Page 46 of Twice Chosen

He showed the line to Elizabeth during a brief call at Longbourn. She understood at once. "Go to her."

"You will be all right?"

Elizabeth laughed. "I survived twenty years before meeting you."

"Barely."

"Arrogant."

Darcy kissed her hand while Mrs. Bennet was fortunately occupied across the room. "I shall return as quickly as I can."

"Do not rush her."

"I know."

Elizabeth's expression softened. "Yes. You do now."

He left for London the next morning.

Georgiana met him in the music room. She was sixteen.

Darcy nearly forgot how young she had been.

Her hands twisted together. "Fitzwilliam."

He crossed the room.

She expected a formal greeting. Instead he hugged her.

Georgiana froze, then clung to him.

Darcy closed his eyes. "I'm sorry."

She drew back. "For what?"

"For making you believe Ramsgate was yours to be ashamed of."

Her face whitened. "Fitzwilliam--"

"No." Darcy took her hands. "You were deceived."

"I knew better."

"You were fifteen."

"I lied to you."

"Because you were frightened."

Tears filled her eyes. Darcy remembered Elizabeth telling him years later that Georgiana had spent the first years of their marriage watching him for signs of disappointment. He had not known.

"I was angry," he said. "But not at you. I should have made that clear."

Georgiana cried.

He let her.

No instructions. No insistence that she calm herself. No hurried attempt to erase emotion because it made him uncomfortable.