Chapter 18

As the carriage door shut behind them, the Colonel hesitated to speak with his ward. He had taken every reasonable hope from the civilities the young ladies extended. It was more than civilities really; they had extended genuine warmth and kindness. Miss Elizabeth was not one to feign friendship where she felt contempt. That much was apparent from their foray in Kent. She was always civil, but she was not always warm; her wit could censure without adding undue offense. He was grateful that trait had not been employed against Georgianna. Not typically given over to pleasantness at the cost of good sense, he felt there was some hope he could trust the young lady to deal differently with the sister then with the brother. Having no wish to needlessly alarm Georgianna, he suddenly questioned whether to convey everything he had intended.

Her chatter about their call made it impossible to think straight and yet, he was sure this conversation must be had before Darcy discovered their whereabouts that morning. God forbid that she should be taken unaware by his shock. I would not wish her to feel as though she is at fault for his discomfort. Even worse, Darcy may determine to leave her in the dark about matters she may discover elsewhere. She is now in a position where we may not be able to fully protect her.

"Georgianna, would you care to stop for some ices. It's been quite sometime since I've had such a treat."

"I wish that I could, but I have a music lesson this afternoon. I am very grateful for your introduction to the Bennet sisters. I find them to be very good company."

"Very well then," said the Colonel, "We shall continue to Darcy House."

"I hope they are able to call sooner, but I would imagine not. I think my brother will be delighted to see Miss Elizabeth as well. He mentioned her frequently in his missives. I wonder that he did not wish to join us."

Upon receiving the opportunity, he found he was not fully ready for it. How does one explain things to someone so sheltered from the world. It is not simply good guys and villains; it is a world where good men like her brother do bad things, and where villains like Wickham can, on occasion, do good deeds seemingly selflessly. "As to that, your brother is not aware we have called. I request only an outing with you."

"You mean to surprise him then? Will he not be sorry to have missed out?" she said, being to sense matters were somehow not as they seemed.

He hesitated, then replied. "As to that, there was some disagreement between the two of them in Kent."

"I am sorry to hear it. Are we then to help them make amends?"

"In a fashion, I suppose so."

"Whatever was their disagreement about? Surely, she is sorry for it now. I have never known my brother to be wrong, or unfair. If calling gives her opportunity to apologize, then I am sure he will receive it. I think he must have some intention toward her, though I know I should not speak so."

"There, in lies the problem." Colonel Fitzwilliam exhaled heavily. He did not wish to dispel her of the notion her brother was nearly infallible, and trustworthy, but nor could he have the Bennet sisters subject to his ward exuding those notions. Especially in the matter where they were so wounded, and at Darcy's hand. "You see, your brother separated a friend of his from the eldest Miss Bennet, because he thinks the two of you may someday make a match. Miss Elizabeth found the matter out and your brother hardly replied altruistically, or sensibly, for that matter."

Miss Darcy's eye's widened, "But they were so kind to me! I cannot believe my brother would do such a thing! There could not have been very much affection between them. But who is it that he wishes me to marry?"

"As to that, I believe there was a great deal of affection between Miss Bennet and the young man. As I do not approve of the match, you need not concern yourself with it. I believe your brother is inclined to see sense as well and no longer thinks as highly of arrangement as before."

For second she could not comprehend why her brother would be arranging a match with someone unsuitable, then suddenly, it most certainly did make sense. "It is because of last summer then?"

"You need not concern yourself with that, I can assure you. Your brother and I would never allow the matter to result in an unhappy match. Neither of us believes you to be unworthy of what a young lady of your situation ought to expect."

"But he thinks me unworthy to have a proper courtship with someone, and to be out in society, at least until I am safely wed?"

"Not at all. Neither of us think that. I believe it was more of a secondary plan incase there proved to be trouble that could not be sufficiently contained."

"Then why separate them if they loved one another? My brother's plans must have been nearly fixed when his friend fell in love."

"I do not believe so, as I was not yet consulted." Said Colonel Fitzwilliam, noticing their location. We've nearly arrived. I have too much to say in such short order. Perhaps we can take tea with little disturbance. "I must tell you, though it pains me to say it, some of his methods of separating them were quite underhanded. What is more important is that when Miss Elizabeth confronted him, she insinuated she had heard a great deal of ill of him from Wickham as well."

She gasped, and said, "It is my fault then. Mr. Wickham told her of our near elopement! She must think very ill of me!"

He pinched the bridge of his nose. He was ill equipped to have this conversation with a young lady. "It is in no way your fault that your brother acted so badly. As to Wickham, we know not what he told her, only that he has managed to elicit her compassion based on some falsehood about your brother. I've not known Wickham to ever speak the truth, what story he spun, we know not. He has a remarkable ability to appear amiable and selfless when he wishes. We only know what was said is contributing to the contempt Miss Elizabeth feels for your brother. Given the way Darcy behaved towards her sister, she has every reason to believe the ill she was told of him."

The color drained from Georgianna's face. "Yet, if I had not nearly eloped, there would be in no need of a plan for me, and Miss Bennet would not have lost the man she loves." She said in a hollow, defeated voice, realizing for the first time how her actions may affect those not of her immediate circle.

"You are hardly responsible for your brother's deportment. I won't have you believing his stupid notions are your fault." He knew not how to correctly convey that to a young lady—who's every impulse was driven by sensibilities that he found hard to comprehend. How was he to predict how she might interpret these events, though he had tried to anticipate her? If I told her the sun failed to shine, she would attribute it to something she said, or thought, or felt. Are all young ladies so convinced all the goings on in the world are so tied to their doings?

"Yes, but I …" The carriage stopped and so did Georgianna. She looked around, scarce believing they were already home.

"Perhaps we can take tea and further discuss this matter before we see your brother."

She nodded. As they alighted the stairs and the door was opened to them it become quite clear their plans were for naught. They both knew the voice that now harangued Darcy. There would be no escaping it until it's mistress made her point; her relations were no exception; they could not hope to be spared her condescension. Scarcely was she ever so vexed, though her temperament was naturally bad. Georgiana feared her misdeeds had somehow come to her aunt's ears. The Colonel, however, easily ascertained what had driven her ladyship hither; it was the work of a moment to understand what Miss Elizabeth was about. Bingley and his aunt paying a call in a matter of hours could be no coincidence.