Chapter 23
The following morning, Elizabeth found Georgiana already fully dressed and prepared for their day out.
Dark circles around her blue eyes proved that the girl had not slept well; it was no wonder, considering the tormenting day ahead of them, a day which could make the difference between turmoil and tranquillity.
Elizabeth had spent a restless night too, partially due to her worry for Georgiana and partially due to her anxiety in regard to Mr Darcy.
That day was to be a turning point. She had not mentioned to Georgiana Mrs Gardiner’s suspicions that Mr Wickham had only pretended to have shared her bed in order to force the elopement.
From his many deceptions, she could not decide which would hurt Georgiana the most. Regardless, after the meeting with Dr Talbot, all would be revealed clearly.
Georgiana invited Elizabeth and Mrs Annesley to join her in keeping her brother company at breakfast.
Their appearance was clearly a surprise to Mr Darcy, who hurried to welcome all three of them and immediately ordered more food and tea.
“You look lovely, my dear!” he addressed Georgiana. “And you also, of course,” he said quickly, turning to Elizabeth and Mrs Annesley. “I am just content to see my sister in better spirits.”
“So am I, sir,” Mrs Annesley admitted. “And I agree, Miss Darcy looks beautiful.”
“Do you intend to go shopping too?” he enquired.
“No, not today. When we do that, we shall certainly take Mrs Annesley with us,” Georgiana replied. “Today, I only wish to take a long ride with Lizzy. That is all.”
“Only not too long, please, as it is very cold,” Mr Darcy suggested. “I have asked for some blankets and hot bricks to be placed in the carriage for you.”
“Thank you, Brother.”
“Please do not worry, Mr Darcy. Regardless of how long the ride is, I shall take care of Georgiana,” Elizabeth promised.
“I did not doubt that for a moment, Miss Bennet. My concern was both for my sister and for you. I would not wish either of you to catch a cold,” he replied.
Elizabeth felt silly as her cheeks heated.
“By the by, Miss Bennet, I have some news too. I invited your father and uncle to accompany me to my club, but we did not establish a clear date. Earlier today I received a note that we could meet this afternoon. My cousin the colonel will join us. Tomorrow we shall meet again to discuss some affairs with my solicitors, so we have everything completed by the time your father returns to Longbourn.”
“Oh, how kind of you!” Elizabeth exclaimed in genuine surprise. Such favours to her father, although certainly done in return for her assistance in Georgiana’s case, were of much importance. “Thank you, sir,” she added in all seriousness.
“There is no reason to thank me, I assure you. Also, I have just received a letter from Bingley. He is eagerly anticipating the ball, and he says that your sister and your mother have been very helpful with suggestions for dishes for supper.”
“How lovely.” Elizabeth smiled. “I assume Mr Bingley’s sisters were not equally pleased with their suggestions.”
“Bingley’s sisters are rarely pleased, but after all, he is the master of Netherfield,” Mr Darcy replied, returning the smile.
“Mr Bingley is one of the kindest, most amiable people I have ever met,” Georgiana interjected.
“He truly is,” Elizabeth agreed. “He also spoke very highly of you.”
“Georgiana and Bingley are the only people I know of whom everybody speaks highly,” Mr Darcy declared, then added, “No, that is not true. I have heard nothing but praise of Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth too.”
Elizabeth laughed openly. “You are very generous, Mr Darcy. In regard to my sister, I believe that is true, but in my case, we both know at least two, even three people who have criticised me more than once.”
“Three?” he enquired, amused by their little conversation.
“Yes, two on numerous occasions, and one at the Meryton assembly.”
Instead of being diverted, his smile vanished; he looked at Elizabeth apologetically, and she assumed he was recollecting their first meeting that seemed to have taken place many months ago.
“I am just teasing you, Mr Darcy,” Elizabeth said to put him at ease. For a little while, their gazes were locked, and neither noticed their companions also observed their little puzzling exchange.
Immediately after breakfast, the carriage was brought round to the front door. Elizabeth and Georgiana were accompanied by the coachman and another servant. Inside, they sat on the same bench; two blankets, soft and warm, were waiting.
Darcy escorted them to the coach, watching attentively as they were settled.
“It is cold indeed,” Georgiana agreed. Her brother placed one blanket around her, tucking it in carefully to be sure she was protected. Then, he entered the carriage, and before Elizabeth had time to say or do anything, he addressed her.
“Miss Bennet, may I?” At her confused nod, he then wrapped her in the blanket, as he had done with his sister. Although the gestures were similar, the sensations were disturbingly different, though each struggled to conceal it.
Even through the blanket, Elizabeth could feel his touches that made her instantly warm, and her cheeks flushed.
When he completed the task, he looked at Elizabeth for a moment before he climbed down into the freezing air.
“I believe all is ready now. I wish you a relaxing day, just as you desired.”
“Thank you, Brother,” Georgiana answered, her voice filled with more gratitude than he could surely understand.
When the carriage began to move, Georgiana looked at Elizabeth, who returned the gaze, adding a reassuring, comforting little smile.
The carriage rolled towards Hyde Park, entering and riding through it for a little while.
It was cold, not appropriate for a long ride, but no weather could affect Georgiana’s newly found determination.
She looked like once she had seen a light and a chance to escape from her cage of torment, she was determined to follow it.
“I still cannot believe that I might return home without this fear,” Georgiana whispered. “I wonder what the doctor will say. What if he recognises me?”
Elizabeth grabbed her hand.
“Even if he does, he will certainly keep the secret. But how could he? You are not out yet, nor have you attended such places where you could have met. And even if you had, I doubt he would remember you. You should not worry.”
After several minutes of riding in Hyde Park, Georgiana asked the coachman to take them to Gracechurch Street. The loyal servant was obviously puzzled and reluctant to obey such an unexpected request.
“We are going to pay a surprise visit to Miss Bennet’s aunt Mrs Gardiner, who called yesterday. We shall have tea with her while my brother meets Mr Gardiner and Mr Bennet at his club.”
The explanations seemed to put the servant at ease. But neither Elizabeth nor Georgiana felt calm, and they spent most of the long ride in silence, looking out of the windows.
Mrs Gardiner received them with her usual openness and led them inside. The children were with her, and they immediately surrounded Elizabeth, claiming her attention.
“I shall send a maid with a note to Dr Talbot. He knows we need his help — only the hour was undecided. And I shall order some tea while we wait.”
Georgiana looked so uncomfortable that her torment could have easily been judged as pride and hauteur from being in a place so below her situation in life. She spoke a few words to the children and took a few sips from her cup of tea.
“Dr Talbot is an excellent physician. He served in the army years ago, and his situation in life is very good. Yet, he chose to remain in this part of London, where his family has lived all their lives. He has a son who has been successful in trade and has partnered with my husband in some affairs.”
Georgiana nodded again, sipping more tea, obviously paying no attention to the details. When the doctor finally arrived, she startled and almost dropped her cup.
Dr Talbot entered and greeted them. He barely remembered Elizabeth, whom he had not seen in several years, and declared they had caught him at the perfect time, as he had an appointment later that afternoon.
Without further delay, Mrs Gardiner led him to a guest room; Georgiana, pale, her lips and hands slightly trembling, took Mrs Gardiner’s arm and went with them.
Elizabeth remained behind to entertain and watch over her cousins, her chest tight with worry for her friend.
It took almost an hour — which felt even longer — until the three returned.
As she resumed her previous seat, the turmoil was apparent on Georgiana’s countenance, but why, Elizabeth could not speculate.
Mrs Gardiner offered Dr Talbot a drink, which he accepted.
He enquired after Mr Gardiner, then made a comment about the club he used to attend; he finished his brandy in some haste, then took a joyful farewell and left.
Once alone, Mrs Gardiner sat on the sofa with Georgiana, while Elizabeth cast puzzled glances at them.
“Dr Talbot confirmed my suspicions,” the lady said. “To be honest, I had no doubt that he would. There was no room for uncertainty.”
Elizabeth looked at Georgiana, who seemed on the verge of tears.
“So…all is well?” she enquired.
“Very much so,” Mrs Gardiner replied.
“We should return home now,” Georgiana whispered. “It is getting late, and I do not want to upset my brother even more.”
“Of course. Children, come and say good-bye, then wait for me in your room,” the lady requested in a composed yet determined tone.
As they all walked towards the door, Georgiana struggled to speak.
“Please forgive me for leaving so quickly. I do not…I cannot express how grateful I am. Nobody has ever done such a thing for me. How can I ever repay your kindness?” Her voice was strangled by tears, and Mrs Gardiner was barely concealing her own emotions.
“Nonsense, Miss Darcy. I have truly done nothing! Do not even think of it. Let us only remember this day as you calling on me.”
“You have a lovely house,” the girl said politely.
“I would hope so, although I am sure you noticed nothing of it. Perhaps another opportunity will arise soon.”
“Yes. Most certainly…” Georgiana kept thanking her while entered the carriage. Elizabeth only thanked her aunt with a smile.
“We shall meet again in two days. Mr Darcy was so kind as to invite us for dinner. He suggested I could take the children too, but since I know them better, I am not decided yet. Now hurry home, you have a long ride across London.”
The carriage started to move; the cold was sharper, and Elizabeth wrapped the blanket around Georgiana, then covered herself in the other one.
She looked at the girl, hoping for a glimpse of relief and perhaps a smile; instead, Georgiana started to sob, a heart-breaking cry from the bottom of her heart. Elizabeth embraced her silently, caressing her hair and allowing her to ease her soul from the long-lasting turmoil.
It was already getting dark when the carriage approached their destination.
“Lizzy, would you please tell Fitzwilliam?” Georgiana pleaded, making Elizabeth panic.
“Tell him what?”
“He will ask where we have been. I believe he deserves to know why I have distressed him all these months. But I cannot tell him myself…”
For the first time, Elizabeth was tempted to refuse the girl’s request. How could she possibly discuss such a matter with Mr Darcy?
“What exactly should I tell him, my dear? It is a very delicate matter to discuss with a gentleman who is almost a stranger to me…”
“I am aware, and I am ashamed for causing you more trouble. Tell him as much as you want in order to put his mind at ease. Please! He does not deserve to suffer a day longer.”
“Very well…I shall see what can be said,” she reluctantly agreed.
“I am so exhausted, Lizzy. I am looking forward to sleeping. I could sleep for so long…”
“You will rest and get healthier now, my dear. I shall take care of this.”
“There is something more I must tell you. The last thing…”
“What is it?” Elizabeth enquired with returned worry.
“When I left for Ramsgate, Mrs Younge suggested I should take some extra money with me. Now I understand it was a scheme that had been planned for a long while. I took the money from my brother’s study. Later on, I gave it to George when he said he wished to prepare for our elopement.”
“How much money?”
“More than five hundred pounds…and a brooch and bracelet my mother gave me. He said he would keep them to remind him of me until we were together. I had no courage to tell Fitzwilliam.”
“I do not believe Mr Darcy would mind about any amount of money if he knew you were safe and sound.”
“I hope not. I am so sorry to put this burden on you, Lizzy.”
And I am so sorry I cannot strangle Mr Wickham and that Younge woman with my own hands, Elizabeth mused to herself. To Georgiana, she smiled and assured her she had no reason for worry.