Chapter 4 #3
“Georgie sweetie, can you keep a secret? I was just speaking to Miss Elizabeth about Wickham. She met him in Hertfordshire; he has joined the militia. What do think of that? And Miss Elizabeth testified he looked handsome in uniform.”
Miss Darcy turned white, her hands trembling, and she dropped her cup of hot tea on her dress.
Elizabeth hurried to see whether she had harmed herself.
Mrs Gardiner and Jane joined them and, with great distress, discovered that Miss Darcy’s hand was injured.
Tense moments followed, and the ladies retired to the music room where Miss Darcy was given proper care; the gentlemen remained silent and confused.
Miss Darcy’s hand was only slightly burned; it was red and a trifle painful, but her embarrassment was greater. She continued to assure her hostess that she was well and apologised for her clumsiness, asking them to return to the gentlemen.
After a quarter hour, Mrs Gardiner declared everything was fine and they could all return to the drawing room. Unexpectedly, this time Miss Darcy hesitated.
“Mrs Gardiner, please be so kind and tell my uncle and my cousins that I am perfectly fine and I will return shortly. I do not want to give anyone reason to worry.”
Mrs Gardiner understood that the girl wished to avoid being the centre of the gentlemen’s attention and would rather return after Mrs Gardiner gave them the details and explanations. She could easily sympathise with her.
“I will remain with Miss Darcy a little longer,” said Elizabeth, and Mrs Gardiner seemed pleased with her offer. She and Jane left the room while Elizabeth turned to Miss Darcy.
For a few moments there was silence; they both searched the room with curious gazes, stared at the fire, and then the piano.
“It is a fine instrument,” Miss Darcy said.
“It was a gift from my uncle for my aunt’s birthday three years ago. He loved music…”
“Oh, I did not mean to… I am sorry; I know it might be difficult to—”
“Do not worry, Miss Darcy. I miss my uncle very much, and though it makes me sad, I enjoy speaking of him.”
“I understand you perfectly well, Miss Elizabeth. Since my parents—” She suddenly stopped, uncertain whether she should continue her confession.
“Oh, look, it is snowing again!” After a brief moment of confusion, they hurried to the window, staring outside at the white beauty before them.
A short glance was enough approval for Elizabeth to open the window, and like children, they leaned outside to allow the snow to fall over their faces and hands.
The door opened abruptly, but neither of them heard it as the wind blew their hair; a strong voice calling Georgiana diverted their attention, and both girls were shocked to see Mr Darcy in the doorway, staring at them.
∞∞∞
All the way to Cheapside, Darcy struggled to escape the feeling that he was making a mistake.
He had no reason to be there, and his mind and common sense insisted that he should return and allow his cousins to take Georgiana home.
Was it acceptable for Georgiana to stay at Mrs Gardiner’s so long?
He would fetch her and leave shortly; that was his decision.
He had no reason to remain a moment longer than necessary. His sister had stayed too long already.
When the driver stopped and invited him to step out, Darcy’s first thought was to admire the house. The second was to take off his gloves; his hands felt unusually warm, though the air was freezing.
He entered and allowed the servant to introduce him, wondering whether the others would be pleased to see him.
Did they know he would come? The colonel probably informed them—that is if he remembered my request and is not preoccupied with his other companions, Darcy thought as the door opened widely.
He glanced around the room, and the first thing he noticed was that she was not there.
A moment later, while he was greeting his hostess, he noticed his own sister was not there either.
Surely, it was expected of him to inquire about Georgiana.
He was informed about the little accident and about Georgiana’s being in the music room with Miss Elizabeth and instantly replied, “I wish to see her—thank you.” As his steps took him closer to the music room, he felt worry and concern taking control; a cold shiver travelled along his spine, and his skin burned under his neck cloth.
The servant was dismissed, and Darcy stood a few moments before the closed door, breathed deeply, and finally entered—only to stand still again.
Near the open window, leaning outside with hands and hair fully exposed to the falling snow and the cold wind chilling their brightened cheeks, were his sister and Elizabeth!
The surprise was so great that he did not know what to do.
In fact, he did know, but he did not want to interrupt them—yet.
His eyes locked on Elizabeth’s nape where the snow had turned into drops of water and slid down to her shoulder.
He saw her shiver under the cold snow and heard her lively laughter.
His sister was laughing too, and for a moment, he wondered how it was possible that he only heard Elizabeth’s voice, despite the fact that he should have been worried for his sister. “Georgiana!”
They both startled, and Elizabeth’s embarrassment was apparent.
She properly greeted him, and he bowed to her then turned to his sister and asked whether she was well.
Georgiana declared she was very well indeed.
Only then did he observe her bandaged hand and become concerned, inquiring about her injury.
“Oh, nothing important; there is no need to worry. I dropped the teacup and burned my hand a little. Trust me, Mrs Gardiner’s care was completely unneeded; do not be misled by the bandages.
But, Brother, you know what I have discovered?
Miss Elizabeth likes winter as much as we do!
It is snowing so beautifully! We shall go for a ride in the sleigh tomorrow. I must make the arrangements!”
Georgiana’s cheerful answer and her excitement as she revealed that small piece of information made him smile in relief; she seemed very well, indeed.
“Dearest, I am pleased you are not hurt,” he said gently. “But I will only be able to join you for the ride after noon as I have some business in the morning.”
“I was speaking of Miss Elizabeth and me,” Georgiana replied. She saw her brother’s confusion and hurried to add, “But you are welcome to join us if you wish.”
That was astonishing, and Elizabeth was equally amazed, so he did not know what to answer except to say, “Thank you, we shall see tomorrow,” and to politely inform his sister that it was time to leave.
The insistence of the others convinced Darcy to stay a quarter hour—but no longer. He felt uncomfortable in the room full of people as his eyes kept turning to Elizabeth and her red cheeks and neck. He had to leave quickly as he intended.
When the carriage began to move, he suddenly felt safer— at least for the moment—but he would have to meet her again soon. Riding in a sleigh? Surely, he could not possibly consider joining them. The earl had invited all three ladies to the opera; yes, there he may go—he must go, for sure.
“William?” He startled and returned his attention to his sister while she spoke hesitantly. “My uncle was speaking with Miss Elizabeth about Mr Wickham… That was why I foolishly dropped the cup of tea.”
They looked at each other for a moment then turned to the window. The wind was blowing, and the carriage suddenly became more chilled than the road.