Georgiana, with her shy demeanour, gradually opened up to Elizabeth’s spirited companionship. Fitzwilliam, though initiallyreserved, showed a kindness and patience with both her and his sister that Elizabeth would not have expected a brother to show. He joined them on their rides, offering tips and encouragement while providing additional protection in case Wickham sought them out.
One afternoon as they rode through the countryside, Elizabeth revelled in the sensation of the wind blowing through her hair. The rhythmic motion of the horse beneath her made her feel more alive than ever before.
“You are becoming quite the accomplished rider, Miss Gardiner,” the younger Darcy remarked with a rare smile, displaying his dimples.
Elizabeth grinned back at him, though her cheeks heated slightly at the appearance of said dimples. “Thank you, Mr. Darcy. I have had excellent teachers in you and Georgiana.”
Georgiana, riding alongside, nodded in agreement. “Indeed. I am glad we could share this with you, Elizabeth. I have always wanted a sister, and I have so enjoyed having a female companion this last week. I know your aunt and uncle must depart, but I wish you could remain.” The young girl pouted a little since she had been told already that it could not happen.
“Your father has invited us to return next summer, and he mentioned to my aunt and uncle that we might see you in London in the autumn and spring. You must write to me, Georgiana. It may not be the same as seeing each other, but it will at least allow us to stay in touch until we are again in the same town,” Elizabeth suggested.
The three stopped for a few minutes as they reached the top of the small hill they had been ascending. “This is beautiful,”Elizabeth cried. “I do not know how you ever leave it,” she said, turning to smile at her companions.
They returned her smiles, and the three spoke for several minutes about the view of the distant peaks. Before long, they turned their mounts and began to ride back toward the manor. Elizabeth slowed slightly, and Darcy did the same, allowing Georgiana to go on with the groom riding behind her.
“Are you well, Miss Gardiner?” he asked.
She turned to him; her smile gone. “We are to leave soon, and I have heard nothing more about the man who accosted me.” She paused briefly as she took in the look on her companion’s face. “I did not know whether Georgiana knew what happened and so did not want to mention it in front of her. I have also hesitated to say anything to my uncle. Can you tell me anything?”
It took a moment for Darcy to answer, and Elizabeth watched as his face grew stonier the longer the silence lasted. “Forgive me if I have upset you,” she said quietly.
“You are not to blame, Miss Gardiner. I was momentarily lost in thought. You have become like a … sister to me, so I suppose that makes me angrier at what Wickham attempted with you,” he paused and sighed before continuing. “Wickham was discovered three days ago attempting to steal a horse and some other things from a farm near Derby. He was caught since he also attempted to injure the farmer’s daughter in the same manner he did you, but he did not count on her having several brothers who arrived home just as he struck her to silence her. One brother attended to the injured girl while the other two took him behind the barn and beat him severely. If he recovers from the beating, he will hang. Once again, Wickham attempted to claim that he was Fitzwilliam Darcy, so the magistrate sent a note to my fatherinforming him of events and letting him know Wickham’s fate. They knew he was lying since both my father and I are well-known in and around Derby.”
“So, he will be punished for his misdeeds?”
Darcy nodded, taking a moment to think before he answered. “We were friends once. It pains me to see what he has become and to know that his life will soon end. Despite everything he had done before, my father offered to sponsor him in a career, with a promise of funds once he completed an apprenticeship, but he refused. He has been given so many chances to better himself, yet he chose this path. Even after he was beaten and arrested, he attempted to use my name in the hope of injuring me one more time. I suppose I feel sorry for what he could have been; I know the thought plagues my father.”
Elizabeth leaned slightly in her saddle and patted his hand. “He made his own decisions, Mr. Darcy.”
“Why is it that you call my sister by her name, and even call my father Uncle George, yet you still call me Mr. Darcy?” he asked, the suddenness of the question surprising Elizabeth.
Laughing at the abrupt change, Elizabeth squeezed his hand for a moment. “Because they have asked me to call them such while you have not,” she trilled.
“Miss Gardiner,” he said loftily, a hint of teasing in his eyes, “would you please allow me the honour of calling you by your Christian name? I would like it if you would address me as my sister does and call me William.”
“I would be happy to call you William though I suppose if we do see each other in town as your father plans, we should return to formality of address,” Elizabeth replied.
“Only when in company, and truly since you are not out, it should make little difference. Though perhaps in London, I could refer to you as Miss Elizabeth?” Darcy replied.
Elizabeth turned to smile at him. “I would like that,” she said simply. Shaking off whatever feeling was seeming to overwhelm her, she continued. “Georgiana has told me on several occasions that she views me as a sister. Perhaps we ought to call you my brother or another cousin, then our informality might be excused.”
“I think I could benefit from another cousin,” he said slowly, and Elizabeth felt an unexplainable sense of relief over his claimingthatrelationship.
The Gardiners left for London shortly after this conversation. Over the next year, they met with the elder Mr. Darcy and his daughter several times in the city, but they saw the younger Mr. Darcy rarely until he finished at university shortly after Christmas.
At twenty-one,Darcy was already considered quite a desirable catch in London society. A naturally quiet and reserved man, he was uncomfortable with the attention of matchmaking mothers, their daughters, and the occasional brother or father keen to encourage a match between the heir of Pemberley and their titled, well-dowered, highly accomplished, or well-connected sister or daughter. Darcy struggled not to retreatbehind a mask when attending the events his aunt, Lady Matlock, and his father insisted he attend.
He found relief in his books, his daily rides, and his frequent visits to the Gardiner home. The presence of Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, whether at their house on Gracechurch Street or at Darcy House in Mayfair, did much to ease his tension when he was forced to be in town during the Season, but it was their niece who provided the most support during this time. His father was steadily declining—his illness was becoming apparent even to those who did not know him well. Unfortunately, that only thrust him further into prominence within society and caused even more women to attempt to gain his attention.
The Gardiner home became a place where he could forget many of the troubles that plagued him. Even Darcy House became less of a retreat, as visitors dropped by at all hours, and his father’s increasing reliance on him for business matters was, at times, overwhelming. Additionally, he had to put on a brave face for his sister when he was there; soon, it was only in Gracechurch Street when he felt he could relax. Though Gardiner still discussed business with him, it felt more like a partnership than it ever did with his father.
During this time, Elizabeth was an excellent companion, offering just the right balance of support and teasing. She seemed to instinctively understand his needs, skilfully coaxing him out of a sour mood when necessary. She knew when he needed quiet and when he required a gentle nudge to start speaking.
One evening, after an especially trying day, Darcy sought refuge at the Gardiner home to escape his responsibilities. He was weary, burdened by his father’s illness and the relentless pressures of society.
As he entered the drawing room, Elizabeth looked up from her book and immediately sensed his distress.
“Mr. Darcy,” she said with a warm smile, “you appear as though the weight of the world is on your shoulders.”
