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“I see no reason why I should not be as happy with him as with any other gentleman.”

“I am sure your brother would beg to differ.”

“That is because my brother does not like George.”

“I am afraid his displeasure in seeing you married to such a man would be based upon more than mere dislike.”

Georgiana huffed. “I suppose you are alluding to the gentleman’s lack of fortune, his want of connections. I know that, were I to entertain the notion of becoming Mrs. George Wickham, it would entail certain sacrifices. There would be no fine homes the likes of Pemberley and Darcy House, no fine carriages and such, but my own fortune is not insignificant, and as I think about it, as the sister of Fitzwilliam Darcy and the niece of the Earl of Matlock, on the whole, I shall have no cause to repine.”

As Georgiana took in the raised brows of her sister, she began to consider that she had said too much, and she thought of tempering her strong sentiments just a little, for, after all, her tacit engagement with George had scarcely even begun. For now, it was meant to be a secret between the two lovers until the time was right to let others know, and she did not intend to force the issue by allowing her brother to gain wind of the situation before there indeed was a situation.

She was not unaware that, if her brother had his way, she would find herself married to his friend, Charles Bingley. She certainly liked Mr. Bingley well enough, but she would never say she adored him. Besides, Bingley had never looked at her even once, as best she could tell. He only had eyes for another—Elizabeth’s older sister, Mrs. Geoffrey Collins.

“Mind you, Elizabeth, I am only putting forth such an argument to illustrate my point that the size of a man’s fortune shall not be the deciding factor in my decision to marry. With that said, there is no reason at all for you to be concerned about my feelings as regards George, and, for heaven’s sake, I would ask that you make no mention of any of this to my brother. I have told him already that I shall not allow his opinion of George to shape my own and further that he does not get to decide with whom I spend time. I think it is unreasonable for him to expect me to slight George simply because they suffered a misunderstanding.

“Besides, I know that he and George were once very close—I dare say the best of friends—when they were younger. Who is to say they will not one day put their differences behind them?”

Elizabeth placed her hand on Georgiana’s arm. “One can only hope, but you know your brother, and he affirms that his good opinion once lost is lost forever.”

“Indeed, I know his sentiments all too well, but I am a strong believer that everyone deserves a second chance. Pray my brother will come to feel that way too. I know it is something my dear father would have wished for—that Fitzwilliam and George should be lifelong friends. This rift between them would simply break his heart, for my father loved George as though he were his own son.”