A/N- Dear readers, I cannot thank you enough for all your support over the years. I must especially thank Colleen, your reviews always brighten my day. I've noticed several inconsistencies in the previous chapters where the timeline doesn't make sense, and I hope to one day rewrite them. Many thanks to all reviewers who point out such mistakes. This story is nearing its end, and I hope you all like the concluding chapters.
When Georgiana Darcy crept out of her room that night, she did not think she would find anyone awake at so late an hour. Nor did she expect to find her brother and Miss Bingley arguing in the library. And she certainly did not expect to find herself so incredibly disturbed by what she heard.
No, all that the young girl had wanted was to find a book to amuse herself with, but she returned to her room shaken, all thoughts forgotten except those pertaining to what she had overheard.
Could never make an offer for anyone like Miss Elizabeth... have your sister to think of... such connections would hardly aid Georgiana... the advice she could give would certainly lead Miss Darcy into trouble...
Georgiana knew, of course, that her brother was very much in love with Elizabeth. She hadn't quite understood why he was waiting so long to propose, but she had been certain that it was only a matter of time. Even if Georgiana had not come to like the older girl very much for her own sake, she would have loved her for the happiness she had brought William.
The incident at Ramsgate had left an impact on both of them. Georgiana had become more reserved than ever, uncomfortable even in her own family's presence. She could not shake off the feeling that she had failed them all with her behaviour and things would never be the same again. And William... he had been completely devastated. He didn't say much to her, but he was no longer at ease in her company. Their interactions in Pemberley had become strained and awkward, and Georgiana had been almost relieved when he left for Netherfields. She had hoped that Mr Bingley's company would lift his spirits and when she faced him next, he would not look so sad and disappointed.
When his letters took on a more cheerful note, Georgiana was delighted that her brother was recovering from the unfortunate incident while she herself bloomed in the company of Mrs Annesley, her new companion. When they met again, Georgiana was glad to note that their relationship had improved immeasurably, and she felt that it was, in part, thanks to Miss Elizabeth. What her family or her connections were like, Georgiana barely noticed. She already thought of her as a sister. She had not thought that there could be any objections to the match.
But Caroline's words had made her reconsider. It was true, Elizabeth would not bring much to the marriage in terms of wealth, but that hardly mattered. Georgiana did not think that would damage her own prospects, and she doubted her brother cared. But would her brother care about her connections? Would he find her family unsuitable? Would he think she would be a bad influence on Georgiana?
After Ramsgate, her brother had been especially vigilant in making sure that her reputation was untarnished. He did not allow anyone in her presence unless he trusted them completely, and he did not allow her to associate with friends who had previously been acceptable if he thought their families were less than proper in any way. It had been nothing short of a miracle that he let her attend Lady Lucas's gathering, and even then he or Edward were watching her the whole time. The way the youngest two Bennet sisters tried to capture her cousin's attentions had not escaped Georgiana, and she could not imagine William would approve.
But would that keep him from marrying the young woman who, in Georgiana's opinion, was the best thing that had ever happened to him?
She did not know her brother as well as she once had, she could not be certain that Caroline's warnings would not make him reconsider his decision. If he began to have doubts about the union, Georgiana was afraid that it would all fall apart terribly quickly and William would have thrown away his best chance at happiness.
But what could she do?
Her first thought was to turn to her cousin for advice, but it was likely that once Edward decided to take matters in his own hands, he would go too far and possibly make matters uncomfortable for the couple.
The young girl barely slept that night, but when the sun rose the next morning, she thought she finally knew what she had to do. It was a very determined Georgiana that knocked on her cousin's door before breakfast.
Fortunately for her, Colonel Fitzwilliam had not slept very well that night and had been awake for hours.
"You must call on the Bennets today and take me with you", she demanded, as soon as her Edward opened the door.
"Certainly, Georgie, Bingley and Darcy..."
"And I must speak to Miss Elizabeth before my brother does", she interrupted.
"What is this about, Georgiana?", asked her cousin.
Georgiana took a deep breath before saying the words.
"I want to tell Miss Elizabeth about George Wickham."
She held her breath for a moment. Edward, as her guardian, could certainly forbid it if he thought that her confidences were likely to damage her reputation, but she hoped he believed, as she did, that their secrets would be safe with Elizabeth.
"Join me for a walk", he finally said, "and tell me what's going on in that pretty head of yours."
A/N- I must admit, I'm having a great deal of trouble with this story. My thoughts are so altered now that I find it difficult to continue writing the plot I had originally planned, but I will try to do the best I can and hope it does not disappoint the readers who have been here since the very beginning.