Page 33 of The Marriage Game

Elizabeth spoke again to her husband. “Our sister is making a dreadful mistake,” she declared. “She is in love with Lord Fane.”

“She will learn to forget him, just as she learnt to forget Wickham.”

“And just as you learnt to forget me after Rosings Park?” she demanded, hands on her hips. When he did not reply, she pressed him. “After I turned you away, you could have had any number of young ladies to wife, could you not?”

“Once I loved you, I could love no other,” he replied, quietly.

“And you doubt Georgiana’s capacity to love as deeply?”

He closed his eyes, briefly. Then, opening them, he said, “No, I do not. But I know not how to help the situation.”

***

Georgiana’s friends came to Darcy House in a state of high excitement. No sooner had the teacups been passed around then the reason for that excitement became clear.

“I am betrothed!” Miss Beatrice Dunfred declared, her voice rising to a high squeak. She pulled her glove off, revealing a large sapphire set in a gold band.

The other girls oohed and aahed over the ring, and the room was then filled with talk of weddings and suitors and new gowns. Georgiana did her very best to set her own troubles aside and participate in the gaiety – Miss Dunfred had succeeded in the Marriage Game! – but Elizabeth could see the unhappiness behind Georgiana’s smiles.

***

Mrs. Annesley had also seen the change in Miss Darcy, and she shared her concerns with Elizabeth. “Mrs. Darcy, I believe Miss Darcy is pining for Lord Fane.”

“I know it, Mrs. Annesley. But you know her history and you know our concerns. Mr. Darcy and I have not been able to think of any way to clear the path for them.”

“Is there no way to speak to this Mr. Wickham and persuade him to remain silent?”

“I hardly know the man, but I think not.”

“Truly, Mrs. Darcy, would he want the newspapers to print a story that shows him in such a bad light? After all, he was part of the elopement plot.”

“He has no reason to fear for his reputation, so having his name in the papers would not worry him. I do not think his wife – my youngest sister – knows of his history with Miss Darcy, but I do not think he much cares if she knows or not.”

“So there is no way to work upon him.”

“I think not.”