Page 54 of The Widower of Pemberley

She did not like him. She distrusted him. She thought his manners false. She thought his insinuations disgusting.

She strongly suspected that Mr. Wickham was the man with whom the first Mrs. Darcy had violated her marital vows, and if so, it was her duty to Mr. Darcy—a duty that she would be happy to fulfil—to have no further conversation with him.

Unfortunately, the next day, dressed in freshly tailored regimentals, Mr. Wickham called on Longbourn with Mr. Denny, Captain Carter, and several other officers, arriving shortly after Mr. Bingley, Georgiana, and Emily.

Mr. Wickham entered the room full of delighted smiles, and he softly and warmly greeted Georgiana, calling her ‘dear Georgie’. He was a little disgruntled, though, that Emily hid behind Elizabeth.

Mr. Bingley greeted Mr. Wickham as an acquaintance, and as there was no coldness in his manner towards the officer, Elizabeth assumed that he had not heard from Mr. Darcy abouthow their connection had ended. It did not surprise Elizabeth at all that nothing about the matter would be spoken of voluntarily by the man whom she meant to marry.

Mr. Wickham’s presence was dreadfully uncomfortable for Elizabeth. She did not like having this man in her house.

She had vehemently hoped that Mr. Wickham would avoid her after their conversation the previous evening, but despite this, Elizabeth made herself stay near as he spoke with Georgiana, to see how they proceeded.

Georgiana was delighted to see this old friend, smiling and pink.

Mr. Wickham praised her looks and spoke in soft, excessively familiar tones about how upset he had been to lose daily intercourse with her.

The way that her friend responded to a man whom Elizabeth believed to possess morals of the worst sort deeply concerned her.

After the passage of only a quarter of an hour, Elizabeth had seen enough that she could remain silent no longer. She pulled Georgiana—the girl a little unwilling to go—into the hall. “Has not Mr. Darcy chosen to be in opposition to Mr. Wickham? You cannot be happy speaking in a friendly manner with a man that your brother dislikes.”

Georgiana screwed up her face. “Mama always loved George. Papa as well.” She sighed. “It was Mrs. Darcy’s fault. She made Fitzwilliam terribly angry with both her and George. She must have involved George’s name in a lie, and Fitzwilliam believed her.”

Georgiana was on the verge of tears. “I miss him. And Fitzwilliam will not tell mewhy.”

“What if I ask your brother what happened with Mr. Wickham?” Elizabeth suggested. “He may tell me since we are to marry. If he does, I can tell you whether in my judgment your brother is fully justified and in possession of sufficient facts to prove the case.”

Georgiana frowned. “He is rarely mistaken. It was only withherthat he made great errors. He will explain his reasoning, and you will be convinced. He isusuallyright. But George is good.”

Elizabeth felt sad for Georgiana, but she was quite convinced that Mr. Wickham wasnotgood.

When Elizabeth did not reply, or argue with her, Georgiana sighed sadly. “I wish none of it had ever happened. That George never had to leave and that Fitzwilliam never marriedher. It was all her fault. I am sure of that.”

“At least we have Emily,” Elizabeth replied, holding her friend. “That is a great thing.”

Mr. Wickham came out of the drawing room. “Such loveliness gathered in one place! I wondered where you both might be.”

“Mr. Wickham.” Elizabeth made a small curtsey. “Your call has lasted so long. I hope you have not neglected other friends to entertain us.”

The man gave her a thin smile, then turned to Georgiana with a glowing look. “My dear, dear Georgie. I am so pleased to see you again. I think aboutyoumore than any others from that happy glowing time when I was within the blessed circle of Pemberley. It isyouI miss the most and who lives dearest in my heart.”

“Do you mean so much?” Georgiana said, flushing pink and pleased. “But you must speak to Fitzwilliam. I am sure that if you simply made him understand the truth of whatever separated you two, we all might be together again. I miss you. And you will like Lizzy as well, once you know her.”

Georgiana smiled at Elizabeth.

Elizabeth pushed Georgiana back towards the door. “Do return to the drawing room. As much as she likes Jane and Mary, Emily must be missing you. I wish to say something to Mr. Wickham.”

With a parting smile for the officer, Georgiana did as Elizabeth asked.

He smirked at her. “You wish to have private intercourse with me? I am surprised. And just before you are to marry. But Darcy is not a man who knows how to flatter a woman, and—”

“If I ever see you in this house again,” Elizabeth interrupted, a fire rising in her chest, “I shall have the footmen throw you out.”

Mr. Wickham did not lose his smile. “A shocking plan.”

“You will leave now.”

He smirked. “But I have not given my farewell to dear Georgie and Emily.”