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G eorgiana Darcy was nervous beyond belief as she stood next to her brother in the entry hall of the Theatre Royal. Despite not yet being officially out, she had been allowed to attend this particular opera for the sole purpose of meeting her future sister-in-law for the very first time.

If Georgiana had been wearing boots, she was sure she would have been shaking in them.

Next to her stood her cousin, Richard. Unlike herself, Fitzwilliam had not asked Richard to come. Her cousin had just shown up at Darcy House ten minutes before their departure and had announced his decision to join them. Her brother had been too impatient to leave as it was, and had not even bothered arguing with their cousin. Georgiana was grateful for his presence. Richard had a tendency to grab everyone’s attention wherever he went. While not conventionally handsome, her cousin was garrulous, charming, and expressive. She, on the other hand, had trouble meeting people’s eyes, had trouble talking above a whisper, and really, had trouble with anything and everything in general.

She truly hoped her future sister would not think of her as a nuisance.

Georgiana looked around herself. The hall was quickly filling up. Women in extravagant gowns were chatting with each other with glasses of sherry in their hands while men smoked on their cigars and pipes and discussed betting, politics, and the accomplishments of their offspring with other men. Quite a few people were glancing in their direction. Georgiana might not yet be a part of the society, but she did know that her brother was considered ‘a prize catch’ in the marriage mart.

Fitzwilliam’s status and wealth tended to grasp the attention of every member of society who had either an eligible daughter or sister they needed to marry off, and his fierce scowl tended to keep those same people from approaching him with any ease. Georgiana found it equally impressive and intimidating. She hoped that now that he was about to marry, Fitzwilliam would not be so constantly harassed anymore.

“Georgie?” Richard called, a brow raised in question. Georgiana realised she had been staring at a single spot for too long without blinking, “Are you well?”

Georgiana coloured. She hoped her inattention was not universally noted by all the people present in the room, “Yes, I am quite all right. I am only a little… frightened.”

At this confession, Darcy turned his attention to his sister, “Frightened? Of whom? Did you hear someone say something?” He looked around the room, glaring, if it even was possible, even more fiercely than before. Georgiana was sure she saw a young man to the right of them flinch and turn away at the look on her brother’s face. She sighed,

“Nobody said anything. Frightened is perhaps not the correct word. I am only a little apprehensive. From what you have told me of Miss Braxton, she sounds very…intimidating.” Like Miss Bingley. Georgiana stopped herself from completing her thought.

According to her brother, Miss Elizabeth Braxton was beautiful, intelligent, and very sociable. She had a propensity to tease people and laugh at their folly. She was excellent on the piano, her sense of style was a little innovative but extremely attractive, and she tended to read for pleasure.

She honestly sounded very much like the bullies Georgiana had faced when she had attended school for that one year. Logically, she knew that her brother would never fall in love, let alone propose marriage, to a woman who did not at least have a good character. And yet, the affirmation did little to assure her. She could only wring her hands in the folds of her dress and hope that all her fears would eventually be unfounded.

Darcy looked surprised at the confession, as if it was impossible for him to imagine anyone dreading to meet Elizabeth. Richard laughed at his two cousins. It was obvious that Darcy, in an effort to champion Miss Braxton in the eyes of his sister, had only managed to daunt the latter who, on a good day, had trouble mustering enough confidence to strike up a conversation even amongst family.

“Georgie-” Darcy started, feeling a little out of his depth at the unexpected discovery. How to make Elizabeth sound approachable and mild when even to him, she had been the most fearsome creature he had ever encountered?

Before he could gather his thoughts, Darcy heard the main doors of the theatre open, and as if he knew she had arrived, he turned to see Elizabeth walking in on the arm of her grandfather, while a little behind them, Lady Braxton entered into the establishment escorted by a man whom Darcy could only speculate was Elizabeth’s uncle. Their eyes met, and she smiled openly, her pretty white teeth shining against the candles.

The family was already moving in his direction, having seen his own party, but Darcy’s feet moved on their own, meeting them in the middle. Elizabeth offered her hand, and Darcy kissed it reverently.

She looked sublime.

If the room around them quietened, he did not notice. If every pair of eyes was staring at the two of them, he did not notice. If murmurs welled up and whispers travelled through the crowds,he did not notice.

Elizabeth was looking up at him with all the love in the world in her eyes. He was holding her hand and caressing her gloved skin. She was wearing the tiara that he had sent her just this afternoon.

It had belonged to his mother. It was Elizabeth’s now.

A throat cleared too close to him, and Darcy jerked. Lord Braxton was looking at him pointedly,

“Mr. Darcy. I hope you are well this evening.”

Flushing lightly, Darcy tried to smile away his embarrassment,

“Yes, thank you. I hope you are well also, Sirs, Madam.”

“Very well, Mr. Darcy.” Lady Braxton smiled impishly at him, her eyes glittering in amusement. Darcy supposed she was where Elizabeth had acquired her love for human folly. Clearing his throat, he turned around to see Richard and Georgiana had followed him,

“Will you allow me to make introductions, my Lord?” Darcy asked, as was proper,

Lord Braxton smiled, his gaze on Georgiana was warm and paternal even as the younger girl fidgeted shyly, “Yes, of course.”

“Georgie, Richard, allow me to introduce you to Lord and Lady Braxton, and Viscount Corwen. And this is Eli- Miss Braxton.” He said, “My Lords, my lady, Elizabeth, this is Miss Georgiana Darcy, my little sister and Col. Richard Fitzwilliam, my cousin and my closest friend.”

The members of both parties greeted each other amicably. Conversation continued amongst the adults while Georgiana observed the new additions silently.

Miss Braxton was… small.

It had been her first impression of the lady.

Georgiana knew she had grown considerably in the last couple of years, but she had still been the shortest in her family. Miss Braxton was quite a few inches shorter than her with narrower shoulders and a smaller face. Still, her smile was bright, her eyes were clear and expressive, and her cheeks were pink and flush. She also looked very much like she was in love with her brother.

The thought pained her momentarily, only because it reminded her of herself only a few months ago. Georgiana too, had been in love. The man she had fallen in love with, however, had not been even a fraction as honourable as her brother.

Would she have to tell Miss Braxton about Wickham? If she were to leave her own and enter into the Darcy family, did she not have the rights to all its secrets and scandals?

Georgiana would have to ask her brother.

“Miss Darcy?” A voice, soft-spoken and shy, addressed her, and Georgiana turned to see Miss Braxton was now looking at her. She looked around to see her brother in conversation with Viscount Corwen and the Countess of Wrexham while her cousin talked with the Earl. Georgiana gulped. She had hoped to delay a private dialogue with her sister-to-be for a little longer. Seeing no other recourse, Georgiana closed her eyes shut for a moment, and then took a breath,

“Miss Braxton.”

Miss Braxton’s smile was surprisingly gentle. She could not see any sign of teasing in her eyes, nor was her expression high-handed or mocking.

“Your brother tells me you love the pianoforte.” The older lady continued, looking genuinely eager to make friends, “So do I, though, I have to confess, I play the harp better.” Raising her hands in front of her, Miss Braxton stifled an embarrassed laugh, “Unfortunately for me, we Braxton ladies possess rather stubby fingers.”

Georgiana’s eyes widened in unwarranted panic, “Oh no, your short fingers are very sweet!” She blurted, and then cringed at the clumsy words,

“You are very good to say so,” Elizabeth laughed, and Georgiana wondered if this was what her brother meant when he mentioned Miss Braxton’s love for ‘laughing at folly’. If it was, then… It was not so bad. Miss Braxton’s laughter was not mean-spirited or sneering. She just seemed to enjoy Georgiana’s social fumbles. It made her feel like they were not such a big deal herself. Unbeknownst to herself, Georgiana felt her lips twitch up in a tentative smile in response.

Hesitantly, Georgiana tried to further their conversation, “What is your favourite piece then?”

Elizabeth tilted her head, “On the harp, or the pianoforte?”

“Either. Both. Piano pieces are often more complex, so I like to practice them as a challenge. But Harp music is more relaxing. My aunt, Lady Fitzwilliam, is very good with the harp. I like to listen to her play it for the family at the end of the day whenever I am visiting my cousins.”

Elizabeth’s eyes brightened, “So do I! I play the harp for my uncle and my grandparents almost every night. Hmm, let us see. For the harp, I prefer playing The Last Rose of Summer. ”

Georgiana gasped, thrilled at the coincidence, “‘Tis one of my favourite pieces!” She said with uncharacteristic enthusiasm. Elizabeth grinned back at her,

“As for the piano, I might not be able to play it very well, but I have never had more fun listening to any other piece than I have had listening to the Moonlight Sonata. ”

Georgiana was veritably jumping on her toes, “Oh! I love playing Mozart! The Moonlight Sonata especially! It is just so complex, and dark but also fast and pretty! Oh! I am so glad our likes are so similar!”

Elizabeth laughed at the younger girl's excitement. Georgiana was adorable.

“So am I. It will certainly make living with each other much more enjoyable. You must promise to play the pianoforte for me when we become sisters. In return, I shall play the harp whenever you ask.”

Georgiana readily agreed, happy with not only the promise but what it implied. It was not unusual for girls like her to settle into their own establishments once their brothers married. Very few women would endure a sister-in-law who is a permanent fixture in their home. Georgiana had known this, and though the idea of having to live alone with only her companion for company had been unpleasant, when Fitzwilliam had announced his engagement, she had started to steel herself for the inevitability.

But here was Miss Braxton now, happily insinuating that she would love to live with Georgiana. It was more than the younger girl had ever expected. Eagerly, she turned to her brother, who was standing a few feet away from them and pretending to not pay attention to their conversation. She reached for him, and then, discreetly so as to not cause a scene in such a public place, swatted his arm,

Darcy looked at her, surprised but not offended, “What was that for?”

“Miss Braxton is nothing like you said! She is not intimidating at all!”

“Is she not?” Darcy looked up to his fiancée, who was looking at the Darcy siblings with laughter in her eyes. Her sweet countenance, her slender figure, her softly styled hair, her delicate, dewy skin- all of it had the tendency of tying Darcy’s tongue on a regular basis. Often, he could not breathe in her presence.

“She frightens me aplenty.” He told her sister truthfully.