“No, she was very reluctant to accept my assistance, saying that if we were discovered, we would both be affected.” He shrugged.
“I was going to leave her at the edge of the woods to make her own way to the nearest cottage. But a local couple saw us. I left her at once at her insistence and it was three days before the news came out and the storm broke over her. She was ruined. Her mother spread the drama far and wide, but Miss Bennet refused to say who I was or describe me.” He rubbed his face with his hands.
“But when I heard the rumours, I was, of course, obliged to go and make her an offer.”
There were tears in Georgiana’s eyes. “Oh, William!”
He shook his head. “She refused me, she said nothing had happened, that I had behaved honourably and she did not think it would be a good basis for a marriage.”
“Well, what happened then?” Richard leaned forward.
“I returned to London. But a week later, I was called on here by her father. The whole town had rejected the family, probably because he has five daughters and there is great competition in the area for eligible gentlemen.” His lips tightened. “He said that his daughter had not understood the extent of her ruin and that I was duty-bound to offer again and he would ensure her acceptance.”
“So you are married?” Georgiana’s voice was very small, she sounded very sad.
He nodded. “I have told no one yet. But I must do so. Our uncle will be very angry and so will Lady Catherine.” He sighed. “I have taken her to Pemberley. She must make her life there and I will have to stay here.” He smiled painfully at her. “I will value your company very much.”
She reached forward impulsively and took his hand. “Oh, William!” She came over to him and sat beside him on the sofa. She rested her head on his shoulder and he found her closeness very comforting.
“Well, it’s a fine to-do, Darcy.” His cousin sounded resigned. “But I suppose we will have to make the best of it.” He smiled. “I will invite myself to join you for dinner and I will ensure you drink several glasses of port!”
Darcy laughed, unamused. Oblivion was not the answer, he knew that. “You are very welcome to stay, Richard. You know that. I will send a note to your father and we will see how long it takes for him to arrive here.”
Chapter 17
He sat with Richard in the library the following morning. He had not wanted to talk further yesterday and Georgiana and Richard had both kept the conversation light and on other matters.
But this morning Richard wanted to find out what Darcy had planned for the future.
Darcy shrugged. “I have no idea, Richard. I have made provision for her at Pemberley, and I have come back here. I must think.” He slumped back in the chair. He hadn’t expected his cousin to be able to solve the problem, but he had somehow thought telling him would have made him feel better. But it had not.
“You are very angry with her.” Richard was watching him.
Darcy raised his eyebrows. “I suppose I am. I should not be, she tried to refuse my offer; but her family are absolutely deplorable. Dreadful!” He shook his head despairingly.
“Are you still going to go to Pemberley for the summer and allow her to be mistress of Pemberley? Will you get to know her, make her part of your life?” Richard seemed puzzled by his cousin’s lassitude. But Darcy was so tired of it. Tired of trying to think of what to do, how to get round it.
“I don’t know!”
Richard smiled, leaned forward. “Well, is she pretty? Will she be a good mother to the heir of Pemberley?”
Darcy jerked upright! “No! I will not do it. I will bear no heirs. I am decided.”
Richard raised an eyebrow. “Perhaps you should annul the marriage, Darcy. Set the lady up in her own establishment somewhere, annul the marriage and continue your life.”
Darcy shrugged again. “Annulment is not as easy as is sometimes imagined, Richard,” he said indifferently. “I am not sure what I will do.” He closed his eyes. “She has rejected her family, told them not to call. I am at least pleased about that. The thought of Mrs. Bennet at Pemberley is not one I can view with equanimity.”
There was a knock at the door and Darcy’s heart sank. He supposed his uncle had arrived to berate him for his foolish behaviour. He felt bitterly resentful. He had been honourable, not foolish. But it was not. The footman bowed.
“Miss Darcy asks if you might join her for tea in her day room, Mr. Darcy.”
He looked up. “Tell her I will join her shortly.” He turned back to Richard who was looking at him with sympathy.
“Do you want me to go to Matlock House? I can see my father and let him unload most of his anger onto me.”
“You are a good friend, Richard. If you are willing to do that, it would be a great relief to me.” Darcy stood up.
“I am not looking forward to Georgiana’s questions. I think she might want to meet the young lady.”
It was Richard’s turn to raise his eyebrows. “I think it might be a very good idea, Darcy. It might help you decide the best way forward if they might be friends — or not.”
“True.” Darcy turned to the door. “Will you join us again later?”
“If you would like me to, then certainly.”
“Thank you. I would be grateful.” Darcy wished to have his closest friends around him.
The door to Georgiana’s day room was open and she was sitting quietly over some needlework. He cleared the frown from his features and knocked.
She looked up and beamed at him. “I’m so glad you could join me, William.” She put down her sewing and rose. She joined him and drew him into the room. “Come and sit down and I will pour you some tea.”
She looked over at her companion. “Thank you, Mrs. Annesley.”
Darcy watched as the woman left the room and closed the door behind her. He sighed, he knew the servants were undoubtedly in full possession of all the facts, but the pretence must be kept up.
He took his tea from Georgiana. “Thank you, dear sister. How are you this morning?”
She glanced at him. “Do you really want to know, William?”
He jerked to attention, it was not the answer he had expected. “Of course I do, Georgiana.”
She smiled wistfully. “Well, I am pleased, of course, that you are well and there was nothing sinister in the secret you kept from me.” She looked down. “But I haven’t slept very well; I am anxious about several things I still do not know.”
She looked up at him and her eyes were brimming. “May I ask you something?”
He reached over and took her hand. “Please do. I would not have you distressed for anything.”
She smiled a little. “Thank you. Will you tell me her name?”
He stared at her and his heart sank. He had been trying to keep his wife at a distance, not allow her to be a person with hopes and feelings.
“Her name is Elizabeth,” he said quietly. “She is twenty years old.”
“And what is she like, William? Is she a lady, is she quiet and refined? Is she pretty?”
He looked sideways at her. “I really do not want to talk about this, Georgiana.”
“I know you don’t, William.” Georgiana smiled sadly at him. “But I do want to know, I want to understand.”
He frowned. “I explained what happened. Do you not understand why I had to take this course of action?”
She nodded. “I understand what you said. What I don’t understand is that you seem to have left her in a strange place with no one and nothing.” Her fingers tightened in his. “I want to understand. Is she not a very nice person? It seemed to me that you said she tried to save you from the obligation. That means she is not to blame.”
Darcy shifted uncomfortably. He did not want to think of his obligation like this. It would make deciding what to do even harder.
“Georgiana, I cannot live under the same roof as her until I know for sure what must be done.” He hesitated. “She is, I think, an educated and personabl
e young lady. But her family are dreadful. Dreadful, Georgiana.”
He sipped at his tea, unsatisfying, somehow. “She has, I think, cut ties with the family, she told them at the wedding breakfast never to contact her again, and the evening I arrived at Pemberley I saw her burn unopened the letters she received.” He rubbed his hand tiredly over his eyes. “But she might yet change her mind.”
He stood up and walked to the window. “I do not know what I might decide, or what she might want. We might decide that I will have the marriage annulled. Although it is not easy; there will be some difficulties to be overcome. It might be that she would like me to set her up in her own establishment where she can make a life for herself.”
He stopped talking, trying to ascertain the feeling within him. Was it uncertainty? He did not like the feeling.
Georgiana joined him and looked out over the busy street below. “I would like to meet her, William.”
He swallowed. “I do not wish that to happen just at this moment, Georgiana. If I decide to annul the marriage, then it would be best if you do not know each other.”
He shrugged. “If the marriage has to be upheld, then I will not have a child and you will inherit Pemberley when I am gone. I will keep the estate safe for you and your children.”
He tightened his jaw. This was not what he had ever dreamed his life would be like.
Georgiana touched his arm timidly. “I am sorry I have made you angry. Let us go downstairs and I can play for you.”
It took a great effort, but he turned and smiled at her. “I am not angry with you, Georgiana.”
Chapter 18
Elizabeth rose early, as she had done each day. She had been at Pemberley nearly a week now. She was determined to forge a new life for herself wherever she was.
She gazed around the breakfast room as she took her seat. While she knew she didn’t really belong here, she knew very well that she might not have the opportunity for long to live in such luxury. All that was missing was friendship.
But today she was calling on a new friend and she was more content than she had been for some time. She ate a little breakfast and soon nodded at the footman. He bowed and left the room.
Mrs. Reynolds entered and stood deferentially by her. “Good morning, Mrs. Darcy.”
“Good morning, Mrs. Reynolds.” Elizabeth had instituted this regular morning discussion. She wanted to know what was going on with the estate, and she wanted to earn the housekeeper’s respect, and maybe her confidence.
“I wanted to thank you for your advice on Saturday, Mrs. Reynolds. It meant that I was able to speak to several of the families you considered were suitable at church yesterday, and I have received an invitation to call on Mrs. Maitland this morning.”
“Yes, Mrs. Darcy. I think you will have an enjoyable call.” The housekeeper smiled maternally at Elizabeth. She was obviously proud at being consulted and was proving most helpful.
“What time would you wish me to order the carriage?”
“Is the Maitland estate actually in Lambton, Mrs. Reynolds? I would like to arrive there at about eleven o’clock.”
The housekeeper curtsied. “I will consult with the coachman, madam, and inform you of the time he suggests.”
“Thank you.” Elizabeth nodded at her. “I may have time to take a short walk in the rose garden this morning.”
“I will inform Mr. Reed.”
“Thank you.” Elizabeth made her way to her bedchamber to get her coat and hat.
Soon she was walking in the garden beside the steward, deep in conversation about the needs of the grounds and the planting of the kitchen garden.
After half an hour, she smiled at him. “Thank you, Mr. Reed. I have another appointment, so I will have to leave you now.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Darcy.” The steward bowed at her and escorted her back to the house.
On her return to Pemberley, after her call, Elizabeth spoke to the housekeeper. “Mrs. Maitland will be returning my call within the next few days, Mrs. Reynolds. She is indeed very pleasant company.”
At her solitary lunch, there was another letter beside her plate. She recognised her mother’s hand on the direction and sighed, wondering how long it would be before Mama gave up.
Elizabeth had felt hungry after her social call that morning, but the sight of the letter led to the loss of her appetite again.
She managed a few mouthfuls of lunch but soon gave up, and went through to the drawing room for tea.
A few minutes later, a footman arrived. “The post, Mrs. Darcy.”
“Thank you.” She nodded at him and took the letter. Mr. Darcy’s post was sent on down the Darcy House, she knew, so this must be one of her family. But when she looked at the direction, she didn’t recognise the hand. Feminine, but unformed, a young lady. Puzzled, she broke the seal.
Dear Mrs. Darcy,
I hope you don’t mind me writing to you, but I did want to introduce myself to you, even though we might not meet for a while, or perhaps at all.
My name is Georgiana, and I am William’s younger sister. I am fifteen years old, nearly sixteen. He has told me of your marriage and while I can understand his anger, I wanted to assure you that his anger does not seem to be directed at you.
I am glad of that, it must be that you are a nice person and not one who sought to entrap him.
I know that I cannot help much until you and he have made whatever decisions need to be made, but I wanted to write and assure you that I think I understand and I am sorry that you have lost your hopes and dreams too.
It might be better if you do not reply, because I would not want William to be angry if he discovers that we have exchanged correspondence.
Yours, etc,
Miss Georgiana Darcy
Elizabeth folded the letter and tucked it into her reticule. She picked up her cup and saucer.
Her mind was on the words of the letter. So he had a younger sister. She smiled. The same age as Lydia. But she seemed a real lady. Elizabeth felt better for reading it, although she knew it could change nothing.
Chapter 19
Darcy rose early again, looking back at his rumpled bed with disfavour. His servants must know that their master was troubled.
He scowled, and pulled on his riding boots hurriedly. He was enjoying his early gallops in the park, the air beginning to hold the tang of the approaching autumn. There were few occasions when he could forget his troubles for a while, not find his mind returning to his situation.
Soon he was in the park and turned to the gallop of Rotten Row. As usual, it was almost deserted at this hour and he was thundering along under the trees, approaching Buckingham House. At the end of the ride, he slowed and turned the animal, glancing idly at the house. It could not compare to his Pemberley, of course. He sighed, but it was quite well situated for London.
He galloped back along the Row, and finally rode more slowly through the park before turning for home. He might have a better appetite for breakfast.
Georgiana joined him and they made light conversation for a while. She didn’t raise the topic of Elizabeth, having discovered it spoiled his appetite, and he was grateful for that.
He smiled. “How do you intend to occupy your morning, Georgiana?”
She looked up at him. “I am going to call on Mrs. Robeson this morning, William. She sent me a note suggesting I might wish to call.”
He nodded absently, pleased that she was beginning to move a little in society. She was nearly sixteen now, and only just beginning to get over the abominable incident in Ramsgate. Mrs. Robeson was a distant cousin on the Fitzwilliam side of the family and therefore very suitable for a young lady who had not yet had her first season.
“Excuse me.” He rose and bowed. He made his way to the library, where he collected the London News on the way to his favourite chair. He would bury himself in the affairs of the day. Perhaps Richard would arrive shortly and then they could go to his club for a few hours.
When the footma
n opened the door to announce a guest, Darcy was very ready to welcome Richard’s company. But he was not to be so fortunate.
“The Earl of Matlock, Mr. Darcy.”
Darcy rose, his jaw clenched. His uncle had called twice in the last week, most unusual. But then, he could not deny that the circumstances were unusual.
“Well, Darcy?” The older man went to the great leather library chair on the other side of the great fireplace and settled his bulk into it with a sigh. “Have you decided on your best course of action yet?”
Darcy turned and poured his uncle a drink.
“No, uncle, I have not. Perhaps you could favour me with your opinion.” He had no intention of acting on his uncle’s opinion unless it coincided with his own, but his uncle would give it anyway, so he might as well appear to invite the advice.
He gave his uncle the glass and returned to his own seat.
“I will advise you to make a decision one way or another, Darcy!” the Earl was too well settled in the chair to be able to sit forward to give his words more weight. But he waved the glass at him instead.
“I have had the family looked into. They are, as I thought, completely unsuitable. Deplorable!”
Darcy felt anger rise in him. Elizabeth was not deplorable. Even though he himself had used that word about the family to Georgiana and Richard, he did not like hearing it used against his wife by another.
He frowned, but his uncle hadn’t finished.
“I cannot think what you were doing, becoming obliged to such a female!” he shook his head, all his chins wobbling.
“And why the devil you kept it all so secret! If you had come to me when her father first confronted you, we could have arranged something!”
Darcy stared into the fire. He must let his uncle finish. But this was precisely why he had kept the secret. If his uncle had had his own way, the situation would be completely different.
He sighed. Yes, he would not now be married. But he would have felt the guilt, the stain upon his honour, for ever. And he would never have known what had become of the girl with the captivating eyes.
A Life Apart Page 7