Page 62 of A Quiet Affection

Mr. Darcy closed his eyes.

He was filled with regret that he had not done something to keep George from the poor influence of his mother; that must have been the cause. He’d let the boy idolize her, even though everyone knew about her vicious character.

Chapter Eighteen

As Jane Wickham accompanied Lizzy to the far side of the drawing room, she was filled with roiling anxiety. What had her husband done to her sister?

She had been too anxious about being settled in a house alone with George, and she’d argued with Lizzy until she stayed. If George did something to Lizzy, it was her fault.

Jane could not stand the tension filling her throat. She had already learned that her husband was not a faithful man. He placed no serious importance on the marriage vows.

But she had still sworn before God. She had sworn to love him. She had sworn to obey him, and to serve, honor, and keep him. She would fulfill her oath. She had chosen this path.

“What happened, Lizzy, what happened?”

“Oh, Jane—I…it cannot help you to hear the story. I do not know what I should tell you. It can help you in no way. But I once already made a mistake by not speaking to you.”

Jane exclaimed, “Lord! Lizzy, what did he do to you?”

Elizabeth did not reply, except for a frown.

“Elizabeth, just tell me. I can bear it. Must I help you? What—”

“He did nothing to me. Nothing of note.” Elizabeth said quickly.

Jane took her sister’s hand. “No. Tell me the truth. I beg you, do not be the doctor who refuses to tell their patient that he is dying. I wish to understand the nature of my situation. I do not care that this knowledge is useless. Let me know the truth.”

“Oh, Jane, I am so sorry. I have failed you. I did not take proper care of you.”

“You failed me? How could you have failed to take care of me? I am your older sister, and I am whole in body. It is my duty to care for you—just tell me. What did Mr. Wickham do to you?”

When Elizabeth still hesitated, Jane exclaimed, “I beg you! This uncertainty is worse than anything you might say.”

“He did make an attempt to…that is, he tried to…”

“Elizabeth!” Then Jane let out a breath. “But it was only an attempt? But to do what?”

“I do not know how far he would have taken matters if Fitzwilliam had not arrived,” Elizabeth said softly. “But I am well. Oh, poor Jane. I think I have never been so happy, and yet so tormented and sad. It is not fair! Poor Jane. I wish—I would change my place with you if I could.”

“What do you mean?”

“The housekeeper, Submit Jones, last night I heard—”

“Ah. You heard them as well.” Jane spoke in a calm voice. Her little sister. Whatever Wickham had done, she had failed as a gentlewoman by keeping her from knowing about the scandalous behavior which people engage in. “I still can scarce believe it. You also know that he enjoys her company too well. But let nothing more to be said on the subject.”

“Jane, I—I should have…”

“Really, there is nothing to speak of. But I see it meant a great deal to you. He is who he is. He shall never be anything else. I do not think he shall. I have spent a great deal of time thinking about the past. These past few weeks. The way that he—but I shall not speak of that. The nature of my husband does not changemyduties. It only can make them more difficult. But Iswore to love him. I swore to obey him. I swore to serve, honor and keep him. I will hear nothing unkind about him, for that would not honor him.”

“Jane, it wasn’t the first time that I heard him with her. Four years ago, the first summer after I came to Pemberley, I often walked around the house at night, exploring. I heard them together then. When I remembered, the day before the wedding, I thought to tell you, but then…I didn’t.”

“What?” Jane echoed back weakly. “You—you knew?”

“I thought…it is not important why I didn’t say anything to you. I should have.”

“Damn you.”

Her sister’s mouth fell open in shock.