Chapter 22
Elizabeth hurried down the stairs in such a tormented state of mind that she almost stumbled.
Georgiana’s story itself — although painful and disturbing — did not come as a complete surprise to her.
She had some prior suspicions from the day of Mr Darcy’s confession about Mr Wickham in Hertfordshire.
More frightening than the attempted elopement planned by a vicious, disgraceful man was the turmoil and the fear that had grown inside Georgiana’s heart, like a poisonous weed that had suffocated her spirit.
The girl’s good heart, very similar to Jane’s, prevented her from seeing the whole truth — as depraved as it was.
Elizabeth had no doubt that it had been an elaborate scheme, designed by Mr Wickham with the involvement of Mrs Younge, in order to trap Georgiana and her dowry, which must be considerable.
Being Mr Darcy’s brother-in-law was something that Mr Wickham had likely never dreamt of, but he had not taken the trouble to attain that goal through honourable means and hard work.
Why would he, since he had already gained so much in his life by deception and disloyalty?
As for Georgiana being with child, Elizabeth did not dare speculate.
She thanked the Lord that Mrs Gardiner was already there.
She should know what to ask and what to look for in order to discover the truth.
Regardless of its nature, the truth was better than the dreadful doubts that had tortured the girl for so long.
At least they would know what to expect and have a little time to attend to the circumstances in the best possible way.
She found her relatives in the drawing room with Mr Darcy, engaged in a surprisingly friendly discussion. She greeted them and sat for a moment, preparing her excuse to take her aunt away.
“How is Miss Darcy today?” her father enquired.
“She is a little better,” Elizabeth answered hesitantly. “In fact, she has expressed a desire to see Aunt Gardiner, since she is one of the very few people who spent time with Lady Anne during her illness.”
As she spoke, Elizabeth saw Mr Darcy’s frown of surprised disbelief, but she pretended not to notice it.
“Oh, that would be wonderful indeed!” Mrs Gardiner exclaimed. “I would be honoured and delighted to meet Miss Darcy if she wishes it.”
“She does. If the gentlemen do not mind, we shall go upstairs.”
Mr Darcy approved the scheme with a nod, his puzzlement obvious in his stare that followed them.
In the hall, Mrs Gardiner expressed her joy one more time.
“Aunt, there is something very important that I must speak to you about before you meet Georgiana,” Elizabeth said urgently. “We shall go to my chamber first, to speak privately for a few moments.”
“Of course, my dear. You sound very worried! Is something wrong?”
“Something is terribly wrong, and I hope you will help us resolve it,” Elizabeth confessed as they entered her chamber.
“Aunt, there is something of extraordinary importance I must ask your advice about. I trust your secrecy and your wisdom, and I must beg you not to share this with anybody, including Papa and my uncle. Georgiana will grant you her complete confidence — something she has not dared to do with her own relatives.”
“My dear, now I am really scared. Stop warning me and let me know what is happening!”
With a few hesitant words and in a trembling voice, Elizabeth related the story, ending with the request she must make of her aunt.
“Dear Lord, what a despicable man! When you wrote to me asking about Mr Wickham, I did not imagine such a horrible character! Poor Mr Darcy would be devastated to know how his godson has turned out.”
“He probably would, but at this time I care little about anyone but Georgiana and her peace.”
“Let us go and see her. But my dear, I believe you should only stay until she grows at ease with me, then leave us alone. She will be more comfortable answering my questions in complete privacy.”
“Very well.”
With tension burdening them both, they knocked and entered Georgiana’s apartment. The girl was fully dressed, and Mrs Annesley was there. After a brief introduction, Georgiana kindly asked her companion to leave.
Mrs Gardiner sat on the indicated chair, and for a moment, she and the girl exchanged some glances.
“You have inherited Lady Anne’s beauty, Miss Darcy,” Mrs Gardiner said. “From a hundred young ladies, I could have guessed you were her daughter without hesitation.”
“Thank you, Mrs Gardiner,” Georgiana whispered, lowering her eyes.
“I imagine it is difficult for you to see someone you probably do not remember here in your room. I know I am a stranger to you, but please know Lizzy and I have kept you in our hearts all these years.”
“Lizzy told me. I am so grateful to you both.”
“Dearest, I have told my aunt about your situation,” Elizabeth interjected. “Please do not hesitate to speak to her openly. If you agree, I shall leave you two alone and will wait outside the door.”
“Oh…yes, it is probably the best,” the girl agreed after a moment of panic and hesitation.
“I shall be in the hall if you need me,” Elizabeth assured her again with a smile and a gentle embrace.
She closed the door behind her and then leant against the wall, taking a deep breath and rubbing her temples to ease her headache.
It was still morning, and she had only been in Mr Darcy’s house for a day and a half, but it felt as long as a month.
She put her ear to the door but could hear nothing from inside. The sound of footsteps startled her only when they were very close, and she found herself facing Mr Darcy’s dumbfounded stare, matching the frown between his eyebrows.
“Miss Bennet? What are you doing here?” he asked.
His voice seemed to echo in the heavy silence.
Shocked, Elizabeth impulsively tried to quiet him by pressing her palm over his mouth.
As he was speaking, his moving lips were parted, and her fingers brushed over it.
The sensation of his warm breath on her skin was so powerful that it burnt her, and she instantly withdrew her hand, while thrills overwhelmed her entire being.
Abashed, she averted her eyes, and in doing so, she missed Mr Darcy’s gesture of licking his lips after her touch and his own embarrassment at realising it.
Knowing he deserved an explanation, Elizabeth took a few steps away, and he followed her. She rose onto her toes, and he lowered his head to better hear her whispers.
“Georgiana is talking to my aunt. Privately. And I do not wish to disturb them.”
Mr Darcy’s look of astonished puzzlement only increased.
“Alone? Without you?”
Hoping he had not noticed that his nearness in the middle of the empty hall had made her warm and shivery at the same time, she continued.
“She spoke to me too. But she needs a mother figure, for advice and guidance which I cannot provide.”
“But…”
“Please do not worry, sir. I trust my aunt with my life. She would never betray a secret.”
“I do not doubt Mrs Gardiner. I just wonder why my sister chose to speak to her since they are barely acquainted.”
“Sometimes it is easier to confide in a stranger than your own relatives, as much as you love them.”
“That I can understand,” he admitted. “Even I have confessed things to you that I have kept secret from my own family.”
“I am glad you did,” she replied. They were now close enough to feel the warmth of each other’s unsteady breathing, which made both dizzy. It was Mr Darcy who took a step back to increase the distance between them.
“I shall leave you now unless you require my presence.”
“I do not. I shall stay here to watch the door until they call for me.”
“Thank you, Miss Bennet. In less than two days, you have succeeded where I have failed for so many months.”
“You are too severe on yourself, sir. A young girl can more easily open herself up to a friend close to her age than to her much older brother whom she loves and admires.”
“Will you tell me what is happening?” he enquired with apparent disquiet.
“Only if and as much as Georgiana allows me to. However, I promise I shall do everything in my power to soothe her distress and to see her improve.”
“That is all I hope and pray for,” he admitted. He looked at her with lingering gaze for another moment, appearing undecided and uneasy, until he found his words again.
“My cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam has arrived, and he is looking forward to making your acquaintance. Perhaps you could join us?”
“As soon as Georgiana completes her conversation with my aunt, I shall see how she feels. My plans for today depend on her.”
“Of course. Thank you.”
He turned to leave when Elizabeth grabbed his arm.
“Mr Darcy?”
“Yes?”
“Please stop thanking me, sir. Every time I speak to you, I fear you will thank me again,” she teased him.
“I shall try since it is your wish. But I cannot promise, since I am truly, deeply thankful to you, Miss Bennet.”
With that, he left. Elizabeth watched him depart, then she looked at her fingers that had pressed over his mouth.
Since he was gone, she had time to recollect that moment and realise she had touched the inner part of his lips and even his tongue for an instant.
That thought was disturbing, in a pleasant, mortifying way that made her quiver and feel ashamed of herself.
She just hoped he gave no importance to her silly action and forgot it as soon as it occurred.
It was truly nothing; only her being a simpleton caused her to be so affected by an innocent — though improper — gesture.
***