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Post by Anne on Sept 6, 2008 15:41:24 GMT -5
"There's nothing I'd enjoy more, Miss Darcy," *said Anne with a warm smile, reaching over to squeeze the girl's hand in encouragement.*
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Post by Mr. Darcy on Sept 8, 2008 9:55:10 GMT -5
Georgiana blushed, and went over to the piano, glancing at Darcy's face as if to seek his approval. Darcy knew she had to start looking elsewhere for her sense of worth, but they had been all the family each had in the world for so long, it was a hard pattern to break.
She sat, silent a moment as she sought the piece she wanted to play, and then launched into a Chopin nocturne. She was accomplished, though in her first few notes one could detect her nerves--however, as she continued, her playing became more assured, her expression less concerned about those of the people around her, and she played with sense and feeling.
Darcy found his gaze wandering to Anne.
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Post by Anne on Sept 8, 2008 10:24:07 GMT -5
*Anne was watching Georgiana play--or at least her eyes were turned in the girl's direction. There was something distant in her gaze that suggested perhaps she was not fully focused on looking at Georgiana, rather, that she was listening and some part of her was transported in a kind of rapture at the beautiful music.
While her soul was in this heightened state of sensitive joy--Anne had always been touched by these things of beauty--some strange sense of awareness crept in at her mind, causing her to turn her head at a slight angle...not wholly glancing about, but an inclination towards where their host sat, her green eyes meeting his in a moment.
She smiled.*
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Post by Mr. Darcy on Sept 8, 2008 10:52:49 GMT -5
When she did, Darcy smiled too, involuntary and open even if it was not the full, broad grin of someone like Bingley. It was almost as if he was unaware of her glance, even though it his expression had been prompted by hers.
The nocturne came to a close, and the spell was broken as Darcy clapped and Georgiana blushed.
"You improve daily, Georgiana," he said.
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Post by Anne on Sept 8, 2008 11:34:06 GMT -5
*Anne clapped politely, but smiled with real feeling.*
"That was beautifully done, Miss Darcy."
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Post by Mr. Darcy on Sept 8, 2008 11:44:48 GMT -5
Georgiana inclined her head modestly, and returned to the group. "My brother flatters me," she said. "He thinks it's good for me; but I will accept such praise from you, Miss Shirley, as I sense you have a discerning ear. Would you not favor us with a recitation, such as we spoke of before?"
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Post by Anne on Sept 8, 2008 12:11:51 GMT -5
"...if you insist," *she said with a laugh, though she coloured slightly as she went to stand by the fireplace.*
"The wind was a torrent of darkness among the gusty trees, The moon was a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas, The road was a ribbon of moonlight, over the purple moor, And the highwayman came riding-riding-riding- The highwayman came riding, up to the old inn-door..."
*She continued, her voice growing stronger as she went through the verse.*
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Post by Mr. Darcy on Sept 8, 2008 12:40:19 GMT -5
The Darcys listened, Gerogiana enraptured by the story and it's daring and romance, her brother by its teller.
This was torture, he told himself. He had judged himself able to withstand this and survive. And he would. But it was harder than he would have thought. His expression, and he gazed upon her, was guarded but warm.
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Post by Anne on Sept 8, 2008 13:10:55 GMT -5
*Anne almost felt herself falter, searching for the words she had held fast in her memory so many years ago...words she had not revisited for some time. She caught Darcy's gaze, his smile, and wondered if he expected her to stumble...to fail...just so he could laugh at her humiliation. Well she'd show him.
Her fine nose shot a little higher and her voice became that much clearer and stronger as she finished the recitation with a tasteful but effective flourish.*
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Post by Mr. Darcy on Sept 8, 2008 13:19:03 GMT -5
Her attitude was a mystery to him--he must have offended her in some way, though he could not think of an immediate reason. Perhaps it was his presence in general. Perhaps she had merely been polite to accept his invitation, or unwilling to set him down in front of Miss Cuthbert.
Even so, her high color suited her and the effect on her recitation was not without its benefits.
Everyone clapped, Georgiana and Darcy most warmly and enthusiastic.
"Miss Shirley! Why, you might be an actress with such a voice!" She colored delicately. "Meaning no disrespect, of course."
"Indeed," said Darcy smoothly, "I have no doubt that Miss Shirley will succeed at whatever she chooses to put her mind to."
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Post by Anne on Sept 8, 2008 13:32:28 GMT -5
"Well, I'm not so certain I'll make a very good writer," *she said, sitting down again, avoiding Darcy's eye.* "I spoke to a publisher...but..." *she shook her head.* "Some things just aren't meant to be, I suppose."
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Post by Mr. Darcy on Sept 8, 2008 13:34:51 GMT -5
"You merely have not spoken to the right publisher," he said decisively. "Just one? What did he say?"
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Post by Anne on Sept 8, 2008 13:36:56 GMT -5
"Well, the book before did not do so well as I'd hoped...he wasn't interested in anything else..."
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Post by Mr. Darcy on Sept 8, 2008 13:56:02 GMT -5
Darcy made a mental note to talk to the man, find out if he'd actually read anything new.
"I'm sorry," he said. "But you cannot let a few critics deter you." Including himself. "You are writing, then?"
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Post by Anne on Sept 8, 2008 14:28:33 GMT -5
"...not so much," *said Anne, reddening.* "After thinking about what you said, Mr. Darcy, well...I find I do not turn so much to my former style of writing, but at the same time I...I cannot write as you said you wished me to."
*Something in her glance demurred, almost ashamed. Was it fear she felt? That even if she tried to conform to his wishes--though she should stick to her principles, even if only for sheer obstinance--she might still fall short of his expectations. She couldn't think why she wanted him to think well of her now, except perhaps that he was an educated man of the world with generally sound opinions.*
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