Page 42

“What you did today was terribly foolish and irresponsible, and you may have caused an awful setback for the young woman. I can only imagine that Darcy is heartbroken that the cause of her suffering was his own sister.”

Georgiana practically moaned as she dropped her head to his chest. “I know! It was so stupid of me, and I was so very sorry when I realized what I had done. I asked if I might go to her and apologise right away, but he would not hear of it. William said he will have to judge how much damage I have done before he will let me near her.” She moaned the last few words and began crying again.

Evan sat down, pulled her onto his lap and kissed the top of her head. “There, there. Do not cry, sweetheart. Darcy is a forgiving man, and he loves you very much. He will forgive you. Eventually.”

“Oh, why did he not just rage at me? It would have been easier to accept than the disappointment in his eyes! He was so disheartened that he could not look at me, and I do not blame him. I fear he may never forgive what I did or my lack of trust in him.”

“He will. You just have to give him time.” He kissed her again. “Perhaps there is some way you may help Miss Elizabeth when he does allow you to see her. Since she is withdrawn, you might take your art supplies and entertain her by drawing. I know I enjoy watching a picture come to life at your hands. Or better still, teach her to draw if she seems interested.”

Georgiana brightened. “I would love to do that if Brother and Miss Elizabeth will allow it. Though she may not be the woman that I had dreamed of for William, I will be kind to her, and I will help her to the best of my ability.”

“They will allow you to visit in time, I am sure. Now, there is something else we have to discuss. Have you examined why this debacle occurred in the first place?”

Her eyes widened as she considered his question. “I have not had time to dwell on it.”

“I believe your desire to do something right away was a result of Cecile’s influence. By the way she framed her tale, we were intentionally led to believe that Darcy had installed Miss Elizabeth as his mistress at Pemberley.”

“She did encourage me to confront him without delay and without waiting for you, though that does not excuse my behaviour. I should have stopped to think or,” she smiled sheepishly, “just listened to you.”

“And she emphasised Miss Elizabeth’s problem as though the woman were with child. At least, that was the impression that I got.”

“As did I.” Georgiana rubbed her forehead, feeling the beginnings of a headache. “Nonetheless, we shall not let Cecile have the pleasure of knowing she succeeded in her plot. William wants us to confirm his story that this woman is our distant cousin Elizabeth Lawrence, here to recover from a debilitating illness, and I shall tell her that is what I learned today at Pemberley.”

“It is good then that she was in her room when you returned and did not see your distress, but will she question why Miss Lawrence is staying with him and not us?”

“I will tell her that since I entertain often and he does not, Pemberley will be a more restful place, and besides, she has a companion in Mrs. Drury.”

“I do not believe we shall have a problem getting Cecile to agree to keep Elizabeth’s presence a secret. She does not know that Elizabeth is married already and will think that William could be in danger of a forced marriage if the gossips get wind of her being there.”

Georgiana stiffened. “Where is Cecile? How is she to be trusted? How do we know that she is not eavesdropping as we speak?”

“From now on I shall feel the need to make absolutely sure our conversations are confidential,” Evan grumbled. “And I despise the necessity of that in the privacy of my own home.”

Georgiana sighed. “Perhaps we should suggest that she return to London after your dinner party on Saturday.”

“The party! I had forgotten all about it.” Evan seemed lost in thought. “I wonder if your brother will come after everything that has happened.”

“He just might overlook my failings and come in honour of your birthday. Would you please ask him?”

Evan rolled his eyes. “I will ask, but I will not press him. Is that understood?”

Georgiana kissed his nose. “Yes, dearest.”

“And what will you do with all the eligible young women you have already invited to celebrate my birthday. You realise that they will be swarming around Darcy as if he were honey and they the bees.”

“I can do nothing at this point as the invitations have gone out. The truth is that regardless of his devotion to her, Miss Elizabeth is married, so my brother is still available. What he is doing for her is admirable and I will support him. But that does not change the fact that he may meet a woman who can be his wife and the mother of his children.”

“Ana!”

“I am just stating the obvious, Evan. I will try never again to pressure him, but I will not cease hoping that he finds love. He cannot have that with Miss Elizabeth, regardless of how much he wishes it to be so. I hope he helps her to recover and when she is able, she leaves.”

Evan shook his head, his voice lowering in warning. “Your brother is a grown man and you must accept his decisions. She may leave and she may not. It is not for us to decide.”

Georgiana flinched at the severity in his manner. “I—I was only ...

Pulling her back into an embrace, he hugged her tightly. “I love you, Ana, and it pains me to admonish you, but I am resolute! Let Darcy decide what is right for him.”

“Yes, Fitzwilliam.”