Page 13 of Chasing Shadows
The Bingley sisters visited Jane’s chambers twice after breakfast, sweeping in with rustling silk and affected concern.
Miss Bingley inquired after Jane's condition with studied politeness, while Mrs. Hurst offered tepid observations about the benefits of rest and quiet.
Though their civility bore the unmistakable stamp of obligation rather than genuine feeling, Elizabeth received their attentions with gratitude.
Any notice paid to Jane, however perfunctory, was preferable to neglect.
Mr. Bingley proved more sincere in his solicitude, appearing once in the company of Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam.
His earnest inquiries about Jane's comfort and repeated offers of assistance betrayed an anxiety that his sisters' calculated visits had utterly lacked.
The colonel made appropriate remarks about the apothecary's competence, while Mr. Darcy maintained his reserve, though his dark eyes lingered thoughtfully upon Jane's pale countenance.
Just after the luncheon hour had passed, a light knock sounded. Elizabeth called, “Come in.”
It was Georgiana Darcy. She slipped inside with quiet grace, curtsying as she said, “Good afternoon, Miss Elizabeth. I hope I do not intrude. I came to enquire after your sister.”
Elizabeth’s smile warmed at once. “You are most welcome, Miss Darcy. Pray come nearer. Jane will be heartened to know of your concern, though she rests still.”
Georgiana approached the bed, her eyes lingering on Jane’s pale cheeks. “She looks so ill. I am sorry for it. Does the fever ease at all?”
“A little,” Elizabeth said gently. “She used the apothecary’s draught this morning. With more rest, I hope she will recover quickly.”
“It must be a great comfort to her that you remain with her,” Georgiana said.
Elizabeth laughed lightly. “I doubt she would call it a comfort if she were awake. I am forever fussing and questioning her at every stir. But I could not leave her to suffer alone.”
Georgiana’s smile broke across her face, warm and unguarded, revealing the sweetness of her countenance.
Seeing her thus lightened, Elizabeth ventured one of the thoughts that had lingered in her mind. “You said yesterday that your brother mentioned me in his letters.”
Georgiana nodded, though shyness seemed to creep over her again.
“I wonder exactly what he wrote. Will you at least hint it?”
She hesitated, as though weighing her words. “Fitzwilliam rarely speaks of any lady. That he thought to mention you at all speaks of how well he regards you.”
Elizabeth felt the colour rise in her cheeks. Georgiana clearly withheld more, but she would not press her.
“Your brother has been very good to me… to us. He came himself to warn my father on the night of Mr. Wickham’s death, though I had spoken most wrongly to him at the ball we attended. Regardless of my manner, he stayed, too, to keep us safe.”
Georgiana’s eyes softened. “Yes… he told me of it.” Her voice was hushed, touched with sadness.
Elizabeth studied her face. “It was a shame that my actions made him leave his plans to stay with Colonel Fitzwilliam to watch Mr. Wickham. Sadly, we lost him to the murderer.”
The crease on Georgiana’s brow deepened. She swallowed hard. “George was like a brother once,” she whispered, before her voice faltered into silence. She turned her face slightly, as if to hide it.
Elizabeth’s heart twisted. She longed to offer comfort, but Darcy had told her and the family of Georgiana’s history with Wickham in confidence.
It would be cruel to let the subject linger.
Instead she said softly, “I knew Mr. Wickham—or I thought I did. But it was all a lie. He tarnished your brother’s name so easily, and I wholly believed him.
If Mr. Darcy had not come that night to explain himself, I might never have thought differently. ”
Georgiana’s eyes glistened. She bowed her head, her hands twisting lightly together.
Elizabeth smoothed Jane’s coverlet, her tone gentle. “Your brother is a defender by nature. That he has brought you here at such a time is proof enough of his love. He would see you safe above all things.”
A faint blush rose in Georgiana’s cheeks. “Yes… he is everything to me. But he is also much occupied. These events weigh on him, though he tries to appear composed. His thoughts are heavy with matters I cannot understand. Sometimes I wish—” She broke off, pressing her lips together.
“Sometimes you wish for a sister’s company.” Elizabeth completed the thought.
Georgiana lifted her gaze slowly and gave a small nod. “Yes. Exactly so.”
The pause that followed was quiet, but not uncomfortable.
“You must know your brother is admired by those of us who have come to understand his true worth,” Elizabeth said gently. “I can at least speak for my father and my sisters—and for myself. I have learned to esteem him highly. He thinks of you often, I am certain.”
Georgiana’s eyes brightened suddenly. “Has he spoken of me?”
Elizabeth smiled. “I confess, we have only had a few conversations. However, when he mentioned you, it was with the deepest affection.”
At that moment, Jane stirred faintly, and Elizabeth bent to adjust her coverlet again.
“I am glad we are met at last,” Georgiana continued, her voice low but earnest. “I have wished to know you since the first time I read your name.”
Elizabeth turned back, touched by her sincerity. “And I am glad too, Miss Darcy. I hope we may become good friends.”
“I should like that very much.”
The room was still again, save for Jane’s quiet breathing. At length, Georgiana rose and curtsied. “I will not keep you longer. I wished only to see your sister and thank you.”
“For what?” Elizabeth asked.
“Fitzwilliam told me you spoke for him in the market when last he was accused. He does not forget such things.”
Elizabeth’s lips curved in a small smile. “I spoke nothing but the truth, Miss Darcy. Your brother deserves no less.”
Georgiana gave her a grateful look and slipped away, leaving Elizabeth thoughtful at her sister’s side.
***
“Why are you smiling, Georgiana?”
She started a little at her brother’s voice, then shook her head quickly. “It is nothing.”
Georgiana was seated in the small morning room set aside for private use, where a narrow fire burned and the windows looked upon the garden. A book lay unopened in her lap, but her lips curved with a faint smile as she gazed out at the bare branches stirring in the breeze.
Darcy had just entered, having sought her there after speaking with Bingley.
Darcy studied her face. “You cannot deceive me. Something has pleased you.”
Georgiana lowered her gaze, though the smile lingered. “I spoke to Miss Elizabeth.”
“You sought her out?”
“Yes. I wished to see her sister, but I spoke with her also. I like her, Fitzwilliam. She is very friendly.”
Darcy folded his arms and leaned against the mantel. “Friendly?”
Georgiana glanced up at him, her expression earnest. “Yes. She is beautiful too, but it is not only that. She cares so much for her sister. She sits with her as though she were the elder, though Miss Bennet is the eldest. And despite the way Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst treat her, she does not seem troubled. She carries herself with… indifference, I suppose. As if their attitude means nothing. It astonishes me. Especially after what was said of her this morning at table.”
Darcy’s scoffed lightly. “I suspect Miss Bingley’s sharpness toward her has a cause. Their brother favours Miss Bennet openly, and that alone would provoke envy. And now, after I have called at their house multiple times, and—” He broke off, unwilling to finish.
“And even spent the night at Longbourn to defend them,” Georgiana supplied softly.
He looked at her sharply. She held his gaze with quiet frankness.
“They think you admire her,” she said simply.
Darcy’s lips pressed into a line, but he didn’t say a thing.
Georgiana’s eyes widened a little. “Do you?”
He drew a slow breath. “There is much upon my mind at present, Georgiana. More than I can easily set aside.”
“You have not answered me,” she said, her voice gentle but insistent.
He turned away, staring into the fire. “Maybe, maybe not, because I do not yet know the answer myself.”
There was silence for a few moments. Darcy’s voice softened when he spoke again. “I do admire her. She has spirit. She speaks with clarity and courage, and she cares for her sister with a devotion that… reminds me of you.”
“She told me she hoped we might be friends.”
“I hope so too. She is one of the few people in Meryton I have come to respect.” Darcy replied, his voice softening
Georgiana smiled, a tender curve of her lips. “Then I am glad I went. She made me feel… lighter.” She rose from her chair, smoothing her gown. “However, I think I shall take a nap now. The stress of the journey still lingers on me.”
Darcy crossed to her and kissed her forehead lightly. “Rest then, my dear. I am glad you are happy.”
She curtsied playfully and slipped from the room.
Darcy stood a moment longer by the fire. A rare warmth stirred in him—not only at Elizabeth’s name, but at Georgiana’s cheer. For the first time in many days, he felt the faintest ease.