Page 67 of Darcy's Guarded Heart
Relief washed visibly across Mr Darcy’s face—and Elizabeth knew hers would mirror his.
“You were right to turn back,” Mr Darcy said quietly. “It would not have been the beginning she deserved.”
Thomas stepped forward. “I may have erred in taking her, but you erred too—in refusing us the chance to be happy.”
“I know,” Mr Darcy said. “I saw only as a man raised in expectation and pride. But I see more clearly now.” He turned to Georgiana. “Do you love him?”
“With all my heart,” she said.
Mr Darcy shifted, clearly uncomfortable, and Elizabeth had to bite back a laugh. She could see it—the protective older brother uncertain how to hear such confessions from his little sister.
“He told me about George,” Georgiana added. “I only wish you had.”
Mr Darcy looked at Elizabeth, then back at Thomas. “I’m not angry with either of you. I am thankful that Elizabeth told the truth. If not for her, none of us would be standing here now.”
Thomas nodded. “As we neared Gretna Green, I realised I was becoming what I never intended to be—a man who would pull her from her family without care. I didn’t mean harm. But she loves you. And she’d never be happy without you.”
Tears sprang to Georgiana’s eyes. “It’s true. I was prepared to marry him—but not without you, Fitzwilliam. I need you there. I want you to walk me down the aisle.”
Mr Darcy reached for her, and the siblings embraced tightly. “You shall have it,” he said, voice thick. “I’ve spent too long trying to shield you when I should have stood beside you.”
Thomas watched them, then said, “What of your family? What will they say?”
“They’ll be displeased,” Mr Darcy said. “Some may cut ties altogether.”
“Not Richard,” Georgiana said at once.
“No,” Mr Darcy agreed. “But the rest… it will be difficult. I only wish Thomas had a name to shelter behind. But no matter—we shall find our way.”
At that moment, Mr Bennet stepped forward.
“There’s something I must say. I’ve held my peace for years, but it’s time Thomas knew the truth about his father. I always said I did not know who he was but…”
Thomas turned, startled. “You know who my father was?”
“I do. Peter Waynesborough. The second son of the Earl of Mortimer.”
Mr Darcy paled. “I knew him. He died recently—of excess, as he lived. A cruel, selfish man.”
“How could you not have told me?” Thomas demanded.
“I wanted to spare you the burden,” Mr Bennet said. “But perhaps I was wrong.”
“Yes, you were,” Thomas said, running a hand through his hair.
“If I might,” Mr Darcy said. “The Earl would never have acknowledged a child born outside of marriage. And he himself is no kinder than his son.”
Thomas looked shaken. “I’m the Earl’s grandson?”
“Technically,” Mr Bennet replied. “But Peter Waynesborough would not have claimed you.”
Thomas’s voice was low. “I still had a right to know.”
“I’m sorry,” Mr Bennet said. “I thought it kinder to let you imagine the possibilities. I did not think it would have helped to know when I knew they would not want you. Your mother told the man she was with child and cast her out. After she died, I went to see the earl to speak to him, tell him he had a grandchild—he did not want to hear anything about it. He is a cold unfeeling man. You have lost nothing not knowing him.”
“But I had a right to be told,” Thomas demanded.
Georgiana took Thomas’s hand. “You had a loving family. You still do. We both do. I have heard of the Earl of Mortimer and he is dreadful. But I must wonder, does it make a difference in our case?” The last part, she addressed to her brother.
