Page 91 of Roses from Pemberley
They were mostly silent on the walk back to Longbourn, Darcy carrying the basket in one hand and holding Elizabeth’s hand with the other.
“What shall we do about Georgiana?” he asked a little while later, as they made their way down the hillside. “I do not wish for her to be in Wickham’s company.”
“Shall Wickham and Lydia come to Longbourn, then?”
“Lydia will probably wish to. They shall, after all, pass through Hertfordshire on their way to Newcastle where Wickham’s new regiment is stationed. Unless you think they should not.”
No,” she said thoughtfully, “they probably ought to stay here a few days. But no more than that, certainly.”
“Well, Diana and Georgie are staying at Netherfield and I suppose I could keep them there for the duration of the visit.”
“Oh, yes. I see. Yet…perhaps you should allow it?”
“But why would you even suggest such a thing…after all he has done to her?”
“Yes, but think about this, Darcy. What better way to feel recovered from an ordeal than to face - and be indifferent to - your oppressor?”
“Georgiana is not strong like you are...”
“You think I am strong?” she asked, but before he could reply, continued, “Yet do you not think she can be? Not everyone who is strong was born strong. They faced adversity and were able to overcome it.”
He thought about Georgie who had been kept from adversity her entire life…until that summer at Ramsgate. “I am not certain…”
“You are her guardian, after all, so you must make the final decision. But I believe she will be better able to put the past behind her if she confronts her fears now.” After a pause, she added, “And it need not be a long meeting. Perhaps a few minutes at most in one another’s company…”
He considered simply refusing, which was what he instinctively wished to do. But then he considered Georgiana’s future and all the obstacles she would have to face as a grown woman. Perhaps he had been wrong to clear her path so completely throughout her life. Perhaps this was one thing she could learn from. And grow stronger from.
“Very well,” he said. “I shall speak to her about it this morning before I leave. And perhaps you might speak to her too, while I am gone.”
More than an hour later, after making his farewells to her family and speaking briefly to Georgiana, Darcy found himself in the carriage bound for London.
He picked up the book of poems, opened a random page and began to read. Occasionally he went to the page with the rose and ran his fingertip across the dried petals. And then he smiled to himself as he recalled Elizabeth’s thoughtfulness.
CHAPTER 40 A London Wedding
He arrived at Darcy House by mid-afternoon and sent a note to the Gardiner residence telling them of his arrival. Soon he received a response, informing him that the wedding would proceed as planned on the morrow and inviting him to dinner. Thankfully, it was plainly stated in the note that Wickham would not be present at dinner, and so he felt free to accept. If he could not be with Elizabeth, then he would at least spend time with her relations.
He arrived at Gracechurch Street by six and was pleasantly surprised to find that the parts of the house he hadn't yet seen were large and well-appointed, with tasteful, modern furnishings. He was re-introduced to Mrs. Gardiner by her husband, whose company he already knew he preferred, and conversation was both intelligent and convivial. Only Lydia’s wayward comments occasionally disturbed his equanimity and each instance was of short duration.
They sat in the drawing room after dinner and he was introduced to Gardiner’s four children whom he found both intelligent and well-behaved. He was in the process of discussing Pemberley with Gardiner, when Lydia once more brought up the subject of Wickham.
“I do not see why my poor George was not invited tonight,” she opined for the third time. “I am certain he would have livened up the evening tremendously.”
“We have already discussed this, Lydia,” said Mrs. Gardiner patiently. “You shall see him tomorrow at the church and then the both of you shall be given a small wedding breakfast here.”
“But why must it be small?” asked Lydia. “And why could Mamma and my other sisters not come?”
“You know they are in mourning, dear. And Fanny was not quite up to travelling.”
Darcy took a glance at Gardiner who returned his look with one of apology. And then Lydia addressed him.
“And I am certain,” Lydia was saying, “that my trousseau is woefully insufficient. Why, I am certain I shall need at least two more evening gowns as we shall doubtless entertain a great deal where we are to live. By the way, where are we to live, again?”
“It is a place quite north of here,” answered Gardiner, “called Newcastle.”
“Newcastle,” repeated Lydia. “It sounds pleasant enough. Is it near any place I know? I have never been further north than Luton, you know.”
“Newcastle is rather closer to Scotland, Miss Lydia,” said Darcy.
