Ramsgate, March 1812
Elizabeth stepped out of the house and craned her neck to look at the gulls flying above. The air was still chilled, but the spring sun warmed her face delightfully. Elizabeth had resided in the seaside town with Jane and Bingley for two weeks, and she was settled into a habit of walks and contemplation. Today she would walk through the fields around the edge of town and then sit at the harbor and watch the buzzing activity of boats and ships being loaded and unloaded.
The scandal had not been very bad.
Everyone knew Elizabeth had been jilted by Darcy, but her neighbors were sympathetic, not scornful. If any salacious rumors circulated in the neighborhood, Elizabeth heard nothing of them, and she was invited about and called upon by her neighbors more often than normal.
Everyone said some variant of: "Don't be miserable over that poor gentleman. I always thought he was very ill favored. Far too proud for someone with such a sister."
Every time Elizabeth heard this, she wished to scream. She had been rejected; she had not been enough for him. They did not need to remind her again and again. Darcy had made his choice, and Papa was right that his force of will was admirable. Elizabeth could not hate him for loving duty more than her.
Mr. Reed had hoped that she would show interest in him now that Darcy had left. For a terrifying moment Elizabeth thought of encouraging him as a revenge against Darcy and herself. Then she was too disgusted by herself to send Mr. Reed politely off and was quite rude to the poor man.
Mrs. Bennet scolded Elizabeth several days after the wedding when they both sat with Mrs. Phillips: "I don't understand why you set your cap at Mr. Darcy. He was rude and didn't talk to anyone — speaking easily to everyone, like Mr. Bingley does, that is my idea of true good breeding — It would have connected you with his scandalous sister. You should have asked me for advice. Right after he arrived in the neighborhood I interrogated Mr. Darcy to find if he was as poor as they all say. Did you know he travels by post? By post. He doesn't even keep a carriage. His uncle may be an earl, but why did you want to marry someone that poor? Especially with such ill-favored manners — I imagine you now regret letting Mr. Collins escape."
"Not at all, Mama."
"Well you should — sister, can you imagine how happy we would be if in addition to Jane being neatly settled away, Elizabeth was to be the future mistress of Longbourn?"
Mrs. Phillips replied kindly, "It is a great pity. Lizzy you must not feel it so keenly, you could have had Collins, and there are a great many other gentlemen you might have. You'll catch someone else, and soon, I daresay. That young Reed, his estate is good — you have his eye I think."
Mrs. Bennet said, "Yes, Mr. Reed. I shall invite him to call next time I see him. But, Lizzy, I fancy that you'll not land him either. I don't understand it. You are my daughter; you should have caught Mr. Darcy. When I was your age — the time I kissed a gentleman I wanted — he didn't walk away. You remember."
Mrs. Phillips nodded enthusiastically. "Oh, yes. Mr. Bennet was the greatest catch in the neighborhood. Everyone thought he would marry a bluestocking like Miss Smith, with his bookish ways. And her fortune was so much better than ours, but you flirted and smiled with him, and then he couldn't look at anybody else. It was a brilliant catch."
"It was. He was hesitating, Lizzy. Your father had some notion I wasn't precisely the sort of woman he meant to marry. So I kissed him and drove that thought right out of his brain. We married three and a half weeks later and have been happy ever since. You should have asked me for advice on how to do it if that was your plan. You must have done a poor job of kissing Mr. Darcy. When I was through with him, your father couldn't stand."
Elizabeth stared at her mother with mute horror and nausea. It was far more than she'd wanted to know.
No wonder she'd disappointed Papa.
She wasn't like her mother. She was not.
She loved Darcy, and he loved each other. She'd only wanted him to be happy. Happy with her. It needed to be with her. And she wasn't good enough for him.
Well if he didn't want her, she didn't want him.
Elizabeth refused to be miserable, so she laughed at herself. She was acting like the fox in the fable again. And she had behaved like a moth who darted towards a burning lamp repeatedly, even though she was burnt each time.
It was funny if she tried hard enough to laugh.
Elizabeth took long freezing walks, miles and miles of thought. She cried herself to sleep several times and practiced the piano for hours, playing melancholy pieces until she knew them by heart and could make the music hurt her soul.
Mr. Bennet tried to be a better father. He didn't tease or make fun of her about her lovelorn ways, and she knew he felt a need to apologize for how he'd treated her that first day. The subject was too embarrassing and painful to talk about.
One of their servants gave notice, and Mr. Bennet refused to let his wife replace her. He modestly reduced everyone's allowance and forced Mrs. Bennet to spend less lavishly on entertainments. Elizabeth knew that his efforts to economize and finally set something aside were her father's admission that he had been wrong. However, while he could control his own expenses, her mother and Lydia's demands for more money would wear him down once the guilt dissipated.
In the long run nothing would change.
Elizabeth wanted to be elsewhere. Somewhere that nothing would remind her of Mr. Darcy. She even looked forward to her planned visit to Charlotte in April, even though it would also be a visit to Mr. Collins. Charlotte was too good a friend to be anything but genuinely sympathetic, and Elizabeth hoped Mr. Collins knew nothing of the affair. In any case, it would do her good to see a stupid fellow who had no redeeming characteristics.
Without being told, Jane immediately understood Elizabeth's desire to be gone. The day she returned from her honeymoon, Jane embraced Elizabeth and dragged her outside. "Oh, Lizzy, I am so, so grieved. Charles feels awful because he encouraged you. He very much hoped Mr. Darcy would marry you. He is most unhappy with his friend. I am as well."
"It isn't Bingley's fault. And Darcy, I would despise myself if I destroyed their friendship. Darcy had made his disinclination clear. I was the one who pursued him."
Jane exclaimed, "I saw how he behaved after the wedding — I was sure you two would make a match of it. It made me so happy to think you would not be alone for long. And then everyone sent these letters describing how he'd abandoned you after kissing you. It was not well done, not at all."
"I kissed him; he'd already left me, and I chased him. I behaved with abominable selfishness. Even though I think he is wrong, Darcy has decided that his estate and family duties matter most to him. He uses his money to help those in need, and his good fortune will benefit many other people — I ignored every modest consideration, like Mama or Lydia, and I planned to chase him until he agreed. Don't let Bingley hate Darcy."
"Well, do not worry about that. Charles could not hate anyone. I still insist Mr. Darcy used you terribly. You are just too good to be angry with him."
Elizabeth smiled. "I assure you. I have not become you. I do not think too well of my fellow man. I just prefer — please don't try to convince me to think I did nothing wrong. I beg you, it… it still hurts. I — " Elizabeth rubbed at her cheek. "I find it easier, far easier, if I concentrate on how I was selfish, and how I can learn and be a better person. I don't want to hate — or even be angry at Darcy."
"You were not selfish."
"I want to believe I was. Then I can blame myself for that instead of wondering what was wrong with me. I can be less selfish in the future. If there was no lesson — I would be miserable."
Jane squeezed Elizabeth's shoulders. "I have a scheme in mind, one which you shall enjoy. I have developed a deep desire to see the sea, and I must have you with me. Charles has taken a house in Ramsgate, and you shall come with us to enjoy the salt and the sand. We shall leave next week, and our plan is to keep the house until it is time for you to visit Charlotte. In all you shall be gone from home for three or four months complete. Do tell me you like the scheme."
"I do, I love it… But are you certain you do not wish to settle in at Netherfield? You are now mistress of the house."
"I can be mistress of a small cottage in Ramsgate just as well. It shall be like it always has been, us living together. I'll enjoy it far more than visiting and hosting entertainments for everyone."
"Thank you — oh, thank you. I very much want different scenery."
Elizabeth was choked with tears. She'd known that things would feel better as soon as she saw Jane, and they did.
She had never been at the seaside for more than a few days before. The house Jane and Bingley took was on the outskirts of the town, surrounded by a pretty garden with a neatly cropped lawn. It had a view that watched over the beach. Elizabeth sat for hours on a wicker lounge chair looking past the flower beds at the green water rushing in and out. She always had a book next to her on a marble table, but many days she just thoughtlessly listened to the crashing surf.
The house was a substantial yellow two-story building with a grand piano in the spacious drawing room. Elizabeth planned to practice a great deal to maintain her recently improved skills, but the distraction of a new countryside to explore meant she almost never practiced. Instead Elizabeth took long walks along the beach, and she sat out by the harbor to watch the pleasure vessels playing about and ships coming in and out.
At nights, despite the cold, Elizabeth opened her window and sat on the windowsill breathing the salty air until she became sleepy.
Elizabeth gave Jane and Bingley much privacy, aware they were still close to their honeymoon. However, she still talked with both of them often, and the intimacy of living in the same house gave Elizabeth a closer understanding of her brother-in-law.
After a week Elizabeth looked forward to the occasional parties or assemblies held in Ramsgate. The season was still early for the seaside town, and Ramsgate always was quieter than a major port or a gathering place such as Bath. Still, where there were young persons, there must be dancing.
She felt almost herself again.
This morning Elizabeth made a long circuit, walking through the fields and country lanes around the town for more than an hour. The growing season had begun, and green sprouted everywhere. At last she came around to the harbor and sat down on a picturesque wooden bench in the city park which ran along the coastline. The sun beat down upon her.
A frigate slowly sailed away from the pier. She sat next to a freshly blooming rose bush, and a sweet fragrance wafted from the profusion of red blossoms. It was a warm clear day, and the soft sea breeze kept her cool.
A girl Elizabeth had seen several times before sat with her maid on another bench thirty feet away. She was a young bride who dressed in well-made silk dresses. The girl was tall, and she was with child. Even though her body was mature, her mannerisms made her seem several years younger than Elizabeth.
The girl's face pulled at Elizabeth — even though she'd never seen her before, it was familiar. It was that sense of frustrated recognition that made Elizabeth pay attention to the woman at first.
She would stay out in the park for an hour most days. Her husband collected her near one or two in the afternoon. He was extremely handsome, and he gallantly and extravagantly kissed her hand each time he came to meet her. He wore a beautiful tailcoat and an expensive silk waistcoat whose buttons gleamed in the warm sunlight. He flourished a gold cane, and there was something in his walk and deportment that drew every female eye.
He was the most perfect dandy Elizabeth had ever seen.
Despite the felicity the girl should have due to a handsome and attentive husband and the promise of a child, her frown and dejected posture when she looked out at the harbor convinced Elizabeth she was lonely.
No one ever greeted the young lady. Elizabeth had only seen her speak to her maid and her husband. That was unusual. Due to the smallness of the community, most of the resident gentry knew each other, even beachgoers who had only taken a house for a few months.
Eventually, Elizabeth realized there was a scandal about the woman. Gentlewomen who were long-term residents of Ramsgate would sneer and whisper to each other when they saw the girl. Maybe she was the man's mistress instead of his wife.
Elizabeth would not condemn her if that was the case. She lit up when he greeted her, and when they sat in the park and talked and laughed together she appeared so happy. It would be the rankest hypocrisy to condemn another for a sin she would have happily committed had Darcy's character been different.
The girl also studied Elizabeth on occasion. However, when their eyes met the girl looked away and hunched her shoulders so she looked smaller and smoothed down her clothes.
Elizabeth was curious and desired to meet her. However, without acquaintances in common, it would be a breach of etiquette to introduce herself. After a week and a half of hoping she would see someone greet the girl, Elizabeth's patience was at an end.
This time, when their eyes met and the girl did her little fidget, Elizabeth stood and walked to where she sat.
The young woman's eyes went wide and she crossed her arms defensively over her chest when she saw Elizabeth march up to her.
Elizabeth spoke confidently, "I have wished to make your acquaintance for several days now — it is forward of me to approach you, but I would be silly indeed if I spend my entire sojourn in Ramsgate unable to meet you simply because I cannot find a common acquaintance to request the introduction from. Would you allow me to introduce myself?"
The girl started with surprise and stood from the bench. Then she pulled at the sleeve of her dress and looked at a point past Elizabeth's shoulder. "I would like that very much. I… if it is not wrong of me to say so, I have wondered about you as well. You look so very handsome and confident — and the other woman who is sometimes with you is very beautiful too."
"That is my sister Jane." Elizabeth leaned towards her new acquaintance and said conspiratorially, "She is perfect."
The girl looked at Elizabeth and smiled.
Taking that as a victory, Elizabeth pulled her leg back and made a curtsy. "Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn in Hertfordshire, at your service."
Instead of reciprocating the girl stiffened and hesitated. There were bright red spots on her cheeks. Elizabeth realized she thought her name would reveal the scandal. At last, without precisely looking at Elizabeth, the girl made an awkward curtsey. Her pregnancy interfered with the grace of the movements. "Mrs. Georgiana Wickham… of Ramsgate."
"Wickham!"
Could there be more than one young wife with the name Georgiana Wickham?
She had his look. That was why Elizabeth always felt like she half recognized her. At Elizabeth's shocked response, Mrs. Wickham stood taller and appeared much like Darcy did when he overheard insults.
"Mrs. Wickham, were you Miss Darcy before your marriage?"
"I was. I am that Miss Darcy. My husband was the steward's son. I'm certain you shall wish nothing further to do with me, Miss Bennet, but do know I regret nothing. I love him, and he loves me. That matters more than impressing women such as you."
"And your brother?" Elizabeth spoke sharply, "Do you regret hurting him? Do you not realize —" Elizabeth's chest ached. If only he had thought nothing mattered more than love. But then he would not have been Fitzwilliam Darcy.
"I doubt that he cares for me. Not any more, not since I married Wickham."
"You know him not at all if you think that. You are a fool, Mrs. Wickham. It would be impossible for your brother to have anything but the strongest affection for you. A horrible fool. Mr. Darcy could not cease to care —" Elizabeth's voice shook with anger. "Your brother has told me how you read together, how he loved to listen to you practice piano, how he — how he cared for you since the first time he held you as a babe. And you betrayed him. Can you not think! Have you any sense how much harm your sudden marriage to his enemy did? He was forced to borrow from my brother-in-law, Mr. Bingley, to find the money for your dowry. How can you —"
"Is it true? Did Fitzwilliam say that about me? Does he really worry about me — is he well? You know him. Tell me that he is well. I've worried about him."
Elizabeth was taken aback by the sudden turn in Georgiana's expression. "I… I hardly know. I —"
Elizabeth closed her eyes.
His eyes had looked eerie when he said: Madam, I cannot. Anxiety for Darcy hit Elizabeth in her stomach. She should never have pushed him so hard. "I do not know. He was not well when I saw him at my sister's wedding two months past. He is a principled man. I pray that is enough consolation for him."
"What? What do you mean? How is he unwell? Tell me — I am his sister."
It was worse than impossible to tell this stranger who was Darcy's sister about the details of that day. Elizabeth should have said nothing.
She had never really worried about him. Even though he had been the one to walk away, he still must have hurt terribly. How could she claim to love him when she had never worried about him? He was loyal and good, but he had been torn between two desperate needs.
Just because she was not miserable… that did not mean Darcy was well. Her character was not given to sadness or depression, and she had far more friends than he. Darcy was always too solemn and too alone. He would brood, and he would not laugh at himself. Elizabeth suddenly hoped he had already found another woman; a girl who had enough money and who could make him smile and laugh.
He hadn't. A man like Darcy could not fall out of love so quickly.
"Please, Miss Bennet. Say something."
"I worry — I fear he is lonely."
"Oh." Georgiana looked as miserable as Elizabeth felt. "I hoped — I hope he finds someone he can love, like I love Wickham. Have you heard anything of the sort…? Maybe he has formed an attachment."
For a brief instant Elizabeth wanted to shake and throttle the girl. "No. I am aware of no woman he is likely to marry."
"Oh." Georgiana brightened. "He is always so capable and active. I know he doesn't need anyone; he isn't like most men. He is much better. He doesn't have the weaknesses everyone else has. That I have, or that my George does."
"No, he is not weak. But just because — no man is an island entire of himself. He is not happy alone. Don't think you have no cause for guilt. He needs —"
"Wickham needed me more. And I love him. Fitzwilliam must find his own life — I am his sister not his wife. Oh, but I do hope — do you think it is my fault he is unhappy? Is he so very unhappy? I so wish I could speak with him, but George is so jealous, he begged me not to mail Fitzwilliam, and Fitzwilliam has sent me no mail. I cannot disobey my husband — my first loyalty must be with him. But — oh, it would make me so happy if they could reconcile. I told George to try, to apologize for their quarrels — even if Fitzwilliam is in the wrong, but he will not."
"I know he misses you, and it will comfort him to hear that you are healthy and treated well."
"George would never —"
Elizabeth smiled at the girl's instant defense of her husband. "I have seen him greet you, and he appears devoted. I shall make sure Mr. Darcy hears that."
"Your sister — is she Mr. Bingley's wife? She looks like a woman Mr. Bingley would marry, sweet and pretty — is Mr. Bingley in Ramsgate? I should like to see him — he must be angry at me for disobeying my brother."
"I do not think Mr. Bingley hates anyone. He is much like my sister in that. Have you seen much of him?"
"Oh, yes. Fitzwilliam never stood on formality when he visited. And Bingley is such a kind man." Georgiana stopped speaking and paled. "Oh."
Elizabeth looked behind her and saw that Bingley and Jane were approaching.
"Lizzy, hello, who is your friend." When Bingley reached near enough to see Georgiana clearly, his jaw dropped. "Georgiana Darcy! Here — is that you? It is. And however did you meet Lizzy."
Georgiana ducked her head shyly.
"Are you well? Has Mr. Wickham treated you well? Your brother is so worried about you."
"I am well. I am. My George is a good man. Please tell Fitzwilliam that I am very, very happy and that I wish — Mr. Bingley, has he seemed happy to you?"
"No. Of course not. Georgiana, you should be ashamed of yourself. Have you any idea what your brother went through due to your accursed marriage. Did you think upon his well-being at all?"
Georgiana huffed with offense. "I did!"
"Your dowry — have you any idea, any, how difficult it is during these times to gather such a huge sum? And afterwards — you can scarce conceive what sorts of damn fool ideas he gave himself in those first few months."
Georgiana appeared stricken. "I did not wish to hurt him, but there was no choice. I did not think it would hurt him — I know the money must be difficult… Oh — I would rather he had not paid my dowry than for him to have harmed his interests. I know how important clearing Father's debts is to him. But my dowry cannot have made matters so much worse."
"Have you any sense how much money thirty thousand pounds is? Of course not. You are a fool woman, and I had no notion of value at your age either. It made matters worse — much worse — and then your mutton headed brother… Well, I suppose it isn't your fault that your brother is a damned fool — of late he's turned into a complete nitwit, a numbskull, a —"
"Fitzwilliam is no fool."
Bingley laughed. "You are still quick to defend him." Bingley glanced at Elizabeth and sighed. "I would not have thought he was a fool either. But, while Darcy is gifted in money matters, in other, equally important concerns, he is a decided blockhead. No matter, it isn't anything to you any longer. You shouldn't have married Wickham."
"You do not know him. George is the best of men. And I love him. I did think of my brother — I did — I had to follow my heart, my soul. Nothing is more important than the bond between two souls meant to be attached! If my father saw our attachment, he would've approved."
Bingley made a face. "Well." He hemmed and said, "The manner in which the affair was conducted was poorly done. Poorly done. And you are too young to run off without your brother's consent, no matter what you believe your father would have thought."
Georgiana crossed her arms and stared back at Bingley. "I am old enough to know love. Don't treat me as a child."
"No, you are not a child anymore." Bingley asked in a softer tone, "Truly are you well? Are you happy? Has he treated you well? Is Wickham misusing your funds? Are you spending extravagantly?"
"He would never do that! Apologize."
"I'm glad to hear he never would behave that way," Bingley replied in a conciliatory tone. "But are you certain about the money? Wickham was known as a gamester at Cambridge, and men like that do not change easily. Are you sure your finances are as they should be? Do you see the account figures at the bank or know for certain he hasn't been selling your investments?"
"I trust my husband. It is what a wife should do. It is not my place to question him. I know Wickham would never act as you claim he would. I know him. He is no gambler."
"I assure you he was." Bingley sighed. "May I at least confidently tell your brother that you are happy and treated well?"
"Please — say anything you will think shall make him worry less and be happier. I am so very happy. Wickham is the perfect man and the perfect husband. He loves me, and I love him — how can anything else matter."
"Well. That is good. I am sincerely happy to hear it, and your brother shall be as well. You ought to write to him."
Georgiana flushed, "Wickham does not want me to. They are so jealous of each other. Bingley, maybe he would listen to you. Please, please beg Fitzwilliam to do anything to reconcile with my husband. I want us to be a family again, like when we all were young. He may listen to you."
"I shall tell him what you said." Bingley looked uncomfortable. Elizabeth knew there was little chance he would encourage Darcy to seek Wickham's friendship. "In any case, Darcy doesn't listen to me unless he wants to. The stubborn fool."
MDVMDVMDV
Jane and Elizabeth called on Mrs. Wickham the next morning, and she eagerly introduced them to her husband. The bows were made, and Wickham kissed both Jane and Elizabeth's hands. "My dear Georgie had not described how very beautiful you both are — but then, words cannot describe such loveliness."
There was something in his eyes and manner of holding himself that infused the trite phrases with charm. Jane blushed while Elizabeth frowned.
He had married a vastly wealthier girl of fifteen without her family's consent. He was a fortune hunter. The fact that Darcy despised Mr. Wickham only obligated Elizabeth more strongly to hate him.
Wickham continued, "Georgie told me that you both have recently been in the presence of my dear brother — Mrs. Bingley I congratulate you — you look almost as happy in your marriage as I am in mine. Your husband is a lucky man — how did my dear brother appear?"
Elizabeth replied sharply, "Mr. Darcy appeared very well — in the best of spirits and good health."
"Did he? I believed you told Georgie the opposite. Does my brother never talk of me?"
"I have heard enough about you from him."
Georgiana seized Wickham's arm and said, "Please, please — do not quarrel. Miss Bennet, you see how jealous they are of each other."
"I do see your husband." At the unhappy look in Georgiana's eyes, Elizabeth sighed and stuck her hand out to Wickham with a false smile. "I hope we shall not be enemies."
"I wish to be friends with any woman as pretty as you, Miss Bennet. It is good that my brother has a woman willing to defend him fiercely." Wickham scratched at his cheek. "I truly had no idea he could inspire loyalty. How have you enjoyed the seaside? The weather has been excellent for this early in the season. It has been pleasant and warm of late. Not too much rain most days."
Elizabeth snapped back, "I would prefer it to be cold and rainy. It would be more picturesque."
Mr. Wickham smiled easily. "I apologize, Miss Bennet — it has been awful weather of late, far too pleasant and warm and not nearly enough gray drizzles."
Elizabeth blushed and smiled against her will. He had appeared to be a charming man before she knew who he was; he was still a charming man. However, Elizabeth would not forget what he had done.
At last Wickham left to meet friends in town. Elizabeth was glad to see him go. It was time for the call to end, and Jane needed to make another call this morning on an acquaintance. However, Elizabeth could see how depressed Georgiana was at the prospect of being alone again, so Elizabeth begged Georgiana to take a walk with her.
The two exited the substantial cottage. Georgiana and Wickham lived on the opposite side of town from the Bingleys. Grass was growing, and plants bloomed everywhere. It was overcast today, and the air had a pleasant chill that was warded off by their jackets and cloaks. A hawk hung circling in the air, and flocks of seabirds flapped to and fro across the skies.
It was an odd coincidence that Elizabeth would travel to Ramsgate to escape the memory of Darcy and then meet his sister in the seaside town.
"Miss Bennet, please tell me how you met my brother."
Elizabeth smiled at the memory of that first night and Darcy's prickly behavior and gruff insult. "Mr. Bingley had just taken Netherfield, which is a mere three miles from my house. Now he had invited your brother to stay with him and dragged Mr. Darcy to the assembly ball. Have you ever seen your brother at a ball?"
"No — does he cut a handsome figure?"
"Quite the opposite. He is handsome enough, but he is not fond of dancing — which is a horrid sin at such an assembly. He stood about the edge of the room as though he were frightened someone would have the temerity to talk to him."
Georgiana giggled. "That does not sound like Fitzwilliam. He can be intimidating."
"Which is why no one talked to him. There were several young ladies at this assembly who did not have partners, as not enough gentlemen attended the ball. I, in fact, was one of those ladies. Bingley approached your brother to encourage him to do his duty and ask a young lady to dance — I was seated behind Mr. Darcy and could hear the conversation — Bingley suggested he be introduced to me. Can you guess what your brother said next? I assure you — it shall shock you horribly."
"He offered to dance… and you have been friends ever since?" Georgiana's hesitant manner showed that she knew that was not a shocking story.
"Ha! He should have done so. No, he turned and looked me up and down and then said to Bingley, 'she is handsome enough, I suppose, but she does not tempt me.'"
"No!" Georgiana gasped. "That was awful of him. I shall lecture him most severely when next I see him. How did you become his friend after that beginning?"
"He made a pretty apology the next time we met, which was when we were properly introduced. I'd perceived he was uncomfortable at the assembly ball and did not take undue offense. He is sensible and intelligent. And loyal and kind. Once I knew him, I… you know that his virtues are great."
"I do."
"Now, Georgiana — do you mind if I call you by your Christian name? We've only known each other such a short time, but I wish we could be like sisters."
Georgiana's face blossomed into a happy smile. "I would like that very much indeed. Oh — so very much. It has been so lonely — I cannot be with George all the time, and he is… not a woman; will you promise to correspond after you leave Ramsgate? And — might I call you Elizabeth."
"You shall call me Lizzy, that is what my sisters call me."
"Oh. Thank you, thank you — Lizzy."
"It is my turn to ask a question. Tell me a story about your brother."
Georgiana was bubbly and talkative. Like her brother, she was easy with those who she trusted and liked speaking to. Elizabeth relished the several hours spent conversing with her. She liked the naïve girl for her own sake, and not just Mr. Darcy's.