“She is very quick, your wife,” Fitzwilliam whispered.
“Worth her weight in gold,” Darcy agreed. He was unsure what he would have done had he been left to his own devices, but he suspected the meeting would have gone rather poorly. A yelling match could have ensued, and even fisticuffs were not entirely out of the question.
Wickham turned as they joined the ladies in the sitting area. “I had no idea you had any plans of matrimony, Darcy,” he said, his face a pleasant mask.
Darcy gritted his teeth. After everything, he must now make conversation with the scoundrel as though nothing at all was the matter. “Yes, well, it happened suddenly.”
Elizabeth sent him a knowing glance and broke into the conversation, to his considerable relief. “How was your trip? We are so glad the roads did not impede your coming to us for the holidays. It is so important to have family close by during these special times.”
Georgiana beamed at her. “I could not agree more, Mrs Darcy.”
“Please, you must call me Elizabeth. We are sisters now, after all,” Elizabeth said warmly. She rang for tea, and while they were waiting, she kept the conversation in safe waters, discussing their house in London and the uncommonly good weather. Soon, Wickham had moved over to the settee and was speaking charmingly to Elizabeth. Darcy drew in a deep breath, recognising it as the ideal opportunity to take Georgiana aside. Elizabeth had already shown herself adept at crossing conversational swords, and Wickham would not wish to show his true self to her in any case. He need not feel too guilty at leaving her to handle his nemesis.
Georgiana steadied her teacup and saucer with expert balance, moving over to the window so they could have a semblance of privacy. “Thank you for inviting us here,” she said diffidently. Darcy winced inwardly to see her so shy. It felt as though she were a guest in the house, as though it had not been her home all her life.
“Of course,” Darcy replied. It hurt to see Georgiana so hesitant. But he supposed he had done that to himself. He was the one who had refused to write to her for all those months. “I must confess that Elizabeth had most to do with the invitation. She believes it is time we worked out our differences and started acting like a family again.”
“I am certainly glad she suggested it. I am grateful that you reached out, and that you have forgiven me.” Tears welled in her eyes. “I have missed you terribly the last few months. Nothing was the same.”
Darcy thought for a moment to tell her that there was nothing to forgive, but the words stuck in his throat. There was only too much to forgive, on both sides. He would not begin their reunion with an untruth.
He gave her the truth instead. “I am glad you are here, Georgiana,” Darcy said gently. “Very glad indeed. I missed you terribly as well.” As he did, he looked up and saw Elizabeth smiling at them.
Darcy smiled back. He would have to tell her later how very grateful he was for her insistence that he make things right with Georgiana — who was, after all, his one and only sister, whom he loved with all his heart.
Chapter 18
On the morning after the Wickham’s arrival, the house was quiet. Expecting their guests to need a little time to recover after their long journey, they had made no plans for their amusement. Elizabeth was making her way to the ladies’ parlour to meet with Mrs Reynolds when Mr Wickham stepped out of the library. She halted, smiling at him a little cautiously. “Good morning, Mr Wickham. How are you this fine day?”
“I am well, thank you.” He bowed deeply at the waist and fell into step beside her. Elizabeth glanced askance at him, surprised and pleased. She had not expected such elegant manners from the notorious Mr Wickham. He added to the impression with a charming smile. “And you?”
“I am well. I was just on my way to meet with the housekeeper to discuss the menus for the new week. Is there anything you should like to request, Mr Wickham? Or perhaps anything that your wife would particularly enjoy?” She did so want to be on good terms with her sister-in-law and her husband.
“No, I cannot think of anything in particular I should like to request. I shall be very well pleased with whatever Pemberley’s kitchens offer me,” Mr Wickham replied. “Though it is kind of you to ask. You might suggest that Cook make some of Georgiana’s favourites, perhaps. Mrs Reynolds will not have forgotten what they are, I am sure.”
Elizabeth nodded. “Of course, you are quite right.” It was sweet of him to suggest putting forth his wife’s favourite dishes, though she did find it a little odd that Mr Wickham did not seem to know them himself.
“May I see you to your meeting with Mrs Reynolds? I was trying to give Mrs Wickham some time to rest. I do not like to be idle, and thought I would explore the library. It has been several years since I have had the pleasure.”
“Do not let me keep you from your reading, Mr Wickham. Please, enjoy yourself.”
“Oh, I was not reading. I was only enjoying the view from the vast windows.” He looked over at her and gave a charming smile. “I must confess, it is a relief to return to these familiar halls. How I love them! I have never seen a more elegant house.”
“I know just what you mean. Since I have been here at Pemberley, I do not know if I could ever leave it. There is such an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity.”
“Yes, it has always been a place of solitude and comfort for me.” Mr Wickham agreed. He clasped his hands behind his back, taking a breath as if he were about to go on. However, he hesitated, furrowing his brow, as if he were uncertain whether he should confide in her. “I wonder if you would allow me a moment of your time, Mrs Darcy? There is something I should like to ask you.”
She stopped outside the door of the lady’s parlour, seeing that Mrs Reynolds had not yet arrived. “Of course. I hope nothing is amiss?”
“No, not exactly,” he said. He hesitated once more. “I wonder, Mrs Darcy, if you know of the unique circumstances under which Mrs Wickham and I were wed?”
“The story has been related to me,” she said. Elizabeth paused a moment, thinking. She had long wished to know more of the story, but it was a subject difficult to broach with any diplomacy. Mr Wickham might understandably resent any hint of criticism. “I am sure you had your reasons for going to Gretna Green,” she said gently.
“Ah, yes, well, I am sure it was communicated in a slightly different light than the truth of the matter. I can understand why Mr Darcy would have the perspective that he holds.”
“What is the truth, then?” Elizabeth asked curiously. He seemed to imply that events were capable of an interpretation that would hold him entirely blameless.
“Georgiana and I were so in love that I threw caution to the wind,” Mr Wickham said earnestly, looking at her with soulful eyes. “I realise that now. Perhaps I ought to have been more circumspect, but I was so carried away by my feelings that I could not dream of postponing any longer. You saw the tension between Mr Darcy and me yesterday. Relations between us were such that I feared he might not allow me to court Georgiana, might even forbid me to see her entirely. The thought was unbearable.”
