Chapter Twenty-Eight #2
“I visited Darcy, and begged for him and Anne to travel away with me and take the babe as their own. Anne was keen on the idea. She never thought that motherhood would be part of the experience she would have in her marriage to our cousin. The idea of mothering a sweet babe, no matter who his father was, appealed to her, and she convinced Darcy to agree. It is a testament to how little he cared for her fortune, when he proved willing to allow her to leave it to George Wickham’s bastard if it made her happy. ”
“Oh, Prissy,” Georgiana reached for her cousin’s hand in sympathy.
“We began to make arrangements, I am sure you recall that time, Georgie. But my family was too sharp to be fooled. I do not know why I never expected my mother to see through an attempt to take me away to a secluded location for months, but she did, and so did my brothers, Lady Catherine, all of them.”
“I am not in the habit of telling falsehoods, but I shall never tell one to a Fitzwilliam.” Elizabeth’s eyes were wide.
“Indeed, they are all appallingly observant,” Priscilla agreed.
“Darcy had been sworn to secrecy. Darcy is like his father. Before he does a thing, before he does anything, he considers carefully. My father and brothers, they are men of quick and bold action. Foolish and headstrong to a fault. All three would become murderers if the author of my situation was ever identified. I can trust Darcy not to do anything stupid. I cannot trust my father or brothers not to get shot in a duel, or hung for being in one, or banished to the continent because they killed someone, and then must spend their lives in hiding.”
Priscilla sighed. “I ruined Darcy’s relationship with Richard, and I will never forgive myself for that.
Richard could not believe that Darcy would keep such a thing from him.
He denied Darcy his company, and later left for the continent, where he remained for three years.
He wrote to Georgiana, and to my mother only occasionally.
Darcy, of course, would have wreaked vengeance upon George in other ways, but I still receive letters from Mrs Younge occasionally, warning me what will happen to my reputation if Mr Wickham’s luck turns ill in any way.
So instead of acting, Darcy has spent the last years having Wickham watched from a distance.
He fired the last investigator when your sister was able to run away with Wickham without Darcy even knowing he had moved to Meryton.
Darcy has been collecting debts and information about Wickham for years, waiting for something to change, for Mrs Younge to cease to be a threat. ”
“And now Mr Wickham is married to my sister,” Elizabeth murmured. “What a complication. Mr Darcy cannot seek vengeance for what Mr Wickham did without harming Lydia now.”
“That is the dilemma,” Priscilla agreed. “But know this, Lizzy. While I would be glad to see him rendered harmless, I have no desire to see any young woman destroyed with him. I have become used to being unavenged, and I can live with it.”
“I could never expect what he did to you to go unanswered,” Elizabeth insisted.
“But I suppose that it does not matter now, when we can do nothing about it. If an opportunity arises, we must all discuss together what can be done. He cannot go on hurting others forever just because he is Lydia’s husband, and indeed, I would not wish to see the hardship that would bring upon my sister. But what happened to the…”
“The babe?” Priscilla asked as Elizabeth nodded.
“God was merciful. I lost it a month later, before we could go away. Though it was a terrible experience, I am grateful that I did not have to bear a child five or six months later and give it away, even to my cousins. After my experience, I remained with Anne most of the time until she passed. For the longest period, my own mother and father barely knew how to speak to me. Eventually, they all learned to trust Darcy, and to let the matter of the identity of the man go. All except Richard. My brother is now learning to accept the matter until I am ready to change it myself. Now, I stay with my cousins, and keep a close eye on dear Georgie.”
“Well, I hope that you do not expect me to hold this against you, my friend.” Elizabeth hugged her friend’s shoulders from her place beside her on the sofa. “I do not see how I could, not when my sister is married to the scoundrel.”
“Your sister has the excuse of being barely sixteen,” Priscilla murmured.
“I forgave you before I even knew what it was.” Georgiana shook her head at her cousin for trying to blame herself. “And I do not feel any differently now.”
“You are both too good,” Priscilla’s eyes misted over. “This could damage both of your reputations, being so close to me.”
“Nonsense,” Elizabeth insisted. “As if either of us could wish to befriend anyone who does not see your worth.”
Thursday 11 June 1812
Matlock
Cousin,
Thank you for your information, and the haste with which you delivered it. The messenger was in such haste to return to you on schedule that I had to linger over this reply so that the kitchens might convince him to take a meal.
You know Mrs Younge suggested she had told another. That does not mean she was being truthful, and indeed, would the lady truly give away information that might be valuable in the wrong hands?
The only thing we can do is wait to see if anyone else writes to me.
Even if I never hear another word about it, any steps taken now will affect the new Mrs Wickham, and we must be certain that to act would be right after so much time.
I have no desire to ruin the life of a newly married sixteen-year-old girl, or even the man who harmed me, if there is a chance he has mended his ways during his marriage.
We may discuss it again when you return to Derbyshire.
In the meantime, there is nothing to be done except wait.
Georgie and Lady Catherine have taken over Matlock with their enthusiasm, and keep us lively and well-entertained.
Georgiana upon the pianoforte and the harp, Aunt Catherine with her opinions and advice, which is always amusing, yet interesting.
Is Lizzy certain that she wishes for me to return with Georgiana when you return to Pemberley?
You ought not have a houseful so soon. I can always visit later.
Your grateful cousin,
Priscilla