“I am always on my guard,” Mary mumbled. “Young ladies cannot be too careful where their virtue regarding members of the other sex is concerned.”
“You are so strange, Mary!” Lydia giggled dismissively. “I know Miss Darcy understands the importance of warnings. Is that not so, Miss Darcy?”
Georgiana had begun to tremble. Was it possible? Her chest heaved slightly. Could her story have been relayed to strangers? She turned her eyes back to Lydia’s sly grin. Her only hope lay in silence and in the slight chance that she had mistaken the girl’s meaning.
“You see, it is as I told you, Kitty! Well, I think you were abominably ill-used, Miss Darcy, and so I told Maria Lucas when she heard...”
“H-heard… what?” Georgiana began to shake.
“...and my aunt Philips, she said she was glad the man never came toherdoor, I can tell you!”
“What have you heard?” Georgiana’s voice dropped to a trembling, desperate whisper.
“Why, ‘tis nothing! Only that there was a ‘gentleman’ in town who barely wanted the name, but he is gone now. It was someone you knew, Miss Darcy, that is all.” Lydia tried her hand at coy subtlety, but there was nothing artful in Lydia Bennet. She was all brass and vulgarity, and poor Georgiana was turning redder by the second.
“G-gone, you say?” Georgiana stammered. Her last shreds of dignity were fading away, as every comment of Lydia’s hit nearer the mark.
“Oh, yes! For surely your brother would not suffer him to remain, after his monstrous behaviour to you!”
Hot tears began pooling in Georgiana’s eyes. Ruined! All of this time, it had seemed her secret was safe. Just when she had dared to live again, all was dashed at a whim! A sob broke in her chest, and she put the heel of her hand to her forehead.
“Miss Darcy?” a low voice inquired. Mary, still sitting near her on the piano bench, slid her hand over Georgiana’s other in awkward sympathy. Georgiana pinched the other girl’s fingers rather desperately, aching for some sort of steady comfort. Unheard by her was Mary’s pained yelp of surprise.
“La, see, Kitty, I told you that man was dangerous! Only look how frightened poor Miss Darcy is!”
In a rush of vehement despair, Georgiana bolted to her feet. “Let me tell you something, Miss Lydia! That manisdangerous! Do you want to know how I know? I saw it for myself! I saw him change from someone I trusted into a devious villain! I cared for him, and all he wanted to do was use me!” She covered her face with her hands and began to sob uncontrollably.
Bingley, who had paid absolutely no attention to Lydia’s careless banter, was on his feet in an instant and crossing the room to stand near Georgiana. Gently, protectively, he put his hand at her elbow. “Georgiana!” he hissed into her ear. “Use caution! Your words are rather compromising!”
“It is too late for that!” Georgiana wailed. She pushed his hand away and ran from the room. She scrambled to the front door, mindless of the cold and her thin muslin. Jerking it open, she nearly fell into her brother’s arms.
“Georgie! Whatever is the matter?” he exclaimed. He reached to steady her and peered fearfully into her tear-streaked face. Elizabeth, white and shaken, stood next to him. Just behind them both towered a grim-faced gentleman she had not seen before. She stared back and forth at them, still choking on her tears.
“Georgiana!” William bent to cradle his long arm around her. “What is it, Sweetling?”
Elizabeth, too, reached for her, taking Georgiana’s free hand. “Dear Georgie,” she whispered. “How can we help?”
Georgiana’s face hardened. Glaring at Elizabeth, she jerked her hand away. “Do not come near me ever again, Elizabeth Bennet! How could you? I trusted you!How could you do it?”
Elizabeth and Darcy’s shock was equal. “Georgiana! How dare you speak in that tone!”
“Wait, please, William,” Elizabeth held a quelling hand to him, which proved instantly effective. “Georgie, have I hurt you somehow? Please tell me what it is that troubles you.”
Georgiana screwed her mouth tightly, drew back her hand, and slapped Elizabeth soundly across the cheek. “You lied to me!” she sobbed. Her voice shook, and the tears took over. She broke down completely. She pushed her way past her brother—successfully so only because he stood thoroughly flabbergasted and helpless. She set out in a run, tripped in her skirts, and tumbled to the frozen earth only a few paces away.
Her brother was instantly upon her, seizing her shoulders and dragging her to her feet. “Georgiana! What is the meaning of this?” She flinched through her tears. She did not remember ever hearing William so angry. She closed her eyes tightly, biting her lip. “Answer me! Why did you strike Elizabeth?” he demanded.
She squinted her eyes open, and Bingley was there, forcing her brother’s hands down. “Darcy, let me. I believe Miss Darcy had a hard time of it in there.”
Darcy turned away, flinging his arms and sputtering in furious vexation. He froze with his back to her, anchoring his fists at his hips. “Thisis a wretched beginning!” he thundered, to no one in particular.
Georgiana was terrified. She had reacted in rage and passion, a thing she had always been taught not to do. William could never understand! Thankfully, Bingley at least was treating her gently—for now. He led her to a small stone bench near the garden and pressed a handkerchief into her fingers. She nodded gratefully and looked up in time to see Elizabeth pacing briskly toward her brother.
Darcy’s shoulders drooped, and he held out his hand for Elizabeth. She took it, drawing near with her face full of questions.
“Lizzy!” a loud voice snapped. Georgiana’s gaze followed the sound. The unknown gentleman she had seen before was marching toward Elizabeth, fire in his eyes. Mrs Gardiner was out now and hurrying up behind him. “Get back in the house, Elizabeth!” he ordered. “I have seen enough!”
Elizabeth turned in some defiance. “Uncle, there is much you do not know! Please, let me expl—”
