Many thanks to my beta reader and co-author Sam. H.
This is a difficult chapter, but I promise Georgiana will have an HEA.
PPP
When Darcy and Bingley returned to Netherfield, the housekeeper handed Darcy a letter and said, "Mr. Darcy, this express arrived for you an hour ago."
Concerned, Darcy quickly opened the letter and blanched.
December 3, 1811
Pemberley, Derbyshire
Dear Mr. Darcy,
I am terribly sorry to be the bearer of distressing news, but Miss Darcy is extremely ill, and the Lambton doctor fears she may not survive.
Maria Annesley
Darcy immediately began to give orders to his valet to pack and sent a footman to his coachman to prepare the carriage. In an hour he was on his way to Pemberley. He stopped briefly only to change horses and sleep for a few hours until daybreak. He arrived home within two days.
Mrs. Reynolds was waiting for him at the entrance. Her worry and exhaustion were written in her eyes. She immediately assured him that Georgiana was still alive, but her fever was very high and she was delirious. The doctor, Mr. Swan, who had been staying at Pemberley since Georgiana became ill, was resting but had left instructions to be awakened for any reason. Darcy told her he wished to speak with Mr. Swan as soon as he was available.
Darcy quickly refreshed himself and changed his clothes. On entering his sister's bedchamber Mrs. Annesley stood and greeted him softly.
Georgiana laid in her bed, pale and restless. He placed a hand on her head and could feel how hot she was. He helped Mrs. Annesley replace the cold cloths on her forehead and neck, then stepped out when a maid entered to change Georgiana's sweaty nightgown.
A few minutes later, Mr. Swan rose from his rest and met with Darcy in his study. The doctor was visibly worried and said, "Mr. Darcy, sir, I am sorry to meet you under these circumstances."
"Mr. Swan, thank you so much for all you are doing for my sister. Could you give me more details about my sister's health?"
"Your sister has an infection, Mr. Darcy. Unfortunately, there is very little that medicine can do to help her. However, there has been a small improvement in her condition these last two days."
Darcy nodded. "What are the causes of my sister's infection? Is it contagious?"
"No, it is not contagious," Mr. Swan looked him in the eyes and answered with pity. "Your sister was pregnant, Mr. Darcy, and she had a miscarriage. She developed an infection, as can sometimes happen with miscarriages."
Darcy looked at the doctor in horror and shook his head emphatically. "No, that is not possible! You are wrong, Doctor! My sister was not pregnant!"
Mr. Swan sighed and shook his head. "Mr. Darcy, if you prefer to believe it was impossible and that I am wrong, believe so. But from my extensive experience, I can tell you that your sister was indeed pregnant."
After a difficult conversation with the doctor, Darcy locked himself in his study. After a few solitary minutes of contemplation, Darcy came to the sad but inevitable conclusion that Georgiana had lied to him when she assured him nothing of that sort had happened with Wickham.
So, it was not a lie when Wickham told him that Georgiana might be carrying his child. Darcy had thought it was a ploy to force Darcy's agreement for their marriage. He could not comprehend his sister's lies. Had she known she was pregnant? The incident in Ramsgate was in late July...
PPP
Over the next three days, Georgiana's fever slowly dropped to low and then normal levels, and the doctor finally declared her out of danger. However, Mr. Swan was adamant she should rest for several more days before she was allowed to return to her usual activities.
Darcy was overjoyed and relieved by her recovery. The fear of her dying had been a vice around his chest, and it was now loosened. What was he to do with the revelations of her behaviour and lies?
A week following her complete recovery, Darcy decided the time had come to have a serious conversation with her. After breaking his fast, Darcy visited Georgiana in her bedchamber. She was lying on the bed with several pillows, reading a novel that was all the rage in London. Mrs. Annesley was sitting discreetly in the corner sewing.
Darcy greeted both ladies, then asked Mrs. Annesley to leave him alone with his sister. He pulled up a chair next to the bed and sat down facing Georgiana. A deafening silence slowly dominated the room as the minutes ticked by. Finally, Darcy looked into his sister's eyes and said, "Georgiana, I am deeply disappointed in you." He paused and added, "I am disappointed in your behaviour, but I am more disappointed in your lying, assuring me, you were still a maiden."
Georgiana's face blanched, her eyes filling with tears. She lowered her head, unable to meet his gaze, and did not answer. Darcy was frustrated by her lack of response. He angrily asked her, "Why did you lie so brazenly? How could you, especially about something this serious?"
"I was so afraid you would become even more disillusioned with me and never want to see me again."
Darcy took a deep breath to calm himself and answered in a whisper. "I am very disappointed in you. What you did was wrong and lying about it was deceitful. Why, Georgiana? Please, help me understand"
Georgiana burst into tears and replied, "I am so sorry, Brother…, so sorry… When I realized what had happened, it was too late…"
"Please, tell me, why!" Darcy impatiently said.
"I do not know! Mr. Wickham brought a bottle of champagne to celebrate our engagement. After dinner, Mrs. Younge retired to her bedchamber, and we toasted for our future. It was the first time I had ever had champagne, and I was so happy and in love. He started kissing me and he refilled my glass twice. I was dizzy, and he carried me to my bedchamber. He continued kissing me and at one point I recall Mr. Wickham was on top of me and I felt a sharp pain piercing my midsection. I started crying, but he comforted me; he told me it did not matter since we loved each other, and we would get married. When I awoke the next morning, my head ached fiercely and I was sore. He convinced me to elope with him the following day."
Darcy was aghast. Wickham, that braggart, took full advantage of her naiveté and innocence. On impulse, Darcy hugged her tightly. "I am so sorry Georgiana. Wickham took advantage of your innocence." Darcy added, "I wish you had told me what happened."
"I thought about doing so, many times, but I was so ashamed. I know how I behaved, meeting with Wickham and agreeing to elope with him was very wrong. I could not face your disappointment." In a broken voice, she added, "I also overheard part of the conversation you had with Mr. Wickham. He said he would only marry me if you gave him my dowry of £30,000. He told you we had been intimate, and I might be carrying his child, so you did not have a choice."
Darcy nodded slightly. It was exactly what Wickham had said. "I was certain he was lying, and he was only saying those things to pressure me into agreeing to the marriage. That he was desperate to get his hands on your dowry. It never crossed my mind that his statements were true."
Georgiana nodded. "I know you thought it was all a lie. I heard the rest of the quarrel; especially the horrible things Wickham said about me. I now know Mr. Wickham only wanted my dowry. He, he never cared for me. At that moment, I felt so stupid for believing all his lies and believing that I was in love with him. Please, brother, forgive me for being such a fool."
Darcy sighed, and taking out his handkerchief he wiped Georgiana's eyes and cheeks. "I will not deny my disappointment in your behaviour, nor will I deny your dishonesty hurt. It is important now to focus on your recovery and your future."
He kissed her forehead and stood, walking quickly from the room. He did not want to stay longer and risk saying something he might regret.
Brother and sister had three more conversations over the next two weeks. Georgiana, ashamed and apologetic for her behaviour, was desirous of his forgiveness. Darcy, on sombre reflection, realized he had failed his sister as well. Georgiana was left alone and vulnerable, without even the knowledge of how men can take advantage of innocent young ladies. Wickham was a man she had known as a child and of whom she knew no wrong. It is no surprise Georgiana had believed his pretty words and was ignorant of needing to be on her guard from a fortune hunter such as he. Now she was likely to pay the consequences of her actions for the rest of her life.