Page 110

CHAPTER 13

Days later, George Wickham approached Georgiana in the garden at Longbourn. He presented her with her favourite flower and proceeded to beguile her with reminiscences of their most cherished moments at Pemberley.

Georgiana was exceedingly entertained, and she made no pretence of hiding it. “You always did know how to make me laugh, George. Although, I suppose I should learn to address you otherwise for appearances sake and to lessen the aspect of familiarity that exists between us.”

“But are we not especially familiar? Have I not known you all your life and I dare ask who knows me better than you?”

She smiled fondly at the person who had devoted so many hours to giving her pleasure over the course of her life. “If only my brother could summon the strong familial harmony you and he once shared.”

“I take some of the credit for Darcy’s hard feelings against me for, just before he and I parted company at Pemberley, I might have expressed my disappointment with him less violently than I did. I might have handled my temper much better, and I know that now. If I could do it again, I most certainly would do it differently, for I am a changed man, and soon Darcy will see that too.”

He extended his arm, which she graciously accepted, and he guided her away from view of the manor house. “Seeing you alone in the garden was fortuitous. I have longed for a chance to speak with you in privacy. There is much I had wished to say to you when we dined with the Philipses that evening.”

“And I you.”

“I have thought of you so many times since we parted, and never more than of late, now that you are a young woman of an age where you are likely giving thought to your place in society. You do remember your promise that you would wait for me?”

Her heart turned somersaults. Her hopes and dreams had not been in vain, for he remembered their promise as well.

“And despite the disheartening circumstances that brought you to Hertfordshire, it is most fortunate that we are all here. Soon, your brother will come to know how mistaken he is about my character, and he will bless our future union.”

“Oh, George, does that mean what I think? Are you? Are you?”

“I am indeed—if you will have me.”

“Oh, nothing would satisfy me more.”

“Then, it is official. Mind you, this must be our secret. We will know when the time is right to share our happy news with others.”

As was her custom, Elizabeth had spent hours in her father’s room, reading to him and the like. She was encouraged by what she felt certain were daily signs of improvement in his health. Having reached a fitting stopping point for the day, Elizabeth placed her book aside, stood, and walked to the window. She was not at all surprised to espy the dashing Lieutenant Wickham, for he and some of the officers regularly called at Longbourn. She was, however, surprised to see the gentleman and Georgiana sitting together on a bench. The couple’s comportment hinted of a fair degree of intimacy. “How long has this been going on?” Elizabeth voiced aloud.

She cast a furtive glance over her shoulder. His breathing steady, Mr. Bennet’s eyes were closed. Elizabeth proceeded to the door and quickly made her way outside. She was half way to the place where she had espied Georgiana and the lieutenant when she saw her sister headed towards the manor house—alone.

Elizabeth waited until they were but a short distance apart. “Georgiana, I saw you and Mr. Wickham in the garden earlier.”

“Indeed, Elizabeth. He called on the Bennets while you were visiting with your father, and he joined me as I was having a turn in the garden so we might talk.”

“Pardon, is this the first such instance where you and he have enjoyed a turn in the garden?”

“Come now, Elizabeth, I can well imagine my brother asking such a question. I am surprised to hear you voice it.”

“I would be remiss if I did not ask. Your brother has made it clear that he does not approve of Mr. Wickham, regardless of how amiable you or I might consider him to be. He would be terribly disappointed if he knew that you were spending time in the gentleman’s company.”

“Then, do not tell him is all I can say. I believe my brother is being entirely unreasonable where George is concerned. I have known George all my life, and all my memories of him are happy ones. Having met him and even spent time in his company yourself, can you wonder why I simply adore him?”

Elizabeth drew her head back. “Adore him, you say?”

“Indeed, what is there not to adore about him? He is kind and considerate; he is what every gentleman aspires to be.”

“He may be all those things, but pray you are not mistaking fondness built upon the basis of sweet childhood memories as something more.”

Georgiana coloured. She stared. She said nothing.

Elizabeth said, “Pray you take my meaning.”

Georgiana crossed her arms over her chest. “Perhaps you ought to just say what is on your mind.”

“Georgiana, I pray you are not considering that your future is with Lieutenant Wickham.”