Chapter Twenty-Eight

"What would you like to do, Lizzy?" asked Mrs. Gardiner, as they sat eating a leisurely breakfast with Mr. Gardiner, who was busy reading the newspaper. "It is such a beautiful day, it is a pity not to make the best of it."

Elizabeth didn't immediately answer. She was looking at the letter in her hand which had just been delivered. She was shocked at what she was reading.

"Lizzy. Is something wrong?"

Elizabeth tore her eyes away. "I'm sorry… Did you say something?"

"It doesn't matter. You look as if you have had bad news. Is something wrong at Longbourn?"

"Not as far as I am aware. This letter is not from Jane…" Elizabeth stuttered. She didn't know what to say…

"So who is your letter from?" asked Mr. Gardiner looking concerned as he folded up his paper.

Elizabeth did not know what to say. There was nothing she could say. The letter was from Georgiana and it held shocking news. She had promised Colonel Fitzwilliam that she would not share their troubles and yet… this was something that needed to be dealt with immediately.

"Uncle, could I ask that I borrow your carriage this morning? I must call on Colonel Fitzwilliam."

"Yes… if it is important… but Elizabeth, can you not tell us why?"

Elizabeth looked at the two anxious faces. "I would ask that you trust me. I cannot break a promise that I made and I must speak to the colonel immediately."

"If that is what you want, Lizzy."

"Thank you. And if you will excuse me, I must leave at once." Elizabeth was on her feet and out of the room before they could say anything else, taking her precious letter with her.

"Aunt Elizabeth," called a voice.

It was Ella standing near the top of the stairs. "Are you coming out with us later?"

"Not now, Ella. I am busy." Elizabeth hurried past her niece, ignoring the hurt expression on her face. She felt badly, but she had to get to Sloane Square as soon as possible.

She put on her coat and bonnet and when she arrived downstairs her uncle was in the hall. "The carriage is ready for you, Elizabeth. I wish you would let me come with you."

Elizabeth patted her uncle's arm. "I thank you for your concern, but I must deal with this alone. I do not know when I will be back. Will you need your carriage?"

"I have told John to wait for you," said Mr. Gardiner as he saw her down the front steps. "I am not in need of it this morning."

Elizabeth dropped a kiss on her uncle's cheek and then quickly got into the carriage. He was still standing there as the carriage moved away. She sat back and took the letter out of her purse. For a moment she wondered if she had been imagining it, but no. The words were all too clear.

Dear Elizabeth

By the time you receive this letter you may have heard that I have run away from Rosings. Be assured that I am quite safe. I have returned to the one place where I have ever felt truly happy. I am in Ramsgate.

I have found a room to live in. It is not very nice, but it serves my needs. I do not know how long I will be able to stay as I have little money. I am ashamed to ask you if you could see your way to send a little, I would owe you a debt of gratitude. I am hoping that I may do some drawings and sell them so I can pay my way, but until then it is not easy.

Elizabeth was shocked that Georgiana was so enterprising. She could only imagine Mr. Darcy's horror when he found out how his sister was living.

I have one other bit of news. I have seen him, Elizabeth. My dearest George. Oh, how my heart ran cold when I met him. He has asked me to give him another chance and I am tempted even though I did not come here for him.

Please do not tell Fitzwilliam where I am. I'm sure he will be very angry and he will not understand. Your dear friend Georgiana."

Elizabeth folded the letter and placed it back in her purse. There was no time to waste. She must speak to Colonel Fitzwilliam at once.

Elizabeth could not help feeling a little intimidated as she knocked on the door of the Darcy's London home. She had no idea what kind of reception she would receive.

"Is Colonel Fitzwilliam at home?" she asked as the butler opened the door. "Could you tell him Miss Bennet is here, it is a matter of some urgency."

The butler stood back, inviting her into the hallway. "The colonel is out, ma'am," he explained, "but if you could wait hear a moment, I will…"

The sentence was never completed because at that moment, Mr. Darcy came walking out of a room.

He seemed as startled to see her as she was him. "Miss Bennet? What are you doing here?"

Elizabeth found it difficult to speak. Mr. Darcy did not look his normal self. His dark hair was uncombed and looked as if he had been running his hands through it. His shirt was slightly undone and he looked as if he had been sleeping in his clothes.

"I have had a letter from your sister," she said.

Mr. Darcy's eyes widened in shock. "A letter?"

"Yes, this morning. I came at once. Colonel Fitzwilliam asked me to report if I heard anything…" Nerves were making her talk too quickly. Perhaps she should have just sent a note. "Perhaps I should not have called. I would not wish to intrude."

"You're not, Miss Bennet. Please come this way…"

He held open the door and she stepped inside. Papers were everywhere and he moved some off a chair so she could sit down. Elizabeth ignored the gesture. She preferred to stay standing so he could not so easily intimidate her.

"Where is this letter?" asked Darcy, closing the door. "I must see it at once."

Elizabeth had it in the purse hanging off her arm, but she made no attempt to retrieve it. "Mr. Darcy, Georgiana asked me not to show it to you, or tell you where she is. "

"And yet, you are here?"

"I came… I came because I thought you should know the content of the letter, but I am sorry that I am betraying your sister's trust."

Mr. Darcy raked his hands impatiently through his hair. "Georgiana must understand the trouble she has caused. She is naïve if she believes the people who care about her will not talk to each other."

"But it will hurt her and I wish I could save her from that," said Elizabeth quietly.

"Miss Bennet, I would implore you not to play games with me. Answer me this one thing—is Georgiana safe?"

"Yes," said Elizabeth slowly. "For the moment."

"What do you mean?"

"The man, the one you sent away—George Wickham. He is with her asking for a second chance."

Elizabeth saw the colour drain from Mr. Darcy's face.

He turned his back on her, and she could see he was shaking

"So she was in contact with them," he said

"It appears so…"

"And yet you did not tell me?"

Elizabeth said nothing and Mr. Darcy swung around so quickly she stepped back in shock. "Why did you not tell me, Miss Bennet?"

She found it difficult to keep her temper. "Mr. Darcy, I did not know. I knew your sister had feelings for him, but she told me from the beginning that you insisted she should not discuss him."

"But you knew Georgiana still had feelings for him?"

"Yes, sir, but so did you."

Mr. Darcy looked as if he was going to continue the argument, but changed his mind. "There is nothing more I can say on this matter," he said. "I must find Georgiana." He opened the door and called for his butler who came at once.

"What is it, sir?"

"Order my carriage. I must leave for Kent immediately."

"Yes, sir…"

Mr. Darcy looked at Elizabeth and she could see the lines of strain around his eyes. "Miss Bennet, despite any antipathy you may feel towards me, I am grateful for your assistance in this matter. May I now see the letter?"

Elizabeth took it out of her purse and handed it to him. Darcy quickly read it, his face growing darker once again.

"The one place she has been happy," he muttered.

"Yes, she found some solace in painting while she was there."

"But I told her to stop. She has her pianoforte, her embroidery… they are enough."

Elizabeth shook her head in despair. He seemed to understand so little. "The drawing is important to her, sir. I believe a famous artist has told her that she has a skill that should be developed."

"Well, she had no right," snapped Mr. Darcy, as he started to gather up some papers. "Another person who would interfere in matters that do not concern them."

Elizabeth did not know what to say. Mr. Darcy seemed determined to see the worst in everyone who was involved with Georgiana. She feared for his sister, if he continued to be so angry.

"You should go, Miss Bennet. I must leave for Kent."

"Let me go with you," said Elizabeth impulsively. "I know it is an unusual request, but please… let me accompany you to Ramsgate."

Mr. Darcy stopped what he was doing. "Why would you want to do that, Miss Bennet?"

Elizabeth's cheeks flushed under his scrutiny. "Because in the short time I have known Georgiana, I have grown close to her. She can be infuriating, but she is as dear to me as one of my sisters. I would not like to see her come to any harm. I may be able to help… talk to her… make her understand..."

"I am her brother and guardian and she should follow my direction. I will be impressing on her how much trouble she has caused," said Mr. Darcy coldly.

"And do you think that will help her understand your point of view, sir?" asked Elizabeth.

Darcy shook his head and suddenly looked defeated. "I should perhaps proceed with caution when dealing with Georgiana. As you know I do not have a good understanding of the mind of a woman."

Elizabeth eyes suddenly filled with tears, but she was determined not to let them fall. The horror of his proposal was still at the forefront of her mind even though she had tried very hard to forget it.

"I would like to help, if you would allow me to," she said quietly.

Mr. Darcy gave a little bow. "Miss Bennet, I would be honoured for you to accompany me to Ramsgate."