Chapter 35
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
E lizabeth was pacing in a small clearing when Darcy and Fitzwilliam found her. Immediately, Darcy leapt from his horse, went to her, and clasped her hand.
“What happened?” he demanded. She looked agitated; her colour was high, her breathing quick, and she appeared surprised to see him.
“I am well. Something occurred when Georgiana and I spoke earlier. A-a remark she made has me questioning exactly what their marriage is like, how…” Glancing at his cousin, she admitted, “It is awkward speaking of this, but I think we must.” She removed her hand from Darcy’s and went to sit on a nearby boulder, overlooking that it was damp. “I left her abruptly. I am not even sure what excuse I gave. Was she distressed?”
Fitzwilliam, standing with the horses and holding the reins, said, “She did not mention it. As far as I know, she remained in her apartment. Would you prefer to speak to Darcy alone? ”
Elizabeth replied that it was not necessary. “This is something we ought to discuss together. I feel stupid for leaving as I did. I was almost at Longbourn before I realised what I had done. It would have been much better had I remained and spoken to both of you at once, even better had I continued my conversation with her.”
“Elizabeth, my love, you are speaking almost too quickly for us to understand,” Darcy said calmly, although he felt the opposite. Indeed, a series of terrible possibilities flashed through his mind. He sat close to Elizabeth and again took her hands in his. Swallowing heavily, he asked, “Is he misusing Georgiana?—”
Her eyes flew to his, and she rested a hand on his cheek. “It is not that at all. I have thought of her words endlessly, and what she said makes me wonder whether, well… I am not sure they have consummated the marriage.”
Darcy’s jaw went slack as he stared at her. Her cheeks were bright red, and she nodded.
“But why?” Fitzwilliam exclaimed.
“That is what I asked myself,” Elizabeth said. “I do not know for certain. I was so shocked by the notion that I left, wanting nothing more than to think of what she had said and try to sort out if there was some other explanation.”
She told them that Georgiana and Wickham were never in each other’s bedchambers. Darcy regarded his cousin, both shaking their heads and shrugging.
“We need more information,” Fitzwilliam said at length. “Before we begin to speculate about Wickham’s motives, we must know if you are correct.”
To Elizabeth, Darcy said, “I believe the only alternative is for you to talk to her again. If Fitzwilliam or I attempted to broach such a delicate matter… ”
Sighing heavily, she nodded. “If I had more presence of mind this morning, I would have done my best to learn the truth. I am shocked Mr Wickham has not insisted, and that Georgiana did not know to expect it.”
“Who would have talked to her of such things?” Fitzwilliam mused. “One of her aunts, I suppose, but likely they all believed someone else would or there was no need until Georgiana entered society, perhaps not even until she was engaged.”
“What the devil—?” Darcy stood abruptly and began to pace the same path Elizabeth had been taking when they found her.
“It alters the situation,” Fitzwilliam said. “Perhaps for the better.”
“I would be pleased by it, though I struggle to understand the implications,” Elizabeth said. “Tomorrow morning, I shall go to Netherfield again. With luck, Mr Wickham will be absent, but if he is not, I shall claim a need to discuss wedding arrangements with her or some other feminine subject.”
“Thank you. I know you would like a few minutes alone. Darcy, I shall be over there.” Fitzwilliam pointed in the direction of Netherfield.
As soon as his cousin was gone, Darcy gathered Elizabeth into his arms. Her head rested against his chest, and she clung to him as much as he did to her.
“Are you well?” she whispered.
“I do not know. I understand what you must have felt and why you departed as you did. My head feels so full of questions, they might begin pouring out of my ears.”
She kissed him softly. “Try not to let this affect you too deeply, not until we know more. I will not stop until I am confident I understand what their relationship is like. Then we shall have to determine what it means and how that changes our approach to Mr Wickham.”
“I knew last summer that you would be the most excellent partner in life to me and sister to Georgiana. You have shown it again and again, and anyone who doubts it is a fool.”
She smiled. “Tell me again another time. For now, kiss me. It will give me courage for tomorrow morning.”