“And that is why he has done nothing for you? Did he never give you any portion when you married Mr. Wickham?”
Mrs. Wickham wiped at her eyes. “After George was born, he came to London to see his grandchild. It is the one time I’ve seen him since I married. He told me then that if the time came that I needed help, and that I knew that I had made a mistake by not listening to him, he would give what support he could. I think he knew from our standard of life, and from how Mr. Wickham never attended to the courts or to any studies that the money would not last forever.”
“Then why have you not gone to him?”
“My sisters. I will not, if there is any way I can avoid it, I will not let my stupidity harm them in any way. I made this choice; I will not have them pay for it.” Then her face crumpled. “I think also...I always believed that he would return.”
“This is what I cost you by killing him.”
“You delight in heaping blame upon yourself. Mr. Darcy, be sensible. Be sensible. I must be sensible. I met Mrs. Younge today. I told you that?—She thinks of him as her husband. And he was trying to perpetuate a horrifying fraud upon your sister. And—he was never going to return. I lied to myself.Youdid not prevent him from supporting me, because he never would have supported me again, because I was stupid, stupid, stupid.”
Mrs. Wickham became quiet and pressed her hands against her face.
Mrs. Wickham let out a long breath. “I apologize. I should not have let these feelings overcome me in such a way. I must approach my father and see what he might do for my children. But I do not wish to.”
“You have a great deal of pride,” Mr. Darcy said.
She was quiet again.
There was the sound of a buzzing mosquito somewhere in the room. Darcy could hear in the distance the low sound of the surf slapping against the sandy beaches. Outside it was quiet, with no sound of traffic on the street. The air felt chill on his skin.
“Yes. Yes. Pride. I hid my true situation from my aunt and uncle in London. They have not even been told that Wickham abandoned me. Perhaps they guess something is amiss, since I have kept them from visiting us, though I visit them a few times a year. But what can I do? It is impossible for me to earn much money, and those things that are most remunerative, such as hiring out as a sick nurse, do not allow me to keep my children with me.”
Darcy felt a deep desire to help her. “You must not be in any hurry to leave. I do feel some responsibility for your situation. And I will happily have you stay for however long you wish.”
“I do not wish for charity.”
“As I have said, you are a proud woman. Remain and nurse me.”
“I cannot take fees for a wound that my husband caused. That would…there is some delicacy in me that refuses that.”
She looked so serious.
Darcy nearly laughed. He smiled at her. “But you do not mind that the fee would go to someone else? For as you insist, I must have a nurse.”
She smiled at him. And then yawned.
“Madam,” Darcy said to her, “you should sleep. I dare say that I shall be well here until morning. But be in no hurry to leave. You are welcome to stay here for so long as you wish. Go up to your bedroom.”
“I thank you,” Mrs. Wickham replied. She pressed her hand over her mouth again. “But I’ll set myself a little bed on that other sofa. I wouldmuch prefer to hear if you need water or broth again—I see that grimace. But you do not want your body to be over excited by too much food.”
“You are behaving as the servant, not the guest. And you have already refused to be hired as a sick nurse.”
“If I were a friend or relation nursing you, I would equally insist on remaining in the room. And you have no other servants.”
“Then be a friend; stay until I am well, or until the wound sickens and takes me off.”
“I perceive you are of the sort of character who prefers to dwell on what awful thing might happen so that you can face the whole experience with equanimity.”
“Stay.” Darcy did not know why, but he wanted to make sure this woman was nearby, where he could help her. “I willingly entrust myself to you.”
She stared at him. “Very well, Mr. Darcy.”
Chapter Five
Elizabeth slowly shook herself into alertness when the sun began to glow behind the curtains.
All was peaceful and quiet.
