Chapter 44
Georgiana Darcy had always considered her brother a model of good behaviour and perfect manners.
He had led her by example and recently she had been convinced of soon acquiring a perfect sister; for all his letters were full of praise for Miss Elizabeth.
She had met Miss Jane Bennet and had been awed by her beauty and poised manners.
The lady was kind, polite and gracious and Georgiana imagined that Miss Elizabeth would be much like her older sister, the epitome of perfection.
She had asked so many questions of both Miss Bennet and Richard about Miss Elizabeth and had been a little intimidated upon hearing the long list of her virtues.
Miss Bennet, it seemed, looked up to her younger sister, whom she considered much more practical and opinionated with great strength of character.
Richard, if she did not know better, seemed to be half in love with Miss Elizabeth and could not stop praising the lady’s manners and conversation.
Georgiana as such had decided that she would make the acquaintance of this estimable lady and would try to gain some of her courage and strength of character.
In a moment of whimsical hopefulness she had even embroidered a few handkerchiefs with ED, hoping to gift them to Miss Elizabeth, once she and her brother were engaged.
Thus, it was a great shock to her when she read about the scandal.
Her teacup had clattered with sufficient noise to bring Mrs. Annesley rushing to her side.
“Miss Darcy, whatever is the matter?” Mrs. Annesley asked anxiously.
Georgiana was too shocked to speak and had just handed her the newspaper in explanation.
“There must have been some mistake, for Mr. Darcy is the most proper gentleman. Maybe it was someone else,” Mrs. Annesley said as she tried to make sense of the report.
“I do not think so; it says Lord Greystone was a witness and Fitzwilliam is well acquainted with him. Then there is the fact that Fitzwilliam seems to hold Miss Elizabeth in deep regard,” Georgiana answered in a small voice.
“I am sure there is some explanation; we should wait for some news from your brother.”
“I cannot keep waiting, Mrs. Annesley, when a lady’s reputation is at risk.
Her family will be immensely worried. At times people do act without considering the consequences,” Georgiana responded, remembering her own mistake at Ramsgate and how close to ruin she had come.
If she had been the one embroiled in a scandal Fitzwilliam would have done all in his power to help her.
“I should visit the Gardiners and assure them and Miss Bennet of my brother’s steadfastness.”
“Would it not be better to first write to your brother, you should not speak on his behalf.”
“I will not be speaking on his behalf but will be assuring them that Fitzwilliam is an honourable man and will unfailingly do what is right.”
“Well then, if you are decided I will ask for the carriage to be readied in half an hour.”
Within the hour, Georgiana Darcy sat in the parlour of Gracechurch Street, clenching and unclenching her fists as she waited for Mrs. Gardiner and Miss Bennet.
“Miss Darcy, it is good of you to visit. My aunt has gone out but I am expecting her back any moment,” Jane greeted her as she called for tea.
“Miss Bennet, you could be in no doubt as to the reason for my visit. I am sure you must be worried,” Georgiana stated.
“Worried! Whatever for? I am not sure I follow you.”
“Oh dear! You have not heard then?”
“Heard what? Miss Darcy, I implore you to be explicit,” Jane said with increasing worry.
“Jane! It is a scandal!” Mrs. Gardiner’s voice interrupted the ladies as she entered the house with the newspaper in hand but froze immediately on seeing Miss Darcy.
“Mrs. Gardiner, I myself saw the news only a couple of hours earlier and immediately made my way here to speak to you,” Georgiana greeted the lady.
“Miss Darcy, I am at a loss for anything to say,” Mrs. Gardiner replied.
“I assure you that it is equally shocking for me but all I can say is my brother is no rake. I still find it difficult to believe that Fitzwilliam would cause such a scandal. I assure you that he holds Miss Elizabeth in utmost respect.”
“What scandal, could anyone please explain,” Jane nearly snapped and was handed the newspaper by Mrs. Gardiner.
She read the article with an increasingly alarming expression, then sat down and took a deep breath.
She opened her mouth to speak, then looked at Georgiana and seemed to reconsider.
Finally she spoke in a soft voice, “Lizzy does not even like Mr. Darcy. This is a disaster—how could he have behaved so?”
“Miss Bennet, please, I implore you not to consider the worst of my brother. He is a good man,” Georgiana pleaded.
“Is it not surprising that this is the same argument I used when Lizzy was so set against Mr. Darcy in Hertfordshire.”
“Jane, please calm down. Neither Elizabeth nor Mr. Darcy are here to explain what actually happened. I think we should write to Lizzy to get the details of the incident and I will speak to your uncle, he may very well travel to Hampshire in your father’s stead and speak to Mr. Darcy.”
Jane looked up at her aunt, trying to make sense of all she had heard when the servant came in and announced Mr. Bingley.
Mr. Bingley had arrived in town only an hour earlier and immediately set off for Gracechurch Street.
He intended to give all the details of Brighton to Miss Bennet and then finally propose to her.
He entered the parlour with a smile on his face, which immediately disappeared on seeing the expression of the occupants of the room.
“Miss Bennet, whatever is the matter?” he rushed to Jane’s side and was handed the newspaper by the lady.
“This cannot be true; Darcy would never behave in such a manner.” Bingley threw the paper in disgust.
“I would normally agree with you, sir but there were unfortunately too many credible witnesses,” Miss Darcy answered in a small voice from her place on the couch.
“Miss Darcy!” Bingley exclaimed as if he had just realised the lady’s presence.
“Sir, I had come to assure Miss Bennet and Mrs. Gardiner of my brother’s impeccable character. You are a far more trusted friend of the family. Would you not assure them that my brother is an honourable man?”
“Miss Darcy, we appreciate your actions in coming to us, and we understand that you are expressing only what you believe to be true but you are still young and may not be aware of all of your brother’s behaviours,” Mrs. Gardiner gently answered.
“No, no, Miss Darcy is correct. Darcy is the most honourable person I know.” Bingley immediately countered.
“I think I would prefer Mr. Darcy himself to answer that question,” a frustrated Mr. Gardiner spoke in a firm voice from the door.