“I have no clothing, Aunt Helen. Everything of mineburned.” Georgiana’s countenance crumpled. “My gowns, my books, my art, my music. All gone.”
“We shall share as I have always done with my sisters,” Elizabeth said.
As Lady Matlock and Elizabeth silently sipped tea, Molly, the upstairs maid assigned to Elizabeth, quickly bathed and dressed Georgiana in one of Elizabeth’s gowns.
Once she reappeared in Elizabeth’s sitting room, Elizabeth was struck by how gaunt she looked.
Apparently, Lady Matlock noticed the same. “Come and sit next to me, dear Georgie. You are safe here. No one, not even our husbands, will bother us.”
Georgiana hesitated. When Lady Matlock offered her hand to her niece, she collapsed against her aunt, tears flowing freely.
“There, now.” Lady Matlock ran her fingers through her niece’s tresses, separating the damp strands one by one until she settled. “Have some tea, my dear girl.”
“I am appreciative. Do not misunderstand me. I just…it is just that…” She sipped the tea. “When I agreed to marry George, everything moved so fast. Before I knew it, I was swept up in the romance. He told me he loved me and gave me every reason to believe him. I truly thought we would be the happiest couple in the world. Once he wrested control of Pemberley from Fitzwilliam, he showed me the sort of man I married. By then, there was nothing I could do except tolerate his…his improprieties.”
Lady Matlock said, “Even in the most blessed marriages, being married to honorable men like your uncle and brother has challenges. For someone asinexperienced as you, being married to such a man as George…. Oh, my poor girl.”
“Aunt.” Georgiana pulled back. “I now see my ignorance and am ashamed of my stupidity. In Ramsgate, George teased me like he did when I was little, reminding me of happy times with Papa and Fitzwilliam. He told me how much Father loved him, even more than my brother. I do remember Papa treating him favorably. However, behind his charm, his character is exceedingly ugly and cruel. He takes pleasure in tormenting me by taunting me almost daily about how far Fitzwilliam has fallen and at his hands. He is proud of his ill-gotten gains and cares nothing about the hurt and pain he caused others.”
“Tell me, Georgiana,” Elizabeth asked, “Did Mr. Cole, your father’s former man of business, ever come to Darcy House after your brother departed?”
“Mr. Cole? Why, yes. He came early the morning after our second night at Darcy House. He was shown to my husband’s study and left not long after. I have not seen him since. George has messages delivered throughout the day. At first, he would chuckle with delight when he received them. As well, deliveries of goods were arriving frequently. After a month or two, my husband’s attitude changed. He is anxious all the time. And demanding. For example, he might tell me to wear a blue dress only to change his mind a few moments later and want me to wear red. Then, he might tell me to remain at home. I do not…I do not seem to know how to please him any longer.” She covered her face. “Even in the private areas of a marriage, I…”
“Do not fret.” Her aunt pulled her into an embrace. Georgiana went willingly. “My girl, it is no secret that youwed an immoral man whose only skill is taking advantage of others. Women like Caroline Bingley mean nothing to him. He will charm them until he gets what he wants, then toss them aside.”
“As he has done with me.” Georgiana’s voice was small.
Elizabeth said, “Georgiana, I have every confidence, and so should you, that your brother and the Fitzwilliams will do everything within their power to protect you. If this means separating yourself from your husband, we will not hesitate. However, this has to be something you want.”
“I…I do not know what I want,” Georgiana’s fingers toyed with the fabric of her gown. “Sometimes George is the sweetest man on earth. He makes me feel special to be his bride, the lady he selected out of so many. At other times, though, he acts like I do not exist or that I was only the means to an end, that of gaining Pemberley.”
“Pray, allow me to ask you a question.” Elizabeth scrutinized the girl. “Do you trust your brother, cousin, and uncle?”
Her mouth popped open, startled. “I am surprised that you need to ask. Of course, I do.”
“Then, I suggest we follow their lead. They will know what to do once they speak with Mr. Wickham.”
“They can do nothing,” Georgiana cried. “We lost everything inside the house. Only the bricks remain, a shell of what once was. I loved that house. Fitzwilliam and I always rejoiced when we could add a piece of art or a new book to the collection gathered by our ancestors at Darcy House. George ordered me a new wardrobe along with one for him. He updated the livery to bright bluefrom gray. While we were in Scotland, he added case after case of whisky to our cellar. Unfortunately, the cellar could not hold them all. They were stored under the staircase leading up to the family rooms. Mrs. Price said they exploded, adding to the conflagration when the fire reached that portion of the house.”
“Your loss grieves us, dear girl.” Lady Matlock again stroked Georgiana’s hair.
“I…I have nothing of my family’s memories left in London. George’s valet managed to save some of his garments before he fled.” Georgiana wiped her cheeks with her sleeve. “George insists that the new house will be better. Of course, I cannot fault his taste in clothing, but the works of art he admires are something Caroline Bingley likes, not my taste at all. On the way here, they discussed filling the new house with her suggestions. I cannot bear it.”
“In another matter, have you not been eating, Georgie? You are frightfully thin,” said her aunt.
Georgiana sighed. “I do not know what is wrong with me. The cook has been filling my plates with all my favorite foods. One day, I can eat an egg when I break my fast. The next, just the smell makes me cast up my accounts. The same thing will happen with certain meat and rich sauces. As it is, I can only start my morning with tea and dry biscuits. We had to stop twice on the way here for me to empty my stomach. George was angry with me. Caroline suggested I was trying to delay our arrival. I fear that her purpose is to show my husband how good a mistress she would be. What she thinks will happen to me, I do not know. Perhaps my illness will open the way for her to step into my shoes.”
Her aunt gazed directly at Elizabeth. Almost at once, Elizabeth understood her expression. Georgiana Wickham would have a baby by spring, just as Lady Matlock earlier suggested. What would Darcy do when he found out?
25
Darcy appreciated the sanctuary of Netherfield’s master’s chambers. Elizabeth was amazing! She was as generous with her tender attention as she was with her support.
During a quiet moment, they discussed the events since their wedding.
Learning that Georgiana was with child was not wholly unexpected. That did not make the news any less painful to hear.
Once Darcy informed Wickham that he would be required to submit to his authority as long as he was at Netherfield Park, George pilfered a horse from Bingley’s stable and headed into Meryton. By the time the Darcy’s retired, he still had not returned.
