“I am very well,” she said with a smile. “I owe you a large debt of gratitude for purchasing my father’s books from Mr. Collins. I hope he did not request a large sum.”
He chuckled and perched himself on the opposite end by her feet. “You owe me nothing, my love. Mr. Hill came in shortly after you departed to crate them, and I had a chance to peruse a few. There are several volumes I have sought for some time, but have had little luck in finding. They are no longer in print, and difficult to come by. Mr. Collins was unaware of what he possessed; the entire exchange was quite the bargain.”
“I am so pleased!”
When he continued to chuckle, she frowned. “What amuses you so?”
“I hope I am incorrect, but I could have sworn I witnessed Mr. Hill place an extra book in the crate. He wore a vicious scowl directed at his master whilst he did it, too.”
She raised her eyebrows. “I cannot claim to be shocked. I ventured to the kitchens the night we arrived. I wanted to ensure I was not needed for any of the dinner arrangements for tonight. Mrs. Hill has little love for either the elder or younger Mr. Collins. She said the first was miserly and mean, whilst she called the younger leather-headed.”
His warm laughter filled the room, and he laced his fingers with hers. “So, they do not care for your cousin either.”
“I am afraid Mr. William Collins never stood a chance. Mr. and Mrs. Hill were furious with his father for his appearance within a fortnight of my father’s death. They felt he should have waited a short time out of respect. Instead, he swept in, claimed everything, and purged what he felt was rubbish.”
She tilted her head, leaning it against the frame. “Mrs. Hill informed me how she and Mr. Hill packed our trunks with our clothes and any other items he wished to discard, and Mr. Hill delivered them to my uncle’s. Mr. Collins was apparently unaware of how much they had packed. They were only supposed to send my trunk, but I received Jane’s as well. Both burst open when my aunt opened them due to the amount they had squeezed inside.”
“Mr. Collins gloated this morning about some of his plans for the estate.” Her husband’s voice was low as he spoke. He must have had concerns of being heard from outside the room. “He has spent a great deal of the estate’s capital since he has become master. I expect he shall exhaust his funds within the next two years.”
“So fast?” She sat forward in her seat. “What sort of improvements does he intend to make?”
“He indicated that one of the peers, who he met when he was seeking a living, insisted no estate was truly great unless it had an orangery, so rather than seeking land in the area to increase his income, he has chosen to add to what the existing property must support.”
Her eyes closed in horror. “So he will ruin Longbourn in order to puff up his own self-worth?”
“He has already contracted with an architect, which, no doubt, required a hefty sum.”
“It was bad enough when Longbourn was entailed to his father, but I dread what will become of it when Collins fails.”
Her fingers received a slight squeeze. “I intend to meet with my solicitors when we reach London. If he fails, as I believe he will, I will authorise them to make him an offer. If he is desperate enough, he may just agree.”
“You would purchase Longbourn?”
“My investments have fared well, and we do not spend our funds freely. We could afford it, and Longbourn is a fine situation; however, my main motivation has nothing to do with this estate’s prospects or whether we have sufficient funds to purchase the property.”
“You would acquire it for me?” Her voice cracked as her heart swelled and felt as though it might burst.
He smiled and pulled her to his chest. “It would be all for you.”
Chapter 27
The faint sound of the waves and the noisy gulls roused Darcy from his slumber. They were two houses from the sea wall, but still close enough to hear the sounds from the beach and smell the sea air.
Elizabeth was curled into his side, her head on his shoulder and her leg thrown over his hip, as she mumbled in her sleep. Her slumber had become increasingly disturbed as her worry heightened in regards to Georgiana, but she should calm now that they were in Ramsgate. She would see that his sister was well with her own eyes.
Their short trip to Longbourn helped dispel some of her anxiety, but only lasted for the short duration of their visit while she was preoccupied with family. Once they travelled to London, his grandmother decreed his wife’s concerns were not without merit, which caused Elizabeth’s unease to return—and with that disquiet came the nightmares.
While in Meryton, they had returned to the scene of the fateful carriage accident, where Elizabeth left flowers. She even summoned the courage to recount what she remembered in great detail.
He and Richard often discussed his experiences in battle, and how some soldiers could not recall a terrible event in which they were injured. The two of them together formed a theory that somehow the mind protected the individual, yet Elizabeth remembered with great detail. She was a strong lady indeed!
Her mental fortitude made her concern over Georgiana more disturbing. What if his wife was correct? What if there was something amiss with his sister?
They had only arrived in Ramsgate the night prior. Bingley, who had arranged the lease of the house through a friend, had inquired if they could perhaps advance their stay by a few days, and the owner had agreed since no one else required the home.
As the arrangements now stood, George Darcy would depart Ramsgate that morning—he may have already left—and they would call on Georgiana in a few short hours to surprise her.
While his grandmother would never withhold information vital to Georgiana’s safety, the knot in his stomach indicated she knew more than she divulged.
Elizabeth started, and he grazed his hand up and down her back. “The accident?” he asked softly.”
“No, someone attempted to take Georgiana. I held tight to her hand, but she slipped from my grasp in the second before I awakened.” She lifted her head, resting her chin upon his chest. “Do you think it possible your father has already departed?”
He drew back the thick bed curtains to bright daylight streaming into the windows. “I would imagine he set off at daybreak.”
She shifted and groaned. “I need to go feed Thomas. I hope he has awakened.”
His eyes followed her figure as she rose, admiring the curves illuminated by the sunlight through her shift. She was a bit curvier than before the birth, but he had no complaints! Her wider hips and heavier breasts only increased her appeal.
When she had bustled through the door to see to their son, he ran a hand through his hair, stretched his legs, and willed his erection to subside. Some days, Elizabeth would return after feeding Thomas, and they would remain in their rooms late into the morning. This morning would not be one of those times, much to his chagrin.
He rose, dressed, and made his way to the dining room, where his grandmother was already seated with her tea.
“I see we are all awake early this morning. That is just as well. I would like to call on Georgiana as soon as the hour is decent.”
He pinned his grandmother with an insistent stare. “What is it you have not told me? It is evident there is more reason to be concerned than mere suspicion and supposition.”
She gave a heavy sigh and returned her cup to its saucer, never relinquishing her grip upon the fragile china. “Georgiana and I were both concerned of your reaction if I shared with you what occurred in London upon my return from Rosings.”
“My reaction now will not be pleasant if you do not inform me directly, Grandmamma.”
She watched him with worry for a few moments and nodded. “Very well, but I beg of you to hear the entirety before you become angry.”
His eyes closed as he groaned. “I do not care for the way this sounds.”
“You will care for it even less when I tell you—I assure you.” She glanced to the footman
awaiting their orders, and caught his eye. “We will summon help if you are needed, thank you.”
The servant bowed and exited as Darcy poured himself a cup of coffee. Something stronger might soon be a necessity, but for now, it would have to do.
“I called on Georgiana when I returned from Rosings. I wished to inform her of the goings-on and the lovely visit we all had once we had dispensed with the sad formalities.”
He took a sip as he waited and listened.
“Your sister was not your usual cheerful young lady, and I found it odd that Mrs. Younge did not depart the room upon my arrival. I requested time alone with my granddaughter, and she left, levelling a nasty look in my direction before she closed the door behind her. I suspect she did not think she had been noticed.”
“I have never cared for that woman. I told father I thought her a bad choice, but he dismissed my advice.”
“Georgie did not say much, but I obtained her agreement to call on me the day after. She arrived before the formal callers, as I requested, and I informed Mrs. Younge that as my granddaughter would be receiving callers with me, we would not have need of her. I would escort Georgiana home after dinner.”
He chuckled. “I do not imagine she cared for her dismissal. She has always fancied herself above her position.”
“She appeared livid, and your sister gasped at my audacity. You are aware of how she is polite to a fault.
“I did not receive callers that day due to the extended period of time I spent cajoling the truth of the matter from Georgiana.”
The more his grandmother revealed the more pronounced the knot in his gut became. They had never been required to cajole anything from his little sister, as she was always quite animated amongst family. She possessed a certain reticence in large public gatherings, but he could not blame her for it as he and his father both possessed that same characteristic.
“Please just come out with it. I cannot manage the suspense much longer.”
“George Wickham.” She spoke without elaboration—not that it was required. The name alone was cause for him to swallow in an attempt to prevent himself from becoming ill.
A low groan escaped his lips, and he placed his elbows on the table, cradling his forehead in his hands.
“What has the blackguard done now?”
“Whilst we were all at Rosings, he appeared in London, and insinuated himself at Darcy House. He made a point of accompanying Georgiana on her walks, and was present at every meal. By what she confessed to me, he sounded to be courting her.”
“What!” His heart was beating with force against his rib cage. “Please tell me you did something! That you did not simply send her back on her own!”
“Of course I did, Fitzwilliam. What kind of person do you think me to be?”
“I apologise, Grandmamma, but he is dangerous. Father has overlooked some of his debts as the folly of youth, but you and I both know the extent of his depravity.”
“We do,” she agreed, “which is why I accompanied Georgiana back to Darcy House to remove her trunk and her maid. She had requested her maid sleep in her bedchamber for the duration of his stay, but I could not allow the situation to remain as it was. I informed Mrs. Younge her charge would reside with me until her father collected her at the end of the next fortnight. Mrs. Younge was welcome to spend that time as she saw fit.”
“Did you write to my father?”
“That is part of the problem.” She clasped her hands in front of her. “Do you remember how accommodating Mrs. Younge was when you were in town?”
His brow furrowed. Oh no! He closed his eyes and clenched his hands into tight fists. “Mrs. Younge has used my and Elizabeth’s visits with Georgiana against her.”
“She has, and your sister refused to allow me to inform him of the situation.
“George blustered in upon his return to London, and I described Wickham’s behaviour, which he disregarded. I had no proof, no witnesses. He insisted Georgie was as a sister to Wickham.”
Darcy slammed his fist upon the table. “He is after her dowry. I would bet my life on it! I can only suppose that hurting me would be an added benefit.”
His grandmother agreed as she straightened the napkin in her lap. “If Georgiana is cryptic in her letters, it is out of necessity. She is desperate to see you, Elizabeth, and baby Thomas. I suspect she writes them with Mrs. Younge nearby.”
“I want to have the ability to visit with my sister, Grandmamma, but I will not sacrifice her safety or her future for that privilege. I will expose Mrs. Younge for what she is, and I will return Georgiana to father.”
The dowager nodded with downcast eyes. “I have spent the last week considering every alternative, and I admit it is the best way to end Wickham’s scheme.”
“This is why you contacted Bingley about us arriving a few days early?”
“Elizabeth wrote me with her concerns, and I penned a letter to my new grandson. I desire to beat Wickham at his game. If George departs this morning, I doubt Wickham will have sufficient time to call on her, much less abscond, if that is his plan.”
He rubbed his hands up and down his face as if to scrub the worry from his mind. “Why did you not tell me of this sooner?”
“What could you do?” She speared him with a steady gaze. “Your father would not listen to me, and he would not listen to you. All you could do with the knowledge is worry, which would not do you, Elizabeth, Thomas, or Georgiana much good.”
He sighed. He hated that she was correct, but she was. “Elizabeth should be down soon. I promised her a walk, and then we will call on Georgiana. You do plan to join us?”
“Of course,” she responded swiftly. “Never will that scoundrel harm one of my grandchildren again. I will see to it he is drawn and quartered first.”
He chuckled as Elizabeth entered. “We should ring the bell. I am certain Elizabeth will require some fresh tea.”
The morning was warm and breezy by the water, but as it was still early, people were not out in abundance. Darcy walked with Elizabeth on his arm while she took in her surroundings.
He winced at the dark shadows and the subtle lines that framed her fine eyes. Her lack of a smile was also evidence of her concern for his younger sister.
“I enjoy watching everything awaken. Sometimes, I would venture into Meryton early on an errand for my father—usually to the bookshop. I liked to leave early and watch the village come alive whilst I waited for Mr. Hervey to open.”
“There is not much business down by the water, other than perhaps a few fisherman.”
“No, but there are more people about than when we began.”
He checked the position of the sun. “We should return. Grandmamma and I hoped to call on Georgiana early.”
“Fitzwilliam, Georgiana is not at home.”
“Pardon?” How could she be aware of his sister’s whereabouts so soon? He turned to her in puzzlement as she pointed in front of them. His gaze followed her finger to his sister walking in their direction with George Wickham. His teeth clamped and gritted together with a vengeance as Elizabeth’s hand gripped his arm.
“Georgiana!”
His sister smiled, although it was subdued as her teeth remained hidden. Her hand lifted to wave, but Wickham grabbed her elbow to steer her in the opposite direction. Darcy began to open his mouth, but Georgiana yanked her arm away from Wickham and strode over to them.
“Fitzwilliam! I thought you were to arrive near the end of the week.”
“We decided to push forward our plans.” His sight remained steady on Wickham, who smirked as he sauntered towards them.
Elizabeth took his sister’s hands, and drew her aside. “I am so pleased to see you! You will return with us to see Thomas, will you not?”
Darcy gave the ladies a quick glance before he returned his glare to Wickham. “Why are you here?” he growled. “You have had no interest in Georgiana in the past. Do not pretend you are suddenly concerned with being a brother.”
Wickham gave a snort. “Why are you interested? You have left Pemberley and made your own life. One that does not include Georgiana or your father.” He leaned in to Darcy menacingly. “Do not interfere with my plans, Darcy.”
He stepped closer and looked down upon Wickham. His extra bit of height being to his advantage at that moment. “Your plans do not include my sister. She will be joining us for the summer.”
A snide laugh grated at Darcy’s ears as Wickham peered around him to ensure his prey was still present.
“Your father would not approve. One note to him, and he would remove Georgiana from your care and put her in my path once more.”
“But she would be safe with my father, which is what matters. Return to the slums of London and wreak your havoc there where you belong.”
“I belong in Grosvenor Square and Belgravia—not St. Giles or even Cheapside. I will not be relegated to the mews and forgotten!” He sounded as if he was trying to convince himself rather than state his conviction.
“And how does Georgiana grant you access to those places? She is not your relation, and the Ton will not accept the son of a steward.”
Wickham gave a malicious chuckle and Darcy’s eyes widened. “My God! You do intend to wed her! I hope you know my father would never approve.”
“He does not have to approve. We will be wed in Gretna Green and there is little you can do to prevent it.”
“I can certainly try!”
Wickham grinned with his teeth bared as though he were growling. “Your father would never believe such aspersions on my character. He has always taken my part in the past, and he will continue to do so in the future.”
Wickham again peeked to the side, but his eyes widened, causing Darcy to turn. Elizabeth and Georgiana were gone!
“Where did she go?” His voice bellowed down the waterfront, prompting several people to look in their direction. “Where did your slut of a wife take her?”
His back stiffened at the insult of his wife, but he remained silent. People were milling about; if a physical altercation erupted, Wickham had to throw the first blow. He grinned as he turned to face his adversary. “She has ensured Georgiana is far away from the likes of you.”
An Unwavering Trust Page 43