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10
Elizabeth glanced at her watch and saw it was getting late. She and Georgiana had just finished watching a scary movie, and they’d jumped and screamed at every frightening scene and were laughing about what wimps they were.
Throughout the month of June, Will had made regular trips into Boston on Thursday mornings in order to put in two full days at the office. Elizabeth and Georgiana had been spending more time together apart from Will, and regularly made plans for Thursday nights. They usually went out to dinner before settling in to watch a movie, but sometimes they would walk the beach or just sit in the Adirondack chairs and chat. They got along well and shared the same sense of humor, and Elizabeth was enjoying getting to know her.
Will never talked about it, but Elizabeth often wondered what had happened to Georgiana to make her shut herself away from the world. Georgiana had mentioned that she was an elementary school teacher, and frequently told stories about her students. But she also told Elizabeth she was on a leave of absence, and there were times when Elizabeth sensed that she wanted to elaborate and talk aboutwhy, but then she’d retreat again.
They fell into a comfortable silence now, and Elizabeth decided to broach the topic, albeit vaguely.
“If you ever need someone to talk to…you know you can talk to me, right?”
Georgiana nodded. “Thanks, Lizzy.” She paused. “Has Will told you anything?”
“Only that you’ve had a rough time.”
Georgiana nodded and took a deep breath. “I went to a party with my best friend, Julie, on New Year’s Eve. It was at her uncle’s home in Weston. I had a huge crush on Julie's older brother, Matt, and we all decided to go together. There were alotof people there, and I met a guy…he seemed okay. He was a little older than me, maybe Will's age, I guess. He wasn't coming on to me or anything; we were just talking.”
Georgiana’s eyes dropped away from Elizabeth’s. “He said he was a photographer, and told me I should be a model. I knew he was feeding me a line, but then after he said it, he told me he didn't do fashion stuff, so he couldn't really help me out, but that I should look into it. He gave me his card, and I thought he would try to get me to meet up with him or something, but he didn't. Oddly, it made me think he was a decent guy.”
Georgiana rubbed her forehead and frowned. “He must have slipped something into my drink. He went to get me a glass of wine, and I knew I’d only had one or two glasses before that, and that was over the course of a couple of hours.”
Elizabeth blanched, already having an idea of where this was headed.
“I don't remember much after that. Matt found me in a guest room when he and Julie went looking for me—the house was massive. I didn’t know what had happened…at least, not at first.” Georgiana paused. “I didn't call the police or go to the hospital, I didn’t tell Will, and I swore Julie and Matt to secrecy.”
Elizabeth moved closer to Georgiana and reached for her hand. “I'm so sorry you went through that.”
“There's more. Um, about two weeks later, an envelope showed up at Will's office in Boston. Inside were photos, of–of me. From the party. With–with two men.” Tears spilled over and rolled down Georgiana’s cheeks, and her breath hitched. “They were doing things… But I don’t remember any of it. Their faces were blurred, and they’d posed me… And somehow, the guy—the photographer—found out who I was, realized we had money, and took the chance that Will would pay him off. He threatened to put the pictures all over the internet if we involved the authorities. Will and Iboththought we were doing the right thing by not involving the police and keeping it quiet. I was terrified he would follow through with his threat. Will met up with him and paid him alotof money.”
“That's why Will was so upset that day on the beach when I took pictures of you,” Elizabeth said, the realization devastating her. “He thought I knew something… He thought I was targeting you.”
Georgiana nodded. “It was only five months ago, so of course we still worry that the pictures could show up somewhere. Will thought maybe you were sent by a tabloid, or sent by…by that guy, even though he hasn’t contacted us again.”
“I'm so sorry,” Elizabeth said, knowing the words were inadequate at best.
“I still have nightmares once in a while. When Charles had his party at the end of May, I wanted to go so badly. But I’m still uncomfortable in large crowds. I know it’s not rational, but the fear is great enough to keep me home. I have a therapist I talk to regularly. I think that’s helping.”
“And you're getting braver. We’ve gone out shopping, and we’ve gone to lunch… Those are positive steps.”
“They are. I'm really trying. And Will is so happy I’ve done those things, especially with you.” Georgiana smiled softly. “He cares for you so much. Do you know that you're the only woman he’s ever brought to this house?” She rolled her eyes. “I mean, it's not like he’s dated a ton of women, because he hasn't. But he's never brought anyone here.”
Elizabeth’s eyebrows rose, and Georgiana shrugged.
“This is his escape. This is where he feels most at home, and most like himself. Honestly, I’ve never seen him so happy.”
Elizabeth didn't know what to say. Her feelings for Will were growing by leaps and bounds, and to hear from his sister that he felt the same way made her giddy.
“He’s a wonderful man, and you're lucky to have him as a brother.”
“I don't know what I would do without him. And Charles, too. He–he knows everything. He’s like another brother to me.” Georgiana frowned. “But I worry about Will. Whenever I try to talk to him about what happened, he shuts down. I can't break through to him. Charles has told me they’ve talked a bit, though he’s never told me what Will has said. But that doesn’t matter; I'm just glad he's talked to someone. And I know Charles has never said anything to Jane about what happened. I know he wouldn't tell anyone, even her.” She paused. “Will you promise me you won’t tell her? I haven’t met her yet, and I don't want her to know.”
“Of course, you have my word. I hope you get to know her, though. She’s very sweet and a lot of fun. I’m sure you’ll become good friends.”
Elizabeth thought back to when she’d leaned so heavily on Jane years ago, when it seemed her life was crumbling around her. She wouldn't have made it without her sister’s strength.
“I'm glad I talked to you, and I know I can trust you,” Georgiana said. “And I'm so happy you and Will are together. You're good for him.”
Elizabeth grinned. “He's good for me too.”
