by Linda Wells
Mrs. Bennet’s face grew pale. “Lizzy, did they speak of the stories that my sister told me yesterday?”
She nodded while stroking Georgiana’s hair, her wails had finally ceased, and she was now shaking and staring at a corner of the room. Mrs. Bennet looked at the girl. “I do not think that the laudanum will be needed now.”
“Georgiana, how do you feel?” Elizabeth whispered. Jane appeared with a glass, some wine, and a small bottle.
Georgiana looked at her and whispered. “No, not laudanum, I … I wish to just lie down here alone, please.”
“Are you sure? I will be glad to stay and hold you.” Elizabeth stroked her hair.
Georgiana spoke softly. “You are a wonderful sister. You will take good care of William. He needs you so much.”
“And I need him just as much, Georgiana. I will take good care of you as well.”
She nodded and lay down on the bed, closing her eyes. “Just let me rest here for awhile.”
The three ladies exchanged glances. “Very well, just call if you need anything.” Georgiana did not answer. One by one they left and Elizabeth was the last. She turned to watch her with concern as she closed the door.
Mr. Bennet was waiting in the hallway. “Lizzy, I heard from Mr. Collins and your sisters what happened. I have sent a message to Netherfield for Mr. Darcy to come.”
“Thank you Papa.” Elizabeth rubbed her face and felt the tears begin to flow again. Mr. Bennet embraced her as she cried. Jane and Mrs. Bennet left them standing in the hallway and went downstairs.
“Come Lizzy, you know that what was said is false. Mr. Darcy is no villain, and Miss Darcy did not … well, she was not with child.”
“I can not imagine what she feels, and this is not the first time she has suffered a public humiliation. In London she was told she was cut from society, and here … oh Papa, the people seemed to take delight in her downfall. Why? What did she do to them?”
“She is very wealthy my dear. Those who have little often rejoice in the fall of those who have everything.”
She sighed. “This will hurt William terribly. Oh I wish we were married … Papa, I am sure that William will want to take Georgiana home to Pemberley … may we marry now and just go?” She looked at him pleadingly.
“No. Not in the midst of a scandal. I think that if you marry, it will have to be delayed.”
Elizabeth tore herself from his arms and searched his face. “What do you mean IF we marry? Are you taking back your consent? You just said that William is blameless!”
Mr. Bennet drew her back. “Shh, shh … I only meant that Mr. Darcy may wish to rescind his offer now that the scandal has grown … to protect you.”
Elizabeth’s eyes flashed and she pulled again from his embrace. “That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard! I will not permit it!”
He closed his eyes at her anger. “Calm down, Lizzy, we will have plenty of time to discuss this later. Come downstairs and have some wine. We will let Miss Darcy rest.”
Georgiana drew away from the doorway, and sat down at the writing desk to compose a note, sealed it, and left it on the bed. She glanced around the room, and finding nothing of use, looked out the window and saw a stream off in the distance. She slipped her shoes on, and listening for people, stepped into the empty hallway, hurried down the stairs, and out of the house.
THE GENTLEMEN were just returning to Netherfield when the messenger from Longbourn arrived. Darcy opened the note and cried out, “My God!” He spun around to the groom and ordered, “Leave that saddle on!”
“What is it?” Richard took the note as Darcy remounted. “Georgiana! Elizabeth!” He leapt back onto his horse.
Bingley and Hurst exchanged glances and remounted as well, unsure of the problem, but it was clearly dire. They quickly raced through town, and were moving too fast to hear the jeers or see the people pointing. John saw them speed by. He had arrived in town and listened in paralysed horror to the accounts of the verbal flogging received by Elizabeth and Georgiana. It was precisely what he feared happening as a result of telling Wickham’s gossip. This was why he decided not to spread it himself. His decision to speak to Mr. Bennet that afternoon was too late. He thought of Darcy flying past with the other men following, and knew without a doubt that Darcy’s devotion was indeed very real. Spotting some red coats, it hit him like a thunderbolt. “Wickham!” His whispering, his manipulation, John saw it now. “Why did I listen?” He jumped on his horse and raced to Longbourn. He had to go. He had to know that they were well.
FROM HIS PERCH on a hillside, just behind the trees, Wickham watched. He saw the reaction in town and quickly circled around the walking party through the fields, and arrived at Longbourn well in time to witness their arrival. He sat and waited, soon he saw a servant racing off, undoubtedly to summon Darcy. He grinned. Soon Darcy would have to take Georgiana back to Pemberley and Miss Elizabeth’s parents would announce the engagement ended. Darcy’s heart would be broken. Wickham took great delight in that thought. He saw the couple’s interaction. It was obvious Darcy loved her. He would never recover from this. Wickham’s only regret would be not having his chance at her. That truly would have made his revenge complete.
He noticed a woman leaving the house; her blonde hair caught the sunlight. Seeing her hair at all drew his attention, as no woman would go outdoors without her bonnet. He watched her steadily hurry in his direction and he recognized her. “Georgiana!” He grinned. “Well, the game is not over yet!”
After his impotent display in Meryton, Elizabeth could no longer abide Mr. Collin’s sermonizing. He already wrote Lady Catherine about her nephew’s engagement, and was furiously scribbling another letter about today’s events. Mr. Bennet watched her as she paced the room, then left to go upstairs and check on Georgiana. She knocked lightly then opened the door quietly. The bed was empty. She looked around the room and seeing the note, quickly broke it open and read. She clasped her hand to her mouth and her eyes lifted to the window, and there, far in the distance, she saw Georgiana disappearing into the trees. Elizabeth raced down the servant’s stairs, and into the kitchen.
“Susie, give this note to Mr. Darcy when he comes. Tell him that I am going to the stream we once visited.”
“Yes, Miss Elizabeth!” Susie held the crumpled paper in her hand and watched as she flew out the door, as fast as her feet would carry her.
GEORGIANA MADE her steady way into the woods, her mind on one purpose, to follow the stream to a pond she remembered from a walk with Elizabeth. She had put William through enough; all would be well if she was simply out of his life. He could marry Elizabeth and be happy. He should have sent her to Scotland when she was ruined, he was just too kind to remove her from Pemberley, so she would do the work he refused. She did not belong there; after all, she was no Darcy. If she had been banished, he would have come to Netherfield with Mr. Bingley, met Elizabeth, and fallen in love. No, everything would be better if I am gone.
Wickham watched her coming his way and as she passed his location, followed her far into the woods. Georgiana paused, staring at the small pond that had formed in the stream’s path. He slipped off of his horse and stood watching her carefully. He was unsure of what exactly was unfolding. When she was brought back to Longbourn he could tell, even with the great distance from his observation point, that she was hysterical. Now, barely an hour later, she was standing with calm serenity, alone in the woods. The thought that he had driven her to an act of desperation suddenly occurred to him. Just as he came to that conclusion, he heard a woman’s voice calling, and moved behind a tree to see what was going to happen.
“Georgiana!” Elizabeth called repeatedly, searching the familiar woods, looking off of the path and wondering where she was headed. “Georgiana!” She ran, even with the setback of her recent illness, Elizabeth was very strong and was barely out of breath when she crested a small rise and came upon the girl. She stopped, and watched her transfixed gaze upon the still water of the p
ond. Elizabeth moved forward very slowly and quietly, hoping not to startle her to run, or worse, jump in. Georgiana was seemingly oblivious to all around her. Elizabeth touched her arm and then took a firm hold of her. The girl jumped, then looked over to see Elizabeth’s concerned gaze and dissolved into tears. She fell into Elizabeth’s arms and began to sob, and rested her head on her shoulder. “Shhh. Georgiana, shhhh. It is well, you are safe.” Elizabeth held her and rocked her gently, stroking her hair and inwardly breathing a sigh of relief. The sobs continued, her body wracked with the pain and sorrow she had been carrying since the horrible day when she ruined her life.
Eventually she began to calm, and she accepted the handkerchief Elizabeth offered her. She tried to catch her breath, and dabbed at her face. Elizabeth held her hand. “What has happened Georgiana? Why would you leave such a note and run off like that? If I had not seen you entering the woods, I would have had no idea where to find you. Can you imagine how devastated William would have been to find you gone, let alone to find that you had harmed yourself? Please tell me what was wrong?”
“I … I … I thought that everyone would be happier without me. I have brought so much pain to William and my family … and now to you. Oh Elizabeth, it was bad enough to hear them saying things about me, but to hear what they said to you… And William, how could they accuse him of such horrible things? I … I wish he had sent me to Scotland.”
“What good would that have done you or him? He has done the best he can to support you. Surely you know how hard it is for him to express it, but he loves you so much, as do I. Has he not proven that already by the way that he followed when Wickham took you?” Georgiana looked up from where she was staring at her feet to nod, but then her eyes grew wide with fear.
Elizabeth spun around to see Wickham standing behind her. “I hardly would call what I did as taking you, Georgiana. I seem to remember you climbing into the carriage with great excitement for our future together.”
Stepping so that she was standing between Georgiana and Wickham, Elizabeth demanded, “What are you doing here?”
Wickham looked down on the woman who was glaring at him, her head barely came to his shoulder, and she had no weapon beyond her sharp tongue. He began to laugh. “My, my, and what exactly do you intend to do, Miss Elizabeth? You are not a foolish woman; that is perfectly clear. I can easily take my betrothed with me and sweep you away with a push of my hand.”
“Georgiana is not betrothed to you. Her brother’s consent is required for that, and neither Georgiana nor William have given that to you.”
“Ah, but you are mistaken, Georgiana did indeed agree to marry me … did you not, my love?” He smiled and stepped closer. “Do you not remember our kisses when you said yes?” Georgiana cowered behind Elizabeth and he laughed louder. “You fear me now? When moments ago you stood here, contemplating your death? Surely marriage to me would not be half so bad!”
“Marriage to you would be worse than death!” Elizabeth exclaimed.
Wickham returned his gaze to her. “You should watch your tongue.”
“I am not afraid of you!” He stepped ever closer. Elizabeth glanced behind her, and realized that she had nowhere to retreat; the pond was only a few feet away.
Wickham stood and smiled as she saw her trap. “Perhaps you might like to rephrase your last statement?”
“What do you want from us?” Elizabeth demanded. Georgiana whimpered behind her.
In a flash Wickham reached around her and grabbed Georgiana’s wrist, pulling her forward and away. “Why, I want my wife, we have an appointment at Gretna Green, do we not, my dear?” Georgiana screamed and tried to wrestle away from his grip. As she fought him, Elizabeth searched the ground and spotting a fallen branch, picked it up and struck him hard across his head. Wickham grunted and stumbled, releasing his captive as he fell to the ground.
“Quick, Georgiana, run!” Elizabeth pushed her, but she stood paralysed. “MOVE!” She screamed at her.
Elizabeth took her hand and they started to run away when Wickham grabbed her ankle, wrenching it painfully, and she fell to the ground. Georgiana screamed again. “Go, run, Georgiana!!” Elizabeth cried.
“No, I can not leave you!” She looked around desperately, searching for the branch Elizabeth had used.
Wickham rose to his feet and drew his sword. “You run and your would-be sister dies.” Georgiana stopped dead and stared, her gaze travelled between the sword, Wickham’s face and Elizabeth’s eyes. Wickham dragged her up to her feet and slipped the sword back into his scabbard.
“Let go of me!” Elizabeth screamed. He pulled her head roughly to him and kissed her, biting her lips and leaving them swollen. She tried to kick him and he quickly drew out a knife and held it to her throat.
“Now, I suggest that you cooperate, my dear.” Elizabeth saw the blade and felt it prick her skin. Wickham pulled it away and she saw a drop of blood on the tip, and raised his brows. “The more compliant you are, the easier it will be.”
Elizabeth stared at him and he raked the knife across her face. “You will not kill me.”
He raised his brows in amusement at her defiance. “You think not?”
“You would have done so already. What do you want?” He laughed and watched as she thought rapidly. “You could not have planned this … go … get away while you can.”
His voice lowered. “Oh, I have time.” He stroked his hand over her breasts and smiled.
She attempted to ignore his touch. “Help will be coming very soon. Everyone at Longbourn will be looking for us when we do not return at our appointed time.”
He laughed again. “Ah, very good Miss Elizabeth, but you forget, I watched Georgiana running from the house and you obviously discovered her gone and came after her. She was bent on suicide, and as you are wearing neither a bonnet nor coat, I believe I am quite safe in assuming that you told nobody of your departure or your destination; else there would have been a houseful of people accompanying you. No my dear, I believe that we have plenty of time for our conversation.”
Elizabeth grasped at what to say. “A note was sent to Netherfield.”
Wickham smiled. “I realize that, but even if Darcy was found quickly, he still has no idea where you are, does he?”
Yes he does. She turned her head to Georgiana. “Go, run back to Longbourn, find help.”
Wickham looked back at Georgiana and smirked. “You will remain right where you are, will you not?” He took the knife and again drew it across Elizabeth’s throat.
Georgiana’s eyes grew wide. “I am sorry, I am so sorry Elizabeth.” He laughed and turned back to Elizabeth.
“Why do you want to hurt me?”
His gaze returned to her breasts, his voice was calm. “I am angry with you.”
“What did I do to you?”
He looked back to her confused eyes. “You love Darcy.”
“Is that so offensive?”
“Oh yes, I want him unhappy forever.”
She shook her head, not understanding. “What has he done to you?”
Wickham bared his teeth and snarled. “He lives.”
Trying to understand his tortured reasoning she asked, “Do you think you would have Pemberley if he did not?”
“He STOLE IT from me!”
“It is his birthright, not yours! You are the steward’s son!”
“I am a GENTLEMAN!!” He shouted in her face.
Elizabeth saw the anger and madness in his eyes and became deeply afraid. She decided the only course she had was to keep him talking, she could not possibly get away, even if her ankle was not injured, and Georgiana was clearly too petrified to be of any use, her flash of courage left with the appearance of Wickham’s knife. Assuming a calm voice she said as steadily as she could, “A true gentleman does not hold a knife to a woman’s throat.” That statement seemed to give him pause. She jumped at the opportunity. “Why do you not tell me of your grievances, perhaps you can convince me that you have the right of
it?” She held her breath and maintained her air of calm, while inside every bit of her was screaming to run. Wickham studied her in silence and tilted his head. “Tell me about growing up at Pemberley. It must have been wonderful to receive Mr. Darcy’s favour.”
He breathed heavily and reached to entwine his fingers with the curls resting on her shoulder. “You are very pretty.”
She attempted to still her trembling body as he stroked her cheek, and tried not to recoil. “Do you know that Mr. Darcy gave me everything I wanted?” His eyes met hers. “Everything.” He whispered. She felt a chill move through her, but she kept her eyes locked with his. He ran his hand down her shoulder. “You are cold.”
“I … I did not think to bring a coat.”
He nodded and drew his finger over her lips, then examined the effect of his bite. “I was cold once. I accompanied my father to Pemberley on a winter day. He went to take care of something and I was left to my own devices. Mr. Darcy found me in the kitchens. He was there looking for Darcy. He was hiding as usual.”
Feeling her heart ache for William, she could not stop her question. “Why did he hide?”
His eyes flashed at her concern. “Why not? He was invisible to his mother; that is until Mr. Darcy saw me.” He smiled at the memory. “I once heard him tell his wife that if she would not bear him another child then he would make another son out of the first boy he saw … and that was me. I became the son he never had.” Georgiana covered her mouth and tried to cover her sob, her eyes were fixed on the knife.
