Chapter Twelve: Mr Darcy
I sit back from my laptop looking at the screen in front of me. If she didn't hate me before this, she would now. A quick phone call to Georgiana earlier had made this all possible. She is already aware of my situation with Lizzie, she hadn't only given me her blessing, but was eager to meet her and had bravely encouraged me to tell her the truth concerning Wickham. Georgiana is away at boarding school now, safe. I don't need to worry about her. I still do. Always. Although now, I feel the need to protect someone else too. A need almost as great as the one for my sister. So back to my email.
Before I get the chance confess, I hear a car pull up outside, the party is still going on downstairs so I wonder who it could be. A taxi waited outside, I stand behind the curtain and watch Mr Collins and Charlotte make their way out and into the waiting car. I'm about to sit back down when Richard comes out holding Lizzie by the arm. He says something to her and she smiles, but it is a sad smile and as she climbs into the car, I know immediately I am doing the right thing. So I set to work.
Now moving onto the second issue I would like to get straight. Mr Wickham. This is a bit trickier to put into words, but I will try to start at the beginning. You have to understand when I showed up at your flat that night, my intention was not to lecture you or to tell you who you could or couldn't see. I wanted to save you from being used. I should have told you the truth from the beginning, but it wasn't my secret to tell. I have since contacted the person who owns it and they have given me permission to share the details with you.
I reach into my pocket and take out my wallet opening it to the picture of Georgiana. She had been through so much and had miraculously come out the other side stronger. Lately it seemed she was looking after me more than the other way around. She is so eager to see me happy and settled. When I first told her about the annoying Miss Bennet I had encountered she got a knowing look about her and was adamant she learn more about her. I had kept her in the loop with everything that had been happening at Rosings. The more I told her about Elizabeth, the less annoyed I sounded and the more enthralled. Georgiana hadn't asked me out right about my feelings for Lizzie she never would, she is patient and would let me tell her in my own time, that had made tonight's decision so hard. Having to ask her to disclose personal details of a traumatic experience we have both worked so hard for her to forget, for the benefit of someone who I have never admitting having real feelings for was difficult. The fact that Georgie had been so willing when she discovered the real reason for me wanting to share her private history, is just another example of how kind and good my sister is. Her only wish in exchange for full disclosure was that one day she should get to meet Lizzie for herself. I run my thumb over her smiling face and feel bad that I had cheated her, it was no price to pay, for that was one of my strongest wishes too. I stretch out my fingers and begin typing once more.
Wickham and I met as children through our Fathers working together and a strong friendship progressed. In time his parents passed away. Alive they had been close friends of my mother and father. Despite any difference in social class, they got on well. We were close, like brothers. When my mother passed away, closer still. My father took George under his wing and treated him like a son, like me, He was really the brother I had never had. We were both sent off to university and later law school, both financed by my father. Just after I passed the bar, my own father died. Wickham was left an annual allowance of twenty thousand pounds by my father. This was to be in addition to the salary he would earning at Rosings as a junior partner. However, it seemed this wasn't enough.
My 'brother,' changed overnight. He demanded a senior partnership, I explained this was not possible. That Lady Catherine alone had that power. He then requested the whole of his allowance up front at once. A sum of over a million pounds. Despite this being against my father's wishes, I paid it him. It was quickly spent, on poor investments, gambling and women. He came back for more and I refused to give it. Thus dissolving what was left of our friendship. Never the less, he still came to Rosings as a junior partner and I believed that was that.
About six months later I returned home early one evening to find my baby sister, Georgiana, going through my fathers - my - study, looking for something. She was taken by surprise at my unexpected presence and blurted out she was looking for her passport and bank account information. When I pressed her for a reason why, she broke down and told me the story of how Wickham and her had been secretly seeing each other for a while now. They were lovers. She had gotten pregnant and he was taking her away to marry her. They would have nothing to live on as Wickham would have to leave Rosings, so they were to use her inheritance. She was fifteen.
I immediately took charge, assuring Georgiana that she was going nowhere and that I would take care of her, and if she chose to go ahead with the pregnancy, the baby too. Above all it would be her choice, she would not be forced into a decision either way. I contacted Wickham and told him of Georgiana confession, that I knew everything. I told him that if he didn't stay away I would be contacting the police. She was under age and pregnant. He never came for her, and we didn't see him again for a long time. Georgiana was devastated at the shame she had brought on our family. So much so that… she lost the baby. We took it as a sign, a fresh start. After recovering at Pemberley - our family home, she went to a boarding school on the coast where she is currently about to sit her A levels before moving on to University. I placed her out of his clutches, where I could keep an eye on her without being so over bearing it prevented her from a having a normal life.
As for Mr Wickham, I can imagine what you are thinking. Why is he walking around bold as brass at Rosings Park instead of rotting in a police cell somewhere? Well Lady Catherine doesn't like scandal of any kind, especially where her beloved Rosings Park is concerned. The family knew of the relationship. Wickham informed Lady Catherine himself and told her he wished to remain at Rosings. When pressured Georgiana confessed she wouldn't go to the police as the relationship had be consensual. Catherine wouldn't fire him for fear of a wrongful dismissal suit. So here he remains. He stays out of my way, I stay out of his. He doesn't know where Georgiana is, nor has he ever tried to find her. She has finally got her life back.
I realise all this is only my side of the story and you could choose to believe it or not. Richard Fitzwilliam as co guardian to Georgiana, was witness to most of it, except the knowledge of the baby, only myself and Georgiana knew of its existence, and now you. If pushed Georgiana would confirm my story. I hope in my heart you wouldn't need to, but I'd understand if you did. I shall be absent from the office over the next few weeks, this is no fault of yours or anything to do with me writing this email. I have some business to attend to, and then Georgiana will return home from school and I wish to spend time with her. I do hope we remain, or become friends, Lizzie. Especially as now it seems our paths are fated to meet, your sister and my best friend together after all. It would be better for all if we can at least be civil to each other.
I end the email, read it through once and hit send before I can change my mind. I add a read receipt so I would know the second she read it. I am in the bathroom preparing for bed when I hear the laptop chime. She had read it, or is reading it. I suddenly feel a weight I didn't know I had been carrying, lift from my shoulders. Thanks to my baby sister, Lizzie will finally know the truth about Wickham and she will be able to keep away from him.
I don't hear back from her. I hadn't expected to. The next day I leave my Aunts and head back to my penthouse in the city ready for a new year and hopefully a new start. Lizzie is always at the front of my mind but I couldn't afford to rush this. I need to give her the space to process what I had told her and then to react. The day Charlie came home I had expected her to confront me and find myself overwhelmingly grateful when she doesn't. In truth I didn't know if I was ready to face her just yet. The next three months passed exactly as planned. Once a break in the big case comes, I start planning my next course of action. As previously thought, I don't see much of Lizzie in the office. I stay on our floor for the majority. The odd smile in passing or a nod in a meeting. I still don't want to talk to her, not yet, not until I know what I'm going to do. Caroline has backed off too finally. Charlie's return seemed to not go down too well with her. The fact I was part of the reconciliation, that happened almost immediately between him and Jane, didn't place me in good stead. I have never been more relived. Charlie has never looked happier, everything is going well. I am proud to have been part of that. Lizzie seems brighter too. I often catch her sharing a coffee with Charlie, laughing together, its strange how there is no feeling of jealousy when I see them. Like I have already accepted them as brother and sister - no more.
Finally March comes and with it the time to put my plans into action. Lizzie had left yesterday, she is to meet her aunt and uncle today at her flat and travel with them to Derbyshire tomorrow. I had learnt most of this from Charlie, my unknowing spy. I even have the name of the village where they would be staying first. I had been concerned he may let slip my interest in the place but thankfully it didn't come up. I am not stalking her - not like that anyway. It just so happens that one of the most beautiful estates in Derbyshire is Pemberley - my family home. I now share it with Georgiana, and this is where we would be staying when she returns from school next week. However, in the meantime, if I happen to bump into Elizabeth and her party while out and about - who knows?
My plan works perfectly. Three days after I arrive at Pemberley I am out in the village looking for Elizabeth when I see her across the street. She's with her aunt looking at a display in a shop window. I can't help myself. I cross the road already thinking of ten different reasons for why I would be here. In the end it is her who literally bumps into me. She looks at me with such shock, like I am the last person in the world she expects to see.
"Mr Darcy! W-what are you doing here?" She takes a step back looking wildly around her as if for an explanation of my appearance.
"Miss Bennet. What a pleasure it is to bump into you here." I say. She narrows her eyes scowling at me. Time to try and ease the tension. "Funny story." I begin, trying to smile innocently. "I may or may not have omitted to tell you that I do in fact live in Derbyshire and spend most of my free time here. Especially when my sister is home from school." I wait with baited breath ready for her reaction. She stares at me a moment more and then shakes her head. I swear I catch a smile. I gesture towards her aunt. "Aren't you going to introduce us?" Lizzie physically jumps as if suddenly aware of her aunt's presence.
"Yes of course. Mr Darcy this is my aunt Mrs Gardner. Her and my Uncle own the flat I'm staying in. Aunty this is Mr Darcy, he is one of the senior partners at Rosings. Lady Catherine's nephew." I shake hands with her aunt.
"Please call me Nick. So are you all enjoying Derbyshire?"
Her aunt smiles back at me and her eyes light up at the mention of Derbyshire. "Oh yes Nick, it's just how I remembered it. I lived here before I married. In a little village called Lambton. I don't know if know it?"
"Lambton yes I do indeed! I spent a lot of my youth having to be rescued from a tall tree that stands on the green there." I chuckle genuinely at the memory. Mrs Gardner laughs too.
"Yes I know the one. Where then are you from Mr Darcy?" she enquires kindly. I shuffle my feet uncomfortably. I never felt so awkward explaining my wealth.
"Pemberley Mrs Gardner. My Father's estate of Pemberley passed to my sister and me upon his death. Although I am not there as often as I wish." The look of recognition draws on her face, she knows the estate, knows who I am.
"Pemberley! Yes I … I know it well." She glances at a bemused Lizzie. "It is a beautiful place. I haven't seen it since I was much younger." She gushes. Suddenly an idea strikes me.
"You must come, come and see the house. Its open for visitors during the day, but you can come by one evening for dinner and have a proper look round, a behind the scenes tour if you will?" I offer. Elizabeth is stood with her mouth open, eyes wide. She obviously has no idea quite how big an estate Pemberley is. We have open days for the public to help fund the running costs of the estate. But the majority of the house is off limits to the public so we can still enjoy our home. I could think of nothing I would like more than to have Lizzie in my home. I look directly at her, "please?"
She looks at her aunt who is nodding eagerly, "yes," she stutters before straightening her back and speaking more clearly. "That is, yes Mr Darcy we would be delighted to join you for dinner at Pemberley." She breathes out and then smiles.
"Great! Well how about tomorrow evening?" I try not to sound too desperate. Lizzie nods. "And Elizabeth, we're not in the office now, please call me Nick." I hold my breath awaiting her acceptance of our new informal arrangement.
She smiles again and holds out her hand. "Nick, pleased to meet you, I'm Lizzie." She had never actually told me I could call her Lizzie before now, although I referred to her as much in my own mind and to Georgiana I had never actually had the pleasure of being that intimate with her. I take her hand in mine and there is that feeling all over again like it belongs there. I walk away from them barely controlling my urge to jump in the air and shout 'Yes!'
Before I know it, it is tomorrow evening. I have made sure the house appears stunning while still holding on to a homely feel. I don't want her to be too intimidated. The bell rings and so it begins. I am introduced to Mr Edward Gardner and take an instant liking to him. We chat about the estate and different places they are due to visit. All the while Lizzie is wandering round taking in every part of the house. I can't tell if she likes it or not, she is giving nothing away. After dinner my guests retire to the library while I go to arrange drinks. A commotion coming from the hallway brings me from the kitchen. Georgiana has obviously arrived early. She is stood in the hallway surrounded by bags, apparently looking for change for the taxi driver, while Lizzie rifles through her own purse looking for money. They are both laughing. I hang back just observing the scene before me. The women who mean most to me, finally meeting.
"Oh Lizzie, I so sorry to have met you like this, it was not what I intended, what must you think of me? Goodness knows what the driver must have thought of me asking to be brought to a grand estate like Pemberley and then having no money for the fare! I'm such a dizzy blonde, sometimes it scares me how I get from one place to another." Georgiana is rambling, a family trait it would seem especially when we are nervous, especially where Lizzie is concerned. Lizzie hands her some money and Georgie goes out to pay the driver. She's smiling when Georgiana returns. "So Lizzie, what do you think of the old place then?" My sister asks. I hold my breath, this is it.