Chapter 28 #2
“Oh…that-that would be better, if you do not mind… I shall ask the maid to adjust my appearance a little…”
“Very well, but you look lovely. You are exceedingly pretty. From what my aunt has told me, you must take after your mother.”
“Mrs Gardiner has always been so kind to me, but I hardly deserve such praise,” Georgiana replied. “I am sure she is so disappointed in me… She must believe I am a horrible person to hurt Fitzwilliam so…and so must my uncle and aunt. I shall never be able to face them again!”
“I am sure Mrs Gardiner has nothing but affection and consideration for you. Lady Matlock has expressed her desire to see you, but Fitzwilliam convinced her to postpone her visit till Monday.”
“Oh, I cannot face my aunt! She will ask me questions, will want to know…I do not wish to speak about it…”
“I shall ask her ladyship to visit you for a few minutes then allow you to rest. I think she will understand.”
“Will you stay with me during the visit, Elizabeth?”
“Of course. That is what sisters are for, are they not?” She smiled.
But tears filled the girl’s eyes again, and Elizabeth sat beside her, taking her hands in her own.
“Georgiana, I cannot expect you to confide in me, but I hope that you will, one day. I do not dare to imagine what you have been through, but your broken heart will heal eventually. As for the opinions of others, they will pass too. Those who love you will never think ill of you. The rest do not really matter. You made a poor choice concerning your marriage, as so many other young ladies have done before you, and there will be rumours, there will be gossip, there will be disapproval — but in the end, it will pass. Being safe and healthy in your own home is all that matters.”
“You are very kind to me…too kind… I have been a na?ve fool. I trusted George…he said I have always loved him…he said Papa would be overjoyed if I married him. I trusted George over my brother, and I married a man who wished for nothing but my fortune.”
The girl began to sob again, and Elizabeth embraced her, heavyhearted.
Georgiana’s words resonated in her mind, and a bitter thought kept returning.
She, too, had married a man who wished for — who needed — nothing but her fortune.
She realised their situations were not similar, that her husband’s excellent character could not be compared to Mr Wickham’s depravity.
Her marriage, though begun for the same monetary considerations, could not be compared to Georgiana’s.
Then why did she feel the need to cry, just like the girl who sought comfort in her arms?
Sometime later, Georgiana had some calming tea and fell asleep again, while Elizabeth joined her sister and father for breakfast. The latter was already ready for his departure.
“I spoke to Mr Darcy earlier, before he left. He repeated that I am always welcome here.”
“Of course you are, and I am glad he told you so, Papa. Jane and I shall join you at Gracechurch Street, but before that, I would like to introduce you to Miss Darcy. Pardon, Mrs Wickham. She wishes to meet you.”
“Your mother will also want to meet Mr Darcy, I am sure. And all his relatives!”
“Of course she will. And she can, under the appropriate circumstances. For now, Mr Darcy is occupied with arrangements for Mr Wickham’s funeral and is in no disposition for entertainment.”
“That is understandable. There is no hurry, Fanny told me she wants to take the girls for some shopping, so they will be busy for a few days.”
“I assumed as much. I do not have time to accompany them about town, but Jane might do so. I shall pay for their shopping, and one of Mr Darcy’s carriages will be at their disposal.”
“That is very generous of you, Lizzy. Your mother and sisters will be overjoyed with such notice,” Mr Bennet said. “And you make your father very happy, my child.”
Elizabeth smiled distractedly and kissed his cheek briefly.
***
Shortly after one o’clock, Elizabeth and her party were in the carriage, on their way to Gracechurch Street.
The weather was bright but cold, and each of them was covered with a blanket and had a heated brick at their feet.
Elizabeth looked out absently, enjoying the last few minutes of silence before the loud and distressing reunion with her stepmother.
However, her peace was shattered moments later, when her eyes fell on a well-known figure standing in front of a house, talking animatedly with a woman whose face was unknown to Elizabeth.
Their spirited conversation seemed to be more of an argument, and at some point, he grabbed the woman’s arm and pulled her against a wall, as if he desired privacy.
“Lizzy, is that not Mr Darcy?” Jane enquired.
“Yes, it is,” she answered, gulping down the lump in her throat.
“Who is he talking to?” Mr Bennet asked, staring out.
“I am not certain. I try not to interfere in his affairs.”
“That is exactly what you should do, Lizzy,” her father approved. “A man like Mr Darcy is not to be questioned about his private business.”
Elizabeth chose not to reply. Her stepmother used to question her father about every single detail, every step, any decision, any move. How amusing that he would give her such advice. Only, it was not amusing but painful.
Almost as painful as her effort to hide her inner tumult.
What was her husband doing in that part of town, alone, without his cousin or her uncle, who were supposed to accompany him?
Who was that woman, and why would he take the trouble to argue with her on the street?
What could he want from her? Or what could she want from him that would raise a public disagreement?
Yes, these were his private affairs, so how could she question him?
Their marriage was not a regular one — even he had said so earlier that morning.
And if she repeated it enough times, maybe she would finally understand the notion.
The rules between spouses would not apply to them.
After all, they had a contract that did not stipulate that he had to share his secrets with her — they had already quarrelled several times, quite sharply, over that subject.
It would be wise for her to follow her father’s advice and not mention to her husband that she had seen him.
But would she be able to keep her composure?
Would she be able to pretend she had not seen him?
The journey finally ended in front of the Gardiners’ house, and they descended. At the door, they were met by Mrs Bennet’s loud voice, proclaiming her joy.
“My dear Mrs Darcy, how well that sounds and how happy I am to see you again! You look so elegant, so rich! Look at your bonnet! You are almost pretty! And that carriage! Oh, how fortunate for us that your fortune was enough to induce a man of consequence to marry you! Your sisters are impatient to see your house and meet your husband, and so am I!”
Elizabeth smiled quietly. “Welcome to London, Mama.”