Georgiana appeared even more confused. “What sort of interest?”
Darcy studied his glass. “Er…romantic.”
“Oh!” Georgiana’s hand flew to her mouth. “Oh.” After a moment she swallowed. “And do you? Have a romantic interest in her?”
Now he stared at the fire. This conversation was mortifying enough without having to meet Georgiana’s eyes. “I do…admire her. But her family is…undesirable. I cannot possibly…” His voice trailed off, but then he cleared his throat. “I cannot make her an offer.”
“Oh.” Georgiana contemplated this. “Is she a maidservant?”
“What?” Darcy exclaimed. “No! Of course not.”
“A shopgirl or a governess?”
What did his sister think of him? “No. Her father is a gentleman.”
“Then I do not see why it is a problem.” Georgiana folded her hands in her lap.
“Her father has little property to speak of and only daughters, so his fortune is entailed away from his family line. And her mother’s family is from trade.”
Georgiana regarded him thoughtfully, her head tilted to one side. “Mr. Bingley’s family is from trade.”
Darcy waved irritably. “But it was longer ago, and the Bingleys are wealthier. And the Bennets’ behavior is sometimes…inappropriate.”
“But surely Elizabeth’s is not.”
“No. Not at all.”
Georgiana shrugged. “You would not be proposing to her family.”
Darcy pinched the bridge of his nose. “It is complicated. There are many good reasons I cannot make her an offer.”
“If you say so.” She sat silent for a moment. “And Mr. Wickham is threatening to propose to her?”
Darcy nodded. “He suspects my interest in her and sees this as an opportunity to thwart me. He was quite angry when I refused to pay him…also after I punched him.”
“You punched him?” Georgiana clapped her hands gleefully. “Good for you! I wish I could punch him.”
“Perhaps there will be a future opportunity,” Darcy remarked dryly.
“But certainly Miss Bennet will not accept him!” Georgiana exclaimed, her eyes round with horror.
Darcy’s lack of certainty must have shown on his face.
“But you must have warned her!”
“I did.” Darcy took a big gulp of brandy. “But Wickham is still welcome at her uncle’s house. I fear she did not take my warning seriously.”
“You did not tell her about me,” Georgiana said in a small voice.
“Of course not!”
Georgiana stood and walked to the window, gazing down on the street. Darcy watched her every move; Wickham’s appearance was bound to stir up bad memories. Finally, she cleared her throat. “You should.”
That was the last thing Darcy expected to hear. “Dearest? Are you certain?” Georgiana had always been adamant about complete secrecy.
She rested her forehead against the glass. “Yes,” she said in a tremulous voice. “If my story might save other women from Wickham, it should be shared.”
Darcy quickly considered the ramifications. If he could be open with Elizabeth about how Wickham had taken advantage of Georgiana, then she would understand why she needed to shun Wickham. Darcy launched himself from his chair, crossed the room, and gave his sister a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you, dearest. You do not know what this means to me.”