Her mind went back to Longbourn. She could imagine her mother’s reactions, but she was far more concerned with Jane. She wished with all her heart she could have said a proper goodbye. Now Jane would have no one to comfort her.
She sighed and turned over, trying to get comfortable. She had to admit to herself that she had hoped Mr. Bingley would still be at Netherfield and would soon make an offer to Jane. But she had seen with her own eyes the coach driving him away.
She closed her eyes, she must sleep longer. It was unlikely she would reach Cheapside tonight, but she must get as far as she could. Her mind turned to food. She had not the first idea where to find something to eat. If she could get away from here before nightfall, there would be berries in the woodlands. Most other things would require cooking.
Eggs, she thought. I could find an egg or two where there is a flock in a farmyard. But how were eggs cooked? She had no idea. Her mother had wanted her to be a lady. She knew how to play and sing. She knew how to embroider and stitch. But she had never cooked anything in her life.
Milk, perhaps. She could drink milk, although whether a cow would allow her to milk it, she wasn’t sure.
She turned over again. She needed to stop thinking about food. It might be that she would have nothing until she reached Aunt Gardiner. That was all right, many poorer people worked long hours with little food, she must remember them and not feel sorry for herself.
She was finally just beginning to doze off again when shouts roused her. The shouts had a sense of urgency about them, which had her sitting bolt upright from her drowsy state.
What was it? There was the whinnying of frightened horses, and the sound of many running feet.
Smoke! Acrid, dense smoke, curling up into the rafters. Terror seized her, she must escape. But she must be careful, as well. If she was seen running from the stable, she might be pursued as having caused the fire.
The smoke was getting thicker very quickly. She must get out! Coughing, she pushed herself to her feet and staggered towards the ladder. She had never been so happy as when she reached the bottom. The smoke seemed less thick there, but she was still in danger of being seen as a stranger.
A man came running in and seized the halter of the last horse in the stable. “Get yerself out, boy!” he shouted at her, and she hurried after him as he led the horse to safety.
In the yard, other men were leading the plunging horses further away. A running man stopped and looked at her, bent double as she coughed.
“Go and get a drink, man! It’ll help.” He pushed her towards the inn, and she followed his instructions, but as soon as he’d vanished towards the barn to help wheel out the coaches, she hurried around to the back of the inn, and ran for the road.
She was very happy she’d been mistaken as a man. The clothes had been a good idea, but she wasn’t convinced for a moment that it would be the same in a situation where people were not panicked and without smoke obscuring their vision.
She couldn’t walk fast, she was coughing so hard, she kept having to stop. But she hurried on, the pain in her chest worsening each time she tried to speed up.
It must be the effect of the fire, she thought, searching for a stream at which to ease the terrible dryness in her throat. But her sight was blurred and her eyes were watering. Perhaps that was from the smoke, too.
She stumbled on, wondering why she felt so bad from just a few minutes exposed to the smoke.
Feeling so unwell, coupled with hunger, tiredness and the fear of the unknown sapped her normally sunny nature. She didn’t even think of the danger of being found out, of travelling alone, or even of where she was going.
She concentrated for now on putting one foot in front of the other. She would do this and only this. She would get there. She coughed. Her blurred vision and the coughing was giving her such a headache.
Chapter 14
Mr. Darcy found himself searching the landscape as they drove. He knew that they needed to get to London, find the aunt and uncle and find out if they would support Elizabeth.
But he could not help searching the view every time they turned a corner and saw the road stretching ahead of them.
Bingley sat quietly, his presence immensely helpful even when he wasn’t speaking.
“I am happy that we have reassured ourselves that Miss Bennet is safe for the moment, Bingley.” He forced himself to think of his friend.
“Thank you, Darcy. But I am feeling extremely concerned as to how we are ever to find Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”
Darcy nodded and looked back out of the window. They had no idea really which way she would choose to go. She could not know very many people outside Meryton, and she would know she was not able to seek sanctuary there.
Surely she would be going to Cheapside? And this would be the only way she knew.
He sat back for a moment. They needed a plan. They must go to Cheapside and then work back along this road until they found her. He would not think about failure.
As the coach came to a corner, he could see several miles of road ahead. What drew his attention immediately was a thick column of smoke from what looked like an inn about a mile ahead.
He drew Bingley’s attention to it. “It’s as well we ate at Netherfield, I suppose.”
“I agree.” Mr. Bingley peered out of the window as they approached.
Mr. Darcy rapped on the coach roof, the signal to stop.
“But why are you stopping, Darcy?” Mr. Bingley seemed surprised. “There seems to be a large enough group of people to manage the situation.”
“I just wish to see if any assistance is needed.” Mr. Darcy frowned. “It seems to be the stable block and the inn is saved.” He opened the door as the coach drew to a halt. “But it is someone’s livelihood. It may be that I can help.”
He strode across the yard. A man dressed as a groom came towards him, wiping his hand across a face filthy with soot.
“I am sorry, sir. I am putting the horses out to grass so that they can calm down a little.”
Mr. Darcy nodded. “I do not need to change my horses today. I wanted to ask if you had saved them all and the harnesses.” He looked around. There were piles of harnesses where they had been dragged out in haste, coaches pulled out to the edge of the yard.
Many men were engaged with buckets, dousing any hot embers that landed, and he turned to the inn. It looked safe. But the stench of smoke and the sense of despair were a bitter reminder that it was a terrible setback.
He turned back to the man. “Who is the head groom here?”
The man straightened. “I am, sir.”
Mr. Darcy nodded. He had thought so. “Will you be able to purchase hay and feed from a nearby farm?” he proffered some money.
The man looked disbelieving. “It would be a great help to us, sir. I think it will be some time before we can be able to provide a service again.”
Darcy looked up at the smoking remains of the stables. “Everyone got out all right?”
“Yes, sir. The only man I haven’t seen again ran off down the road when I sent him to the inn to get a drink of water.” He shrugged. “I think he might have been sleeping in the hayloft.”
“You are probably right. He cannot be that bad if he ran from you.” Mr. Darcy turned away. “I may stop in a few days with more assistance if I return this way.”
The man touched his cap. “Thank you, sir.”
Mr. Darcy climbed back into the coach, his friend behind him.
“I am most humbled, as always, Darcy.” Mr. Bingley rapped on the roof to get the coach moving again. “Your compassion is under-reported.”
“Make sure it stays that way.” Mr. Darcy grumbled. He never liked to admit the help that he gave.
To avoid continuing the conversation, he looked out of the window, wondering if the man who had run off was indeed all right. After a fire, many who had seemed to escape the flames would later succumb to the effects of the smoke. But the vagrant would not be found if he hid away from t
he road.
He felt his heart constrict. There was indeed someone up ahead — two or three minutes away for the coach. Staggering and coughing, he was definitely affected from the fire.
As he watched he felt the hairs rise on the back of his neck. Although the figure was dressed as a man, he was suddenly sure it was Elizabeth Bennet. Even much later on, he would never be able to say how he knew, never be able to be sure.
“It’s Elizabeth!” he glanced back at his friend, who leaned over to see.
“But how can it be? How can you be sure?”
“It is Elizabeth.” Darcy was certain. Once again he banged on the roof with his cane, and the coach drew to a halt, several hundred yards behind the figure, who didn’t appear to have noticed them.
He jumped down from the coach. “Go back to the inn, Bingley. Get a flagon of water — and some wine — for her!”
He didn’t care what she looked like. He ran towards her. It was Elizabeth.
Staggering, dressed in oversized mens garments, her hair cut raggedly, covered in soot and coughing. It was Elizabeth.
He watched as she staggered sideways and then rubbed at her eyes.
Chapter 15
He was afraid to call out too soon and startle her, but as he drew close, he spoke quietly.
“Miss Bennet, I am so pleased to have found you. I have been concerned for your safety.”
She turned disbelievingly and blinked at him. She shook her head. “Mr. Darcy!”
He glanced around. There was nowhere to sit but the ground.
“You must sit down, Miss Bennet. You are most unwell.”
She shook her head. “I must find some water. I’m looking for a stream, somewhere I can get a drink.” Her voice was hoarse and rasping. It must be painful.
“I have already sent the coach back to the inn to fetch water for you, Miss Bennet. It will be here very soon.”
“No, you must not tell them at the inn where I am!” she looked suddenly frightened.
“Do not be concerned. No one will harm you while I am here.” He frowned. “Have you had trouble there?”
She could not answer for a paroxysm of coughing. Then she looked up. “I … they might think I started the fire, sir. They did not know I slept the day in the hayloft.”
“We stopped to see if we could be of assistance, Miss Bennet. Nobody intimated that they thought you had anything to do with the fire.”
She swayed on her feet.
“Please sit down, Miss Bennet. Let me help you.” He took her arm, afraid she would fall.
She nodded, and rubbed at her eyes with her other hand. Soon she was sitting on the grass verge at the side of the road.
He looked down at her. His heart twisted in pain for how she must be feeling. But far worse could have happened to her and she was safe now. The knot of fear inside him relaxed a little.
“Here is the coach returning now, Miss Bennet. You will be able to have some water.”
Bingley hurried over with a flagon of water and a tankard.
“Thank you, Mr. Bingley.” Mr. Darcy took the tankard from him and Bingley poured in some water.
Mr. Darcy crouched beside her. “I have some water for you here, Miss Bennet.”
“Thank you, sir,” she whispered and took it eagerly. She gulped it down at first and then had to stop while she coughed again.
“Here, Darcy.” Bingley handed him another flagon. “I have plenty of water, and here are some cloths so she may wipe her face.” His expression was anxious and concerned. “I am so glad we have found her. Her sister will be much relieved.”
“Oh, please don’t tell her where I am!” she seemed very frightened. “They must not know where I am.”
“Miss Bennet, please do not be concerned. I am with you, and you will be safe with me. I will not permit anyone to force you to do anything against your wishes.” Darcy had to make her understand that he wanted to protect her.
Her chin came up. “I thank you, sir.” She smiled slightly. “And you, Mr. Bingley. But I am determined to make my own way in life. It does not appear that I should trust anyone.” She shuddered.
He wondered again what pressure her father had placed on her. But he didn’t speak. It was not the time or the place for that.
He remembered her ability to lighten the atmosphere when things became too intense. He smiled. He could try that.
“So, Miss Bennet. I know those cannot be your father’s old clothes. They are incomparably dreadful. I would be interested to know where — and when — you acquired them.”
She smiled uncertainly back. “I know they are. But I did not know how to get any better without anyone becoming suspicious. There is a farmhand’s wife somewhere who feels unhappy that her washing was taken from the line. And a very guilty feeling inside me at the sin.” Her smile left her face. “But I could not imagine leaving the house alone in my usual clothes.” She looked up defiantly.
“So, how did you know I was me? Surely you would have driven past without more than a passing glance?”
Now came the moment where he had to be honest. He sat on the ground beside her and watched the shadow of his friend as he moved away tactfully.
“We were searching for you, Miss Bennet. I was most concerned that you were alone, and I wished to assure myself of your safety.”
She frowned. “But you left Netherfield yesterday morning.” She paused. “Was it yesterday? Yes, I think so. I watched you get into the coaches.”
He was astonished. “You were watching us?”
She nodded. “I walked that way. I had persuaded the family to let me go for a walk to think about what I should do.” She rubbed at her eyes again with the wet rag.
“I was watching from the edge of the woods as you left.”
He did not know how to feel. “You were going to ask my assistance?”
“No.” She turned to him, tear streaks in the soot on her cheeks. “I did not plan to walk that way, but as I looked at Netherfield, I thought of what you had said to me at the ball.” She looked resigned. “But of course I could not ask you for help. It would not have been right.” She sighed.
“Do not be concerned. I would not have called on you.”
She looked over at him. “I cannot understand how you would be in London this morning and yet here this afternoon.”
“I … I was concerned.” He did not know what to say. “After the ball, I felt that you might not be able to stay safe at home.”
She looked up at him, surprised. “You seem to know me very well, sir.”
“And now I do not know what to do in the way of offering you assistance, Miss Bennet.” He watched her. “How may I help?”
“You have helped already, sir. Thank you for offering me water and your sympathy. But now I will walk on.” She began to push herself to her feet. “If you do wish to help me further, then I would be most grateful if you did not tell my family that you have seen me.”
He could not do what she asked and just leave her. “You may be assured of my secrecy, Miss Bennet.”
He stood, feeling rather helpless. “Were you travelling to your aunt?”
She nodded, not looking at him. “Please do not tell anyone, sir.”
“I would not do that, but may I not take you there? You are not well, the smoke from the fire has affected you. Please let me assist and take you there. I do not care to think of you struggling on for many more days and nights.”
She gazed ahead at the road, blinking. “I had hoped to need to walk only two nights. But then I thought it might be three. Now, perhaps, it will be more.” She sighed.
Then she turned to him. “I suppose I do not look very much like a young man on the road.” She tried a smile. “If your coachman was wearing a cap, I would ask for that. But a top hat would not be in keeping.”
He smiled too. “I think not.” He eyed her carefully. “When did you last eat something, Miss Bennet?”
She took a step or two away from him. “There are many very poor
people who go several days without food, Mr. Darcy. I will be quite all right until I get to Cheapside.”
He went after her. “I would very much like to be able to take you to Cheapside, Miss Bennet.” He caught up with her and began walking alongside her.
“Just imagine, you could be eating dinner with them tonight.”
She caught her breath, but didn’t stop walking. “I must be independent, Mr. Darcy.” She wasn’t walking fast. “I know that I intended to walk by night and not along the main roads. But the fire has changed things, just for the moment.” She still appeared to him to be in some discomfort.
“Do not think I am not grateful that you stopped. The water has helped very much.”
“I am happy that I found you.” He walked alongside her in silence, hearing the coach following behind. Perhaps in a little while she would agree to climb in. He thought about it. She would be compromised if she did that, no doubt about it. Was that what was stopping her?
Chapter 16
Elizabeth felt her steps to be plodding and tired. A few weeks ago, she would have felt this to an adventure that could be easily achieved.
But the fear and pain from the fire had sapped her spirits. The concern she felt of being alone in the world and unwell stopped her from telling Mr. Darcy to leave her and drive on. In fact, she felt quite comforted as he walked, grave and silent, beside her.
She stole a glance at him. He looked thoughtful, but not angry. He seemed to think of something.
“One moment, Miss Bennet.” He turned away towards the coach. She kept on walking. This was where he would leave her, go on ahead, get on with his life.
She heard the shout of the coachman and the crack of his whip. Then the coach rolled past her. He was gone. Her heart sank.
She looked around. No, he was still there, striding to catch her up.
“I have sent the coach to the next inn,” he said, falling into step alongside her. “Mr. Bingley will get some food packed up and bring it back to us. I thought you might be happier to eat here, or sitting in the coach, and not go into the inn in your present state of dress.”
Compromise and Obligation: A Darcy and Elizabeth Pride and Prejudice Regency Variation Page 6
