by Jennifer Joy
A man with a leather case knelt beside Nathan, pressing his ear to his chest, watching for the rise and fall of life. Too soon, he rose to his feet and brushed off the knees of his trousers. "There is nothing I can do for him. He is gone."
Michael did not know how long he sat holding Nathan's hand until Georgiana said gently, "Come. We must take the ladies back to Darcy House. Your friends have offered to see to Mr. Bradford, and William says he will stay to speak with the magistrate. Let us go. We can come back later if you need."
He blinked. The coroner had arrived with a cart. How long had Georgiana and Darcy knelt on the damp, muddy cobblestones with him? He tried to thank them, but he was too numb to speak.
Michael followed her to the coach.
Tanner helped them inside, then climbed up to sit beside the driver. "To Darcy House," Michael heard him say.
Georgiana clung to Michael, wiping his cheeks with her fingertips, letting him grieve.
She was grateful Mr. Bradford had shown some remorse before his death. His heart had been treacherous, but his betrayal had not been complete. In time, Michael would be able to treasure the good memories he had of his friend.
Georgiana snuggled into his side, resting her head against his shoulder. "He made a horrible mistake, but your friendship was stronger than his need for revenge."
Michael straightened his shoulders and cleared his throat. "I am sorry I doubted you. I might have been able to prevent this had I got to him in time."
Georgiana did not rejoice in being right, nor had she intended to draw an apology from Michael. "Your loyalty ought to be praised, not punished."
"I was blind. I was wrong."
His reasoning was dangerous. Poisonous. "He did not want to be helped. But he loved you enough to save you. Do you think Mr. Bradford would want you to feel guilty after he gave his life for you? Would that not lessen the value of his sacrifice?"
Georgiana would make certain guilt did not alter Michael. Just as she vowed to never allow the guilt of her past mistakes to alter her relationships with the people she most loved.
It struck her that she had never made sure William carried no guilt regarding her. He was always so strong.
So was Michael and, right now, he needed her. She could not take away his grief, but she could support him through it. Who had supported William when she had so nearly thrown her life away? She had been too weak and heartbroken to think her own brother might have needed someone to do the same for him.
Georgiana had been wronged, but William had lost a friend. A brother. Just as Michael had.
She needed to talk to him. She needed to thank him. To release him. To speak up and say what she ought to have said years ago.
There was a great amount of weeping, embraces, and heartfelt gratitude back at Darcy House (not least of all from Mrs. Wiggins). Elizabeth had sent for the ladies' families, and while their joy abounded, it was bittersweet for Michael. He gracefully accepted their copious compliments, but his smile did not reach his eyes.
Chloe ran out to greet Lydia, followed closely by Mr. Bennet and Lord Kendall.
Lady Eleanor introduced Lydia to her brother while Chloe calmed enough to sit on his feet as if she were holding him in place for her mistress.
Despite her filthy dress, a heavy limp, and her brilliant purple eye, Lydia batted her lashes and sank to the ground in a curtsy worthy of a royal presentation. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you, my lord," she said in the refined voice she had practiced to perfection over the years.
With dinner invitations exchanged and promises made to call the following day, the Hamms, Somersons, and Ramsays departed. Lord Kendall, too, took his sister home after exchanging cards with Mr. Bennet and promising Elizabeth he intended to celebrate their safe return as soon as Miss Bennet's ankle was healed.
Lydia's recovery was certain to be exceptionally quick.
Arabella whispered to Georgiana that bathwater was being carried to her room. She also reassured her that Lawrence, William's valet, was taking care of Michael. He had even sent a footman to his residence to fetch a change of clothing.
"Thank you. He should not be alone right now. He needs us," Georgiana whispered back.
Arabella pinched her chin. "He needs you, Georgiana."
To be needed. To be wanted. To be the recipient of the affection of a man she admired; respected; loved. All Georgiana's doubts were covered over by Michael's good opinion.
It was the greatest gift. A gift Georgiana cherished and returned with all her heart.
Chapter 32
Michael was overwhelmed. The ladies' fathers and Lord Kendall put themselves at his disposal. Their mothers begged for Michael to accept invitations to join their families at dinner, at the theater, at their country estates…. All Michael could do was nod and try to smile.
The gentlemen, without exception, had contacted his clerk in order to show the extent of their appreciation in pecuniary form. He did not need remuneration (having Georgiana back was all the reward he needed), but he appreciated the generosity behind their gesture.
Mr. Somerson said, "Thanks to you and Miss Darcy, our family is complete again. I am forever in your debt."
"I am happy your daughter is safe with her family," Michael said.
He readied himself to depart for his own residence as the others left. He had accomplished what he had set out to do; he had played his part in returning peace to the loving families. It was time to go. He did not wish to overstay his welcome after Darcy and Tanner had made him feel like their brother.
If he was to call on the morrow to ask permission to court Georgiana, he had best quit while he was ahead.
But Mrs. Darcy would not hear of Michael leaving.
She ushered him upstairs where a valet had prepared a hot bath. He had a white linen cloth draped over his arm and a brush mixing shaving cream in his hands. He informed Michael that a surgeon was on his way as was a change of clean clothes.
He handed Michael a glass of amber liquid. "To dull your aches, sir," he said, assisting him with his boots.
It was glorious to be taken care of, to be clean and shaved, but Michael did not dally. He had to see Georgiana.
As delicious as the hot, soapy water felt, Georgiana rushed through her bath to don her favorite dress. The housekeeper had concocted some sort of poultice for Georgiana's hands and scraped knees, and with fresh wrappings binding them, she felt as good as new.
It was to be a memorable night, with happiness enough to transcend the bitterness of the day. Like beaming rays of sunlight after the storm.
She tiptoed to William's study, nerves making her cautious in her own home with the people she most trusted.
He sat beside the fire with Tanner, whose hand was wrapped similarly to hers. She could only imagine the damage he had done to Ivan's jaw.
Boldly, she stepped inside. They would never ask her to leave, but neither did she ask permission or beg forgiveness for the intrusion into their masculine domain. Father would have thrown her out.
They sipped brandy by the fire, neither one of them saying anything. They were too tired to do more than smile when they noticed her.
Georgiana was unable to think of any two men who would make better brothers than William and Tanner.
She sat across from them, forming a triangle in which she could see both of them equally well. "I realized something today. Something important," she began, smoothing her skirts while she selected her words.
Looking at William, she said, "I did not realize how badly my silence has affected not only me, but you."
He held up his hand. "You need not say anything to me."
Georgiana would have been grateful to avoid an awkward conversation certain to stir up discomfort. But not tonight. Tonight, she would say what she must. "But I want to, William. I was taught from infancy to be silent. To hold my tongue. To be seen and not heard. You have tried to draw me out. It is why you brought Arabella into our lives when you did. And Elizabeth always encou
rages me to speak my mind. But it is difficult to change ingrained habits."
"Better to be overly cautious than to blurt out your every thought with little regard."
William would try to turn her flaw into an advantage.
She shook her head. "When you prevented me from making the worst mistake of my life with Wickham, I let you speak for me. I let you bear the burden I ought to have borne—"
William interrupted, "Do not be too harsh on yourself. You were not strong enough—"
She held up a finger. "True, but I allowed you to continue to shoulder my burden when I had grown strong enough to bear it. Yes, I was injured. I felt weak and incapable. It pierced my heart to know how badly I had failed you."
"Georgie—"
"William, let me speak." She bit her tongue. That had come out sharper than she had meant it to.
Tanner set down his glass. "You deserved that," he mumbled under his breath.
William shot him an annoyed glare, but he said nothing.
Georgiana continued, "I thought I did not deserve to be loved, but you never gave up on me. Even before you married Elizabeth, I saw how hard you tried to comfort me. You brought Arabella into my life because you knew I needed her. And then Elizabeth." She smiled at Tanner, adding, "Our family has grown in a wonderful way, and I do not doubt my place in it."
William sighed.
Had the weight on him been so heavy?
Georgiana continued, "I thank you for that, William, but I owe you an apology which my own blindness has prevented me from giving. Now that I see its necessity, I do not hesitate to give it. I am sorry it has taken me so long to stand on my own."
"You owe me nothing. You have only ever been kind and gracious. It was my job to protect you, and I do so willingly because I love you. There is no cause for you to apologize."
"Yes, there is. I did not speak up when I should have. Once Wickham revealed his true nature so not even I could deny it, I ought to have been the one to tell him to leave."
William shook his head. "Had I perceived his threat to you sooner, you never would have suffered at his hand. I will not allow you to accept responsibility for my failure."
Oh, why had she not spoken sooner? Guilt consumed William's features, furrowing his brow and tensing his shoulders. Yet, he was no more to blame than Michael was for Mr. Bradford's death. It had to stop. "Pray do not blame yourself."
He clenched his fists. "Why should I not? Aside from being your guardian, I am your brother. Since your birth, you have been my dearest, closest relation. I want you to be happy. It is all I have wanted since our father passed away and I saw how oppressive to you he had been in my absence."
"You are not responsible for my mistakes, nor for those of our father. You are not responsible for my happiness. The guilt you carry is undeserved, and I must insist you release its hold on you immediately. My happiness depends on me and me alone. I know my own mind. I know what I want, and I am not afraid to go after it from now on."
William's hands shook as he set down his glass. He rubbed his hands over his face, his eyes glistening when he looked at her. "Why do I get the sense this is a goodbye?"
Tanner rubbed his eyes and sniffed. "They grow up too fast."
Their open displays of emotion provoked tears of her own, but Georgiana's heart was lighter than it had ever been. "I am not going far, if indeed I go anywhere at all!"
William sighed. "Mrs. Wiggins will be happy to hear her services as a companion are no longer needed. I fear we shall have to invent another position for her. Nelson makes you happy?"
Georgiana tried to calm her smile. She knew it pained her brothers. "He does. And what is more, I know I can make him happy. He needs me. He needs us. All of us."
Tanner said gruffly, "I tried blasted hard not to like him."
William nodded. "I know what you mean. I tried too. I even had my man look into him."
"You did not!" Georgiana gasped.
He shrugged. He did not look repentant in the least. "Nelson has nothing to hide. He is as honorable as he is trustworthy and good. He can also provide for you much better than I had supposed."
That had been the least of Georgiana's concerns.
Tanner sat forward in his chair. "Really?"
"His frayed coat is more of an indication of a lack of time rather than a need for coin. He has saved what he does not have time to spend. They will not have a large estate like Pemberley, but they will be comfortable," William explained.
Georgiana was about to interrupt the conversation her brothers seemed to forget she was listening to, but the butler came to announce dinner before she had opened her mouth.
She walked between them down to the dining room, each of them holding her arm close to his side.
Chapter 33
Michael cleaned up fabulously, his hair still damp and his chin freshly shaved. His eyes bore the puffy remnants of grief, bringing out the green in them, but he was at ease. Content. And when Georgiana took her place across from him, he granted her a real smile.
When they had settled and the white soup was served, Mr. Bennet said, "Very good. Now that this ordeal is done, what do you plan to do, Mr. Nelson?"
Pulling his gaze away from Georgiana, he said, "I must return to my duties at the chambers."
Georgiana's heart sped in her chest. "You will stay in London?" she asked, her voice rising to a squeak. But she did not care. All that mattered was that Michael stay. Otherwise, she would have to conjure a reason to follow him, and that would be awkward for everyone.
"I would not leave right now if they asked me to."
She exhaled through her broadening grin. Good answer. She determined to learn the dates and locations of the circuit assizes. What a good deal of the country she would see! How many people she would meet! She would have no end of inspiration for her stories.
If only he would ask….
Michael cleared his throat. "Mr. Darcy, Mr. Tanner."
Georgiana sat taller in her chair. This was it. He was going to ask something important. She could tell from his serious tone.
Her brothers knew it too. They looked down at their soup with equally matched intensity, their jaws clenched. She hoped it was what she wished him to ask.
She bit her tongue to keep from blurting out an untimely, "Yes!" As badly as Georgiana wanted to claim what she most desired, she wanted to hear Michael say the words she longed to hear.
He continued, "If it is agreeable to Miss Darcy, I request your permission to court her. It is my intention to marry her as soon as she will have me. If she will have me. I am already hers."
Georgiana thought she would burst. Unabashed joy pinched her cheeks and fluttered in her stomach. She pushed her fidgeting legs down with her hands to keep from moving the table.
William said, "You have my permission, but my sister does not need me to speak for her. She speaks for herself with the support of her family. Is that not so, Tanner?"
Tanner grimaced, but he nodded his agreement when Arabella made him the target of her pointed stare.
Georgiana could contain herself no longer. "Yes! Yes. A million times, yes."
Tanner raised his wine glass, and the congratulations around the table ensued. That is to say, all except for Lydia, who pouted between weak smiles. Georgiana appreciated her attempts to be happy for her sake but understood how horribly aware Lydia would be now that she was the only unattached individual in their present company.
Mr. Bennet (who was more attached to Mrs. Bennet after her passing than he had bothered himself to be before) teased, "I did not realize where my question would lead. Allow me to offer my heartfelt congratulations." He patted his pockets, mumbling, "Where is it? I know I put it where I would be certain to remember … shocking how quickly it came…"
He pulled his spectacles out of his waistcoat pocket and resumed his search anew.
When he had gained the attention of everyone around the table, he said, "An invitation was delivered just before dinner was anno
unced, and I seem to have misplaced it already. Where could it have gone to?"
Lydia perked up beside him just like Chloe did when she spotted sliced ham. "Invitation?" she asked.
Mr. Bennet said absently, "From that Lord something-or-other…"
Lydia helped him pat his pockets, finding the invitation before he did. As he had known she would. It was clever of Mr. Bennet to give her the pleasure of its discovery.
He chuckled. "Sometimes you remind me so much of your dear mother. Part hunter when she set her cap at an unmarried gentleman."
Lydia waved the invitation in the air, squealing, "It is from Lord Kendall! And so soon!" Glancing at the pages, Lydia said, "We are invited to join Lord Kendall and Lady Eleanor tomorrow evening to dine! Oh, Papa, I am so happy, I could die."
Mr. Bennet removed his spectacles. "Do not do something so insensible after all the trouble we have taken to get you back to us alive."
Tapping the paper against her chin and nibbling on her lip, Lydia said, "I must have a new gown."
Mr. Bennet sighed. Elizabeth rolled her eyes good-naturedly.
Lydia was back. That was all that mattered to them.
Georgiana was thrilled. Her friend's happiness increased her own. The evening was perfect.
There was only one more matter to see to, and now was the time.
Tapping her glass, Georgiana said, "There is one more thing I must tell you. I have been keeping a secret these five years."
Lydia clapped her hands. "It is a good one, too," she assured them.
Stunned silence overcame her audience. As was to be expected. Lydia was not known for her ability to keep a secret, much less keep one for five years.
Georgiana continued, "As you know, Lydia and I have exchanged letters often over the years. When she was away at finishing school, I would relate some of the incidents that befell our family so she would not feel she was missing out on all of the fun. She thought my narrative so diverting, she challenged me to write our stories in a book. She promised that if I did, she would find a publisher for it. I did not take her seriously. I certainly never thought anything would become of it. But I enjoyed reliving our adventures so much, I wrote them."