Chapter Seventy-Eight
Darcy House
Countess Esterházy did not delay; the very next morning, Elizabeth received a note informing her that the Countess would bring the woman she knew as Mrs. Younge to Darcy House that very afternoon.
She read the message aloud at the breakfast table, causing Mr. Darcy – who had been informed of the prior day’s proceedings – to frown and Georgiana to turn white.
Mary flew to Georgiana’s side at once, promising that she would be there for the entirety of the meeting.
Mr. Darcy excused himself to go to his study.
When Colonel Fitzwilliam arrived at Darcy House not half an hour later, Elizabeth immediately stared at her husband. “You sent for Richard?”
“I did,” he said. “He deserves to be part of this.”
The Colonel sat calmly at the table and held his cup out for the footman to pour his coffee.
“You cannot run her through in my drawing room,” Elizabeth said, firmly.
“See, Darcy? I knew marriage would ruin all our fun,” the Colonel complained to his cousin.
“I am serious, Richard,” Elizabeth insisted. “If it is Mrs. Younge, our Mrs. Younge, then Countess Esterházy will know how to proceed.”
They did not have to wait long; scarce an hour after breakfast, the Countess Esterházy was announced. The woman with her was very obviously trying hard to hide behind the Countess’ skirts.
“Hello, Mrs. Younge,” Georgiana said, icily. “I did not expect to see you again.”
Mrs. Younge immediately went on the offensive. “And imagine you being in polite society, after almost running off with – with Mr. Wickham!”
Georgiana did not bother to reply. Instead, she turned to the Countess and said, “This is indeed the woman who tried to ruin me.”
Mrs. Younge forced out a laugh and said, “No matter; George will find me and help me, as he always has!”
“Do you mean George Wickham?” the Colonel put in, lazily.
“Yes; he was mine long before we came to Ramsgate, Miss High and Mighty Darcy, and he will always come back for me!”
“Not this time,” the Colonel said. His voice was grim.
“What do you mean?” Mrs. Younge asked. She looked genuinely worried for the first time since she had entered Darcy House.
“He is dead.”
Mrs. Younge went white. She stared at the Colonel and finally whispered, “Dead?”
“Very dead,” he replied. “For several weeks now. There is no chance of him coming for you, Mrs. Younge. So you have a problem.”
“A very serious problem,” Countess Esterházy snapped. “For your references were forged, and that is a hanging crime.”
Mrs. Younge turned immediately to run from the room, but the Colonel rose from his seat in one fluid motion, and caught her before she had taken half a dozen steps.
“I will send a message to the Runners,” Mr. Darcy declared.
“And I will make certain that Mrs. Younge does not leave before they arrive,” the Colonel said. “Sit down, Mrs. Younge, and have some tea. It will likely be the last decent tea you enjoy for some time.”
The Countess turned to Elizabeth and said, “I cannot thank you enough, Mrs. Darcy – and you, Miss Darcy! – for saving me from making a terrible mistake. When I think of what she might have done to my poor niece!”
Elizabeth replied, “It is easy to make a terrible mistake, is it not? One moment of inattention is all it takes. Might we now not find it in our hearts to forgive Mr. Darcy his error?”
“I think we must,” Countess Esterházy said. “Mrs. Darcy and Miss Bennet, you will receive vouchers to Almack’s. Miss Darcy, you will most certainly be welcome at Almack’s when you come out.”
***
The Countess of Matlock could hardly believe her ears when Richard told her what had transpired at Darcy House. Indeed, she insisted on getting into her carriage and going at once to Darcy House herself in order to hear the tale confirmed by the Darcys.
“And the Runners took her away?” she asked, her hand to her mouth and her eyes wide.
“They did,” Georgiana confirmed. “She was weeping as they dragged her away. Honestly, I felt rather sorry for her. She hurt me grievously, to be sure, but to lose her life?!”
“Will she truly hang, do you think?” Elizabeth asked her husband.
“I can ask that she be transported instead,” Mr. Darcy answered. “If that is your preference, Georgiana. She may still die, as the voyage itself is rather terrible, but this way she at least has a chance.”
“Yes, please, Brother; my conscience cannot bear the idea of her being hanged.”
“That is kind of you, Georgiana,” Mary said. “I doubt very much that her conscience was concerned about you at all.”
“It is just as Elizabeth said,” Georgiana replied. “Kindness is the most valuable and important of all character traits.”