Chapter 32
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
D arcy noticed Georgiana standing to the side while he danced with Elizabeth and again during the second set when he stood up with Jane. Upon occasion, he would see her speaking to another lady, but more often she seemed content to observe. Wickham had partners for both sets—dancing with first Catherine and then Lydia.
Darcy avoided asking anyone for the third set so that he could spend it with his sister and keep watch on Wickham while he danced with Elizabeth. He counted the weeks until they might leave Hertfordshire. Since he was determined that he and Elizabeth would have a few days to themselves in town before going to Pemberley, it meant he would be free from Wickham for a short while, which would be a relief. It was difficult to have to act as though he did not hate the man.
“I-I really did not want to dance tonight,” Georgiana said. “I know that married ladies can dance if they like, but…”
“Whatever makes you happy, my dear,” Darcy replied, catching her eye to encourage her to believe him .
She smiled shyly and, gaze averted, said, “I am glad you are not so angry any longer. I do not understand precisely why you and my husband were at odds. Wickham said it was because you wanted him to go into the church and were disappointed when he chose to study the law instead, but he enjoys it ever so much more than he would have liked making sermons. I told him that you would forget it now that you are brothers and because you both love me.”
Darcy took her hand and wrapped it around his arm. “There is nothing I would not do for you.” Including treat that worthless waste of skin and bones as a friend. “You and Elizabeth are the most important people in the world to me, and I shall always do everything in my power to ensure you are well and happy.”
Briefly, she rested her head against his arm. “Thank you.”
They fell into silence. Darcy wanted to sigh; he felt trapped by the choice she had made, destined to live a life that would never quite be what it should have been, one that would forever have a stain of dissatisfaction on it because he would never rid himself of Wickham.
He still anticipated that his old friend would grow fatigued of playing the dutiful husband to his young, shy wife and take himself off to seek greater diversion. But even should they never see Wickham again, Darcy would always know he was out there in the world, possibly to return, bringing havoc with him. He would always be a threat, always demand money in exchange for leaving Georgiana alone and staying away—and that was the best they could hope for. If he and Georgiana had a child, it would be yet another bond between them, another person’s well-being that Wickham could use to threaten Darcy into doing what he wanted.
Do not worry about it now, he urged himself. Instead, he should rejoice in this sign that his sister was not lost to him and in knowing that Elizabeth would soon be his wife.
Elizabeth wanted to avoid having to listen to Mr Wickham as much as possible during their set. She was exquisitely happy that she would soon be Mrs Darcy, and she would not let him destroy her good mood. Thus, she chatted from the moment he came to collect her for the dance, about the assembly and the weather, and she hardly knew what else.
“You must know Rebecca Darcy?” she asked. “I should call her Viscountess Bramwell. There are some people you meet and know at once they will be dear friends, friends you will have the remainder of your life, even if you should?—”
She laughed and affected embarrassment. “Forgive me. I have hardly let you say a word. I do not know what has overcome me tonight, apart from the pleasure that comes from being young, in good health, and in love. I was thinking of Rebecca because of a conversation I witnessed earlier, during the first interval. Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam, and my father were speaking of being at school and meeting boys that always remain friends. Papa has such a friend. They did not write or see each other for years after having some sort of disagreement. But he said that when they saw each other again, the affection they had for each other and their shared memories were more important than what had driven them apart. The conversation did not come out of nowhere. Darcy and his cousin were remembering a boy from when you were at school. Colonel Fitzwilliam is determined to discover what has become of him. ”
“Sometimes the arguments that end friendships are too great. Nothing can fix what has been broken,” Mr Wickham said.
To Elizabeth, it looked as though his jaw was clenched, and she was certain his colour had grown darker, although it was difficult to tell in the dim light. “Perhaps, but I am an optimist and choose to believe that two people can forgive the past.”
“Are you speaking of me and Darcy?” he demanded.
“As it happens, no, and I see no purpose in discussing your situation again. I had hoped you would agree that there is no purpose in clinging to old…frustrations, if only to please Georgiana and me. Darcy and I shall soon be husband and wife. No more than six weeks from now. You can imagine how eager I am.” She did not give him a chance to respond. Instead, she changed the subject and resumed her chatting.
Later that evening, Elizabeth spent a little time alone with Georgiana.
“Are you finding the evening agreeable?” Elizabeth asked her.
Georgiana shrugged. “What were you and Wickham speaking of when you danced?”
Elizabeth pursed her lips as though struggling to recall. “The usual sort of drivel one shares at a ball.” Of course, you are too young to know what I mean, which only makes your union more disgusting. “I must say, now that I know your cousin a little better, I like him more and more. Your father chose wisely when he made him and Darcy your guardians.”
Georgiana looked off into the crowd. “He is unhappy. He tries to hide it from me, but my husband says he is not so kind when they are alone.”
“Men.” Elizabeth chuckled and kept her tone light-hearted. “ I have often remarked that they appear to take delight in challenging each other. My advice is to leave them to resolve their differences. There is every reason to suppose they will. Take your brother as an example. He was shocked by your sudden marriage, but his mood has improved a great deal. You have seen that, have you not?”
Georgiana regarded her. “Since his trip to London. Did you have anything to do with it?”
“With his going?”
She nodded. “Wickham said that he thought you had argued. He hinted that perhaps once you knew my brother more, you were not so certain you wished to marry him. I was worried you would end your engagement.”
Elizabeth almost scowled. Wickham wanted Georgiana to despise Darcy, but it seemed he also wanted her to dislike Elizabeth. I wish we were not having this conversation here, surrounded by so many people! Yet, she had to correct Wickham’s false assertions.
“I cannot imagine why he would think such a thing! I am very sorry you were uneasy. This shows me that we have not spent enough time together, and I regret it. Darcy and I have not quarrelled, and neither of us has ever questioned our desire to be husband and wife. I cannot possibly describe how greatly I long for the day we are standing next to each other at church, our dearest family and friends surrounding us, making our vows. My mother is sure to want to have every one of our neighbours to celebrate.” She laughed, fondly thinking of her mother’s enthusiasm when she told her they should start to make arrangements. “Your brother went to see his solicitor so that they could discuss all the business that has to take place before a wedding.”
Not that Wickham bothered with it—but then, he is not so concerned with being an honourable husband . “Darcy explained it all to me—the marriage contract, changes to his will, and other things to ensure our children and I are properly provided for, whatever the future holds. I believe knowing we shall soon be wed has given him a better sense of what you and Mr Wickham must feel. He and I are in love and hate to be apart, just as you and Mr Wickham are. Accepting that, your brother decided to set aside his disappointment about how you chose to marry. I am glad. Who wants to live with strife always hanging over our heads?”
Georgiana nibbled her lower lip, as she did so often that Elizabeth was surprised there was no visible sign of injury. She let the young woman ponder her words for a moment and then began to speak of fashion, her wedding gown, and other items of clothing she hoped to secure for her life as Mrs Darcy.
Later, Elizabeth danced with Colonel Fitzwilliam. Not long into their set, he asked how Mr Wickham had acted during their earlier dance.
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “I rambled like a fool the entire time. I could not bear to listen to more of his nonsense than necessary.” She told him what she could remember of it and listened as he briefly described his recent interactions with the man.
“Will you permit me to say that every day I am here, I have a better understanding of why my cousin fell in love with you. He is a fortunate man, and Georgiana is a fortunate girl to be gaining you as a sister. I fear she will need your strength and generous character in the years ahead.”
She smiled. “I hope you are managing to amuse yourself, despite the reason that brought you to Meryton. ”
“Very much. Everyone has been welcoming, your family especially. Your younger sisters are…lively.”
“Oh, no! Please tell me they are not pestering you. In their liveliness, as you call it, they do not always remember propriety.”
“It is just what I need to distract me from other concerns. I cannot remain much longer, but I hope to return some other time. Perhaps I shall do so while you and Darcy are visiting your relations here in the future, even if I have to invent an excuse to secure an invitation. I should like to meet your family and some of the gentlemen in the neighbourhood when I am not consumed by Georgiana’s situation. Darcy tells me you have an aunt and uncle in London. Where do they live?”
For the remainder of the set, they avoided discussing the unpleasantness that had brought him to the neighbourhood and, when it was over, he escorted her to Darcy. The end of the assembly was fast approaching, and they found a quiet corner to talk.
“I was encouraged by my conversation with Georgiana,” Elizabeth said. “I believe I should call on her, spend the morning together, just the two of us. Tomorrow will be occupied with…other matters.”
She glanced at the colonel but smiled at Darcy, who kissed her hand, leading his cousin to laugh and say, “With good news, I hope?”
“Perhaps,” she said.
At the same time, Darcy stated, “You will have to wait to find out.”
“I shall call on Thursday morning,” Elizabeth announced. “I hate to think this way, but we know Mr Wickham has used Georgiana’s sweet disposition and desire to please against her and the two of you. I might find a way to use that same aspect of her nature for our purposes. Not to hate him—which we all agree she should—but to tell him how much it would please her to see the three of you on friendly terms.”
Darcy agreed. “And our task is to continue behaving as though we have come to accept their relationship. I have every reason to be distracted by my own happy situation, and you, Fitzwilliam?—”
“Must give him my grudging acceptance and welcome back to our merry band of brothers. Since I am very fond of you”— he nodded at Elizabeth before turning to Darcy—“and do not dislike you, I shall step aside and give you a few minutes to whisper words of affection to each other.”
Darcy urged him away, then took both of Elizabeth’s hands in his own, placing a lingering kiss on them. “I shall be at Longbourn tomorrow at the breakfast hour. Will that give you enough time to speak to your mother?”
She nodded. “Did you tell Mr Bingley?”
“I did. I think it is too much to hope he proposed tonight, not with so many other people about. He mumbled something about speaking to Jane first thing tomorrow.”
“Tell him to come before breakfast. Then, once you are there, we shall rejoice and immediately—and at last—decide on our wedding date.”