Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
The Darcy party did not attend Lady Arlington’s ball that evening.
Their absence was conspicuous, given the amount of attention Darcy usually paid Elizabeth and how much time the families spent in each other’s company.
Elizabeth did not dance that night and instead spent her time in Lady Barry’s company, whispering to her about the events of the morning and worrying about her friends.
This only enforced the belief that Elizabeth was Lady Barry’s heiress, but as that lady said, people would always believe whatever they wished.
At least Sir Rupert was not present, since it was a private ball.
The Bennet sisters had left Darcy Cottage quite soon after the departure of Darcy and Mr Bingley.
On Friday morning, a note arrived from Priscilla, informing her friends that their household would not go out, nor entertain for a few days, though they looked forward to seeing their friends again soon.
Elizabeth knew that it was no consolation at all, considering what had happened, but she took Lady Barry’s carriage to the confectioners herself and treated her sisters.
Then she selected a few delicacies that Georgiana and Priscilla enjoyed, as well as one or two of Darcy’s favourites, and sent them to Darcy Cottage with her hopes to see her friends again before long.
It was not until Saturday that Elizabeth caught sight of Darcy, though briefly.
“Lizzy, there he is!” Jane tapped Elizabeth upon the shoulder as the two of them accompanied their father into the library.
Elizabeth turned to see Darcy leaving a pub with another gentleman and a colonel, and shaking hands with a pair of young officers the young ladies did not recognise. He turned and spied them, then crossed the street to greet them.
“Is your father well? And Georgiana?” Elizabeth blurted out in concern.
He smiled gently as he bowed. “They are well, thank you, Elizabeth. Your package of sweets meant a great deal to Georgiana yesterday. She feared that she might have shocked you with her conduct and that you would no longer wish to be friends.”
“Poor Georgie. I hope you disabused her of such fears. And Mr Darcy? Is he well?”
“He is, thank God, and he has abused me most thoroughly in an attempt to make me promise not to seek revenge on Wickham, but I fear I cannot make any such promises, nor will I discuss the matter with him,” Darcy admitted.
“It grieves me, for it upsets him, which is the last thing we wish for, but I cannot permit him to decide Wickham’s fate.
That man has hurt my father and attempted to steal my sister, which I warned my father of the day I arrived in Ramsgate.
I must take matters into my own hands, and my father must learn to accept it. ”
“Oh dear,” Elizabeth worried.
“Darcy, if you have quite finished greeting your friend, perhaps you might recall the civilities?” the colonel behind him reminded him with a grin.
“Of course. My cousins, Viscount Fitzwilliam and the Honourable Colonel Fitzwilliam, may I present Miss Jane Bennet and Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn in Hertfordshire. I believe I spied their father entering the library ahead of them.”
“Miss Bennet.” The Honourable Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam removed his hat and began to bow over Jane’s hand before he was brushed out of the way by the viscount.
“Remember your position, little brother. I get to kiss the lady’s hand first.” Ashley, the Viscount Fitzwilliam bowed low and kissed Jane’s hand. “Miss Bennet, it is an honour and a privilege to meet you.”
Jane coloured and lowered her eyes.
The colonel grumbled at his brother, but bowed to Elizabeth with a grin.
“I believe we have you to thank for the final evidence we needed to remove Wickham from endangering our family and friends, Miss Elizabeth. It was brave of you to assist the way you did. Darcy tells me that you and your sisters have been great friends to my cousins and my sister.”
“I fear I must correct you, sir. Priscilla, Miss de Bourgh, and Georgiana have been great friends to us.” Elizabeth grinned back. “Miss Darcy must take great joy in your coming, I know that you are very close.”
“Richard and I have taken rooms at the Albion for now.” The viscount bowed to her as the colonel moved over to Jane. “Until certain matters of business have been managed. We will move to Darcy Cottage quite soon.”
“We should go, Darcy,” the colonel spoke to his cousin. “There is much to be done.”
Darcy Cottage was in a peculiar state of suspension.
The household continued just as it ought.
Meals appeared on time, maids completed their chores, clocks were wound.
The butler and housekeeper saw to all with their usual quiet competence.
But an atmosphere of disappointment and uncertainty hung over the house.
Darcy was absent more often than not. He departed early, returned late, missed every meal, and when he was in the house, moved about with a grim expression that discouraged inquiry, except when he encountered his sister, to whom he was entirely gentle.
He understood that Georgiana was ashamed of herself and needed encouragement.
With his father, he was tight-lipped. Darcy Senior summoned him almost imperiously whenever he entered the house, demanding to be informed of his son’s movements, what he was planning against Wickham, and insisting upon being included in the resolution.
Darcy refused all enquiries. The time for his father to take action had long passed.
His worst nightmare had nearly come to reality.
Everything that he had warned his father of had almost become the truth.
Darcy’s precious sister was nearly lost. His beloved and much respected father, weakened by his own traitorous heart, both literally and figuratively, had come to harm.
He could stand no more. The time for begging, reasoning, and discussion had passed.
It was time for action, and he must be the one to take it.
Darcy Senior was deeply agitated. Partly from the humiliation of the assault on his person, partly from guilt and shame at not having prevented it all, and partly from seeing that his son had entered a state of silent determination that made interference impossible.
The worst part of it all was that Mr Darcy was still making excuses for Wickham, blaming himself, and anyone else he could think of.
Sadly, he never blamed the one person who deserved it, and it was for this reason that Darcy refused to discuss the matter with his father at all.
Mr Darcy knew that his son was handling matters, but he had no idea how–or how far–his son would take the matter, and it distressed him profoundly.
The feminine residents of the house were effectively confined until Darcy decreed that they might re-enter society.
Georgiana had retreated almost entirely into herself.
Once again, the girl was quiet, pale, and behaved like the timid girl her father had retrieved from school in the spring.
Her loss of confidence was painful to witness.
Priscilla had no intention of allowing her to continue thus.
“You cannot continue to castigate yourself, Cousin. I will not permit it,” Priscilla insisted.
“I cannot be so forgiving to myself.” Georgiana stared out the window. “I have been so foolish.”
“That is entirely the point of being sixteen, Cousin. That is why we have family and friends to guide us,” Priscilla said sternly.
“You were misled by your own companion, the woman who was hired to protect you, and an accomplished scoundrel with handsome looks designed to bring about a female’s downfall.
You were even lulled into security in his presence by your own father, who was taken in by the villain for far too long. ”
“Do not speak ill of my father!” Georgiana cried. “He is a good man. He–”
“Of course not, dear.” Priscilla interrupted before her cousin could begin crying afresh.
“I would never speak against my uncle, who is everything good and kind. But he is also ill, Georgie. His affections and his condition weakened him to the blandishments of Wickham, and his trust in the villain led you to believe in the evil man’s goodness.
As much as I respect and admire my uncle, I will not overlook his part in the matter. “
At this, Georgiana did begin to weep all over again. “My poor father.”
“I blame myself as much as anyone, Georgiana.” Priscilla took her hand.
“I came to Ramsgate with the intention of guiding you. Your brother and I have worried about this very circumstance coming to pass. I should have spoken with you, warned you of his misdeeds and the danger. Darcy and I sheltered and protected you far too much when we ought to have taken you into our confidence, for you are nearly grown up now. If we had armed you with the truth of Wickham, you would never have fallen for his lies, and I should never have allowed you to be left alone with that companion. I disliked her as soon as I met her. From now on, Cousin. I promise to tell you exactly what I think of a person. I am not one to keep my opinions to myself, but perhaps I did too much in this case, and I regret it. I am sorry. Please, forgive me.”
“How could you require my forgiveness after what I have done?” Georgiana wiped her eyes.
“I simply do, my dear. I protected you in quite the wrong way, and I pray that you will forgive me. Keeping my thoughts from you nearly destroyed your life.”
“Elizabeth will never think well of me again,” Georgiana sniffed miserably. “Why would any of the Bennets wish to speak to me after what I have done?”