Georgiana Read online

  Chapter 1

  Having seen Jane and Bingley married, and having danced and talked with their relatives and friends to their hearts' content afterwards at the party at Netherfield, Darcy was eager to seek the privacy of their own room. Wishing Bingley and Jane the best night of their lives so far they retreated, up the stairs, where Simon was usually waiting for them to inquire whether they wanted help to undress. Of course today they needed it, at least Elizabeth did, for her hair was done so intricately and braided and pinned so firmly, he didn't trust himself to get it down without hurting her. But Simon knew that, so they were probably already waiting in the bedroom, fire poked up, washbasin ready. It certainly was convenient to have his valet back. But when they entered their room it was dark and cold, and abandoned.

  'That is not right, Fitzwilliam,' Elizabeth said, worried, 'Simon is always ready for us. Something must have happened.'

  'You are right, and I mean to find out immediately. Do you know how to light a lamp and poke up a fire?'

  'I sure do, I even know how to cook, did you know that? I've never had an independent income, you know, it seemed sensible to be able to take care of myself. You go look for Simon and Fanny, I'll make things cosy up here.'

  As soon as he was gone Elizabeth poked up the fire, feeding it a little until it came back to life. Then with the ember tongs she picked up a little coal to light the lamps, after which she closed the drapes to keep the light and the heat in.

  Then she waited.

  It didn't take long for footsteps to come towards the chamber, and to her surprise someone knocked. So it was not Fitzwilliam.

  'Please come in,' she called out, and Mr Manners of all people entered the room.

  'Excuse me, Mrs Darcy, something happened to your maid, she is not hurt but very upset. Mr Wickham took her to your valet's room, and Simon wants you to know she'll be right over to help you undress, but to please keep in mind

  that she is in a state of dismay and it may influence her work.'

  'That is very disturbing news, Mr Manners, did you see Fitzwilliam? He went out to look for them, we knew something had happened. Poor Fanny! How did you find out, Mr Manners?'

  'I happened to pass by, Mrs Darcy, and offered to assist by acting as messenger. I suppose Mr Darcy is already with them, I'll be in my own room when he wants to see me.'

  And he was off.

  Something bad had happened to Fanny, and she was not hurt but upset? Had she taken a fall? But that would hurt. And if someone had been mean to her, Simon would have sent for them immediately, he knew they would not accept bullying among the servants, be they someone else's.

  Elizabeth did not have to wonder for long, within five minutes Fitzwilliam arrived, livid, followed by Simon supporting Fanny, who was indeed so very upset she would not be able to do any work. After pointing out a comfortable chair to Simon to help Fanny into, Elizabeth automatically laid a hand on her husband's shoulder to calm him down. It worked, but now he was cold as ice, exactly as Wickham had described him at his most fearsome. Fanny was such a sad sight, Simon looked positively anxious, and Fitzwilliam was not much help trying to control a murderous rage. Apparently it was up to Elizabeth, and rightly so since she was the lady of their household. Kneeling before Fanny she took the girl's hands and asked gently, 'Do you want me to fetch Bob, Fanny? I don't know what happened, but he may be able to calm you down a little.'

  That didn't help, for it truly distressed the poor girl and she started to cry.

  'No ma'am, please don't. He'll get even angrier than the master, and he will not be able to control himself and lose everything he has worked for. I will feel better soon, I hope.

  Everyone is so nice, Mr Wickham, Mr Manners, Simon, the master and now you.'

  'Will you tell Mrs Darcy what happened, Fanny? She needs to know, and the master has only heard what Mr Wickham told me, not everything.'

  Simon's voice sounded very soft and pleading, and Fanny acceded.

  'I will, though it will make me upset all over again. But I guess talking about it helps, and I need to be calm before I see Bob again, I'm so afraid for him.

  Better sit down, ma'am, and take the master's hand. I suppose he will be angry all over again when he hears this. Will you hold my hand, Simon? I

  feel very safe with you, and the master and mistress are here to witness you're just supporting me.'

  Asking her to tell what had happened was a good move on Simon's part, it seemed to pull Fanny out of some spiral of shock and grief, and now her voice sounded clear as she started her tale.

  'I was on my way here to light the lamps and poke up the fire, I knew you'd need me to take down your hair and I didn't mind waiting for an hour or more, I had a book with me to pass the time. When I entered the main house coming from the servants' quarters the halls were dark, but I knew the way and I wasn't afraid. I hadn't come far when strong hands gripped me and pushed me against the wall, keeping me from crying out by covering my mouth. By now my eyes were used to the dark and I saw a tall shape looming over me, and felt it, too, pushing me against the wall with his, you know, his...lower body. It was horrible. I've heard of things like that happening in big houses, but I always felt safe working for you, Mr Darcy.'

  That was why Fitzwilliam was livid, he promised his servants they would be safe from others, and now something had happened after all.

  'I'm so sorry, Fanny, I failed you. But he will not escape punishment, I will call him out and he will pay for what he did.'

  Call him out? One didn't call out a servant, this must have been a gentleman then! No wonder Fanny feared for Bob!

  'No, sir, you cannot, begging your pardon sir, but please hear me out?'

  Fitzwilliam nodded, his hand squeezing Elizabeth's rather tightly.

  'He tried to fondle my breasts, and wanted to get under my skirts, but I resisted as much as I could and while I couldn't escape, he couldn't have his way with me either, not without releasing my mouth. So he threatened me.

  'You're a feisty little thing, good, I like that. I'd rather have your little mistress, or your missus for that matter, but you'll do for now. I'll have all the time in the world to sample your wares, we'll meet often, my little girl, once I marry into the family. Now be a good girl and come to my room, and I'll not have to harm you or have you dismissed. It'll be just a few minutes each day, nothing to worry about.'

  I protested I was engaged but he merely laughed and said, 'Good, then no-one will wonder if you get with child. Just give him some of that, too, if you haven't already.'

  That made me angry and I fought, but he was so strong, and he hit me. Not hard, but it hurt and made me afraid, he clearly didn't stop at anything. I knew

  you'd protect me once I told you, Mr Darcy, but not that one time, and Bob would certainly go for him and get fired or worse.

  Then someone came, whistling, but somehow I knew he was aware something was up, for the whistle was meant for me, to hearten me, and it did. He stopped right beside us, and my attacker released me just a little, he was going to try to bluff his way out.

  'Mr Grenfell!' a friendly voice hailed him, 'fancy seeing you so far from Miss Darcy and Miss Bingley, and all the fun. Couldn't wait any longer?'

  And he asked me, 'Are you in need of assistance, young lady?'

  He didn't seem at all above me and he knew something was wrong for he had a certain stance that showed he was ready for violence, though I guess Mr Grenfell didn't realise that. My cousin is a sergeant and he sometimes looks like my rescuer did.

  'Mr Wickham,' my attacker now greeted him, trying to be friendly but not succeeding. 'This girl and I are having a bit of fun, and I would advise you to keep out of it or I may make things very difficult for you. My great-uncle is in the army and he has little patie
nce with petty officers taking the fun out of their betters' lives.'

  But my rescuer didn't heed him at all, he waited until I managed to say,

  'Please help me sir, I'm very much afraid and my face hurts.'

  'In that case, Mr Grenfell, you'd better release the girl and promise her to respect her dignity from now on, or I will make you suffer the consequences.'

  Now he was a lot bigger than Mr Wickham, and he laughed like the bully he was.

  'You and who else, ensign? There is no sergeant here to help you, soft boy, I'm half again your size and an experienced boxer.'

  As I said, my cousin is in the army and he told me they learn to fight dirty there, a matter of life or death as he called it. Mr Wickham didn't speak, he merely hit my attacker in the face squarely, then kicked him in the nuts, excuse me my language, and finished him off with a blow to the stomach. It felt great to see him go down, I may have cheered. Then I realised he had meant to ravage me, not just once, but every night, every time he was in the same house, at family meetings, hunting parties, courting either Miss Darcy or Miss Bingley at the same time, whispering sweet words in her ears. That broke me, and I started crying.

  Mr Wickham laid an arm on my shoulder and he said, 'Whose maid are you, young lady?'

  I said, 'Mrs Darcy's, sir.'

  'Good,' he said, 'Darcy has contacts everywhere, he'll save my skin from that big brute's connections. Who is your superior among the servants?'

  'That would be Simon, sir, Mr Darcy's valet.'

  'Take me to him, girl, and we'll tell him. He can tell Mr Darcy later, your master will take care you will not be bothered again. First you need someone to comfort you and it needs to be a little secretive. You cannot call out a gentleman over the chastity of a maid, sadly enough, it's mostly a matter of standing and connections, which is why I'm glad you belong to the highest-ranked gentleman in this house. Let's go.'

  And he took me back to the servants' quarters, where we met another gentleman, one that Mr Wickham clearly didn't like much. Still, when Mr Manners offered his assistance, Mr Wickham asked him to see to Mr Grenfell and to warn you, Mr Darcy, which he promised to do. Then my rescuer knocked on Simon's door, told him what had happened and left me with him.

  When Simon held me I let my fear and shock take over, and when Mr Darcy knocked and came in he found me like that. Please Mr Darcy, don't let Mr Grenfell get Mr Wickham in trouble, and please tell Bob to leave him alone, he'll be killed or thrown into prison!'

  This was a right mess and no mistake. Fitzwilliam in a rage, Fanny upset, Wickham's career in danger, Elizabeth had no idea how serious those threats were. Fortunately, Fitzwilliam had calmed down by now.

  'Fanny, I'm very glad you were saved just in time and I promise you, I will do whatever I can to help Wickham. Personally, I think Grenfell is bluffing, but I'm still considering calling him out. You're part of my household and it is my duty to protect you. I will talk to Bob, he will listen to reason and keep his cool and let me handle things. But that can wait until morning. First, I will look for Mr Manners and see how Grenfell is doing, I hope Wickham didn't damage him too badly. I am loath to disturb Bingley on his wedding night, but I may have to. You stay here, maybe take apart Mrs Darcy's coiffure for I cannot handle that, then let yourself be attended to by the mistress for a change.'

  As he kissed Elizabeth goodbye she admonished him, 'Fitzwilliam, you take Mr Manners with you if you go to see Mr Grenfell. I don't trust you to keep your cool, I want someone stable along. Will you promise me to do that?'

  'I will, my love. No-one shall be hurt worse than he is already.'

  When he had left, Simon asked Fanny whether she could sit by herself for a

  moment, and he started to take the flowers and the pins from Elizabeth's hair.

  Fanny got up and joined him, the quiet job calming both of them down quite a lot. Soon, her hair was freed and hung straight and loose, and Fanny wanted to brush it smooth, apparently that was as calming to the person brushing as it was to the one being brushed.

  'I'm so sorry you were assaulted under our protection, Fanny, we knew that man was not suitable to marry Miss Darcy but we didn't know he'd stoop to this.'

  'Neither of you can help it, ma'am, I'm just glad Mr Wickham happened by to save me. It's mostly the shock of it all, nothing really happened. I would not like to meet him again, ma'am, and I still fear for Bob. But I cannot lie to him, I cannot pretend nothing happened, he'd know and suspect me of worse things.'

  They talked for another hour, by which time Fanny was very tired and ready to go to bed.

  'I will take her to her room and make sure she locks the door, Mrs Darcy, don't worry. And should you waken in the night, Fanny, you can knock on my door and we can talk. Don't lie awake in fear.'

  Simon was so sweet, and Fanny seemed a lot stronger than she looked at first glance, so Elizabeth had good hopes the girl would be all right.

  'You can wake us as early as is needed, I suppose the master will be up early anyway to talk to Bob. Don't hesitate, you always help us, now it's our turn to make ourselves useful. Thank you very much, Simon, and please knock if you need us, even in the night. We're not at home, there is no housekeeper or cook to support you in this, so it will have to be us.'

  Chapter 2

  Meanwhile, Darcy made his way to Mr Manners' bedroom and knocked quietly.

  'Come in, Mr Darcy,' was the answer.

  'You guessed it was me?'

  Mr Manners was sitting in a comfortable chair in front of a cheery fire.

  'You'd want to know what I saw and how Grenfell is doing. I would, though I'd want to kill him, too. Will you sit down for a moment?'

  Darcy sat down in a second comfortable chair and Mr Manners poured and handed him a glass of brandy.

  'A naughty habit of mine, drinking brandy just before turning in. I couldn't sleep. He is my friend, you know, I knew he had a hard time handling adversity but I never thought he'd stoop so low.'

  'According to the maid he planned to abuse her every time he saw her. It sounded as if this was not the first time, Mr Manners. But first of all, how is he?'

  'Perfectly well, Mr Darcy, your brother-in-law must be an expert in the application of violence for Grenfell was out when I found him, but he got up and walked to his room within five minutes and without a mark on him.'

  'I cannot imagine him making life hard on Mr Wickham in the army, was that bluff or does he truly have influence?'

  'I suppose he may have a family member there, but I guess they know him as well as we do. Besides, I've heard you've connections in the army?'

  'I do, I guess I can pull some strings if needed. Frankly, I'm tempted to call him out, he assaulted one of my staff, a young maiden who trusted me to protect her from harm. I'm going to have to convince her fiancée tomorrow not to act in revenge, I feel obliged to get satisfaction for her myself.'

  Now Mr Manners looked decidedly uncomfortable.

  'Would you mind very much if we handle this among ourselves, Mr Darcy?

  We're a close-knit group and we know how to deal with one of our own crossing the line. We've calmed down a lot, you see, but we used to be quite a

  rowdy bunch. Yes, even Bingley, I can see you don't believe me but he was as bad as the rest of us. I thought I'd talk to the others, starting with Bingley of course, then call Grenfell to order and have him keep his peace towards the girl, any other dependants, and your brother-in-law. If we make a big deal out of it, chances are Mr Wickham will be the greatest loser in this, and he seems quite capable and ambitious, and quite the hero. He deserves his future in the rifles, I spent some time on him tonight and he told me about his ambitions.

  You know what makes the world go around, Mr Darcy, and as yet we as Grenfell's friends have the biggest influence on him. Can you live with that?'

  'Frankly, I have a huge problem letting him get away with trying to abuse a helpless girl.'

  'Who said he was getting away with it? I said we'd handle th
is, he will not escape his punishment, we have our ways of enforcing boundaries, Mr Darcy.

  Can we do away with the honorific, by the way? I like you, and I feel as if we have known each other for some time already.'

  Darcy nodded, it was fitting they should do that, but he still didn't understand what Manners was saying. Was he suggesting they would punish Grenfell among themselves? What would keep him from just leaving?

  'I can see you have a hard time believing he'd actually feel punished by our measures, Darcy. Let me assure you it will hit him harder than the law, which doesn't really care about a female being bothered, certainly not a lowly servant. But we care, and we are Grenfell's friends, we're closer than family, we are everything he has. If we shun him for a few months he'll be all by himself, he'll hate that. Since this is not his first offence, though as far as I know it is his first against a woman, we will be quite hard on him. And believe me, he will feel it.'

  Comprehension dawned on Darcy, this was one of those cliques from college, much more intimate than the friendships Darcy had enjoyed during his youth, and Bingley was part of that? Quiet, gentle Bingley?'

  'Ah, I see you're starting to understand, but still you cannot believe it. Of course you cannot, Bingley is so gentle and easy-going, I'm an epitome of virtue, how can we be part of some close-knit group of college pals with its own laws and customs? It just happened, Darcy, and I suppose some day we'll all be busy running estates and raising children and our ties will weaken, but for now we're still bound to one another. Bingley less so since he met you, but this is his house and he has always been true to our code, so he has a big say in this. So, what is your verdict?'

  Tired, Darcy realised Manners was right, there was every chance Wickham would be the sufferer for Grenfell's crime, so he reluctantly gave in.

  'You win, Manners, we'll do it your way. You handle Grenfell, keep his hands off my sister and off the staff, and I'll try to explain to Bob he need not act for himself.'

  Manners was pleased, and soothingly said, 'You will not regret it. Let's go see Bingley then, poor chap, on his wedding night.'