Page 105 of Shields and Roses

"I see you are already learning the ways of the house," Peter observed.

With a smirk, Darcy said, "I told you Richard has been a help to me." He began to lead Georgiana down the corridor. Peter just laughed as he followed his niece and nephew.

They found Bennet on his own in the study. The Master of Longbourn greeted his friend's unexpected arrival with great joy. They shook hands vigorously and both expressed how glad they were to see one another despite the serious situations. Then Peter turned to study the game in progress on the miniature chessboard while Darcy introduced his sister to her host.

"You are most welcome to Longbourn, Miss Darcy," Bennet said as she shyly offered him a curtsy. "Your brother's kind offer to loan you to us for a month or two has delighted my daughters, especially the two youngest. You must treat this as your home and feel free to ask for anything you need." Seeing her wrapping one hand nervously in her skirt, Bennet asked more softly, "Is there something you need?"

She suddenly seemed to realize what she was doing, and she let loose of the twist of fabric before smoothing out the side of her skirt. Still sounding a little fearful, she said, "Well, Mr. Bennet, sir, it has been a long trip, and I have spent most of it being very nervous about meeting all these new people. I wonder if, perhaps, I mean, do you have a pianoforte, and might I play it? Playing always helps calm me and then I can feel less nervous when I meet your daughters."

Her gaze dropped down to her hands again and she seemed almost shocked that she had made the request. Bennet chuckled kindly.

"Why that is the simplest sort of request you can make. We do have a pianoforte, and of course you may use it. In fact, you should take your opportunity now, while all the other girls are out of the house, because if you wait any longer you will have to negotiate with them for it."

"I can take her to the music room while you and my uncle talk," Darcy offered.

"Show her to the music room," Bennet said, "but then come back to join us. We have things to discuss first that will concern you as well. My friend and I can have our private discussion after." He turned back to Georgiana, "Sir Phillip de Bourgh is out in the garden, and since we have the windows open, he may come in to see who is playing. I am not sure if you have ever met him before, but you need not be afraid of him. He knows you are expected, and you are distant relatives, after all."

"Thank you, Mr. Bennet," she said. She offered another quick curtsy and practically fled the room.

Darcy followed her into the hall and gestured to the music room door, a little concerned by her show of nerves, especially as he heard Bennet softly comment, "...like a frightened fawn. I hope my girls do not scare her to death."

As Georgiana quickly darted inside, he asked, "Are you afraid of Mr. Bennet?"

She settled onto the bench of the pianoforte with what sounded like a sigh of relief and nodded just a little.

"There is no need to be frightened," Darcy told her.

"I know. I just get so nervous at the thought of meeting new people. This is even scarier because I really want all the Bennet sisters to like me, especially Kitty and Lydia."

Darcy leaned against the door frame. "I can understand," he said. "I also struggle with meeting new people. Did you know that was a big part of the reason why our father sent George Wickham to school with me instead of providing him with some other benefit or training."

Georgiana's surprised expression said as much as the small shake of her head. Darcy continued.

"I want you to think about something. You have been writing to Miss Kitty and Miss Lydia for several months, have you not?"

"Nearly two years," she said, nodding.

"Good," he said, hiding his surprise at the duration of the correspondence. "Now, during that time you have shared details about your feelings and your day-to-day activities. I expect they have done the same, correct?"

She nodded again.

"You already consider them your friends, do you not? That is why it is so important for them to like you?"

"Yes, Brother," she said, still twisting her hands nervously in her lap.

"Well, I can tell you with confidence that Miss Kitty and Miss Lydia consider you their friend and they already like you. In fact, you would have to be very deliberately unfriendly and far more unpleasant than I think you are capable of to lose their friendship. Think about that as you calm yourself by stroking those keys." He pushed away from the door frame, turning to leave the room.

"Thank you, Brother," she said softly from behind him. He turned to smile at her, but she had her head down. As he watched, she began to play. Still smiling, he returned to the study.

"I hope playing for a time will help her settle," his uncle said as Darcy re-entered the room. "She has been a bundle of nerves the entire journey."

"I think it will help," Darcy replied. "Have you told her about Grandfather and James?"

"Yes. We discussed it at length on the way. She knows I want to keep it secret for just a little while longer, so she will not say anything even to her new friends."

"How long do you intend to wait?" Bennet asked.

"As long as I can. I do need to speak with Catherine before I allow the news to leak out into the Ton. Fortunately, my men kept it very quiet from the start."