Georgiana’s Savior

blurb… Elizabeth is forced to leave her family and home due to her refusal to marry her odious cousin, Mr Collins. Taking the post coach to London, she finds the only other occupant in the coach is a young girl who is distraught. None other than Georgiana Darcy, who had just escaped from George Wickham. The rogue had convinced her to elope with him, only for her to learn, after their first day on the road, of his desire for her dowry, not for her. She is heading for London, where her brother is at the family townhouse. The ladies become friends, confiding in each other of their situations. Suddenly, the coach is forced to stop. Wickham had come for his supposed betrothed. A fight ensues and they are finally able to escape when the coach driver shoots Wickham. Arriving at Darcy House, Darcy is grateful to Elizabeth for her care of his sister and welcomes her to remain at their home so she can receive medical treatment for her injuries inflicted by Wickham. But where is Wickham? Will he follow the ladies to Darcy House? Will he blackmail his childhood friend for Georgiana’s dowry?

Chapter 1

            “Elizabeth, you will do as I say. I demand you obey me.” Mr Thomas Bennet declared to his second eldest daughter.

            “I will not, as I cannot imagine marrying such a man. He is repulsive and vulgar. How can you demand such from me?”

            “You will marry Mr Collins and that is the end of the discussion. The banns will be called beginning this coming Sunday. Once they have been read for three weeks, you will be wed.”

            “No! You cannot force me to marry against my will. How would it look to our neighbors if I was to refuse to answer or if I reply no when asked if I take this man?”

            “Then you will be disowned and I demand you will leave my home immediately. You will have nothing, no pin money, nowhere to live, no food. Only what you take in your trunk. Your sisters will never be allowed to speak with you. Do I make myself understood?”

            “If that is your decision, I will pack my belongings immediately.” Elizabeth Bennet replied.

            “Take only what is yours, and only what will fit in your trunk and valise. You will no longer be acknowledged as my daughter. Do not attempt to contact anyone who lives here.”

            Tears were flowing down her cheeks as she stood and made her way to the door of her father’s study. The young lady, who was nearly one and twenty, could not understand her father’s reason for his decision. Why would he force her to marry his cousin and heir? Elizabeth knew her father thought that Mr William Collins was a disgusting and sycophantic toady. Being in the same room with him was difficult, as he did not bathe, and was always promoting his patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, as if the woman was the queen herself.

            Marching up the steps to what had been Elizabeth’s room since she left the nursery, the young lady pulled her trunk and valise from her closet and began packing her belongings. Once she had her clothing packed, she sorted through the rest of her treasures. Books, trinkets, a set of porcelain figurines that were young girls who looked similar to Elizabeth and her elder sister, Jane.

            The thought of never being able to see or talk with Jane was painful. Jane was her dearest sister and friend. But how could she remain at their father’s estate of Longbourn? There was no possible way to remain if she would be forced to marry Mr Collins.

            As she was packing the last of her belongings, there was a knock on the door to Elizabeth’s room. Before Elizabeth could walk across the room to open the door, it opened, and Jane entered the room.

            “Lizzy, what has happened? Papa has just informed us that you will be leaving, and we are to forget that you exist.” Jane had tears in her eyes as she spoke.

            “He decided that if I will not accept a marriage to Mr Collins, I am no longer welcome to be a part of our family.”  Elizabeth continued to pack her belongings, wrapping the pair of porcelain figurines she had received from her aunt and uncle for the previous Christmas, and placed them inside her trunk.

            Pulling out a small pouch from a hiding place, Elizabeth looked inside. Being frugal, she had saved most of her pin money over the years. “At least I have enough to take the post.”

            “Where will you go? To London, to see our aunt and uncle?”

            “I have not thought about it yet. My temper has been in control of my mind and I have not planned what I will do. It will likely mean I will need to find employment as a governess or companion.”

            Jane reached into the pocket of her gown and pulled out a pouch. “Take this, please. It is not a lot, but I wish for you to have it.”

            Elizabeth knew her sister was saving to purchase gifts for her family for the coming Christmas season. “Jane, I could not accept your pin money.”

            “Yes, you can. Please Lizzy, it would allow me to feel a bit of comfort knowing you have enough to purchase food or somewhere to stay if needed. I beg you to find some way to send word to me, so I know you are safe.”

            “I will try, Jane. Oh, how I will miss you most of all. Follow your heart, my dear sister. Do not allow our parents to decide your future. We have seen what a marriage without love can be. Find a good man who loves you for who you are and move away from our parents.”

            Elizabeth moved to embrace her beloved sister and best friend. “I love you, Jane. Do not forget me.”

            “How could I ever forget you, Lizzy? Stay safe.”

            “I will.” Elizabeth took hold of her valise and took the handle on one end of the trunk. Dragging the trunk down the hall, Elizabeth was surprised to find the Longbourn butler, Mr Hill, and his wife, who was the housekeeper.

            “Our son will take you to the inn in Meryton.” Mr Hill stated. Mrs Hill stepped forward and handed Elizabeth a bundle that had been tied.

            “Some food to keep you strong.” Mrs Hill embraced the young lady she had cared for since Elizabeth was born. “We will miss you terribly.”

            “I will find a way to keep in touch. Watch over my Jane. Without me here, I worry for her safety.” Elizabeth shed tears as she stepped back from the lady who had been more of a mother than Mrs Fanny Bennet had ever been.

            “You have my word, Miss Lizzy.”

            Mr Hill took hold of the trunk and carried it down the stairs and out the front door of the house. His son, Jack, had brought the cart around to transport Elizabeth Bennet from her home. The young man, whom Elizabeth had known all her life, found it difficult to look her friend in the eye.

            The trunk was loaded on the cart and Elizabeth sat beside it on the bed. Tears were beginning to flow down her cheeks as the house faded from view. The only home she had ever known was now forbidden territory. Knowing she would never again be welcomed in the Bennet family home, which tore at her heart, though Elizabeth knew she was doing the right thing.

            When they arrived in the nearby village of Meryton, Jack aided his friend to the inn. Learning that the next post for London was due within the next hour, Elizabeth purchased her fare and took a seat in the dining area. Before he left, Jack took Elizabeth’s hand between his own.

            “Miss Lizzy, you have always been a good and kind friend. Papa said that your father declared we are not allowed to deliver any letters from you to any of your family. If you wish, you may send them to me. I will make sure your sister receives them without Mr Bennet knowing.”

            “Thank you, Jack. I will miss you and your parents dearly. Watch over Jane, as I fear what my father will do with my refusal. Jane is too gentle to stand up against my father’s wrath. If she needs to escape, please do what you can to protect her.”

            Jack looked his friend in the eye. “You have my word, Miss Lizzy. I will always protect Miss Jane. She is too good, too gentle, and never thinks ill of anyone. Me and my folk will watch over her.”

            Elizabeth gave Jack’s hand a strong squeeze. When Jack released Elizabeth’s hand, he reached into his pocket. He held something small, wrapped in cloth. “This be from the Hill Family.”

            Wiping tears from her cheeks, she thanked him for all he and his family had done for her.

            Once Jack left, while Elizabeth waited for the post carriage, she unwrapped the small bundle. Inside was a knife inside a sheath that would be small enough to fit in her reticle, and several coins. That their family’s servants had treated her with more kindness than Mr Bennet had done only made Elizabeth more determined to find a new life.

            The post carriage arrived, and Elizabeth was soon on her way to London. There was only one other passenger in the carriage, a young blonde girl, who appeared to be quite distraught. Looking out the window of the carriage, seeing the land of her family and friends going past, Elizabeth’s attention was caught when the girl began to sob.

            “Forgive me, are you well?” Elizabeth asked.

            “I will be. Thank you.”

            “Of course. You are welcome to talk about your problems, as at times I have found it beneficial to bring mine into the sunlight, so I can see them differently.” Knowing that her own problems needed to be seen in a different light, Elizabeth could take a closer look at her own options.

            “I have been foolish, and I almost made the biggest mistake of my life. My brother will be furious when he learns what has happened.”

            “We all do foolish things, especially when we are young. Surely your brother would remember his younger days.”

            The girl shook her head. “My brother is always perfect. I cannot imagine him ever being as foolish as I have been.”

            “No one is perfect. My name is Elizabeth Bennet. What is your name?”

            “It is nice to meet you, Miss Bennet. My name is Georgiana Darcy.”

Chapter 2

            The post carriage came to a halt outside an inn. The young ladies decided to remain in the carriage, as they had shared some biscuits that had been inside the bundle of food Mrs Hill had given Elizabeth. Their conversation continued when the carriage began moving.

            “It is wise of you to have escaped the scoundrel when you did. How difficult it must have been, trying not to be caught by Mr Wickham.”

            Georgiana nodded her head. “I feared that he would find me and follow through on his threat to bind my hands and feet. But I could not continue on with him, as had been his wished. Everywhere I look I fear he will be there, ready to take me away.”

            “Such a brute. To threaten you because you changed your mind, you are better off away from him. How he thought he could be a good husband to you is beyond my thinking.”

            The girl took a sniff.  “I believed he loved me, but all he desired was my dowry. When he became angered at my decision to not wed, he threatened that he had gone too far to lose the thirty thousand pounds dowry.”

            Elizabeth could not believe such a man could exist. Mr Wickham was truly an evil man. “Well, your brother will be pleased to have you returned home.”

            “I pray he does. William could also be furious with me. He already thinks of me as a child, but I am six and ten. At my age, I can marry the man I love.”

            “At six and ten, you are a young lady, though you still have much to learn of the world. Even at my ripe old age of twenty, I know there is much I do not know or understand.”

            Georgiana huffed slightly. “You are correct. I am just not looking forward to the lecture William will give me.”

            The carriage came to a sudden halt and the young ladies could hear shouting. Suddenly, Georgiana became pale and appeared to be near fainting.

            “Miss Darcy, are you well?”

            “That voice…it is him…”

            “Mr Wickham?”

            Georgiana nodded her head.

            They heard the voice coming closer. “My wife has become missing and I wish to see if she is in your carriage.”

            The driver responded. “There is two young missus in it. They is too young for a wife.”

            “My dearest love appears to be much younger than she is. She is a pretty, blonde, who is about this high. Her name is Georgiana Wickham.”

            Elizabeth called out to the driver. “Neither of us are married to this man, nor are either of us named Georgiana Wickham. Might we continue on to London.”

            “Georgiana, please my love, if you are in the carriage, come with me.”

            “Sir, you are mistaken. There is no Georgiana Wickham in this carriage.” Elizabeth poked her head out of the carriage door. “Now leave us alone and allow us to return to our journey.”

            “Not until I see your traveling companion.” Wickham demanded.

            “She is my sister, Jane Bennet.” Elizabeth lied.

            “Have her poke her head out so I might see her.”

            “My sister is ill and is resting.”

            The door of the carriage was jerked open violently. “You were lying. This is my wife.” Wickham said as he reached inside to grab Georgiana’s arm. As he began to yank her from the carriage, Elizabeth shoved him back.

            “Mind your own business. This is between my wife and me.”

            Elizabeth slipped to the seat next to Georgiana, holding on to the girl. “She is not your wife. Leave her alone.”

            Wickham grabbed Elizabeth’s arm, yanking her from the carriage before she could resist. Once she was on the ground, the scoundrel began kicking Elizabeth, then stomped on her arm. Hearing the crunch of the bone breaking, Georgiana cried out to her new friend. “Elizabeth, no, you should not be harmed. George, please leave us alone. I do not wish to marry you. Allow us to leave and I will not tell William what has happened here.”

            “I do not care if your worthless brother knows what happened here. In time, he will need to learn everything, once we are wed.”

            The carriage driver was attempting to slide over without Wickham seeing the movement. The driver carried a gun under his seat. If he could reach it before Wickham noticed, he could protect the ladies from further harm.

            Elizabeth noticed the driver from where she was on the ground. While Wickham, who was standing between Elizabeth and the carriage, was busy yelling at Georgiana, Elizabeth decided to take a chance. Motioning to the driver, Elizabeth kicked Wickham between his legs, causing the man to roar in pain. When he turned around to face his attacker, Wickham was in far too much pain to be able to realize the danger he was in from the driver. The man grabbed his gun from under the seat, lifting it up and taking a shot, striking Wickham in his lower back.

            When the blackguard fell to the ground, Elizabeth rose from the dirt and hurried inside the carriage, pulling the door closed just as the horses leaped into action, carrying them away from their attacker.

            The carriage arrived in town as the sun was beginning to set. Upon their arrival at the post stop, Georgiana requested a hackney to transport herself and Elizabeth to Darcy House.

            “Miss Darcy, it would be improper for me to arrive at your brother’s townhouse. We have never met before.”

            “Miss Bennet, you have been injured in your efforts to save my life. My brother would be grateful to you and wish to see to your care. You require a physician, as you have a broken arm and other injuries. The wound on your head is still bleeding, after all the handkerchiefs we have used. Please, allow us to repay you with seeing to your care.” The younger girl pleaded.

            Feeling weak and exhausted, as well as being in severe pain, Elizabeth had been pondering what she would do when she arrived in London. Showing up on the doorstep of her aunt and uncle in her condition would not be wise. They would be in shock and frightened by what had happened, both at Longbourn and on the road to London. It would perhaps be better to rent a room while she improved her health. But she doubted anyone would rent to her, seeing her condition.

            “Perhaps it would be the best option, though if your brother disagrees, I will find somewhere to go.”

            “Have no fear, William will understand. You have saved my life, and he will consider it only proper to see to your health.”

            The young ladies entered the hackney and they were on their way to Mayfair, to the front steps which led to Darcy House. The door opened when the butler noticed Miss Darcy stepping out of the carriage. Seeing the condition of the young lady with the master’s sister, the butler, Mr Jansen, called for the housekeeper to come quickly. Mrs Oaks hurried towards the door when Georgiana and Elizabeth had made their way up the steps.

            “Miss Darcy, we did not know you were arriving. I have sent a footman to fetch your brother.”

            “We will require a room for my friend. We were attacked and Miss Bennet was injured.” Georgiana declared. “Miss Bennet saved my life, though, as you can see, she is in need of assistance.”

            “Attacked?” came a male voice who was approaching the door from inside. “Who attacked you? Georgiana, what are you doing here, and where is Mrs Younge?”

            “William, might we bring Miss Bennet inside and send for a physician? We can discuss everything after she has been tended.”

            Fitzwilliam Darcy was concerned for his sister, but he could see the young lady with her was in poor condition. “Of course. Mrs Oaks, send a footman for Doctor Tanner. Let us place Miss…”

            Georgiana added to her brother’s words. “Bennet. Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”

            “Place Miss Bennet in the green guest room.”

            The housekeeper nodded her head. As she turned her attention to the young lady, the elder woman knew Elizabeth was in fragile condition. When Elizabeth’s eyes began to roll back in her head, Mrs Oaks reached forward to take hold of Elizabeth’s arm, preventing her from falling to the floor. Darcy moved quickly to scoop the young lady up in his arms and took the stairs hastily, two at a time. Once on the floor with the guest rooms, Darcy moved to the green guest room, where he placed Elizabeth on the bed. Stepping back, he allowed the women to begin tending to the young lady’s needs.

            Realizing it was not his place to be in the bedchamber of a young lady who was unknown to him, Darcy removed himself to the hallway. Seeing his sister there, he suggested they step across the hall to discuss what had happened.

            While they waited for the physician to arrive, Georgiana began the story of what had happened. Her brother was furious, though his anger was for Wickham, not Georgiana. When she discussed what had happened in the post carriage, with Wickham trying to force her from the carriage, Darcy nearly called for his fastest horse. His first response was to track Wickham down and make the fiend pay for his behavior.

            “I am not pleased with how you behaved in attempting to elope, though you came to your senses and realized the truth. Miss Bennet has earned my respect for her coming to your aid. Do you know more about her?”

            “She is homeless, as her father gave her an ultimatum to either marry his cousin or leave their family home forever. The cousin is the heir to the family’s estate, as it is entailed away from the female line. Oh, Brother, the cousin is Aunt Catherine’s parson. The foolish man we met when we were last at Rosings.”

            Darcy was surprised that a young lady would give up the security of her father’s home and a marriage that would give her a home. Having met the parson, Darcy was not surprised to learn that Miss Bennet had decided against such a man as her husband. “It speaks highly of her that she would give up all that she knows and the comfort of a home, for a life of uncertainty.”