And now he has had his revenge.
Although, not quite. Thanks to Providence I was able to save Georgiana, and she is now upset and ashamed, but otherwise unhurt. In time, I hope, she will come to see it as a lucky escape, although at the moment her sense of relief is mingled with regret at what she has lost: a handsome suitor who engaged her affections and promised her a lifetime of bliss.
Once I find him, I mean to make him pay for what he has done and to this end I need your help. Find out everything you can about Mrs Younge, for where she is, Wickham will not be far behind.
Darcy
Colonel Fitzwilliam to Mr Darcy
Fitzwilliam House, London,
August 4
Darcy! I was appalled by your last. I discovered Mrs Younge’s address in London and went there at once, intent on calling Wickham out, but the birds had flown. Let me know what you want to do. I am entirely at your disposal.
Henry
Mr Darcy to Colonel Fitzwilliam
Darcy House, London, August 5
I would call him out myself if I could find him. I have visited all his usual haunts but he has gone to ground. It is as well for him that he has. If he approaches Georgiana again, I will ruin him. She is devastated, poor child. She is pale and wan, and weeps at the slightest provocation. She has no appetite and she wanders the corridors of Darcy House, unable to settle to anything. Her painting lies untouched and she never sits down at the pianoforte without rising again a minute later with a heartfelt sigh.
I am doing my best to cheer her, taking her out and about to all her favourite places and doing everything I can think of for her pleasure, but she remains downcast. I hope you will help me to raise her spirits, before she goes into a decline.
Darcy
Miss Georgiana Darcy to Miss Anne de Bourgh
Darcy House, London,
August 15
Dearest Anne,
I must tell someone, though I have to swear you to secrecy, but I know I can trust you. I am so ashamed and so unhappy I do not know where to turn. My brother and guardian are both very kind, but I miss a woman to talk to. I had Mrs Younge, but now she has gone, and oh, Anne, I am so miserable. I have been very wrong and done something dreadful but even though it is all to be hushed up so that no one will ever know, I must have someone to tell. I have been in Ramsgate, as you know, but what you do not know is that I met George Wickham there. You know how charming he is and how handsome. He was kind to me when we were children and he was friendly to me in Ramsgate, and then more than friendly. Oh, always respectful! Never a hint of anything improper, unless it was to woo me without the consent of my brother. I did not know what he was doing to begin with, even now I can scarcely say when his friendship ended and his wooing began, but before I knew it I was falling in love with him. Mrs Younge smiled on the attachment, telling me of her own romantic past when she eloped with her husband and everyone said how much they admired her for following her heart. And all the while she was in league with Wickham and they were only after my fortune. My brother has dismissed her and is trying to find me a new companion, but it is a matter of indifference to me whether I have one or not. He is trying to cheer me by giving me his time and his company, but his kindness only makes me feel worse.
Oh, how could I have been so foolish! And, oh, Anne, how can I live without him; for without George the world is empty and dull. I wish, how I wish, his love had been real, for mine was heartfelt. You will think me very foolish I know, but I cannot help it. Even now I love him.
Tell no one, I beseech you.
Georgiana
Miss Anne de Bourgh to Miss Georgiana Darcy
Rosings Park, Kent, August 17
My darling Georgiana, how I feel for you! I do not think you foolish at all, for if Mama had not separated me from George in Bath, I think I would have fallen in love with him myself, had I not already been…And hearing your story, it is clear to me that he was hunting a rich wife even then. What a villain, to use you so! But you are lucky, Georgiana, though you cannot see it: you have escaped the clutches of a man who is not worthy of you. No scoundrel deserves your love, only a good and honest man, and there will be many, many men who will fall in love with you—you, who are so good and lovely—and who will care nothing for your fortune.
Your letter, I suppose, explains why Henry left us so suddenly. He received a letter from Darcy and then made some excuse about business and went at once. Your brother will find you a new companion, depend upon it, someone you can trust, and you know, dearest cousin, that you can always write to me.
I am sending you my love, my dearest Georgiana.
Your devoted cousin,
Anne
Miss Georgiana Darcy to Miss Anne de Bourgh
Darcy House, London, August 23
Dearest Anne,
Your letter heartened me and made me feel that I was not so alone. I am feeling a little better than the last time I wrote, and a little more able to see things clearly. The memory of George’s charm is fading and what remains is not so pleasant to think of.
My brother has found me a new companion, as you knew he would. It was Cousin Henry who recommended her; she had been with a family he has known intimately for many years. My brother went to see her last week and looked into her background most carefully, speaking with all her employers and her family, too. He feels to blame for appointing Mrs Younge without examining her account of herself, and he has been determined not to make the same mistake again. I know, because I heard him and Cousin Henry talking about me. I have been a troublesome ward, I fear.
Mrs Annesley arrived a few days ago and she is very genteel and agreeable. I think I will like her. Fitzwilliam has suggested I invite a friend to stay as he has to go away for a while in order to help his friend Mr Bingley look for an estate to rent. I know that Mr Bingley has arranged to see three properties in the coming weeks. One is in Cheshire, one is in Staffordshire and one is in Hertfordshire. I hope he finds something to suit him; I know that Caroline and Louisa would like their brother to have an estate.
Your affectionate cousin,
Georgiana
SEPTEMBER
Miss Caroline Bingley to Mrs Bingley
London, September 1
Greetings and felicitations, dearest Mama.
We have seen nothing of Mr Darcy these last few weeks, but Georgiana is in London once more and I intend to visit her tomorrow. She is such a dear girl, and such a favourite with her brother. I have told Charles that he must invite her to his estate just as soon as he has one.
We went to see one in Cheshire last week but it was quite hopeless. The drive was very short and the drawing room was small and dark. We could not have possibly invited the Darcys to such a place.
Charles has made arrangements to see two further properties. We are to go to Staffordshire next week and then to Hertfordshire. I only hope we might find something suitable before the autumn.
Your dutiful daughter,
Caroline