Elizabeth was now prepared to do something for him in return. She would not send him a note telling him she had changed her mind.
She would sacrifice her reputation, in order to save him.
Chapter 12
Gradually, as the carriage made its way through London, the initial shock started to wear off. The sense of upheaval remained, but it was less overwhelming. At least there was a silver lining to Miss Bennet’s rejection. Darcy would not have to face the disapproval of his friends and relations. His life would continue to move along the same direction it had always gone. Nothing had changed.
The thought was reassuring enough for him to ask the coachman to take him home.
Darcy's sense of calm was shattered the moment the carriage arrived at Darcy House. To his dismay, Georgiana emerged andstood just outside the door, wrapped in a shawl, looking towards him expectantly.
He groaned inwardly. Darcy had not told her where he was going, but somehow, she knew. Now his humiliation was complete. It meant he would have to tell his sister as well as his cousin that Miss Bennet had turned him down.
She looked at him inquiringly as he climbed the steps, her expression earnest.
“Cousin Richard came here this morning. He was very concerned when he heard you had gone out. He said—”
“—Never mind what he said,” Darcy interrupted, aware he might be watched. “I wish our cousin would mind his own business for once. Let us go somewhere else to talk.”
Darcy had no intention of discussing his humiliating proposal in the hallway where anyone could overhear him.
Georgiana hooked her arm through his and pulled him impatiently to the parlor, shutting the door behind her.
“Tell me what happened!” she said, impatiently. Darcy had not seen her this insistent for years. “Tell me, Brother! Did you change your mind at the last minute?”
“I did not change my mind. I did what I needed to do. I proposed.”
Her eyes brightened. “Then you are to be married! How wonderful!”
His lack of enthusiasm must have been obvious. Georgiana’s face fell.
“Oh, William, I know this is all very unexpected for you. I suppose you are still not accustomed to the idea. But I really am happy for you, Brother. You will not regret it.”
“As it so happens, we will never know,” Darcy replied, trying not to sound bitter and not quite succeeding. “I am not going to be married. Miss Bennet rejected my offer.”
She stared at him, stunned. “She rejected your offer?” she repeated, in a small voice. At least he was not the only one who took her agreement for granted. “But why? You have to tell me what happened.”
Darcy had the feeling Georgiana would prod and poke at him until he gave her all the details. Better to have it over and done with. He provided his sister with a summary of his proposal, and of Miss Bennet’s unexpected reaction, though he quickly realized he did not remember all the points she had made.
When Darcy reached the end, his sister put her hand to her mouth, and her body shook with laughter.
“It is no laughing matter, I assure you,” he remarked, wounded by her lack of sympathy.
“I am so sorry, William. I cannot help it. To be honest, I am not surprised Miss Bennet turned you down.”
He was not surprised, either. Having told the story, Darcy could see there was a fine line between being honest and being tactless. How could he have said all those things, then expected gratitude at the end of it? He had been so engrossed in his own sense of importance that he was unable to see the young lady who stood in front of him.
Georgiana folded her hands in her lap and looked at him hesitantly. “I probably should not say this,” she said slowly, waiting for permission to continue.
Darcy waved for her to proceed.
“I do commend Miss Bennet for standing her ground and refusing,” she said.
So, he was not the only one feeling this reluctant sense of admiration. That was a relief He leaned back, stretched his legs out, and took a deep breath.
“So do I,” he replied. “It shows strength of character.”
Not only that, but the way she did it revealed her intelligence and lively mind. She had answered him calmly, not with an emotional tirade, but with logic.
