A few days after Lady Victoria's departure, Darcy had a serious conversation with Georgiana about his relationship with his wife. At first, his sister couldn't believe that her uncle and cousins were capable of deceiving her brother like that. She already knew from the discussion she had overheard that Lady Victoria was a woman of low morals. But she had not known that Lady Victoria had laid with her cousin Edward, and even betrayed her brother yet again. Georgiana adored her brother above all else and didn't want him to remain married to this woman. She also never wanted to see Lord Matlock or Edward Fitzwilliam again.
In late February - when the weather was warmer – Georgiana and Darcy undertook a trip to London to meet with his solicitor. He was willing to do whatever it took to get a divorce for adultery.
The private investigators he had hired found out that, after his father-in-law paid off the debt to Lord Matlock, the two men had drifted apart. They only saw each other at Parliamentary meetings. The investigators also informed him that his father-in-law had sold part of his estate to finish paying his debts. Furthermore, gossip had begun to circulate throughout London about Lady Victoria's infidelity.
A few days after his arrival in London, Darcy was in his office reading business letters when his housekeeper told him that Lord Matlock was in the parlour and wanted to see him.
Darcy invited him to his study and after an awkward silence Lord Matlock finally said, "I read your letter. I have started using my considerable influence in Parliament to approve your request for divorce. Lady Matlock and I will make our best effort to keep Georgiana's reputation from being tarnished by the scandal."
Darcy looked Lord Matlock in the eye and sarcastically replied,"I suppose you are expecting my gratitude for your support."
"I know you are furious because she deceived you several times, but no one forced you to court her, Nephew. It was your choice!"
Darcy didn't answer, and an uncomfortable silence engulfed the room until Lord Matlock left.
PPP
During the following few weeks, Lady Victoria's father tried on several occasions to meet with Darcy because he knew that, without Lord Matlock's support, Darcy would divorce his daughter and his family would be socially and financially ruined. Darcy never permitted his visits. He was also aware that his youngest daughter - between this scandal, and lack of a dowry - would never be able to make an advantageous marriage.
Darcy just wanted this nightmare to be over as soon as possible so he could get back to Pemberley. Gossip, increasingly exaggerated, circulated throughout London; wherever he went he was greeted with quizzical looks and in some cases flippant comments.
Richard visited Darcy and Georgiana on more than one occasion and even went with Darcy to White's as a symbol of the Fitzwilliam family's support. Several of the gentlemen didn't dare say anything as the Darcy- Fitzwilliam families were too powerful, and they could not afford to have them as enemies.
Georgiana spent most of the day in the house; Darcy had hired the best masters in London to teach her German, painting, and drawing. When they both had free time, they would often walk in Hyde Park, visit museums, or go to bookshops.
In this way, the days went by, and everything indicated that Darcy's divorce petition was on the right track…
PPP
In mid-March, to celebrate Georgiana's birthday, they went to buy a new piano for the London house and then continued on to Hatchards. Inside Hatchards, the siblings parted ways, as Darcy went to the agriculture section and Georgiana stayed in the novels section.
She was looking with great interest at a novel by an author she did not know when she saw two young and pretty ladies approaching, talking about that precise novel.
One of them saw that Georgiana was looking at the novel they were talking about and smiled at her warmly. Shyly, Georgiana asked, "Excuse me, have you ever read this novel?"
"Yes; We have both recently read it. My sister and I were just talking about it. I highly recommend it to you." The other young woman nodded.
Georgina smiled. "I have never read anything by this author, but an acquaintance recommended it ..."
They continued talking about the novel, and in the middle of that conversation, Darcy returned to look for his sister. Great was his surprise when he found himself face to face with the woman who still occupied his thoughts. They stared at each other in shock. He was the last man in the world she wanted to see, on the other hand, he was happy to see her. In a whisper, he unconsciously said her name.
Darcy with an uneven voice and a deep bow greeted them. "Miss Bennet, Miss Mary, it's an unexpected and nice surprise to see you again. I hope you are in good health." Looking at his sister, added, "Allow me to introduce my sister, Georgiana Darcy."
Elizabeth took her sister by the arm and with a forced smile replied, "It is lovely to meet you, Miss Darcy, but unfortunately, it is time we go."
Mary, not knowing what had happened between Mr. Darcy and her sister, looked at her sister curiously, smiled at the Darcys, and followed her sister.
Georgiana bought the book she had discussed with the Misses Bennet, and then they went home. On the way back, Darcy was quieter than usual; it had affected him deeply to see Elizabeth. What hurt him the most was that by his stupidity he had humiliated the only woman he had ever loved, and she was never going to forgive him.
PPP
Since her exile, Lady Victoria's life had gone from bad to worse. She lived in a small cottage near Edinburgh with a single servant. A cook came twice a week, and a young man sporadically brought her firewood and did other heavy work. The nearest market town was more than a mile away, and her neighbours were farmers.
No one knew her real name, and the story told by servants at Darcy's nearby estate was that her husband had recently died and left her very little money. Since such stories and "widows" abounded in Scotland, no one questioned her or showed interest in getting to know her.
She wrote several letters to her parents, asking for their help, but never received a reply. She wrote to her old friends and acquaintances, to Lady Matlock, and even to Edward, but no one wrote back.
As the days passed, she realized that no one was going to help her, that she was completely alone, and with only 120 pounds per year to support herself. She would never be able to return to her father's house, she would never be accepted into high society, she would never be respected, and everywhere she went she would be looked down upon. She was considered a fallen woman, and her life would be miserable forever.
On a March morning, some tenants saw her heading for the lake, and a few hours later, Darcy's steward found her body floating in the lake.