Elizabeth
I twisted at the waist to follow the trio’s progression until the path took them into a copse of trees. My sight returned to Fitzwilliam. “Do you not think this is an encouraging sign? Your cousin Anne would not choose to walk with Bennet and my father if she shared her mother’s malice towards me, would she?”
“You need not be concerned. Anne has always been more sensible than her mother. She has reason to resent me, though. I shall apologize to her whilst she is at Pemberley.”
On my left, Georgiana approached and raised a hand to me. “Elizabeth, I should like to walk. Would you accompany me on the path along the stream?”
My gaze veered to my husband. “Our sister has made me an offer I cannot resist. May I leave our guests in your capable hands?”
“Yes, you may.” Fitzwilliam stood and helped me to my feet. He brought his hand to the brim of his hat in a military style. “Like a valiant warrior, I shall shield our guests from my aunt’s oppressive presence.”
A short laugh burst from me. “Better you than me.”
Georgiana took my arm, and we ambled in the direction of the stream.
After a few minutes, I glanced back to ensure our privacy. “We have not had a frank discussion for many weeks. How have you been?”
Her gaze snapped towards me, but she soon looked away. “Oh, I am well.”
Hmm.Something troubled her. But it seemed I needed to ease her into revealing the problem. “The improvement in CousinAnne is remarkable, is it not? She appears much healthier than before.”
“Yes, I am quite happy for her.” Georgiana’s smile, though, failed to rise above her cheeks.
“Now, my dear sister, you must tell me what is troubling you.”
She released an audible sigh. “I never could fool you.” Her gaze fell towards the ground. “This is difficult to say, and I could not reveal this to anyone else.” Her lower jaw wavered in an open position. “I fear that…I think Richard regrets marrying me.”
No!She must be mistaken. “That cannot be, for I know he loves you deeply. What happened to give you this notion?”
She blinked, and her eyes glistened with tears. “This is so humiliating. You must promise not to tell anyone else.”
My stomach muscles tensed. “I am sorry, but I am not comfortable promising to keep a secret from Fitzwilliam.”
Georgiana pulled on my arm, stopping my forward movement. “But you must agree, for I cannot bear the thought of anyone else knowing this, not even Fitzwilliam—especially not him!”
Oh dear, how could I refuse her? I removed my handkerchief and pressed it into her hand. “Very well, I promise.” I guided her to a nearby log, and we sat together with her hand lodged in mine.
Georgiana wiped her eyes and shuddered. “Everything was wonderful until about a month ago.” A quaver marred her speech. “Richard and Henry had gone to a neighbouring county to view horses for sale.”
Richard and his brother Henry, Viscount Berkeley, had embarked on a joint venture breeding hunters and carriage horses.
“Afterwards, he stopped at Bellwood Hall and spent several hours with his family before returning home. When Richard arrived that evening, he told me that he had not been sleeping well and wished to sleep alone in his bedchamber. That hadnever happened before. His decision disturbed me, of course, but I assumed it would be a temporary measure.”
“Was it not temporary?”
She shook her head. “Since then, he has slept alone and has never once visited me in my bedchamber.”
How odd.I stroked her hand. “Have you spoken to him on the subject?”
“Yes, a week after this separation began, I asked him why he no longer came to my room. He…he turned away from me and apologized. He said it would be better this way.”
“That was all?” I fought the urge to raise my voice. “He would not tell you more?”
A sob came from her. “The answer is obvious, is it not? There is no other logical explanation—Richard is no longer in love with me.”
“Oh, my dear, that cannot be true. Of course he loves you! Of that, I am certain. He did not hesitate to thwart Lady Catherine when her questions grew ever more intrusive and unwelcome.” My vehement statements did nothing to ease the lines on Georgiana’s constricted forehead.
“He is as considerate and protective of me as ever. Perhaps he loves me as a cousin but not as a wife.” Georgiana paused to wipe away new tears. “I learnt from Lady Matlock that when Richard dined at Bellwood Hall, his childhood friend Miss Alicia Powell was present. She and her mother had been staying at the house.” She gave me a pointed look.
