I do think people can change because they feel uncomfortable in their skin but that is not what has happen to Darcy so far—at least IMO. From his improved manners and attentiveness in this week’s reading it seems Darcy took Lizzy’s criticism about his ungentlemanly manners to heart which is not the same as changing because he was uncomfortable in his skin. Does uncomfortable mean shy? It does not to me. The change in Darcy’s manners seems to have been brought on by Lizzy’s accusation. An epiphany it was not.

Your explanation of catching the tone of a conversation and appearing interested does not really suggest shyness IMO.

Do you think Darcy and Georgiana are alike in character? I do not see any evidence of it in the text. What do you see that makes you think so? What evidence do you have from the text that Darcy was ever unassuming or that he created a shell around himself? Where does the text state he went to college—have I missed something?