A/N - Feb. 24, 2025 small edits.
Some answers in this week's chapter! But more to come in following chapters too!
Thank you for all the wonderful reviews. Your questions, and guesses also give me me ideas to fill out the story more ;)
Chapter 8
She knocked on the Darcy's sitting room door at the inn. A rustle of skirt on the other side preceded the door opening to Georgiana's smiling face.
"Lizzy! I am so happy you are joining us this evening." She grabbed one of Elizabeth's hands and dragged her inside the room.
Seeing Darcy standing before a chair, Elizabeth curtseyed. "Mr. Darcy, thank you for the invitation to join you this evening."
He bowed, his expression austere but welcoming. "Mrs. Carrington, it is a pleasure to have you. May I get you a drink? We have a ratafia, which my sister says is quite tasty."
"Yes, I thank you." Elizabeth followed Georgiana over to the chairs and they both took a seat. "Georgiana mentioned you both had a fine ride this morning."
"Indeed." Darcy handed a small glass to his sister and one to Elizabeth. "The countryside in the surrounding area is very pretty. The horses are perhaps not as spirited as Pemberley's horses, but that is not a bad thing, especially with not being familiar with the terrain. Taking chances while riding can be dangerous."
"I shall take your word for it, sir. I rarely ride and while I find horses quite majestic, their size is too intimidating for me to desire to be close to them." Elizabeth's smile held a hint of her old impertinence. "I suppose that is why I married a naval man and not one from the cavalry."
"My cousin Richard would be upset to hear you speak so, Lizzy. He and my brother have always boasted they can teach anyone to ride. My brother taught me, when I was a child. He is a very patient teacher."
Darcy coughed. "Yes, well, that and the right, gentle mount has much to do with it,"
"I imagine neither of you fell from a horse when you were small?" She lifted one well shaped brow in question.
"Georgiana has yet to fall from a horse, but she is a more cautious rider. I have taken a few spills, but not as a child or anything life threatening. I take it you had an unfortunate incident involving a horse?"
"My father used to take me riding with him on his errands around Longbourn lands. I loved those times. Seated in front of him, he would talk about the estate and the history of the land. It was quiet, aside from the noises of the birds and the occasional tenant laboring in the fields. One time, the horse spooked, I cannot recall why. Papa did very well, holding on to the reins to keep his seat. Unfortunately, I slipped from his grasp and fell to the ground, breaking my arm and displacing my collarbone."
Georgiana gasped, "How old were you?"
"Not quite four." Elizabeth smirked. "Papa blamed himself for not having a better hold on me and refused to allow any of us to ride after that. He said our lives were too precious to lose them to such an accident." A strange expression flitted across her face, but it was quickly gone, leaving a pleasant smile in its wake. "So you see, I am a hopeless cause."
"Nonsense. If you really wanted to, I do not doubt you would learn admirably." Georgiana's chin rose and Elizabeth bit her lip to keep from laughing.
"Now, you have both heard something of where I grew up. In what county does Pemberley reside?"
"Pemberley is in Derbyshire. The finest county in the kingdom." The Darcys shared a smile.
"Now you sound like my aunt. She always says that about her childhood home county. I do believe she grew up in Derbyshire."
"Where in Derbyshire?" Georgiana asked excitedly.
"A little town called Lambton."
"That is the closest town to Pemberley. We are very familiar with it." This time it was the gentleman who responded. "Perhaps we have your aunt's acquaintance?"
"I am afraid I do not know her maiden name. She told me they left when her father passed, before her sixteenth birthday."
"I should like to meet her. We must have friends in common." Georgiana looked at her brother, "Do you not think?"
Darcy looked uncomfortable and was saved by a knock on the door. He went to open it, letting in the servants with the evening's meal. Once they had set out the repast and exited, Darcy assisted both women to seats. All was quiet for a little while as the diners ate in contemplative silence.
Soon, Georgiana began the topic again. "Brother, would it not be nice to meet Lizzy's relations with a connection to Lambton?"
Seeing the gentleman seated next to her was once again uncomfortable, Elizabeth set her cutlery down. Despite her reservations she concluded it was time to be upfront about her situation. "Georgiana, you and your brother hold a different sphere from myself and from my aunt and uncle. Uncle Gardiner, while the most excellent man I know and a true gentleman in behavior, is a successful businessman in London. He and his family reside on Gracechurch St. There is no reason for you and he to ever meet."
"We will meet when we call on you, when you visit them." A hurt expression took the place of the smile she had previously worn. "Do you not wish to stay in contact by correspondence? You will let me know if you should visit Town, will you not?"
Elizabeth sighed. She had not foreseen the young lady becoming so attached after only a short period of time. "There is nothing I would wish for more. However, there is information you do not have which will make a significant difference to your opinion."
Darcy now spoke up after remaining quiet through their last comments. "Let us finish our meal and Mrs. Carrington might enlighten us over drinks, as much as she is willing to share." His voice was low and emotionless, in an attempt to defray his sister's emotional tension.
For a few minutes the only noises were forks and knives on their plates. Eventually, Mr. Darcy inquired after their walk that afternoon, and the ladies described the birds they saw as they strolled toward the trees.
Too soon, with the meal finished, Elizabeth found herself seated with Georgiana in the chairs by the fireplace. Darcy took a stance with his elbow propped upon the mantle. "Mrs. Carrington, pray share only what makes you comfortable."
Elizabeth took a big breath and let it out slowly. When she spoke her voice was soft and her eyes were fixed on the floor in front of her. "Three years ago a militia regiment wintered in Meryton. My youngest sisters were enamored of all the officers. They swooned at the sight of their red coats. Unfortunately, my mother supported their excitability. My youngest sister was not mature enough to be out, but my mother indulged Lydia…" Elizabeth sighed, "She was spoiled and got her way far too often."
Taking a moment to collect her thoughts, Elizabeth continued, "With no sons, my mother feared the entail on Longbourn. It is to be inherited by a distant cousin and unfortunately, he is not a shining example of intelligence. She believed the only way to safeguard our futures was to marry us off as soon as possible.
"Lydia befriended the very young, very silly wife of the colonel of the regiment. When the regiment moved to Brighton for the winter, Lydia was invited as Mrs. Forster's particular friend. I did not like it, and tried to dissuade my father from allowing her to go, but he believed she would be insignificant once the officers were in the more enticing area of Brighton and all it had to offer.
"The next we heard, she had left her friends and eloped with a lieutenant. Her note indicated they were heading to Gretna Green, but all indications pointed to them heading in the opposite direction."
A swift inhale shattered the silence which remained once she stopped speaking. Georgiana had a hand pressed to her mouth.
Finally, Darcy inquired, "And your sister?"
"The carriage was eventually found at the scene of a horrific accident. There were no survivors. My sister was brought back for burial, but Lieutenant Wickham's body we were informed, must have washed away in the river the carriage had overturned into. He surely drowned."
"Wickham!" the exclamation shot from Darcy before he could stop it. "George Wickham, fair haired, from Derbyshire, originally?" His countenance was fierce.
Elizabeth startled at his eruption, "Yes, he was a tall, blonde haired man. I recollect him mentioning something of Derbyshire. Did you know him?"
Her gaze swept between the siblings, seeing both Darcys were pale. Georgiana's eyes fell to her hands folded on her lap. Elizabeth noted the knuckles were white from their tight grip. On the other hand, Mr. Darcy no longer leaned against the mantle; he stood tall and his eyes blazed at Elizabeth.
"We did." Replied Darcy, his jaw tight. "He was not a good man."
"No. He had all the appearance of a good man, but was a snake underneath the charming facade." Elizabeth's tone was bitter.
"When word got out about Lydia, the Bennets were shunned by the neighborhood. My mother fell into melancholy at the loss of her favorite daughter, and her good standing amongst her friends. She never recovered and we lost her soon after. So you see, you may not wish to continue contact after we part ways."
Georgiana loosened her own hands and reached over to grasp one of Elizabeth's. "Wickham was a master manipulator. Your sister did not stand a chance, even if she knew better than to elope. I imagine the scheme was a romantic one in her eyes, and perhaps believed she was fulfilling your mother's wishes." Georgiana gently squeezed the hand she was holding "I should very much wish to remain friends with a lady who is brave and kind and has given birth to the sweetest little boy."
Elizabeth chuckled and smiled sadly, "Ahh... The truth is revealed. It is my son you admire."
"I admire you. Now, may I call you my friend and not some chance encounter I made at an inn?"
She sent a quick look to the man who stood stiffly beside the mantle now. His expression was cold, yet he gave a quick nod of approval before looking away. Elizabeth hesitated before giving Georgiana a small smile, "I would be honored, friend.
Claiming the need to check on her son and quite fatigued by the emotional evening, Elizabeth made her excuses and returned to her own room. After changing into a nightrial, she released Hannah with her thanks and laid down on the bed, staring at her boy.
I will raise you to be as admirable and brave as your father, my sweet one. Tears trailed down her cheeks as she cried for all the Bennets had lost because of one selfish, cad of a man.
~ / ~
When Elizabeth left them to return to her own room, Darcy saw Georgiana was readying herself for a discussion, but he cut her off.
"Georgiana, it is late. We shall discuss this further tomorrow. I suggest you rest well, as I would hate for either of us to misspeak due to tiredness or petulance."
"Petulance!" Georgiana practically squeaked. Darcy merely raised his eyebrows.
"Very well. But we will discuss this tomorrow. I will have my say."
Darcy hid his smile. His sister would not thank him should she realize how much like Lady Catherine she sounded in that moment. Then he sighed, for she also appeared very like their mother. "Very well. We will ride in the morning - before you visit with Mrs. Carrington."
His expression was stern, which made her lips pinch. Still she stood at her full height and with an imperial rise of her chin, she glided out of the room. "Good night, Fitzwilliam."
With those words, Darcy knew their discussion would be more difficult than he surmised.
As he readied himself for bed, after dismissing his valet, he had to admit the pride he felt for Georgiana standing up for herself and for her friend, outweighed the distress he felt upon hearing Mrs. Carrington's story.
Wickham! Again. Always that same vile thorn in my side. I should have allowed Richard to end his life after what that mongrel attempted with Georgiana. The wretch is dead now and good riddance. At least he can no longer ruin any more lives. Still, how different Mrs. Carrington's and her family's lives would be if it were not for that blaggard.
Sleep was a long time in coming.
~ / ~
He and Georgiana broke their fast separately in their own rooms. When they met to go down to the inn's stable yard, Georgiana was clearly tense and ready for an argument.
"Good morning, sister." He purposefully kept his voice low and soft. "It is a beautiful morning with not a cloud in the sky. Rogers arranged for a packed repast for us to take. Let us ride out for a bit. We can then stop and rest the horses before returning."
She sent him a tentative smile. "Good morning. That sounds like a fine idea."
Nothing more was said between them until they rode out for a good half hour and stopped by a field with the remnants of blue bells, with a nearby stream for the horses to rest and drink. Darcy took off his great coat and laid it on the ground for them to sit on.
He grimaced, "I should have remembered a blanket." Georgiana giggled and the last remnant of tension was broken. Consuming a muffin each, they were finally ready to discuss the serious issue which had arisen at dinner the previous day.
"Georgiana, I will listen to all you have to say, but pray, allow me to say this one thing. I do not wish to be high-handed and forbid you to remain in contact with Mrs. Carrington, However, I expect you to do so only after you have considered all the implications."
So...? What do you think about the poor Bennet family?