as powerful. It is out of this comprehension and respect that I wish to be honest before formally asking for Miss Darcy’s hand in marriage.”
“Is there some impediment to your union I am unaware of?”
“No! Not in any way you might imagine. I promise that. My heart is set and constancy on my part, and I trust on Miss Darcy’s part as well, is not in question. Please, bear with me as I explain.”
He paused again, taking a large gulp of lemonade to wet his parched throat. “You know, of course, that as the eldest son I will someday inherit my father’s title and lands. God willing this will not occur for many years or decades to come, but I want to assure you, Mr. Darcy, that my ancestry and estate are dear to me. Miss Darcy will be a wonderful Lady Essenton, I have no doubt, and I will be blessed to have her by my side in that capacity, when the time comes. However, you may not fully appreciate that music has forever been my first passion. I have single-mindedly pursued this course; it is a drive that has unfortunately created some tension between my father and I. Additionally, my focus on music nearly caused me to lose Miss Darcy, both of us misinterpreting our goals and desires profoundly.”
He chuckled then, sitting back into the chair and shaking his head. “I am not sure if you can empathize, sir, but young people newly in love can be stupid about it!”
“You might be surprised how well I empathize, Mr. Butler,” Darcy answered dryly.
“Well, it appears we both have intriguing stories to tell. The point I am struggling to make is that although my love for Miss Darcy supersedes everything else, I am not prepared to give up on my dreams and studies. Nor does Geor… Miss Darcy wish me to.” He blushed at the slip, but Darcy just smiled, nodding for him to continue. “And this brings me to the crux of the matter. The truth is that among the numerous attributes I love about your sister and the commonalities we share, our musical passion and gifts bind us in a unique way.”
He scooted forward in his chair, zeal etched upon his face and in every gesture. “Mr. Darcy, do you realize how phenomenally talented your sister is? She is incredibly gifted in both composing and playing, and this is not just a lover speaking. I recognized her talents well before my heart was lost. Furthermore, I have shared her work with professors and musicians at the Conservatoire in Paris, each one impressed by her skill. We both recognize that we do not possess the brilliance of the great masters, but our hearts are as one in our yearning to embrace this shared passion. In fact, we have discovered our inspiration and proficiency improved with collaboration.”
“Mr. Butler,” Darcy interrupted, “so far all you have said merely affirms my pleasure in granting you the hand of my sister, so I am confused as to where the conversation is leading. Georgiana is transparent in her feelings toward you and vice versa, and despite my distraction this past week, I have not been unaware of the piano music constantly drifting through the halls. I make no claim to possess a finely discerning ear for music, but I will attest that what I have been hearing is fantastic.”
Sebastian’s head lifted in pride, his gray eyes bright. “Thank you for the compliment. You are correct, however, in that I have been rambling a bit. Very well, I shall be blunt.” He took a deep breath and kept his eyes steady upon Darcy’s face. “Mr. Darcy, I humbly and with all my heart bare before you, ask for the honor of marrying Miss Georgiana Darcy. I promise to fulfill every vow placed upon me by God and the love I hold for her. I have tendered my heartfelt proposal to her and she has accepted. We will bow to your wishes in the matter, but our prayer is that you will agree and allow us to marry before the summer is over as we mutually desire relocating to Paris, where we are enrolled for study at the Conservatoire in the fall.”
Darcy blinked in surprise. “Georgiana has been accepted into the Conservatoire?”
“With honors, sir.”
Sebastian controlled the urge to squirm impatiently in his chair, waiting a full minute for a silent Darcy to respond. When he did, the surge of relieved energy was so intense Sebastian experienced a moment of extreme light-headedness and almost missed the words uttered.
“I cannot believe she has kept silent.” Darcy’s voice was an awed murmur, followed by a shout of amazement. “This is extraordinary! I am no longer sure which brings me greater delight, her fortune in securing a quality man who loves her or this incredible accomplishment. By God, a Darcy studying in Paris! And music no less.” He laughed again, grinning and blue eyes shining when he refocused on Mr. Butler’s face. “I cannot recall the first time Georgiana sat on a piano stool. My mother attempted to teach me how to play, and I learned the basics, but lacked the aptitude or interest. I remember once when Georgie was seven I sat beside her on the bench of our old harpsichord, turning pages as she impressed Father and me with new material she had been practicing. She began a sonata by Scarlatti, one of the few pieces I knew how to play tolerably well, so I joined in. We played all three movements, Georgiana smiling and nodding encouragingly throughout. I knew my poor proficiency was unmatched to the skill she wielded even then, but she adjusted her tempo to my dismal performance, laughing and applauding as if it were brilliant and the highlight of the evening.”
“Yes, I can imagine the scene. She is eternally gracious and encouraging.”
“Indeed, I shall not argue that truism. However, she later forced me to sit at the harpsichord as she explained my errors, enumerating each one and demonstrating the proper way to play the notes. She was patient and kind, but also amazingly firm that I practice until I learned it correctly!”
They both laughed, Darcy shaking his head. “Tenacious and passionate, at seven! And now to study with the masters in Paris. I should have foreseen this future coming to pass, yet I never have imagined it. Thank you, Mr. Butler, for inspiring my sister to fulfill this dream.”
“Then you are not disturbed by the idea? Of her attending the Conservatoire, I mean.”
Darcy lifted a brow, tone conveying his astonishment. “Not at all. Did she believe I would be? Is that the reason for the secrecy?”
“She was unsure. I was unsure. From your perspective, all of this”—Sebastian waved his hand—“me, Paris, marriage, must appear abrupt and overwhelming. Compound the matter with the notion of a woman studying, a concept not as accepted in England as it is abroad, and we feared your opposition.”
“A few years ago I would have balked at the prospect, I admit. And I am certain I would not allow her to dwell in Paris as an unmarried lady.” He shrugged. “Then again, surrounding myself with highly accomplished and extremely independent women as I have these past years has broadened my thinking. At least to a degree, since I am relieved she will be accompanied by her husband.”
“Her husband,” Sebastian repeated dreamily, a ridiculous grin upon his face. “I do adore the vision that phrase conjures.” At Darcy’s low chuckle he collected himself with a start, flushing and clearing his throat. “Then, I… May I conclude we have your blessing, Mr. Darcy? Have I the honor of formally announcing Miss Darcy is my betrothed?”
“Indeed you do, Mr. Butler.”
Sebastian exhaled in a gush, closing his eyes for a moment before jumping up with the unleashed enthusiasm of a man giddy in love. “Thank you, sir! You have no idea how happy I am! How happy
“You are mistaken, Mr. Butler. I have perfect knowledge of how happy you are. Discovering one’s partner in life is a divine gift.” He rose and extended his hand to his future brother-in-law. “I have hoped and prayed for Georgiana to be as fortunate as I have been with Mrs. Darcy. You have brought happiness and relief into my life by treasuring my sister, and I thank you for that.”
“I do treasure her, very much. I want you to know as well that I have planned our immediate future most carefully. Lady Warrow owns a
“I beg your pardon?” Darcy interrupted roughly. “Why would he need to adjust to the idea? Does Lord Essenton have an issue with Miss Darcy?”
Sebastian sucked in his breath. “Forgive me, Mr. Darcy. I should have explained the difficulties with my father more thoroughly. Be assured that Lord Essenton has never, not once, spoken against Miss Darcy in any way. How could he? She has impeccable manners, a lovely personality, culture and beauty, excellent credentials…”
“I know all this. No need to state the obvious. Yet he does not approve?”
“His… reluctance is not based on Miss Darcy in particular. Rather it is his displeasure with the path I have chosen in life. Or, to be blunt, his displeasure with me not walking the path he prefers I do. I respect my father greatly, sir, but he and I have not always seen eye to eye.”
