The moment Wickham saw Miss Bennet and Georgiana, he paled. They were the last people he wanted to meet since he was engaged and his fiancée was by his side.
After seeing Georgiana blanch and then faint, he impulsively rushed towards her with great concern. He knew that he had wronged her grievously, and it was one of the few things that weighed on his conscience.
Elizabeth did not know they knew each other, much less what had happened between them, so she let Wickham help her lift Georgiana off the floor, and together they helped her settle into a small chair.
At that moment, an unsuspecting Darcy entered the milliner's shop. The Master of Pemberley seldom lost control and was usually very careful with his words, but seeing his sister in the arms of the scoundrel responsible for all Georgiana's suffering caused him to snap.
Darcy lunged at Wickham, seizing his arm violently and pulling him away from his sister while Elizabeth, Mary King, and everyone else in the shop looked on in astonishment at what was happening.
Darcy hissed through clenched teeth. "If you touch my sister again or even get close to her, I swear you will regret it."
A distraught Wickham replied, "Calm down, Darcy; I was just trying to help. Georgiana fainted and
Furious, Darcy interrupted him, saying, "For you, she is Miss Darcy; never repeat her Christian name! I'm warning you for the last time; if you go near my sister again, you will regret it."
"Darcy, I swear I have no intention of harming your sister."
Georgiana came to her senses, and with Elizabeth's help, she rose to her feet. Before Wickham could finish speaking, she touched her brother's arm and weakly pleaded. "Please, Brother, let us return to Netherfield."
Darcy nodded. Elizabeth silently questioned whether she should accompany them or return to the parsonage alone. She did not understand what had happened but realized it was something dire. Weakly, Georgiana asked her to stay with her, and Elizabeth nodded.
Unfortunately, as often happens when there is a quarrel, several curious people enter the milliner's shop and witness the angry confrontation. Immediately, rumours began to spread throughout Meryton.
Georgiana's anguished cries filled the carriage during the short ride from Meryton to Netherfield Park. Elizabeth hugged her very tight while caressing her hair, as her father used to do when she was a little child and hurt herself. She spoke softly to reassure her friend.
Darcy looked helplessly at his sister with great concern, not knowing what to do or say to comfort her. Uncaring parents and servants had raised him, and he was not used to displays of affection, rarely hugging or comforting his sister in good or bad times.
By the time the carriage arrived at Netherfield, Elizabeth and Darcy saw Miss Bingley looking out the window. They looked at each other for a few seconds, enough to silently confirm what the other was thinking. Georgiana was too agitated and tearful, and it would not do for her to get out of the carriage in that state. They had to try to minimize the gossip as much as possible.
With determination and concern in her voice, Elizabeth suggested, "Mr. Darcy, I think we had better go to the parsonage for tea. Mary is usually alone at this hour. I know my sister will be delighted to see Georgiana again. Besides, Georgiana can rest there." Looking at her friend, she asked, "Would you like to go to the parsonage, Georgiana?"
Georgiana nodded vigorously. Please, Brother, I do not want Miss Bingley to see me like this."
As he did not want his sister to be seen in such a state either, Darcy nodded, and they continued towards the parsonage, where Mary was sewing clothes for the children of Netherfield's poorest tenants.
As soon as they reached the parsonage, Elizabeth escorted Georgiana into her room so she could freshen up and rest for a while.
With a gentle smile, Elizabeth said, "Georgiana, I am going downstairs for a few minutes to heat water to prepare you a chamomile tea and to bring more fresh water for you to refresh yourself. Mary's only maid has the day off, and we have to do the chores."
"Lizzy, do not worry. I feel much better now. Tell my brother I will rest for a few minutes and then come down and have tea with you. Thank you so much for everything you have done for me." Georgiana managed a weak smile and hugged her friend again.
Elizabeth returned to the dining room, where Darcy was standing with his back to the room, looking thoughtfully out the window, while Mary stood by, perplexed, unaware of what had happened.