His son turned to him. “I cannot stop, not until I have found that bast – excuse me, Mother – that man.”
“What if you never find him?” the Earl parried. “Will you resign your commission and spend the rest of your life hunting him?”
“I do not think that will be necessary; we are certain to turn over enough rocks to find the vermin lurking beneath,” Richard said.
“Have you considered that Georgiana might be better served just now by seeing you, and receiving reassurances as to your continued affection?” the Countess demanded.
This gave the Colonel pause. “I had not, no,” he admitted.
“Go wash, and we will discuss it,” she ordered.
***
An hour later, a much refreshed Colonel Fitzwilliam joined his parents in the drawing room.
“Have you considered my words?” the Countess asked, handing her son a cup of tea.
“I have, yes; you are right, I should visit Georgiana. That will give me the added benefit of being able to deal with Darcy. I think you said that they are not at Pemberley?”
“They are visiting Mr. Bingley and his sisters in Hertfordshire, near a town called Meryton.”
“Is Georgiana well?” the Colonel asked.
“As it happens, I received a letter from Darcy just yesterday. Wait just a moment.” The Countess went to the writing desk in the corner of the room, rifled through some papers, and returned holding a letter. “Listen.”
Dear Aunt,
Georgiana and I are quite well, perhaps better than expected. Bingley’s nearest neighbours have five daughters, one of whom is Georgiana’s age, and they seem to have all but adopted Georgiana. The mother is a kindly soul, and treats Georgiana as one of her own daughters. As a result, my sister has finally left off weeping. Though she spends a good deal of time in her room when here at Netherfield, doubtless to avoid Miss Bingley, she smiles and even laughs when she visits her new friends. I could not ask for a better situation for us just now.
As for my particular concern, which I mentioned to you at Pemberley, I have seen nothing to either confirm or allay my fears. I wish I knew how to ask her, but I do not. I must, as you suggested, wait and see.
I must ask, is there any sign that society has moved on from that article? Or are all the Darcys still persona non grata? My uncle said that he would recover from the gossip, as his position was strong; may I hope that this is the case?
Your affectionate nephew,
Darcy
“Particular concern?” Richard asked, brow furrowed.
The Countess looked away; it was left to the Earl to explain. “Whether or not Georgiana is with child.”
“WHAT?” Richard dropped his teacup on the floor; the delicate china shattered.
“Did you not consider that?” the Earl asked.
“I did not think it had – did not realise – what exactly happened between Georgiana and Wickham?” the Colonel sputtered. “Did he actually – “ A maid came in to sweep up the remnants of his cup, so he stopped speaking until she had left. Even then, he found himself unable to continue; he stared at his mother, the question in his eyes.
“That is the problem,” his mother said, tiredly. “We are not quite certain. From Darcy’s description, they were in quite an intimate position when he discovered them.”
“How intimate?” the Colonel growled. “Never mind, I shall learn it all from Darcy himself.”
“But not from Georgiana,” the Countess told him, severely. “Despite Darcy’s words, I do not doubt that she is still suffering from the event.”
“I will protect her feelings, Mother,” the Colonel said. “But I will not protect Darcy’s. I will leave at first light. Will you write down for me the name of Bingley’s property and the town? I never heard of it and doubt I shall recall it in the morning.”
“I shall go upstairs and write it down for you,” his mother said.
The Countess left the room and made her way upstairs. She wrote “Netherfield Park, Meryton, Hertfordshire.”
