Ever since she could walk, Elodie Bennet had expectations set upon her, expectations that all young women had. As the second eldest, she was meant to care for her younger sisters and do what was asked of her without complaining.
This also meant...
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GOLD AND CHARCOAL.
The Gardiners, accompanied by their three nieces, arrived at Pemberley the following evening. Most were in high spirits as the carriage slowly made its way down the familiar path.
Although Elodie was not excited to be there, she still put on a brave face so as not to dampen anyone else's mood.
Once they arrived, the same elderly maid from the day before greeted them with a warm smile at the door. She guided them through the main hallway and stopped at the drawing-room door.
Elodie could hear the beautiful sound of the grand pianoforte coming from inside the room. The sounds made her blush as she remembered her false assumptions from the previous day. She was about to meet Mr. Darcy's sister, Georgiana, who she previously thought was his lover.
The door was opened, and a young girl with a head full of golden curls jumped up from her seat at the piano. Her brother, who stood next to the girl, watched with a tender fondness as she rushed forward to greet the guests.
Elodie was surprised when Georgiana called out her name before anyone else. "Miss Elodie!" Georgiana's voice was as light and airy as clouds. Elodie couldn't help but smile warmly as they curtsied to each other. The young girl was sprightly and full of energy.
"This is my sister: Miss Georgiana." Mr. Darcy introduced, coming to stand next to the girl once again. Elodie took both of them in, remarking in her head that they indeed looked very similar to each other.
"This is my aunt and uncle, and my two sisters; Mary and Elizabeth." Elodie motioned for her family members to greet the youngest Darcy sibling.
"My brother has told me so much about you, Elodie! I feel as if we are friends already!" Elodie held back shock as her eyes panned to Mr. Darcy, who also seemed to be surprised at his sister's bluntness. His eyes blinked rapidly, but he managed to hide his embarrassment.
"Yes, I imagine we'll be good friends." Elodie replied. "I heard you playing just now; that pianoforte is very beautiful!"
Georgiana paid no mind to the sudden shift in topic, her vivid blue eyes turning to stare at her instrument in joy. "My brother gave it to me." She turned back. "He shouldn't have."
Elodie let out a light chuckle as she spoke, "You know, your brother had to endure my playing once." The memory of the time she was at Lady Catherine's manor, where she was compelled to play in front of the entire party, resurfaced in Elodie's mind, and she couldn't help but mention it.
Georgiana looked confused as her lips parted slightly. "But he told me that you played so well!"
Georgiana's readiness to reveal her brother's views left Elodie stunned. "Then he has been profoundly untruthful." She replied, catching the man's eye.
