The Gypsy Blessing (12 page)

Her only reply was shaking her head in the negative. Georgiana’s colour faded further over the next few minutes as she sat still as a marble statue. His attempts to rouse her went unanswered.

Just when he was about to call the housekeeper or Mrs. Younge for assistance, his sister spoke, “How could I have wasted so many years pining for a man who could do all these things?”

Darcy gasped silently. “Years?”

“I have always loved him,” she whispered and continued to stare at the fire without moving for several minutes.

Not knowing what else to do, Darcy said, “I will ask Marie to help you to your bedchamber, Georgie. A good night’s sleep is what you need most.”

She grabbed hold of his hand as he passed her, looking up at him with an expression filled with such sorrow that his heart nearly broke.

“Fitzwilliam, please, do not hate me for what I have done.”

“Hate you?” he breathed. His brow furrowed, and he dropped to his knees once more. “No, Georgie; I might become angry with your actions at times, but no matter what you have done, I could never hate you. This was not your fault—”

She sighed deeply, her tone chilling when she declared, “We both must face the truth, Brother. It
was
entirely my fault. After all you and Aunt Adelaide had taught me, and all that I had learned in the drawing rooms of London, I should have known better. It is frightening to think that had it not been for your accident with Lizzy on the walkway as we arrived in Ramsgate, I would have agreed to Mr. Wickham’s proposal without a second thought, but I must own to it. If not for the concern that Lizzy, Jane, and Mrs. Gardiner felt for me... What they told me made me question his intent. If I had not known them—not confided in them—I would not have thought to tell George about the condition on my dowry. George Wickham and I
would
have left for Gretna Green before you arrived today, Fitzwilliam. Do not doubt it.”

Georgiana did not straighten her slumped shoulders as she rose and left the room through the door to her bedchamber.

Chapter 7

August 4, 1811

Darcy awakened with the sun. For a moment, he had forgotten all that had been discussed the previous evening, but then it came crashing in on him. After travelling for days and then barely sleeping all night, he expected to be tired, but the type of exhaustion he was experiencing went much deeper.

Thinking of the numerous ways in which he had failed his sister was agonizing. Nothing was more important to him than was Georgiana, and yet he had left her in an unfamiliar town alone, with a companion she hardly knew. At least in London she had her aunt and uncle to look after her when he was required to be away from her, but here—here she had no one but hired staff. He should have
made
the time to attend her until their aunt and uncle arrived. Instead, he had returned to London to tend to business that seemed urgent at the time but could have waited. One of the worst scenarios he had ever imagined for his sister had almost become reality—and
would
have come to pass if not for the kindness of strangers!

Not strangers—friends.

The words came unbidden to his mind, as if placed there by another.

Were they friends? Who else would stand by his sister, knowing what she had almost done? If the knowledge of his sister’s behaviour had come to the awareness of almost any lady with which he was acquainted in London, he might have counted on their using it against them—to gain something from him or else to harm Georgiana’s reputation by spreading an amusing rumour. Judging by what these ladies had already done for his sister, he hoped they played by different rules than most of those he had known all his life.

Not able to stand the thoughts churning through his mind any longer, he launched himself from his bed. Doubting his own judgment more than he ever had before, he would seek advice from Aunt Adelaide at their estate at Matlock.

Dear Aunt,

Since your plans to visit Ramsgate were based solely on Georgiana’s presence here, I must inform you that she and I will soon away to London, and then to Pemberley. Before heading home, I would like to join you at Matlock so that we may discuss a situation that has arisen, but I hesitate to do so until I have heard your plans. Please write of your wishes post-haste. My man will wait and bring your response to me at Darcy House in London as we anticipate remaining here at Ramsgate only a few more days.

Yours, etc.

FW

As Darcy looked over his letter, he was confident that he had said enough to inform his aunt of the urgency of the matter whilst revealing too little to give the situation away if prying eyes should see it. It would not do to have their early departure from Ramsgate paired with Wickham’s retreat. He would delay their trip for one week. It would take longer than that for his messenger to return from Matlock.

Waiting until the number of chimes from the clock assured him that his staff would be awake, he pulled the cord for the butler.

“Barnes, will you ask James, the footman, to deliver this letter to Matlock the moment he can be ready to leave? He should await an answer from the countess and return it to our house in London. Have the staff prepare to leave Ramsgate one week hence. And Barnes, send Holmes to me at once, please. That will be all.”

As his valet guided him through his morning routine, Darcy asked if his sister had yet awakened.

“Yes, sir, she is awake...” Holmes replied hesitantly.

“But?”

“Marie informs me that Miss Darcy is unwell this morning.”

“Unwell?” His eyes widened. “Not a relapse of influenza!”

“I know not, Mr. Darcy. I was told only that Miss Darcy would like your permission to send a note to the Gardiners’ residence stating that neither of you would be able to attend their dinner party this evening.”

Having an inkling of what this was about, Darcy said, “You will inform Marie that my sister should be made ready to receive me by the time I finish shaving.”

~%~

Elizabeth stared at the drawing of Georgiana that she had just received by the morning post. The young lady was quite sickly-looking, huddling near the fire in her private sitting room and staring at the flames. Her brother was in the chair opposite her, wearing a worried expression.

“Georgiana looks so very sad,” Jane stated.

“This will happen today.”

“You have never before known exactly when a scene in a drawing will happen.”

Elizabeth shrugged. “Today I do.”

“Are you certain, Lizzy? Why would Georgiana be this upset now of all times, after the elopement has been prevented?”

Elizabeth looked at Jane in the mirror. “She is heartbroken, Jane. She loved Mr. Wickham—or at least she loved the man she
thought
he was.” She looked down at the sketch again, and her eyes tightened.

“She was in good spirits when we left there last evening,” Jane observed.

“We kept her distracted, but she has had a whole night alone to contemplate the situation. Perhaps we should go to see her this morning.”

“We cannot, Lizzy. Aunt asked us to help her, though I imagine she might be able to spare one of us.”

Elizabeth put the page aside and examined the second drawing of the lot. “Look, Jane!”

Elizabeth and Darcy were standing in a hallway, conversing in a confidential manner. Darcy looked as if he were in a terrible state! Through the open doorway, one could see Georgiana in her sitting room, her maid sitting nearby sewing.

She turned the page again to reveal the final drawing in this series. Elizabeth now sat with Georgiana in the chair that Darcy had occupied in the first. Darcy was standing near the window looking out.

“I will ask Aunt Gardiner if she can spare me today,” Elizabeth stated.

Jane gestured towards the papers. “It seems she will not refuse.”

Finished with their preparations for the day, Elizabeth and Jane headed downstairs to break their fast. Mr. Gardiner had just completed his meal when a maid entered with a letter for him. “It is from Mr. Darcy!” He read it quickly and then summarized, “He apologizes to Madeline for sending such late notice, but both he and his sister will have to decline the invitation this evening as Miss Darcy is not well. He also asks that Jane and Lizzy come to see her as soon as possible.” He raised his eyebrows high up his forehead. “What an odd request if Miss Darcy is unwell.”

“The ailment from which she suffers is not physical in nature, Uncle,” Elizabeth responded and looked at her aunt. “I think it would do her good to be among friends.”

Mrs. Gardiner seemed upset. “Would you mind going alone, Lizzy? I have need of Jane here this morning; our errand cannot be delayed. If your uncle agrees, I can spare a maid for the few minutes it will take to ride along with you. You may send for the carriage when you are ready to come home.”

“There is no need,” Mr. Gardiner replied. “I was just about to leave to tend to my business. Since there will be no dinner party this evening and there is no need for an early return, I can wait for Lizzy to finish here.” He turned to his niece. “Assuming you are willing, Lizzy, I will escort you to the Darcys’ house on my way to my appointment. Mr. Darcy says that he will send you home in his carriage at any time during the day. I am certain he will include a proper escort.”

“I am more than willing, sir, and I am finished now. I can join you in a few moments.”

Mr. Gardiner nodded and rose. “I will meet you in the hall when you are ready.”

~%~

Darcy ran his hand through his hair for the hundredth time that morning as he stared at his sister, praying for some sign that she was aware of his presence there. Hearing a carriage pull up to the front of the building, Darcy rose and looked out the window. Mr. Gardiner disembarked and handed down Elizabeth. After he saw them exchange a few words, Darcy heard the entrance door open. Mr. Gardiner waved and re-entered the carriage. Darcy turned to nod at his sister’s maid.

Although his sister had not given any indication of hearing a word he had said all morning, he excused himself and promised to return as soon as was possible before stepping into the hallway.

A few minutes later, Miss Elizabeth was escorted to him. His chest swelled with relief at the sight of her.
Why do I feel that having her here is the only thing that could make Georgiana well again?

Thinking twice about being left in the hall alone with a lady, especially
this
lady, he opened the door to his sister’s sitting room about halfway, and then stepped away from it, signaling his sister’s guest to tread quietly. The footman who had brought her above stairs took up a post out of hearing range, near the staircase.

~

Feeling as if time were slowing again, Elizabeth quickened her steps as she approached. When she reached him, all returned to normal. She spoke softly, “My sister apologizes that she was unable to come along. Please, tell me how I may be of assistance?”

“Georgiana told me that you know what has recently occurred here?” His statement came out as a question.

Not knowing how much Georgiana had revealed, Elizabeth only nodded in reply.

“She was upset when she told me of it last evening, but today...” Darcy’s hand trembled slightly as he gestured towards the open doorway. “Today, she is in such a state. I have never seen the like and know not what to do.”

“In what way is she
unlike
her usual self?”

“Can you see her from where you stand?”

Elizabeth looked through the door and then nodded.

“Does she continue to stare at the fire as if nothing else exists?”

“Yes.” Elizabeth searched his eyes and then gasped. “Are you saying she has been like this all morning?”

Darcy nodded. “I had asked her maid to stay close last night. Marie tells me this trance-like state began when she rose from bed in the wee hours of the night, but I believe it began sooner. When I returned after escorting you home, she told me what had happened with Wickham.” The name was practically growled. “I witnessed the beginning of this illness, but she had not withdrawn quite as deeply at that time. Nothing we have done and nothing we have said this morning seems to have gotten through to her. She does not eat or drink.

“I fear for her health, Miss Elizabeth. When she arrived in Ramsgate, she was only just regaining a portion of her former strength. Our mother had found Ramsgate healing...” His voice trailed off.

Elizabeth acted as if she had not noticed the expression that told her this memory was somehow painful to him. “Mrs. Younge has been in to see her?”

Darcy’s brow furrowed. “No, she has not; I have not seen her yet today. If you remember, before you left last evening, she was not feeling well. I suppose she remains so.”

“Do not worry, sir; I will do what I can.”

He gestured, and she preceded him into the room. Elizabeth passed between Georgiana and the fireplace to make her presence known. “Good morning, Georgiana,” she said as she curtsied before the younger girl. Georgiana seemed to look through her and did not even blink. Elizabeth nodded a greeting to the maid who was sitting in the corner of the room, and then took the chair opposite Georgiana, the exact spot where Elizabeth had been sitting in the picture. As Darcy positioned himself at the window, just as he had been in the drawing, Elizabeth braced herself. The change in the speed of time came exactly as she expected it.

~

From his place standing by the window, Darcy watched as Elizabeth looked around her. Discovering a basket of embroidery, she lifted several items and examined them before returning them to the basket. Taking up a book resting on the table, she opened it to the page marked with a silk ribbon, read a little, smiled slightly, and then returned it to the table. Without leaving her chair, she seemed to take in the entire room, her eyes lingering a little longer when she came to the miniatures on the mantelpiece. After an hour had passed in silence, broken only by the sound of his boots upon the carpet as he paced, Darcy wondered why she had not said a word to his sister past a greeting.
Perhaps I have put too much confidence in this country miss!
Darcy began to walk across the room, and Elizabeth raised her head sharply, giving him a look of warning.
So, she does have some sort of plan after all.

A few minutes later, when the clock finished chiming the hour, Elizabeth said firmly, “It is noon now, Georgiana. According to my calculations, we have given you more than a full day to feel sad, which is longer than would have been tolerated elsewhere, I assure you.” She stood before Georgiana. “Since you felt that you were old enough to contemplate marriage, it seems that you consider yourself an adult. Now it is time that you behave as any other adult under similar circumstances. Yes, you have suffered a disappointment, but life cannot come to a standstill over distress or setback. If every young lady who has been disappointed by a young man did as you are doing now, there would be very few
old
ladies.”

After several more minutes passing in silence, Darcy walked towards Elizabeth and said, “I apologize that Georgiana has not acknowledged your presence, Miss Elizabeth. We owe you, your sister, and your aunt an enormous debt—one I can never hope to repay. I am sorry her silence has been your only recompense.”