Chapter 27 Hadden Hall
Darcy turned the subject. “Georgiana, I fear that I must return to Derbyshire to inquire after our cousins. I departed from our family in haste, yet now that Wickham has been secured, I consider it my duty to go back. You must tell me whether you will accompany me or prefer to remain in London.”
“If Lizzy were still in London, I should wish to remain here with her. Since she has returned to Hertfordshire, I will go with you, for I do not wish to be alone in this house.”
“I understand, and perhaps being with Aunt Helen may afford you some comfort. You may speak with her of Wickham’s assault, and in recounting it, you may discover some measure of relief.
But Georgie, do not speak of it to anyone besides Richard or Aunt Helen.
It would ruin your reputation as well as Miss Elizabeth’s if this was generally known. ”
“Yes, brother, I understand. When do we depart?”
“Tomorrow. Can you be ready to set out just after breakfast?”
“I can. I shall go upstairs and assist Jenny with the packing.”
She kissed his cheek, then hurried from the room.
As he watched her, half skipping and half running along the corridor, he was struck anew by how childlike she was, and he felt gratitude that both she and Elizabeth had withstood Wickham and escaped without lasting harm.
Without lasting bodily harm, he corrected himself.
Whether Georgiana’s spirits would mend, he could not yet determine, though he trusted that time and affection would eventually work a restoration.
He rang the bell. When Higgins appeared, he issued instructions for the journey, then withdrew to his study to complete the correspondence that must be dispatched with the morning post.
The journey to Haddon Hall passed without difficulty, and they were greeted with encouraging news about their injured cousins. Lady Helen embraced both Darcys before addressing her nephew.
“My dear boy, your suggestion of employing a toddy lifter has proved most beneficial. Phillip has regained consciousness. He continues to sleep much of the day, but he has begun to take chicken broth and vegetable soup, which he tolerates.”
She continued, “The surgeon explained that, having been insensible for so long, his stomach has contracted. We must therefore offer only small portions and increase the quantity as he is able to bear it.”
“Is he unable to take mutton or lamb, Aunt Helen?” Darcy asked.
“No. If he attempts anything too substantial, he declares that it rises against him, and he fears he shall not keep it down. So, we proceed with caution.”
“And is he permitted to leave his bed?”
She smiled. “Happily, he retains full use of his limbs. He speaks with clarity, though he remains weak. We began by raising him against pillows. On the first occasion, the surgeon felt his pulse, and his heart beat as though he had been running for his life. He was upright for no more than a minute before his valet was directed to lay him down again.”
Darcy’s expression altered. “This is extremely concerning, Aunt.”
“Do not distress yourself, Fitzwilliam. By the fourth day, he was able to sit propped up for an hour, and he now sits in a chair beside the bed. The surgeon assures us that, because he is young and possessed of a strong constitution, he expects him to be nearly restored within four or five weeks.”
“Aunt Helen, how fares his mind? Does he retain what he ought? The names of those he knows, the recollections of his childhood, the ability to read, to write, to reckon?”
She laughed. “Yes, all his faculties remain intact. He remembers names and events and speaks with sense.”
Darcy leaned back in his chair and watched Georgiana converse with the Stanhope twins and Lady Harrington. Laughter rose from their circle as Lady Abigail related an account. Phillip must indeed be improved, for Lady Abigail appeared free from the distress that had so oppressed her.
“And where is Richard?” Darcy asked.
Lady Helen sighed. “That boy will be the death of me yet. The surgeon has been attending to his wound each day and declares it is healing well. However, yesterday Richard’s Batman returned with a prisoner.
They have apprehended the man who cut the carriage shaft.
Richard and Cooper have conveyed him to the Derby Bridewell here in Nun’s Green.
It is not too far away. Once he has appeared before the magistrate and completed the necessary business, he will return to us.
I only hope he does not reopen that wound in the process. ”
Darcy shook his head. “Richard is a seasoned soldier, Aunt. He has borne other wounds in his time, and for that very reason, no one can direct him. He is resolute and will act according to his own judgment.” He grinned.
She laughed. “You are correct, nephew.” She turned the subject. “Your sister appears well. Cheerful. Blooming. Yet you say Mr. Wickham broke into her bedchamber?”
Darcy related all that Georgiana had suffered and took care to recount Elizabeth’s role in her rescue. When he had concluded, he asked, “Ought I to inform my uncle? Will he be capable of preserving discretion? The disclosure could damage the reputations of both Georgiana and Miss Elizabeth.”
Lady Helen sighed. “No. You must not confide it to another soul, save Richard. Your uncle and Phillip are gregarious and would let such intelligence slip without perceiving the consequence until it was too late.” She looked again toward Georgiana. “And she will keep silent?”
“I spoke with her at length during our journey,” Darcy replied. “She understands the necessity of secrecy and has promised to speak of it to no one. In London, I have managed to contain the matter, though only because my servants are loyal.”
He then asked, “Aunt Helen, is there anything in which I may be of service?”
“Your uncle no longer manages the estate; it is Phillip’s responsibility.”
“I shall meet with the steward tomorrow. Is Uncle Henry present? Out of respect, ought I to invite him to join us?”
“He is here,” she answered, “though he remains in his bedchamber with a severe attack of the gout. When Phillip regained consciousness, your uncle celebrated with more enthusiasm than prudence and has suffered for it since.”
Darcy chuckled. “I am sorry to hear it. One would suppose that, after so many such attacks, he might have learned moderation.”
Lady Helen looked resigned. “At his age, he is resolved to take pleasure where he may, and he maintains that he will never give up his port.”
The Darcys remained at Haddon Hall for a month before Fitzwilliam was summoned into Kent by his aunt, Lady Catherine, who required his assistance in arranging for the repair of the stables.
Though Georgiana had enjoyed the society of the Stanhope sisters, she chose to accompany Fitzwilliam into Kent. He had informed her that two of Elizabeth Bennet’s sisters resided at Hunsford Parsonage and had told her that, if she traveled south with him, she might be permitted to call upon them.
“I will go with you,” she said. “I should very much like to make their acquaintance.”
What Darcy did not disclose was that her presence would afford him a proper excuse to limit his time in Lady Catherine’s overbearing society.