When Darcy arrived at his townhouse, Richard was waiting for him with a grim face.
Without a preamble, Richard said, "Darcy, when I was at White's, some gentlemen were saying awful things about Georgiana. I refuted their words, but they showed me the newspaper. The gossip in town is terrible! My parents are furious with Georgiana, but they are willing to help you."
Darcy sighed heavily and replied, "I was visiting Lady Victoria a short time ago, and she told me she was not willing to continue our courtship because my sister was now a fallen woman. I am, as you can understand, traveling to Ramsgate at dawn. I suppose you can't leave your regiment without notice?"
Richard sadly shook his head and answered, "Unfortunately, you are right. Tomorrow I can't travel with you, but I will follow you to Ramsgate in two days." Richard solemnly looked Darcy in the eye, saying, "Please don't make a rash decision. Remember, duels are illegal, and you might be hanged for participating in one. Perhaps things are not so bad and, in a few years, everybody will forget this scandal."
"I hope so, Richard. I hope so."
Despite Darcy's response, both men were well aware that it was highly improbable the scandal would be forgotten.
The trip to Ramsgate was uneventful; he changed horses numerous times and reached the house in the evening. Only a few servants were in the house; Georgiana and her companion were not there. The housekeeper informed him that the young miss had departed with her companion and Mr. Wickham for Gretna Green the day before.
At Darcy's insistent questions, she reluctantly told him about the trysts and one of the maids finding Mr. Wickham in Georgiana's bed at least twice. The servants knew Georgiana and Wickham had been living as husband and wife without the benefit of marriage.
Darcy was shocked at his sister's behaviour and urgently sent an express to Richard explaining the situation. He stayed at Ramsgate that night since it was too late to travel. The following day, at dawn, he departed for Gretna Green.
He asked for the young couple at each inn along the way, but no one had seen them. Finally, on the fifth day, he found them at an inn only thirty miles from Gretna Green.
The first thing Darcy noticed was that the couple were dining with their hands clasped on the table, and Mrs. Younge was not with them. He could tell by the expression on Georgiana's face that she was happy and seemed in love with Wickham.
Unfortunately, angry people's reactions are not always wise, and Darcy was beyond angry, tired, and disappointed. He stormed into the inn and punched Wickham several times. Fortunately, few people witnessed the fight.
Georgiana was shocked at her brother's reaction and then started crying. This was her worst nightmare. Her brother and fiancé were fighting, and it was all her fault. She heard when George told her brother that he loved her and that they should get married because they had anticipated their vows.
Angrily, Darcy replied, "Wickham, you are a fool if you think I will give you my consent to the marriage. You won't have access to my sister's dowry!" Looking at Georgiana, Darcy begged, "Georgiana, please come with me. He doesn't deserve you, and he doesn't love you. He only wants your dowry. Please, Georgiana…"
With tears in her eyes, Georgiana pleaded, "Please, Brother, we are in love. I want to marry George. You used to be friends, and now you are going to be brothers. Please be happy for me."
Wickham was delighted; all was going according to plan. Georgiana was naive, easily manipulated, and in love with him. It was time to negotiate the dowry with Darcy.
"Darcy, as you probably see, we are in love, and we want to marry. Of course, we can marry in London or Pemberley with your blessing or in Gretna Green without it. It is your decision."
Darcy glared at him and didn't answer.
Wickham tenderly caressed Georgiana's cheek and said, "My love, I am so sad because you are distressed. Please go to our room to rest while I talk with your brother. I will follow you in a few minutes."
Georgiana kissed both Mr. Wickham and Darcy and left the room.
Darcy understood there was nothing he could do. Georgiana was acting blind; sadly, she was totally and publicly ruined. At least he could somehow protect her until she reached 25 years old. After that, she would receive her inheritance according to his father's will.
After a long awkward silence, Darcy sarcastically said, "Since you are in love, I will consent to the marriage. However, if you marry her, you will be living on only the interest of her dowry, which is 1200 pounds per year. You will receive only £100 every month. You may lease or buy a house where you want and pay the servants. Georgiana may visit Pemberley and my townhouse in London whenever she wants, but you are not welcome there. In ten years, when Georgiana is 25 years old, she will receive her dowry. If she dies before she turns 25, her dowry will return to my estate and won't be yours."
Indignantly, Wickham cried. "You are denying your own sister her dowry. How cruel a brother are you?"
"I am protecting my sister from fortune hunters like you. Therefore, these are the terms:
"But I have some debts to pay, and I need at least £1,000 in advance to settle them."
"This is your problem, not mine. These are the terms. You choose."
"I don't accept such terms. You will give me at least £5,000 before the wedding, or I will abandon her. She is ruined, and you know it. Nobody will want her, and she may even be carrying my child," cried Mr. Wickham.
They continued discussing for an entire hour, and finally, they reached an agreement. Darcy would settle Wickham's debts before the wedding, and once they were married, he would give them at least an additional £100 every month.
June – July 1811It was done. Georgiana's life was irrevocably tied to Wickham's.
Since Darcy wanted to avoid inviting Wickham to Pemberley and a wedding in London was out of the question, he decided it was best the three continued the 30-mile trip to Gretna Green, and his sister got married there.
With a heavy heart, Darcy reserved the only church in Gretna Green, and he was a witness to his sister's biggest mistake. Georgiana was radiant on her wedding day, and Wickham played the role of a devoted groom very well.
After the wedding, they discussed living arrangements. The first option was for them to lease a house in some place using the interest on Georgiana's dowry, and the second option was Greystone, a small estate of Darcy's in Scotland, plus £500 per year. Greystone was worth £1000 per year and was only five miles from Edinburgh.
Unsurprisingly, Wickham chose Greystone. They travelled to Edinburgh and then on to Greystone. The manor was small but adequate for the newlywed couple's needs. There were four bedrooms on the second floor, a big and small dining room, a parlour, and a small library on the first floor. The furniture was outdated but comfortable, and an old piano was in the big dining room. The only servants living in the house were a housekeeper and a butler.
There were four tenants and an old steward responsible for the estate's management. He lived in a small cottage close to the manor.
The newly married couple settled into their new life as master and mistress. They hired three maids, a gardener, and a Cook.
The night before Darcy returned to Pemberley, Georgiana knocked on Darcy's door to have a last conversation with him. She knew her brother was disappointed in her, and she wanted to rebuild their relationship.
Seeing her brother's serious mien, Georgiana stammered, "Brother, can we talk for a few minutes?"
"I am very tired, Georgiana, and I am leaving for Pemberley at dawn." He snapped back.
Georgiana was surprised at her brother's unwillingness to talk, but she nodded, kissed him on the cheek, and left quickly.
For a moment, Darcy hesitated to go after her but finally desisted. He was still upset with her. The following day, he left for Pemberley.
He was a changed man. He was tired, disappointed, and angry with Wickham, Georgiana, and himself. He had failed his sister and his ancestors.
September 1811
Mrs. Reynolds was quite worried. Her dear boy was really in bad shape. He was drinking heavily every day, and he wasn't eating properly. The harvest was approaching, and there were a lot of decisions and plans to make.
When rumors of Georgiana's indiscretion and elopement reached London, most of his acquaintances and university friends dropped the connection. He was not a coveted bachelor anymore. He didn't receive invitations to parties, and he felt as though everybody was talking about him behind his back.
Every fortnight, a letter from Scotland arrived, and most of the time, he didn't open it. He didn't want to think about his sister or his failure.
Fortunately, Richard arrived at Pemberley in September for a few days. As a colonel, Richard Fitzwilliam was practical and very good at commanding people. Richard had experience with depression. As a soldier, he had his share of horrible experiences in battle, and he lost one of his best friends during combat when he was injured and sent back to England. He was on a mission to save Darcy from himself.
That same day, Richard met Darcy in his study and, without a preamble, said, "We are worried about you. You have lost weight, and if you continue like this, you will get sick." He looked him in the eye and said, "You should try harder not to be selfish."
"Selfish." Incredulously, Darcy repeated
"Yes, selfish. Since you returned to Pemberley, have you ever thought of all the people whose well-being depends on your decisions? Have you ever thought about all the people worried about you?"
"Richard, you can't understand me. I failed my sister; I failed my parents."
Richard interrupted him, saying, "Darcy, you can't change the past. You shouldn't cry over spilled milk. If you continue drinking and neglecting your duties and obligations, your tenants, your servants, and dozens of merchants will suffer. I am sure you don't want that!"
The two cousins continued talking for more than an hour. It was a painful conversation, but Darcy realized his cousin was right.
He stopped drinking and slowly started to participate in the daily decisions of the management of Pemberley. He resumed meeting with his steward and attending Sunday services.
In the last week of September, he received a letter from his good friend Charles Bingley inviting him to Hertfordshire. Charles was leasing an estate and was asking for his friend's help.
Darcy met Charles Bingley at the university seven years ago. Charles was the son of a wealthy tradesman, and some students were mean to him due to his roots in trade. Charles had a sunny disposition and a gregarious personality, while Darcy was taciturn and reserved.
After thinking seriously about it, he decided to accept the invitation.