Chapter Ten

Elizabeth

L ater that day, Elizabeth sat in the drawing room, enjoying a quiet cup of tea. The heat from the hearth enveloped her, creating a comforting cocoon against the chill outside. She’d watched as Georgie continued to chop wood, a task he had been at for at least two hours, and now, he’d disappeared to stack it in the various rooms. He had quite clearly never held an axe before in his life, at least not to chop wood, but he was trying to earn his keep, and that impressed her.

A sniffle came to her ear then, and she turned just in time to see Jane entering, her eyes red. This alarmed her because her sister had not shed a tear in some weeks now.

Elizabeth rushed to her sister and placed a hand on her back. “Jane, what’s wrong?”

Jane looked at her with tear-brightened eyes. “It is silly, I know, but I just realised… it’s Mr Bingley’s birthday today. We had plans for this day. He was going to hike up to Oak Mount with me, and we were going to eat there and watch the sunset. I hadn’t thought about it until just now, and it made me feel so terribly sad.”

Elizabeth’s heart ached for her sister. She could see the pain etched on Jane’s face, the sorrow in her eyes. She had hoped time would heal her sister’s heart quickly but to no avail. Mr Bingley and his brethren had hurt her sister so deeply, Elizabeth feared she would never fully recover. “Oh, Jane,” she said softly, squeezing her sister’s hand. “I’m so sorry. I would tell you to think of something else, but I know it is not as simple as that.”

Jane shook her head, her eyes welling up with tears. “I wish I could think of anything else, but I can’t stop thinking about him, wondering if he’s happy or if he misses me too.”

Elizabeth realised with a sinking heart that Jane was still deeply in love with Mr Bingley and might never stop loving him. She reached out to console her, wrapping her arms around her sister. “It’s all right to feel this way, Jane. It’s natural to miss him.”

Her sister pulled away from her and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. “I- I didn’t mean to burden you, Lizzy. I was on my way out, and… I should go.” She spun and made for the door.

Just then, a grunt emitted from the door. Georgie walked past them, his arms laden with firewood. He started at Jane’s sudden appearance and jumped out of her way, dropping the firewood with a loud clatter in the hall.

“I beg your pardon,” Jane called, startled, and then hurried past him, her head bowed, leaving Elizabeth, who had run to the door, and Georgie standing amidst the scattered logs.

Georgie’s eyes widened in concern as he looked from the fallen firewood to Elizabeth. “I’m sorry, Miss Bennet. I didn’t mean to frighten her.”

Elizabeth shook her head as she squatted to help him collect the firewood. “It’s not your fault, Georgie. Jane is just… she’s having an upsetting day.”

Georgie bent down to gather the firewood, his movements quick and efficient. “Is there anything I can do to help?” he asked gently, sensing the weight of the moment.

Elizabeth offered him a grateful smile. “No, it is something Jane needs to come to terms with on her own.”

“What has upset her so?” he asked but then shook his head. “I beg your pardon, I should not have asked. It has nothing to do with me.”

Elizabeth sighed, feeling the weight of her sister’s sorrow and the sudden urge to talk. “It is not a what, rather a who. A gentleman broke her heart, I am afraid.”

Georgie’s expression hardened with unexpected resolve. “If you need, I will speak to whoever upset her and set them straight.”

Elizabeth was touched by his earnest offer. A part of her wished she could ask Georgie to set Mr Bingley and his friend Mr Darcy right. They deserved someone to plant a facer on them, in her estimation. Alas, it was futile. “The man who upset her is not here, he is far away otherwise I would have delivered a severe censure already. In a way, it wasn’t even his fault.”

Georgie looked puzzled. “How can it not be his fault if he caused her so much pain?”

Elizabeth sighed, trying to organise her thoughts. “Do you remember Netherfield Park?”

He nodded. “The large estate we saw on our walk, yes.”

“Well, a gentleman by the name of Mr Bingley, rented it. He was new to the area, a wealthy, amiable man, a man of trade. Jane and Mr Bingley met at a local dance, and it was clear from the beginning that they were taken with each other. They spent a great deal of time together, and it became evident that Mr Bingley had serious intentions towards Jane.”

Georgie listened intently, his brow furrowed in concentration. “But something went wrong?”

Elizabeth sighed. “Yes. Mr Bingley’s sisters thought us beneath their touch, you see? We outrank them, but they are far wealthier, and they believed us to be after Mr Bingley’s money. My family can be… Well, you know my sisters and my mother can be uncouth, but there were no ill intentions.”

“Of course not,” he said, his chest rising. “Your family is honourable and kind, and I’d challenge anyone who says otherwise.”

She smiled again. He was a good man, this Georgie Wickham. If only Mr Bingley or Mr Darcy were half as decent. She took a breath and told him the rest of the tale, how the Bingley party had disappeared, how Mr Darcy had shown up and inserted himself in the equation and sown trouble, and how they had found out the truth from Charlotte Collins.

“So you see, this Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley’s sisters twisted his mind and poisoned him against my sister.”

Georgie frowned, trying to understand. “But this fellow Bingley made the decision to leave, didn’t he?”

“That is what Jane says,” Elizabeth admitted. “But regardless, Mr Darcy is horrible for poisoning his friend’s mind against Jane without even meeting her. He thinks he’s better than all of us, and Mr Bingley’s sisters are just as bad. They think themselves superior, but we outrank the Bingleys, as I said, and yet it wasn’t enough for this Mr Darcy.”

Georgie was taken aback and frowned deeply. “Wait, this Darcy never met Jane? I had thought him a part of the Bingley party that resided here. It sounds as though he would have had to have witnessed the entire courtship to pass judgement.”

Elizabeth nodded, her eyes bright with indignation. “You would think so. Alas, no, he never even met her! Can you imagine? Passing judgement without ever having met the person you judge?”

Georgie shook his head, his expression one of disbelief. “That is inconceivably irrational and horrible. Nobody should pass judgement without at least meeting the person.”

Elizabeth felt a rush of relief at his agreement. “Exactly! How can he be so cruel and arrogant?”

Georgie placed the last of the logs in the pile, then stood up and faced Elizabeth. “It’s clear you care for your sister a great deal. She’s fortunate to have you by her side.”

Elizabeth felt her heart soften at his words. “Thank you, Georgie. We all look out for each other. It’s what families do.”

“If there’s anything I can do to help, please let me know,” Georgie said, sounding quite determined.

She smiled, touched by his sincerity. “Your care is already a great help. I am glad I am not alone in my assessment of the situation. Jane thinks me too harsh on Mr Darcy and the sisters.”

“You can trust that at least this one humble fellow is on your side when it comes to this matter, Miss Bennet,” he said.

“I thank you. Say, would you call me Elizabeth at least when we are alone? Miss Bennet or Miss Elizabeth seems awfully formal, given the circumstances.”

He paused and scratched his chin thoughtfully before he nodded. “Very well, Elizabeth. I shall. And now I ought to stack the other fireplaces.”

As Georgie took his leave, Elizabeth couldn’t help but think of how much had changed since he had come into their lives. He had brought with him a sense of mystery, but also a quiet steadiness that she had come to rely on. She watched him go, feeling a deep sense of gratitude for this man who, despite his own uncertainties and struggles, had become a source of comfort and strength.