Chapter Fourteen

Mr. Darcy's London home in Sloane Square was very much more opulent than her uncle's home, but Elizabeth immediately surmised there was not a lot of happiness in the house. As soon as they entered Georgiana was whisked away by the housekeeper and a maid, who soothed her rather like a young child. Elizabeth followed, but she found she wasn't really needed and she sat outside the room while Georgiana was made ready for bed. When Elizabeth was asked to join her, she found the young woman propped up in bed against the pillows. She was no longer crying, but she did look very tired.

"Thank you for coming with me. You saved me from a lecture from Fitzwilliam."

"I'm sure he only has your best interests at heart," said Elizabeth carefully, wondering why she was bothering to defend a man who had shown little politeness to herself.

"He is a good man and the kindest of brothers, but he does not understand me," said Georgiana.

"You should not worry about that now. You must rest."

"I am not sick… I… I am in love."

Elizabeth's eyes widened.

"Miss Bennet, have you ever been in love?"

Elizabeth shook her head.

"I fell in love and my brother did not approve. It hurts, it still hurts me, so very much."

Elizabeth squeezed her hand. She knew there was little she could say to comfort Georgiana, but something troubled her.

"Georgiana, how old are you?"

"I am seventeen. What does that matter?"

"It does not," said Elizabeth quickly.

Georgiana's face darkened. "Oh, so you are like Fitzwilliam. You do not think I was old enough to be in love."

Elizabeth was floundering. "I did not mean to upset you. "

Georgian removed a couple of pillows from behind her. "You can leave now. I wish to sleep."

"Very well."

Georgiana lay down with her back to Elizabeth. It seemed their discussion was at an end.

A maid guided Elizabeth downstairs. Mr. Darcy was in a small library, reading some papers. He stood up as Elizabeth was ushered into the room.

"How is Georgiana?"

"She is sleeping. Her maid is with her."

"Thank you. I am sorry to have spoiled your evening."

"It was nothing, sir…"

Mr. Darcy signalled her into a seat. Elizabeth sat, though she felt awkward with him still standing.

"Did she tell you what is distressing her?"

Elizabeth was unsure whether to tell him, but Georgiana had not forbidden it.

"Your sister is distressed, sir. She mentioned something about being in love."

"In love…. Still… This is ridiculous. She is far too young to have been in love."

"Georgiana does not believe so."

The atmosphere had suddenly grown cold. "I know my sister, Miss Bennet. I am grateful for your help this evening, but that is the end of the matter. Please do not share what she has said with anyone. I would not wish her to become the subject of gossip."

"I would never gossip about Miss Darcy, particularly when she is in such distress," said Elizabeth frostily. She had not asked to be involved. This was the man she remembered, harsh and uncompromising. She felt sorry for Georgiana.

"I will arrange for you to be taken to the Gardiners."

"Thank you," she said quietly.

Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mr. Darcy enjoyed some wine before they retired.

"So, you know Miss Bennet?" asked the colonel.

"I have only met her on three or four occasions prior to this evening," said Mr. Darcy, hoping that his cousin would not try delving further.

"She is an attractive young woman," said the colonel with a grin.

"I had not noticed. Her sister is quite a beauty."

"Oh Darcy, you must have seen it."

"Fitzwilliam, I hardly know her." He was desperate for a change in their conversation.

"And yet she was very helpful this evening?"

"Yes, it was very kind of her. Georgiana has already filled her ears with nonsense about being in love."

"Darcy. Georgiana feels it very deeply."

Mr. Darcy slammed down his goblet, spilling some of the wine onto the floor. "Fitzwilliam—Wickham is a scoundrel, you know that."

"I do… and as I have said before, that makes no difference to Georgiana."

"She is not old enough to understand these matters. I am wondering whether I should send her away for a while until she has it out of her system."

Colonel Fitzwilliam looked horrified. "Darcy, you cannot do that. If you send her away again Georgiana will believe she has done something wrong."

"And so she has. Her behaviour this evening was unsupportable. How could she have embarrassed us all in such a manner?"

"I apologised to Lord Roxborough. Darcy, it does not matter. It is Georgiana you should worry about."

Mr. Darcy didn't know what to say. He wished his father was still alive and then Georgiana would not be his responsibility. He would do his duty as he had promised his father, but there were many days when he felt as if he was failing. It was not a comfortable position to be in.

"Perhaps you should invite Miss Bennet and her aunt and uncle to dinner. It would be a kind gesture to thank her for her help," suggested the colonel.

Mr. Darcy could not help feeling irritated by his cousin. Fitzwilliam was so transparent. He knew his cousin had only been in Miss Bennet's presence for a few minutes and yet he had been struck by her looks. He was certain his cousin wanted to make a play for her.

"It is a good idea. I'm sure Georgiana will want to express her thanks," he said carefully.

He couldn't tell his cousin that he too was eager to see Miss Bennet again. He felt he had been less than gracious when thanking her for her help. What was it about Miss Bennet that he found so fascinating?

Elizabeth was still annoyed when she returned to her aunt's house. She was also worried about Georgiana. She had seen in Miss Darcy the same stubbornness that was evident in her brother. Mr. Darcy had dismissed Georgiana's feelings without any consideration. Although she had been surprised herself, she saw that, whatever this man was like, Georgiana felt very deeply for him. Foolish she might be, but the feelings were there all the same.

Her aunt and uncle were waiting for her in the drawing room when she returned.

"Lizzy. We were worried. To be kidnapped by Mr. Darcy…"

Elizabeth smiled. "I was not kidnapped. I only helped with his sister who was distressed."

"And what was the matter?"

"I am not sure. I think she simply felt unwell."

"But how odd it was they called upon you for assistance," said her uncle.

"I was a familiar face to Mr. Darcy, nothing more…"

"Lizzy, is there something you are not telling us?" teased her aunt. "Mr. Darcy is very good looking."

Elizabeth tried to hid the blush that quickly invaded her cheeks. "No, there is nothing. He is Mr. Bingley's friend, nothing more."

"That is a pity," said her aunt quietly. "And did you arrange to see him again?"

Elizabeth looked puzzled. "No, I did not. There would be no reason for us to do so. We hardly move in the same circles."

Mrs. Gardiner had her most knowing expression on her face. "You will meet again, Lizzy. I am absolutely sure of it."

Elizabeth said no more. She felt conflicted. Part of her hoped her aunt was right. As irritating as she found Mr. Darcy, there was something about him that also caught her interest.