Darcy accepted the general’s hand. “The earl will be grieved, indeed, but it is not he who will be most devastated. My cousin had a wife,” he said in a hushed voice. “I cannot think how I should tell her.”
The general’s brow furrowed, and his moustache turned downward. “My deepest condolences. I am afraid all that is left to do is comfort the widow.”
Chapter 21
Pemberley
“Yousawnothing.”
Elizabeth crossed her arms and cocked her head at Georgiana Darcy. “I am not blind.”
“But you sawnothing,” hissed the girl. “Do I make myself clear, or are you truly so thick that you would insist on claiming a lie?”
“I do not work for you, Miss Darcy,” Elizabeth snapped back. “I speak as I find, and I found something quite shocking today.”
“You do not dare. You would not!” Georgiana cried. “You are my guest! Do you not understand how it works? You have no rights here!”
Elizabeth tapped the toe of her shoe on the hard floor. “What are you keeping from your brother? Who is this secret lover of yours? I cannot believe Mr Darcy would approve.”
“Approve? Of course, he would not! Why should I bother otherwise? I don’t know why I should even explain to you.” Georgiana made as if to push past Elizabeth and leave the room.
“Because if you do not, I will speak to the earl and he will speak to your brother.”
Georgiana turned back with a sneer. “As if my cousin would believe a word you said.”
Elizabeth shrugged. “Do you want to take a chance on that? Miss Darcy, I have three younger sisters, and between them all, they have exhibited every vice and trickery you could possibly devise on your own. You can trust me when I say I am in no humour to give consequence to illicit love affairs.”
Georgiana rolled her eyes. “It is your fault. If it had not been for you, I would already be in Paris with my friends. They had to leave without me, and only Mr Wickham remains.”
She crossed the room as if floating on glass, in a manner oddly reminiscent of the countess she held in such disdain, then turned to stare back at Elizabeth with her chin thrust out. “I am leaving for the continent next week. My brother promised me a tour with my friend Isabella Younge, but because ofyou, he made me stay. Now he has gone off, and I do not mean to miss the best part of the season. I shall be in Paris by the time he returns to London.”
“Doing what and with whom?” Elizabeth demanded. “Boarded up in some dismal rooming house with that faithless rascal I saw?”
Georgiana’s nostrils flared, but her cheeks remained a perfect shade of alabaster. “What would you know of men? You, who had never met anything but dolts and idiots before you ensnared my cousin—you do not even know what a gentleman is!”
“I know what he isnot. He is not a thief, stealing into gardens and clipping the roses while the master is away.”
Georgiana snorted. “You are a poet now? If you must know, no, my brother and Mr Wickham are not friends.”
“And that makes it more appealing to you?”
“If he were my brother’s friend, he would have informed on me. Everyone around me answers to William—everyone! Even you, who probably never did a proper thing in your life!”
Elizabeth lifted one brow. “Then why tell me your intentions? I have already said I would speak to the earl.”
“Reginald? Do not make me laugh. By the time he thinks of which horse to saddle to come speak to me, I will be long gone.”
“That will be on your own head, I suppose.”
“Not if I leave without proper preparations, a safe place to go, and travelling funds secured. I mean to go, Elizabeth, and I can do it with sufficient planning, or I can leave in the middle of the night if you force me to.”
“You’re a fool.” Elizabeth shook her head sadly. “A delusional fool, thinking that leaving your family and your dear ones behind will give you happiness. I can assure you, it is the very farthest thing from it.”
“Then why don’t you go back? I will even buy your ticket!”
Elizabeth gave a rueful laugh. “I would if I could. Believe me when I say you will regret doing this thing. You will only grieve those who love you, and you take risks with your safety and your reputation that you cannot begin to comprehend. Go, if you wish. If you mean to be that foolhardy, then you are correct—I cannot stop you, but think what you leave behind. The kind of brother who will search the globe for you. A home where you are adored and given every means to secure your heart’s desire. One who would be your friend, if you would let her.”
Georgiana’s expression had grown suspicious. “But what of love? Where is the room for that in this perfect little dream world you have arranged for me?”
