Page 69 of Mr. Darcy's Runaway Bride
“And why shouldn’t she?” Georgiana asked with surprising firmness.
Shocked silence followed. Elizabeth felt a rush of affection for the young woman whose courage in defending a sister-in-law she’d just met revealed her true character.
Lady Catherine recovered quickly. “We’ll speak no more of this unsuitable topic. Georgiana, you will play for us in the drawing room.”
As the ladies rose, Elizabeth caught Georgiana’s eye and mouthed, “thank you.” The younger woman smiled back, her expression full of both sympathy and solidarity. Once dinner concluded, the gentlemen retired to the parlour while Lady Catherine excused herself, feigning a migraine. This left Elizabeth and Georgiana alone once more.
“Come,” the girl said. “Let us go into the garden.”
Relieved to have escaped Lady Catherine and Lord Matlock’s scrutiny as well as Darcy’s cold demeanour, she followed her sister-in-law outside.
At first, their conversation revolved around benign things—books, plays, clothing and such. However, Georgiana was no better at hiding her feelings than Darcy was, and Elizabeth knew something was on her mind.
“Fitzwilliam and I had occasion to talk before dinner,” she said suddenly. “He told me about Mr Wickham. About your acquaintance with him, and the disagreement between you.”
Elizabeth stopped, caught off guard. “He did?”
Georgiana nodded, her face was solemn in the fading light. “He’s deeply wounded.”
A chill raced down her spine. “I never meant to betray him. When I saw Wickham’s portrait, I thought of telling him about my acquaintance with him, but then I chose not to, for I did not know their history—” Elizabeth began, then hesitated. “Later, Colonel Fitzwilliam told me more details and…” she paused, not wanting to open wounds for the young woman.
“My foolishness at Ramsgate. You need not avoid using the words, Elizabeth.”
She gulped. “When I heard the tale, I feared that by confessing my prior knowledge of Wickham, I would taint my relationship with your brother. I know I should have told him, but I could not bring myself to. I was also ashamed for ever having considered Wickham a decent man.”
“Wickham is calculating; he always has been. Fitzwilliam would have understood, but I can see you chose to conceal it for him.”
“I should not have. It only caused problems between us,” she admitted. “I should have trusted him.”
“Trust is very important for my brother. That’s why your silence about Wickham hurt him so deeply. It suggested you didn’t trust his judgement—that perhaps you found him wanting.”
Georgiana’s words sank in. “I never meant—”
“I know,” Georgiana squeezed her hand. “And so does he, when he’s thinking clearly. Give him time. He will forgive and he will understand.”
She squeezed her hand and for the time being, Elizabeth could do nothing but hope her young sister-in-law was right.
Chapter 25
Darcy
The morning light crept reluctantly through the heavy draperies at Rosings Park as Fitzwilliam Darcy dressed with particular care, his thoughts preoccupied with the conversation he must have with Elizabeth. Two days had passed since their arrival at his aunt’s estate, days filled with strained politeness that concealed deeper wounds.
He paused at his reflection in the looking glass, straightening his cravat with unnecessary precision. The man who gazed back at him appeared composed, proper—yet beneath this veneer of gentlemanly decorum lay a turmoil of emotions he scarcely knew how to navigate.
When he entered the breakfast parlour, he found Elizabeth already present, a letter spread before her on the table.
“Troubling news?” he enquired, finally stepping into the room.
Elizabeth refolded the pages with hands that trembled slightly. “From Longbourn. Jane writes that the Bingleys have quit Netherfield without ceremony, returning to London the very day after our departure. There is no indication they intend to return to Hertfordshire.” Her eyes, when she raised them to his, held accusation and bewilderment. “Mr Bingley’s attentions to my sister were marked, his regard obvious to all. How could he depart so suddenly, without even a proper farewell?”
Discomfort coursed through Darcy, settling like a weight in his stomach. He had thought Bingley would speak to JaneBennet first, telling her he would be away for some time so she would not be left wondering. Caroline most likely had done what Darcy thought she would: Ensured a permanent break. This had been his intention, of course, at least in the moment. Though since then, he’d regretted his actions.
“He mentioned a matter of business in Town requiring his immediate attention.”
“So, Miss Bingley indicated in her note to Jane.” Elizabeth studied his countenance with an intensity that made him turn towards the sideboard.
“London affairs often demand prompt attention,” Darcy replied, striving for a measured tone.
