Page 116 of Mr. Darcy’s Diamonds

Wickham picked up a ring, then gently placed it on her finger.

“I love it when your French accent comes out, ma chérie.”

Minny giggled and embraced him.

“Remember that heiress I tried to seduce in January? Unfortunately, she was a friend of Darcy’s, and he warned her away from me. I later discovered she was no heiress at all but quite low-born and probably with no dowry. Darcy did me a favor. Still, he angered me at the time.”

“So, we went after his sister. Perhaps keep revenge out of your next seduction.”

“It is never revenge with you, my sweet.”

“Yes, yes. But not now, George. You do not like this place, so choose which items to sell, and we will find a place more suitable.”

Together they sorted through several more pieces until they had a good amount of jewelry ready to sell.

“Who is this girl, then, if it is not Elizabeth Bennet? The painting looks like her, except maybe for her eyes.”

“This woman died many years ago. Her name was Susannah, and she and her husband betrayed my family, so I betrayed her. Now they are both dead. But wait! This Elizabeth. How old can she be?”

“I never asked. Perhaps eighteen or twenty.”

“Eighteen or twenty…and you are sure she is Elizabeth?”

“Yes, of course. I did get that much right. But why do you care? She is nothing, a nobody.”

“Perhaps, yes. Perhaps, no.”

Minny was a beautiful, mysterious woman, but sometimes she could be exasperating. He looked at her expectantly.

“Perhaps your next seduction will be for revenge after all. And perhaps it will be not so much seduction as…revenge.”

Elizabeth knew she could not pretend forever that paint, music, books, and needlework were enough for her. She had always been a social creature, but when Meryton society and then London society had rejected her, she had retreated to her family and her accomplishments and made the best of it.

She did not think she could continue to hide her desire for something more, however. When she was a child growing up with Jane and Mary, the girls had talked of living near each other so their husbands and children could be the best of friends. Elizabeth had always thought she would marry and have a family.

Later, she realized that Aunt Bennet had supported her education not for its intrinsic value but to prepare her for service as a governess. She felt a twinge of reluctant gratitude for Aunt Bennet and her foresight. Elizabeth had known for a while that marriage was not in her future. She had briefly thought Mr. Wickham had been the answer. It had been an impossible dream, poorly considered, and after she had escaped his uncanny hold on her, she had thought more of her future. She had let herself become sidetracked when Mr. Darcy suddenly returned and gave her and the Gardiners so many months of unforgettable friendship.

Elizabeth sighed. She must stop thinking of him so often. They would be nothing but indifferent acquaintances again, if they ever saw each other beyond Mr. Bingley’s wedding day. Even during those months of friendship, however, she had told herself she was storing up memories of him for when he would leave her. What was the use in having gathered so many moments and memories if she could not dwell on them? No, not dwell. She would allow herself to think of him once each day, before she slept. For many years, she had known how to rigorously schedule her days for the best outcomes. Her early habit of self-command was meant to please Aunt and Uncle Bennet and Miss Moran. Now, she would put thoughts of Mr. Darcy aside and focus on her present life.

She must return to her purpose. She began reading the newspapers to find notices for governesses. Elizabeth would not apply yet, but she began taking notes on common requirements to ensure she was prepared for her inevitable future.

She had continued to use much of her education, but she had allowed her Italian to lapse. Her French remained strong, as did her Latin and to a lesser extent her Greek, although she had not seen any potential employers interested in the ancient languages. Mr. Darcy had discussed Homer and Virgil with her—No. She shoved thoughts of him aside, as she did several times each hour. Elizabeth decided to shore up her Italian and take up the harp. Several listings indicated parents wished their daughters to learn the elegant instrument.

Darcy had been at a loss as to how to help his sister all summer. He had hoped his cousin could help, but Richard was nowhere to be found. Lord Matlock thought his son was in Spain again, and for all Darcy knew, it was true. He kept sending messages to him in care of his superiors in London, however, in hopes that he would stop in and learn of Darcy’s distress. Not that he mentioned his sister in his letters. Nobody knew of her near elopement except her maid, Alice, and he could only pray she was as trustworthy as she appeared.

He corresponded with others, as well. Bingley had written in July that he had decided to lease a larger estate near Longbourn than he had done at Christmas. He described Netherfield Park and invited Darcy to join him as early as Michaelmas. Darcy did not know how long before her cousins’ wedding Elizabeth would go to Hertfordshire, but he assumed it would not be so early. He prayed that his sister’s spirits would improve in time for him to leave her even briefly to go to Bingley’s wedding. He was desperate to be near Elizabeth again.

Georgiana was completely heartbroken, however, so he could not even consider removing from Pemberley yet. He knew not what to say to help her understand the villain that was George Wickham. If only Darcy had unveiled the man’s character to her long before they met in Ramsgate. He had not protected his sister as he should have.

He was relieved to learn Wickham had not been left alone with her for more than a few minutes at a time, and he had done no more than kiss her and tell her lies. Still, his anger at Mrs. Younge was almost as strong as that for his long-ago friend.

If Georgiana had not needed him close to her, he might have gone to seek Wickham and Mrs. Younge and faced the consequences of his actions later. When his thoughts were under better control, he knew a duel would solve nothing and that he must focus on helping his sister rather than punishing her seducers.

Mrs. Annesley, a widow of about five-and-forty, had arrived at Pemberley in the middle of August after a rigorous search he had undertaken via a campaign of letters and interviews. He had required far more of this new companion for Georgiana than his aunt, Lady Matlock, had deemed necessary when selecting Mrs. Younge.

Despite multiple excellent character witnesses, he did not yet trust this new woman. He watched her carefully and questioned her daily. He had told her his sister had suffered a disappointment but had provided almost no details. Something had to be said to explain her mood and his need for a compassionate and upright companion.

Darcy also wrote to Gardiner. He had thought often of Elizabeth all summer but could not go to her or write to her, as they were not yet engaged. He was too lost in his grief over his sister to realize at first that he should write to Elizabeth’s uncle. It was not until several weeks had passed, then, that he wrote to him.