Elizabeth pressed her cheek to Georgiana’s hair, speaking softly. “Then I shall find you too, each time. I will be here to wake you, to chase the dream away. He cannot harm you, Georgiana. Not while you are with us, and soon your brother will come and take you safely home.”
Gradually, she stopped trembling; her frightened breathing grew calmer. Georgiana wept on Elizabeth’s shoulder, but at last relaxed and fell asleep. Elizabeth was exhausted and decided to lie down on the coverlet beside the sleeping girl; soon, she too had fallen asleep.
Mr. Darcy arrived at Ramsgate four days after he received his sister’s letter. When she saw him standing at the door, she ran into her brother’s arms. “Fitzwilliam!” Georgiana cried. Tearssprang to her eyes. He started in alarm, but she produced a handkerchief from her sleeve, and half laughed through her tears. “Do not mind me, brother. I had held firm, yet the moment I saw your dear face, my composure gave way. All my fears rose at once, and look at me now, crying like a child. But I am well, perfectly well, as you see.”
Darcy could not answer. For the first time in many years, his own composure deserted him. Tears stung his own eyes as he held her in his arms. He felt a sense of gratitude and relief knowing that she was safe. Neither spoke for some moments, and when Georgiana at last drew back, smiling through her tears, he pressed her hand and, still moved beyond words, looked to his host.
Mr. Gardiner stepped forward. “Mr. Darcy, pray use our drawing room. You shall have privacy with your sister. My wife will send a tea tray. Is there anything else I may provide?”
Darcy shook his hand. “You have already provided more than I could ask. Thank you for sheltering my sister and for sending the express. A tea tray will be most welcome.”
He led Georgiana into the drawing room and seated her beside him, his arm around her shoulder. “Tell me everything, Georgie. Your note said only that you were safe, that Wickham was in Ramsgate, and that you were with friends. I came as quickly as I could.”
“Yes,” she said, steadying herself. “Mr. Gardiner thought it best to write little, in case the letter went astray.” She told him of Mrs. Younge’s treachery, of Wickham’s drinking and gaming, of the plan for Gretna, and of her two nights in the attic.
Darcy’s expression hardened. “This time, Wickham has gone too far. For years, I have paid his debts and attempted to rectifythe damage he caused. I have even sought husbands for the women he left abandoned. But to set his sights upon you, he has gone too far. No more, Georgiana. He grows bolder and more desperate. I will set the law upon him.” He held her gaze. “Do you know where he lodged?”
“Near enough to walk,” she said. “He spent a great deal of time gambling. The night I hid in the attic, I heard him tell Mrs. Younge that he would try his luck at the Black Bull.”
“Very good.” Darcy rose, paced once, then halted. “Richard will be here shortly. We were together when your express arrived; he went to his commanding officer to request a small detachment of soldiers, and they should reach us before evening. My enquiry agent has learned that Wickham entered the Derbyshire militia last December and afterward absconded. Desertion is a grave offence under the Articles of War, and his attempt to abduct a civilian makes it all the more heinous. He may well face the severest penalty. Georgie, you understand he has brought this entirely upon himself?”
Georgiana listened intently and inclined her head. “Yes. He has made himself despicable. He used Mrs. Younge ill, and his designs upon me were base. He said he would wrest my dowry from you and then cast me off.”
Darcy’s lip curled. “First, he would never have had your dowry; second, he should not have lived long enough to abandon you. But we need not speak of that, since it did not come to pass.” He took her hand in his.
“Are the servants still at the house next door?” he added.
“Yes,” Georgiana said. “Smithers was there yesterday when I brought Jenny across. The day servants continue to come. Mrs. Younge told them she would be gone for three days.”
“Then we have time enough to set a snare,” Darcy said. “I will ask the Gardiners to keep you here. Richard and I will take the house next door with the soldiers. If Wickham is as desperate as I judge, he will return. If not, I shall find him at the Black Bull or still searching for you at Margate.” He drew a breath and softened his tone. “You are safe now, my dear girl.”
He kissed her brow, embraced her, and went in search of Mr. Gardiner. In the study, it was quickly agreed that Georgiana should remain where she was until Wickham was apprehended. Darcy walked to his leased house and spoke with Smithers. He soon secured his discretion with a few well-placed guineas. Jenny gathered up Georgiana’s things and carried them to the Gardiner’s leased house.
That evening, they dined early, and after dinner, Georgiana recovered enough to play a favorite sonata on the pianoforte. Then Elizabeth, importuned by her uncle, sang a favorite ballad of his,The Fair Flower of Northumberland.At Mrs. Gardiner’s request, she followed withThe False Knight Upon the Road.
Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam entered just as Georgiana’s piece concluded and stood unobtrusively at the back to hear both songs.
The rich fullness of Elizabeth’s voice filled the room. It was not the thin, careful sound of a lady trained to display her accomplishments, but a natural gift, strong and clear, that carried the meaning of the words straight to the heart. When she ceased, no one spoke at first; the stillness seemed part of the enchantment.
Darcy drew a steadying breath.What a woman she is,he thought, his eyes fixed upon her. Her figure was light, and her graceful curves were pleasing; her manner was lively, and hervoice possessed both power and tenderness; everything about her was formed to charm. For one disarming instant, he felt she might be the loveliest creature he had ever known.
After a moment, he forced the thought back. As captivating as she might be, the lovely girl was the niece of a man engaged in trade, and his family would never approve such a connection.
He sighed and endeavored to reason with himself.Admire her if you must,but never imagine more. Through her, his children would be forever tainted by trade.
Elizabeth, unaware of his conflict, smiled at Georgiana as the young girl applauded for her friend. Darcy’s chest tightened despite himself. He could not, for all his stern resolve, keep from thinking that her smile alone might one day be his undoing.
She rose and rejoined the family circle. Darcy and his cousin stepped forward. “Mr. Gardiner,” Darcy said, “my cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam.”
The three gentlemen bowed. The colonel, who bore a striking likeness to Darcy, greeted the company with easy politeness, then accompanied Darcy to the study with Mr. Gardiner.
“Sir,” Richard said, “thank you for the prompt express and for protecting my young cousin and ward. I don’t mean to be impertinent, sir, but did you serve in the military?”
Mr. Gardiner smiled. “You noticed the limp, Colonel. I served a few months in the Peninsula before I stopped a bullet, and an infected leg sent me home. They thought me done for, but my wife’s father is a physician, and between them, they kept me on this side of the grave. I married his assistant, and I count myself a fortunate man.”
“And I,” Richard returned, “served there in 1808, but was recalled some months ago to the War Office. My next duty will be on the Continent, though not in uniform.”
Mr. Gardiner inclined his head, understanding more than was said. The man would serve as an intelligence agent.
