Georgiana pondered their fate for a moment only, and then without a moment's hesitation, threw the entire bundle into the flames.
Elizabeth gave her a reassuring smile, and then, feeling the full effects of the evening's events, told Georgiana she was going to rest for a while before dinner.
Georgiana kissed her on the cheek and then left.
Elizabeth felt strangely content. Hopefully, this was the last tie between George Wickham and Georgiana Darcy. He would no longer have any sway over Mr Darcy or his beloved sister.
Elizabeth could not rest just yet. Instead, she peeped out her door to check that Georgiana had not lingered, and then quickly made her way down the servant’s back stairs, and made her way to the kitchens. She must speak with James before Darcy returned home. She had no doubt Miller would inform his master of the evening's escapades as soon as he walked through the door.
The servants, who were all busy going about their tasks, stopped when they saw Elizabeth enter the kitchen. Mr Miller, who disliked visitors below stairs, told everyone to go about their business. He then guided Elizabeth through to his office and asked how he could help. On hearing it was the footman she wanted to speak to, Miller pursed his lips. He had better things to do than chaperone the future mistress while she chatted to James, who had also neglected quite enough of his work for one day.
Mindful of his position, Miller summoned the young man and then waited outside the door at Elizabeth’s request.
“James, everything happened so quickly earlier, I cannot remember if I thanked you for coming to my rescue.”
He nodded nervously, aware that Mr Miller was standing guard at the door.
“Oh, good. Now, I also wanted to ask if you recognised either of the people involved?”
He quickly confirmed that he did indeed know the ladies voice but had not seen her face.
“I’ve only worked here a few weeks, miss, and have been mostly training below stairs. But I’m sure I would recognise it if I heard it again, miss; it was very distinct,” he replied.
As Elizabeth made her way back upstairs, she decided it was time to invite Miss Bingley to tea.
It had been an exhausting day, but Darcy had finally finished his business. He had spent the entire day arguing with his lawyer about the size of Elizabeth’s settlement should he die and leave her a widow. After much haggling, and toing and froing, he eventually convinced his man to draw up the papers to his specifications. He was to then have them delivered promptly to Airwhile House.
As Darcy waited for the ladies to join him downstairs, he poured himself a glass of whisky. He sipped at the golden liquid, swirling it around his mouth to savour its full flavour. He was looking forward to spending the evening with Elizabeth and his sister. So, when Miller said a caller was waiting to see him, he was less than pleased.
Miller then announced Colonel Fitzwilliam.
“What are you doing here, Richard. Don’t you have some French to fight?” Darcy asked ill-humouredly.
“No time for pleasantries, Darcy, I have bad news.”
Darcy held up his hand to halt the conversation, then poured himself another large whisky and drank it straight down. He refilled his glass and poured one for Richard.
“All right, out with it,” Darcy said.
“Wickham’s in town.”
There was no denying it was bad news, in fact, it was the worse.
“How do you know this and where was he seen?” Darcy said grimly.
“Two of my men were drinking in a rather seedy establishment near the docks when a fight broke out. It was three against one, so they stepped in and evened up the odds, but not before the target had received several blows. Afterwards, Wickham insisted on buying them a drink.” Richard paused.
“And…?” Darcy asked.
“Then he introduced himself…as Fitzwilliam Darcy.”
“He what!” exploded Darcy as he slammed down his glass.
“And that’s not all I discovered. He’s a deserter. Somehow, it became common knowledge that Wickham had run up debts all over Hertfordshire. Colonel Forster demanded that he reimburse all his creditors forthwith, and threatened to withhold his pay until he had restored the good name of the regiment. Wickham was true to form, and rather than lose his pay, he did a runner. I have also ascertained that he has been running up debts all over the city. Though not in his own name, but in your name. At least for the past two weeks, and in the most disreputable and unsavoury of places.”
Darcy was speechless with rage. Was his life to be forever blighted by the scoundrel Wickham? From the age of seven, he had endured his lies, taken beatings for him, and recompensed his victims. Even his sister had not escaped Wickham’s vile touch.
Well, no more.
“It gets worse, Darcy.” Richard paused again, “When my men confronted him about his identity, he confessed who he was. But he also boasted that he was again engaged to Georgiana and….” Richard was reluctant to speak the final words.
“Tell me, Richard, or so help me God…” Darcy said menacingly.
“…and was again planning an elopement with her. We must be rid of Wickham once and for all, Darcy. He will plague your life with threats to Georgie forever if we keep doing nothing. Say the word, and I can arrange for him to disappear this very night,” Richard pleaded.
But Darcy said nothing. Last summer, he would not have questioned Georgiana’s trust or loyalty, but Wickham had almost destroyed them both when he convinced her to elope with him. Was Wickham telling the truth now? Had Georgiana been lying to him this past year? As much as he wanted to give Richard the nod, to be rid of Wickham forever, he could not. He must speak to his sister first.
So, instead, he asked Richard to keep him under surveillance. Although Richard readily agreed, he could not help adding,
“I will discreetly let it be known who he really is, and if we get lucky, maybe one of his creditors will do the job for us. Good night, Darcy.”
Richard finished his drink and left.
Darcy merely nodded farewell. His mind was in torment. He must now speak the words to Georgiana he thought never to pass his lips again. Was she in love with George Wickham?
Chapter Fifteen
Georgiana was surprised when the footman gave her maid a message from William. His abrupt tone was still evident, even though Mary spoke it.
“Come down to the library, now.”
She knew instantly that Miller would have told William about the incident surrounding Elizabeth. She could, of course, deny all knowledge of it, but honesty was in her blood, as it was her brother’s. There comes a time in every woman’s life when she must leave the nursery behind and take responsibility for her own actions. Georgiana realised that for her, today was that day.
“Good evening William,” she said and placed a soft kiss on his cheek. “Are you well?”
“Good evening, Georgiana,” he replied, ignoring her inquiry. “Come, sit by me, we must talk.”
She did as he asked and waited in a state of severe nervousness for him to begin.
“I had some disturbing news brought to me this evening, and I must establish the truth of it before I act.”
Darcy rose and paced the room briefly before returning to her side and taking her hands in his.
“Georgiana, I have tried to raise you as our parents would have wished, and I am proud of the woman you have become. However, there is something I must ask you, and even though it pains me greatly to do so, I know you will be honest with me.” He paused to look into her eyes, and then asked the dreaded question,
“Have you seen George Wickham since last summer?”
The temptation to just say no surfaced for an instant but was gone just as fast. Georgiana loved her brother dearly, and part of that love was their mutual trust in one another.
“I have not seen him myself, William, but I have been party to an episode that I am not proud of.” She withdrew her hands from his, ashamed at having deceived him. She spoke softly,
but clearly, as told him all that had happened. The message from Caroline, how Elizabeth had agreed to the meeting, and the subsequent attack on her person. Finally, she concluded with the part that James had played in the rescue of Elizabeth and the recovery of the letters. When she had finished, she expected to receive, and rightly so, the full wrath of Darcy’s anger. Instead, he was silent, which was even worse.
Eventually, he said,
“You endangered two people's lives for the recovery of a few letters? I am disappointed in you, Georgiana, but I am more disappointed in myself. I should have resolved the matter of George Wickham last year. He is my problem, not yours, and this time, the result will be final.”
Darcy studied her face, and as her eyes glistened with unshed tears, he saw that she was no longer a child, yet not quite a woman.
“It is true, reputation for a woman is everything, but time is also a great healer. Society would have soon forgiven the childish infatuation of a fifteen-year-old girl. Compared to Wickham’s attempted abduction and blackmail, your letters are inconsequential. Now, first bring me the letters, Georgie. I will destroy them. Secondly, you will inform Miss Elizabeth to return to bed until the physician has examined her. I expect she will object, but tell her I will broach no argument on the subject,” he said in a kinder tone.
Georgiana was so relieved by the leniency of his rebuke that she was already walking towards the door when she said,
“Miss Elizabeth and I already burnt the letters, William, but I will give her your message directly,” and she closed the door behind her.
Ten minutes later, it was a slightly annoyed, but not surprised Darcy who watched as Elizabeth walked into his library and stood before him.
“Did you not receive my instructions, Elizabeth?” he said with mild irritation.
“I did, sir, but as you can see, I am in perfect health and in no need of a physician,” she replied calmly.
As he expected, she was determined to ignore his advice. Why could she not see he was merely concerned for her welfare? Already too much had happened to her while under his protection. First Hursts’ drunken assault, and now this.
“And you know that for sure, do you?” he asked sarcastically. “I was unaware you possessed a medical qualification,” he continued as his temper rose.
Elizabeth was in no mood to be browbeaten, and especially not by Darcy. She had been through an ordeal this evening in an effort to protect his sister's reputation, and while her younger sisters were not perfect, they had never been so foolish as to agree to an elopement.
“Sir, both you and I know that I am not a doctor, but I know my own body. If I say I am well, you may take my word that I am well. I do not decline your offer for a physician merely to annoy you, I decline it because it is unnecessary.”
“Madam, might I remind you that Georgiana has told me everything. As I am personally responsible for your welfare, you will do as I ask and let the physician examine you.”
“I do not need a doctor,” Elizabeth said emphatically. “Sir, you take too much upon yourself,” she replied haughtily.
“You are too stubborn for your own good, Miss Elizabeth Bennet. It makes me want to shake you until you see sense,” he added, totally exasperated by her lack of compliance with his wishes.
“You wouldn’t dare,” Elizabeth retorted defiantly.
“Do not push me, Elizabeth. You may be my future wife, but you’re not too big for a spanking,” he threatened as he took a step closer to where she was standing.
Elizabeth felt her ire rise at his high-handed attitude.
“I might,” she emphasised, “be your future wife sir, but only a father has the prerogative to administer that punishment to a daughter. And you, sir, are not my father,” she replied dismissively.
Her bosom was heaving with vexation at his words, but her stomach was awash with the flutter of excitement. Although they were arguing, she had never felt so alive.
Darcy admired her spunk. As she glared at him with fire in her eyes and that defiant tilt of her chin, he found her more desirable, and harder to resist, than ever.
His longing to take her in his arm and kiss her proved overpowering. His breathing became laboured, and he felt a tightness in his chest, but this was no ailment. He took the final step to close the gap between them. Placing his hands on her shoulders, he gently shook her.
Elizabeth did nothing to defend herself or to stop him. His touch had ignited a feeling that was alien to her. It seemed to rob her of her senses, but in a way that left her aching for more. Her breath came in short bursts, as she anticipated his next move, and she felt she should die if he did not kiss her. She instinctively parted her lips and closed her eyes.
Like a moth to the flame, Darcy’s desire to kiss her could not be denied, and he lowered his head to take possession of her mouth. At first, he slowly massaged her lips with his own. They were soft and pliable, and her naive butterfly response only fuelled his passion. Folding her in his arms, Darcy tightened their embrace, and as the heat from their bodies mingled together, so did their scent. The heady mixture of lavender and sandalwood swirled around them in an invisible cloud. There was no denying Darcy’s desire to possess Elizabeth, only his willpower stood between them.
Elizabeth felt as if she was floating. As she tilted her head to accept Darcys’ embrace, she heard a soft moan of pleasure escape from him. The pressure of his warm lips on hers had been gentle at first, but as his ardour had increased so had his demand. He gently probed her mouth with his tongue and although she was unsure at first, the pleasure it brought forth soon convinced her to accept and savour the sensation. His tender caresses made her skin feel alive, and every nerve in her body seemed to be screaming for his attention. She folded her arms around his neck and tried to pull him closer still, but there was no closer. Only consummation could render that possible.
Darcy continued to kiss her with a mixture of feather kisses and passionate embraces until as expected, he felt a familiar stirring in his loins. He wanted nothing more than to make love to Elizabeth, to make her his in the true sense of the word, but now was not the time and most definitely not the place. He summoned all his willpower and broke free from her tempting lips, and whispered hoarsely,
“Elizabeth, I have to stop, my love. I am in control of my body for only so long, and if we continue thus…” His words trailed off.
Elizabeth understood his meaning and was thankful that he was a gentleman.
Darcy watched as a reluctant smile formed on her now swollen lips, and he again fought the temptation to resume their former activity. He brushed a strand of hair back from her face and then cupped her cheeks in his hands. His expression conveyed how reluctant he was to leave her embrace.
Then with a rueful smile, he said,
“I think I can now attest to you being uninjured, my love.” His thoughts then turned serious.
“You are my life now, Elizabeth. Promise me that you will not put yourself in such a situation again. Wickham is a dangerous, and desperate man. Promise me?”
Elizabeth, still breathless and lightheaded from their encounter, nodded her agreement.
Dinner was a subdued affair. The conversation was stilted and forced, and all the diners were pleased when Miller announced that, ‘coffee was served in the drawing-room, sir.’
Georgiana retired to her room immediately after the meal, leaving her brother and Elizabeth alone
Darcy accepted a cup of the hot beverage from Elizabeth but did not sit with her to drink it. Instead, he elected to stand before the window, as she had so often seen him do before.
With his back turned towards her, Darcy’s next words revealed his anguish.
“Elizabeth, did you read the letters Georgiana sent to Wickham?”
Taking a deep breath, she confirmed she had read only one.
“And the content, was it innocent in detail?” he asked, in a pained tone.
Elizabeth confirmed it was innocent and recited all she could rem
ember.
His shoulders slumped with visible relief, and as the silence stretched on, Elizabeth waited for him to recover.
“It was not that I disbelieved her, but it does reassure me she was telling me the truth, that their alliance was not consummated physically. Although Georgiana denied it, when I confronted Wickham, he stated that he had deflowered her only to spite me. If that were true, his intended revenge on me would have been at a greater cost to Georgiana,” he revealed.
Elizabeth’s heart went out to him, and she walked over and stood at his side. Placing a comforting hand on his arm, she said,
“From my short acquaintance with Miss Darcy, my impression is that she is still…unworldly,” Elizabeth murmured.
Darcy pursed his lips in a rueful smile.
“Thank you, Elizabeth, but while Wickham still breathes, he is a constant reminder to both Georgiana and me, of how easily one’s happiness can be shattered. If you will excuse me, I must put additional security plans in place to protect us all.”
And with these words, he handed her his cup and left her alone.
Chapter Sixteen
Early the next morning, Darcy again received a troubled Richard at Airwhile House. He was usually immaculately dressed, but today his clothes were dishevelled, and he looked fatigued and unshaven.
“Rough night, old man?” Darcy asked as he passed him a cup of coffee.
“You could say that. I’ve been out all night looking for Wickham,” Richard sighed as he slumped into a chair and took a large gulp of the steaming liquid.
Darcy glared at him and opened his mouth to speak, but Richard held up his hand to forestall him, saying,
“I know, I promised to keep tabs on him. Unfortunately, my men do have to eat, and while they were enjoying their tucker, he slipped out the back door of the tavern. He must have gotten wise that he was being watched, or as I suspect, been tipped off. I took a squad of men with me last night, and we scoured every inn, gambling den and brothel in the city. I can only conclude that someone is hiding him.”
To Love Mr Darcy Page 11
