Page 113 of Mr. Darcy Comes to Town

“I might have,” he argued, grinning.

“But it would not have been Flora,” Georgiana protested, pulling away so she could lie back on her pillows.

Nodding at her assertion, he asked, “Is that what you mean to call her?”

“Mary suggested it.”

“Flora is a fine name.”

She picked at her covers, saying, “Are you thinking of sending me back to London?”

Darcy frowned. “I—”

“Please do not,” she begged, clasping her hands together against her chest. “I am supposed to go and see Flora today—I hoped Mary would come with me.”

Darcy rose and tugged his waistcoat back into place as he took a turn about the bedchamber, thinking about the potential danger of keeping his sister in Meryton.

“If you cannot accompany us, then perhaps Elliot could come with us?” Georgiana suggested. “Or Cousin Douglas? No one in uniform would accost us if a colonel were there.”

Smiling grimly, Darcy stopped pacing and looked at his sister. Perhaps Miss Elizabeth is right. If Georgiana grows accustomed to the possibility of seeing Wickham, she will not be anxious during her first season…but I do not trust that the blaggard will keep his distance.

“There is much in what you say,” Darcy admitted. “I will talk with Douglas. I must go to him. Will you be able to sleep without someone being in the room with you?”

“I am not a child,” she said, pulling the covers up to her chin. Glancing around, she asked, “Where is Jeffry?”

“He left.”

“Oh.”

Darcy indicated all the candles. “Shall I snuff these out?” Georgiana hesitated. “I will turn the lamp down low.”

She nodded, biting her lip.

Darcy turned down the lamp, snuffed out the candles, keeping the one beside her bed for last. He snuffed it out, then leaned over and kissed her forehead.

“There,” he said, smiling as he straightened. “Is that enough light?”

“Yes,” she said, nodding rapidly. “I am going to think about my puppy as I go to sleep.”

“A sound idea.” Darcy turned and left the bedchamber, expecting to hear her call out to him to stay, but she did not. Progress. Just the idea of the puppy is soothing her.

He found Bingley and Douglas waiting in the library for him, standing in front of the fire, sipping brandy.

“How is she?” Douglas asked anxiously.

“Better than I feared,” Darcy admitted, coming forward and accepting a glass of brandy from Bingley.

“Good,” Douglas said, his lips tightening. “In the morning, I will write to his Colonel in Brighton so I can report on that man’s behavior.”

“It would be excellent if you can get him to recall Wickham to Brighton until the regiment removes to Meryton,” Darcy said, hearing the grimness in his voice. “By then, Georgiana will be back in London.”

“I will do my best,” Douglas promised, his expression determined, “without giving the colonel any information that could harm Georgiana’s future.”

“Indeed,” Darcy murmured. “Now, explain everything that happened tonight.”

“Did your sister not tell you?” Bingley asked.

“I did not ask her,” Darcy said. “Now, Douglas, if you please.”