She had covered her face now, her hot tears seeping into her gloves and turning them ice cold over her cheeks. Oh, if Lydia could have seen, how her younger sister would tease her for the way her nose must run! Pinching off the rivulets of moisture from her eyes, she fought once more for calm.
She was still standing thus when, a moment later, her name echoed to her. Elizabeth raised her head to see her aunt Gardiner hurrying toward her, rosy and breathless with her exertions in the cold.
“Lizzy, how glad I am that I have found you! We feared you had gone on to Netherfield and we should have had to send for you.”
Elizabeth crossed her arms and shivered as her aunt approached. “No, Aunt, I have not gone far, but what is the trouble? Is Lydia unwell?”
“No, my dear, you have callers! They arrived a quarter of an hour ago, escorted by Jane and Mr Bingley. Such an enormous carriage naturally sent your mother into a state of agitation, and I tasked myself with searching you out ere you could wander farther.”
“Callers? But who could be calling on me?”
“It is Miss Georgiana Darcy, my dear, and her cousin the colonel.”
Elizabeth had started toward her aunt, but froze in her tracks. “Miss Darcy ishere? And Colonel Fitzwilliam?”
“That is the very gentleman. He seems most amiable, Lizzy. He says he made your acquaintance in Kent. It appears they were traveling from London, and wished to call at Netherfield in honour of the Bingleys’ marriage. It was decided there that they should all repair here at once, for Miss Darcy was keen to see you again and it was presumed that a formal introduction was no longer necessary.”
Elizabeth blinked, her mouth hanging open in astonishment. How could she face that dear girl, after owning the deep conviction that it was forhersake that Georgiana had lost her cherished brother?
“Lizzy, I declare, you look to have seen a ghost! Come now, it will not do for you to make your complexion ruddy with the cold while your callers await.”
“Oh, Aunt, they have not come to stay! Please God that they intend to travel on directly and are not lingering in the vicinity!”
“Lizzy, what manner of talk is this? I thought you were rather taken with the young lady, and surely she looks for a friend in you.”
“Aunt, do you not recall the circumstances of Mr Darcy’s death? Oh, you may not know it all, but how can Miss Darcy wish to see me after all that has happened?”
“Perhaps you may let the young lady speak for herself, Lizzy, rather than leaping to false conclusions. For my part, I thought she appeared hopeful, and only seemed distressed when given the news that you had gone out.”
Elizabeth pressed her lips together, forcing air into her lungs and locking her fingers within her muff. “I shall come, Aunt, and Idowish to assure myself that she is well, after all.”
WhenElizabethenteredthedrawing room, the colonel’s red uniform immediately attracted her eye. He rose promptly and offered a deep bow of greeting, and it was then that Elizabeth found Miss Darcy’s gaze. The girl had been seated between Jane and her cousin, and she rose beside him to dip a charming curtsy in answer to Elizabeth’s.
The sight of Georgiana Darcy’s well-remembered face, softening at her arrival, uncoiled some of Elizabeth’s reserve. Itwasa joy to see her again, no matter the excruciating memories her sweet countenance recalled. Colonel Fitzwilliam, she found, was no less welcome for all the discomfort occasioned by their last visit in Kent. Bittersweet pangs struck her heart at his easy, hopeful expression, and her resolve was formed in an instant. She would be herself, Elizabeth Bennet once more for Darcy’s family, laughing and bantering and lending honeyed courage to a girl who desperately needed it. She owed them—owedhim—that much.
“Miss Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam!” Elizabeth smiled warmly, taking Georgiana’s hands. “I bid you welcome to Hertfordshire. This is indeed a pleasant surprise!”
“Miss Elizabeth, I beg your pardon for calling without warning,” the colonel beamed in satisfaction. “I had it on good authority that you would not mind the imposition.”
“It is no imposition at all, Colonel. On the contrary, I am deeply honoured by your visit.”
“Excellent! The pleasure is ours, Miss Bennet.”
Elizabeth took in his warm smile before turning again to Georgiana. “I hope your travels have been comfortable, Miss Darcy. The roads from London can be trying at this time of the year.”
Georgiana brightened bashfully. “We have come not three days ago from Derbyshire, Miss Elizabeth, so I may assure you with all confidence that the road between here and London is no hardship.”
“You are a valiant traveler, then. I shouldn’t wonder, for what are twenty miles of road, good or bad, when friends await?” Elizabeth squeezed the girl’s hand impulsively before releasing her.
Georgiana verily blossomed in pleasure as she returned Elizabeth’s cheer, and even Colonel Fitzwilliam seemed relieved. Jane took the opportunity to remove to a seat beside Kitty—who was busily ogling the colonel’s brilliant regimentals—leaving the place beside Georgiana for Elizabeth. Lydia had not come below, likely out of discretion for her changing figure, but Elizabeth could not help but catch her mother’s whispers thatthismust be a friend of Mr Wickham’s, come to bring Lydia word from her husband, and Lydia must be sent for! Elizabeth darted a desperate silencing glance to her aunt, who was only partially successful at restraining Mrs Bennet’s effusions.
Elizabeth and Georgiana settled themselves on the sofa with the colonel while Mary performed the office of serving tea to their guests. Georgiana had fallen quiet once more, her round blue eyes flitting nervously about the room. Had Wickham’s name reached her ears so soon? Elizabeth glanced to the colonel, who betrayed no symptoms of tension. Only deferential concern for his young cousin seemed to line his face. Elizabeth drew a breath, wavering between forced cheer and gentle honesty. The latter won out.
“Miss Darcy,” she murmured hesitantly, once the tea had been poured and she could lean confidentially close. “I was deeply grieved to hear of your loss. You must be weary of condolences by this time, but I humbly offer mine, nonetheless. Your brother was a good man.”
Georgiana’s fingers tightened upon her teacup and she stared at it, swallowing hard, before she met Elizabeth’s eyes. “Thank you, Miss Elizabeth. You are correct that I have heard those words from many, but I think never with such sincerity.”
Elizabeth lifted her gaze to meet Colonel Fitzwilliam’s steady look. He, too, had inclined his head near to catch Georgiana’s whispered reply, and the crinkling round his kindly eyes conveyed his gratitude for her care. Elizabeth drew a long breath. She had meant it all—every word and more—but she felt herself an impostor. Had not she once aspired to the world, longing for the right to one day call this very girl her sister, and in the end costing that same girl everything she had held dear?
