Things were better now. Georgiana was still silent, but it was no longer paralytic fear which made her speechless. Indeed, it was sometimes hard to think of her as mute. Her new sisters filled her room with such love and contentment that it seemedbrighter than even the summer sunshine that shone through the wide windows. Elizabeth was playful and sweet-natured, Mrs. Reynolds was firm and motherly, and Jane’s simple affection was beautifully sincere.
Darcy knew that he was not like them. He was a practical man and found actions much easier than words. He could hold Georgiana’s hand for hours on end but could not casually converse with her. Elizabeth did it easily, but it turned Darcy’s stomach. He was used to his sisteranswering,which made her silence impossible to ignore.
His role, he decided, must be one of action. Whatever the ladies decided would help Georgiana, he would arrange it at once.
At first, due to Georgiana’s slow recovery from the clutches of Miss Crocker, there were very few things he could do. He moved a few chairs around, so that she could sit beside the window or nearer to the fire, but that was the extent of his assistance.
As time passed, Georgiana’s slow recovery made other things possible. Darcy carried his sister downstairs for breakfast and helped to spoon honeyed porridge into her mouth. He scoured the library for books that she might like and then spent hours holding them open so that she could painstakingly trail her eyes along the pages. He still could not speak to her, but he started to feel as if his little sister was at his side, rather than the empty puppet who had haunted him.
One warm morning, Elizabeth asked if they could take Georgiana outside. The perfumed air would be good for her lungs, and the sunshine would make her happy.
“Who would dare be unhappy on a glorious day like this?” she cried, “But you must help me, Darcy. Mrs. Reynolds does not like the idea.”
Darcy had his own reservations. He worried that the pollen might tax his sister’s weak lungs and summon that godless rasp. However, he was sensible enough to know that Georgiana could not stay indoors forever. Accordingly, he agreed - but set a few rules in place. Georgiana was not to sit in direct sunlight, nor entirely in the cool shade. She would be accompanied at all times by a strong footman who could carry her inside at once, should she become unwell.
“We will be with her, too.” Elizabeth reassured him, and then smiled, “Jane loves Georgiana so dearly. She is rarely away from her for more than an hour. Since Mr. Bingley follows Jane wherever she leads, we shall be a fine party.”
“Bingley cannot go. He will need to take Miss Bingley for a drive, if you wish to bring Georgiana out of her room.”
“I dislike the artifice.” Elizabeth sighed, then held up her hand when Darcy started to answer, “No, I know it is necessary. Miss Bingley is… not a close friend.”
“She is no friend at all, Elizabeth. Georgiana must be protected from gossip at all costs.”
“Yes.” Lizzie nodded, and then puffed out an amused laughed, “Jane will have to do without Mr. Bingley for a whole afternoon! How will she manage?”
“You sense an attachment between them?”
“Do you not? I have never seen two people so eager to fall in love. It is a wonder to me that Bingley has not spoken to you about it himself. He is always so honest.”
“Yes, Bingley is virtuous to a fault. I suspect that is why hehasn’tsaid anything.” Darcy saw a confused line appear on Elizabeth’sforehead and carefully added: “He sees Jane as another man’s wife.”
“But she isnot!Most decidedly, she is not!”
“Her mother claims otherwise. Jane is of age, but she is so… so obliging, Elizabeth, and filial. If your mother presented a strong enough case for the engagement, or reminded her of her daughterly duties, then Jane might well waver. It is all very well for us to flatter ourselves and say that she is safe, but her circumstances are far from resolved. When the dust settles, people are going to look foolish on all sides. More, your sister’s reputation will not withstand the shame of being engaged to one man and courting another. People will say she is false.”
“My sister is the purest soul who ever lived!”
“Yes, and Bingley cares for her deeply enough to stop society thinking otherwise. Hemustsee her as Collins’s betrothed, Elizabeth, for if he treats her more tenderly then Jane will be the one who suffers. Until we can convince your mother and Mr. Collins to act against their own self-interests, Jane must be protected on all sides. Bingley knows that. He is a good and honourable man. Would you prefer he be artless and rash, and force Jane into having to choose between her reputation and her heart? That kind of thing works well in novels, but here…” Darcy sighed and gestured vaguely around himself, “The real world does not end with the turning of a page. People would not forget or understand. They would only condemn.”
Elizabeth had gone white. Her next words were in a savage whisper.
“I loathe my mother beyond words. It is she who has brought us this low. Jane has so much love to give, and mama has ensuredthat she never shall! She cannot even spend a gentle moment with someone who clearly prefers her above all others.”
“I would caution you not to commit yourself wholly to this cause, Elizabeth. I agree that there is an attachment between them, but it may not be as deep as you think. Bingley often gives the impression of caring more than he actually does. It is clear that he is fond of your sister, but fondness may be where it ends. I would not like Miss Bennet to hope for something that will not come to pass.”
“Jane is too modest to hope for such happiness. She still believes her future lies with Mr. Collins. I shall not speak to her of this, Darcy… but I shall not give up.”
Darcy had no answer to such a statement. He considered himself to be far more practical than his wife. He had known Bingley for years and had seen him champion many young ladies with no intentions beyond their immediate happiness. Had the young man had any rakish intentions then many of those ladies might have willingly fallen into his arms, thinking that his heart (and their engagement!) was assured. As it was, their pride was somewhat bruised, and they left Bingley’s company feeling rather sheepish.
Darcy cared too much for Jane to see her fall into the same innocent daydream. It seemed unfair that her pure and lovely soul could be so easily deceived.
The group departed for their picnic an hour later. Wide-eyed Georgiana was safely nestled in her brother’s arms. She was like a baby bird, light and trusting but heartbreakingly frail. Darcy had looped his sister’s arms around his shoulders to make her easier to lift. Instinct made her cling to him. Her weak, trembling arms were the closest thing to a hug that they had shared in over a year.
“Oh Georgie,” he murmured, holding her closer for a moment.
The procession (three ladies, one gentleman, two maids with baskets and one strong footman) made their way along the drive, and then along a rustic path towards a wildflower meadow. Elizabeth insisted that they should walk out of sight of the house, reasoning that after her long confinement Georgiana would like to feel completely free. As they walked over a rise and into a copse of trees, however, the invalid started to panic. Her breath came heavily and her eyes rolled wildly in their sockets. Her hand, limp and twitching, gestured weakly back towards the house.
“Be still, dear heart.” Darcy said gently, kissing his sister’s head. “I shall take you back to the meadow.”
