Page 4 of I Thee Wed (Pride And Prejudice Variation #2)

She crossed to the neighbor's wall and then walked to the gate she had spied from above.

The latch was stubborn, but after tugging and pushing, she managed to work it open wide enough to slip through.

The garden was shady and pleasing, with well-maintained hedges and a few trees that created a sense of privacy around the small lawn.

She walked up to the folly and stopped when she reached the entrance.

The young lady looked up, startled. “Oh,” she said, rising. “Pray, forgive me. I did not see you there. Can I be of service?”

Georgiana glanced toward the upper windows of her own house, then stepped beneath the shelter of the folly. Color rose to her cheeks. “Miss, my name is Georgiana Darcy. My brother has leased the house next door for the summer. I am in need of your assistance.”

“Your hands are trembling,” the lady said gently. “Come, sit beside me and tell me what has happened. My name is Elizabeth. Elizabeth Bennet of Hertfordshire. I am here with my uncle and aunt.”

Georgiana sat, and the words tumbled out.

She told of Wickham’s plan, of Mrs. Younge’s part in it, of the search in Margate, of the letter to her brother that she had not dared to post. She ended in a whisper.

“I expect Mr. Wickham will return to look for me if he cannot find me in Margate. He is desperate. He has debts and no money. He has been taking what he can from my companion, and now that she will be dismissed, he will turn all his effort to me. He needs my dowry.”

Elizabeth put an arm about her. “Do not be afraid, Miss Darcy. My uncle is a prudent, capable man. He will keep you safe. He goes to London tomorrow, but I am sure he would set out today to deliver you to your brother. I would gladly serve as your chaperone.”

Hope stirred in Georgiana, yet she shook her head.

“If you would only take me in until my brother can come, that would be enough. I can remain out of sight. I will not trouble the household. I tried to find my maid, but she was not in her room when I slipped out. I fear for her. No woman is safe where Mr. Wickham is concerned.”

Elizabeth considered. “My aunt’s maid is called Addie.

I will send her to your back door to inquire after Jenny.

She can claim acquaintance and carry a note that appears to be from Jenny’s mother.

If they allow Jenny to come down, she shall meet Addie at the gate.

If they refuse, the note will ask her to slip into the garden when she can. We will tell her to come to the folly.”

“Yes,” Georgiana said, her spirits lifting. “I believe that will do. Will you write the note? I fear the butler knows my hand and might take alarm.”

“Of course,” Elizabeth said with a reassuring smile. “Come in and meet my aunt and uncle. We will settle you in a bedchamber, and I will send Addie at once with a note for Jenny.” She paused. “You mentioned a letter to your brother?”

Georgiana drew it from her reticule. “I wrote it, but I dared not go down to post it.”

“We shall put it into my uncle’s hands,” Elizabeth said. “It’s best if he sends it express, do not you think?”

“Yes!” Georgiana said, relieved. “Yes! That would do very well.”

Elizabeth offered her arm. “Come, let us go in and speak with my aunt and uncle.”

Elizabeth scarcely left Georgiana’s side during the time that they waited for her brother to arrive.

During the day, they remained together, reading aloud or discussing Georgiana’s fears.

The family saw that the child lived in constant dread that Wickham would return to Ramsgate and continue his search for her.

But at night, when the household grew still, the girl’s fears took a darker turn.

Several times each night, she suffered night terrors, crying in her sleep that he had found her, that he was even then breaking into the attic chamber.

Elizabeth slept upon a small cot in Georgiana’s room, remaining near to soothe her. At the first cry, she would rise to shake her gently awake. On their final night together, it was so again.

“Georgiana, my dear, it is only a dream. You are safe. You are here with us, and you are safe.”

The girl’s eyes flew open, wild with terror. “He was there, Elizabeth! I heard him, I heard his hand at the door. He will take me away, I cannot escape him…”

Elizabeth gathered her trembling form into her arms. “Hush now. There is no Wickham. Listen, the house is locked, and my uncle and his footmen are within. He cannot come near you, for he has no power here.”

The girl clung to her, slender hands clutching at Elizabeth’s gown. “But he always finds me in my dreams.”

Elizabeth pressed her cheek to Georgiana’s hair, speaking softly. “Then I shall find you too, each time. I will be here to wake you, to chase the dream away. He cannot harm you, Georgiana. Not while you are with us, and soon your brother will come and take you safely home.”

Gradually, she stopped trembling; her frightened breathing grew calmer. Georgiana wept on Elizabeth’s shoulder, but at last relaxed and fell asleep. Elizabeth was exhausted and decided to lie down on the coverlet beside the sleeping girl; soon, she too had fallen asleep.

Mr. Darcy arrived at Ramsgate four days after he received his sister’s letter.

When she saw him standing at the door, she ran into her brother’s arms. “Fitzwilliam!” Georgiana cried.

Tears sprang to her eyes. He started in alarm, but she produced a handkerchief from her sleeve, and half laughed through her tears.

“Do not mind me, brother. I had held firm, yet the moment I saw your dear face, my composure gave way. All my fears rose at once, and look at me now, crying like a child. But I am well, perfectly well, as you see.”

Darcy could not answer. For the first time in many years, his own composure deserted him.

Tears stung his own eyes as he held her in his arms. He felt a sense of gratitude and relief knowing that she was safe.

Neither spoke for some moments, and when Georgiana at last drew back, smiling through her tears, he pressed her hand and, still moved beyond words, looked to his host.

Mr. Gardiner stepped forward. “Mr. Darcy, pray use our drawing room. You shall have privacy with your sister. My wife will send a tea tray. Is there anything else I may provide?”

Darcy shook his hand. “You have already provided more than I could ask. Thank you for sheltering my sister and for sending the express. A tea tray will be most welcome.”

He led Georgiana into the drawing room and seated her beside him, his arm around her shoulder. “Tell me everything, Georgie. Your note said only that you were safe, that Wickham was in Ramsgate, and that you were with friends. I came as quickly as I could.”

“Yes,” she said, steadying herself. “Mr. Gardiner thought it best to write little, in case the letter went astray.” She told him of Mrs. Younge’s treachery, of Wickham’s drinking and gaming, of the plan for Gretna, and of her two nights in the attic.

Darcy’s expression hardened. “This time, Wickham has gone too far. For years, I have paid his debts and attempted to rectify the damage he caused. I have even sought husbands for the women he left abandoned. But to set his sights upon you, he has gone too far. No more, Georgiana. He grows bolder and more desperate. I will set the law upon him.” He held her gaze. “Do you know where he lodged?”

“Near enough to walk,” she said. “He spent a great deal of time gambling. The night I hid in the attic, I heard him tell Mrs. Younge that he would try his luck at the Black Bull.”

“Very good.” Darcy rose, paced once, then halted.

“Richard will be here shortly. We were together when your express arrived; he went to his commanding officer to request a small detachment of soldiers, and they should reach us before evening. My enquiry agent has learned that Wickham entered the Derbyshire militia last December and afterward absconded. Desertion is a grave offence under the Articles of War, and his attempt to abduct a civilian makes it all the more heinous. He may well face the severest penalty. Georgie, you understand he has brought this entirely upon himself?”

Georgiana listened intently and inclined her head. “Yes. He has made himself despicable. He used Mrs. Younge ill, and his designs upon me were base. He said he would wrest my dowry from you and then cast me off.”

Darcy’s lip curled. “First, he would never have had your dowry; second, he should not have lived long enough to abandon you. But we need not speak of that, since it did not come to pass.” He took her hand in his.

“Are the servants still at the house next door?” he added.

“Yes,” Georgiana said. “Smithers was there yesterday when I brought Jenny across. The day servants continue to come. Mrs. Younge told them she would be gone for three days.”

“Then we have time enough to set a snare,” Darcy said.

“I will ask the Gardiners to keep you here. Richard and I will take the house next door with the soldiers. If Wickham is as desperate as I judge, he will return. If not, I shall find him at the Black Bull or still searching for you at Margate.” He drew a breath and softened his tone. “You are safe now, my dear girl.”

He kissed her brow, embraced her, and went in search of Mr. Gardiner.

In the study, it was quickly agreed that Georgiana should remain where she was until Wickham was apprehended.

Darcy walked to his leased house and spoke with Smithers.

He soon secured his discretion with a few well-placed guineas.

Jenny gathered up Georgiana’s things and carried them to the Gardiner’s leased house.