Friends and Enemies Page 5

  “Parker, remain as you are.”

  “William, help me.” His sister muttered, tears streaming down her face. He dropped his eyes to the floor of the carriage and saw a small puddle of watery blood.

  Good, Lord!

  “I am right here, Georgiana.” Panic rose in his chest and threatened his ability to breathe. They were at least two hours from home once they were able to leave the wharf. Carriages lined up in front and behind them as others sought to do business in Billingsgate. His sister needed immediate assistance and the only familiar female face was Miss Elizabeth’s. “I will get help.”

  He closed the door, leaving the footman to guard the carriage, and pushed through the crowd until he came alongside his intended target.

  “Miss Elizabeth,” he may have spoken louder than he had planned as she visibly startled at his voice.

  “Mr. Darcy?”

  He had no clue whether she was surprised to see him or surprised he had addressed her in such a public setting. It mattered not.

  Gesturing to the coach he said, “My sister is in distress. I beg your assistance.”

  Miss Elizabeth looked to the woman standing alongside her, a fashionably dressed matron with a some-what familiar face. At the older woman’s nod, Elizabeth took his arm as he pushed them forward through the crowd.

  Without question, Elizabeth jumped into the carriage, then immediately popped back out to call to the woman who had followed along behind them.

  “Aunt Gardiner, pray come.”

  Darcy took Mrs. Gardiner’s arm, assisting her up the step whereupon she closed the door with a slam. Looking around him, he was surrounded by children, two boys and two girls. Before he could address the stranger’s progeny, the door reopened and the woman stepped out.

  “Sir, can you carry your sister a short distance?”

  “I can.” He would walk on water if need be. He would move mountains or slay dragons for her. Georgiana was all he had left in the world.

  “Children, at the risk of being banished to the nursery for the next month, stay with Lizzy.” Miss Elizabeth’s friend gathered her brood, seriously admonishing them as Elizabeth stepped down to join them. “Mr. Darcy, have your man follow along with my niece and children. She will provide directions for your drivers. Pray, follow me.”

  Miss Elizabeth’s face reflected the compassion she was feeling. As he returned to Georgiana’s side, Darcy heard Mrs. Gardiner direct a footman who had apparently accompanied the family to inform her husband they were returning home.

  His sister was limp in his arms. The women had wrapped her in blankets and tucked them under her chin. Once he was outside the carriage, Mrs. Gardiner pulled the soft wool over his sister’s face, hiding her from any who were witness to her trials. Her whimpers and soft puffs of air were all that comforted him. She was still alive.

  Mrs. Gardiner had been correct about the distance to her house. After a short walk down Little Thames Street, they turned right on to Gracechurch Street. Within a couple of hundred yards, she approached a well-proportioned building with a cheerful red door which opened before she could knock.

  Without taking the time to remove her outer clothes, she started barking orders, sending a footman for a surgeon and having her housekeeper obtain hot water, clean cloths, and specific powders for healing.

  “Follow me, sir.” Mrs. Gardiner started climbing the staircase. “We will place her in Lizzy’s room. She will be comfortable there.”

  He did as she commanded, though fear kept the words from sinking in. Tightening his arms, he lifted the covering from her head and closed his eyes, feeling Georgiana’s eyelashes, the point of her nose, and the softness of her mouth against the side of his face. His heart was full of love for her as terror at her condition filled his mind. When Mrs. Gardiner flung the bedclothes back, he placed her as gently as possible on the bed. Two things happened at once. His sister immediately rolled away from him and curled into a ball, moaning with each movement. Then, he noted the amount of fluid on the sleeve of his greatcoat, fluid that had soaked through all her clothing layers and the two blankets which had been wrapped around her.

  “Will she be…?” He could not force the words from his mouth, putting voice to something so terrifying.

  “I do not know, sir.” Mrs. Gardiner looked up at him and, he knew what she saw—worry etched on every surface of his face. He felt as if every pore oozed fright. “When Hannah comes with the water and towels…oh, here she is. Sir, I pray you wait in the drawing room for both the doctor and my niece, with whom you apparently have an acquaintance.”

  He wanted to yell at her, this petite woman who had been the epitome of kindness. How dare she want him to leave his sister’s side!

  “Sir,” her voice was both gentle and firm. “We need to change your sister into a clean gown before the doctor arrives.”

  “Yes.” Intellectually, he knew the sense of it, yet it was in strict opposition to what his heart yearned for. “Yes, I know.”

  Still he stood there, unmoving. Unable to move away from his closest living relative. Then he heard her. Miss Elizabeth had arrived with the children.

  “Cousins, pray go to the nursery, and I will see how quickly Cook can provide a snack for your sterling obedience.”

  Lightweight footsteps hurried up the staircase and past the bedroom they were in. The nursery must have been beyond them down the hallway. Someone stopped outside the door, tapping lightly before entering.

  “Aunt?” Miss Elizabeth peeked around the door.

  “Lizzy, take the gentleman downstairs and ask Barton to provide him with some of your uncle’s brandy. I believe he needs it.” Mrs. Gardiner smiled at her niece as she sat on the bed next to his sister. “Now.”

  Obeying as quickly as the young children had, Miss Elizabeth wrapped her fingers around his left hand and started pulling. He did the only thing he could under the circumstances. He followed where she led.

  CHAPTER 7

  Miss Elizabeth stood just inside the doorway and watched him pace. He did not blame her for being uncomfortable in being alone in the same room as himself.

  “Might you want some tea?” Her voice was kindly.

  “No!” He was too abrupt. “I thank you, no.” Back and forth from one side of the fireplace to the other. He had no concept of time and no awareness of where he was. How was his sister? Did she need him? Want his presence?

  “Mr. Darcy, my aunt will treat your sister as if she were her own child. She is loving, though resolute, should the circumstances require.”

  “Thank you. I am glad to hear this, Miss Elizabeth.” He stopped and looked directly at her. “My secrets…my sister’s shame…”

  “Will not pass outside these walls, sir.” She approached him cautiously and seated herself in one of the chairs in front of the fire.

  “You and your aunt…” Darcy considered. “Would she be the wife of Mr. Edward Gardiner, the importer?”

  “She would.”

  “Yet, she did not get on the ship.”

  “As you see, sir.” Elizabeth tilted her head in the manner he found particularly attractive.

  “I was told, in an effort to reassure me of the journey’s safety, that she and her children would travel to New Orleans with her husband. I was also told there was a physician and a cleric on board.”

  “I do not know if the last is true or false.” Miss Elizabeth waved the butler in with the small glass of brandy. Once it was set upon the table next to her and the older man departed, she lifted her brow at him—another expression he found appealing.

  He did not want the drink. He wanted nothing to dull the ache in his chest. Darcy knew he would not be well until his sister was the same.

  “My uncle determined the journey had too many dangers. Disease, poor weather, and the threat of war kept him from allowing us to make the trip. As it is, though he wanted to go as far as the Mississippi River, he will be departing from the ship at its first stop in Charleston in the Carolinas to che
ck on several investments. He will then return home on the next vessel available. We expect his return in two months.”

  “Those were my same concerns.” Darcy nodded, impressed with the man’s caution and care of his family. Immediately, his own family concerns poured over him and his anger simmered. “Your betrothed…”

  “My what? Who?” Puzzled, she looked at him. “Mr. Collins?”

  “Mr. Collins? I thought you were to marry Wickham. Your father told my cousin and me that he had asked for a moment of privacy to declare his intentions.” Darcy’s confusion and panic caused him to stop and drop into the seat across from her. “You are to marry your cousin, Mr. Collins?”

  “He is my father’s cousin and, no, I am not.” She was firm.

  “Why did you mention him then?” He knew Miss Elizabeth to be articulate as well as wise. She did not speak frivolously. Was he having a hard time following the conversation?

  “While I did not receive an offer from Lt. Wickham, Mr. Collins proposed earlier that morning.”

  “It was a busy day.” He wanted to slap his forehead at such a blatant understatement of events.

  “That it was, Mr. Darcy,” she chuckled softly. “I did suspect Lt. Wickham, by the way he approached me, of desiring to offer for me. However, once I explained the entailment upon Longbourn, he lost interest. I presume he was looking to a future with the Bennet daughter most likely to remain at home unmarried.”

  “That will never happen.” He had not known he had muttered his thoughts aloud until she called him on it.

  “Are you condemning your former friend’s mercenary attitude, or that I am unlikely to remain at Longbourn?”

  He could tell by the twinkle in her eye that she was teasing him. Still, he did not know confidently how to answer.

  “I do believe it best not to answer your challenge, Miss Elizabeth, or I might find myself in hot water.”

  “Tell me of your sister.”

  He felt his brows hit his hairline.

  “Oh, not her problems.” She waved away the thought. “How old is she?”

  “She is just turned sixteen,” he easily admitted.

  “Lydia’s age.”

  “Yes.” Darcy’s mind travelled to the night of the ball and his interchange with the youngest Bennet on the balcony. “Your sister is much more…”

  “More?” She stiffened her shoulders as her chin lifted. She was preparing for battle if he deigned to insult her sister. He would not do so.

  “Lively, Miss Elizabeth.” He wanted to sigh in relief at escaping the darts shooting from her beautiful eyes. “My sister is much like me, reticent in company.”

  “I see.”

  Darcy jumped up and began again to pace. He knew he needed to relax his jaw. His teeth were clenched so tightly he could feel the pressure in his ears. Thinking of his sister’s situation brought his mind back to Wickham. His fists flexed into battle formation. The miscreant was a danger to society.

  “I should have let Richard run him through at Meryton.” Again, he was unaware he spoke out loud until she quickly swiveled her head to stare at him.

  “Who, Mr. Darcy?” Elizabeth’s hands gripped the arms of the chair so tightly that her knuckles were white.

  “Wickham!” He spat out the name. “He is the vilest, most immoral creature I know. He preys on the innocent and ignorant like a beast who cares not for the damage he leaves behind. I have spent years cleaning up after him out of respect for my beloved father. No more! He crossed a line with my family to the point where there will be no recovery—ever.”

  “Are you implying he is responsible for…?” Miss Elizabeth’s hand went to her chest.

  “Georgiana?” He stopped directly in front of her. His words were clipped. “I do far more than imply, Miss Elizabeth. He uses his charm most freely. He spreads lies about his circumstances and their cause until he has the sympathy and confidence of caring souls. Yes, he is responsible.”

  He heard her swift intake of breath.

  “I know not to speak of such matters with a maiden who is wholly unrelated to me, and I apologise for my breach of propriety.” He ran his hand through his hair. “Nevertheless, my dear sister is above stairs in your room on the brink of losing a child and possibly her life. Why? Because she was lead to believe that submitting to Wickham’s advances was a way to prove her love and affection.” He started pacing again. “I should have told her. I should not have allowed her to be ignorant as to the ways of men. This is my fault.”

  “I do not know what to say, sir.” Elizabeth sat back in her chair, as if she had received a blow. “How do I offer comfort when, in many ways, my sisters and I are just as uninformed?”

  “Yet, you know not to allow a man access to the secret parts of yourself.” He had no idea how he knew it, but he did.

  “This is true.” She quickly reassured him. “My mother and my aunt have both shared the dangers since the beginning of our tenth year.”

  “Georgiana had no one to help her. No one!” he ranted. “Only an idiot of a brother who thought he was protecting her sensibilities by withholding the truth about Wickham and not warning her of the wickedness and guile of some men.”

  “Mr. Darcy, females are in a precarious position in our society. Pray, do not blame yourself or your sister.”

  “Then who am I to blame?” He leaned towards her. “Her other guardian, my cousin Richard, has long claimed that I am too protective of my sister. Had our mother been alive, I have no doubt she would have known how and when to speak with Georgiana to protect her. My father? He was a hard man to approach, yet he loved both his children enough to have made an effort to keep her from harm. Me? I failed in something so fundamental in taking charge of my sister’s future that I do not know if she will have a future, and I hate myself right now.”

  He sat back down in the seat as he could tell from Miss Elizabeth’s expression that his stance bordered on intimidation while his heartbeat quickened to the point he worried it would erupt from his chest. Exhaling deeply, he determined to cease yelling and calm himself. “Miss Elizabeth, I am appalled you are seeing me in such a state.” He rubbed both hands over his face, then dropped them between his knees, his head drooping to his chest.

  “Do not apologise,” Elizabeth rejoined. “I have four sisters, two of whom are unrestrained by my parents. While you can assume that the existence of your own parents may have prevented this tragedy, the simple truth is that there is no guarantee what an immature girl will do under the influence of a disreputable man, especially a man we knew and thought we could trust. We, all of our sex, are vulnerable.”

  “Nonetheless, I cannot imagine you to be easily swayed.” He spoke the truth.

  “I cannot imagine that as well,” Miss Elizabeth replied. “With that said, I will confess my belief in the strong opinions expressed against you by Lt. Wickham. They were told so convincingly, and your own conduct…”

  “Did not recommend me to you or your neighbours.” He refused to look at her as he spoke, ashamed of what his conduct had been. “I am aware.”

  “Sir, do look at me,” she insisted. “Since we are being frank, I will tell you that Lydia shared with me her comments out on the balcony. While she spoke the truth as she knew it, her words were harsh. Please allow for her youthful impetuosity, and forgive her the utterances she made against you.”

  “No, I cannot.” He raised his head until he met her eyes. “I am grateful she spoke so boldly. I am grateful for her honesty. Yes, I was angry. However, by the next day, I was determined to return to Meryton’s society a better man.”

  “But the next day you saw Lt. Wickham and your ire was raised.”

  “Yes.” He dropped his head again. “And within an hour after returning to Bingley’s home, we had word of Georgiana.”

  “I can see the reason for your distress and would only wish all of this undone.”

  They both heard a loud knock upon the front door and looked to the entrance hall outside of the room. Th
e doctor had arrived.

  Darcy started to stand, but Miss Elizabeth put out her hand to stop him.

  “Sir, you cannot go to your sister now. Your presence would not be welcomed.”

  His inclination was to bodily lift her out of his way, moving her aside, so he could run up the stairs, taking several at a time until he was outside his sister’s room. But she was correct. He would not be welcomed.

  “What can I do?” It came out a wail. What would he do without his sister? What would become of him? What would she suffer before these events would be over? The thought brought tears to his eyes.

  “Mr. Darcy, I ask that you stay in this room. Please.” Elizabeth spoke calmly. “Speak to me of any subject. You can do so with impunity, and I will listen.”