Page 97 of The Long Road Back to Yesterday

“I had a holiday in Ramsgate with my companion, Mrs. Younge. She introduced me to a gentleman who was very agreeable, handsome, and well dressed.”

She paused.

“I liked him. He paid me a great deal of attention and told me he loved me.”

Her fingers tightened around Elizabeth’s.

“I believed him.”

Mr. Darcy rose and went to the window.

“He asked me to marry him. I wanted Fitzwilliam to come to Ramsgate to stand with me, but he persuaded me there was no reason to wait. Mrs. Younge agreed with him.”

Georgiana looked down at her hands.

“We were married on the twenty-fourth of August. At least, I believed we were.”

Elizabeth listened, tears gathering in her eyes.

“The ceremony took place in an ancient chapel. It was beautiful, but none of it was real. The man who performed it was not even a clergyman.”

“Oh, Georgiana.”

“I did not know, Lizzy.”

“They made certain that you did not.”

“Yes. I believed I was his wife.”

Elizabeth put her arm around her, and Georgiana leaned against her, sobbing.

At length, Georgiana raised her head.

“He became drunk and knocked me down. Mrs. Younge helped me escape and brought me back to Darcy House. She explained everything to Fitzwilliam in a letter.”

Georgiana drew the handkerchief through her fingers.

“He meant to barter his silence for my fortune.”

Elizabeth held her a little closer. “Who is he?”

“Mr. Wickham.”

Elizabeth went still.

She looked at Mr. Darcy, but his attention was fixed upon his sister.

“What was his Christian name?”

“George. His name was George Wickham.”

Elizabeth stared at her.

“George Wickham?”

Chapter 35: The Same Man

Elizabeth stared at Georgiana.