Chapter Thirty-Three
Mr. Darcy was anxious not to leave Georgiana alone for long, so they left the promenade and returned to the hotel where Georgiana, who had been resting, was looking a great deal better.
"Did you ask her?" she asked as they came into the room.
Elizabeth looked at Mr. Darcy. She had no idea what Georgiana was talking about.
"Georgiana, you are so impatient," scolded Mr. Darcy lightly. "I have not had time."
"Elizabeth, will you be my companion again?" The words came tumbling out and Georgiana looked expectantly at Elizabeth.
Elizabeth looked from one to the other.
"It is a great deal to ask, I understand that, but there is no one that I would trust more to take care of Georgiana."
Elizabeth found it difficult to talk. "It is an honour to be asked… but…"
"Say you will do it," interrupted Georgiana.
"I cannot," said Elizabeth. "I have already planned to go home and my mother will be expecting me. I cannot disappoint them again."
"But I need you," wailed Georgiana. "Fitzwilliam…"
Elizabeth could not tell if Mr. Darcy was pleased or upset by her refusal. "Georgiana, I think we have already asked too much of Miss Bennet and if she wants to return to her family then she should."
Georgiana opened her mouth to argue but Mr. Darcy quickly continued. "I have some business to conclude. I suggest you dine before we leave. I will be back shortly."
Mr. Darcy did not explain to them where he was going and Elizabeth did not dare ask, but she was curious what business he could conduct in a place he was largely unfamiliar with.
As soon as he had gone, Georgiana turned to Elizabeth.
"Do you really have to go home?"
"Yes I do," said Elizabeth. "My family has some worries and I have been selfish to leave them all to my sister.
"Is it because of Fitzwilliam?" asked Georgiana.
Elizabeth felt her heart flutter. "What do you mean?"
"I know he has not always been as pleasant to you as he might, but he does admire you."
"That's kind of him," said Elizabeth, almost choking over the words.
"And do you admire him?" asked Georgiana.
Elizabeth wasn't quite sure what to say. "I do not know him very well."
"But you could get to know him a little better if you were my companion again."
"No… I could not," said Elizabeth firmly. "Now let us go and eat." Elizabeth did not want to talk about Mr. Darcy, especially not to his sister. She had seen a very different side to him in the last two days and she found that rather unsettling. She knew that to be in close proximity to him daily would be uncomfortable. He had made it clear that as a Bennet she was inferior in every way to the Darcys and that was something she could not overcome.
They had dined and taken a last short walk along the promenade before Mr. Darcy returned to the hotel.
"Where have you been, Fitzwilliam?" asked Georgiana.
"I went to see Mary Moser," he explained. "We left so abruptly this morning, I went to apologise."
Elizabeth hid a smile. It seemed Mr. Darcy was getting quite a lot of practice in apologising.
"I'm sorry I did not get the chance to say goodbye," said Georgiana fretfully. "She was very kind to me."
"She is also very impressed with you, Georgiana. I spent some time with her and she showed me one of your paintings."
"I wish she hadn't," said Georgiana. "I am not very good."
"Mrs. Moser believes you have the talent to exhibit your work," said Darcy.
Georgiana tapped her foot impatiently on the floor. "She flatters me. I am not good enough."
"Perhaps not yet, but she thinks you will be. She asked if you could spend the summer with her and then in the autumn attend classes with some well-known artists she is well acquainted with."
"And what did you say?" asked Georgiana.
Mr. Darcy did not reply and Georgiana's face fell.
"You said I couldn't didn't you. You said you didn't approve of my drawing and you want me to improve my playing on the pianoforte... you said…"
Elizabeth looked suspiciously at Mr. Darcy. There was something in his voice, a lightness that was unusual.
"I said that if you wanted to I would agree," said Mr. Darcy.
"You did? This is not in jest?"
"No, it's not," confirmed Mr. Darcy and Georgiana flung her arms around his neck and hugged him until he begged for mercy.
"When can I go?" she asked. "I don't have to return to London… oh please."
"I must escort Miss Bennet home and then we will make arrangements for you to move here for a few weeks."
Elizabeth interjected. "There is no need to escort me home, I can travel by stagecoach back to London."
"Indeed you will not," said Mr. Darcy. "It is not safe and I would never send you unaccompanied."
"Sir, I will have six companions. I will certainly feel safe. If I do that you can stay and settle Georgiana in her new home."
Mr. Darcy looked doubtful. "What will the Gardiners think? First I kidnap you and then I leave you to the care of some strangers on a public coach. I cannot sanction such a proposal."
Elizabeth looked desperately at Georgiana. She knew how much the younger woman wanted to stay and Elizabeth wanted Georgiana to continue her painting and drawing as soon as possible.
"Mr. Darcy, my father allowed us to travel by stagecoach down to London to visit my aunt and uncle. It is not the first time."
"But if anything was to happen to you…"
"Nothing will," said Elizabeth firmly.
"Very well," said Mr. Darcy. "As you are so intent on returning to the Gardiners you may travel alone. However, I will see you to the coach and if I find your travelling companions unsuitable you cannot go and we will all return to London together.
Elizabeth could only agree and Mr. Darcy left them while he made some arrangement.
"I owe you everything," said Georgiana. "Fitzwilliam would never have agreed I stay here if it was not for you."
"Oh yes he would, Georgiana, he only wants you to be happy."
"I know that now… but I wish… I wish you and Fitzwilliam…"
Elizabeth put a finger to her lips. "Say nothing. Promise me you will write."
"Every day," said Georgiana and Elizabeth went to find some paper so she could write down her address.
Mr. Darcy was accustomed to goodbyes when he left Pemberley, or the house in Sloane Square, or when he stayed with friends, but he had never found it more difficult to say goodbye to someone as he did Miss Bennet. His admiration for her in dealing with the situation that they found themselves in had grown hourly. Her only concern had been for his sister, despite how unconventional it was for her to have been travelling alone with him. Not once had she complained or worried about her reputation. And Georgiana loved her…
"I am going to miss you so very much," said Georgiana as they said their goodbyes.
"I will miss you too."
Mr. Darcy was envious as his sister, to his embarrassment, hugged Miss Bennet in public. Georgiana knew it was not appropriate, but she did not care. He could only bow and thank her once again.
"Do send my best wishes to the Gardiners. I will write to them tonight to explain. And perhaps we will meet some time at Netherfield."
"Perhaps," murmured Elizabeth vaguely as she was assisted onto the coach.
And Mr. Darcy and Georgiana stepped back as the other passengers took their seats and it was not long before the coach was going slowly down the street and Miss Bennet was once again disappearing from their lives.