Mr. Darcy's Passion at Pemberley: A Steamy Pride and Prejudice Variation by Dashwood Maria

Author:Dashwood, Maria
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pemberley Playground Press
Published: 2024-04-11T00:00:00+00:00

8

When Mr. Wickham’s footsteps had faded into silence, Elizabeth slipped back down the corridor and into the dimly lit room where she had overheard the prior conversation. Georgiana paced before the dying embers of the hearth, worrying her lower lip between her teeth.

The girl started violently when she caught sight of Elizabeth in the doorway. "Miss Elizabeth! I... that is, I did not expect..."

"Peace, Miss Darcy," Elizabeth crossed to grasp Georgiana’s trembling hands, reading the poorly concealed distress writ large across the younger woman's features. "There is no need for pretense between us now. I overheard part of your... conversation with Mr. Wickham."

Georgiana's eyes widened further still, her cheeks draining of color in an instant. A cold knot of dread formed in the pit of Elizabeth's stomach. She rushed to continue before the girl could protest.

"I mean you no harm or embarrassment, I swear it. But I am overcome with concerns for your welfare, my friend." Her voice softened to an urgent murmur. "You cannot be giving sincere consideration to eloping with that man? Gretna Green, of all places?"

The delicate features crumpled in an anguish that lanced straight through Elizabeth's heart. "Oh Miss Elizabeth, I know not what to do!" Georgiana cried out, her voice thick with distress. "He has been so persuasive, so insistent on our joining in union before my brother can object. But to defy my brother, to bring such shame and disgrace upon the Darcy name..."

The girl dissolved into quiet sobs then, sinking down onto the chaise as Elizabeth settled beside her, pulling Georgiana's trembling form into a firm embrace. She fought back her own surge of tears at the naked vulnerability, the profound loneliness Georgiana must have endured for so long without maternal or sisterly guidance.

"Shh, shh now," Elizabeth murmured, stroking the soft golden tresses. "I am here, Miss Darcy. You need not make any hasty decisions this instant, I promise you."

After a few steadying breaths, Georgiana pulled back to gaze at Elizabeth with reddened, imploring eyes. "What should I do?" Her voice cracked with desperation. "I confess, part of me has allowed itself to be swayed by Mr. Wickham's insistences. It was all so exciting, and I have been fond of him since I was a child. It was like a dream to see my affections returned. I know it is shameful to think so of a gentleman, and to engage in illicit acts…"

The raw pain in her voice lanced straight through Elizabeth's heart. Elizabeth could not judge the girl for behavior she had engaged in herself. But Mr. Darcy had not taken advantage of a girlish infatuation, one held for years. And Mr. Darcy had nothing to gain from Elizabeth's paltry allotment. Mr. Wickham, on the other hand, was a rake, pure and simple. Not merely a rake, but a dishonest one.

Elizabeth clasped Georgiana's trembling hands in her own, meeting the younger woman's gaze with resolute compassion. "Then allow me to provide that counsel gladly, as a sister in truth. No honorable man with genuine regard for you would ever dream of behaving in such an underhanded manner.

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