To Love Mr Darcy

by Martine Jane Roberts

  “That won’t do, I’m afraid, Georgiana. I believe Mr Wickham intends to call on you today. A word of advice, my dear, if you want your letters back, you will receive him.” Caroline gave Elizabeth a scathing glare and then ordered her driver to walk on.

  Elizabeth was concerned for her young friend's welfare and ordered their driver to return to Airwhile House with alacrity. Once there, Georgiana waited for the servants to leave before she pleaded with Elizabeth,

  “I must talk to you, Miss Elizabeth, to explain. Will you come upstairs with me?”

  Elizabeth agreed, and together they mounted the stairs and went to Georgiana’s sitting room. Once the was firmly closed behind her, Georgiana grasped Elizabeth by the hand.

  “William must never know that I wrote George any letters. Oh, Miss Elizabeth, I behaved like a fool over George Wickham, and it caused William a great deal of pain. Oh, not physical pain, you understand, but anguish, time, money and disappointment, so much disappointment.” Georgiana wept.

  From what Georgiana said, Elizabeth began to piece some of the facts together, but if she was to help her, Elizabeth must know everything.

  She gently sat the sobbing girl down.

  “Tell me everything, leave nothing out.”

  Georgiana took only a few seconds to catch her breath and then began to tell Elizabeth about her liaison with George Wickham.

  “Last summer,” she recalled, “William thought I might enjoy spending a few months by the sea and rented a house for me in Ramsgate. He employed a lady as my companion and chaperone, a Mrs Younge. George Wickham, who grew up at Pemberley with us both, soon became a frequent visitor. Then he began paying me particular attention, and with our courtship encouraged by Mrs Younge, I thought myself in love. To my utter shame, I agreed to an elopement.” She paused to wipe away her tears. “George said it had to be an elopement because William would forbid our match. He also said, if we presented William with a fait accompli, he would have no choice but to accept our union. Foolishly, I believed him. Why would I not? We all grew up together, I trusted him. Then the day before we were to leave for Scotland, William arrived unexpectedly. I love my brother, Miss Bennet, and him of our plans.” She gave a short, almost hysterical laugh and continued, “I even asked William to stand up with Wickham as his groomsman. Can you imagine that?”

  Georgiana paused, taking a deep breath to help composed herself.

  “Fitzwilliam ushered me into his carriage, and we returned to town. He uttered not a word to me, not even to reproach me until we arrived back here. Then, as we sat in the drawing room, he took my hand and asked me but one question.”

  '“Do you love him, Georgie, truly love him?’”

  “I had to admit I did not. I had been flattered by Wickhams’ attention and his honeyed words. In truth, he made me feel attractive and grown up. William then asked me to wait upstairs for him, and he sent for Wickham. My brother told him I had had a change of heart, that I had decided I was too young to commit myself to marriage without having the benefit or pleasure of even one season.”

  Georgiana interrupted her narration with a derisory huff before saying,

  “In my naivety, I expected George to be upset or maybe to offer to wait for me. Instead, he threatened to reveal our planned elopement unless my brother paid him a substantial amount of money. Of course, William refused point blank. ‘Not one penny of her thirty thousand pounds will ever line your pockets, George Wickham,’ William said. George was furious and left without speaking to me, but the glare of disgust he shot my way spoke volumes. I had been a complete and utter fool, Miss Bennet. I was merely the puppet in his plan to steal my money. I was but a child then and gave credence to what Wickham and Mrs Younge told me. I am older and wiser now and trust only my own judgement. I will not make the same mistake again. To this day, I have not seen or spoken to Wickham, and nor do I want to. William has never reproached me for my childish infatuation, or for what it nearly cost us both.”

  “And the letters?” Elizabeth asked.

  Georgiana lowered her gaze and whispered,

  “I was foolish enough to put my girlish feelings down on paper. I am ashamed to say, I have never revealed their existence to my brother. As I now know Mr Wickham never really loved me, I thought he would have destroyed them.”

  The stress of revealing this matter was clearly etched on Georgiana's face.

  “I think he intends to ask me for money in return for my letters. What am I to do, Elizabeth?” she wailed. “I only have my pin money, and although William is more than generous, I fear Wickham will want far more than I have.”

  There but for the grace of God… Thankfully, Elizabeth was too poor for Wickham’s tastes, but she now understood the hatred between Darcy and Wickham. It also explained why Wickham had gone to great lengths not to be in the same company as Darcy. The Netherfield ball being a prime example. He had boasted, with bravado, that it would be Darcy, not him, who would seek to avoid a meeting. Yet on the night of the dance, it was Darcy and not Wickham who had been in attendance and claimed her for a dance. The events surrounding his inheritance from Mr Darcy Senior, and his subsequent misfortunes, they were probably lies too. Elizabeth mentally recoiled as she remembered her deplorable rudeness to Darcy the night of the Netherfield ball and involuntarily blushed with shame and embarrassment. She was now more amazed than ever that he had made her an offer of marriage.

  That strange sensation in the pit of her stomach briefly distracted her, but Georgiana’s gentle sobs soon brought her back to the present.

  Elizabeth spoke soothingly to the young girl.

  “You should talk to your brother, try to explain. He is a reasonable man, I am sure he will understand.”

  “No, no he won’t, Miss Elizabeth. How can he? William has never been in love.” she blurted out before burying her head in her hands sobbing.

  Elizabeth would not have hesitated in going to Jane or even her father if she faced such a dilemma, but it was different for Miss Darcy. With no father or mother, there was only her brother to confide in. But Darcy’s position in her life encompassed so many roles; mother, father, brother and best friend. And, although Elizabeth doubted that Mr Darcy had never been in love, Georgiana apparently believed this and felt she could not talk to him about it.

  Attempting to reassure Georgiana with a smile, Elizabeth said,

  “Until we know what Mr Wickham’s plans are, there really is nothing we can do but wait. If Miss Bingley is correct, he will be here shortly.”

  That very afternoon a letter arrived addressed to Miss Georgiana Darcy. She nervously handed it to Elizabeth, who opened it and read it through before revealing its contents.

  “Mr Wickham wants me to meet him. If I agree, he will then return your letters. He makes no mention of money or restitution.” Elizabeth glanced up at Georgiana. Signs of relief instantly appeared on her face.

  Elizabeth continued,

  “He wants to meet me on the corner of the street at five o’clock.”

  “It will be dark, Miss Elizabeth; you cannot go alone,” Georgiana said in a panic.

  “I have no intention of going alone. No, I will ask James to accompany me.”

  Elizabeth folded the note and put it in her dress pocket.

  “Thank you, Miss Bennet. Although we are newly acquainted, I knew I could confide in you.”

  Elizabeth looked at Georgiana and saw a frightened young girl, with no-one to turn to but a stranger she had met a just a few days ago. Though her heart went out to her, she felt a pang of homesickness.

  “Come, we are soon to be sisters.” Elizabeth said, “You must call me Elizabeth, and I will call you Georgiana.” Then is a serious tone, Elizabeth said, “Remember, you are no longer alone, Georgiana; I am here, and we will see this thing through together.”

  With only one hour to go before the designated meeting time, the ladies hurried below stairs to elicit the footman’s help.

  James was relieved that the master was not home
to see such tomfoolery. Although he was a recent addition to the household, his family had served the Darcy’s for generations. It was common knowledge below stairs what had transpired between the young mistress and that scoundrel George Wickham, although none spoke of it. Their loyalty to Darcy was unquestionable. Thank goodness Colonel Fitzwilliam had tipped his cousin off about the comings and goings of Wickham in Ramsgate; otherwise, it might have been a very sad ending for the young mistress. And now he had resurfaced again, to cause more trouble, no doubt. Well, James thought, he will find himself at the end of this club if he stepped out of line with the master’s intended.

  Elizabeth pulled her cloak tighter around her body, trying to ward off the biting cold wind that was whipping around the corner of Grosvenor Square. She had never done anything like this before, and she glanced over her shoulder to check James was in place. Though the layout of the square meant his place of concealment was half a street away, Elizabeth took comfort in knowing he was standing in the shadows. Even so, she could not deny she was scared.

  Elizabeth had arrived a good twenty minutes before the designated time of the meeting at Georgiana’s request. She was concerned that there must be no chance of missing Wickham. Elizabeth stamped her feet to distract her mind from the creeping cold that was penetrating her soft kid boots. Her watch told her he was ten minutes late. Elizabeth glanced up at the gas light and was dismayed to see a few flakes of snow floating down and landing on the pavement where they refused to melt.

  Suddenly, she heard the muffled sound of carriage wheels heading her way.

  As a surge of adrenaline coursed through her body, Elizabeth felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end.

  A hackney carriage pulled by a single horse had come into view. It hugged the kerb as it crept along one step at a time. As it neared the corner, it slowed down even more.

  Elizabeth took a step back. Something was not right. Then, as it drew almost level with her, she saw a man open the carriage door, but he remained standing on the footplate. She was about to take another step back from the kerb, but she was too late. The man extended his arm and made a grab for her.

  “Damn!” he cursed aloud as she moved just out of reach.

  Then a woman’s voice shouted,

  “Just grab her, you idiot!”

  In the next instant, the man had jumped down and covered the short distance between himself and Elizabeth. Lunging forward, he caught her cloak in his hand and pulled her back towards him. As he struggled in a failed attempt to throw her over his shoulder, Elizabeth screamed for all she was worth. While she emptied her lungs, he raised his hand and clamped it over her mouth and nose. Now desperate for air, she began to flay about wildly with her arms and legs. In total panic, and as oblivion closed in, her final act was to sink her teeth into her assailant’s fleshy hand.

  He instantly raised his free hand to cuff her about the head, but he had miscalculated his balance. To keep himself from falling, the man staggered backwards. Elizabeth felt herself slipping from his grasp and renewed her efforts to break free. As she stumbled forward, she broke his hold on her, and she turned to run, but the man anticipated her move and stretched out his bleeding hand, seizing the hood of her cloak.

  Again, she began to stumble backwards, closer and closer to the open carriage door.

  “Hurry, you fool, someone’s coming,” came a viper-like hiss from inside the carriage.

  Frantically, Elizabeth tried to undo the clasp of her cloak, but it was so tight against her throat she could not release it. One last time, she tried to call for help. But the pressure of the clasp against her throat made it impossible to utter a word. Fearing all hope was lost, she was shocked to find herself suddenly falling to the wet pavement.

  “You bastard, get your filthy hands off her,” her rescuer cursed aloud.

  Without looking back, she scrambled to her feet and began to run, not stopping until she stood at the top of the steps at Airwhile House. Only then, as she stood gasping for breath, did she scan the street for any sign of the young footman.

  The pounding of her heart was suddenly echoed by the hooves of the solitary horse as the carriage, and its occupants bolted past. She screwed up her eyes against the falling snow and tried to peer inside the fleeing vehicle. With time for only the briefest of a glimpse, she was aghast to see George Wickham and… Caroline Bingley.

  Rooted to the spot with disbelief, she felt overwhelmed at the thought that someone hated her so much, that they would do her physical harm. Abducting her for who knows what purpose, she could only imagine. Thank God for James and his timely intervention. Still shaking, she jumped when she felt a hand on her arm but was awash with relief to see it was the young footman.

  “Are you all right, miss? Come inside and let Mrs Brooks send for the doctor. You took quite a tumble back there.”

  Elizabeth ignored the impropriety of his act as James placed his arm around her waist to support her, and gladly let the footman lead her inside.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Elizabeth’s hand shook as she tried to sip her tea. Mrs Brooks reached over and gently guided it to her lips and then placed the cup back on the table. A trickle of melted snow ran down Elizabeth’s neck, and she shivered at the icy liquid reached the warm skin of her back. Again Mrs Brooks stepped forward and pulled the blanket tightly around her shoulders.

  “I do wish you would let me call the doctor. Miss Georgiana, do you not agree that Miss Bennet should see a doctor?”

  Georgiana, who was mortified at the ordeal Elizabeth had suffered on her behalf, could not find her voice to reply.

  “At least let me send for the master,” urged the housekeeper, but Elizabeth insisted there was no need for a doctor. Now feeling calmer, Elizabeth asked where James was, and if he had sustained any injuries?

  “He appears unharmed, miss. In fact, he is waiting out in the hall. He insisted he must speak with you, even though Mr Miller has ordered him below stairs several times,” replied Mrs Brooks.

  Then, as if speaking her thoughts aloud, she continued,

  “It must be important for him to disobey Mr Miller so openly.”

  Elizabeth understood that such open defiance of the Butler could result in James being dismissed, so she agreed to see him straight away.

  “Please, send James in,” Elizabeth said.

  The young footman was beckoned in and went to stand directly in front of Elizabeth’s chair.

  Elizabeth smiled warmly.

  “James, please accept my heartfelt gratitude for coming to my aid. If you had not intervened when you did, well I shudder to think where I would be now.” Elizabeth said with all sincerity.

  A blush stained the young man’s cheeks as he accepted her thanks in silence.

  “Run along now,” Mrs Brooks said, and she tried to usher him from the room.

  James seemed reluctant to leave, and Elizabeth wondered why. He didn’t seem the kind of person who was greedy for attention?

  “Wait,” Elizabeth called. “Is there something else, James?” Elizabeth asked.

  James raised his hand and held out a bundle of papers tied with a yellow ribbon. They looked slightly damp, but the parcel seemed to be intact.

  “He must have dropped them as we struggled, miss. When they drove off, I saw them laying on the pavement. I thought they might be important.”

  Georgiana, who had listened quietly to their exchange, now moved to the edge of her seat. She could scarcely catch her breath as she recognised the coloured band that bound the letters.

  “Thank you, James. I will take care of these.” Elizabeth took the bundle of damp papers and placed them in her lap, under the blanket.

  James grinned shyly, pleased that his instinct had been correct. The papers were important, and he had done the right thing in giving them to his future mistress.

  Elizabeth knew that now was not the time to ask James if he had recognised their assailants. That conversation must be conducted in private. She could not
besmirch Caroline Bingley's good name with such a damning allegation unless James could collaborate her story. Only then, could she hand the matter over to Darcy.

  Elizabeth felt drained. Although the entire horrid incident, had lasted no more than a minute, she felt as though she had been in the ring with Hen Pearce. Elizabeth thanked James and Mrs Brooks for taking care of her and then asked Georgiana to help her to her room.

  With the bedroom door firmly closed behind them and Elizabeth resting in a chair beside the fire, she was finally able to ask, Georgiana,

  “Is it them?”

  “Yes, I believe it is,” Georgiana said and knelt at Elizabeth’s feet.

  Pulling one sheet from the bundle, she carefully unfolded the damp paper.

  Elizabeth watched as Georgiana’s eyes scanned the letter she had written only a year ago. When she had finished reading it, she rolled her eyes skyward and handed the paper to Elizabeth.

  Dearest, Darling George,

  I feel like a princess about to be rescued from her ivory tower. My gallant knight,

  Sir George will arrive on his steed of white and whisk me away, his sword held

  aloft. Our life together will be all the sweeter for the purity and the sincerity of our

  love, which runs as true as a river runs its course. Our love runs in our veins,

  pumping stronger every day. We will spend our days reading poetry and feeding

  each other sweet treats. Oh, Sir George, let the days of our separation be few, and

  our years together be many.

  Your loving girl,

  Georgiana

  Elizabeth handed it back and looked at Georgiana with wide eyes. Incriminating, yes, but anyone with a farthing's worth of sense could see they were the work of an immature, love-struck child. Even if they had been made public, no one would blame the fifteen-year-old Georgiana. They would probably pour scorn on Wickham for encouraging her childish infatuation, not to mention the difference in their stations!

  She asked Georgiana what she intended to do with them now.