Chapter 45

Which is totally true. After dancing with Mr Manners for quite some time, they have so much to talk about, and he is such a good dancer, he rather upsets her, just when they are about to part to dance with someone else for a change.

As Wickham approaches casually, obviously to ask her to dance with him, Mr Manners whispers, 'You're not going to dance with him, are you, after what he did to you?'

That is such a shock, how could he know? She cannot imagine her brother or Elizabeth talking, and Jane is discretion itself, there is no way she'd have told Mr Manners. No-one else knows.

'I'm sorry, Miss Darcy, I've upset you. Will you please forgive my indiscretion, and my jealous remark? I really care for you, but I have no right to patronize you, please forgive me.'

He does look very repentant, and he is so charming, what can Georgiana do but tell him he is forgiven, and save the puzzle of how he knew for later? For now, she is going to dance, and certainly not with Wickham, but not because he still has power over her, but because she wants to dance with her brother, indeed the handsomest man of them all.

She looks around to find him, only to see Mr Grenfell come straight at her from the opposite side of where Wickham is nearing. This cannot be happening! She is planning to amuse herself at this celebration, and now she is dodging mercenaries from the past and the present?

Choosing instantly, she faces Wickham with a smile, and he bows and offers his hand, undoubtedly expecting to surprise her, but finding her ready and even eager to dance with him instead.

He is a very able dancer, not as strong a lead as Mr Manners, but good enough, and he is saving her from Mr Grenfell.

'Miss Darcy, Georgiana, thank you for honouring me with a dance. I always knew you'd turn out incredibly well eventually, your mother was stunningly beautiful, and I suppose even Lady Catherine had her days of being the belle of the ball.'

He is good at flattery, she has to admit, but she's not letting him off the hook so easily.

'So you dared take the chance of eloping with a gangly, skinny girl, expecting her to bloom in a few years?'

He probably did not expect her to be so frank, but Georgiana has learned a lot from Elizabeth, and never before have those pert remarks come to her so easily. She really has grown, but not just in beauty.

Her quick thinking and frank demeanour have surprised him, but only for a few seconds, after which he replies readily, with his usual captivating softness, and even some remorse.

'You must hate me for what I did, but you know I would have been a good husband to you, I did feel a certain love for you. And you certainly loved me.'

Georgiana is surprisingly calm as she formulates her own thoughts, and tells him exactly what months of contemplation have made her realise. For once, she is able to say exactly what she wants to.

'For a few years you would have treated me like a princess, George, until you had spent all my money. Then you would have complained to my brother and asked for more.

And you know as well as I do that I didn't love you like that, but merely as a brother, a love you perverted into something that suited you.

I have never known love like you refer to, I see it before me every day in Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth, and it is a love I hope to feel one day, in all its depth and intensity, but I'm sure I never have, yet. For so far I merely love Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth, as my brother and sister, as I once loved you.'

Such a good feeling, such relief to have given him a piece of her mind! He feels it, too, somehow mentioning love and her brother and Elizabeth in one sentence hurts Wickham. Good, he deserves it.

'So you don't love this Manners character either, that plainly dressed plain man? I bet his motives aren't much nobler than mine were, though his father undoubtedly had an estate to leave him, or he wouldn't receive such a welcome from your brother.

Nobody could ever love a man that plain, he could at least spend some energy on looking as good as he can.'

'You are right, I don't love him, though I don't find his plainness as insulting as you clearly find it. There was a time when I was decidedly homely myself, as you were good enough to not quite point out just now, and I still remember the feeling well. In fact, I still feel like the plain little mouse I used to be, except I never was little but rather tall and gangly, my beauty still surprises me when I look in a mirror.

So I don't feel too good for a plain looking man, especially not a kind and truly gentleman-like character like Mr Manners.'

Now Wickham seems to have a change of heart, and he softly says, 'Let's not quarrel, Georgie, for old time's sake. I have no right to comment on a good man's looks, nor can I claim to be a better man.

But may I give you just one little warning, as one scoundrel recognising another? You know I'm in the army now, and I've gained quite a lot of insight in the baser aspects of humanity there. And elsewhere before that, you may want to ask your brother about it some time, it has to do with your father, who used to be my friend.

This is it, my piece of advice: beware of that Grenfell type. He eyes you like an eagle eyes a mouse hiding in the grass.

Oh, you've noticed already, I can see it all over your face, you have grown indeed. Small wonder you can face me and confront me just like that. Heed your feelings, Georgie, they are not exaggerating, they speak true.

Now go dance with your brother, he's coming to save you from me.

No wait, is he saving you from that Grenfell fellow instead? I'm almost flattered.'

And he bows and moves away elegantly, but not before handing her to Fitzwilliam in person, not a single chance for another man, no matter how determined, to step in.

Darcy has indeed come to save his sister from Grenfell, not from Wickham. From where he was sitting he could see his sister in conversation with Wickham, and to a keen observer like himself it was clear his sister was not in need of rescue, but rather the opposite. This was a good experience for her.

But as the dance draws to a close, Grenfell starts to get alert, he seems to be watching all the couples, but his intentions are clear, and Darcy excuses himself to the Gardiners and marches straight for his sister.

Wickham hands her to him as if to prevent anyone else from stepping in, and Darcy shows his gratitude with a nod to the man he still hates, but will be forced to meet time and time again since they are related by marriage. Still, seeing Georgie handle him has settled his feelings a lot, as well as observing him with Lydia, who is a constant source of irritation to her husband.

Georgie's hand in his, she tells him how her dance with Wickham went about, still amazed at her own ability to tell him exactly what she wanted to, and to retort so sharply whenever he said something that irritated her.

But she is obviously very happy to dance with him, it must have been tiring to be on guard all the time, better see to Grenfell soon, Mr Manners has been invited, there is nothing to gain from pursuing Georgiana any longer.

'Georgie, I've invited Mr Manners over for Christmas, and he was happy to accept.'

Her smile is genuine, but still she needs to know he doesn't expect more from her than just to enjoy their new friend's visit.

'Elizabeth warned me you might feel obliged to consider him as a husband, because he is so suitable a gentleman. But Georgie, please believe me there will be no pressure from me for you to marry him or anyone else until you want to yourself.

No matter how pleasant a man he may be, if you don't love him, don't marry him. I do think I have made the only right choice to ensure lasting happiness, Georgie, marrying someone I can really love and admire. All the worry and heartbreak were worth it, truly, please follow my example and do not marry for expedience.'

His sister is seriously affected by what he says, and she squeezes his hand thankfully.

'That is so sweet, Fitzwilliam, thank you so much for supporting me like that. Any man that wants to win my affection will have to measure up to you, which will be quite an uphill battle I'm afraid.

Don't worry, just relieve me from Mr Grenfell's attentions, and I'll flirt with every single man in the room without caring for a single one.

As Elizabeth said, the penniless girls go first, so Kitty and Maria get to marry before me.'

He cannot help smiling fondly, she has learned so much from Elizabeth, they both have. Thinking of his beloved, his eyes naturally seek her out, she is on the dance-floor with Wickham, and Darcy doesn't like what he sees at all.

Though Elizabeth is keeping an appropriate distance from her brother-in-law, Wickham himself is obviously allowing himself feelings towards her that would be indecent even if they were both free. But they aren't, they're even related by marriage, and still Wickham allows his admiration for Elizabeth to show. Very clearly.

'He looks smitten, Fitzwilliam,' Georgie observes with the frankness of youth.

'Your triumph is complete.'

Your what? What is she talking about, he wants that man's hands off his wife!

His feet automatically follow the moves of the dance, but his mind is somewhere else entirely.

'Brother!'

'I'm sorry, Georgie, I'll concentrate on the dance, I hope I didn't step on your toes.'

'You didn't, Fitzwilliam, I called out because you need to see what is really happening, between Elizabeth and Wickham. He obviously admires her, and she doesn't care three straws about him, she loves you like no woman ever loved her husband. She's yours, brother, she's dancing with Wickham because she feels sorry for him.'

'Actually, she has to convince him not to urge Lydia to take ergot. You're right, I'm just not altogether answerable where Wickham is concerned. I admire you for not feeling vindictive towards him, I cannot seem to control myself where George Wickham is concerned.'

Georgie is trying to catch his attention.

'Fitzwilliam, what is ergot? What is going on? And by the way, I did feel vindictive, and it allowed me to finally be as sharp as I always wanted to be. Miss Bingley beware, from now on.'

Oh, Georgie, how could anyone not love her to bits?

'Ergot is a poison that can grow on wheat, sometimes killing whole villages with poisoned bread. In small, controlled dosages it can cause an unborn child to be driven from the mother. Lydia is with child, Georgie, and Wickham wants her to get rid of it, because she's too young to care for it.'

'That is criminal, Fitzwilliam! How could he? A tiny baby?'

'Imagine a tiny helpless baby in Lydia's hands, Georgie. I imagine he means well, but it is a great sin to take any life, and endanger his wife's into the bargain. Don't worry, Elizabeth will talk him out of it, he can hire a nurse to help his wife care for the child. And don't tell anyone, it would devastate her sisters if they heard it, and bring shame on the family if anyone else did.'

'Of course I won't, but I'll be nice to Lydia, even if she says insulting things. I'll not try my newly found pertness on her.'

After that, they dance one more dance together in silence, and when that is through, and Mr Grenfell comes forward to claim Georgiana, Darcy intercepts him, putting a hand on the other man's shoulder, leading him to the side of the dance-floor for a man-to-man talk.

Georgiana looks for Kitty, and they fetch drinks giggling and joking, then go back to the dance-floor, where they dance with Mr Gardiner, Mr Bennet, and several of Bingley's friends in turns.

As she is dancing with Wickham, Elizabeth is not unaware of his admiration, which in fact doesn't make her feel flattered at all, but rather put out. He never had serious intentions towards her, so why pretend to regret her now? It almost reeks of manipulation, some scheme to sow dissent between Fitzwilliam and herself. Better put an end to it and talk of things that matter.

'I talked to Lydia just now, brother, and she told me she was expecting.'

Resignation, rather than startlement or displeasure. At least the look of adulation is wiped off his face instantly.

'I wondered whom I'd have to face about this. I'm glad it's you. I was afraid it would be Mrs Bingley, she'd look at me with such deep disappointment, I'd rather it's you, I suppose I can't sink any deeper in your esteem, anyway.

Don't you think it shows a vestige of intelligence, to choose you as a confidante? Maybe my beloved wife isn't doomed to perpetual ignorance after all.'

'If you give her the time to gain information, Mr Wickham, instead of trying to kill her together with your son or daughter.'

'Ouch, Mrs Darcy, that does hurt after all. My God you know how to bring a man down even lower! Can't you see I'm already grovelling at your feet?

I have nothing to say in my defence, Elizabeth, I panicked and hoped to be able to make my problem go away. So strike me down now, you look like a Greek goddess anyway in that amazing dress, lift your divine arm and blast me to your heathen Hell, to be devoured by your two-headed hound Cerberus.'

Elizabeth is sure she does look at him as if he is mad, but admittedly with a little admiration for his eloquence. He is indeed wasted on Lydia, but that is one of many bad choices in life he has made himself.

'Frankly, I hoped I had managed to talk some sense in you yesterday, without even knowing the relevance of what I said.

Dear brother, I know this must seem like the end of the world to you, but you are right, there does seem to be a little spark of hope for my sister, she does seem to think more than she ever did. Apparently her friends at the camp try to inform her, and sometimes, she even listens.

Did she tell you she's deadly afraid of losing you to a French bullet, or some Hessian bayonet? That she desperately wants this baby to remind her of you in case the love of her life is killed abroad?'

That sure makes an impression, though Wickham tries to hide his feelings by being a little too clever.

'If Lydia knows what a Hessian is, I'll eat one of their fancy hats. Though it's hard to take heart from your wife finally understanding the risk of wearing one of those smart red coats, you are right. You have talked some sense and some hope for the future in me, and there will be no mention of certain substances in our household again.

Let her have her little George, or her little Lizzy, for you have truly given me hope I may find a glimmer of understanding in my daughters and sons, by reminding me you have the same mother as my wife. I'll see how far the influence of her friends goes, and if necessary I'll hire a superior servant to save the child.

Will you promise me one thing, my dear sister?'

Elizabeth must have shown her distrust clearly, for he smiles regretfully.

'I hope with all my heart your help will not be needed, Elizabeth, and I know it is a lot to ask. But should I fall on some foreign field, or even succumb to a mere fever, will you keep an eye on my children? With myself removed, Fitzwilliam will not mind looking after his nieces or nephews, I guess, he has ever been magnanimous like his beloved father.

Will you save my children, there will doubtlessly be several for I suppose our union will be as fruitful as your parents', from deprivations, especially those of the mental kind? Will you see to it that they are educated to their potential, and taught morals?'

As they follow the other couples through the merry dance, Elizabeth has to swallow firmly to lose the emotion blocking her throat. No matter what Wickham did, he may very well face a painful death on the battlefield one day, and his children cannot help their father's behaviour.

Besides, Fitzwilliam suggested as much after their visit to Longbourn yesterday, imagining a little Elizabeth or a little Jane among Lydia's children. There is no reason not to promise Wickham to look out for his future offspring, it is something they would do anyway.

'You may rest assured we will, Wickham, in fact Fitzwilliam already suggested as much when we rode back to Netherfield yesterday afternoon. Congratulations, my dear brother, you're going to be a father!'

Somehow, Elizabeth is not surprised that Wickham shows little enthusiasm at the prospect, but that is just too bad: babies are a logical consequence of what happens in the bedroom, and they don't wait for their parents' approval any more than their aunt's.

They finish that dance in reasonable spirits, Elizabeth planning to sit a few out with her father and the Gardiners, but she does not get the opportunity, for Mr Hurst applies for her hand next, and she stands up with him immediately.

Still a bit out of sorts at the idea of Lydia being with child, she is uncharacteristically silent, but Mr Hurst never even notices, for he is uncharacteristically talkative.

'Thank you for dancing with me, Mrs Darcy, I was a bit shy to ask since you look like a goddess today.

I mean, your dress and everything, I've never seen anything like it, it's so beautiful and regal. Mrs Hurst can say all she likes, about your certainly embracing London fashion, and a person taking it too far for a country-wedding, trying to outshine the bride, but I say, when you know the bride is Mrs Jane Bingley, you may shine as much as you like, for she will certainly draw most of the attention anyway.

But Mrs Darcy, I'll admit I'm quite an admirer of yours, I always understood Darcy perfectly, going after you until he finally got you, such spunk, such fire, and look how happy you both are. Well done, I say, a smart chap Darcy is, always was, ignoring Caroline and going for true excellence as soon as he met with it.'

So many words from this man, Elizabeth has never heard him speak over one sentence at a time, except for a few days ago, when he asked her to dance.

'Thank you Mr Hurst. How long have you been married yourself?'

'I think it's been five years, but it seems forever! I'm glad Bingley has finally married, and has such entertaining friends, it'll bring some life back into our boring existence.

Between us, Mrs Darcy, what do you think of Grenfell, do you think he's such a catch as would make Caroline happy?'

Trying to be diplomatic, for Elizabeth doesn't believe in 'between us' until proven beyond a doubt, she thinks of what to say, then observes, 'Well, he's certainly a very handsome man, and his prospects are just what they ought to be.'

'Very good, Mrs Darcy, excellent! You'll survive among Darcy's stuck-up relatives no problem!

Now tell me you don't find Grenfell a self-congratulating, acquisitive pig. And mind you, I know you quite well by now, I hear a lot more than people give me credit for, and anytime I seem asleep, I may actually be thinking deeply on some subject or other.'

He is being funny! But how to answer him with enough candour to satisfy him, and still not give him any food for gossip?

At that very moment, Elizabeth starts to realise the position poor Fanny is in, she knows things that will make an impact on her peers, but has to be silent to please people who consider themselves way above her. Elizabeth does believe she herself gives her maid enough support and respect to keep her loyal, but frankly that is not enough.

But now, Mr Hurst needs an answer, and a subtle one.

'All right Mr Hurst, you win. I cannot deny the exact thought having crossed my mind.'

'I suppose you are protecting Miss Darcy from his eager grasp, I saw Darcy talking to the fellow just now and when they had parted with the usual politeness, Mr Grenfell scowled dark enough to guess what he'd heard from your husband.

And I guess Manners will do his part for your sister-in-law, don't mistake him by the way, I know of him, he's not as soft and obliging as he seems, there is a core of iron in that fellow. I wish Caroline could look beyond the outer layer, for I'd much prefer to have Manners in our circle.

But since she doesn't, and she won't meet the real Grenfell until the day after the wedding, I wish I could speak as frankly to her as I dare to you. The guy is bad news, and I have no clue how to protect my sister.'

That is almost endearing, Mr Hurt worrying about his sister-in-law.

'Maybe she'll come to her senses, Mr Hurst, they're not married, yet.'

'That is all we can hope for, or maybe he will show his true colours before she's too stuck on him.'

With that, they part, Elizabeth almost stunned to have the indolent Mr Hurst talk so freely to her.