"Her cuts are healing well, sir, and she's woken up long enough to eat a little a few times. I'd still like to get her in the bath, but it will wait. She's still having nightmares, though."
Darcy nodded. "I expect that's normal. She's been through a lot," he said, looking thoughtfully at his sister. He looked up at Jane. She looked a little pale, and she wouldn't be good for anything if she fainted. "Is there anything you need?" he asked shortly.
She shook her head. "I'm fine. Just a little hungry."
"Go ahead and eat something, then. I'll sit with my sister."
Jane nodded. "Thank you. I won't be long." She got up and headed towards the door. "Mr. Darcy?" she asked, looking back at him.
"Yes?"
"Your sister has mentioned someone named Violet a few times. I...is that someone you know?"
He frowned thoughtfully. "I don't believe so. I imagine she has school friends I haven't met, of course, but I don't think she's mentioned a Violet. Did she say anything else about her?"
Jane shook her head. "Not really. She just says 'I'm sorry, Violet.' She calls for help sometimes, asking for you or your parents or for George."
Darcy's face went blank at the mention of his parents. "Thank you for letting me know," he said, and turned away to watch his sister.
Lizzie was passing the drugstore, book in hand, when she head a familiar voice. "Hey, doll, didn't expect to see you here," said Wickham, pushing himself away from the wall to touch her arm.
Lizzie looked up at him. The bruises were still there, but they looked less puffy and were even beginning to fade a bit. "I thought you were heading back to New York," she said, startled.
He grinned at her. "Well, I was, but I thought what a shame it would be to leave a nice skirt like you behind. Besides, we aren't far from the city, so a few more contacts in this town might be useful."
"You do know that Darcy is still around, don't you? I had to put up with him all morning at the library."
"He didn't start anything, did he?" Wickham asked, stepping closer and taking her hand.
"No, he stared at me some, but I won't get screwy over that. I'm just worried about you."
"Oh, don't worry about me," Wickham replied, placing her hand on his arm as he turned to walk with her, "If Darcy wants to make some sockdollager of things, that's his problem. I won't mind him."
"That's very sensible of you. I do wish my sister wasn't working for his friend, though."
"Well, with his friend there I expect he'll stay on the level. What's Jane doing for his friend?"
"I don't know, she won't tell me. He's hired her for a week or two, to do some nursing work."
"Well, that's a bit odd. If you want me to stay around town, I will. I don't mind pretending to be a drugstore cowboy for a while if it means I can be on hand when I'm needed."
"I must admit, that might be comforting. But I don't want you to stay if it will cause trouble for you. I know what it is to be short on scratch," she said, smiling up at him.
"No bother at all, doll. I'll stay a bit. Might even crash a blow or two. You want to come? It's more fun to crash with a sheba along."
Darcy stroked his sister's hair as she slept. Jane had washed it and combed it, and it was good to see it shiny and clean again. He wished his parents were here, to help Georgiana heal and make the nightmares go away. Now it was his job, and he couldn't always protect her. His mother would have known what to do.
Of course, if his parents were still alive, George would no doubt still be hanging around the theater. Maybe if he'd had ready access to Georgiana he wouldn't have stolen her like this. He'd be bleeding her dry either way, of course, but maybe it would be better...he shook his head. There was no point in dwelling on it. He wanted George out of his life and out of his sister's life. Maybe that had made George angry, and maybe the anger made his behavior worse, but George was no good for anybody, and Darcy knew it. He'd just have to do a better job of keeping Georgiana safe. At least now she'd know he wasn't to be trusted. Let George find someone else to hang on. If Darcy ever had to deal with George again, it would be too soon.
Georgiana stirred, and her eyes opened. She focused on her brother's face, but then her gaze wandered across the room.
"You're awake," Darcy said, smiling down at her.
Georgiana grunted her agreement.
"I'm glad. You've been asleep a long time. Are you feeling better?"
Georgiana sighed. "I suppose," she said, still gazing blankly at the ceiling.
"You're at the house Charlie has rented for a few weeks. Did I tell you he was going out of town? It's a little town called Meryton. Not much to recommend it, but I suppose it'll do. I'll take you home as soon as we can travel without the press suspecting anything. You'll feel better once you're back at home, I'm sure," Darcy said, taking her hand.
"Doesn't matter," Georgiana said.
"I suppose that's true, as long as you stay in bed. I checked with Caroline, and she assures me that she chose the linens herself. I've mostly been avoiding her, but at least she knows how to provide for her guests. I told her you have measles, by the way, so she won't be visiting."
Georgiana smiled briefly.
"But soon you'll feel better, and then we'll head back to the city and see a show or two and life will go back to normal," Darcy continued, "You'll practice your music and I'll find a new play to put on and we'll forget this ever happened."
Georgiana closed her eyes, apparently deciding to go back to sleep. "See, Violet, I told you so," she mumbled, and then she was silent.
