*-As usual, I do not own these characters
Encouragement And Pearls
It was nearly midnight when Pemberley had quieted down. Miss Bennett, with her aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Gardner, had returned to their inn at Lambton. Charles and Caroline had retired to their rooms.
Only Fitzwilliam Darcy was awake, or so he thought.
She was there in his drawing room only a few hours earlier. He had tried to forget her, but being only inches away from his person, forgetting her was impossible. If he had a moment alone with Miss Bennett, he would find someway to atone for his insolent and ungentlemanly like behavior, tell her that his feelings were unaltered and his hand was still hers for the taking, if she wished.
"Brother?" Georgiana's voice broke through.
"Georgie, you should be in bed".
"I cannot sleep".
"Neither can I" Georgiana sat down next to him, leaning into her brother's frame.
"I like Miss Bennett".
"As do I".
"I think you should ask her to marry you, I would be far happier with Miss Bennett as my sister than Miss Bingley".
"I also think you are in love with her" Georgiana continued.
"I am not" Fitzwilliam colored for a moment.
"I know I am young and unschooled in the ways of love and men, but I know enough. Your eyes never left hers, you smiled tonight, I have not seen such a smile from you since before Father died".
He knew it was time to confess.
"The truth is, Georgie, I do love her and I did propose to her, last spring, while visiting Aunt Catherine. She was staying with her cousin, Mr. Collins, Aunt Catherine's vicar. I asked her to marry me, while I degraded her family. She was right to refuse me, had I known then what I know now, I would not have acted as I did. She is the only woman I wish to wed and I have destroyed any chance of that".
"I do not believe that, brother. I believe she will give you the chance, if you do it properly".
"And if she should turn me down again?".
"She will not, and if she is considering turning you down, perhaps mother's pearls will help".
"They were left for you".
At her death, Anne Darcy had had portioned off half her jewelry to her daughter and the rest was to belong to the future Mrs. Darcy, whoever she might be. The pearls were left specifically to Georgiana.
"I have other jewelry; the pearls would suit Miss Bennett".
"If that is what you wish, Georgie, I will present them to her".
It was to Georgiana's joy that not a month later, Miss Bennett did consent to marry her brother and on their wedding day, not only was the new Mrs. Darcy wearing the ring that was her late mother in law's, but the pearls from Georgiana.