Darcy nodded. “You are wise beyond your years, Georgiana,” he said. “I have to ask, would you really enjoy yourself? Or are you simply asking for the sake of my friendship with Bingley? It is by no means certain that Bingley will be in Town, you know.”
“The motive is immaterial. Besides, it is high time I got to experience Town. I suppose I shall have to subject myself to it someday, and I would rather see it from afar before I am brought out and thrust upon society in full-fledged chaos.”
This description made him chuckle. “It is not as bad as all that. I am sure, after a little while, you will find it quite diverting. And there are a plethora of young ladies with which you might build a genuine friendship.”
Georgiana smiled a little wistfully. “I should like to make some friends.”
He wanted that for his little sister. She had been too cloistered of late. He thought for a few more moments before deciding. “Very well, we shall go then. If you are sure.”
“I am,” she said with a brilliant smile. However, the smile was short-lived. Her eyes filled with tears. “Do you think Mama and Papa would have been as disappointed in me as you were?”
He sucked in a breath. “Disappointed?”
“Yes. I sometimes think about the day you found Mr Wickham and me in Ramsgate. I do not think I shall ever forget how red your face was as you entered that little rented room, or how you roared when you saw me.” She looked down, ashamed. “I never knew mama, but I hate to think that I would havecaused her any more pain than the death she suffered at giving me life.”
Darcy stood and went to her, clasping her hands tightly. “Listen to me,” he said firmly. “I do not want you to carry this guilt any longer. If our mother and father could see you now, they would be so very proud of you. I only wish father could have seen sooner what Wickham was becoming. He did not believe that someone could be so devoid of honour…” Darcy sighed. He had always been so careful not to malign their father in front of Georgiana. She had been so young when he died. All she had were her memories of him, and she had none of their mother. He looked back up at her, trying with difficulty to keep his own emotions under control. “I am not disappointed in you. And neither would they be. I am only glad you are safe and well away from that wretched man who thought to use you.”
“But I do not deserve your forgiveness,” she choked.
“That is too bad, for I have already given it.” He touched her cheek with brotherly affection. “I am sorry I ever made you feel as if you needed to earn it. You know how reticent I can be. But it was never because of you or the incident.”
She let out a short laugh and wiped at her tears. “Well, thank you for that.” She sighed and looked up at the ceiling, trying to keep any more tears from falling to her cheeks. “You know, I feel so much lighter.”
Georgiana stood and smoothed down her dress, as if to wipe away the dust of the past that had clung to her for so long. “When shall we depart for London?”
They made plans to depart three days hence, and when Georgiana had finished her tea and withdrew to start packing, he sat alone in his study, looking out the window. What if Bingley decided not to come to Town for the Season? He was sureCaroline Bingley would drive him to distraction until he agreed to go, but with everything that had happened, and his growing affection for Miss Jane Bennet, he was unsure if she could convince him.
Even if not, the trip would not be a total loss. Georgiana would get the experience she needed to prepare her for her own coming out in a few years, and he might very well be able to make amends with Bingley. If his friend decided to stay at Netherfield, he could seek him there. Georgiana might enjoy a chance to see the pretty countryside around Meryton.
Unbidden, Elizabeth appeared in his mind’s eye. Darcy would have to hope Bingley was in London after all, for to return to Netherfield would present an almost irresistible temptation.
Chapter 16
Elizabeth had departed Longbourn with hope swelling in her breast, wondering what adventures might await her in London. It was a fine, sunny day the afternoon she arrived. And while she was allowed the rest of the evening and the following morning to rest from her journey, her aunt and uncle wasted little time in seeing that she was thrust upon society.
Considering the result, it might have been more appropriate to say that society was thrust upon her.
On the afternoon of her third day in London, her aunt took her on her first round of calls to their particular friends in the neighbourhood, then on to a party in the evening. Elizabeth felt as though she had met the whole of the English gentry in one night, but upon saying so to her aunt on the carriage ride home, Mrs Gardiner assured her it was only the beginning.
The following day, Elizabeth sat in the parlour with her aunt and her two eldest cousins while the others napped in the nursery. Elizabeth was helping Eloise, her ten-year-old cousin, to improve her reading voice when a knock suddenly came at the front door. Her aunt rose gracefully and went to the window to see who had come to call.
“I dare say, Lizzy, do you know anyone in His Majesty’s armed forces?” Her aunt looked back over her shoulder atElizabeth with an inquisitive look on her brow. “Quite a handsome fellow, I declare.”
“Mrs Gardiner!” Mr Gardiner said in mock surprise. “I thought you said there was no man so handsome as I!”
Mrs Gardiner waved him off and shot him a mischievous grin. “Yes, dear, but he is much younger than you. Now, children, you are full young for company. Back to the nursery with you.” Mrs Gardiner sent the children from the room before their caller could be announced.
Their caller was an enlisted man, and a very handsome one…Elizabeth could not help but wonder if it might be Mr Wickham. Much as she would have enjoyed the resumption of his society, it did not seem likely. Mr Wickham had asked permission to call on her in London, but surely he would not visit so very soon — not when he was called away from the militia by the illness of his relative. He would have more important things to do than to think of her.
The next moment proved all Elizabeth’s careful conjectures to be entirely mistaken, for when the visitor entered, it was indeed Mr Wickham. He gave her so charming a smile that her heart skipped a beat.
“How do you do, Miss Elizabeth? It is a pleasure to see you looking so well,” he said after a bow. He greeted her aunt and uncle after she made the introductions, and they all sat down together.
“How delightful that you could spare the time to visit, Mr Wickham,” Elizabeth said. “You must be very busy. Will you need to return to Meryton soon?”
“Not at all,” he replied with a wide smile.“Colonel Forster was very generous with my leave, I am pleased to say.”
That was a pleasant surprise, for Elizabeth had been under the impression that an enlisted man would have very little freedom to leave his regiment. She had imagined that Colonel Forster might grant him a few days, perhaps, but not such an unrestricted span of time as Mr Wickham seemed to imply. But perhaps Mr Wickham’s relation was closer to him than the mere family relationship would imply. “And how does your cousin fare?” Elizabeth asked.
