“No, Fitzwilliam. You cannot stand by idle and let her throw her life away as I nearly did.” She searched his face. “You must go to her and tell her what happened with Mr Wickham and I.”
Darcy paused a moment, shaken by the urgency of her demand. “Georgiana, I have never spoken of the incident, save for those who were a part of the —”
“I know. I know you have always been one to protect me, no matter the cost. But what will the cost to Miss Bennet be?” Georgiana took a steadying breath, and he knew she was crying. He went to the other side of the carriage and held her close, as he had done when she was a little girl. She leaned into his shoulder.
“My dearest sister, I would never want to see you hurt. You know I had hoped this incident would be buried in the past, never to be spoken of again.” He took a deep breath. “If you insist, I will go to her and tell her what he did to you, with a charge that she never speak of it to anyone. By now, I think I know her character well enough to say that she would be as silent as the grave.”
“I am not worried for myself,” Georgiana said. “He cannot hurt me anymore. But Miss Bennet — she seems so kind, so open-hearted. I do not want to think what that man would do to her if he convinced her to run away with him.”
Darcy felt his heart swell with pride. He had long known that Georgiana had a kind heart and a sweet temper, but there could be no greater reward than seeing the younger sister he had raised turning into a person of such strength and integrity. “I praise your courage and empathy, Georgiana. I know what a sacrifice it must be for you to urge me on in this. But I assure you, I will do my best to shield her from Mr Wickham’s schemes.”
Georgiana nodded. Though she managed a faint smile, she did not move away from her position, curled into his shoulder. If Darcy could offer her any comfort, he would be glad of it. He pulled out his handkerchief and handed it to her, continuing to hold her as they bumped along in the carriage. When they arrived home, she went straight to her room. He went to his as well, but could not bring himself to ring for the valet. Darcy did not want to share his time with anyone who might intrude on his thoughts. It was clear what had to be done, but how to go about it was the question.
The conversation could not help but be an awkward one. It was a story of great intimacy to share with an acquaintance. Inevitably, Elizabeth must question why he would tell her sogreat a secret about Georgiana. And that question had only one answer, an answer that would demand he reveal all the passionate longing that had grown within his heart.
Chapter 22
“118 Gracechurch Street,” Darcy told his driver.
“Very good, sir,” he replied. Darcy had hardly settled into his seat before the crisp snap of the reins sent them on their way.
Darcy sighed. For once, he might have hoped that his coachman was less efficient and his horses less speedy, for he dreaded the meeting to come. As he bumped along in the carriage to Gracechurch Street, he could only hope that Elizabeth would receive him.She could not know how crucial it was that she listen to what he had to say.
When he arrived, a servant informed him that Mr and Mrs Gardner were out. “Shall I inquire if Miss Bennet is available to take your call, sir?”
Darcy nodded, his throat suddenly parched. “Yes, please ask her. It is a matter of some importance.” He waited in the foyer, turning his hat in hand. After a few moments, he spotted a pair of eyes looking at him from the landing. The child peered out from the corner of the passageway, as slowly as though she thought she could not be seen. Meeting his eyes, she jumped a little, then came out. The little girl smiled at him and waved.
He waved back, some of his nervousness taking flight. “Hello, Miss. And how are you on this fine day?” he asked.
“I am fine. Are you here to see Cousin Lizzy?”
The little sprite could not have been over six years old. “I am. And who might you be?”
The girl came out from behind the corner railing and bounded down the steps. He met her at the bottom and she shuffled her feet. “I’m Harriet. You’re tall.” She looked at his hands and frowned. “Why didn’t you bring her a bouquet? The other ones do.”
“Why, yes. I suppose I am tall,” Darcy replied. Elizabeth’s cousin was charming, though her news was rather alarming. How many other gentlemen were coming to call on Elizabeth? The thought caused a flare of jealousy to spread through his chest.
Darcy quickly masked any ill-feelings that might have been playing across his face. He straightened, feigning a serious frown. “I do not know why I did not think to bring flowers. I shall not forget the next time I call.”
“Here, you can give her this,” Harriet said, taking a simple daisy from behind her ear. “She likes them.”
Darcy took the offering and thanked her. “You are very kind.”
“Yes, and I think you should run along back upstairs and take your nap, as you ought to be doing already,” came Elizabeth’s voice from the corridor to their right. He looked up, and the sight of her nearly took his breath away. How was it she grew lovelier every time he saw her?
He straightened and nodded a greeting. Harriet shrunk, but smiled mischievously behind the railing’s post. “I wanted to see your beau. And I’m not sleepy!”
Elizabeth’s cheeks immediately flushed, and Darcy turned away to hide a chuckle.
“You cheeky thing! Get back up to the nursery this instant,” Elizabeth chided, but she could not hide her smile. Harriet giggled and hurried back upstairs, though not before turning back and giving Darcy a nod, exactly as though she thought them conspirators in the game to win Elizabeth’s heart.
Elizabeth turned to him and gave a short laugh. “Forgive her. My cousin has not yet learned proper manners, and I am afraid she is sometimes rather cheeky. I am not sure where she gets it from.”
“Perhaps she is not cheeky, but rather spirited. I can think of at least one cousin with whom she shares the trait.” He smiled, and she gave a weak smile in return.
It was odd. Every time she saw him, Elizabeth seemed to shut down, as though she thought she must shield him from her spirited nature. Did she not know it was that very nature that had drawn him from the beginning? He loved to see the life dancing in her eyes. And he would do anything to see it there always.
He handed her the little daisy, and she thanked him with a nod. “I cannot take credit for this. Harriet came to my rescue when she saw I had not brought a bouquet. I promised I would bring one next time I come to call.”
