“Lizzy, I cannot manage on what we have to live on!”
“Lydia, Jane and I will help when we can. I may be able to save something from my pin money, but I willnotask Mr. Darcy to help Mr.Wickham again.”
“I understand, Lizzy.” The girl was nearly in tears.
“You need to make your husband understand as well.Tell him what I said.”
“I will, Lizzy.”
“I do not want to hurt you, Lydia, but I will not have Fitzwilliam abused by Mr. Wickham again. You know me, Lydia. Tell Mr.Wickham this is my final word on the matter!”
“Yes, Lizzy, I will tell him.”
“Good night, Lydia.” Frustrated with her youngest sister, Elizabeth left the room and stormed to her own room. The fire consumed the congratulatory letter; it burned out quicker than did Elizabeth’s anger.
CHAPTER 19
“My mind was more agreeably engaged.”
“I say, Bingley, is that not your barouche headed toward Netherfield?” Darcy and his friend took a final tour of Bingley’s estate; down to four days before best friends married sisters in Meryton, they both tried to kill the hours before their wedding day by completing the land survey.
“Yes, Jane wanted to make one last walk through of Netherfield and note the renovations for each room before my sisters arrive tomorrow. Caroline and Louisa prefer Jane to choose from their ornate designs.” Bingley rose up in his saddle to get a better view of his intended. “Your Elizabeth is coming to spend the afternoon with Georgiana.”
Darcy too sat forward in the saddle. It seemed to be a lifetime ago he first saw Elizabeth Bennet walking along the roads surrounding Netherfield; her presence sent a surge through him then, as it did now.“Do you think you have seen enough of Netherfield’s lands for the day?” he asked nonchalantly.
“I believe I have,” Bingley winked at his friend. “We should return to the house. Maybe we should enter through the servants’ entrance, freshen up, and then surprise the Miss Bennets.What say you, Darcy?”
“Bingley,” Darcy smiled,“your suggestion is most welcomed.” They spun their horses around and headed toward the rear of the house.
By the time Darcy came upon the open doorway of the drawing room, Elizabeth and Georgiana spent a pleasant three quartershour together. They spoke of family, of music, and of Darcy. An outside observer might think they were sisters forever; a natural respect existed between the two. Their laughter drifted from the room, and Darcy found himself reluctant to enter the space and interfere with their kinship.
“Georgiana, may I ask you something?” Elizabeth looked up sheepishly.
“Anything, Elizabeth.”
“Something has bothered me for some time. When I first met your cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam he already knew so much about me. When I asked his source, he said you told him; yet, we never met.”
“That is simple, Elizabeth. My brother often spoke of you.”
“Really? What could he have said about me? Something devious, I am sure.”
“Fitzwilliam never mentioned a woman in his letters before. He related many of your conversations at Netherfield. I could not believe anyone spoke so to him. It peaked my interest. When I thought he was most distracted, I would ask about you.”
“My manners were abhorrent. His stories must have portrayed me as less than civilized.”
Darcy nearly laughed, but he stifled it wanting to hear more.
“Oh, no, Elizabeth. Fitzwilliam always said wonderful things about you. I wanted to meet you, and I hoped we could be friends.” At this Elizabeth reached out and took Georgiana’s hand in hers. “I was upset Mr. Bingley quit Netherfield. I wanted to come here and make your acquaintance; Fitzwilliam said he wanted that too.” Elizabeth squeezed her hand knowingly.
Then hesitatingly, Elizabeth changed the subject. “Georgiana, now you survived an evening with my family and their references to Mr. Wickham, may we revisit our conversation from the previous day?”
“What do you mean, Elizabeth?”
“With Mr. Wickham, did you believe yourself to feelregard, affection,orlove?” Elizabeth was holding her gaze and looking at Georgiana seriously.
“I am not sure I understand, Elizabeth. I felt all three, of course.” The turn of this conversation made Darcy uncomfortable, but he tried to trust Elizabeth’s instincts.
“I am not an expert on love, Georgiana, but you are mistaken. If you held Mr. Wickham in regard, you would have felt foolish at your loss, but the romance would have been gone within six months. If you felt affection for him, you would again be foolish, but a year would resolve your loss. If I am correct, you felt one of these emotions rather than love.Am I not correct?”
