Jump to new as of July 26, 1999
Jump to new as of August 3, 1999
Posted on Tuesday, 20 July 1999
The first letter, though a total falsehood, was easy to write. It was a letter of recommendation "To Whom It May Concern" from Miss Georgiana Darcy, stating that Miss Jenny Darling was an exceptional servant and would serve any household well.
The next four letters were beyond painful. More painful even than cutting her hair, a task on which Georgiana would rather not reflect. She could not help but remember, though, for her strange image caught her eye constantly in the mirror.
Dearest little Meg,I know, you are ten now and have two digits in your age, so you do not like to be called little Meg. But I will never forget the little girl who rescued me in the woods at Rosings. It is impossible for me to explain why I have to leave Pemberley, but believe me when I say that nothing is more difficult than to leave you. You are dearer than any niece by blood could ever be. I know better than to think you need any encouragement to practice your pianoforte. Do not forget the rest of your education, however, and do not give your adoptive parents, my brother and sister, too much trouble. Give little Alex plenty of hugs and kisses for me. I remain
Your devoted "aunt",
Georgiana Darcy
My dear sister,I know that you will be worried about me beyond reason when you find me gone and read this letter. Please do not worry. I will be safe, I promise. There is nothing for me here. I have tried and tried to find some purpose, but my place must be elsewhere. Take care of my brother, and try to keep him from searching for me. It will be useless.
Your sister always,
Georgiana Darcy
Dearest Fitzwilliam,Try to understand that I must leave. I cannot marry Mr. Eastbrook, for I do not love him. I do not wish to hurt him, for he is a good man. But I must find my own place, and I know that being the wife of Mr. Eastbrook is not my place. I love you all dearly and it hurts me to leave. Do not be alarmed, for I am not eloping with anyone. I am doing this completely on my own.
Your devoted sister,
Georgiana
Mr. Eastbrook,Please forgive me for breaking our engagement. It would not be fair for me to marry you. You deserve someone who will love you as more than just a dear friend. You will hear that I have left Pemberley, so the blame will fall completely on me. I am truly sorry. I pray that you will not take this too hard.
Sincerely,
Georgiana Darcy
The letter to Mr. Eastbrook was the most difficult. Georgiana knew that she would be deeply wounding an honorable man. But neither could she settle for a marriage that was motivated by anything other than the deepest love. And she did not feel that for Mr. Eastbrook. He was only a friend.
The restless feeling swept over Georgiana, preventing her from changing her mind and throwing all five letters into the fire. That same restlessness had haunted her for years. Now there was nothing to hold her at Pemberley. She must find out what life held for her. She left all but one of the letters on her bed. Then she put the letter of recommendation into the old worn bag she had procured for this purpose. The bag also contained an assortment of clothes which she would need for the journey. Georgiana took the bag, and with a tear, stole silently out of the great house into the unknown night.
Once she was safely out of sight of the house, Georgiana quickly changed clothes. She knew that a young lady traveling alone would never be safe. So for the purposes of the journey, she must be a boy. Her hair she had taken care of in the house, where she had the assistance of a mirror. Now she changed into the clothes she had stolen from one of the young stablehands. She wrinkled her nose at the smell. The bright side was that no one would get close enough to her to realize that she was in disguise. She would change into the servant girl's clothes once she reached her destination, as of yet unknown. She supposed that she would have to come up with some excuse for the hair when she applied for employment.
And so Georgiana Darcy began her journey to a new life.
Part 2
Bad news is a burden that only the most perverse at heart truly enjoy. Georgiana's maid Betty was the first one who had to make Miss Darcy's disappearance known. Unable to face the mistress of the house, much less the master, the terrified girl reported to Mrs. Reynolds immediately.
Mrs. Reynolds spied the four envelopes, and only her many years of experience maintaining her composure kept her from becoming hysterical. How could her sweet Miss Georgiana sneak away so? Not knowing what the letters contained, a small suspicion voiced itself in Mrs. Reynolds' mind suggesting that perhaps the girl had even done herself harm. The housekeeper did not have the fortitude to break the news to her master, so she went in search of Mrs. Darcy. She only hoped that the lady was not in Mr. Darcy's room.
Elizabeth was not in fact in her husband's room, but rather in the nursery. Their two-year-old son Alexander had been ill, and no one could substitute for Mama. Mrs. Reynolds approached her tentatively.
"I hate to disturb you and the little one, mum, but there has been an emergency." The housekeeper spoke softly as not to wake the sleeping Alex. But Elizabeth knew that Mrs. Reynolds did not use the word "emergency" lightly. She laid Alex in his bed and followed her employee.
"Oh, no. This cannot be happening!" Elizabeth gasped when she saw the letters. A panic hit her that she had not felt since Alexander was born and she thought she was dying. Then, as now, her first thought was for her husband. "How will I tell William?"
Mrs. Reynolds spoke gently. "If you please, mum, one of the letters is for you."
"Yes! The letter!" Elizabeth eagerly seized the envelope and ripped it open. The contents did nothing to comfort her, however. "It is as I feared -- she is lost forever!"
Seeing the state of her mistress, Mrs. Reynolds offered to fetch Mr. Darcy. But Elizabeth refused. "I am well enough," she insisted. "Please -- say nothing. I will inform Mr. Darcy."
"William?" Elizabeth called out softly as she entered her husband's room. She did not wish to startle him if he was still sleeping. He had sat up late the night before with her and the baby.
Sure enough, Darcy was still asleep, his hair rumpled, his face a larger version of Alex's. Elizabeth's heart gave a small leap, both from love and from sorrow, knowing she must disturb his peacefulness. There was no knowing when he would be able to rest so well again.
Elizabeth lay down beside Darcy and began stroking his hair gently. "Wake up, darling," she whispered.
Darcy opened his eyes and smiled at the sight of his wife. "Hello, beautiful lady," he said, reaching his arms toward her.
Elizabeth recognized the look in her husband's eyes. Normally she would not disappoint him, but today the circumstances were different. "William, listen to me. Something has happened." She waited for those words to sink in before proceeding. "Georgiana has left -- she ran away during the night."
Darcy sat up so quickly that he startled his wife. "Where did she go? Who is she with?"
"I don't know, dearest. She left a note for each of us." And she handed him the letter.
Darcy read the short note and cursed. "What does she think? That I will just forget about my only sister? Purge my mind of her existence?"
"William -- " Elizabeth tried to soothe her husband.
"And what in heaven's name am I to tell Eastbrook?"
Stephen Eastbrook was a young man, about thirty years of age, who had formed a close friendship with the Darcys in the last three years. Like their cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam, he was the younger son of an earl, but he had spent his youth earning a large fortune in America. Upon returning to England, Mr. Eastbrook had purchased an estate in Derbyshire, not far from Pemberley. Darcy had been immediately impressed with Mr. Eastbrook's intelligence, character, and gentility, and so had encouraged the man's attentions toward Georgiana. And she had received those attentions willingly -- or so they all thought.
Mr. Eastbrook's manner was difficult to describe. He was not moody and mysterious like Darcy, nor was he perpetually cheerful like Bingley or flirtatious and charming like Wickham. Those who knew him best spoke of him as kind and frank, "a man without guile" like Nathaniel in the Bible. Unfortunately, such a man does not stir flutterings in the heart of a twenty-year-old girl, especially one who is dreaming of romance and adventure. Neither was his appearance especially striking. A person might, upon seeing him, think of him as "a fine-looking fellow", and then not remember his face five minutes afterward.
After the Darcys made the acquaintance of Mr. Eastbrook, Georgiana immediately categorized him as "my brother's friend", not as a potential suitor. However, she noticed his kindness to all of them. He accepted Meg without question, which was more than Georgiana could say for many of their so-called "friends". He even sent some of his own servants to Pemberley to assist the Darcys during those terrible weeks after Elizabeth gave birth. Georgiana simply attributed his kindnesses toward her, such as turning pages while she played or dancing with her in a company full of strangers, to his generous nature. But as she soon learned, he had very different feelings toward her.
When Mr. Eastbrook did propose, Georgiana was so surprised that she begged a few days to think it over.
"Please, sir, I promise you that I had no idea of your feelings. I must take some time to consider," she said.
"You did not know?" Eastbrook asked incredulously. And then he laughed. "I would have thought the entire country knew it. But I should not be surprised. You are such an angel, you truly do not realize what a treasure you are. Take your time, Miss Darcy. I will wait forever, for you are the only lady for me."
Georgiana was slightly taken aback by these words, for they were the most elegant she had heard from the young man. Truly, he was good. But did she love him?
No sooner had Mr. Eastbrook left Pemberley than Darcy joined Georgiana in the drawing room. "Little sister, have you anything to tell me?" he asked, smiling.
Georgiana blushed. "Mr. Eastbrook has asked me to marry him."
Darcy laughed delightedly and embraced his sister. "Dear Georgiana, I could not ask for better for you."
"But Fitzwilliam, I have not yet given him an answer!"
"What?" Darcy was amazed. "Why hesitate? Surely you do not mean to torment the man, for he is desperately in love with you!"
"No, I do not wish to torment Mr. Eastbrook. I just -- this is all so sudden, I do not know what to think."
"Sudden? He has had eyes for no one but you since he first came into Derbyshire. Georgiana, have you been blind to this?"
Georgiana was flustered. "Yes, brother, I suppose I have been blind. I saw him only as your friend. I never thought of him as someone I might marry."
Darcy sighed. "You know I would never force you into a marriage. But let me advise you that you will not find a better man than Stephen Eastbrook. I am proud to call him friend, and would be even prouder to call him brother."
Georgiana nodded. "I promise I will keep your words in mind, Fitzwilliam. And I will give Mr. Eastbrook an answer on Thursday at Alexander's party." The family and friends of the Darcys were joining them to celebrate Alex's second birthday. Meg was even being brought home from school for the occasion.
Meg arrived at Pemberley the next day. Georgiana was amazed at how she had grown during her few months away. Not only that, but she was much more ladylike -- at least on first impression.
"How is school, Meg?" Georgiana asked at first opportunity. "You are not behind in any of your studies, are you?"
"Not at all!" Meg promised. "Especially not in music. But the teachers are very strict."
Georgiana smiled, remembering her own days in school. She had always been very shy and not bothered by the rules. But she could imagine how confining the environment would be for someone of Meg's spirit. "No chances for climbing trees?" she teased. "But have you made any friends?"
"Oh yes, the other girls are wonderful! Most of them, anyway." Meg wrinkled her nose. "Some are annoyed that I am chosen to play for visitors who come to the school."
"Is that the only problem?"
"Well, yes." Meg appeared genuinely confused by the question, and Georgiana was satisfied. Jealousy was a common enough trait among young girls. So Meg's background had not yet become an issue. She fervently hoped that when that came, the Darcys would be force enough to protect Meg.
It was a merry party that gathered at Pemberley on Thursday evening. The guest of honor, little Alexander Darcy, fell asleep early in the evening. That did not stop the celebration, however.
Stephen Eastbrook was one of the first guests to arrive. He presented Elizabeth with a large bouquet of flowers. "A gift for the lovely mother," he said gallantly.
Elizabeth read the small card attached to the vase, and her eyes filled with tears. She smiled and whispered, "Thank you for remembering."
Curious, Georgiana peeked at the card a few moments later. It read, "To Mrs. Darcy, mother of Alexander and Sara."
Georgiana was touched. No one else would have thought to remember Alex's twin sister who died at birth. She remembered her brother's words:
"You will not find a better man than Stephen Eastbrook."
Before the party ended, Darcy announced the engagement of his sister Georgiana to Mr. Stephen Eastbrook.
Posted on Monday, 2 August 1999
An impressive carriage pulled up in front of the modest brick structure that housed Mrs. Dover's School for Girls. Mrs. Reynolds stepped from the carriage and made her way to the door purposefully. Rarely had she been sent so far from Pemberley on an errand, and she was determined to perform her distasteful duty in a way that would do credit to Mr. and Mrs. Darcy.
Mrs. Dover was eager to accommodate any request from the Darcys. But she was shocked and disappointed at the message Mrs. Reynolds brought.
"You wish to withdraw Margaret from school?" she asked in disbelief. "Why, Miss Owen is quite the shining star among my younger pupils! My dear, Mrs. Reynolds, there must be some misunderstanding. I assure you that we will attempt to remedy whatever is wrong."
Mrs. Reynolds remained firm in her mission. "I have very clear instructions from Mr. Darcy, as you can read in this letter," she said. "Circumstances have arisen at Miss Owen's home that require her presence immediately. Mr. Darcy wishes me to inform you that the tuition will be paid in full for the remainder of the term."
Mrs. Dover sighed in resignation and sent for one of the servants to begin packing Meg's belongings. "I will take you to her myself," she said to Mrs. Reynolds.
Meg was in the drawing room receiving a piano lesson from the music master. Mrs. Reynolds recognized the piece she was playing as one of Georgiana's favorites. She dreaded giving news of Miss Darcy's departure to this special little girl. The two were so attached to one another. At least Meg will be a comfort to the master right now, she told herself.
When Meg finished playing, she looked over to the doorway and her eyes lit up. "Mrs. Reynolds!" she cried joyfully and ran over to hug the older woman.
"Meg! You must be more reserved," chided Mrs. Dover.
Mrs. Reynolds gave the schoolmistress a glare that said clearly, "She's not your responsibility anymore, leave her alone." To Meg she said, "I've come to take you home, dearie. The family needs you at Pemberley."
Meg did not question her, for she was glad to go back to her adopted family. She promised her music master to practice faithfully, thanked Mrs. Dover politely for teaching her, and ran to her room to prepare for leaving.
Darcy paced the floor of his library nervously while Stephen Eastbrook read the note from Georgiana. When Stephen finished the note and raised his head, Darcy was too ashamed to meet his friend's eyes. "Eastbrook, I don't know what to say. I am so terribly sorry. I had no idea this was coming. I -- "
"Darcy." Stephen interrupted the rambling. "This isn't your fault. If I could just be alone for a moment?"
"Of course," Darcy murmured, and he exited the library. As he walked away, he heard the doors lock behind him.
Stephen stared out the window without seeing anything, for his eyes were filled with tears. Everything he had dreamed of was destroyed in that one letter. How could he have been such a fool as to believe that such a dream could come true, that Georgiana Darcy would really be willing to marry him? "Oh, Ana," he sobbed, burying his face in his hands.
For she had been Ana in his mind. He had never called her such, but he would have, after they were married, while he held her and spoke to her all the words of love that he had stored in his heart for this past year.
The memories washed over him like a flood. Ana's hair, her eyes, her sweet innocent lips. Stephen groaned as he thought of the many times he had been tempted to kiss those lips, but had refrained for propriety's sake.
Her music -- Stephen had purchased the finest pianoforte he could find, just so he could hear Ana play and sing for him. She was so particular about whom she allowed to hear her sing. Stephen counted it a great honor when Georgiana first sang for him.
Before that song, she had been a sweet young lady who was his friend as well as Darcy's sister. It was upon hearing her voice that he knew he loved her with all his heart.
Why did she leave? Was he that repulsive? Stephen looked in the mirror above the fireplace, but found himself unable to examine his appearance from a young lady's perspective. There was no use in questioning. Fate had dealt him a double blow -- first, offering him a gift like Georgiana, and then snatching her away.
"I am so glad to be going home," Meg exclaimed. "But why did you come for me so early?"
This was the part that Mrs. Reynolds had put off for as long as she could. "Miss Meg, something dreadful has happened."
Meg's face turned white. "Has someone died?"
"No, but your auntie has left home. Gone without a trace. She only left a few letters. Here is yours." And Mrs. Reynolds handed the child her letter. It was out of her hands now, she had told the news as best she could.
Meg read the note carefully. "She left because she does not want to marry Mr. Eastbrook."
"We don't know that," Mrs. Reynolds scolded.
"You may not, but I do. She is being very silly. He is a nice man. She could do much worse," Meg said with an air of someone who knew all about love and marriage. "Aunt Georgie wants all this adventure and romance, when she could be happy with a nice man. I mean, Mama was extremely practical. She settled for a nice man with property, even though he is quiet and unexciting."
Mrs. Reynolds, knowing more than a little of the history of the Darcys' courtship, could hardly keep her countenance. This will be something to tell the mistress, she decided. "But you should be thinking of your Mama and Papa. They are extremely worried," she said.
Meg shrugged. "Where I come from people disappeared all the time. They usually came back. I hope she comes back soon, though, for I will miss her dreadfully."
Mrs. Reynolds shook her head at this strange child. Who would have thought that such a girl would be calling Mr. and Mrs. Darcy Mama and Papa? Life certainly had a way of playing tricks on one.