Page 29 of To Love And To Cherish (Pride And Prejudice Variation #3)
The wind tugged at Georgiana's bonnet as she rode into the yard at Longbourn, her groom trailing a short distance behind. He helped her dismount, cheeks flushed from exertion, just as Kitty came bounding out of the house and waved a cheerful greeting.
"Has Elizabeth written yet?" she asked, brushing back a strand of hair. "Do you have her address?"
Kitty smiled. "Yes, Papa received her first letter yesterday. Shall I fetch it for you so that you may read it for yourself?"
Georgiana hesitated. "Would your father mind? I’m not family."
"Not at all," Kitty chirped. "It’s in my room. Come up with me."
Together, they climbed the stairs. Kitty retrieved the letter and handed it to her friend, who settled into a well-worn stuffed chair.
Kitty flopped across her bed, waiting patiently as Georgiana unfolded the paper and began to read in silence.
After a moment, Georgiana murmured, “I wish I could see the rowers,” and then began to read aloud, her voice soft and clear as Kitty listened with quiet attentiveness.
Peterhouse is the oldest college at Cambridge and most graceful in proportion. I am charmed by its simplicity and its gardens, which open upon the River Cam. The rowers pass daily, all strength and rhythm, and it is one of the most graceful sights I have ever beheld.
Professor Trent, our host, is a kindly man of letters. His daughter, Miss Ancilla Trent, is lovely, with red hair, green eyes, and a mind of striking clarity. I confess I wonder why such a beautiful, intelligent woman remains unmarried. I am eager to know her better.
We shall remain here for six weeks. Miss Trent is tutoring a young man, Mr. Gilbert Ludwig, aged three and twenty. He is now to be dispatched to Italy as attaché to the ambassador, all at his father’s whim. I suppose even men must sometimes follow the dictates of their parents.
After reading, Georgiana folded the letter with a sigh of admiration.
"What an adventure," she murmured.
Kitty nodded. "Come, let us walk to Meryton. I want to look at ribbons."
Georgiana smiled. "Very well."
They left without calling for Georgiana’s groom, who was visiting the stablemen. The shop was a cheerful place filled with bolts of ribbon and lace. They browsed for twenty minutes before stepping outside again, only to stop short.
There, in full regimentals, stood George Wickham.
Georgiana went pale. Her breath caught, and her hands began to tremble. She reached for Kitty's arm.
"Georgie?" Kitty whispered, alarmed.
Wickham’s eyes narrowed. "Well, well. Miss Darcy. Alone. In the middle of nowhere. I must say, fate is kind."
His smile was sharp and bitter. "You got away from me once, but not again. I will marry you, and your dear brother will hand over your dowry."
Georgiana turned, seized Kitty’s hand, and darted back inside the shop.
"Quickly," she whispered. "But act as if nothing is amiss."
They passed the shopkeeper’s wife, who was sweeping, and slipped through the back door. A narrow grassy path lay behind the buildings.
"Come, Kitty. We must hide. That man was my father’s godson; he is the most wicked man I know. Where can we go?"
Kitty glanced around and pointed. "The churchyard, it’s walled. Look there. Behind the church is a wood. We can hide there."
They ran across the street, hand in hand, and ducked behind the churchyard wall.
"Did you say the wood behind the church?" Georgiana panted.
"Yes, there’s a path. If we follow it, it joins another that runs along the stream. It skirts the back of Longbourn, all hidden by woods."
Just then, footsteps approached. They crouched low against the wall, hidden among the hedges. Wickham strode past, casting a glance within, but did not pause.
"Let’s go," Kitty whispered.
"No," Georgiana breathed. "Let him get further ahead."
Kitty nodded. "He’ll backtrack when he finds nothing."
"You’re right. We should go."
They hurried through the garden, and behind the church flung themselves into the wood, where they soon found the hidden path that followed the stream. Neither spoke, their steps soundless upon the mossy ground. When the terrain dipped into a meadow, they finally began to run.
The hermitage came into view, a small structure on the edge of the Longbourn estate. They ran inside, rested a few minutes to catch their breath, and, finding no one nearby, ran to the back entrance of the house and up the stairs to Kitty’s room.
They fell onto the bed, breathless, tears of relief running down their cheeks.
After about twenty minutes, Kitty whispered, "What now?"
“Call Bessie,” Georgiana said. “I shall write a note to summon my brother. Bessie must send Joseph to Netherfield with it at once."
Kitty ran to find Bessie, while Georgiana penned a quick note:
Fitzwilliam—
Wickham is in Meryton. He found me in the street and threatened me. Kitty and I escaped through the shop and woods. We are safe at Longbourn. Please come.
Georgiana
Kitty returned with the maid, who was promptly dispatched to the stables.
“Bessie will send your groom to Netherfield,” she said.
“Let us wait in the rose garden; we can watch the road without being seen.” She lowered her voice.
“Thank goodness Mamma is visiting Aunt Phillips, or she would be prying every detail out of us. "
“Yes,” Georgiana said softly, her voice filled with gratitude. “Everything is falling into place.”
They crept down and crouched behind the courtyard wall. At last, two horsemen appeared.
Georgiana broke into tears. She ran to the road and threw herself into her brother’s arms.
“Fitzwilliam! He’s here, Wickham is in Meryton. He saw me and was following me. But Kitty and I escaped.”
Darcy held his sister close, his arms steady around her trembling form. When her sobs had quieted, he spoke gently.
“Can you remain here with Miss Kitty? We must keep this between us if possible. Go up to her bedchamber and remain there. Say you’ve a headache. Miss Kitty, what say you? May Georgianna remain here for a little longer? Wickham may not yet suspect you're at Longbourn, but we must be cautious.”
"Where will you be?" Georgiana asked.
“With Colonel Forster. I’ve purchased many of Wickham’s debts and now have the means to see him transported to Australia. My hired runners have searched for him in vain, yet by some twist of fate, he appears here. This is the opportunity I’ve long awaited.”
She clung to him. "Don’t let him harm you, Fitzwilliam. He’s angry, and he blames you for his miserable existence."
"I’m not going after him myself. I’m going to speak with his commanding officer. Forster is capable. These are ideal circumstances; the military will handle the matter. Joseph and I will return once everything is settled. Now go inside. I’ll remain here until I see you safe in the house."
She hastened to the back entrance and glanced back only once before disappearing through the doorway.
That evening, Georgiana was too shaken to dine below.
A tray was sent up to her room, and Kitty, unwilling to face her mother’s inevitable questions, accepted Mr. Bingley’s invitation to dine at Netherfield.
He sent his carriage to collect her and Jane, and upon arriving, Kitty went straight to Georgiana’s room.
There, the two friends dined together from trays, speaking in low voices as they quietly rehearsed all that had transpired that day.
By day’s end, Wickham had been detained and would remain in detention until Darcy presented Colonel Forster with the debt papers and court order from London.
The commanding officer acted swiftly. Three days later, Wickham was escorted to London, where he would be placed aboard the next ship bound for Australia.
Georgiana sat with her brother the evening after Wickham’s departure. They faced the fire in quiet relief.
"He’s gone," she said quietly.
Darcy nodded. "For good, this time."
"Thank you, Fitzwilliam. I don’t know what would have happened if not for you."
"You did well. You and Kitty both."
She was quiet for a moment, then said, "Will we return to London soon?"
"After Bingley’s wedding. Then you’ll go to Matlock House. Aunt Helen will be glad to have you."
"And you?"
He smiled faintly. "I shall begin my search."
"For a wife?"
He looked over at her, eyes grave. "Yes. It's past time."
She leaned her head against his shoulder. "She will have to be very special."
He gazed into the fire, his expression distant. “I must fulfill my duty. The woman I choose will have rank and fortune, but affection is unlikely. Aunt Helen has five ladies in mind whom she insists I meet; she expects me to choose a wife from among them.”
They sat together in the fading light, quiet and reflective. Though grateful for the day’s outcome, a shared sadness lingered between them, for both were thinking of Elizabeth.