Page 33 of The Heir and Spare
They both ordered, and as they gathered their sweets—including some wrapped items Georgiana was bringing home to her brother and housekeeper—Penny leaned across the counter. “Your brother is doing good by us all to put that scoundrel behind bars. There is nothing at all good that can come of such a man free to ruin the lives of good women everywhere. Not to mention the debt he racked up all over Derbyshire. Grateful I will always be for your family.” She pressed a hand to her heart. And then the door opened, so she straightened and greeted the new guests.
Lizzie glanced curiously at Georgiana but she seemed to be more reserved. The news was certainly having an effect. They ate a few bites of an admittedly delicious crumpet and then Georgiana sighed. “I must apologize for my wool gathering. You must have noticed. That news of my brother and the man he is putting behind bars… I feel personally affected by it.”
“I, too, know a man who almost ruined my sister and us all. So you will hear no judgment from me. If it helps to talk about it, I will keep your secrets,” Lizzie replied.
She shifted a moment. “My brother has recently learned of terrible actions of a man we all grew up with. He abducted a young girl, left a bunch of unanswered debt all over town, and it seemed had no intention of marrying the girl.” She shook a moment. And then rubbed her hands up and down her arms. “But Fitz found him and presented evidence against him and he will be shipped off and exiled, never to harm another soul in England again.” Her lips quivered. “He convinced me once of his love. I thought myself equally in love.” She looked away. “How foolish.”
Lizzie reached for her hand. “No. That doesn’t make you foolish. The ability to love and to love deeply is a gift. And you are not at fault for loving someone who was imperfect. I’m terribly sad someone so undeserving was the recipient of your love.”
She shook her head. “No. It wasn’t really him I loved. How could it be, since I was mistaken about who he was. It was the idea of who I thought he was. Gallant, kind, caring, ready to place me at the center of their universe.” She fiddled with her food. “Sounds foolish now.”
Lizzie felt her eyes fill with tears. Shocked at her own emotional reaction, she waved a hand in front of her face. “Oh my goodness. But no. You are anything but foolish. The worst parts about this whole situation are these feelings left inside you.I wish there was a way to ban them from your heart.” She wished the same for Lydia. Perhaps it would be good for the two to meet. She sat back in her chair. “Do you think a man such as you imagined really exists? Is there such a person?”
Georgiana lifted one corner of her mouth and Lizzie was pleased to see some cheer returning to her new friend.
“I have a brother who is just like that. Maybe two.” She laughed.
“Maybe?”
“Well, yes, two. One is more reliable and one is more…spontaneous.”
Lizzie laughed. “I wonder what you aren’t saying there?” She took a sip of tea. “But which one worked to put the bad man in jail?”
“The spontaneous one. Actually they both did.”
Lizzie nodded. “So they both have good hearts.”
“Oh definitely. I think so.” She dabbed her mouth. “This has been so lovely. I do believe I’m going to miss you. But I have to return to my class.”
“Oh yes! And my sisters and aunt are here in town somewhere as well.”
“Goodness, I have kept you.” Georgiana looked terribly sorry.
But Lizzie shook her head. “Oh dear, no. I’ve kept myself. Time well spent. I’m pleased to meet you.”
“And I you. I’ll invite you for tea once I get our schedule from the brothers. I believe they are coming into town.”
Lizzie smiled. “I’d like that.”
She watched Georgiana walk out the bakery door. What could have happened with this particularly terrible man? She shook her head, mumbling to herself. Dear Lydia. Dear every woman at the mercy of men like Wickham. Some were very lucky and still able to have a life of some normalcy. Others would neveragain be able to join proper Society. Worse still, others were tied to such a man in marriage. Lizzie shuddered.
And yet, Miss Georgiana was lucky indeed to have brothers such as hers. Lizzie smiled to herself. Her thoughts turned to Mr. Darcy. Had he too been their savior? Had he rescued Lydia and then protected everyone from Wickham?
She felt a sudden tightness in her throat and moisture at her eyes. How did one thank a person for such an act? She would certainly try at dinner this evening. He was a puzzle and certainly difficult to converse with. But perhaps dinner would lend itself to a moment of quiet conversation.
She exited out on the street in time to see a carriage ride too quickly through town, hit a puddle, and completely douse a young boy with dirty water.
“Oh no!” She ran out to him.
His little lips quivered. Muddy water streamed down his face.
“You poor dear.” The small handkerchief she produced and used to at least wipe his eyes and mouth did little to help with anything else. It was soon a darker brown than he. “And where do you belong, little man?”
His eyes twinkled with a bit of mischief. “I shoulda been in school just now. Wouldna gotten hit by the Darcy carriage if I’da just been sitting in class with Miss Georgiana.” He shrugged.
“Well, let’s walk you there now, shall we?” She pressed her lips together. “Are you certain it was the Darcy carriage?”
He nodded. “That Mr. Darcy thinks it’s a bit of a game.”
