Chapter Twenty #3
Cold dread welled in Darcy’s gut, steeling him with an uncanny prescience before Richard gave voice to the final piece of the puzzle.
“She compelled George Wickham to… to do what he did. I cannot say why he might have been made to fear his father’s misdeeds coming to light—Lady Catherine could have led him to believe there would be legal repercussions, or perhaps he did not wish to destroy any chance of a future reconciliation with you.
But he was indeed moved to protect the secret of his father’s crimes, by ruining your sister. ”
Elizabeth whimpered and brought her hands to her face, tears welling in her eyes. “No! How unspeakably cruel.”
Darcy sat in stunned silence, scarcely noticing the quiet compassion written on the faces of those around him.
In his mind he was transported back to that visit to Rosings, which had been his last. A month before, Lady Catherine had recommended Mrs. Younge to his notice.
She had even made the suggestion of Ramsgate as their coastal destination.
She had managed it all so cunningly, detaching Darcy from his sister and leaving Georgiana to the mercy of their aunt’s pawns.
He began to suppose that even the quarrel had been deliberate, driving him back to Georgiana before Wickham could turn greedy and actually abscond with Georgiana.
Richard combed through the documents, sighing and grimacing and muttering oaths. “This would have been enough to cost her everything, but at least it will purchase her silence and protect Georgiana. Can you live with it, Darcy?”
At present, it was only Elizabeth’s opinion that mattered to him. He searched her composed countenance, fearing she would not wish to make any alliance with such a treacherous family. “What do you make of all this, my love?”
“It is not for me to say.” But Elizabeth read the desperation in his gaze, and gave a gracious dip of her head.
“I admire your temerity and gravitas in facing this entire ghastly ordeal. I am truly fortunate to have found such a worthy gentleman. But to answer the colonel’s question, I must say that Georgiana is the purest, sweetest person, and utterly worth enduring this knowledge and abstaining from…
whatever manner of justice you might otherwise pursue. ”
Darcy wanted to take her in his arms and weep, from joy as much as despair. “Well said; that is just what I feel. For you and for Georgiana, yes, I can live with it. But if I ever set eyes on George Wickham again….”
“Agreed,” Richard said with a menacing military grimace.
Lady Margaret had begun to silently shed a few tears, which Darcy only noticed when Sir Edward offered her a handkerchief.
She rallied her dignity and said, “We have a half hour yet before Anne will be expecting us, and then we can confront the heinous old badger and be done with the unpleasantness—there is a dinner party this evening, and according to the programme I was given, a ball on Monday. Let us dwell on happier prospects! Miss Bennet—Lizzy—who shall manage your wedding plans? Is there a Lady Gardiner or…?”
As Sir Edward nearly choked, Elizabeth stood up and smiled sadly at the dowager countess.
“The nearest I have to a mother figure now is my friend Lady Parker, who is only seven years older than I. My sister Jane—Mrs. Bingley—will likely wish to be involved, and perhaps my stepmother. But you shall find me perfectly willing to be edified by your superior taste and judgement.”
Lady Margaret laughed gently. “Come and have a chat with me—we will stroll about and speak of lace and flowers, and perhaps catch up to Georgiana and Rebecca.”
Darcy could see what his aunt was about and was pleased that Elizabeth instinctively understood. The two ladies left by the terrace door, giving Darcy and his cousin an opportunity to discuss their plan of attack before confronting Lady Catherine.
“I suppose that is my cue to depart, and I am surely wanted in preparing for the dinner event,” Sir Edward said.
Darcy stood and shook hands with the man. “I thank you, sir, for your discretion.”
“Of course, we are nearly family.” Sir Edward’s expression turned pensive.
“What Lizzy said before—it must be the same for you. I am no more than a dozen years older than you, but if there is ever—what I mean is that, after all I have heard of your tribulations, I feel a kinship with you, a familial friendship that I hope you may one day… well, hmm. Yes. Must be going, now. Best of luck with… what follows. See you at dinner?”
Sir Edward fidgeted nervously as he stepped toward the door, and Darcy clapped a hand on the fellow’s shoulder, giving him a look that conveyed what he could not express in words. “Thank you, and yes.”
The two men both nodded, and again Darcy’s wounded heart swelled with hope for his future happiness.
He bid his almost-uncle good afternoon, and with a heavy sigh he sat down next to Richard.
He considered what his aunt had said—they would rid themselves of this horrible mess ere long, and then there would be much to look forward to.