Chapter XIII
Georgiana arrived soon after, which was fortunate for Darcy’s peace of mind.
Eager to depart as he was, he paced the entryway, already considering what might be done to remove George Wickham from his life forever.
The other question was how much to tell Georgiana.
By the time she stepped into the entrance hall, Darcy had resolved to tell her all—or at least as much as it was prudent to relate.
“Brother,” said she when she saw him. At once, she noted his traveling clothes and grim expression. “What has happened?”
“First, the Bingleys are to depart this morning,” said Darcy. “Bingley grew tired of his sister’s behavior and decided it was best to remove her from Pemberley today.”
As Darcy had expected, Georgiana was not displeased to learn of Miss Bingley’s departure. “That is for the best, I should say.” She watched him, filled with curiosity. “It does not explain why you are wearing traveling clothes.”
“No, I shall not accompany the Bingleys north,” replied Darcy. “Instead, my path will take me south, for a matter of urgency has arisen that cannot be delayed.”
Georgiana frowned, not understanding the connection. “What do you mean?”
“Only that Miss Bennet received word of a serious situation this morning,” replied Darcy. “Georgiana, it involves Wickham.”
The name would have pushed Georgiana to tears that spring. Now, however, she only tensed. Darcy had expected her to make the connection at once, and she did not disappoint.
“Might I assume that Mr. Wickham is again plying his trade with young ladies?”
“Yes, you may,” replied Darcy. “There is no time at present to explain everything. Suffice it to say that I am traveling with the Gardiners, and I mean to ensure that George Wickham is never a danger to anyone again.”
“If you will pardon my saying it, I believe it is long overdue.”
Darcy felt a fierce jolt of pride at his sister’s firm declaration.
There had been times the previous year when Darcy had wondered if she would ever pull herself from despair and learn from what had happened.
She was still a girl of sixteen, but her growing maturity these last months was astonishing.
“I cannot agree more,” said Darcy.
“Is it . . . Is it one of Elizabeth’s sisters?”
“Her youngest sister,” said Darcy. “Miss Lydia is already out in society, and was allowed to visit Brighton this summer in the company of a Mrs. Forster, who is the wife of a militia colonel. Wickham joined Colonel Forster’s militia regiment when it was stationed in Meryton, which is a town near Miss Bennet’s home. ”
“Which is how she became acquainted with him.” Georgiana sighed. “Another young lady ruined by Mr. Wickham. My escape was most fortunate, Brother—had you not come to Ramsgate, I would even now be facing the same future as Miss Bennet’s sister.”
Darcy did not respond—there was nothing he could say. It was the truth, after all. Darcy was grateful every day that he had made that innocuous decision to surprise his sister at Ramsgate; he did not want to think of what might have happened had he chosen to stay away.
“Miss Bennet’s elder sister wrote to inform her of the event,” said Darcy, turning his attention back to the tale.
“Miss Lydia departed from Brighton with Wickham and the colonel tracked them to London, but the trail went cold there. If I know Wickham—and I do—he entered London and never left, knowing there would be pursuit. Wickham is at home in the bowels of the city; without my assistance, Mr. Gardiner and Mr. Bennet are not likely to find him.”
Georgiana regarded him, uncertain. “Do you suppose you know where to look for Mr. Wickham?”
“I know where to start,” replied Darcy. “Though he might not be staying with her, Wickham will almost certainly approach Mrs. Younge for assistance.”
“Yes, I suspect you are correct,” mused Georgiana. “You know where to find Mrs. Younge.”
Darcy nodded. “The investigation into her affairs after Ramsgate yielded the address of her house on Edward Street. Once I arrive in London, I shall enlist our cousin’s support, and we shall make our way to her establishment the following morning.”
“Anthony will be most interested in this business, Brother,” said Georgiana, satisfaction suffusing her.
“More than you know. Fitzwilliam has been clamoring for me to deal with Wickham once and for all since long before Ramsgate. Since then, he has been almost insufferable.”
Darcy’s confession caught Georgiana’s attention, and she regarded him for several moments without speaking. Though it appeared she would not say whatever she was thinking, she opened her mouth a moment later.
“This is all curious, William. Anthony has insisted you act against Mr. Wickham, yet you have declined all these years, even after he attempted to elope with me.”
“For that I have no defense,” said Darcy before she could continue. “Before Ramsgate, I thought I had seen the last of Wickham. After, my sole objective was to protect you from anything that he might do.”
“Yes, I understand,” replied Georgiana, undeterred. “It is still curious that Miss Lydia’s disgrace has provoked you.”
Georgiana reached out a hand to touch his arm, her smile removing any sting from her words. “Do not suppose that I am criticizing or questioning your devotion to me, Brother. I am not angry. Yet I am curious that this Miss Lydia is important enough to you to compel your action.”
Then with a sly smile she added: “Or perhaps it is not Miss Lydia who provokes such loyalty? Could there be another, one who is a more integral part of your thinking?”
Again, Darcy was delighted by his sister’s manner, though sobered at her words. Darcy had not considered the potential implications of his decision to pursue Wickham—Darcy had already known Georgiana did not doubt his affection, but her inference, while not entirely wrong, was incomplete.
“Please accept my apologies, Georgiana,” said Darcy.
“I had not considered it in that way. Ramsgate was a year ago—anything Wickham says now will gain no traction in society. You are correct that I esteem Miss Bennet above all other women, but her sister’s plight is only a part of my thinking.
It is high time Wickham receives the consequences for his actions—if I am honest, I should have moved against him years ago. ”
“Very well,” said Georgiana. But she was not finished. “What of Miss Bennet?”
Darcy could not suppress his laughter. “You are quite determined this morning, Georgiana. Where is the shy girl I have become accustomed to?”
“Perhaps it is the company I have kept of late,” was her dry reply. “Now, will you not answer the question?”
“What do you expect for an answer?” asked Darcy, curious about how much his sister had seen.
Georgiana’s eyes narrowed. “Some notion of how much you esteem Miss Bennet, perhaps? Your attention to her has left me wondering if she will become someone important in my life.”
“I know not if you are discerning or I have been obvious,” replied Darcy, enjoying their banter. “Yes, you have the right of it. Miss Bennet will become someone of supreme importance to us both. As of this morning, Miss Bennet is my betrothed and your future sister.”
It appeared Darcy had shocked his sister, for she stared at him, unable to respond for several moments. Then her face lit with heartfelt delight.
“Sister!” exclaimed she. “That is wonderful!”
Then she seemed to come to the same conclusion as Mr. Gardiner.
“Is it not precipitous? Is it wise to propose to her at such a time as this?”
“Come, Georgiana,” said Darcy, taking her hand and leading her to a bench that sat near the entrance outside, where they would not be overheard. “I shall tell you, but the business is pressing, and I must depart before long.”
When they were seated, Georgiana turned to him expectantly, remembering his need for haste. Darcy considered how best to convey what he wished while holding to brevity.
“The truth is that I have wished to have Miss Bennet’s acceptance of my suit for many months,” said Darcy.
“I suspected something,” said Georgiana. “Even as far back as when you were at Netherfield. You mentioned Miss Bennet in your letters, and that is something you have never done before.”
“Yes,” reflected Darcy, “my fascination with her began not long after I arrived in Hertfordshire.
For reasons I have no time to explain before I must depart, ours has not been a typical courtship.
Before I encountered her at Pemberley, I had some thought of returning to Hertfordshire to continue our acquaintance.
Since our meeting, however, something has changed between us.
“If not for this business with Miss Lydia, I would have been content to court her as she deserves with the understanding that I would propose. Wickham’s actions, however, have forced an earlier decision—to involve myself freely in the matter, a connection to the family is highly desirable, and the most natural connection is through marriage. ”
“Then,” said Georgiana, as if attempting to think his explanation through, “she has accepted you because of her family’s plight? Or is it because she wants to marry you?”
That question struck to the core of Darcy’s insecurity.
The thought that had niggled at him since he had departed from Lambton, that the business had forced her hand, still had no answer.
Though Darcy did not like disguise, he would not leave Georgiana in suspense or allow her to worry about his relationship with the woman who would become his wife.
Thus, he hedged a little, determined to discover the truth when the opportunity presented itself.
“This business has necessitated an earlier resolution than either of us would have wished,” said Darcy, smiling at his sister to put her at ease.
“Yet I have no concern at all about Miss Bennet’s integrity or her willingness to refuse any proposal regardless of the circumstances. Trust me, Georgiana—all will be well.”