Chapter 15 Darkness #6
What in the world!
Without considering the consequences, Wickham seized that paper and affixed it to his own chest. He then handed the other paper, the one he had carried all this while, to the man responsible for their fall in the first place.
He even helped the man to affix the paper on his chest. The queue continued to move at a slow pace as if nothing had happened.
On finally reaching the end of the long corridor, Wickham was promptly redirected to the queue on the right that will eventually lead him to the ship with red hue. The man behind him was directed to the other queue.
He had absolutely no knowledge of where this particular ship would be taking him. He fervently hoped it wasn't a destination worse than the Caribbean colonies.
Saturday, August 15, 1812
Pemberley, Derbyshire
Darcy
Darcy secluded himself for a month, mourning his lost love, until an evening when Georgiana entered his study with determined strides. She shook him from his pitiful stupor and compelled him to meet her gaze.
“William, that is sufficient. It has been over a month. You will either disclose what has brought you to such a lamentable state, or every bottle from that cabinet behind you will be soaring out of that window within a minute.”
Darcy was forced to open his eyes and look into the determined countenance of his sister, who inexplicably began to regard him with a resemblance to their late mother.
He initially contemplated fabricating a tale of heartbreak over Anne’s passing, but in the end decided against it.
Instead, he came forthright about his lost love, his rejected proposal, and the lady's decision to marry another.
He abstained from giving a name, but Georgiana surprised him by inquiring whether the lady was named Elizabeth Bennet, to which he affirmed.
Georgiana struggled to fathom a woman rejecting her brother, yet she admired the lady's loyalty to her childhood companion, even at the expense of her brother’s wealth and status.
That night, Darcy determined to surmount his sorrows and forge ahead with his life.
With numerous responsibilities and people under his protection, he acknowledged the necessity to be more engaged in the daily affairs of Pemberley.
Recognizing that his reserve had contributed to the loss of Elizabeth, Darcy vowed to be more open and involved with those under his care.
He ensured to devote additional time to Georgiana and Aunt Catherine.
Moreover, he made frequent visits to his tenants, inquiring about their well-being and extending assistance whenever necessary.
His tenants and staff were taken aback by his sudden transformation, yet they also rejoiced in it.
Darcy had always been a kind and generous master.
Now, he has become more approachable and communicative.
Days passed by. Georgiana married two years later.
She partook in her inaugural London season.
Like her brother, she found the city excessively pretentious, and its gentlemen too mercenary for her tastes.
Upon returning to Derbyshire after her first season, she encountered Mr. Hugh Ashford, who was one of Richard's friends. Hugh, who inherited a small estate nestled near Loughborough, was also an aficionado of music. An initial attraction blossomed between them, leading Hugh to boldly approach Darcy, seeking his permission to court Georgiana. Though it was not a materially advantageous match, Darcy, desiring that his sister find affection in her union, consented to the courtship. They were united in marriage within four months. Georgiana visited her lonely brother frequently as Hugh’s estate, Ashbourne manor, lay just half a day’s travel away from Pemberley.
Richard, too, married within a year of inheriting Rosings.
He made no attempt to partake in a season.
Instead, six months after assuming the role of Rosings' master, he embarked on a journey to Sussex to seek the courtship of Miss Henrietta Johnson.
Samuel, Henrietta's brother, was both his friend and comrade in the regiment.
Richard had long felt an attraction towards Miss Johnson.
Now, as the master of an estate and fully capable of providing for a wife, he promptly acted upon his feelings and proposed to her.
There were some objections from his father, Lord Matlock, who believed his son, now the master of one of the grandest estates in the country, should be pursuing a more advantageous union.
Everyone else rallied behind Richard's decision.
Surprisingly, Aunt Catherine voiced her support most vocally.
Fully cognizant that love had permanently eluded him in this lifetime, Darcy reluctantly acquiesced to attend the London season the year following Georgiana's marriage. It took some gentle persuasion from Georgiana and Richard for him to concede. While Pemberley was not entailed, Darcy felt an obligation to secure a male heir. Thus, he made a half-hearted attempt to participate in certain events. His presence caused quite a stir, with many speculating that the elusive Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy was finally in search of a wife. The entire experiment lasted a month. Facing insincere and fortune-seeking ladies who agreed with his every word made him realize what he had lost. He acknowledged the futility of the endeavour when he found himself searching for a particular face in every lady he encountered. Frustrated and increasingly enamoured with a lady who could no longer be his, Darcy returned to Pemberley. He also refrained from contacting Bingley. Maintaining a connection with Mr. Bingley also carried the likelihood of seeing her as the spouse of another gentleman, something Darcy couldn’t even entertain.
He preferred to remain in the realm of the unknown when it concerned her.
Love, they say, is akin to war, fraught with trials and tribulations that test the very essence of one's emotions and fortitude.
Yes, the annals of human history are brimming with stories of true love prevailing against all odds, even in the face of formidable challenges.
The path of fate leading to the reunion of two enamoured souls remains enigmatic, as random events interlace to forge their union.
It could be a simple occurrence of a chance encounter at a gathering they happen to attend together.
Or it could be a catastrophic incident such as a two-year-old boy falling down from the stairs to his death, far away from the two individuals in question.
For our dear couple, it was the latter. It may seem unjust and harsh, particularly from the perspective of the innocent boy who met a tragic end.
Yet, such is the intricate design of life.