“You are welcome to join us, Georgie.” Their aunt’s tone was more insistent than hospitable. “I am proud of you for speaking up for yourself. Perhaps you would appreciate the opportunity to be away from the stress of your husband’s improprieties so you can focus entirely on the little one who will insist on making an appearance by the time we are ready to return to Town.”
Even though Darcy knew her invitation stemmed from love, he wanted Georgiana to stay with him and Elizabeth. He could not protect her if she were elsewhere.
Georgiana barely glanced at him before she said, “I doubt George will even notice I am gone. Therefore, yes, I need to be with my family.”
Darcy’s brows rose. “Are Elizabeth and I no longer family?”
Georgiana’s cheeks pinked. “Forever, you are my beloved brother and sister. As Mr. Bennet stated yesterday, starting a marriage with a houseful of people cannot be the best way of coming to know each other.”
His heart hurt to think Georgiana would leave him. Yet, being alone with his wife was everything he desired. The conundrum warred inside him.
Darcy said, “As you all well know, the master and mistress of an estate are rarely ever alone. Servants patrol the corridors and stairways day and night. Outside of our chambers, we have little opportunity for private conversation. No, not even in our suite, since Parker and Molly arecoming and going as soon as either of us steps into our rooms. Only after dismissing them do we have privacy.”
Addressing his aunt, he said, “Unless your servants need your supervision, there is no actual need for you to be in Town, is there?”
His aunt laughed. “Spoken like a man, Nephew.” She wrapped her hand around Darcy’s elbow, giving him a gentle squeeze. “Unlike you, I need to announce my intentions to my friends, arranging for correspondence until we return. Georgiana will need garments that will fit her changing figure and clothing for an infant. Your uncle will no doubt seek his compatriots in his club as they argue, or rather debate, the latest crisis in the royal family.”
Richard piped up, “Since my first order of business was to find you and Georgie once I departed the ship, I have yet to present myself to my superiors, something I am compelled to do on the morrow. However, I will request leave for winter in the north. Until we know what Wickham is up to, I promise to keep an eye on the imp.”
“You refer to me as an imp? Why, dear cousin, I will have you know that George shared stories of your youth with me where I am convinced that any mischief that took place at Pemberley was at your instigation, never mine. If anyone in this house is to bear the title, I believe it would be you.” Georgiana moved to Richard’s side and bumped his elbow with hers. “Actually, I have nothing to return to London for because the fire destroyed everything. If it is acceptable, rather than spend hours bouncing around in a carriage heading south only to return in a few days, I will gladly remain here until you return.”
“Georgiana, we welcome you. Your reasoning is excellent.” Elizabeth slid her hand into his. “Whatever we can do to further your plans, we will not hesitate.”
Lord, I am proud of her.
Four daysafter the Bingley siblings and the Fitzwilliams left Netherfield Park, Darcy finally received a letter from the man hired to watch Simon Cole.
Mr. Darcy,
Sir, I regret to inform you that Mr. Cole must have slipped away during the night almost two weeks ago. When days passed, and I did not see him, I asked the rooming house to verify his presence; they told me that Mr. Cole’s room was paid for but empty. I was able to find his trail by checking with the Port Master’s office. Cole sailed on a ship bound for Liverpool. I will depart on the morrow for the same destination. With a fortnight’s lead, I suspect I will not locate him until he is again in London if that is where he is bound.
I beg your apologies,
Myron Banks
Crumplingthe paper in his fist, Darcy paced the library. One by one, the puzzle pieces were falling into place. He had yet to see Wickham since he vanished in the middle of the night on Sunday. Was he with Cole? Whatever was happening between the two men, it would be unsavory, with no good results.
Breathing deeply to calm himself, he entered the drawing room to find Elizabeth sharing sisterly tales withGeorgiana. He almost stumbled as his sister’s hand covered the area below her waist where her babe was nestled. It was a stark reminder that he had more than himself to be concerned about. Had she felt the quickening yet? He could not ask.
Instead, he observed: “There is currently little more than a drizzle outside. I need to check on Petey and send a note to Richard. Perhaps you might join me if I tempt you with the opportunity to see if there are any ready-made gowns and winter garments that would fit you in Meryton, Georgiana?”
Elizabeth’s face lit up as Georgiana clapped her hands together. Both agreed that a change of scenery would be welcome.
As their carriage approached the small town, Elizabeth attempted to temper Georgiana’s eager anticipation by reminding her that Meryton was not Bond Street. Their initial stop was the haberdashery, where Darcy escorted the ladies inside. Since the first neighbors they spied were Miss Charlotte Lucas and her younger sister, Darcy knew his ladies were in capable hands. He left for the inn to mail his letter and find Petey.
Not fifteen minutes later, he stormed into the shop, where a bevy of shrews cornered Elizabeth and Georgiana, questioning them about their attachment to Darcy. The Lucas sisters attempted to defend them with little success.
Once they were safely inside the carriage and on their way back to Netherfield Park, Darcy insisted on hearing every snippet of slander being spread throughout the area.
Georgiana refused to look up from her lap. Elizabeth leaned into his side.
“Do not fear that Mr. Wickham was the bearer of these tales, Fitzwilliam. Rather, this was the work of the heir to Longbourn, Mr. William Collins. According to him, he is doing his Christian duty by parroting Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s opinion that you must have done something horribly wrong to lose possession of Pemberley and your wealth. As Mr. Wickham spread malicious gossip about you in London, your aunt accepted those accounts as truth, embellishing them until you are the worst, most degenerate ogre in Britain.” Elizabeth reached over and tapped Georgiana’s knee. “Are you absolutely, positively certain of a relationship between Lady Catherine and your uncle Matlock? I cannot see any resemblance in their character at all.”
His sister’s eyes finally flickered toward them. “Yes, she is my aunt.”
“Well, just as Mr. Bingley has rejected his sisters, I am determined to do the same to Mr. Collins. I suggest telling others that your aunt was kidnapped as a child and raised by apes. When they could stand her no longer, they sent her back to civilization, where she did not know how to act appropriately.”
Georgiana giggled as Elizabeth’s comment lightened his ire.
