by Beth Wood
“But, what if Lydia is not found?” Mrs. Gardiner argued.
“That does not bear thinking about,” Elizabeth replied. “But if that is the case, then we will come up with another explanation to explain her disappearance. One that does not involve our family in scandal.”
“Do you not see that this is madness?” Mrs. Gardiner asked, frustrated.
“No. It would be madness for me to do nothing. I know that my elopement with Mr. Darcy will not guarantee that everything will work out for Lydia. But, there is a chance that it will. I want to take that chance.”
With a sigh, Mrs. Gardiner stopped her arguments, determining that it would be easiest to talk to both Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth at the same time to avoid going over all the same topics repeatedly. She then proceeded to ease Elizabeth's mind about what she could expect on her wedding night as they waited for Mr. Darcy’s return.
* * *
As Darcy returned to the Inn to collect Elizabeth for their trip to Scotland, he knew that he should feel apprehensive about the talk that would arise when it was discovered that he eloped, or anger at Wickham for once again imposing himself into his life, or guilt for using the situation with Elizabeth's sister to gain Elizabeth as his wife so quickly. There were many emotions that he knew he should have felt. What he did feel, though, could best be described as giddy. He had hoped and dreamed of making Elizabeth his wife for so long, that now that it was coming to pass, he could only feel excitement. If there were no delays, they could be man and wife as early as the next evening.
After climbing the stairs, and before knocking on the door to their rooms, Darcy took a few deep breaths. The Gardiners and Elizabeth would still be distraught due to Wickham's actions. It would not do to show his eagerness. When he was certain his mask was firmly in place he knocked on the door. It was opened by Mr. Gardiner.
“I see you spared no time in returning for Elizabeth,” Mr. Gardiner stated, indicating that he should enter.
“Elizabeth has told you of our plans then,” Darcy replied. “That is probably for the best in order for us to begin travelling as soon as possible.” Without waiting for a reply, Darcy handed a paper to Mr. Gardiner, and continued to speak. “These are the directions to my cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam. He is stationed in London at the time and will be indispensable in your search for your niece. As Mr. Wickham has deserted his regiment, Fitzwilliam will be able to use his military resources to help in the search. I have already sent him an express detailing the situation. I would introduce you myself, but our trip to Scotland will mean you will arrive in London several days ahead of us. With any luck, you will be able to locate your niece before we join you in town. If not, I will join the search as soon as we are able to arrive. Either way, it would be best for you to be seen about town with Miss Lydia for a day or two before it is widely circulated that Elizabeth and I have married. This will give credence to the story that Miss Lydia joined you from Brighton after it was known that Elizabeth left your care to elope. If Elizabeth and I are able to leave immediately, I believe we will be in London in one week's time. This will give us two days to travel north to the border, then another four days to travel from the border to London. Although they will be long days, it would be best if we arrived in London as soon as possible to help with the search. If we could travel on Sunday without raising speculation we would do so, but I am afraid that people may question our need to arrive in London so quickly as we will have already married.”
While he was speaking, Elizabeth and Mrs. Gardiner joined them in the sitting room. As soon as Darcy had completed his instructions to Mr. Gardiner he turned to Elizabeth, asking if she was ready to leave. She indicated she was, showing him the trunk that she had packed with the necessities for their travels. As he picked up her trunk he asked that the rest of her belongings be sent to Darcy House once they arrived in London. Elizabeth quickly said farewell to her relations, and followed Mr. Darcy from the room, through the Inn, and into the carriage waiting outside.
As they stared in silence at the retreating carriage, the Gardiners wondering just how Mr. Darcy had succeeded in taking Elizabeth with him before they were able to present any of their arguments concerning the necessity of this elopement.
“Well, he is certainly a determined young man,” Mr. Gardiner finally uttered.
“And he loves our Elizabeth very much,” his wife replied.
“There is very little chance we would be able to stop them now.”
“I just do not know how you are going to explain this to our brother Bennet.”
“And why will I be the one explaining this to Bennet?” Mr. Gardiner asked.
“Because you are the man, and he is married to your sister,” Mrs. Gardiner replied. “This is one of those occasions where it truly is convenient to be able to hide behind the sensibilities that every female is expected to possess.”
“I will explain the situation to Thomas if you will explain everything to Fanny,” Mr. Gardiner replied.
“Somehow, I think I have the less desirable situation. Are you sure I cannot just give Jane the letter, then gather our children and run off to London before Fanny has the opportunity to discover the truth?”
“That would be entirely too cruel to dear Jane. Now, let us load up the carriage and start on our way. You have almost two days to plot the best way to inform our dear sister that she now has a second daughter that has run off with a man.”
Chapter 2
As Elizabeth climbed into the Darcy carriage, she was surprised to find that they were not alone. After Darcy joined them in the carriage, he introduced her to his valet, Carson, and the maid that would be assisting her during their travels, Sally.
When Elizabeth raised her brow in a silent inquiry, Darcy explained that he thought she would be more comfortable on their journey if they were not alone in the carriage until after they were wed. Even as she thanked him for his thoughtfulness, she wondered at his ability to do all within his power to keep within the bounds of propriety, even in the midst of an elopement.
They pressed on in their journey until dusk began to fall, attempting to cover as much distance as possible. In this, they were fortunate that this trip was occurring in the summertime, as the days were that much longer. The nature of their journey had not allowed Mr. Darcy to arrange for horses of his own to be stationed along the route, and Elizabeth found herself hiding a smile as she listened to his mumbled complaints concerning the quality of the horses they were able to acquire.
* * *
Even without making prior arrangements, Darcy had very little difficulty in securing two of the best rooms at the Inn where they decided to spend the night. The day of travelling with Elizabeth had been exquisite torture. He was thankful he had thought to include Carson and Sally in the carriage with them. He was determined to prove to Elizabeth that he was, indeed, a gentleman. They only had one more day until they were married. He could keep himself under regulation until then.
As Carson helped him prepare to retire for the night, he realized they had not yet had time to discuss the arrangements that would be needed for the journey from Scotland to London. He felt it was necessary to have company in the carriage for the trip to Gretna Green, but it would be an entirely different situation after Elizabeth was his wife.
“Carson, when we arrive in Scotland tomorrow I need you to secure another carriage for you and Sally for the journey to London,” Darcy stated. “If there is a decent carriage for rent, that would be acceptable. If not, you may purchase one. I would not have you travel by Post.”
“Very good, sir,” Carson replied, gathering the discarded clothing. “Is there anything else that you require?”
“No, not this evening,” Darcy replied. “Though, if you would inform Sally of the plans for the carriage it would be most convenient.”
Later, as Carson relayed the instructions concerning a carriage for the journey to London, neither he nor Sally tried to hide the knowing smiles that came to their faces.
If Darcy was frustrated with the quality of horses available on the first day of their travels, it was nothing to the aggravation he experienced on the second day. At one stop they had to wait almost an hour and a half before there were horses available to let. When they were finally able to acquire the horses, they were so unevenly matched he considered waiting for another pair. Only when being informed it would be at least another hour before another pair would be available did he relent.
All in all, it took several hours longer to reach the border than Darcy had originally planned. It was already almost full dark before they reached Gretna Green. As much as he wished to be married the day they arrived, he realized it was much too late in the day to have it arranged to his satisfaction. The wedding, in itself, was not impossible. The blacksmith would undoubtedly be willing to perform the ceremony no matter the time of night. The Innkeeper would probably also be willing to declare them man and wife. Yet, he wanted more for his Elizabeth. They may be getting married in Gretna Green, but there was no reason they could not be married in the church. They would just be required to wait until the morning.
As Darcy placed a chaste kiss to Elizabeth's fingers before retiring for the night he could not help smiling at the great changes that would take place the next day. Knowing they would not be married until the morning, and would then immediately set out to return to London, Darcy could only be satisfied that he had requested his valet to make arrangements for another carriage. Although he would never consummate his marriage in a carriage, he would still rejoice in whatever liberties she would allow him before they arrived at an Inn.
* * *
Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner looked at each other with some trepidation as their carriage pulled up outside of Longbourn. Although they had discussed much over the previous two days, they were still unsure of what Mrs. Bennet's reaction would be to the news that Lizzy had eloped with Mr. Darcy. She was just as likely to rejoice over the fact that Lizzy had captured such a rich husband, as she was to lament the fact that Lizzy was adding to the disgrace of the family.
They were greeted at the door by Jane and Mary. Mrs. Bennet kept to her rooms due to her nerves. Kitty kept to her rooms because she was tired of being blamed for her part in Lydia’s disgrace. She did not understand why everyone was upset at her for not revealing what she knew of Lydia’s plans. Lydia had only shared them with her in the strictest confidence. Kitty never shared a confidence.
When Jane asked after Elizabeth, Mrs. Gardiner gave her the letter, then expressed her desire to see Mrs. Bennet privately. As soon as Mrs. Gardiner entered Mrs. Bennet's chamber her ears were assaulted with the lamentations concerning Lydia's actions. As expected, her words revealed a total lack of sense. After finishing her nervous monologue, Mrs. Bennet asked after her second daughter, bemoaning the lack of respect Lizzy was showing her mother by not coming to speak with her the moment she returned to her home. Mrs. Gardiner knew the time had come to share Elizabeth's current location.
“Fanny, my dear,” Mrs. Gardiner started. “Lizzy did not return with us to Longbourn.”
“That ungrateful girl, where else could be possibly go. I am sure she is only thinking of herself, trying to distance herself from her family now that we are in disgrace. I swear that when she comes to her senses and tries to return to Longbourn I will not welcome her. How could she leave us alone at such a time?”
“I promise that you completely misunderstand the circumstances,” Mrs. Gardiner replied. “Lizzy is attempting to resolve the situation, but her plans required her to make a detour before returning.”
“What does she think she can possibly do to save us?” Mrs. Bennet asked. “She has always been a headstrong girl, but even she cannot imagine she can do anything that will make this situation any better.”
Mrs. Gardiner took a deep breath before replying.
“Elizabeth is to be married. She may even already be so.”
“What are you talking of?” Mrs. Bennet asked. “Lizzy is not engaged. How could she be getting married? And how would her getting married help Lydia's situation? Surely no man of sense would have Lizzy with the scandal looming over our heads.” Suddenly, Mrs. Bennet's expression brightened. “That clever girl. She must have secured him before he heard of our misfortune. By keeping him away he cannot hear about Lydia and change his mind before they are married. When did you say they are to be married? Is he sufficiently wealthy to care for the rest of us? I cannot wait to tell our sister Mrs. Phillips. When Mr. Bennet dies fighting Wickham, Lizzy's husband will surely not allow us to be tossed into the hedgerows.”
Mrs. Gardiner was amazed at the way her sister's mind worked.
“Elizabeth would never deceive her future husband so,” Mrs. Gardiner assured her sister. “Mr. Darcy is aware of the situation with Lydia, yet desires to marry Lizzy regardless.”
“Foolish girl, why would she tell her suitor about Lydia's elopement?” Mrs. Bennet asked. “Now he will likely abandon her and we will still be thrown to the hedgerows.”
“He will not abandon her,” Mrs. Gardiner assured. Then, taking a breath, she realized it was time to share Elizabeth's plan with Mrs. Bennet. “After Elizabeth shared our troubles with Mr. Darcy, they devised a plan to divert the rumors.” Mrs. Bennet’s expression changed, and she looked about to interrupt, but a staying motion from Mrs. Gardiner caused her to wait. Mrs. Gardiner then continued to outline the details of the plan, emphasizing that it was important to deny any allusion to the fact that Lydia eloped. By the time Mrs. Gardiner finished speaking, Mrs. Bennet appeared as if she would burst.
“Did you say Mr. Darcy?” she asked as soon as her sister allowed her the opportunity to speak. When Mrs. Gardiner assured her that she did, indeed, mean Mr. Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire, Mrs. Bennet again began fluttering and fanning herself. Mrs. Gardiner was fairly sure that she heard the words 10,000 a year and a great estate, before Mrs. Bennet stilled and she reached for her sister. “But he is such a proud, disagreeable man. Are you absolutely certain he will marry her?”
“We have every reason to trust in his word,” Mrs. Gardiner replied. “Lizzy will not return until she is Mrs. Darcy.”
At this, Mrs. Bennet fairly leaped from her bed, proclaiming her intention of calling on her sister Phillips in Meryton. While Mrs. Bennet dressed for going out, Mrs. Gardiner tried to convince her of the need for discretion. They wanted to spread the new rumor involving Elizabeth's elopement, but people would become suspicious if Mrs. Bennet's attitude underwent such a drastic change before they had official word that the marriage had taken place. Mrs. Gardiner was finally relieved of her anxiety with the appearance of Mrs. Phillips at Longbourn before Mrs. Bennet was able to leave the front door.
Knowing Mrs. Phillips' penchant for gossip, the Gardiners decided that the less she knew the better. As such, they set about trying to convince her that Lydia had not eloped, after all, and was waiting for them at their home in London after hearing about Elizabeth's elopement. At first they were concerned that Mrs. Bennet would tell their sister the entirety of the plan. Instead, Mrs. Bennet spent the visit extolling the worth of Mr. Darcy and how clever Lizzy was in securing him.
With Mrs. Bennet's conversation centered on Mr. Darcy, the Gardiners were able to relate to Mrs. Phillips everything that they hoped she would then share with all their neighbors. Although she was a little confused as to how the rumor concerning Lydia and Mr. Wickham was originally circulated, she was not a bright woman. Before long, she convinced herself that she must have misunderstood her sister in her agitation. “Lizzy” and “Lyddie” did sound very similar after all, and both Mr. Darcy and Mr. Wickham had been raised on the same estate, even if one of them was raised as the heir and the other was the son of the steward.
When Mrs. Phillips took her leave, the Gardiner's felt confident that they had made a substantial step toward deflecting the rumors in the way Darcy and Elizabeth had asked. They were still unsure that the plan would work, but with Mrs.
Phillips unknowingly working on their side, they had gained a great advantage.
* * *
When the Gardiners had arrived at Longbourn with a letter from Elizabeth instead of her sister's presence, Jane was very confused. She knew her sister would never abandon them during a time of trial. She desperately wanted to read the letter. Mr. Gardiner, seeing his niece's distress, quickly herded his children onto the lawn and asked for Mary to accompany them. Jane then felt free to retreat to her room to read the letter. What she read shocked her more than she had anticipated.
My Dear Jane,
You will no doubt be surprised by the contents of this letter, but be assured all is well.
While touring the Derbyshire countryside I happened to renew my acquaintance with Mr. Darcy. He called upon me immediately after reading your letters concerning our sister. As you may be able to imagine, I was quite distraught and did not even attempt to hide my discomposure from the gentleman. My aunt and uncle were away from the Inn at the time.
What I will write next is sure to shock you, as familiar as you are with my history concerning Mr. Darcy while I was visiting Charlotte in Kent. Before Aunt and Uncle Gardiner returned to the Inn, Mr. Darcy proposed a plan to save our family's reputation, without forcing a marriage between Lydia and Mr. Wickham. As you are reading this letter, I am on my way to Gretna Green. We will elope then make for London. After Lydia is found we will return to Longbourn with her, making it appear as if she left Brighton to be with family after hearing about my elopement. We are relying on you and the rest of the family to begin spreading this rumor. We are hoping that the fact that both Lydia and I have been away from home will lend itself in helping others believe that they initially misunderstood which of us eloped. I know that you will not relish the idea of deceiving our neighbors, but it is for the best. Please do this for me.
