Fitzwilliam Darcy would go to the ends of the earth to keep a promise to his sister. Elizabeth now understood how futile her conversation with him had been, and she could not fault him for it. She would do the same. They were at an impasse.
Georgiana’s narrative of the subsequent pursuit ofher painting’s thief burst from her with an unstoppable force that brooked no interruption. When she revealed how the fiend had come to his demise—death by rat bite—Elizabeth was speechless. The irony was stunning.
Elizabeth’s sympathies and protective nature extended to her friend. “You have suffered a terrible ordeal.”
Covering her hands with her face, Georgiana groaned. “But that is not the worst of it. Well, it is. You can hardly get worse than death, but— Oh, what will you think of me when I tell you?”
Dear Lord, there is more?Elizabeth did not know what to expect. While a part of her wanted to hear no more, another part of her wanted to help. She took a deep breath and braced herself. “What kind of a friend would I be if my loyalty was so easily lost?”
Georgiana, too, took a deep breath, her cheeks puffing out as she exhaled. “When I learned that George was dead, I realized that I had not thought of him at all forweeks!”She gestured wildly, tears pouring down her cheeks and dripping from her chin. “My brother was more upset at the news of his death than I was! Even Richard seemed more moved. And he had threatened George with Constance!”
Now was not the time for Elizabeth to ask who Constance was. Georgiana was too upset for rational speech, a condition Elizabeth had witnessed many times over with her younger sisters and sometimes her own mother. The coils in her shoulders relaxed. Thisshe could manage. Right now, Georgiana only needed her to listen.
“Even now, all I can feel toward him is… indifference… and annoyance at the inconvenience he has caused my brother and cousin.” Georgiana paused, blinking several times and sniffing. “What does it say about me that I am capable of forgetting a man with whom I was going to elope?” She was mature beyond her years in many ways, but her heart clearly belonged to a girl of fifteen.
Elizabeth gently caressed her face, drying her tears as she would have done for any of her sisters. “Just because you did not love him does not mean you are incapable of love. It only means that you have not yet met the person you will love despite the obstacles and disagreements you are bound to have, someone who will make you laugh with one knowing look and make your heart whole with one embrace.”
“George and I never argued.”
“I could never trust a man who agreed with me all the time. I would find myself saying the most outlandish things just to provoke a difference of opinion.”
“That is something my brother would do.”
Yes, that did sound like him. He would make a worthy opponent in a debate.“He is a gentleman of good sense.”
“He must think that I have been pining over George this whole time.” Georgiana sighed.
“You could tell him the truth.”
“We do not discuss our feelings.”
“Why not? What harm would it do?” So many needless misunderstandings could be resolved if people would simply talk.
Georgiana’s eyes widened. “It is simply not done.”
Such a weak argument could not stand against Elizabeth, who had rebelled against society’s norms for too many years. “Do you doubt your brother’s love?”
“No, not at all.”
“And it is your firm belief that his efforts to find your painting and follow Mr. Wickham were for your benefit?”
“Yes.”
“Then do you not think he would be relieved to hear from you exactly what you wish for rather than making him guess?”
Georgiana did not look convinced, but Elizabeth had her attention and added, “It seems that he has tried many things to no avail. He is probably pacing the halls of Netherfield Park wondering what else he can do to give you cheer.”
“He offered to get me a puppy.”
Elizabeth’s heart swelled. “You see? He is trying, but he does not know what you need unless youtellhim.”
The seed of the idea had been planted. Elizabeth had said what she could to help, but now it was up to Georgiana to act on it.
They were close enough to the house for them to part ways. “If you go through the kitchen, you might escape notice. The cook and Mollywill help you.”
Georgiana embraced her tightly and then let go and ran to the house, the dogs loping behind her.
“Remy!” Elizabeth called, not too loudly. Movement in a window caught Elizabeth’s eye, but it was likely a maid cleaning the glass or dusting the curtains. She turned to leave before anyone else saw her.
