Georgiana had stopped the complaint as soon as she was able to get a word in, saying that she had enjoyed Miss Elizabeth’s company immensely and was very much looking forward to seeing her again. Miss Bingley’s face had wrinkled up in distaste, but she had then changed the topic.
Today was one of Mr. Bingley’s permitted visitation days, so he joined the Darcys with his usual enthusiasm.
In the Bingley carriage, headed for Longbourn, Mr. Darcy told his friend that he might speak freely on any subject, as his sister wasau couranton all matters pertaining to the Bennets.
Mr. Bingley’s astonishment was clear. “And…Miss Lydia?”
“Yes, in every particular.”
“Very well; Miss Darcy, I am certain that your brother has impressed upon you the need for complete secrecy in this regard.”
“He has, indeed, Mr. Bingley, and you need have no fear that I will betray our friends.”
Georgiana looked out her window with great interest as the carriage approached Longbourn. “It is a good deal smaller than Netherfield,” she observed.
“Yes, and a good deal older,” Mr. Bingley said. “The Bennets have been landowners for two centuries.”
The party alighted and made their way to the front door; it opened at once, and the housekeeper welcomed them.
“And how are you today, Mrs. Hill?” Mr. Bingley asked, genially.
“Quite well, Mr. Bingley, I thank you.” She smiled happily at having been so singled out. “And this young lady is Mr. Darcy’s sister?” she went on.
“Yes, I am Georgiana Darcy.”
Leading them into the drawing room, Mrs. Hill announced the visitors. “Miss Darcy, Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley.”
Georgiana was standing in front of the two men, and she was so delighted to see Miss Elizabeth that all decorum was immediately forgotten, and she rushed to hug her friend. “Miss Elizabeth!” she exclaimed in heartfelt delight. Then she noticed that her friend was in black, and her demeanor changed at once. She stepped back, her face red, and she stammered out, “Oh, I am so sorry, of course, you have just lost your mother. I apologise –”
“Come here, silly girl,” Elizabeth chuckled. She stepped forward and enveloped Miss Darcy in a warm hug. “I am absolutely delighted to see you! I had no idea your brother had planned such a treat for me.”
Relieved now, Georgiana begged to be introduced to Miss Elizabeth’s sisters. Miss Bennet was possibly the most beautiful young lady Georgiana had ever seen, and such a serene countenance! Next was Miss Mary, who wore a most determinedlook but greeted Georgiana pleasantly enough. And then there was Miss Catherine, to be called Kitty, who was quite close to Georgiana’s own age.
Miss Elizabeth told her sisters, “Miss Darcy has always wanted sisters, so when we met in Derbyshire, I offered to share mine.”
“Oh, please, will you all just call me Georgiana? That way, I can pretend that youaremy sisters! That is, if I am not being too forward? I am sorry, I am usually quite shy, but I have so looked forward to this.”
“Not at all,” Miss Bennet said at once, smiling beautifully. “I am Jane, that is Elizabeth – though you may as well call her Lizzy, as we all do – that is Mary, and that is Kitty.”
Georgiana clapped her hands gleefully, but then became solemn. “Again, I apologise for my thoughtlessness. I am sorry, more sorry than I can tell you, that you have lost your beloved mother. And I understand that your youngest sister is missing.”
The Bennet girls gasped in shock. Jane looked then at Mr. Darcy, saying reprovingly, “Mr. Darcy, you have shared our private grief without our permission, I see. I confess myself rather surprised.”
Mr. Darcy said at once, “My sister can be trusted utterly, and she herself is very familiar with Mr. Wickham’s predilections.”
“He tried to elope with me as well, you see,” Georgiana said softly. “And had my brother not been trying to protect my own reputation, he would have been a good deal more likely to tell you the truth of Mr. Wickham’s character.”
Jane had read the letter Mr. Darcy had given to Elizabeth, so she was familiar with Georgiana’s history, but the other two girls were not. They exclaimed in shock as Georgiana related the history of her time in Ramsgate and the betrayal of hercompanion. “The only excuse I have for my foolishness is that I was only fifteen.”
“That is Lydia’s age as well,” Kitty said, sadly.
Georgiana nodded. “He targets girls who are too young to know better.”
“But in your case, he really did intend to marry you, did he not?” Mary asked. “Because of your dowry. Doubtless if Lydia had had a dowry, she would not have been left to wander about in Whitechapel.”
“I am certain you are right,” Georgiana said. “But he will target no more girls; we at least have that satisfaction.”
“I admit that I have gotten a good deal of pleasure in picturing George Wickham standing in a slum with his hands and feet tied,” Mary said.
