Page 22 of See, Hear, Speak No Evil, Mr. Darcy
“An elopement assures no other might steal you from me, for you are too beautiful to describe,” the man said.
At this, Georgiana shot up. Jane grabbed a bowl so the poor girl could empty her stomach. Elizabeth rubbed Miss Darcy’s back in slow strokes, soothing her with hushed words and drying the inevitable tears that come when one is distraught.
“Some tea,” Mary said as she and Aunt Philips entered the parlor. As their aunt poured tea, Mary handed Miss Darcy a cool cloth.
“Aunt, we thank you. The sight of blood can be quite distressing. I, too, forgot it was the day of the month that the smithy attends to people’s teeth,” said Mary.
“Oh, a horrible sight. I was far worse than your young friend the first time I saw it. I am sure I fainted dead away and that I needed my salts to rouse me,” Mrs. Philips said, shaking her head with grave understanding.
“The Darcy coach comes, Lizzy,” Jane whispered. “Mary and I will walk home after we have tea with our aunt.”
Elizabeth and Charlotte surrounded Miss Darcy as they rushed to climb into the carriage. They were shocked when the soldier, who was speaking with Miss King, stared at the coach with surprise, fear, and then anger. It shocked them all the more when he followed the coach down the street and hailed Miss Darcy, and within, Miss Darcy begged for the coachman to depart all the faster.
“Please, I beg of you, do not mention that man to my brother. He has betrayed William so many times that an encounter between them could be dangerous.He”—Miss Darcy spat out the word—“is afraid of none but my cousin Richard, forhe is Colonel Fitzwilliam. I will send him an express the moment I am returned to Netherfield.”
“Did he hurt you?” Elizabeth demanded, ready to take up a defense.
“Please. He is so dangerous that I fear for my brother's safety if they were to encounter one another. The man gambles. He seduces young girls by promising marriage, then abandons them. He wants either her virtue or her money. A lady means nothing to him without one or the other. All the better if she has both. The one he was speaking to must be warned,” Miss Darcy said in pleading earnestness.
“I am uneasy with the suggestion not to tell your brother,” Charlotte stated.
“Allow me to send Richard word of our needing him in Hertfordshire, I beg you. I cannot lose my brother. He is the last in the Darcy line and the only family I have left at Pemberley,” Miss Darcy said, dabbing at her tears with a linen square.
“Send your express. You will stay within Netherfield Park until he arrives, or your brother is told. If there is no reply from your cousin for two days, I feel obligated to tell your brother. I prefer he is on his guard, and I know he will want to be aware of what worries you,” Elizabeth said, glancing at Charlotte to see they were equally concerned for both Darcys.
“But he will challenge George Wickham and may be hurt or…or worse. My brother is an upstanding gentleman. That man is a liar, a gamester, and is a cruel man who cares for none beyond himself,” Miss Darcy pleaded.
“Mr. Darcy is our friend. We would not want him to come to harm. I also know his well-being depends on your safety. If this man is a threat, I prefer him to be aware of the danger. I will not stand by if it is possible to avoid something unpleasant by informing him of this man’s presence,” Elizabeth said, uneasywith the thought of keeping this from him if Miss Darcy was this upset by the man’s appearance.
“Town is a short four-hour ride, so we will wait sixteen hours, Miss Darcy. If your cousin is there, as you believe, he can arrive by then,” Charlotte said, reaching out to take the younger lady’s free hand. “Elizabeth is correct to want to tell your brother. So, we will compromise. We will say we heard in Meryton words spoken by one of the soldiers that upset you, words which upset us all. That we intend to inform our fathers, and, until the man is dealt with, we will visit you here, but none of us will go into Meryton.”
“I sometimes forget how logical you are, Charlotte. Does that suit, Miss Darcy?”
“Thank you, yes. He is warned of the situation, but not who upset me. Thank you,” Miss Darcy said, squeezing both hands she held in relief.
“If the gentleman is so dangerous, I agree itisprudent to wait for the colonel before Mr. Darcy confronts him. I pray your cousin is all you claim him to be. I have never met such a man, but if he is, he must certainly be an incredible sight to behold,” Charlotte said, looking out the window to make certain the man they fled had not followed them beyond High Street.
Chapter 10
Georgiana Wanders the Grounds of Netherfield Park the Following Morning
“Please inform my brother I am in the gardens, should he ask after me,” Georgiana said to the Netherfield housekeeper.
“Of course, Miss Darcy,” Mrs. Nicholls said. “Some find the gardens on the eastern side preferable in the mornings because the sun has reached them.”
“Thank you,” Georgiana said, then readied herself in her heavier cloak, gloves, and bonnet.
Before leaving the house, she placed her hand on the pocket now sewn into all her gowns. She found comfort in the certainty that the small gun she had begun to carry on her person soon after her encounter with Wickham at Ramsgate was on her person.
Why did he have to be here?Is it not bad enough that I must live with the fear of his speaking of my folly? That he made a fool of me? He made me think myself in love because of a few pretty compliments.
Georgiana’s pace picked up with her increasing agitation.
“Oh, Richard, do come. I need you now more than ever. I cannot let him kill William.”
As she walked through Mr. Bingley’s gardens, a withered red rose reminded her of her cousin’s military uniform.I wonder if the red conceals blood. ’Tis near the same color.Georgiana touched the petals, imagining all kinds of danger.
The rustling of leaves startled her. When she whirled around, George Wickham rushed toward her.
