Chapter 2
Darcy woke with more enthusiasm than he had felt in years. He prepared for the day, then went to the library.
The previous evening, having Elizabeth and her relations as guests in his house had been like a dream come true.
A lasting dream that had been seemingly ruined at Hunsford by his disastrous proposal.
And yet, he had been fortunate enough to be given a second chance.
A chance to prove himself to Elizabeth, to show her he had taken her reproofs to heart and was able and willing to make amends.
One major step forward was to confess to Bingley his error in judging Jane Bennet’s feelings, as well as his own role in concealing the lady’s presence in town.
Although he had no occasion to base his confession on his own recent observation, Darcy did not doubt Elizabeth’s claim regarding Miss Jane Bennet’s affection for Bingley.
If there had been a scheme to induce Bingley to marry the lady to secure the Bennets’ future, Elizabeth would not have refused his proposal.
Or perhaps her hatred for him had been so strong that it had overcome even her concern for her family.
Either way, Bingley was entitled to know the full truth and to act according to his own wishes and desires.
His friend’s reaction had been less bitter and resentful than Darcy felt he deserved.
Bingley’s kind heart was so enlivened by his renewed hopes that he forgot any upset, and instead of being angry, he was thankful that Darcy had been in error about Jane Bennet’s indifference and that, even though he had been mistaken, his friend had had his best interests at heart.
It had been a humbling moment for Darcy.
“Brother, may I come in? Are you busy?”
Georgiana’s sweet, timid voice interrupted Darcy’s reflections, and he invited her in with a large gesture.
“You do not have to ask me, dearest. I am never too busy to forsake your company.”
“Thank you — you are always too kind to me. I am sorry I left so suddenly last night. I hope I did not offend our guests.”
“Not at all, I assure you. I am sorry Miss Bingley was such an annoyance. I noticed you were disquieted by her words, but she intended to make Miss Bennet uncomfortable.”
“Miss Bingley’s manners and deportment are different from what I remember. I believe…I fear she dislikes Miss Bennet.”
“Yes, she does. And I must say, her pretension and impoliteness brought me to the edge of my patience. My own civility is wearing thin. I am struggling to remain composed for Bingley’s sake.”
“Miss Bennet does not seem too affected, though,” Georgiana remarked.
Darcy smiled, mostly to himself. “No, Miss Bennet is not so easily affected by any perceived rudeness. She possesses equal fortitude and self-confidence to retaliate against such attacks.”
“Yes, she does seem to.” Georgiana took a few steps to the window in silence, then spoke again.
“Was George a friend of Miss Bennet? You told me he was camped in Meryton, but Miss Bingley suggested they were close friends.”
Darcy frowned at the subject and struggled to reply with more nonchalance than he truly felt.
“Yes, he was. As usual, he made friends quickly and easily. But also as usual, I doubt he was capable of keeping them too long.”
“Papa said there were very few people friendlier and with an easier disposition than George,” Georgiana said timidly, blushing at her audacity to contradict her brother.
Darcy’s heart ached as he fought the temptation to reply that there were also very few as insolent, self-serving, and unscrupulous as Wickham.
But he refrained, as he could easily see that, even after the Ramsgate affair, Georgiana seemed to trust more the memories of their father’s affection for Wickham and her own impressions of the kindness that scoundrel had showed her as a child than his own warnings.
She did not go through with her elopement with Wickham because of her sense of responsibility, her respect for Darcy as an older brother who was almost like a father to her, and likely from the apprehension and shame of how the scandal might affect their family.
But she was still holding that reprobate in tender regard, confirming that, at least for the time being, to further reveal Wickham’s real character would only grieve and confuse Georgiana more or even make her resent her own brother.
As he could observe from her reaction, Elizabeth did trust him and had accepted his explanation in the letter, opening her eyes to Wickham’s deceptions without resenting him.
But she was older, wiser, and very likely her own attachment to Wickham — if it ever existed — had not been as strong or as long in duration as Georgiana’s.
With his sister, he needed more patience, more care.
Or perhaps he was not a good enough brother to Georgiana and had failed to establish a real bond of trust with her. That might easily be the case, and the blame was entirely his.
“Dearest, I promise you that the moment I see Wickham seriously showing an interest in a profession and being determined to make an honourable living for himself, I shall help him in any way I can. I am still willing to fulfil our father’s wish and support him, but I cannot agree to give him money which he would only waste on vices and cunning schemes. ”
“I feel you are too hard on him,” Georgiana continued, this time turning pale. “He is not perfect like you, but very few people are, even our cousin says that.”
“Georgiana, I am far from perfect. I am just trying to behave decently and to carry out my duties. You, Fitzwilliam, Bingley, and many of our other friends are doing the same. That is all I am asking of George Wickham. Am I wrong?”
The girl lowered her eyes. “No, you are not wrong. You never are. I was wrong to argue with you, and I apologise. I did not mean to sound disrespectful.”
She turned to leave, but Darcy reached out and gently grasped her arm.
“My dear, please wait. I beg you never to apologise for expressing your opinions, even if they differ from mine. I desire your affection and trust, as well as your self-confidence, far more than your respect or, Heaven forbid, your fear of me! Never be afraid to speak your mind and act as your heart tells you. I wish nothing but the best for you. Your happiness means more to me than my own.”
Georgiana nodded and he embraced her, then she rested her head on his shoulder for a moment.
“I dearly love you, Brother, please do not doubt that. You have my deepest affection and complete trust. Even when I feel differently from you, I know you are not wrong. I wish to be happy without ruining your happiness.”
The emotions overwhelmed the girl, and she remained silent in her brother’s embrace. He caressed her hair, relieved to be able to comfort her, then he suddenly changed his tone.
“Well, I hope today will make both of us happy. I am sure Miss Bennet and Mrs Gardiner will be most enjoyable company for you. Will you take Mrs Annesley too?”
Georgiana pulled back, trying to present a tentative smile.
“No, I believe the phaeton will perfectly suit the three of us. Mrs Annesley will remain at home. Besides, she has toured the park several times already.”
“Then you will drive the phaeton?”
“I will. Miss Bennet and Mrs Gardiner will arrive together with Mr Gardiner after breakfast.”
“I might accompany you for a while if you and the other ladies do not mind,” Darcy declared. “Just to be certain your ride goes well…not that I do not trust you…and then I shall go fishing with Mr Gardiner, Bingley, and Hurst.”
He could not conceal his embarrassment while he attempted to sound indifferent. Georgiana’s smile widened slightly.
“I am sure your company would be as pleasant for Miss Bennet and Mrs Gardiner as it would be for me. What a fortunate coincidence that they happened to visit Pemberley just when we returned home. A week earlier and we would have missed them entirely.”
“Yes, a very fortunate coincidence,” Darcy agreed, more grateful than his words could express, or he would dare admit to his sister.
Their tête-à-tête was interrupted by Bingley, who entered rather impetuously after the most perfunctory of knocks. He apologised only when he saw Georgiana.
“Forgive me, I came to speak to Darcy…about today’s schedule. Miss Bennet will come to Pemberley today, will she not?”
“Yes. Georgiana will take her and Mrs Gardiner for a ride about the park. We discussed it last night at dinner.”
“Yes, yes, I remember. May I come with you?”
Georgiana looked at him, taken aback, then glanced at her brother.
“Where, Bingley?” Darcy enquired, equally confused.
“Wherever Miss Bennet goes. I wish to speak to her. I have been thinking about it all night, and I have decided I should like to return to Netherfield. I would like to open it again. I still hold the lease, as you know…but before that, I want to ask Miss Bennet if she approves of it. I mean…if the neighbours would approve of such a decision.”
The more restless Bingley grew, the more he mumbled, and the clearer his intentions became to Darcy and Georgiana.
“Forgive me,” the girl interjected. “I understand you have matters to discuss, so I shall leave you now. I must prepare for the ride.”
Both men nodded, and as soon as Georgiana left the library, Bingley continued, “Darcy, you may not agree with my plan, but I am determined to follow it…unless Miss Bennet suggests otherwise!”
“Bingley, I certainly do not disagree, and I applaud your determination in following your wishes, regardless of my or others’ opinions.”
“You do? I am glad to hear that!” Bingley replied hastily.