"He made it sound as though one difficulty would alter everything."
Darcy's expression softened. "Wickham has always possessed a talent for persuading others of the worst."
She smiled faintly at that.
"Does she know you know of it?" Georgiana said after a moment.
"Miss Elizabeth?"
Georgiana nodded.
"No. But Miss Elizabeth notices a great deal. I rather think very little escapes her observation." Darcy said.
"And I am not supposed to let her know I know either?"
"No." His answer came immediately. "Not directly, not indirectly, and not by accident. Whatever she chooses to share of herself must remain entirely her own choice."
"I shall do my best."
Darcy nodded in approval.
They resumed walking together, neither of them speaking.
"I did not do enough," Darcy broke the silence that felt like forever.
Georgiana turned towards him.
"Fitzwilliam—"
"No. Allow me." He kept his eyes upon the path. "When Mama died, I was too young to understand all that I ought to have learned from her. Afterwards, I did not know how to give you the example she would have provided. Since Ramsgate, I have thought often of how best to help you overcome what you fear most." He heaved a sigh. "I have not always known how. But I believe Miss Elizabeth's example may accomplish more than anything I could say."
Georgiana considered this briefly. "I already like her very much."
"I know." Darcy replied.
"I liked her before you told me any of this."
"I know that too."
Georgiana flicked her brow. "It does not alter my opinion of her."
"No," he said. "I did not think it would."
They shared a brief laugh, the sort that often arose between siblings when a conversation had grown too solemn for comfort.
At length Georgiana spoke again. "I think she is very brave."
"So do I." Darcy smiled slightly.
The house came into view beyond the trees. As they approached it, she tightened her hand briefly upon his arm.
"Thank you, Fitzwilliam."
He covered her hand with his own for a moment. "You need never thank me for that."
They continued towards Netherfield together, and as the quiet afternoon settled around them, Darcy felt, for the first time since Ramsgate, that he had done something which might truly prove of lasting benefit.
SEVEN
