If itwasdeliberate. What if Elizabeth had no idea she was doing it? Then he would be the worst kind of liar, breaking his only promise to her for his selfish, carnal needs.
One thing Darcy knew for certain was that if he pressed her into it, Elizabethwouldsleep with him. It was both tempting and horrific. How would he know if it was real?
How would he ever know if she washappy?
Arguing with himself in this manner, Darcy could have walked fifty miles instead of five. He was relieved to see Grint’s farm, for at least their row would be some kind of distraction.
It was not nearly enough.
Chapter 24
After Georgiana looked at her, Elizabeth was more determined than ever to spend time with her sister-in-law. In such a short time they had made a connection; what else could be accomplished before Darcy came home?
But Darcy’s return was exactly the issue. Her husband had almost finished his work outside of Pemberley and could arrive home any day. Mrs. Reynolds had the staff on high alert, making sure that all was ready for their master’s return, whenever that was to be. She was also making preparations for Christmas and had a seemingly endless list of questions for Elizabeth to answer.
Elizabeth was worried that someone might come looking for her. Her careful routine was spoiled, and although she still saw Georgiana every day, sometimes she could barely stay for more than a few minutes.
Wretched minutes! For a brief, shining moment she and Georgiana had looked into each other’s gaze. Georgiana’s empty black eyes had held awareness, and they refused to shy away. Elizabeth kissed her cheek tearfully after that, and now she wanted to spend every moment she could coaxing her sister out of her prison. There was a living person behind those eyes: ayoung woman, utterly alone in her wretched world. Elizabeth was determined to drive that loneliness away.
But she could barely get a reaction from her! Every day, Georgiana did not look at Lizzie at all until she was about to leave. The expression in her eyes never changed. It was fierce, demanding something which Elizabeth did not understand.
One morning Elizabeth received a message that Darcy was coming home after luncheon. Beside herself with excitement, Lizzie took the letter to Georgiana at once and read it. She only had a few minutes, for she wanted to make sure she was ready to greet her husband. Still, she used the time well, telling Miss Darcy a light-hearted story about one of the stable cat’s kittens. When she kissed Georgiana’s hand in farewell, she looked up and saw the fiery eyes staring at her.
There was a click at the door.
Georgiana’s hand clenched closed around Elizabeth’s. Her eyes burned more brightly, searing into Lizzie’s with an unspoken cry.
“Let me go!” Lizzie hissed, “Georgiana! They can’t catch me here. I have to hide!”
The eyes burned once more and then Georgiana suddenly let go. Elizabeth’s hand throbbed as she crawled away and hid beneath the pianoforte. The dusty metal pedals were icy against her palm, and the dust on them was deep enough to form a clothlike clump. Willing herself not to sneeze, Lizzie scooted further back into the shadows.
Miss Crocker walked into the room with a tray. With lazy carelessness, she put it down on top of the piano. Georgiana had gone back to staring dully ahead, hands limp and motionless in her lap. Clearly Miss Crocker had no idea she was capable ofanything else. She hauled the girl around like a doll, tying a bib around her neck and shoving her hair over her shoulder in a tangle.
“Lunch time, miss.” Crocker said, taking a bowl from the tray. “Eat it quickly, now. I have a nice potato waiting for me in the kitchen.”
She spooned the broth into Georgiana’s mouth so quickly that the girl could not keep up. She swallowed by instinct but could not prevent soup from running out from the sides of her mouth. Crocker scowled and started to wipe it away with a napkin when Georgiana choked on her last mouthful. Soup sprayed out and coated the maid’s neat white cap.
Elizabeth bit her lip. She disliked Crocker enough to find it hilarious.
What happened next, however, was anything but.
Growling in fury, Crocker took the rest of the bowl of soup and dashed it into Georgiana’s face. It was not hot enough to scald her, but it was hot enough to hurt. Of course, Georgiana did not react - and she didn’t react when Crocker slapped her, hard.
Elizabeth fought the urge to scream. Now she understood the fire in Georgiana’s eyes. She had wanted Lizzie to stay. She had needed her to see what Miss Crocker was really like.
Miss Crocker calmed down after striking her charge. She looked almost cheerful when she picked up the napkin. She cleaned herself first, of course, then gave Georgiana a cursory dabbing which left most of the soup behind.
“Medicine time, Miss Darcy.” she said cheerfully, and took a bottle from the tray. Measuring several drops out, she poured the liquid into Georgiana’s mouth and waited for her to swallow.A satisfied smirk crossed her face, and she measured out a second portion.
Spit that out too, Georgiana.Elizabeth willed her, clenching her fists into the dust.Spit it out!
Georgiana swallowed and stared blankly ahead.
Miss Crocker left quickly, no doubt thinking of her waiting potato. Elizabeth scrambled to her feet and grabbed both of Georgiana’s hands.
“I’m so sorry! I had no idea that she was… that you were being treated so… oh, Georgiana!” she grabbed the girl and pulled her forwards for a hug. Georgiana was limp and damp and stared straight ahead. Whatever medicine Crocker had given her had dulled her tiny fire into almost nothing.
There was a rattle outside. A horse snorted. Darcy was home.
