“Yes, you are correct,” said Darcy after a moment, “Miss Elizabeth knows of Georgiana’s near ruin last summer.”
It was a long moment before Fitzwilliam spoke as he mastered his temper. When he exerted control over himself, he regarded Darcy with a censorious look.
“It was my understanding that we had agreed no one would ever know of what transpired in Ramsgate. Yet you informed Miss Elizabeth who, though an excellent woman, has no connection with our family? What were you thinking, Darcy?”
“If you recall,” said Darcy, trying not to sound defensive, “Miss Elizabeth directed some rather pointed accusations at me when I proposed to her at Hunsford.”
Fitzwilliam gave him a tight nod. Following his resolution, Darcy had told his cousin of the event, much to Fitzwilliam’s amusement. As he had expected, Fitzwilliam had proven supportive, for he had the highest opinion of Miss Elizabeth and felt Darcy could not do better in a future wife. Darcy had not informed him of the full accounting he had given her to persuade her of his innocence in the matter of Wickham.
“Knowing how he had deceived her,” continued Darcy, “I knew I must give her the full knowledge of his depravity. Thus, I informed her, not only of our history but of his actions toward Georgiana.”
“That was a risk, Darcy,” said Fitzwilliam, his tone still disapproving.
“Yes, I cannot but suppose Miss Elizabeth is as trustworthy as you claim,” said Fitzwilliam when Darcy would have protested. “I have no notion she will think the worst of our girl for her near misstep. There is a risk of a secret being revealed the more people know of it, to say nothing of including it in a letter that may fall into the wrong hands.”
“Perhaps there is,” said Darcy, allowing no hint of guilt to enter his mind. “Yet I cannot say I did not do it for the best, for Miss Elizabeth was on her guard when she returned, given the officers’ testimony of her last meeting with him.”
“It will serve her well should he accost her as we suspect.” Fitzwilliam sighed. “Very well, Darcy, I shall not say you were in error when you informed her. Please, let this matter go no further. We shall deal with Wickham and end his predations on his fellow men. Then there will be no need to inform anyone else.”
For a moment, Darcy wondered if he should tell his cousin about the closeness between Miss Elizabeth and her elder sister. He could not state with any surety whether Miss Elizabeth had shared the matter with Miss Bennet, but their relationship was of such closeness that he thought it possible. There was little enough reason to belabor the subject, so Darcy decided against it, knowing he had little more than conjecture, regardless.
“Now,” said Fitzwilliam, “is there anything else of which you have neglected to tell me? Perhaps another secret or two in the closet? Or perhaps Miss Elizabeth has a twin sister who might suit me?’
Darcy chuckled and shook his head. “I apologize, Fitzwilliam, but I know of no such connections. You might find her elder sister agreeable, but I doubt Bingley would be pleased if I assisted you in transferring her affections to you.”
“If he was foolish enough to leave her,” said Fitzwilliam, “I have little sympathy for the man.” Fitzwilliam regarded him quizzically. “Is she much like Miss Elizabeth?”
“Nearly the opposite,” replied Darcy. “Miss Elizabeth is arch while Miss Bennet is sweet, lively where her sister is demure, and will tell you exactly what she thinks where one must guess the contents of Miss Bennet’s heart. I cannot recall two sisters who are less similar, but share such a profound relationship.”
“Well, well,” said Fitzwilliam, appearing pleased to hear it. “I shall anticipate taking her measure. Your friend Bingley can rest easy from my interference, for you know I must marry with some attention to money. If she is as fine a woman as I suspect you are telling me, perhaps she is worth resigning my independence.”
“I shall make no other comment,” replied Darcy. “You shall meet her yourself before long. I shall say that I do not find her nearly so interesting as her sister.”
“That is because you are of a reticent disposition yourself,” said Fitzwilliam, his manner suggesting distraction. “I am garrulous enough for us both, should I take a reticent wife. I imagine a little coaxing will reveal plenty of tidbits to stoke my interest.”
At that, Darcy decided he had said enough. Though Darcy had misinterpreted her silence and suspected her of indifference to his friend, Miss Elizabeth’s testimony now told him that Miss Bennet had not been unaffected. As such, he had no desire to intrude upon Bingley’s interest by supporting his cousin in any pursuit of Miss Bennet.Thatmight be a break from which his friendship with Bingley might never recover, given what he knew of Bingley’s continued admiration for Miss Bennet. Thus, it was better to leave the matter strictly alone.
“Then we should inform Georgiana of the situation and prepare for a departure early tomorrow morning,” said Fitzwilliam, his businesslike attitude coming again to the fore. “Might I assume you will not tell Georgiana you informed Miss Elizabeth of her time in Ramsgate?”
“I do not think there is any occasion for that,” said Darcy. “It would only render her anxious and silent when she meets Miss Elizabeth.”
“Yes, I suppose you must be correct. Then if you will see to your preparations, I shall inform my contacts of our departure on the morrow. It would be best, I should think, to speak to Georgiana tonight.”
“I agree,” said Darcy.
With that, the cousins separated to see to their tasks. A sense of relief welled up within Darcy’s breast. This sitting about in London wondering what Wickham might contemplate had been difficult to endure, especially given the distance to Hertfordshire. When he was on hand to thwart anything Wickham might attempt, he would feel much better about the situation.
Chapter VII
“O
f course, I shall go to Hertfordshire with you!” exclaimed Georgiana when Darcy and Fitzwilliam presented the notion to her. “If you recall, I wished to go to Mr. Bingley’s estate instead of returning to Pemberley.” Georgiana offered a shy smile and added: “I should very much like to make Miss Elizabeth’s acquaintance.”
“That is good,” said Darcy, glancing at his cousin, who nodded his response. “But you should know that this is not merely a pleasure trip, Georgiana.”
“Oh?” asked his sister, her eyes clouding over. “Is there some problem?”
“There may be,” replied Darcy, resisting the urge to look to Fitzwilliam yet again.
