Chapter 11 #2
“Now I know he played me ill. Despite appearances, I am not a complete simpleton, I did become alarmed the moment I left Pemberley. But he calmed me, assured me all would be well. I wished to believe and to trust him, more than I did… But then, it was too late to return. I dreaded to imagine how Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst would have reacted and what Lady Catherine would say. Or Aunt Matlock. I would rather die than face their disapproval and contempt. And now that I am to return home, if Fitzwilliam allows me, I shall remain at Pemberley for the rest of my days.”
Trying to think of only Georgiana’s pain, Elizabeth embraced her tighter, stroking her hair.
“I hope none of your fears are justified. Only Mr Bingley knows the truth, and we may depend on his secrecy. He resolved to take his family back to London urgently. His sisters were told you were in your room, but you had taken suddenly ill, probably catching something contagious from the tenant family you were visiting. Mrs Annesley also knows since she was the one who found your note and brought it to your brother. And Mrs Reynolds and my aunt were also told of the secret, but I do not doubt their discretion. When we return, we may tell everyone the story about our visit to the North. There might be some raised brows, perhaps rumours and discreet enquiries. Our claims might be doubted, but who would dare contradict it openly?”
Georgiana’s blue eyes widened in astonishment. They were still glistening with tears hanging on her lashes, but she had calmed enough to begin to comprehend the new information.
“You have thought of everything… You knew I would not marry George?”
“We hoped — your brother hoped you would not, regardless of what happened. He already told you he would do anything and fix everything for you.”
“He did. I was so horribly ungrateful for doubting him and hiding things from him and going completely against his advice and wishes! I allowed myself to be convinced. I should have known better…what a fool I have been. And now, once again, my brother will have to sort out my predicament and struggle with the consequences.”
“All is well now. You must eat something and then try to rest. And tomorrow we will discuss what more is to be done.”
“Do you think Fitzwilliam will hurt George?” Georgiana blurted out suddenly, brow furrowed and eyes clouding again.
Elizabeth forced herself to be calm, counted to three, and spoke only when certain her voice was also steadier, “I hope Wickham will have the prudence to act and speak in such a manner as to avoid being hurt! I am sure it will depend on him entirely.”
“But what will happen to him now? He has left his regiment…he has no other way of living…”
“His scheme will surely bring him many problems, for which he is the only person responsible. And I am certain he has some money to survive from what you gave him, has he not? May I ask how much it was?”
Georgiana shook her head. “Not too much…I believe I had five hundred pounds…but I am not sure if he still has it. I believe he played cards. He met friends at every inn we stayed at. He was gone most nights, and I am not sure whether he won or lost.”
Elizabeth gasped, shocked and outraged at hearing such a sum, then became angry.
“Not too much? My dear, I find myself quite disinclined to feel indulgent right now. You gave him a small fortune and you still worry about how he will live. Do you truly understand just how much money you wasted on him? How did you even come by such an amount? Did he ask for it? This is too much. He has been given so much from each of the Darcys, and he has wasted everything carelessly in a short time! And now he has tried to waste your life too! I hope he will pay for all his faults and finally learn his lesson!”
“Oh! You must not worry I have stolen from my brother! It was from my allowance. Fitzwilliam is so generous, aside from what my father already left me, and I do not need that much, so in time, I…George did not exactly ask, but he mentioned he had no more pay from the regiment and that the journey north was expensive, so I…”
Georgiana coloured and was on the brink of tears anew. She lowered her eyes and almost inaudibly continued.
“I know what you are thinking. I understand and I am thinking it also. But to me, he was very kind…and patient. He did not even attempt to…you know… He barely kissed my hand a few times…he never… If he had, I would never dare face my brother again. And despite taking advantage, I still believe George cares about me…”
Georgiana’s confession dissipated Elizabeth’s greatest worry, something she had struggled to enquire about but had not found the courage or opportunity to do so, the relief she felt making her almost forget her exasperation and her desire to shake the girl.
Wickham had behaved like a gentleman in one way at least, as had rarely been the case in his life.
Not even a profligate such as he dared to impose himself or force the daughter of his godfather in any manner, a girl who had grown up from infancy before his eyes.
“I am sure he cares about you, my dear. How could he not? But he abused your trust and affection for easy gains. That is the truth. He might have a good heart, as you said, but his actions and his character are deficient. He is clever enough and well educated by the generosity of your father, but he chose a dishonourable way to use his qualities!”
“You are right of course…and I would like to take your advice now and rest a little.”
While the girl took off her spencer and Elizabeth busied herself searching in her trunk for something for Georgiana to wear to bed, the young girl suddenly asked, “Elizabeth, may I ask…why are you here? I am grateful for your presence, do not think otherwise. But why did you take all this trouble? My brother told me about your past arguments and how rudely he behaved at the beginning of your acquaintance. How did it happen that he confessed everything to you? And why did you travel with him all this way, to find me?”
Elizabeth felt her cheeks flushing, while she pondered how to reply.
“I was with your brother in the library when Mrs Annesley came with your note. He read your letter and told me about its contents since I was there. He was so shocked and devastated, the grief clouded his reason, and we feared he might act precipitously and imprudently and put himself in danger. I spoke to my uncle… Besides, I felt you may need a female friend to speak to, especially since I was no stranger to Wickham’s schemes and deceptions. I hope you do not mind.”
“I am happy you came, Elizabeth. I could not believe how brave you were in confronting George! I could have never...I have never met any lady like you. Indeed, I am glad you came,” the girl repeated.
“I am glad you are glad, my dear,” Elizabeth attempted to joke. “Now please keep me company, we must eat a little — I confess I am also very thirsty — and then you may rest. I shall be in the other room.”
“Very well…Elizabeth, are you and my brother still arguing? Are you still displeased with his behaviour?”
“Not as much as in the past,” Elizabeth replied, trying a light jocular tone to conceal her uneasiness.
“I must claim a fair share of blame in our past misunderstandings. His manners were not always amiable, but neither were mine. He was proud and disdainful, I was prejudiced and imprudent. I listened to and trusted Wickham’s falsehoods, which affected my opinion of Mr Darcy even more.
He made some errors, but he has remedied most of them, for which I am grateful to him. ”
“I am relieved to hear that. He is truly the best of men.”
“I know that. Once I discovered his true character, I could not but admire it and improve my opinion of him.”
“He thinks very highly of you. I have never heard him speak so admiringly, so fondly of another lady. He was so very happy that you came to Pemberley, Elizabeth. It was a fortunate occurrence.”
“A fortunate occurrence, indeed,” Elizabeth admitted, sounding calmer than she really was.
Half an hour later, after a cup of tea, Georgiana finally fell asleep, but not before she asked several times why Darcy and Mr Gardiner had been delayed so long.
Despite her finding several good explanations for Georgiana’s sake, Elizabeth wondered the same, and she prayed there had not been an escalation of violence between the men.
Knowing she would never be able to sleep, both because of her long and emotional conversation with Georgiana and her impatience to hear news, she installed herself on the windowsill.
As her room had windows looking out onto the street, she stared outside into the darkness for a while, until she finally recognised the two long-awaited riders.
Minutes later, Mr Gardiner knocked on her door, and she opened it in haste.
“Lizzy, all is well. We spoke to Mr Wickham and will discuss it more tomorrow. I am too tired now. I shall eat something in my room and sleep — at last. You should do the same. I shall see you tomorrow morning.”
“Good night, Uncle,” she said, closing the door slowly but remaining near it. After a few moments, she opened it a crack, hoping, waiting to see Darcy passing towards his own room, until he appeared eventually.
“Mr Darcy?” she called him in a whisper.
“Miss Bennet…I had hoped to find you still awake. How are you? How is Georgiana?”
His countenance was etched with worry, and he was pale, his brows knitted and with dark circles around his eyes.
“She is asleep. I believe she is reasonably well. We talked for a long time…”
They were in the doorway, and she opened it a little more.
“Would you not come inside for a moment? We still have some food that is untouched. I imagine you are hungry…”
He hesitated briefly, looking behind him at the empty hall, and she thought he would refuse again, like the night before, berating herself for making the enquiry.
“I would like that very much…that is if it does not disturb you. It is very late and…”
“I know it is very late and that I should not ask you, but I am doing it, nevertheless. I have not eaten much either, and I would like your company,” she replied, aware of her unseemly boldness.
He smiled a bit, tiredly, but was clearly pleased. “I am starving, in fact. For food and for good company,” he replied with more honesty than decorum. But it was neither the time nor the place to worry about society’s rules too much.
He entered swiftly, and she closed the door behind him, finding themselves alone in the small sitting room, after midnight, at the end of a day which had certainly affected their lives.