Mr. Darcy's Forbidden Love-kindle (57 page)

“Perhaps he has an irredeemable character, and that is why the other ladies refused him.  Surely it would not be wise to force Lizzy to marry him,” Jane interjected.  She received looks of total disbelief from her aunt and her mother before they turned back to each other, talking as though they had not heard.

“If Lizzy apologises the moment Lord Wilkens comes back to London, he will most likely forgive her lapses, make her an offer and they shall become engaged. Then all the gossip will disappear like fog on a sunny day. No one will care about the rumours if she and Wilkens marry. Then you shall have a rich son, and your other girls will be put in the way of other rich men.”

Jane watched her mother’s eyes light up. “You are absolutely correct. Lizzy has to marry this Wilkens fellow as expeditiously as possible.” She took Mrs. Gardiner’s hands. “It shall be done. I shall see to it myself.”

Jane’s heart sank as her mother and her aunt congratulated each other on finding the perfect solution to the rumours supposedly circulating in London. Pondering all that she had heard and utterly surprised that her mother had not asked
who
the married man was after Aunt Gardiner explained her scheme, Jane tried to think of a way to help Lizzy.

Papa! That is the answer! I have to get a letter to him as soon as possible or Lizzy will be forced to wed John Wilkens.

“Jane! Jane!” Jane looked up to see both women eyeing her strangely. “You seem to be in another world.”

Afraid they might guess that she would try to aid her sister, Jane decided to change the subject, and she knew just the artifice. “I was just considering that I should press ahead with plans for my wedding clothes.”

Fanny clapped her hands with glee. “Of course, you should! We shall begin tomorrow visiting the best textile merchants in Town, just as planned. There shall be nothing but the best for you, my dear—laces, satins and silks! Then we shall engage the best modiste in London to transform them into your wedding gown and other necessities.”

Mrs. Gardiner motioned to the door. “Let us remove to the parlour and talk more of the wedding, now that we are finished with the
problem
. If Edward knew that we had used his study, he would want to know why and all the particulars. I think it best he is not privy to all the talk concerning Lizzy.”

They had just gotten settled in the parlour when the man of the house came through the front door and, after greeting everyone, went upstairs. They had each put on a cheery air for Mr. Gardiner, even Jane, who all the while, was composing a letter in her head that she would slip into the morning post with Jenny’s help. Jenny, a young woman of about twenty, had worked for the Gardiner’s as a maid for over a year, and Jane liked her very much. More than that, she trusted her. They often took the Gardiner children to the park together, and they had become fast friends.

I pray Papa will leave his library long enough to come to London. Surely he will for Lizzy. He can always leave my younger sisters in the care of Aunt Phillips.

At that moment, the grey-headed, cheerless Gertrude Doane appeared in the doorway. “When shall I serve dinner, madam?”

“I would say in a half-hour. That will give Mr. Gardiner time to change his clothes while I check on the children to see if they have finished their lessons.”

 “Very good, madam.” The taciturn woman did not smile as she turned to return to the kitchen.

~~~*~~~

Milton
Ashcroft Park
Georgiana’s sitting room

By the time William had finished bathing, he felt as though he might possibly survive what still lay ahead. He had washed hurriedly. Perusing his image in the mirror, he noted that he looked more rested than he felt and smiled at the irony.

Entering the hallway from his bedroom, he turned to close the door when his aunt called out. Coming towards him from the other end of the corridor, a large smile crossed her face as she neared. It warmed his heart. She reminded him so much of his mother when she smiled at him in that manner.

“Mr. Dutton told me you were ready,” Lady Ashcroft said, reaching to take one of his hands and pull him back into his room, though she did not shut the door entirely. She examined him thoroughly, from the slightly wet dark curls that spilt over the tanned forehead and that highlighted his clear blue eyes, to the black suit with burgundy waistcoat that he wore with exquisite black Hoby* boots, the kind her husband had always preferred.

Swiftly kissing his cheek, she exclaimed, “You are a handsome man, Nephew.” At his shrug, she added, “But you look so much better now than when you arrived. Do you feel well enough to forego a nap before dinner so that you may have your talks with Georgiana and Miss Bennet?”

“I fear this is no time to sleep.”

She nodded, sighing with understanding before continuing. “Georgiana has just returned to her sitting room from the conservatory. She became even more worried when I told her that you had arrived from London to escort her back. I know she regrets having caused Marshall and Miss Bennet to be hurt, but as I said earlier she dreads facing you most of all.” She waited until his gaze met hers. “Remember what we decided when I became her companion—she is not allowed to sulk or to sink into melancholy. She must admit mistakes and move forward. Would you like me to be with you when you speak to her?”

“No, I thank you.” William took a deep breath. “I have to deal with her disobedience and I shall, but—” He reflected a moment. “I shall attempt to do it with patience and love, as we have discussed.”

She squeezed his hands. “I never doubted that, but remember that Georgiana can elicit sympathy with her tears, especially from you.”

A wan smile lifted the corners of his mouth. “How well I am aware of that!”

“Good, then go to her. She is waiting in there.” She pointed to a room across the hall. “It should not take long to make your feelings plain. Do not let her go on and on apologising. Afterward, explain to Georgiana that you must speak to Miss Bennet before dinner, as she deserves an apology for the injuries she suffered trying to assist her. Then leave her to consider all you have said. There will be time enough for you two to talk again after dinner, if you think it necessary.”

William tried not to sound eager. “Where is Miss Bennet now?”

“She is walking about the property. As soon as you are done talking with your sister, send a servant to find me and then go straight to the library. While you wait there, I shall find Miss Bennet and escort her to you. I think that meeting her again in the library will be less intimidating, since it is such a spacious room and filled with her favourite things.”

He smiled crookedly. “How would you know she favours books?”

“Fitzwilliam, I rode all the way from Milton with your Miss Bennet. I know a great many things about her. Besides, if you are enamoured of her, she has to like books!”

His smile faded as his brows knit quizzically, recalling what else she had said. “Do I intimidate people?”

His aunt chuckled and patted his cheek. “Only those who do not know you, my love, and those who do.”

Chuckling at his bewildered expression, she pushed him towards the door across from them. “There is no time like the present.”

William found himself entering a beautiful sitting room that adjoined the bedroom that Georgiana always occupied at Ashcroft Park. He had been in this room often enough, but it had recently been redecorated in shades of yellows and greens, and he barely recognised it. Calling her name, there was no answer so he walked to the connecting door, intending to knock. Before he got there, he caught sight of Georgiana standing on the balcony. She was staring into the distance, her arms crossed, and she was rubbing her forearms as though to warm herself.

For a brief moment, he took her measure. It had been some time since he had studied Georgiana, and in her present pose, it was plain that she was fast becoming a woman, getting taller and developing womanly curves.

Every hair was in place; that in itself was unusual. Suddenly, he found himself smiling at old memories. As a child she dearly loved to run, even running throughout the house, to their parents’ dismay, and her fine hair would always escape the pins and ribbons employed to hold it. Pictures from times past progressed through his mind—Georgiana chasing butterflies on the manicured lawn or pursuing the numerous cats in the gardens and stables, her hair down and in complete disarray. Their mother had been fond of reminding him that Georgiana would outgrow such antics one day, and he would miss them. His smile crumbled as a sharp pain pierced his heart. He missed more than just his sister’s childish behaviour—he missed his mother.

As though Georgiana felt his presence, she turned to see him observing her, and it tortured William to see her hands fly up to cover her face. He rushed to her side, pulling her into his arms. Saying nothing, he held her, twisting slowly side to side and soothing her as she cried. At length, she quieted, and he leaned his head back to study her.

“Georgiana, look at me,” he entreated softly.

There was a furious shaking of her head, so he used his fingertip to tilt her chin so that he could look into her eyes. She had them closed tightly, and it almost made him smile.

“Open your eyes.” A barely perceptible movement of her eyelids revealed two small dark slits examining him. He schooled his face to show displeasure. “Open them wide so you can see me.”

She sighed heavily but did as he asked. He stared for so long in silence that her blue eyes began to fill again.

“Now that I have your attention, tell me what possessed you to go against everything you have been taught? Why would you disobey the rules we set in place to keep you safe?”

Her eyes dropped to study the fine lawn of the shirt exposed above his waistcoat. “I thought that I was being mature by deciding something for myself. Lady Strongham often said that I acted much too childishly.”

“And do you think it was mature to disregard what people with years of experience have cautioned you?”

More shaking of her head preceded a quietly murmured, “Not anymore.”

“You know, sweetling, if I have learned anything in my seven and twenty years, it is that human nature never changes. What our mother tried to instil in me when I was your age has proven invaluable, and that is why I have tried to pass that knowledge on to you. In every generation there are those who stand ready to lie, steal, even to kill to get what they desire. And it is mainly at the expense of those who are naïve,” he kissed the top of her head, “or kind-hearted enough to believe them.”

He pulled her even tighter, her head coming to rest under his chin. “And even more despicable are those who would prey on a loved one just to have their revenge. I apologise, for I should have warned you about George Wickham in particular. He has much to despise me for and, therefore, a motivation to hurt you. I never dreamed, however, that he could penetrate the wall of protection that I had erected around you.”

“You have nothing to apologise for, Brother. I am at fault for not acting on what I knew to be right. Aunt has since told me his history with our family, and I am so sorry that I made a fool of myself by being taken in by his lies. But if he had not first confessed his own faults and failings in regards to you, I might never have thought him sincere.”

“You are not a fool, Georgiana, just an innocent. With maturity, you will learn to discern true sincerity. And even when you are grown, you will learn that the advice of those of us who have always had your best interest at heart—Richard, Aunt Audrey and myself—will serve you well.” He cupped her face. “Now, there will be no sulking and no melancholy. That is not how a young lady handles setbacks. Agreed?”

“Agreed.”

“Good. You know that what you did was wrong. I would like to know what punishment you feel is appropriate? Not that I shall concur with your suggestions.”

She sniffled. “I should have to work extra hard on my studies and my music and leave off all frivolities for six months. No trips to museums, plays, operas and ice cream shops when I am in Town.”

William tried not to smile at the mention of ice cream shops. “I think your suggestions commendable, only I believe there is one more thing. You shall not have the privilege of having your friend, Lady Ormond, spend the month of September at Pemberley as you had planned. In fact, you will not have friends stay overnight for the same period—six months.”

Georgiana nodded, her eyes brightening with new tears as she stood taller. “I have learned my lesson, truly I have. When I saw what happened to my godfather and Miss Bennet, who risked their lives to help me, I wanted to die.”

“Unfortunately, the one who almost died was Lord Landingham.”

“I know,” she moaned, then quickly added, “And Miss Elizabeth was injured. Oh, Brother, have you seen the awful bruise on her face where Mr. Wickham struck her? Every time I see it, I am reminded of my folly. I thought that surely a bone had broken, he hit her so forcefully.  And then, to think that that horrid Lord Wilkens struck her in the same place!”

William’s eyes narrowed, turning black as night. She felt him tremble just a bit as he grasped her shoulders and tilted his head. “Wilkens hit Elizabeth?”

“Yes. Has no one told you?”

William slowly shook his head and turned to stare woodenly into the distance as she relayed everything that Elizabeth had said about the night of terror at Gatesbridge Manor. Even from the side, Georgiana could see his jaw clench and unclench, while his hands formed fists.

When the tale was done, he challenged even more sternly, “Do you now understand what men like Wilkens and Wickham are capable of? Why we all try so hard to protect you?”

“Yes. And I love you for it, even if I did not show it by my actions.”

“And do you understand that I shall always love you no matter what may happen?  You shall always be my dearest sister and you should never fear coming to me.”

She sniffled. “I do.”

“May I count on you to listen to me—to your aunt—from now on?”