“Tomorrow, Daniels.” Darcy rose from his desk and subtly flexed his tired calves behind the desk.
“Very good, sir. I am at your leisure.”
After Daniels had gone, Darcy walked to the hearth and at last gave in to the urge to stretch his shoulders, roll his taut neck, and draw several deep breaths. Long and tedious work it had been, but Bernard Wickham and his affairs were now behind him. Save for the problem of his “widow.” But he had a plan there, provided that the lady was willing to heed his advice… and he could manage to carry it off.
“William?” The door to his study cracked, and Georgiana’s voice sounded small and fragile.
He turned and gestured for her to enter. “What is the trouble, Georgiana?”
She came, her hands clasped tightly before her, and her steps shortened. “William, something dreadful happened in Lambton today.”
Instantly his eyes went to the door, and his body tensed. “Where is Mrs Wickham? She is not harmed in some way? Has someone offended her?”
“No, quite the opposite. We met a woman today… oh, it is in every way distressing!” She covered her mouth with the tips of her fingers and quelled a few hasty breaths before continuing. “Do you know a Mrs Isabella Godfrey?”
Darcy’s brow furrowed in thought. “I am not familiar with the name.”
“Are you certain?” Georgiana pressed. “She claims to be a widow, and sister to Mr Jameson at the inn. She told us she resides at East Orchards, and made it sound as if she had always lived there.”
He narrowed his eyes. “The only one I recall who could possibly make such claims is… but no, I thought she died or fell to ruin years ago.”
Georgiana stepped closer. “Who?”
“Why do you wish to know? This must have been some peculiar encounter.”
“It was. William, she claims a special fondness for George Wickham, and she said she had been longing to meet Elizabeth, as the new mistress of Corbett. She had the oddest things to say about how Mr Wickham was cheated of his inheritance by someone who wished to do him harm, but that it was still a good job that Elizabeth had got it in the end. It was all so fearfully uncomfortable! I simply did not know what to say—I wished to leave, but I could not very well do that.”
“Georgiana, tell me everything you recall. Was this a tallish woman, with hair that is more red than brown?”
She nodded. “Yes, that sounds right.”
“Expressive features, smiles too often and is somewhat brazen in her approach?”
“Yes, yes, that is her! Do you know her after all?”
He frowned. “No.”
“But William! You must know who she is. I think she was quite taken with Elizabeth and begged her to call if she ever could.”
His gaze sharpened on his sister. “And what of E—Mrs Wickham? Did she appear equally enamoured by the acquaintance?”
“That is what troubles me, for I could not be sure. Mrs Godfrey was everything pleasant and inviting, and you know, I think Elizabeth still feels somewhat unwelcome here in Derbyshire.”
“Has she said that?”
“No, but it is in her manner, do you know? I suppose if I were Bernard’s widow and had to hear all the awful things said about him, I would scarcely feel less uncomfortable.”
“But back to Mrs Godfrey, did Mrs Wickham appear to credit her words?”
Georgiana shrugged. “Well, why would she not? I wanted to tell Elizabeth all about George Wickham, but I feared to say anything after we came away, for I thought ‘What if she discovers the truth about me?’ I do not think I could bear for her to hate me, William!”
He reached into his pocket and withdrew a handkerchief for his sister to dab eyes that had swelled with sudden tears. “She would never hate you, but you did right, for I would not have her know all.”
Georgiana’s lip trembled. “Surely, this is nothing of consequence. You mean to tell me now that I am fretting over nothing, yes? I mean—” her hands twisted together unhappily—“It was just one conversation, and nothing is bound to come of it, right?”
“Of course, my dear,” he soothed. “You must not trouble yourself, or your eyes will become swollen and then you truly will have questions to answer from your friend.”
She drew a trembling breath and nodded. “Yes, yes, you are right. I will go now. But you will make inquiries after Mrs Godfrey, will you not?”
