Chapter 14
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
T he assembly was two days later and, as little as Darcy liked it, Georgiana and Wickham insisted on attending when the subject was raised that morning. Rather, Wickham insisted, telling her, “It is time for me to show the world what a fine wife I have caught myself. As a married lady, there is no reason for you to remain at home. You are no longer a child, my dear.”
Darcy wanted to scream. But then, he often felt that way, and it was a wonder he had not broken half the furniture in an attempt to vent his spleen. “Georgiana is not accustomed to attending such entertainments. If she does not feel comfortable going?—”
“But I shall be there, Brother,” Wickham said, turning to her and adding, “That is all you need, is it not?”
The look of adoration Georgiana gave the smirking man almost made Darcy retch, as did being addressed in such a fashion by him. Instead, he bit his tongue and reflected that it was preferable to see his sister regard the vile man fondly; if she was afraid of him, if she showed any sign that he was misusing her, Darcy would kill him, no matter the consequences.
Bingley gave him a reassuring look, and he took a moment to remember how fortunate he was to have both Bingley and Elizabeth to help him during this challenging time. Jane, too, would do what she could to provide comfort and assistance.
“I shall be glad to go and not at all nervous. How could I be, with both you and my brother there, and Mr Bingley too?” Georgiana said.
“And I vow to remain by your side. Since you no longer have a companion to do so.” Wickham patted her hand and glanced at Darcy, one eyebrow cocked in a challenge.
There had been some dispute over Darcy’s dismissal of Mrs Younge. He had invited Wickham to pay her wages and lodgings. Not wanting to distress Georgiana, Darcy had said merely that married ladies did not require companions, especially when there were so many other ladies nearby to keep her company. Perhaps once she and her husband were settled in their own home, Wickham might find some other lady to attend her while he was occupied with his law studies. She had not taken his hint that if Wickham honestly was working to become a solicitor, he should not be content to spend his time idling in Kent and Hertfordshire, to say nothing of the journey to Scotland.
That evening, Elizabeth stayed by Darcy’s side. He knew she was worried for him, and, for her sake, he did his best to maintain his composure. Between the two of them and Bingley, they had quietly informed people that Georgiana was married, so her appearance on Wickham’s arm was not a surprise. They spoke of it as if it had been a long-standing arrangement, but, as Darcy had feared, it was not enough to prevent speculation.
“She is so young,” one lady whispered to a group of other women. “They say her husband is Mr Darcy’s old friend, but the looks the gentlemen give each other suggest otherwise.”
“I would think she is too young to be married, especially to someone her brother’s age,” another person said. “And why was there no mention, not even a whisper that she was going to be married soon? Miss Elizabeth might have told us. We see her often, and before he went away, Mr Darcy too.” Her companions were quick to agree.
When Mr Bennet came to talk to him and Elizabeth, his stomach dropped to the floor.
“We all know there is something…irregular, shall we say, about your sister’s situation,” the older man said, regarding them through narrowed eyes. “I am attempting to overlook it, but I am not sure how much longer I can. A rather dreadful word beginning with ‘e’ has been raised. We must speak of this. Tomorrow morning, at Longbourn.”
“Yes, Papa,” Elizabeth said. Surreptitiously, she linked one of her fingers with Darcy’s; he was glad she had answered her father, because he was incapable of speech. He nodded politely.
Once Mr Bennet had wandered away, Elizabeth moved so that she was facing him and took proper hold of his hand. “It is horrible,” she said. “I do not believe I shall ever enjoy an assembly again. But it will be well, in the end. We will keep going, fighting and doing what we must, until it is.”
“Have I said how glad I am to have you and how much I love you yet today?”
She gave him a small smile in reply. “And I love you. Always. ”
Worse was to come, and from Elizabeth’s own mother. Unfortunately, they were close enough to overhear her say to Mrs Philips and Lady Lucas, “Everyone is saying that Miss Darcy or Mrs Wickham, whatever her name is now, eloped! I would not object to having a daughter married at fifteen, and if there were more eligible men in the neighbourhood, I am sure Lydia might be, and Miss Darcy did catch herself an extremely handsome gentleman—and so charming—but eloping! It is such a scandal! Just like one reads in the broadsheets. To think it happened here! My girls would never behave in such a fashion. I almost regret that Lizzy is going to marry into such a family. But he is exceedingly wealthy.”
“That is enough, Mrs Bennet,” Mr Bennet said. From Darcy’s view, the older man had appeared out of nowhere, but he was relieved to see him. “You will hold your tongue, or we shall return to Longbourn at once. Mr Darcy explained his sister’s situation, and that is good enough. We do not need to be adding to the gossip. Recollect his connexion to us, thus his sister’s.”
While the ladies might not have known Darcy and Elizabeth were nearby, Mr Bennet did. His gaze met Darcy’s, and it was easy to read his displeasure.
To Elizabeth, Darcy whispered, “Perhaps I ought to insist we return to Derbyshire. It would be easier for us to avoid company there.”
“If we were married, I would agree, but since I cannot go with you, please say you will not. Consider that a retreat from the neighbourhood after this will only act as a confirmation that the affair is…not quite proper.”
He bowed his head. “I do not believe I could leave you, as much as I long to hide away.” He ought to be able to confront the situation like the stoic, in command gentleman he thought himself to be, but because of the people involved, he was finding it nearly impossible. Once the shock was not so severe, it would be easier. It would also help to discuss the matter with Fitzwilliam and perhaps the earl so that they could decide what to do with the couple. Darcy would hate to be separated from Georgiana, but it might be necessary to establish a home for them out of view of society for a time.
Later, saying their farewells at the close of the ball, Mr Bennet reminded him that he was expected at Longbourn the next day. For Darcy, it felt like an anvil had been settled on his shoulders.