ThreemilesawayatNetherfield, Darcy bid his sister a tender good night. Georgiana had remained timidly by his side the entire evening, resolutely denying even Miss Bingley’s determined attempts at separating her from her brother. In a way, she had demonstrated a rare fortitude—it was not like her to have such success at thwarting the manipulations of others upon her. It worried him, however, that she was still so shaken that she would not leave his side.
Later, he had pulled her under his arm in the privacy of her rooms. “Georgie, you are not well. Is there something I can do to offer you some comfort? Would you like a glass of wine?”
She had smiled gently. “Brother, you must be truly concerned to be offering me wine. You do not often do so.”
“Diluted, of course,” he admonished with a raised finger, drawing a small silent chuckle from her. He crooked his finger and touched her chin. “It must have come as a shock to you to hear about Mr Wickham being so near. The fault is mine, Georgie. I should have told you before. I did not think….”
She shook her head. “You must stop blaming yourself, Fitzwilliam! You cannot always be responsible for the actions of others. It was my own foolishness that led me into danger, not yours.”
“I had not warned you….”
“William, please stop!” Her eyes flashed with a new spirit. “I was taught the same principles as you. I ought to have known what he asked me to do was wrong. He knew my weaknesses, and I fell for his lies.”
She took a breath, set her jaw, and met his gaze with a gravity out of character for her sixteen years. “You cannot know how fortunate I feel to have had you looking out for me! I know very well that many brothers or fathers would not have treated me so gently as you have. Many would behave with contempt or would have let me suffer in my folly. You have cared for me far better than I deserve, and yet you continue to blame yourself!”
He allowed himself a reluctant smile, admiring the fire which warmed her features. “You have done a good deal of thinking during your time in London. This is a new Georgie I see before me!”
She blushed. “I have been, but it was Miss Elizabeth who reminded me… showed me that there is more to me than my mistakes. You have been good enough to allow me to start over without shaming me, and I intend to do just that.”
“Georgie!” He clasped both her hands, struck dumb with delight. Blinking furiously, a trembling smile on his lips, he felt his heart swell. “You cannot know how pleased I am to hear you speak so!” He paused, peering carefully into her eyes. “Did you really like her so well?”
“Oh, yes, William!” she gushed. “Ever so much! Miss Elizabeth is truly kind. I so much wish to further my acquaintance with her. Do you think,” she breathed hopefully, “that she and you…?”
He swallowed. “I do not know, Georgie. Perhaps she does not dislike me so much as she did yesterday. Georgie—I told her everything.”
The girl stiffened. “She knows about me? Even… everything?”
“Yes, Dearest, she does. I am sorry, but after today, an explanation was required. It was not only your reaction,” he stopped her before she could protest her guilt again, “I had intended to speak to her today anyway, hoping we could clear up some misapprehensions. Miss Elizabeth had also been misled by Mr Wickham’s pretty words.”
“Even she!” Georgiana’s face betrayed her shock. “I would not have thought he could fool her. She is so clever!”
“You know how convincing he can sound, Georgie. He knows how to make himself agreeable and to cast others in a bad light. Without proper facts to counter his assertions, he is capable of fooling many.”
Her face lit with sudden comprehension. “So that is why she disliked you? The things she heard about you which angered her so, they were from him?” She paused in wonder. If even Elizabeth could be deceived, her own guilt seemed not quite so convicting.
He nodded. “In part, but as I told you before, I had not behaved as well as I ought toward her—or anyone else in the area, truly. She had no reason to disbelieve what she heard.”
Georgiana’s face brightened more. “But she knows the truth now! Did you think she believed you?”
“Yes, Sweetling, she did,” he answered, relief palpable in his voice.
A shadow passed over Georgiana’s features. “Does she think ill of me, now that she knows everything?”
He gave a wry little laugh. “If anything, it made her the more sympathetic toward you.Youat least have won her good opinion. I should think you have made a true friend.”
She smiled shyly, with genuine pleasure. “And what of you? Does she think better of you now?”
He sighed. “I think she understands me better. Perhaps I could say she no longer retains some of her former reasons to despise me. Remember that she did not think highly of me before she met Mr Wickham. Whether she will improve her opinion of me in the future, I cannot say, but I believe I yet have some mending to do.”
Georgiana beamed confidently. “I know she will change her mind! When she comes to know you for your true self, she will love you!” He interrupted her with a quiet laugh, shaking his head modestly. “I am serious, William! Perhaps neither of you realize it, but I think you are much alike. You are both thoughtful and kind, you both are well-read, and she is adventurous and loves being out of doors, like you. She cares little for people’s outward appearances, I can tell, and you know how you grow weary of people affecting wealth and status. There is nothing pretentious abouther. I also noticed,” she batted her eyelashes at him playfully, “that she takes her tea exactly the same as you! No cream, one lump of sugar.”
“Oh, well, then that is surely a basis for an enduring attachment.” He chuckled at her good humour, allowing her hopeful spirits to buoy his. He visited with her a few moments longer, then left her to her maid to prepare for bed.
Darcywastoorestlessto retire for the evening himself. He found Bingley in a similar state of agitation and challenged his friend to a game of billiards. Bingley accepted with alacrity.
“Where the devil is Fitzwilliam?” Darcy asked, looking about. “I have not seen him since just after dinner.”
Bingley answered with a shrug. “Hiding in his rooms, I should think. I believe he is afraid of Caroline.” Bingley lowered his cue and took aim, sending the first ball into the side pocket with a sharp clatter.
