“Richard does not know.” How had she not thought of this before? How had she not spoken to Darcy about this?
“Must Richard be told? Has he not enough to do, fighting the endless war?” The Earl had a good deal of respect for his second son, who had chosen to make his way to the upper ranks through merit, rather than buying a rank, as so many second sons did. Indeed, he had offered to purchase the rank for Richard, and damned if the boy had not been insulted at the very thought! The Earl had never been so proud.
“He is Georgiana’s other guardian. I do not think it has occurred to Darcy that Richard should be told. He did not mention it. So itfalls to me to do so.” The Countess was already planning out the letter in her active mind.
“Richard will be furious.” The Earl almost blanched at the thought. A furious Richard was not someone one wished to be near.
“He will be, yes.” And Darcy deserves to feel some of that fury, the Countess thought as she made her way upstairs to her writing desk.
Chapter Nine
Pemberley
Mr. Darcy took the message from the salver. He sighed; he had had so little good news of late that he was almost afraid to open his mail.
Darcy,
Doubtless by now you know what the newspaper printed. I believe not a word of it, and will say so to anyone and everyone.
I have just leased an estate called Netherfield Park near a small town called Meryton in Hertfordshire, and I plan to be there at the end of the week. Come and stay with us and bring Miss Darcy. It would do you both good to be in new company where you are completely unknown.
Stay as long as you wish. I do not doubt that you will find it a welcome respite from your current difficulties.
Charles Bingley
Mr. Darcy read his friend’s letter and laid it carefully on his desk. What a true friend Bingley was! Bingley said he did not believe a word of it, but alas, the whole damned story was true. Georgianahadalmost eloped with the son of a steward, and as far as her brother could determine, she had lost her virtue to the scoundrel as well. Would Bingley be so forgiving if he knew the truth?
Yes, Mr. Darcy realised after a moment’s thought. He would be. Bingley was not one to care about society gossip, and he would not shun or criticise a young girl who had been so badly misled by a woman she should have been able to trust.
My fault, Mr. Darcy thought, for the thousandth time. All my fault. He had received his Aunt Catherine’s letter that morning, and he could not argue with a line of it. Except, of course, that he would never send Georgiana to Rosings Park, no matter what. But she was right, entirely right, in saying that this was his fault.
Damn Mrs. Younge to hell, and damn George Wickham to hell, and damnThe Morning Postto hell! He pounded his fists on the desk, but it brought him no relief.
The Countess had gone back to London and had paid to have a retraction printed, but it was in tiny type at the very end of the society column. No one would see it, and if they did, well, his aunt was right. No one would believe it. The gossip was too juicy, too appealing. How everyone would love to see the Darcys brought low! The only way this could ever be overcome would be for Georgiana to make an excellent marriage, and what were the chances of that happening now?
He picked up Mr. Bingley’s letter and read it again.
***
“Georgiana, you must come out. I am leaving Pemberley, and you are coming with me.”
Silence.
“Georgiana, I will have this door broken down if I must.”
“Where are we going?” A small whisper through the door; he imagined her with her face pressed against it.
“To Bingley’s leased estate in Hertfordshire.”
“But why?” She almost moaned the words.
To get you out of your room! He felt like screaming it. Instead, he said, calmly, “It will be good for us to have a change of scene and be among friends.”
“Miss Bingley? A friend?” Georgiana’s tone was disbelieving.
“Perhaps not Miss Bingley, but Mr. Bingleyisa friend. He saw the newspaper article and says he does not believe it. He suggested that it would do us good to go somewhere new.”
“Yes, he has always been kind.” The words were correct, but she spoke in a dull monotone.
