Page 141 of The Long Road Back to Yesterday

He was tempted.

“No. She is not there. Elizabeth is in Hertfordshire with her family.” He looked back at the house as the carriage continued along the street. “But I am glad we came. It makes her seem less distant somehow.”

Georgiana reached out and took his hand.

Higgins received them in the entrance hall.

“Sir. Miss Darcy.”

“Higgins. I want a message sent to Mr. Kendall. Ask him to attend me as soon as he is available.”

“Yes, sir.”

“And ask Mrs. Younge to meet me in my study.”

Georgiana’s hand closed around his.

Fitzwilliam looked down at her. The color had left her face.

“You need not see her, Georgie.” He lowered his voice. “Shall I send you to Aunt Helen? I will collect you when Mrs. Younge is gone from the house.”

Her eyes widened. “May I, Fitzwilliam? I do not think I can bear to see her after what she did to me. I trusted her.”

He kissed the top of her head. “All will be well, Georgiana. It will take time for both of us to recover from what happened, but we will take each day as it comes.”

Higgins had already started down the hall.

“Higgins.”

The butler returned.

“Stop the carriage. Have Peter and Robert accompany Miss Darcy to my aunt’s house. I will collect her later.”

“Yes, sir.”

Fitzwilliam waited with Georgiana until Peter and Robert appeared. He helped her into the carriage himself and stood on the pavement until it pulled away.

By the time he entered his study, Mrs. Younge was waiting.

“Mr. Darcy.”

“Mrs. Younge. Please be seated.”

She did so.

Fitzwilliam remained behind his desk. “I have decided to make a change in my sister’s household. Your services as Miss Darcy’s companion are no longer required.”

Mrs. Younge stared at him.

“Sir, I do not understand. You are dismissing me?”

“I am.”

“But in what manner have I displeased you? Georgiana and I get along perfectly well. She trusts me, and I believe she has become very fond of me.”

Fitzwilliam said nothing.

“You know how retiring your sister is, sir. It has taken me months to gain her confidence. You will have a very difficult time finding another companion with whom she is so comfortable.”