Georgiana’s voice faltered. “I did not think – I did not understand…”
“You were prepared to leave your family, your brother, without the knowledge or consent of those entrusted with your care? Georgiana, you were not even out.”
Darcy shifted slightly. “Miss Elizabeth…”
But she did not look at him. “You trusted a man who had not earned your trust,” she said. “You would have left your family, your name, your protection – upon his word alone.”
Georgiana’s hands trembled. “I thought him sincere,” she said.
Elizabeth’s tone softened – but only slightly. “You were fortunate,” she said, “that your brother did not. You had been taught better than to place yourself so entirely in a man’s power. Did you truly believe he could honourably protect you?”
She shook her head.
Elizabeth sighed very quietly. “You must understand,” Elizabeth continued, more gently now, “how nearly you were undone. You would not have been accepted in any respected household. But that is not all… This would not have had a devastating effect only on you, but also on your brother.”
Georgiana looked up – startled. “My brother?”
Darcy moved as if to speak but checked himself.
Elizabeth turned toward Darcy briefly, then returned her attention to Georgiana. “Yes,” she said. “Do you suppose theworld would have separated your ruin from his? That his name would not have suffered with yours?”
Georgiana’s composure gave way at last. “I did not think – I never thought…”
“No,” Elizabeth said more gently. “You did not think – not enough.” Then, more quietly: “But you will think now.”
Georgiana covered her face, then lowered her hands. “I shall never forget it,” she said.
Elizabeth’s expression changed then – completely. “I hope not,” she said. “Because remembering it may be the very thing that secures your happiness.”
Another silence – very different now.
Darcy had not spoken. He did not know what he had expected from Elizabeth, and for that reason, he was, for a moment, taken by surprise. Yet as she spoke to his sister, his regard did not lessen. It deepened.
Elizabeth met his gaze only briefly. Then she turned again to Georgiana. “You have nothing now to fear from him,” she said. “That is over.”
Georgiana nodded.
“And you have your brother,” Elizabeth added, more softly. “Which is a far better protection than any Mr. Wickham could pretend to offer.”
At that, Georgiana’s lips trembled into the faintest smile.
“And, if you like, you have me, too.”
Darcy drew a breath.
“I believe,” he said quietly, “Georgiana will consider what has passed.”
Georgiana inclined her head. “I shall. I am so sorry, Brother… and very grateful to you, Miss Elizabeth.”
***
Georgiana withdrew at her brother’s gentle request, though not without a final look toward Elizabeth, in which gratitude and lingering embarrassment were equally visible.
The door closed softly behind her. Neither spoke.
Darcy took Georgiana’s seat half facing Elizabeth; Elizabeth, though composed, did not immediately resume her ease. The quiet that followed was of a different kind – no longer strained but not entirely settled.
At length, Darcy said, “I wanted you to know… You were very direct.”
