Darcy stood as soon as the room had emptied that little bit. Making a mental note to thank his cousin profusely later for Richard's sacrifice – after all, Mrs Bennet was not, perhaps, all bad, but Darcy doubted he would ever choose to spend time with her – he found his feet treading pathways into the carpet before he truly found the sense to stop.
"Come on, Darcy," Bingley's warm tones came with such a companionable feel that Darcy couldn't help the small smile that forced its way onto his face. "Spit it out. There is no need for such hesitation and drama around friends."
Trust Charles to see right through any pretence Darcy might have thought to hide behind. Still, he gave a curt nod to his friend and sat himself down upon a chair.
"First, may I reinforce that everything I now relate is to be held with the utmost discretion?"
Georgiana could tell simply from her brother's attitude that he hardly felt he needed to make such a statement. It was a unique situation though – they were Darcys, and a Darcy did not spread their troubles around. And here they were broadcasting it to the two eldest Bennets and Mr Bingley.
"What I have to say concerns Mr Wickham," Georgiana was glad she managed to hold absolutely still as her brother pronounced the name. "And I must beg your indulgence to allow me to finish before you interrupt – as I suppose you may have questions."
There were solemn nods from all of the other three, and even Georgiana couldn't help but notice the way all of them had moved forwards as though that would help them hear every word that her brother might say.
"Mr Wickham is the son of a very respectable man, who had for many years the management of all the Pemberley estates, and whose good conduct in the discharge of his trust naturally inclined my father to be of service to him;" Georgiana wished she could see a way to make her brother more comfortable, he was speaking so slowly and almost awkwardly. His discomfort was clear. Georgiana managed to meet his eyes and gave him a small smile hoping that it might help him in some indefinable way. "My father was Mr Wickham's godfather, and as such was liberal in his generosity – supporting him at school and afterwards at Cambridge – giving him opportunities that late Mr Wickham would never have been able to afford. Mr Wickham was always charming and engaging around my father, and as such he had the highest opinion of him – hoping that the church would become his profession."
There was another pause this time slightly longer. Georgiana could see her brother floundering for a second. She supposed in a way she had always had this easier than her brother. She had always known George of course, but when she was little he had always been so much older and she had adored him – but she would never have considered his actions then as a betrayal to her. This part of the story, at least, she could have related with relative equanimity.
"I had long begun to think of him in a different manner." The words were clipped almost cold – Georgie knew of course that that was only due to his own struggle to relate the story, but she worried still for the opinions of the Bennet sisters (For Mr Bingley, at least, should have known her brother well enough to realise). "His want of principles had begun almost as soon as we were sent away to school, and with time they could only get worse. From my father, and almost all the others who dwelt at Pemberley, this was kept an utter secret – but he could not, and more did not, attempt to hide it from myself, since I was so near to him in age and spent so much time moving in similar circles to him. I wish now that I might have had the courage to tell my father then – that perhaps he might have succeeded in correcting Mr Wickham where I could not. But I did not - I did not wish to add to my father's burdens which were already great, nor could I be entirely sure that my tale would be believed."
Georgiana cast a glance at Miss Elizabeth, and couldn't help but notice how soft her expression had become – as though she were truly empathetic towards her brother's plight. She felt a small fluttering of joy. Surely that must bode well?
"My excellent father died about five years ago – and his attachment to Mr Wickham was so steady to the last that in his will he particularly recommended to promote his advancement in the best manner that his profession might allow – and if he took orders, desired that a valuable family living might be made available to him as soon as it became vacant." Miss Elizabeth's gasp at this point was so loud that Georgiana hardly knew how to respond. Her brother on the other hand just seemed to almost deflate slightly and his eyes fell further down towards the ground. "There was also a legacy of one thousand pounds. His father barely outlived mine, and within half a year, Mr Wickham wrote to inform me that he wished for some immediate pecuniary advantage since he had decided against taking orders. He claimed that he wished to study the law and more hoping rather than believing him to be telling the truth I gave him three thousand pounds – and all connection seemed to dissolve. I thought too ill of him to invite him to Pemberley or see him in town, where I believe he primarily lived."
Mr Darcy looked up again, and Elizabeth was surprised to see him searching her features for a fraction of a second – as though her opinion should matter. Considering the way in which she had treated him, she could hardly imagine why that should be.
"For three years, I heard little, if anything, of him – I believe he was mainly wasting his life in idleness and dissipation. But then, upon the death of the previous incumbent of the living my father had wished for him, I received a letter from him, informing me that his study of the law had proved fruitless, and he now wished to be ordained – if only I would promise him the living."
Elizabeth could hardly believe the audacity of such a request – and yet Mr Darcy's account rang so much more true than Mr Wickham's that she could hardly suppose to not believe that it had occurred.
"I refused – and I must hope that none of you would blame me for such a thing – His resentment of such an action was great indeed, and after this period all appearance of acquaintance was dropped altogether." Mr Darcy lifted his eyes once more. "I know not how he lived then, but I am still certain that his vices cannot have entirely disappeared. And more I worry that he should be introduced to all at such a high rank and importance. I do not believe that I could bear it were he to impose on anyone else if I could have done something to prevent it."
"Brother..." Georgiana's soft voice was even more hesitant than it usually was. Mr Darcy turned to face his sister with the most careful of expressions though. "Should you not... Should I..."
"You don't have to." Was all of Mr Darcy's kind, if mysterious, reply.
Elizabeth was surprised to see Miss Darcy's eyes flickering to her as though Lizzy could help her decide. Elizabeth hardly knew what they were discussing, even if any of her advice should be heeded.
"No," Georgiana couldn't say where her courage had come from, but it had suddenly risen none the less. "I will – I should." How was she ever supposed to get over this if she couldn't even think of it when she was surrounded by friends? "Although I must further beg your indulgence that you will not interrupt me either."
Her brother was watching her with such a worried look that Georgiana was almost surprised the others had not already acted on it. Miss Bennet and Mr Bingley both had pleasant and encouraging smiles upon their faces – Georgiana couldn't help but wonder again at how very similar the two of them were. Miss Elizabeth mainly just seemed to be ready to listen.
"Last summer, we were reminded of Mr Wickham again." She had none of her brother's fluidness of speech – she was not good at telling stories, even when she was unaffected by what she related. "I was taken from school by Mrs Younge – the lady who presided over my school and whom I had never thought to distrust – and we journeyed to Ramsgate." Georgiana only needed to say the name to remember how it had felt to be there and all the sights and sounds which seemed to have imprinted themselves permanently upon her brain. "And there we were met by Mr Wickham – it must have by design, for Mrs Younge already knew him – and in my naivety, I welcomed the new acquaintance - for I couldn't help but remember him fondly from my childhood. In the short time that passed he was able persuade me to believe myself so much in love with him, that I consented to the prospect of eloping with him." She had to stop there, even if only for a pause, not allowing herself to meet anyone else's eyes. She was merely months older now, and yet she still could not understand how foolish she had been. "Luckily," She hated the fact that her voice wavered even now. "My brother arrived days before we intended to leave – and luckily I retained enough wits to confess all to him." She didn't even want to consider what could have happened had her brother not arrived. How would she have survived long married to a man who cared so little for her? "Mr Wickham left within the day, and Mrs Younge was soon sent away too."
The thing that she regretted most was the way that she had tried to beg George to stay - her brother had told her that she would only hurt herself, but she couldn't accept that. And so she had seen him – he had already been leaving. The vicious curl of his lips and unconcealed disgust for her and her brother had stuck with her, torturing her brain so that she couldn't even attempt to remember any of what they had had with happiness.
"We can only assume that he acted as he did" Georgiana couldn't hide her relief that her brother had taken the narrative once more. "In an attempt to gain access to Georgiana's dowry – which is worth a substantial amount – and more to gain revenge against myself." He paused for a short second, flicking his eyes between all of the inhabitants of the room. "Suffice to say, we have little enough reason to trust him and far more to worry for the effects he might have upon the families here. This is why our cousin has come – but we know that nothing can be achieved without the support of the same families he would impose himself upon."
There was a short pause following Mr Darcy's words. Elizabeth for once found herself at a loss for what to say; she hardly even knew how to react to the revelation.
"No wonder you were so surly when you arrived, Darcy." Mr Bingley's words were surprisingly light and easy. Elizabeth wasn't sure that it wasn't the best response that anyone could have had. Mr Darcy seemed to relax slightly, and Lizzy thought she even saw a hint of laughter hunting its way into Georgiana's features.
"Perhaps if you are entirely serious you might think about speaking with my father?" Elizabeth hadn't expected her voice to sound so insecure – but then she would have never expected Mr Darcy to act as he just had. That he should reveal something of import – something which showed his own weaknesses, but also his own attempts at good conduct – Lizzy would have thought she was deluding herself to suppose it might happen before, but perhaps it was just another sign of how badly she had judged him.
Still Mr Darcy made some assent, and she rose to show him the way. She hardly noticed that they had had nothing to say until she was virtually at the door of her father's library. The realisation that any possibility of conversation was so near to an end, had her fumbling for the words to express what she meant to say.
"May I ask, why?" Her words were almost nonsensical. "That is, why would you tell us? It is your private business, and many would not have even considered him to be your duty as soon as he was out of your life once more?"
"Perhaps he is not." Mr Darcy's words were thoughtful which was surprising as it was – Elizabeth had rarely found people who were content to actually listen to her opinions and respond to them thoughtfully. She could always amuse and entertain of course, but so often she still felt as though she were being dismissed as being as silly as her father viewed her younger sisters. "But I need only imagine you in Georgiana's place at Ramsgate – for you must admit that Mr Wickham seemed to be paying you attention when we met on the street a few days ago – to realise how thoughtless such an act would be. If you, or any member of your family, were ruined through my neglect, how could I bear it? Should my shame not be equally as great as if it were Georgiana herself? Especially since I could have prevented it so easily." He smiled slightly as though he were attempting to lighten the atmosphere. "If you meant in more specific terms, I told you and your sister and Bingley as I trust you and my sister trusts you. What more reason should I need?"
Elizabeth was sure she could have said something thoughtful about how great an action that had to be, considering how poorly their trust had been abused by Mr Wickham himself and Mrs Younge, but she couldn't bring herself to speak past the strange lump that had risen in her throat. She nodded briefly instead and stepped into her father's domain to explain the appearance of the gentleman.