Chapter 9
Past
Someone barged into my apartment building just as I was leaving for work. I almost didn't notice them, but suddenly I had a sobbing mess in my arms.
"Georgie? What happened?! Are you alright?"
"No, I'm not."
"Should I call Darcy? I was just on my way to work..."
"No, not him!"
I swiftly directed her to my place while appraising her. Contrary to my initial suspicion, she was not physically harmed, so I decided to head back upstairs with her, although I would have preferred to call her brother.
I waited for her to calm down while I was preparing some tea.
"OK, now tell me what happened... I thought you were going away with George this weekend... Did he cancel on you? Sometimes he is such a scatter brain!"
"Actually... we were going to elope..."
"Elope? You never told me that!"
"But then Will appeared all of a sudden, like a knight in shining armor."
I was listening intently to Georgiana, but she was so upset it was still difficult to follow her.
"Can you believe his nerve? He just walked into the room and asked George to follow him in the back. I thought it was one of his attempts to intimidate him before the marriage, but it turns out he offers him an obscene amount of money to dump me!" She was saying all this through sobs.
I gathered a breath before replying, "Look, Georgie, I know Darcy can be a little overbearing... but I'm sure he has your best intentions at heart."
"I can't believe you, Lizzie. Of all the people, I wouldn't have expected you to defend him!"
"I'm not trying to defend him, I'm just..." trying to salvage your relationship. "So Darcy is a jerk. What else is new?"
Georgie's tears suddenly subsided, and I thought I recognised a mischievious gleam in her eyes. "That's exactly it, Lizzie. He hurt me and he would never know how much until it happens to him..."
"Wait, what are you thinking? I'm not sure you are seeing things clearly, maybe you need to take a break..."
"Lizzie, listen, I know you are on my side, right?"
I nodded slowly, having the impression I would regret this.
"You know Bingley's sister, right? Caroline, the one who was after Darcy since forever? Well, she has pestered me lately for an in with my brother. Obviously, I said no… till now."
"I don't see how that would matter. I mean, if they hit it off, then…"
"That's the thing. I'd like them to hit it off… and then for her to break up with him. She would be happy to be that woman. The one who finally broke Darcy in."
I listened to her quietly, I knew she was still upset now. I said carefully, "I don't know if that's a great idea, maybe you should sleep on it. Anyway, I don't see where I come in the picture."
"Well, I don't think Darcy will take it nicely if she just appeared into his life. However, he trusts you."
I scoffed.
"Really, Lizzie, he speaks highly of your work. But for this, you would do something you are underqualified for…"
As she continued explaining the plan, I understood she had put a lot of thought on this.
"Please, Lizzie, haven't you ever hurt so much? I know it's not ideal, but don't you believe in retribution? Karma? I'd just like him to see how it is to have your whole world imploding."
Maybe she was relentless, but I was starting to see – sometimes proud people should just be knocked over their high horses.
A little while later, while Georgiana had finally fell asleep on my sofa, I checked my phone. 12 missed calls from the illustrious Mr. Darcy.
I braced myself for the call.
He answered on the second ring, "Is Georgiana with you?"
"Hi, yes. I thought you were upset about me not turning up to work on time."
He released a breath he was holding, "It's not the time, Elisabeth. May I speak to my sister, please?"
He seemed so dejected I almost gave up on the plan I had just agreed to with Georgie. Almost. Then I remembered whose fault it was that we were in this mess in the first place.
"No, you can't. And before you come over and huff and puff, she's just fallen asleep."
"OK, but please let me know as soon as she wakes up. I'll pass by and collect her."
I thought he meant to end the conversation, but he actually continued, "And Elisabeth, if Wickham tries to get in touch, can you let me know? It's important."
"Ah, sure." And then, without skipping a beat, "I realise this might not be the best timing, but I understood there was a new opening as your PA?"