Page 18 of Chasing Shadows
“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—andfor 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.”
