Page 41 of The Long Road Back to Yesterday

“And I shall continue my studies with Miss Elizabeth, for I intend to purchase an estate before long and shall need to learn how to manage it. Surely your uncle would receive me more favorably if I came merely as a young gentleman seeking to improve himself.”

Jane laughed.

“Yes, sir. I believe he would.”

“Jane, dearest, it gladdens my heart to see you smile. We shall get through these next nine months together. Do not despair. If it is the greatest wish of both our hearts to marry one another, then it shall come to pass, for we shall see it done.”

She laughed again. “Yes, sir. I believe you will find a way, regardless of the circumstances.”

“Let us walk a little, so our sisters do not discover we have both been weeping.”

“Yes, sir.”

Chapter 18: Revelation

The carriage drew up before Darcy House at half past ten that evening.

Georgiana's heart ached at the sight of the house, knowing it was no longer her home. As Mr. Wickham's wife, she must now live under his roof. But where did he live? She had never thought to ask.

Her thoughts turned darker. How could she endure a life with him if he returned home drunk and enraged? He had already injured her within the first days of her marriage. Would he always become violent while in his cups? A terrible dread settled over her, and she trembled as she looked to the future, wondering what would become of her.

Mrs. Younge handed her a folded paper.

“Give this to your brother. It contains the answers to the questions he will ask.”

Confused, Georgiana asked, “Are you not coming in with me to explain to my brother what has happened?”

“No, Georgiana. I am the last person your brother will wish to see. He entrusted your life, your care, and your reputation to me. I have brought you home alive, but your reputation has been ruined. He will dismiss me. I only pray he will take no more serious action against me.”

The coachman placed both portmanteaus beside the curb, and Mrs. Younge closed the carriage door without so much as a farewell.

Georgiana and Jenny each took up a portmanteau and climbed the steps to Darcy House. Fear tightened her chest when the door would not open. Georgiana looked to her little maid, and Jenny sounded the knocker. Within moments, the footman opened the door and admitted them.

The butler stood in the foyer, staring in astonishment.

“Miss Georgiana! We all believed you to be in Ramsgate. Indeed, your brother and your cousin departed for Ramsgate not two hours ago.”

“Do you know why he went there, Higgins?”

“He said only that you wished to return home and that he and the colonel had gone to collect you.”

Georgiana did not know what to think. After a moment's reflection, she said, “Higgins, I must send an express to my brother, lest he become anxious on my account.”

Higgins asked with discretion, “And Mrs. Younge? Is she not with you, miss?”

Georgiana had never found it necessary to prevaricate, but she did so now. A flush rose to her cheeks.

“Mrs. Younge wished to visit her parents, sir. She brought us here and has now gone on to the boarding house where they reside. She left a letter for Fitzwilliam. I shall enclose it within my own, which must go by express so my brother need not be anxious any longer than necessary.”

“Yes, miss.”

He motioned to the footman to collect their baggage, and they followed him upstairs to Georgiana's bedchamber.

Once inside, Georgiana closed the door.

“Jenny, you must keep everything that passed at Ramsgate to yourself. You are not to speak of it to anyone, do you understand?”

The maid curtsied. “Yes, miss.”