Chapter 14
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Elizabeth retrieved her parasol and left the house on foot once Darcy went out for the morning.
Lady Catherine’s visit threw her into a discomposure of spirits, and being comforted by Darcy was equally disconcerting, although for far different reasons.
Lady Catherine had insulted her deeply, but it was not a lasting harm.
She would not be heard from again, at least not until she had learnt to keep a civil tongue.
Far more pressing on her heart was her imprudent kiss on Darcy’s cheek.
She ought not to have done that when his mind was occupied with his aunt’s indignation, his own offended feelings, and the reminder of his sister’s folly.
When he hugged her close this time, it took all of her strength not to press herself against him and kiss him on the lips.
He could hardly have similar thoughts about her amidst all of his distracting family concerns.
Maybe he would someday, if his cares were lessened.
Her errand this morning might help her husband with one of those concerns.
The letter Darcy had asked her about was a scribbled note from Georgiana asking her to meet and to bring more money.
She sighed over it, but it was another opportunity to draw her sister-in-law from her scoundrel of a husband.
This was how she could show Darcy how much she cared for him, by giving him what he most wanted.
It was busier in Berkeley Square than it had been last Sunday, and she finally found Georgiana in the south-west corner by the wall of Lansdowne House’s gardens.
“You are late,” Georgiana said. “I was worried you would not come.”
“I had to wait until your brother left.”
As she said the words, she knew it was wrong. He would be angry to know she was supporting Wickham through Georgiana’s hands. But surely another meeting or two would be all it would take to persuade her. She could bring her home, and it would make Darcy so happy.
Elizabeth passed a quick eye over her friend. Her walking boots needed to be brushed, and her pelisse had dirt marks along the bottom. What she could see of her hair appeared not to be styled, but carelessly shoved into her bonnet.
“Mrs Wickham,” she said cautiously, “how have you been keeping?”
A shade passed over her eyes, and then it was gone. “Very well. George says the sweetest things to me,” she answered with a faraway smile.
“But is he taking care of you? How are you living?”
Her grin faltered. “We have taken lodgings in Edward Street. I daresay it is not how you are living in Charles Street.”
Elizabeth wondered which of the many Edward Streets she was in. Whatever it was, it was likely only a few rooms. “Do you now have a servant to help you?”
A pout that reminded her of one of Lydia or Kitty’s tantrums formed on Georgiana’s lips. “How can we afford such things while my brother keeps my money from us?”
“Has Mr Wickham consulted an attorney?” she asked, curious.
“I do not know, but he is often gone.”
She blinked. He must not have found an attorney who thought he had a case. Darcy’s attorney thought it unlikely, but it would all come to nothing if Wickham did not bother to petition for it.
If Wickham would not receive any money, and if Georgiana disliked the conditions she was in, perhaps they would separate.
Georgiana had none of the telltale signs of a syphilitic infection, so it might not be too late to preserve her health.
“If you are unhappy where you are, your brother would support you if you and Wickham agreed to live apart.” Elizabeth reached for her hand.
“It is important to me that you know Darcy would support you.”
Georgiana snatched her hand away. “My home is with my husband. Before my union, I was admired only for my accomplishments of singing, playing, drawing. Now I need not perform to find a husband.”
“But your brother never expected you to parade about, and certainly not when you are so young.”
“But he did expect me to marry, and I wanted to. Marriage has always been my object, as it is for any young lady, and I have found someone who adores me. Now I am a wife and due all the courtesy attending to that station,” she finished proudly.
“Is social importance all that matters to you?” Elizabeth cried.
“What else is there for a woman but to be a wife? I have secured that for myself at fifteen, half the age of some women.”
“But you are destitute and cut off from those you love because all the world agrees that your husband is a scoundrel.”
“No, they hate that he is poor!”
Elizabeth sighed at how little progress she was making. “You say that Wickham tells you he adores you, but what do his actions say?”
Her gaze narrowed in a way that reminded her of Darcy’s expression when he was confused. “What do you mean?”
“His behaviour matters. Has he introduced you to his friends? Does he listen to your cares and concerns?”
“He shows me how he loves me every day,” Georgiana said in a tone that she thought Elizabeth to be rather silly. She had a good guess what “shows me he loves me” meant.
“But does he confide in you?” Elizabeth dropped her voice and leant a little closer. “Is he home with you every night?”
Georgiana blanched and dropped her eyes. “I do not control my husband. No decent wife would even try.”
Drinking, gaming, or prostitution was how her two guineas were spent.
She could not fully account for everywhere Darcy went or whom he saw, but he was home every evening.
He assured her with his words and behaviour that he was faithful.
Darcy had never said that he loved her, but at least his actions proved he cared for her and respected her.
“Aside from his disrespecting you by not being faithful…Georgiana, I fear he will give you some malady, if he has not already.”
She sucked in a breath. “I did not come here to be insulted,” she said harshly. “I came here for help.”
Elizabeth sighed and handed over three more pounds, but Georgiana baulked. “This is hardly anything. My brother must give you more than this.”
“This is all the ready cash I have,” she said, bristling at her ingratitude. “I am given pin money quarterly to have accounts wherever I shop.”
Georgiana sighed and shoved the coins into her reticule. “Wickham will be disappointed.”
“You must know I can give you very little,” Elizabeth said. “Why come to me at all?”
“My husband says you are a valuable ally in reconciling with my brother. I told him what a good friend you had been to me in Ramsgate.”
“I do want you to reconcile, but you know under what terms that must happen.”
Her eyes flashed, and she crossed her arms. “I must live apart from my husband? Be further dismissed and slighted? Forsake all hope of children? That is madness.”
“So was marrying that man.”
“I am a wife now, Mrs Darcy! How many girls of fifteen are so secure?” Georgiana threw up her hands.
“I no longer must spend the next ten years parading my accomplishments, talking to strangers, being on display. Forcing myself to pretend I am not shy just to get a husband. I am loved, and venerated for having entered the married state.”
Elizabeth shook her head. She might be glad to avoid putting her shy nature on display for the world, but Georgiana wanted to be distinguished as a married woman. She really was a lovesick girl.
“I hope you will carefully consider your situation, my dear,” Elizabeth said sadly. “If you change your mind or need a friend to talk to, you must send for me.”
“And if we need more money?”
“I have given you over five pounds in four days,” Elizabeth cried. “There will be no more money. You ought to afford a servant to help you now, and what I gave you today will cover your necessities until your husband finds employment.”
Georgiana heaved a sigh and fidgeted with her fingers.
“Then, then may I come to the house?” she asked timidly.
“I have clothes and other items in the room I used when I visited my brother. They were stored there after I left school for when I was to form my establishment with Mrs Younge after we went to Ramsgate.”
This was a request she could answer. “You and Wickham are not welcome at the house, but I will have them sent to you. Which Edward Street are you in?”
Georgiana paled. “Did I say Edward Street?”
“You did. What is the matter?”
Georgiana now looked like a little girl rather than a defiant young lady. “Wickham does not want Fitzwilliam to know where we are. He fears he will come in the night and steal me away.”
That did not sound like Darcy. If he did not force her in Gretna Green, why would he do so now?
Besides, Wickham would have the legal right to bring her home.
Darcy gave his sister every opportunity to make the right choice for herself.
He was not the sort to force a woman or a dependant into anything.
And if he dragged his sister away, she would just go right back to Wickham.
“He will not seek you out unless you send word you want to abandon your husband. Please, where may I send your belongings?”
Georgiana fervently shook her head. “I cannot tell you. Wickham forbade me to say. Please, can I not just come to the house?”
“And how will you carry away your clothes on your own?” She certainly did not have a footman or a carriage or even the money to hire one.
Her sister-in-law huffed. “It is not really clothes or personal items. It is a few jewels and some books. I want to sell them.”
Georgiana looked ashamed, and Elizabeth felt for her.
She had been an heiress of thirty thousand pounds, with all the connexions a girl could ask for, a home with a brother who doted on her, and now she was destitute and despised for marrying a well-known seducer and gamester.
Yes, it was all of her own making, but Elizabeth held back any further reprimands.
“Your brother mentioned needing to go to Derbyshire soon. When he is gone, you may collect your things.”