Page 55 of Darcy's Guarded Heart
“He was his father’s only son and quite close to him, but according to Georgiana, once Wickham entered their lives, he became the late Mr Darcy’s favoured child. Darcy was often cast aside, as all his father’s attention gravitated towards Wickham, which fostered resentment. Even Georgiana appeared bewitched by him, for Wickham was mischievous and charming, while Darcy was seen as quite the opposite—responsible yet rigid.”
“It’s no wonder he cultivated such a sense of responsibility; he was raised to be that way,” Elizabeth said, surprising herself with her defence of Mr Darcy.
Thomas nodded. “Indeed, the same dynamics persisted during their time at Cambridge. Many of Darcy’s former friends abandoned him for Wickham, drawn to the latter’s inclination to indulge and enjoy life rather than commit to his studies. He was also quite generous with his finances.”
“That does sound like Mr Wickham,” Elizabeth mused. “Generous with money that belongs to another.”
“Precisely. Georgiana confided that her brother often felt inadequate, as though he was never enough.”
“I suppose when he arrived here, he sensed a familiar pattern developing,” Elizabeth concluded.
“How does Georgiana understand all of this? Surely, as a child, she could not have grasped the entirety of it?” Thomas asked.
“Some of it she witnessed herself; other pieces were recounted by her cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam,” he explained. “In any case, she believes that her brother was jealous of me. That is not something I ever thought I would experience. A gentleman envious. Of me.”
“Oh,” Elizabeth said, her understanding dawning. “Because you and Mr Bingley have become rather close, haven’t you?”
“Indeed, though it was not my intention to come between them. In truth, I do not think Bingley regards me as a better friend than Darcy. I hope that, over time, we will become closer, yet we have not exchanged words since he departed Netherfield. He never mentioned leaving, which I would have thought a true friend should do. Nevertheless, when Georgiana and I started to grow closer, he must have interpreted it as a repeat of what transpired when Wickham entered their lives. Everyone favoured him.”
“Do you know what transpired between Mr Wickham and Georgiana?” she asked.
Thomas frowned, his brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”
Elizabeth replied, “Two years ago, Mr Wickham cunningly attempted to charm Georgiana into believing herself in love with him, persuading her to elope, so they could wed and he could seize the Darcy fortune for himself.”
“Good heavens!” Thomas exclaimed, clenching his fists. “That weasel! Poor Georgiana…”
“She was blissfully unaware. Mr Darcy uncovered Mr Wickham’s intentions and intervened before he could execute his plan, ensuring that Mr Wickham was never allowed near her again.”
“Well, that is a relief,” Thomas said, nodding. “I would not have wished her to suffer such a fate.”
“Yet Darcy must see me as some sort of monster now,” Thomas continued, a pained expression crossing his face. “I never would have intended for any of this…” he paused. “If only he could see that I wish to be with Georgiana…”
Elizabeth’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean, you never would have?”
“Nothing, Elizabeth,” he said quickly, cutting off the conversation. “It is late. I must retire. It has been a long day, and you should rest as well. Do not fret, all shall be well eventually. I hope these revelations regarding Darcy may soften your sentiments, at least a fraction.”
“I hold no feelings for him, save for disdain,” she retorted, rising from her chair and meeting Thomas’s gaze.
“Indeed,” he replied, his tone laced with scepticism. “Of course, you do not. I must have been imagining things.”
“I assure you, you were mistaken. There was never anything between Mr Darcy and myself, nor shall there ever be.”
“Very well,” Thomas said, a note of resignation in his voice. “I shall bid you good night then. Until the morning.”
As he made his way back to his chamber, Elizabeth remained seated, grappling with thoughts that spun through her mind. The truths concerning Mr Darcy’s past stirred an unexpected sympathy within her. It provided context for his actions. If jealousy had been the driving force behind his behaviour, it would explain his choices and how he had perceived Thomas as a threat. Yet he had chosen to gamble with the well-being of those he had left behind—Georgiana, Jane, and Mr Bingley—leaving them all deeply affected by his decisions.
She glanced again at Thomas’s door. His words lingered in her mind. What had he meant by never would have’? Confusion swept over her, and as she extinguished the candles, she made her way up to her chamber in darkness, emotions swirling within her more tumultuous than ever.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Darcy
It was a dull, grey morning in London. The house was quiet, except for the faint clink of the fire grate in the drawing room. Georgiana Darcy sat by the window, not looking up as her brother entered. Her embroidery lay untouched in her lap.
Darcy stood nearby, uncertain how to begin. After a moment, he said quietly, “You must speak to me eventually, Georgiana. This silence cannot go on.”
She did not respond.
