“I am well aware of that. Netherfield is only a few hours’ journey, and the late October weather is perfect for travelling.”
He was still unsure how he felt about the request, but the girl’s insistent gaze made a refusal impossible.
“Very well, my dear. I shall write to Bingley. He will be overjoyed by the news.”
“I hope Miss Bennet will not mind. Miss Jane Bennet.”
“Quite the opposite, I am sure. But you must be prepared to hear some talk of Wickham. Mrs. Bennet and some of the ladies in Meryton were quite fond of him.”
“Oh…” Georgiana lowered her eyes, hesitating for a moment. “I hope Mr. Wickham will conduct himself in a manner that does not disappoint them. Especially now that he is married.”
“I doubt that. I see little chance of improvement in Wickham. He does not lack the skills, but he does lack the honour and willingness. Otherwise, I would have supported him further.”
“Perhaps his affection for his wife…” she whispered.
“My dear, I hope you know he did not marry for affection. He eloped because he needed to escape his creditors, and Miss Lydia Bennet was young and naïve enough to join him. She was a victim of his depravation — like all of us.”
“But you said the Bennets are not wealthy. Did she have a dowry to pay his debts?”
“No…but the family made sacrifices to cover his demands. It was neither an easy nor an honourable affair. I beg you not to speak of it further — it must be unpleasant for you.”
“If this is the case, she will suffer from his deception. I feel deeply for her since I was no different. I could have been in her situation. Except I had a dowry, which I now know was his main goal.”
“My dear, please do not allow Wickham to upset you any longer. He is nothing but a scoundrel unworthy of your grief. I regret not having sent him to prison a long while ago. The only thing I can do now is to watch him to be sure he treats his wife properly.”
“I am upset, and I am certain Papa would have been too. We both cared for him.”
“You did, and he may have had some affection for you both, but his inclination for waste and deception was stronger.”
A long and deep moment of silence followed until Georgiana spoke again.
“Brother, now that Mr. Wickham is part of the Bennet family…and Miss Bennet will marry Mr. Bingley… I know you used to visit Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner… Does it bother you?”
“Not particularly,” he responded after a brief hesitation. “Does it bother you, Georgiana?”
Their conversation was abruptly interrupted by the sound of hurrying steps and voices from the entryway. With a frown, Darcy walked to the door, which opened before he reached it. Shocked, he saw Lady Catherine de Bourgh, waving her cane at a servant.
“Darcy, what sort of a household are you running here? This man would not let me enter! Does he not know I am your closest relative? You should let him go immediately!”
“Lady Catherine! What a lovely surprise,” he responded, glancing at Georgiana, who turned pale. “To what do I owe this pleasure?”
“Indeed, it is no pleasure, Darcy! I was forced to leave my home to attend to an urgent matter conveyed in a most alarmingreport! It is good that I found you at home as we must discuss it urgently.”
“Please sit down — you look flushed and agitated. Let me order some tea. I hope Anne is in good health?”
“Anne is in the carriage. She is well, I suppose. At least as well as can be expected.”
“Have you just arrived from Kent?” he continued, wondering what might have caused his aunt’s precipitation.
“No, I have just arrived from Hertfordshire. More precisely from Longbourn.” The answer stunned Darcy.
“From Longbourn? What business did you have there?”
“Very important business. Have I not already said so?” the lady replied.
Before Darcy had time to enquire further, the door opened again, and the servant entered one more time, distress obvious on his face.
“Sir, I beg your forgiveness for disturbing you. The lady in the carriage…she has fainted, the coachman said!”
