizabeth looked at her sister and then to Darcy. “Certainly,” she smiled.
Darcy beamed as he directed the party along the path, falling into step with Elizabeth. He was no further than asking how Elizabeth’s parents were when Mary asked in a loud voice, “Where are we going?”
Darcy pointed in the direction of what looked like a large older house. “The Manor House,” he replied. “We’re expected at a luncheon there.”
Elizabeth’s face grew troubled. “Wait a minute. What kind of luncheon is this?”
Darcy stopped. “It’s a reception for supporters of the festival. We have an endowment, um,” he drifted off uneasily.
Elizabeth smiled embarrassedly. “We can’t go to that. It sounds very formal and we’re not invited,” she stammered.
“Lizzy,” he said softly. “It’s not a problem. They’re expecting me to bring guests. I was actually a little nervous before because it was just Georgie and me.” He smiled appealingly. “Please come.”
“Are you sure you don’t mind?” she asked.
Darcy shook his head, looking as stunned as she by the situation they found themselves in. “Not at all. Please, I would like to have you there,” he said carefully.
She smiled and nodded. As they continued to walk, Darcy asked her about her health and that of her family and of the band. The warmth in her face astonished him. All his plans for what he was going to say to her when they saw each other again had completely fled from his mind. He was running on instinct now, but at least he had the comfort of knowing she was just as surprised. If nothing else, that put them on equal ground.
Elizabeth found it hard to believe he was here. And even more amazing was that he was talking to her. He was making it clear that he wanted to be with her, something she was hardly expecting. She ached to ask what was going on and why he hadn’t replied to her song, but at the same time, she knew this wasn’t the place, and more importantly, she just wanted to be with him, without fighting, and see what happened.
As Elizabeth answered his questions, she studied him out of the corner of her eye. He looked good. He was wearing a white polo and stone-colored twill pants. He still had his goatee, and his hair had been brushed back.
“So you have an endowment?” Elizabeth asked when he had run out of family and friends to ask about.
He looked at her and nodded. “My mother used to play here pretty regularly when I was growing up. I even played a duet with her once,” he grinned. “When she died, my father set up an endowment in her name.” He looked down at her and smiled as if he was reminding himself that this was real. “I’m really glad that you are here. It’s…” Words seemed to fail him.
Elizabeth seemed to understand and could see his apprehension. She recognized that he was hesitating because he feared her response, remembering their terrible fight. She smiled gently at him and reached out her hand to him.
Darcy looked at her hand then her face. Wordlessly, he grasped her hand in his, never breaking his stride but moving minutely closer to her.
Elizabeth looked up to him, her eyes full of emotions, and she said softly, “I’m very glad to be here too.” She smiled shyly at him and was delighted by his response.
They reached the Manor House, where an elegant buffet was laid out. Mary led Elizabeth and the Darcys around, introducing them to the other musicians and staff.
Upon entering the room, Darcy had released Elizabeth’s hand. However, he found himself drawn to her, like a magnet to iron. He lightly rested his hand on the small of her back as the waiters served them. Elizabeth turned and looked at him, indicating her approval of his touch. When he had to remove his hand to shake hands with an acquaintance, the electric shock of Elizabeth’s hand lightly resting on his arm distracted him. Her eyes caught his and the wicked look he saw there told him she knew exactly what she was doing to him.
They sat down together to eat on a pair of seats against the wall, still in plain sight of the rest of the room. As Darcy chatted politely with the conductor for the night’s performance, he nonchalantly crossed his leg, pressing his foot against Elizabeth’s. Elizabeth smiled, making the briefest eye contact, before she returned to her conversation with the concertmistress. The game continued, each one seeing how long they could maintain physical contact with the other. It was blatantly obvious to both of them, yet they didn’t speak of it, only continued to play, coming up with more creative and interesting excuses to touch each other. Darcy’s hand grazed Elizabeth’s calf when he picked up the napkin she dropped; Elizabeth caressed the back of Darcy’s neck while brushing away a piece of lint from his collar. After each of these contacts, their eyes would meet, and a silent communication encouraged them to go on.
In that hour, Elizabeth felt happier than she had in the past two weeks. She was beyond understanding how they had met; it was fate at her most generous. But she was not at all interested in questioning it. Instead, she delighted in each touch and in the glorious knowledge that he had not rejected her.
The luncheon was, in fact, simple for her. She had been to functions like this with her father all through her childhood. The familiarity of the setting helped her feel more at ease with Darcy. They were not yet at liberty to speak freely with each other, but perhaps that was for the best. Instead they allowed their eyes and hands to speak for them while they were in this safe environment. They knew that neither could speak harshly or hurtfully here, and that encouraged them to be closer than they would have otherwise.
They played their discreet game throughout the whole meal, believing themselves to be completely unnoticed, although Georgiana followed it easily. As soon as she saw her brother’s reaction to Elizabeth, even before he had introduced them, she realized who Elizabeth was. Georgiana was as surprised by the chance meeting as anyone else, but she quickly took advantage of it to study the woman Darcy had chosen in her “natural state.”
Georgiana liked what she found in Elizabeth Bennet. Elizabeth had clearly been just as nervous as her brother, and considering what she knew of their relationship, Georgiana could completely understand that. But it was also clear that they had a great interest in each other, and more than anything, she wanted her brother to be happy. So she was willing to play along and act completely oblivious to their little touching game, all the while smiling politely to the strangers she didn’t dare speak to.
All too quickly the luncheon was over. Darcy frowned slightly as he walked with Elizabeth out of the Manor House and into the bright sunshine. She smiled for an instant as he put his sunglasses on.
“Lizzy,” he said slowly. “I have to meet with someone from the foundation for an hour.” He frowned again, clearly not wishing to leave.
Elizabeth understood his frown and found it matched her feelings perfectly. “I see,” she said politely.
“Will?” Georgiana said softly. “I don’t really feel like going to the class. Perhaps I could stay with Elizabeth and Mary?” She looked pointedly at the Bennet girls.
Darcy looked from his sister to Elizabeth. “That would be great. You don’t mind?”
“Not at all,” Elizabeth nodded agreeably. Georgiana had symbolically offered herself up as a hostage to ensure they would meet again. “I’ll see you later?”
“Yes,” he grinned. He planted a quick kiss on his sister’s cheek and was off. Elizabeth watched him move away, smiling to herself as she admired the strength of his frame.
Elizabeth let Mary direct them to a cool spot to enjoy the beautiful afternoon, and then she turned to Georgiana. “So, I heard you just graduated from high school,” Elizabeth said, trying to open up a conversation with
