Her aunt and uncle truly spoiled her, it was no secret they favoured Lizzie for her wit and good company but to be treated to a holiday by the sea was incredibly kind of them. She had always wanted to travel outside of her home and found the seaside suited her very well. The beautiful walks, brilliant weather, and abundance of places to relax and read her book made Ramsgate akin to her own garden of Eden.
She would have happily stayed forever, but upon receiving multiple letters from home, recounting the entrance in society of a Mr Bingley, Lizzie found she could no longer avoid her reality. Packing up all of her belongings she found herself going forlorn. She was not like her mother, who was prone to extravagant displays of emotions, but she couldn't deny she felt the loss of her sanctuary acutely.
"I believe, my dear," Aunt Gardiner started, "there is still time for one last walk by the sea today, if you wish it."
It was nearing their departure and if convention were to be followed they should not take a turn, but Lizzie jumped at the opportunity. "I would love to Aunt, but you needn't accompany me if you have other matters to attend to."
A young woman walking alone was not entirely proper, but her Aunt had yet to get all their items packed for the trip and they were set to leave first thing in the morning. "As long as you are alright with that my dear, I will remain here."
Lizzie had already gathered her coat, eager to set off. "No trouble whatsoever, I shan't be gone long." She said heading for the door with a spring in her step.
"Such a lively girl," her Uncle Gardiner remarked to his wife, she just chuckled in agreement and set upon completing the rest of the packing before dinner.
Lizzie took in every detail of the sea, the smell, the feeling of the breeze, the sun that cast such beautiful flickering lights across the water. She was determined to make an imprint of this exact moment in her mind to return to whenever life became trying.
Enjoying her solitude she became mildly perturbed when she heard a happy squeal, sounding much like her sister Lydia after successfully pestering money from their father. Curiosity struck her and she moved in the direction of the noise.
On the lower level of the sea wall, ten or so metres away, there was a young couple embracing. As they separated and Lizzie moved closer, she found the girl was indeed Lydia's age, maybe younger. The man, however appeared to be in his thirties, but the truly peculiar thing was both appeared to be dressed in a manner befitting the upper levels of society, yet this woman had no chaperone. Lizzie scolded herself, she was never one to stand for convention for the sake of convention, such a judgement was surely something her mother would make and she preferred to think of herself as progressive.
As she pondered, the couple began to walk up the stairs, and distracted Lizzie almost ran into them. "I'm so sorry, pardon me, I was lost in thought." She apologised quickly and bowed.
The couple returned her bow, "It is nothing," the man said, "no harm done." He moved to hurry his counterpart away as quickly as he could. This struck Lizzie again as suspect.
"Thank you, please don't let me interrupt your walk, the water is truly beautiful this morning." Lizzie said, referencing the view in the opposite direction of where the man was attempting to direct the young woman.
The young woman turned her head to look, "Oh truly it is, should we not walk to the end to appreciate it?" She asked the man.
"We have matters to attend to my dear, another time." He said, obviously annoyed but trying to remain pleasant.
"If you need to depart, I would be happy to walk with the young lady and ensure her safe return," Lizzie said, unphased by the man's obvious annoyance, "My name is Miss Elizabeth Bennet, I am staying with my Aunt and Uncle at the Inn up the road."
"How wonderful! We are staying there as well," the girl excitedly exclaimed, "I am Miss Georgiana Darcy and this is my fiance, George Wickham." She said proudly, beaming from ear to ear. The man stiffened as she gave their names. It did not go unnoticed by Lizzie.
"It is a pleasure to meet you," Lizzie said, then offering her arm to Ms Darcy she continued, "Shall we walk further?"
Wickham intercepted, "Very kind Miss Bennet," he said shortly, "but alas we cannot spare a moment."
"Surely I could walk on while you attend our travel? I would be so disappointed to leave without taking in the sea one last time." Miss Darcy looked much like a puppy, big eyes begging for him to say yes. Her young age became even more apparent to Lizzie, she must be but fifteen.
Wickham looked to his fiance, then back to Lizzie, calculating what his next move should be. "Alright, but no more than a quarter of an hour." He conceded. Miss Darcy bounced in excitement, she gave him a kiss on the cheek as a thank you, and with that Lizzie set off with her new companion.
"How long have you been in Ramsgate, Miss Darcy?" Lizzie asked as they separated from Wickham.
"Just two weeks," she responded. "It has been the most serendipitous trip though." She was starry eyed and seemed to be walking on a cloud.
Lizzie's curiosity got the better of her, "Oh, how so?"
Miss Darcy knew she shouldn't divulge too much information to a stranger, but yet she couldn't contain herself. "George, well, Mr Wickham," she corrected herself, "and I had not seen each other in a long time, he is a friend of the family but had been kept away for many years, but on the day I arrived I found him here! He had been here only a day, he was planning on moving on but a few days after, but after rekindling our acquaintance he decided to stay."
"Truly serendipitous! So am I to take it you were not engaged when you entered Ramsgate?" Lizzie asked, trying to sound only interested but the big sister in her was alarmed by the tale.
"No!" Miss Darcy exclaimed, almost laughing at the thought, "We have not been engaged but 20 minutes, you happened upon us just after he asked me. That is the business he needs to attend to."
"Congratulations! And what a wonderful fiance to be so eager to make the announcement known." Lizzie smiled kindly at the girl, who quickly avoided eye contact. Miss Darcy nodded unconvincingly but said nothing, "Unless an announcement is not what he is planning for?" She probed.
George had told her no one was too know, Georgiana knew why, her brother was so stubborn it could be no wonder George was frightened he would stop them. But this stranger, Georgiana thought to herself, there could be no harm in telling her…
Decided, Miss Darcy began, "There are certain impediments, if we were to make our love known others would interfere and we would be separated."
Confirmed in her suspicions, Lizzie knew she had to move carefully to not offend, "How terrible! They cannot be so great, however, if your chaperone allowed you to spend time together. I do not mean to presume, but I am sure a woman of your standing couldn't be travelling alone?"
"No," Miss Darcy said, "I am here with a companion my brother found, Mrs Younge."
"And does she not approve? If she allowed you to spend time together?" Lizzie was likely overeager in her questioning but now she was aware of what could potentially occur; she wouldn't be able to live with herself if she didn't at least try to assist. She dearly hoped if one of her sisters found themselves in this position, well really Lydia and Kitty were the only ones who would, but if they found themselves in danger she would hope that somebody would help.
Miss Darcy's lightness reappeared, "Oh yes, very much! She has been nothing but support from the first day we were reacquainted."
"There, so it is not so hopeless! She has been acquainted with your Mr Wickham for many years as well?"
Miss Darcy shrunk a bit again, "No, she only met him upon entering Ramsgate, but he won her over almost immediately." Her spirits lifted again, "He is truly the kindest and most charming man."
"Apparently, for her to be so encouraging so quickly, she must think he is a good match. If she was hired by your brother and she approves, do you not think your parents and brother could approve too?" Lizzie knew this was a risk, she could be overstepping and this young girl could take offence.
Miss Darcy's head fell, "My parents are no longer living," she started, downcast, "It is just me and my brother," she perked up slightly, "He is the very best brother, he is incredibly caring and overly kind to me."
Lizzie smiled encouragingly, "As he should be, that is the makings of the best type of brother indeed." Lizzie continued, "I envy you, I have only sisters and a brother would have been a lovely change of pace."
Happy to avoid any further discussion of her engagement, Miss Darcy asked, "How many sisters do you have?"
"I am one of five, I am the eldest but one."
"That must have been fun growing up, I always wanted a sister." Miss Darcy said wistfully.
Lizzie laughed, "Fun, incredibly trying, there was not often a quiet moment in the house to say the least." This made Miss Darcy chuckle, "I kid, as much as we may disagree at times, and they may have tiresome moments, I would not trade them for the world." Miss Darcy smiled, "I'm sure you feel much the same way about your brother."
"I do." Miss Darcy replied, "All I want is to make him proud."
"I'm sure you do," Lizzie remarked, "I would be very proud to have you as a sister Miss Darcy, so if your brother is a sensible man he must feel the same."
The young girl beamed, "Please, will you call me Georgiana?"
"Only if you will call me Lizzie," Lizzie smiled at her, feeling so strongly the need to protect her from any danger. They were almost back to the Inn so she knew she didn't have much time.
"Very well Lizzie, thank you for walking with me, it has been a pleasure and I am so glad I was able to see the sunset one last time here."
Lizzie rubbed Georgiana's hand affectionately, "It has been such a happy coincidence, and I am incredibly grateful to have gotten to know you." She decided she could not leave this girl without first trying to stop what she knew would likely be disastrous. "I know we don't know each other well, but being an older sister makes me prone to sharing advice even when it is not asked, would I be terribly impertinent if I shared some now?"
"I would be glad to hear it." Georgiana said eagerly.
"You seem very close with your brother, I am sure he wants nothing but your happiness and has shown you nothing but kindness. If your Mr Wickham is not confident in his positive reception of this happy news then it may be because he does not know him as well. All I know is if one of my sisters were to elope, without sharing it with me first and including me on the special day, it would be a wound I would struggle to overcome. And I do not see why one love should cause the loss of any other."
Miss Darcy thought for a moment, "So you think I should write to my brother before proceeding?"
"I will not presume to tell you what to do, you are your own woman, but I would encourage you to search your motives for not writing. Is it you who would like to keep it secret or are you being influenced by another? And then all there is to do is be true to yourself." Lizzie held Georgiana's hand, "And if you need anything, support, or a friend, remember I am close at hand."
"Thank you Miss–" Georgiana stopped herself, "Thank you Lizze, I think you are correct, and I think I know what actions to take next."
"It is my pleasure, Georgiana, and please if you need anything at all, send for me, and I will be there within an instant."
They said their goodbyes, Lizzie still very concerned with what the outcome would be.
Lizzie had told her Aunt and Uncle the gist of what happened, she asked they remain in town until later in the afternoon, in case the young girl needed her. They consented heartily and shared Lizzie's concern. As they were taking lunch there was a commotion in the entrance of the Inn.
A booming voice was yelling, "Where is she? You will take me to her this instant."
The staff was obviously concerned, the man was brought into rooms and his voice was dampened by the walls. Lizzie tried to not be nosy as a rule, but it was very apparent to her this was likely the brother in question. She was worried she had brought on something horrible for Miss Georgiana.
After a few moments the commotion continued, Mr Wickham and an older woman hurriedly left the Inn, immediately getting into a coach and taking their leave, with no sign of Georgiana. Lizzie was relieved in one sense, but still felt uneasy for the young woman. Against her Aunt and Uncle's guidance, she left their quarters and moved into the hallway, she stopped at Georgiana's door, she was about to knock and then thought better of it. 'I have no real business here, it would be incredibly rude,' she thought to herself, she decided to instead write a note, but before she could depart the door swung open forcefully.
In the frame was a tall, dark haired man, he was handsome but incredibly intimidating. "What do you want?' He barked forcefully.
"I was going to ask after Georgiana, I heard some commotion and wished to make sure she was alright." Lizzie said, not one to back down from a challenge. "I see you are busy however, so will you please pass on my concerns."
"Ask after Georgiana, huh?" The way he emphasised her name made it clear he wasn't pleased they were on such friendly terms, "Who do you think you are to intrude? Are you another friend of Wickhams who is sooo concerned with her wellbeing?" The venom in his voice would scare almost anyone, Lizzie however only became more impertinent at the challenge.
"We met just yesterday, Sir, I do not know Mr Wickham at all, Miss Darcy and I walked together and she shared with me her situation. I don't mean to be impertinent, but I also will not be scared away from ensuring a young woman's safety." Lizzie puffed up slightly, with pride, and to also try to lessen the size difference. It did little as he dwarfed her easily.
Georgiana, having heard raised voices, entered the sitting room. Her face showed clear signs of crying, "Fitzwilliam, what is it?" She wiped a few final tears from her eyes, looking to the doorway she saw Lizzie. "Oh Lizzie," the tears started again on seeing a concerned face.
"Georgiana, are you well?" Lizzie spoke around the mass of a man in front of her, he was slightly taken aback as he wasn't used to being dismissed thusly.
"I am well," Georgiana said unconvincingly, "This is my brother, he has come in response to the letter." She managed to say.
Lizzie has presumed as much, "I see, and are you happy to have him here? Do you need any assistance?"
Darcy was pulled out of any dumbfoundedness, his anger returned. "This is none of your business, whatever scheme you have concocked with Wickham is done, can you not see that? Leave before I have you removed." He was nearly shouting and towering over at the end of his statement.
"She is able to speak for herself Sir, I have told you I have nothing to do with Wickham, whether you choose to believe it or not, I cannot in good conscience leave a young woman with a man so consumed by anger. My only concern is her wellbeing." Lizzie refused to be intimidated. Or at least refused to appear so, behind her back her hands were trembling slightly out of fear.
Georgiana crossed to the door, "You are too good, Lizzie, I am well and my brother will care for me. His anger is not for you, it is for me and my foolish mistakes." At this, Darcy softened slightly, he hated to think she thought he was mad at her.
"I am angry only with those who would take advantage of you, those who presume to have a relationship with you for their own benefit.' His last statement was targeted at Lizzie.
Lizzie ignored him, only looking to Georgiana, "If you are certain, then I will take you at your word, and I will leave my details with the front desk. If you are ever in need of anything I am at your disposal."
She gave the most curt bow possible to the older brother before departing. Once in her Aunt and Uncle's apartment she collapsed into the nearest chair. They asked what had happened, she gave the shortest summary possible and asked to leave as soon as possible.
As they were departing, she kept to her word to leave details with the desk, but didn't want to risk another encounter so had Aunt Gardiner drop them off.
As she climbed into the carriage, Aunt Gardiner looked astonished, "You didn't mention it was the Darcys of Pemberley."
"I didn't know, I don't know who that is." Lizzie shrugged.
"Pemberley is the great house that is just five miles from where I grew up in Lambton, I have never met the family of course, but I know their reputation, they are very well respected indeed." She clarified.
Lizzie scoffed, "Respectful and respected are very different things."
Aunt and Uncle Gardiner exchanged looks, always entertained by the quick wit of their niece.