Chapter Four #3
“And your family… is away? I knew of their intention to travel with the Bingleys, but I cannot think why you should be left at home all alone,” Darcy said gravely, his mind grasping for a logical explanation where none could be found.
Elizabeth flashed him a smile that did not reach her eyes.
“That was not our original plan, to be sure. But it has happened, and I fear that the coming snow storm may interfere with my family’s ability to return for me.
In the meanwhile, I have attempted to take matters into my own hands—I came to the village to speak to Colonel Forster about Lieutenant Harrington and Captain Marveston, only to get the distinct impression that he and Lieutenant Wickham are involved in the scheme. ”
Beside him, Georgiana flinched at the mention of Wickham; Darcy turned to look at his sister, intending to give her some subtle comfort.
To his surprise, it was not panic or distress written on her countenance, but fiery vexation—at him.
She was not pleased that he had withheld the knowledge of Wickham’s presence in the area.
On the opposite seat, Elizabeth was still fidgeting beneath the blanket, unaware of the sudden tension between siblings.
“Sir William Lucas is the local magistrate, and he has taken his family to Kent with the Collinses, so I have no other recourse. I have Mrs. Hill to think of, and her children—I had thought Johnny Hill might teach me to shoot Papa’s pistol so that I can defend my home when those brigands return…
.” Her voice trailed away as she perceived the unspoken detente.
“I know this must all sound mad—forgive me, I ought not to have involved you.”
“Oh, no, Lizzy!” Georgiana leaned forward to lay a hand on Elizabeth’s knee.
“My brother and I are quite familiar with George Wickham’s treachery, only I—I did not know he was here in Meryton.
I have not seen him since last summer, when he…
. He has behaved very selfishly toward our family on more than one occasion, and with increasing malice.
I am sorry indeed that you are in danger of being his next victim, for I know all too well the damage that can be done by a wastrel who thinks only of enriching and indulging himself! ”
Elizabeth gaped at Georgiana, but her shock was nothing compared to Darcy’s astonishment.
He had been pleasantly surprised to find Georgiana so vocal with her new friend, but then he had expected that, even wished for it, for his sister had been growing a little bolder every day since learning of his attachment to Elizabeth.
But he had presumed that Wickham’s designs against Georgiana were still too painful for her to speak of, and had avoided even speaking that blackguard’s name in her presence.
It was plain to see that he had been wrong, and that she did not appreciate his underestimating her.
Something else jolted his mind, and Darcy turned to Elizabeth with wonder. “I beg your pardon, did I hear you say that you meant to shoot these burglars?”
She straightened her posture, her gaze now a challenge and not a question.
“That is what is commonly done in such circumstances, is it not? It seems infinitely preferable to swooning from fright, which I hope never to do again. And really, I cannot think it right to involve you, or anyone so wholly unconnected with my family.”
“Unconnected? Bingley has been like a brother to me for many years, and now he is your brother,” Darcy said, mentally wincing as he considered how very like Miss Bingley he sounded; that lady was far too often asserting that they were practically family already.
“Forgive me—even if we were strangers, and I had not come to know you and respect you, I should gladly come to the aid of anybody at the mercy of George Wickham’s villainy. ”
“He belongs in the deepest, darkest dungeon,” Georgiana hissed, crossing her arms over her chest and glaring out the window, as if she might go off in search of her vengeance directly.
Elizabeth arched an eyebrow at Georgiana’s burst of vehemence, and Darcy caught himself mirroring the expression he found so beguiling on Elizabeth. She espied him and smiled. “I owe you an apology, sir, for ever believing… a word he said.”
Darcy gave her a rueful smile in return, his fingers twitching from a need to take her hand in his.
“I shall not deny that I was disappointed to hear you defend him, when last we spoke, at the ball. But he is a practiced deceiver whose lies are generally accepted when presented with flattery and charm.”
Elizabeth gave a remorseful nod of her head. “You are not obligated to involve yourself in danger on my account.”
“How could I face your father if I left you here alone with only a pistol and a few hours of practice using it?”
“Besides,” Georgiana added, “you did say that we could stay with you at Longbourn. We are friends, and friends help each other.”
Elizabeth glanced over at Mrs. Annesley, who had remained silent and observant since they departed the village—the good lady gave a nod of approbation. “Oh, very well—how could I refuse such kindness?”