"The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing…not healing, not curing…that is a friend who cares." - Henri Nouwen

Chapter 9

The following day, Elizabeth was anxious for news of Georgiana as she entered the Darcy townhouse again. She was immediately shown into the parlor by Mrs. White and, only moments later, Mr. Darcy appeared.

"Good day, Miss Bennet."

"I hope that it is, Mr. Darcy. I apologize for calling again so soon but I am quite eager to know how Miss Darcy fares?"

Darcy was touched by the sincere concern this woman showed for his sister.

"Georgiana is resting comfortably, thank you. The doctor confirmed that it is only a common cold that seems to have inflicted her unusually severely; however, he assures me that with a few days rest she will fully recover. Please sit down. Mrs. White is preparing tea for us."

"Oh no, sir! I do not want to impose. I only wanted to inquire after Miss Darcy."

"Come now, Miss Bennet. You are not an imposition at all. I am all too grateful that you were with Georgiana yesterday until I arrived."

Elizabeth still seemed uncertain as to whether she should remain so Darcy continued.

"Also, Mrs. White is quite taken with you now after you displayed such affection towards Georgiana. She would certainly dress me down if I allowed you to leave without taking some refreshments. You would not wish such a fate upon me, would you?" He added with a smile.

Elizabeth laughed as she finally sat down.

"My, my…Mrs. White must be a formidable woman, indeed, to cause the great Mr. Darcy to quake."

Darcy sat across from Elizabeth before saying, "It is too true. There are few in this world that I fear more than when I displease Mrs. White or Mrs. Reynolds, our housekeeper at Pemberly. I love and respect each dearly; however, since each have been with my family since I was but a boy, I know better than to cross them."

They both laughed at this admission.

"I must say that I am surprised that you willingly admit your weaknesses to me. Whatever will you do when I have no other target for my entertainment and choose to employ all of this new knowledge against you?" Elizabeth challenged with a smile.

"Ah, I see now. Perhaps I have been remiss to consider you a friend then? However, you forget that I have also acquired enough knowledge to assure that I will not end up your unfortunate target." Darcy said with a smug smile of his own.

Elizabeth was glad to see that Darcy realized she was jesting but also curious as to what he felt he knew about her.

"I am bursting with curiosity, Mr. Darcy. Pray, share this incriminating information? I might remind you that not only do I now know of the power that Mrs. White and Mrs. Reynolds hold over you but there is also your great fear of match-making mamas that I have witnessed."

"Yes, yes, I am aware that you have found my every attempt to thwart such mamas this Season as the highest form of entertainment, Miss Bennet." He said with a stern look.

"Do not look so cross, sir! I will admit to being slightly amused by your polite refusals to dance with women outside of your own party. Yet, remember sir, that in my accompanying Charles and Jane, I provided you with an additional woman to dance with so that you had a more believable excuse."

Darcy laughed at her logic but nodded his head in agreement.

"That is too true, Miss Bennet. I retract my former charge, you have proven your friendship."

A maid arrived with a tray of refreshments for them both. Elizabeth still had a smile on her face from their silly exchange before she, once again, broached the topic of Miss Darcy.

"I must admit that my relief is great over Georgiana's diagnosis. Charles informed Jane and I that Georgiana was quite unwell at the time of the wedding. I am so thankful to find that she will not have to endure another difficult recovery."

Darcy appeared uncomfortable again at her mention of Georgiana's previous illness. Elizabeth began to worry that she should not have shared that Charles spoke of it to her. Before she could apologize for her forwardness, Darcy began speaking.

"Miss Bennet, I believe that it might be beneficial to share some private information with you. However, I must stress that this is information that only a few of our closest relatives are aware of so I must ask for your discretion."

He looked at Elizabeth before continuing after she nodded her understanding.

"Georgiana was not ill at the time of Charles' wedding, that is, she was not recovering from an illness as I led Charles to believe."

At Elizabeth's look of confusion, Darcy struggled to continue.

"Disguise of every sort is my abhorrence; however, Georgiana truly was in no condition to be left alone at the time."

After a brief pause, he continued, "She suffered a great disappointment last summer and it has taken months for her to recover her spirits. In actuality, it has only been recently that she has begun to exhibit her former behaviors and enjoyments again."

"I am very sorry to hear this, Mr. Darcy. This disappointment must have been great indeed to produce such a change."

"I am sorry to be so vague regarding the details; however, that is Georgiana's story to tell if she so chooses. I only wanted to emphasize to you that your friendship to my sister has done wonders for her. I cannot thank you enough."

"Please, sir. Do not thank me for doing something that I derive equal if not more pleasure from as Georgiana. Her friendship has been one of the highlights of my visit."

Elizabeth smirked before added, "Well, her friendship as well as watching her elder brother run from all of the matronly ladies of London!"

As they laughed, the mood lightened from their serious conversation. Finally, Elizabeth bid Mr. Darcy farewell as she departed with his promise that Georgiana would send a note when she was well again.