Chapter 17: Conflicted

It was late by the time Elizabeth sat down at her mirror and began brushing out her hair. She thought about George Wickham and the things he told her about Darcy. The more she thought about what he said, the more unsettled she felt by the conversation. She knew Darcy could be a rude, aloof, and even a snob at times, but to be downright cruel, and heartless, she just wasn't sure she could believe that of him.

Would Charles, who was such a kind-hearted man be friends with someone like the man George Wickham described Darcy as being? Her thoughts turned to Georgiana. She only ever spoke of her brother's kindness toward her. She never had a harsh word or angry thing to say about him.

Elizabeth put her brush down and walked over to her laptop. She thought about George. He did seem very friendly, and even sincere in the feelings he spoke of where Georgiana was concerned, and yet she felt unsettled. She opened her computer and looked through the pictures of Georgiana again. She chewed her bottom lip trying to decide what to do. After a few minutes, Elizabeth moved all the photos over to a more secure backup hard drive that was password protected and encrypted. She felt sorry for George and the situation that he found himself in. If all that he said were true, then she felt equally sorry for Georgiana, but she made a promise to Darcy to keep the photos private, and that was what she was going to do. It was late by the time she heard her two younger sisters coming in. She let out a heavy sigh and crawled into bed. She was just about to turn off her light when she heard a knock at her door, "Come in."

Jane opened the door and stepped into the room, "Lizzy are you still awake?"

Elizabeth sat up in bed. "I was just going to sleep, but it's fine. Is everything all right?"

Jane walked over and sat down on the end of the bed. "Lizzy, I've been feeling very uncomfortable all evening about George Wickham."

Elizabeth brushed the hair back away from her face. "Why is that?"

Jane hesitated for a moment. "I realize we have only just met him…" she began to say then stopped.

"Go on Jane tell me." Elizabeth urged her to speak what was on her heart.

"Well I thought about the things you said he told you this evening, and I wonder if Charles knows about the things that Darcy has done to this man," Jane said.

Elizabeth leaned back against her pillow, "I thought the same thing too. Charles is so sweet I can't imagine him being friends with someone so cruel."

"So, who do we believe in all of this?" Jane asked her. "Darcy has been rude to you, and he has not been overly friendly towards me."

Elizabeth chewed her bottom lip and shrugged her shoulders, "I'm not sure, Mr. Darcy has been rude, but to be so purposefully cruel is a whole other thing. I just don't know what to think."

"Are you going to give Georgiana's pictures to Wickham?" Jane asked her.

"I thought about it. When I heard his side of the story, I felt terrible for him. I considered allowing him to at least see the photos, but in the end, I realize there is really no way that I can. You know how this business works. Besides, I just don't feel right about it. It's not as if George asked me to pass along a message to Georgiana," Elizabeth said. "I even offered to do so, but he asked me not to."

"I do feel sorry for George though," Jane told her. "Imagine having all your family taken away from you like that."

Elizabeth let out a small sigh. "His story certainly is a sad one, but I must keep my promise to the Darcys. I feel sorry for George, but there really isn't anything I can do."

"I guess we will just have to wait and see who is telling the truth," Jane stood up and walked over to the door. "If it helps you feel any better, I think you have made the right decision."

"Thank you, Jane," Elizabeth said as her sister left the room for the night. She lay back against her pillow and thought about Mr. Darcy and George Wickham. George seemed so polite and kind, while Darcy was rude and arrogant. She let out a small sigh, "Poor George," she mumbled softly.

Darcy spent his morning at his desk working and trying to keep his focus on the details of the legal contracts in front of him. He got up and walked over to the window several times. The sun was shining. It was a beautiful day. There were times with days like this before him that he wished he could just push all the work and responsibilities aside and do whatever he wanted. He thought about his two-day weekend with Charles. He enjoyed his time at Netherfield more than he would ever admit to anyone. Elizabeth's company was particularly pleasant. She was smart, had a free spirit, and was quick-witted, he liked that about her. He loved her passion for what she did. Her work was important to her, but then so was her sister, Jane. It was very endearing the way she gave up her weekend to come and be with her sister.

He thought about Caroline and Louisa; they were not as close as Jane and Elizabeth were. He doubted that Caroline ever sacrificed anything she wanted for another person, and that included her family. He took one last look out the window and then walked over and sat back down at his desk.

His thoughts turned to Georgiana. She was growing up so much. She was no longer the little girl she was eight years ago when their dad died. He took in a deep breath and let out a small sigh. Georgiana was about to finish up high school early, and she would be heading for university. In a very short time, her life was going to become a good deal busier than it was now. He wanted the two of them to spend some time together before things changed and their schedules didn't allow them the opportunities to do so. He picked up his cell phone and called her. "Georgiana, would you be interested in taking an extended vacation this summer with me? We could bring Richard along with us and go wherever you like."

Georgiana smiled and said, "Oh Yes, I would like that very much. Could we really go wherever I wanted?"

"Absolutely," he told her. "We could take some time later in summer. Perhaps for a few weeks in the middle of August before your school term begins again. What do you think?"

"I would like that very much, but let's not spend all our time away. I would like for us to spend some time back at Pemberley together," she told him. "We could go riding, and maybe even invite some friends along."

"That sounds like a great idea. I will speak to Richard straight away," he said to him. "You be thinking of where you would like to go," Darcy told her before hanging up.

Georgiana hung up her phone and turned back around to Elizabeth. "That was William. He wants to plan a proper family vacation for us. I'm so excited; he's usually so busy that if I want to go anywhere, he can't come along, but I think things will be different this time."

Elizabeth could see how excited she was, "I'm so happy for you. It sounds like you will have a very good time together. Where would you like to go?"

"I'm not sure. I can't think of a time when the decision has ever been left up to me before. I will have to choose just the right place," Georgiana said. She thought about it for a moment longer than asked her, "Where would you go, Lizzy?"

Elizabeth thought about it for a moment. "That's a difficult one to answer. There are so many beautiful places in the world I have always wanted to visit. But I think where ever you end up going you'll have an amazing time with your brother. He sounds like he's very keen on spending time with you and I can see this means a lot to you."

"Yes, it does," Georgiana said as she walked over and sat back down across from Elizabeth. She took in a deep breath, then sighed. "All right, so back to the pictures, you brought them with you for me to see, right?"

Elizabeth nodded her head. "Yes, I have your photos with me, and they are all done."

Georgiana smiled, "May I see them now?" she asked barely able to contain her excitement.

"Of course you can see them, but isn't your brother joining us?" she asked her as she pulled out her portfolio. "I thought he wanted to see them too."

Georgiana shook her head no and explained, "He thought I might like to go through them with you myself. Then he and I can go through the ones I like best."

Elizabeth wondered if it had more to do with Darcy wanting to avoid an uncomfortable encounter in case he disliked her work. She decided, either way, her goal was to please Georgiana, and that was what mattered most. "Well, I have with me some processed proofs, as well as some digital proofs. I brought my laptop so I can show you some of the different print options available. I know your brother will want to choose the framing for the portraits, but I can offer some suggestions for that as well if he would like."

Georgiana hesitated for a moment, "Elizabeth when we do order the final prints I know William will want to make sure that the company is very careful about security. That won't be a problem, will it? He doesn't want my picture leaked out to the press. You will remember to use my mother's maiden name for the order, won't you?"

"Yes, of course, I will. I promise you, Georgiana, I do use a very reputable company. I have never had any issues myself, but I do realize how important privacy is to your brother, so every precaution is being taken. Your brother does take his role as your guardian very seriously. It must be nice knowing you have someone who is looking out for you." Elizabeth thought about how neglectful her own dad was at times with her younger sisters.

"I know some girls my age would resent his care, but honestly I don't. I have watched so many of my peers from school end up in awful messes because there is no one there to help guide them or care for them," She thought about her own near miss with Wickham. She would forever be thankful to her brother for showing up early and saving her from herself. "I know many of the wealthiest teens are so often in the press that they take on a celebrity status, and then they can't go anywhere or do anything without a paparazzi following them around. I'm grateful to my brother for his care where I'm concerned. If I want to go to a shop or have lunch in the pub, no one is there trying to get a picture of me to sell to some gossip rag. I have my privacy, and I very much appreciate that."

Elizabeth thought about George again. She realized that no matter if what he told her were true or not, she made the right decision in not giving away Georgiana's photos. It was clear that her privacy was just as important to her as it was to Darcy. She thought about Jane's modeling career; there were times when it was difficult for her as well. The paparazzi did come around often hoping to get their shots of one of London's newest models being a party girl, but they soon realized Jane was not into the celebrity lifestyle. Elizabeth knew that for someone as shy and reserved as Georgiana having people following her around trying to take her picture would be very painful. She smiled then asked, "Shall we go over the photos now?"

Georgiana smiled, "Yes!" she said her voice filled with excitement. As Elizabeth showed her some of the first proofs, she was very happy. "Oh, I knew you were just the right person to do my photos!"

"I'm so glad you're happy with how they came out," Elizabeth told her feeling a bit relieved.

"I really do love how they came out. They are perfect, exactly what I was hoping they would be," she told her.

Richard came into Darcy's office; he placed a rather thick file on his desk. "We were right," he said to him. "It would seem, that our boy George has indeed run up more gambling debts in London. He owes a very large sum of money to a rather shady character by the name of Jack Brent. From what I have heard he's a not a nice fellow when it comes to those who don't pay what they owe."

"So, George is in Meryton pretending to be attending university to lay low for a while?" Darcy asked.

"I think there is more to it than that," he told him. "George knows he can probably get money out of this young kid Denny Wakefield. Maybe he's hoping to get enough to settle up with Brent. We both know what a con artist Wickham can be."

"He had me fooled for a very long time." Darcy told him, "How do you think we should proceed?"

Richard thought for a moment, "Right now I don't think there is much we can do. If you go into the neighborhood and start telling people what kind of person George is, it will be your word against his. Let's face it when it comes to getting people to sympathize, and feel sorry for him he has a way about him. Wickham is the master of manipulation."

Darcy thought about Elizabeth or her family possibly falling victim to him. "For now I won't say anything, but I reserve the right to change my mind should the situation warrant it."

"You always do Darcy," Richard laughed as he stood up and walked over to the door. "I will leave the file with you. Let me know if there is anything else I can do."

Darcy opened the file and began reading through Wickham's latest exploits. He shook his head in frustration, "I know all too well how easy it is for him to manipulate others," he sighed.

It had been a long day by the time Elizabeth rode up on her motorcycle. She pulled her helmet off then breathed in deeply; she loved the scent of the flowers that filled the air as the evening breeze blew across her mother's garden. Things went very well with Georgiana, and she was so glad that she liked how her photos turned out. She grabbed her backpack and computer gear then headed inside the house. She pulled out her phone. She saw Jane sent her a text and was trying to reach her. Elizabeth went inside through the kitchen door. "Good evening Hill, is Jane home yet?" she asked as she stopped and breathed in the wonderful smells coming from the oven.

"I believe she's up in her room Elizabeth," Hill mentioned as she peeled some potatoes.

"Ok thanks," Elizabeth said as she peeked in the oven, "Smells so good in here, what amazing and delicious meal are you preparing for us this evening?"

"I'm making my famous pot roast, with potatoes, carrots, garden salad and of course my homemade bread rolls," Hill told her.

Elizabeth's eyes narrowed, "We don't have company coming for dinner, do we Hill?"

"Oh yes," Hill told her then added, "Your father's guest is coming today."

Elizabeth sighed, "Yes, that's right he did mention something about his cousin coming for a visit," she remembered. "I had completely forgotten that was today."

"Well, your mother has been upset and snapping all morning because of it," Hill told her.

Elizabeth patted Hill on the back, "You are an angel to put up with all of us, especially my mum."

Hill didn't say anything more, she just smiled and went back to cooking the meal. Elizabeth thought about her cousin coming for a visit and wondered what his reason might be. It wasn't as if their families were close, none of them had ever met him before now. She couldn't remember if he was her dad's third or fourth cousin. All she really knew about William Collins was that he was the sole heir to her dad's manufacturing business and their family home. Apparently, there was such a rift between her dad and his father, Edward Bennet, when her parents married that her grandfather changed his will leaving everything to a distant relative.

As the story goes Edward Bennet, Elizabeth's grandfather was so angry with his son's decision to marry Fanny Gardiner that he cut him out of his will. Edward saw the marriage as an open act of rebellion on her dad's part. When her dad and mother married, her grandfather changed his will and refused to speak to his son. Edward despised Fanny and considered her to be nothing more than a social climber who manipulated his son into marrying her to elevate her own standard of living. Edward Bennet had the terms of his will changed leaving nothing to John. He was determined that Fanny would never inherit a penny from him. It was only her grandmother's influence that swayed Edward to soften his heart and allowed John to remain in the family home and continue to run the business until his death. Edward did finally relent not long after Lydia was born. He added a clause to his will stating that if John could produce a son of his own to carry on the family name, everything would be passed on to him. Of course, this was a deliberate slight to Fanny because after Lydia was born, she could no longer have more children due to health issues. According to their mother, Edward Bennet only changed his will to tempt their dad into leaving her and marrying someone else.

John Bennet never really talked about his family very much except to say that he had limited contact with the Collins side of the family a long time ago. So Elizabeth could think of no reason for William Collins's sudden interest in coming to see them other than his desire to see what he would someday own.

Elizabeth put her things away then went to her sister's room. Jane was sitting on her bed near the window, and she looked upset. "Jane, don't despair I have come," she teased her.

"Oh Lizzy, do come in," she motioned to her.

"So tell me, dear Jane, what is it that so important you needed to speak with me right away," Elizabeth teased her as she came in and sat down.

"The party Charles and I are having is going to be next week," she told her.

Elizabeth could see there was more to it than that or else her sister wouldn't be so tied up in knots. "Ok, so why does this news have you so upset?"

Jane threw her arms up in the air. "Oh, Lizzy everything was fine until Mum said that we must include William Collins as our guest. I told her that I didn't know how Charles would feel about that, but she said to do otherwise would be rude."

"Jane maybe he's not as bad as what dad has made him out to be. I mean no one can be as bumbling an idiot as what he has described Collins to be," she told her trying to make her feel better.

"I hope your right, but what if he is," Jane told her as she got up and began pacing around the room. "Or worse, what if he comes and embarrasses Charles in front of his friends. Oh, Lizzy if he's even half as bad as dad said then I know Charles's sister will say something, and then there is Darcy."

"What does Mr. Darcy have to do with you and Charles?" Elizabeth asked her surprised that she should sound so worried about his opinion.

"He's Charles's best friend. I don't want him to think bad of my family and me," Jane confided in her.

"Oh, Jane don't worry. I believe that Charles loves you and that he would overlook an odd cousin, or even a very bothersome mother-in-law just to win your heart," Elizabeth told her. "Besides Mr. Darcy has no reason to think anything bad about you."

Jane smiled, "You think I'm just being silly, don't you?"

Elizabeth laughed, "Just a little bit, but don't worry about it. We are entitled to behave silly occasionally, unlike our dear mother and sisters who make a habit of it almost daily."