Page 57 of To Love And To Cherish
Darcy remained silent for several moments. At last, he said quietly, “You need time, Georgiana. Time to mend in peace. I have decided: we shall remove to Pemberley. You may ride Daisy as often as you like, and I will see to it that you feel safe again.”
Her lips parted in faint surprise. “Pemberley?”
He nodded. “And when Charles and Jane return from Yorkshire, I will invite them to visit. They are happy, and I believe their presence may distract you from these terrible memories. Bingleyhas mentioned he shall not purchase Netherfield. Mrs. Bingley has long endured her mother’s pressures; he believes she will be happier far from that woman. I shall ask my solicitor to inquire after available estates in Derbyshire. I hope he falls in love with Derbyshire as I have.”
Georgiana gave a small smile. “That would be agreeable. I do esteem Mr. Bingley, and Mrs. Bingley is an angel.”
Darcy squeezed her hand. “Then it is settled. And if we are to speak of comfort, would you also like Miss Kitty to join us?”
Georgiana brightened. “Indeed. She is very like Elizabeth, kind and gentle. Not a critical bone in her body.”
“Very well,” he said, smiling faintly. “You may write to Miss Kitty, and I shall write to her father. If he consents, my carriage will bring her to town, and we shall travel together to Pemberley in a fortnight.”
One week later, Kitty Bennet was comfortably installed at Darcy House, reclined upon a stuffed chair in Georgiana’s private sitting room. The girls drank hot chocolate and read fromThe Mysteries of Udolpho.
Georgiana read aloud until Kitty interrupted with a dreamy sigh. “Lizzy has read it twice, all three volumes. I never understood how she could spend hours in that old oak tree on Oakham Mount. But now, I find it wonderfully adventurous. We are almost finished with the first volume. We must take volumes two and three with us to Pemberley. They will help the miles pass.”
Georgiana laughed. “If you did not read, Kitty, how did you pass the time?”
Kitty sat up. “The four of us spent hours in the nursery sewing for the parish and embroidering our linens. We shared ourdreams and wishes. Two sisters now have everything they ever wished for.”
“And you?” Georgiana asked softly. “What do you wish for?”
Kitty sighed. “I do not yet know. I have no desire to marry soon. There is no gentleman in Meryton I admire.” She looked at Georgiana gratefully. “Thank you for inviting me. Mamma has already begun casting about for a husband for me. Mr. Robinson is a widower with four daughters and, well, I may receive a letter any day announcing an arrangement.”
Georgiana gasped. “Four daughters! Kitty, he must be ancient.”
Kitty shuddered. “He is fifty-two. My father’s age, but looks nearer to sixty. I doubt he can even father more children.”
Georgiana looked appalled. “I am so very glad you are with me now. When Jane has her own home, perhaps she will keep you with her. She understands your mother’s ways.”
Kitty nodded. “She may. Jane knows how persistent Mother can be.”
Georgiana stifled a laugh. “And do not fear, Miss Bingley. She has been sent to her aunt Agatha in Scarborough. A relief, living under the same roof as her would be far worse than being home with your mother.”
The following day, Darcy paid a call on his aunt, the Countess of Matlock.
“My dear boy,” Lady Helen said with a smile as he entered her drawing room. “You have returned to town finally.”
Darcy looked abashed. “I am returning to Pemberley next week and won’t return until late November,” he said, accepting her hand with warmth. “Georgiana is much distressed. Wickhamattempted to abduct her again. She wakens screaming several nights a week.”
Lady Helen’s smile vanished. “That villain! Two attempts? You cannot mean it.”
“I do. And I believe the peace of Pemberley, and the company of her friends, may help her recover.” He paused, his expression softening. “Well... I confess, she does not appear the worse for the attempt. In fact, she is managing remarkably well. Another girl might have taken to her bed in hysterics for months.”
He looked to his aunt, wonder flickering in his eyes. “My sister has proved to be astoundingly resilient; I would not have guessed it myself.”
At that moment, Colonel Fitzwilliam entered. “Ah! My favorite cousin. Darcy, what ho!”
“Richard.” Darcy stood to greet him. “I thought you were in Lisbon.”
“Returned three weeks ago,” Richard said as he extended a hand to Darcy. He paused, his brow furrowing. “What were you saying to my mother just now? An attempt on Georgiana? Was it Wickham again?”
“I had not wanted to alarm you,” Darcy said, his tone quiet but firm. “But Georgiana has suffered greatly. Wickham attempted to abduct her again, this time in Meryton. It’s the second attempt, and though she’s safe, the ordeal has left its mark.”
Richard’s expression darkened. And where, may I ask, is he now?” His voice was low and sinister, his brows drawn in a hard line.
Darcy turned to face him, his jaw taut. “Colonel Forster had begun arrangements to see him transported to Australia. I furnished Forster with the court order for the debts I purchased. Whether that order has yet been executed, I cannot confirm.”
