Chapter 11: A confession

Georgiana had a traumatic night. She slept in the early hours and woke up with a headache. She felt ashamed of her past. Miss Bingley's words had traumatized her throughout the night. She wanted to know if her brother really hated Elizabeth. She thought for a while. All his letters spoke highly of her. She saw him smile at her with affection whenever she was in their company. If he really hated her, his face would reflect his feelings. Georgiana knew that disguise of any sort was his abhorrence. Then it struck her. Miss Bingley always had her eyes on becoming Mrs Darcy, she must have sensed her brother's partiality for Elizabeth. She was spinning tales out of jealousy. She wanted to discuss this with her brother, but she was also ashamed to mention about what Miss Bingley said about Elizabeth's sisters. It would trigger painful memories again.

William might get so angry that he may send me back to London. He has had enough trouble from me. He is happy in Netherfield. I should not spoil this for him. She thought.

She decided to keep the story to herself. She wanted to have a quick walk to clear her mind. She was not accustomed to go on early morning walks, but she wanted to get some fresh air. She set out of the house and ventured into the gardens.

Oh! I miss Pemberley. How I wish we could be there? But no! Elizabeth would not be there; I like her so much.

She kept walking and was surprised to see someone ahead of her. For a moment she was scared that it might be Miss Bingley again, waiting to give her some additional information on the Bennet's. But it was not. It was Elizabeth. Georgiana was relieved and happy.

Elizabeth was surprised to see Georgiana.

"Miss Darcy, Good morning. I did not know you were an early riser? Do you like morning walks as well?"

Georgiana tried to smile and replied. "No Miss Elizabeth I do not walk much. I like to ride. But I wanted to get some fresh air today."

Elizabeth noticed Georgiana's expression. Even though she smiled, Elizabeth saw her puffy eyes and immediately understood that Georgiana was distressed in some way.

"Miss Darcy, would you like to take a stroll with me? Jane is still sleeping, and I would like to walk for some more time." Georgiana readily agreed. They walked for a few minutes.

"Miss Darcy I am sorry to intrude, but are you feeling well? I have a feeling that you look distressed."

Georgiana wanted to lie to Elizabeth. But when she looked at Elizabeth's concerned and kind face, she could not control her feelings. She sat down on a nearby bench and started sobbing. Elizabeth was alarmed.

"Miss Darcy are you well? Is something wrong? Shall I go and call your brother?", Elizabeth asked with concern kneeling down near Georgiana.

"No Miss Elizabeth please, there is no need to call William. I am alright."

She spoke in between sobs; Elizabeth was almost tempted to run back to the house and fetch Darcy. She got up and sat beside Georgiana and wrapped her hand around the sobbing girl.

Georgiana was touched.

"Miss Darcy, I know that something is distressing you. If you think you may feel better if you share it with someone, you may tell me. I know that we have known each other only for a few days. But I would like to help you if you feel comfortable talking to me."

"Oh! Miss Elizabeth even if we have known each other only for a few days, I consider you as one of my best friends. I want to tell you so many things. But I am so ashamed of my actions."

"Miss Darcy, please do not cry, whatever it is I will not judge you. I like you very much too. You may feel better if you talk to someone."

"Miss Elizabeth you will not like me once I have shared my stupid actions with you? You may even hate me and stop talking to me."

Elizabeth was shocked. What has this poor girl done to feel this way?

"Miss Darcy please stop being so hard on yourself. I have sisters of your age. Whatever you want to share with me will not make me think any less of you."

Georgiana felt grateful for Elizabeth's honesty. She realized her life would be happier with Elizabeth being part of her family.

"Miss Elizabeth what I am going to tell you is something which happened when I was in Ramsgate a few months ago. My brother thought the sea air would help with my cold and he sent me to Ramsgate for a few weeks along with my companion. He lived with us for a few days and went back to Pemberley. My companions Mrs Younge was new and I trusted her blindly."

Elizabeth listened keenly.

"After my brother left for Pemberley, I came across George during one of my walks with Mrs. Younge. George is the son of Mr. Wickham who was my fathers trusted steward for many years. I had played with him as a child and he left Pemberley many years ago after his father's death. I did not know how he came to Ramsgate, but I was happy to see him. We met him several times and Mrs. Younge allowed me to invite him to our home as well. I wrote to my brother regarding him, but I never got any replies to my letters. George called on me almost every day, and one day he proposed his love for me. Miss Elizabeth, I was so vain that I accepted him immediately. I liked him a lot, he had happy manners and looked at me lovingly. I thought it was love. I wanted to write to my brother immediately and ask for his consent. But George said William would not approve of the match as George had no money. He suggested that we elope and get married, that way William would never separate us after our wedding. I was a fool to believe everything he said." She started sobbing again.

Elizabeth comforted her. She waited patiently for Georgiana to continue.

"But I had the feeling that what I was about to do was wrong. William is such a loving brother and more like a father to me. It broke my heart to run away and betray him. Luckily for me the day before our intended elopement, William came to Ramsgate to check on me, as my letters never reached him. Apparently, Mrs Younge was scheming with Wickham and never sent my letters. I was so happy and overwhelmed to see William, that I told him the truth and begged him to approve of George. That was when William told me everything about George. George was sent away from Pemberley by William because of his misdeeds. He was not a man of good character. He had left many debts in Pemberley and had also promised marriage to many women. At first, I did not believe William. But when William confronted Mrs Younge about his letters, she told how George had planned to deceive me. He had come to Ramsgate just to gain my trust and had proposed to me to gain my dowry. Mrs Younge even told us that he had planned to abandon me later and run off with her."

Elizabeth was shocked. Good heavens, thank God Mr Darcy reached his sister on time. He must have been devastated to be betrayed by someone so close to his family. No wonder he looks so grim all the time.

"My brother was furious, he expelled Mrs Younge immediately and threatened George never to come near me again. We left Ramsgate the same day. My brother has never been the same after that incident, he blames himself for the pain I went through. It was no fault of his. He is so good; I do not deserve him. Till date, only Richard and my brother know about this."

"Miss Darcy indeed you are lucky to have such a wonderful brother. Whatever has happened has wounded you, but it has also made you strong. I am sure your brother is proud of you. It was not your fault. Somebody took advantage of your good heart; you cannot blame yourself for that."

"Miss Elizabeth do you not think ill of me?"

"No Miss Darcy, as I said before, I have three younger sisters. I understand why you acted that way. I am also proud that you trusted your brother and understood the true character of that man. Please do not worry Georgiana, Mr Darcy will never let any harm come to you."

"Can I also call you by your Christian name?"

Elizabeth did not realize that she had called Georgiana by her Christian name.

"Oh! I am sorry Miss Darcy. I must have used your Christian name without your permission."

"Oh, you need not be sorry. I would like you to call me Georgiana. Can I also call you using your Christian name?"

"Sure, you can call me "Elizabeth"."

"Can I call you "Lizzy" just like how your sister calls you?"

Elizabeth laughed. "Of course, you can Georgiana."

"Oh! I am so happy Lizzy. I never thought I will be able to call you that way till you mar…", Georgiana stumbled. She did not want to tell Elizabeth about her matchmaking ambitions.

"Till I what Georgiana?"

"Oh! It is nothing. I am just so relieved to share my burden with you."

"I will not tell this to anyone Georgiana do not worry. Please be happy and forget the past. Your brother adores you and it will pain him to see you sad."

Why would it bother me if Mr Darcy is in pain? She wondered.

Georgiana nodded happily. She felt as if a load had been lifted off her shoulders. They walked towards the house enjoying the beautiful weather.

They were excited about the visit to the book store that day. Never did they realize the very man they had spoken about in the morning was waiting for them at Meryton. Never.