Georgiana’s eyebrows went up for a moment, then she looked away. “I do not know what you are referring to, brother. Everything has been going well here. Mrs Younge and I were preparing for the next assembly, which is to be held a few dayshence. And then there have been the endless calls. No doubt Mrs Younge has informed you of everything —”
“I know, Georgiana. But I would rather hear things from your own lips.”
Georgiana bit her lower lip, taking her hand from his and folding her hands tensely in her lap. She had never lied to him. But would this be the first time she tried it? She looked away and made to stand, but he captured her hand once more and pleaded with her. “Georgiana, have I ever given you reason to fear me? I do not want to hurt you, but to help you.”
That was all it took. She turned toward him and her face fell. “Oh, Fitz, I have felt so guilty over the last few days. It is true, Mr Wickham convinced me that the only way we would be able to be together was to run away and elope at Gretna Green. He loves me and says that you would not approve.”
“Indeed, I do not. You do not know the kind of man he is,” Darcy replied as gently as he could. “Any man who would want you to lie to your family cannot truly love you.”
Tears spilled down her cheeks. She was so tender, so vulnerable. He silently berated himself for leaving her alone for so long. “I blame myself. I should have been more open with you about why he left. Georgiana, he came to me shortly after Father died and demanded that I give him a sum of money in exchange for the living he had been promised. I had no objection. For these many years now, I have known that Wickham ought not to be a clergyman. I therefore gave him the sum of three thousand pounds —”
“Three thousand pounds!” Georgiana repeated in astonishment. Darcy smiled crookedly. It spoke well of his littlesister, who had always been raised in the utmost luxury, that she could understand the value of such a sum.
He took a deep breath and continued. “Yes. He told me he thought of studying the law. I hoped, rather than believed, him to be sincere. Unfortunately, my hopes were not justified. Wickham squandered the money quickly. When he came back to demand more, I refused. That is why we have not seen him since.” He took a steadying breath, trying to think of a way to tell her the truth without crushing her spirit. “I think he convinced you to run away with him so he could force my hand. He knows how devoted I am to you, and that I would not want my sister to spend the rest of her days in squalor. He would have first your dowry, and then — whatever he asked of me.”
Georgiana’s lower lip quivered as it all came together in her mind. She looked away from him, trying to sort out what had happened. It was not long before she looked back up at him, stricken. “He only wanted to marry me to get the money he thinks he deserves?”
Darcy hated to be so blunt, but she had to understand Wickham’s true nature. “I am afraid so,” he said softly.
Georgiana’s chin quivered in a futile attempt to hold back the tears. It did not last long. She buried her face in her hands and sobbed. Darcy scooted over to her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. She turned into his chest and cried. He did his best to comfort her. He had not seen her cry like this since their father had died. Pure, unadulterated hatred rose up inside him as he thought of Wickham. If he had his way, he would make sure the man never did this to another young lady again.
When Georgiana had finished crying, he brought out a handkerchief and helped her wipe her eyes. She let out a relievedbreath. “I am so sorry for trying to deceive you, Fitz. It made me terribly uncomfortable. I thought he loved me. But I see now that he is a scoundrel.”
“I am glad he did not succeed in his plans. I cannot imagine losing you to such a scoundrel,” Darcy said. “It would have killed me.”
She took his hand this time and squeezed it. “It would have killed me too, I think. In time.” She looked up at the ceiling, trying to get the tears to dry up. “How did you know I was in trouble? Was it Providence?”
Darcy shook his head. In a way, it was. Elizabeth had risked so much in coming to warn him. He owed her a debt that he could never repay. “Not exactly. Miss Elizabeth Bennet became aware of what was afoot, and she came to London to tell me what she had learned.”
“Elizabeth Bennet!” Georgiana cried out in shock. “Shetold you? And she went all the way to London? Surely you do not mean she made such a journey alone?”
Such a shock could not be quickly done away. It was almost a quarter of an hour before Darcy could adequately explain all that had transpired and do justice to Elizabeth’s courage and sacrifice. Not least among his difficulties was explaining the role Mrs Younge must have played in besmirching Elizabeth’s reputation. After all that had transpired, Darcy had no doubt she had done so deliberately, likely with the intent of isolating Georgiana and leaving her vulnerable to Wickham’s persuasions. What better way to make a young girl leave her friends and family than to lure her away from her family and prevent her from having friends in the first place?
It took her a moment to process what she had heard, but soon Georgiana was crying again. “I have been an utter fool, Fitz. I let Mrs Younge poison my mind against her — my truest friend. How can we ever make amends?”
“It is not only you who misunderstood her. But now I understand she is a warm, witty, courageous and startlingly selfless young woman. If she had not done what she did today, our lives would be heading down a very different path now.”
“What did Mrs Younge say to you about her?”
“That she was after my fortune, and any friendship she seemed to offer was not sincere. I am sorry to say that Mrs Younge painted Miss Elizabeth Bennet as the most mercenary of fortune hunters, and I was fool enough to believe her. Now I know how wrong I was. I allowed someone else’s estimation to cloud my own. Miss Bennet is a loyal friend, one that I would encourage you to make amends with as quickly as possible.” He sighed heavily. “And I will do the same, if she will allow me.”
Suddenly, the front door slammed shut and the housekeeper’s voice could be heard. Darcy and Georgiana sprang to their feet and walked to the front door, now standing open as the housekeeper called after Mrs Younge. Darcy saw the women climbing into a hired cab. Judging by her frantic expression and gestures, she seemed to be ordering the driver to make a hasty retreat. He did not catch the address, but was sure she was heading off before he could more fully express his displeasure. Let her. He had no intention of taking any action that could spread the knowledge of what had nearly transpired beyond their own circle. Georgiana’s happiness and reputation were far more valuable than any notion of vengeance.
“Mrs Younge, where are you going?” the housekeeper called from the front stoop.
“Leave her, Mrs Bailey. She is not worth your time,” Darcy said.
The housekeeper nodded, scowling as she cast one last glance in Mrs Younge’s direction. Darcy stepped out on the stoop and watched her go. Mrs Younge glared back at him, raising her chin in defiance. Hopefully, this would be the last time they ever saw hide or hair of Mrs Younge.
Chapter 25
After some much-needed sleep, Elizabeth got up and ate. Jane had been such a dear, bringing her a fresh tray with warmed food. She had slept through lunch, and could not bring herself to be sorry for it. Elizabeth did not think she could bear facing the rest of the family that night. She was too sick with worry over Miss Darcy. She wished Mr Darcy would come. Or at least send a note informing her of what was happening.
The rain had slowed to a drizzle, and at last turned into nothing more than a sullen mist. Her breath came out in wisps of chilled air, sitting beside the window panes which radiated the cold brought on by autumn rains. She wrapped the blanket tighter around her shoulders but refused to move from her spot at the window seat. Her heart would not allow her to rest.
Suddenly, she saw the low sun glinting off something in the distance, coming down the country lane to Longbourn. She sat up, looking more closely. As the carriage approached, she recognised the sleek, black horses in the dimming light, the same ones that had carried her home that afternoon. Her heart began to beat wildly in her chest.
Elizabeth stood up and started to dress. She could not very well receive Mr Darcy in her nightgown, after all. She had a terrible time with her stays, but finally managed it as she heard Mrs Hill going to answer the door for their unexpected visitor. He had come! But what did that mean? Had he been too late to apprehend Miss Darcy before she left? But it had been hours since he had left Longbourn. Had he met with Mr Wickham and been forced to fight a duel?
