Mr. Darcy sprang to his feet. He couldn’t believe it. “But you have known Elizabeth, known her for a lifetime! How could you believe such lies? I can assure you, Elizabeth is not with child and never has been. I know.” He said it with as much conviction as he could muster.
He forced himself to sit back down and drew out the other letter. “You will recognise Elizabeth’s handwriting, I believe?” he passed the letter to Mrs. Gardiner.
“Here is the letter she wrote to her elder sister the night she was forced to accept Mr. Collins, forced to accept him after refusing him twice.” He watched as they read, Mr. Gardiner leaning over his wife’s shoulder.
“She was so troubled by the pressure placed upon her by her parents, that she dressed up in stolen farmhand’s clothes, cut her hair short, and set off alone to walk to London without a penny, to ask for your help.” He stood again and went to the window.
“She risked her life to get here, slept in a hayloft and was caught in a fire. Dragged into an alleyway by a criminal intent on prostituting her.” He spun round. “And you say I had only evil designs on her?”
Mrs. Gardiner was shaking her head dazedly. “But why would they say these things to us? Why did they say they needed to wait outside to speak to her?”
She looked at the letter again. “What did Lizzy mean when she said her father needed to secure Longbourn?”
She looked up at him and he saw the suspicion was replaced with bewilderment.
“Longbourn is entailed away to the male line. To Mr. Collins. Did you not know?”
“We only knew that it was entailed. Not that Mr. Collins was the beneficiary.” Mrs. Gardiner looked at her husband.
“How could your brother-in-law have told such lies about her? About his own daughter?”
Mr. Gardiner stood up. He walked towards Mr. Darcy and extended his hand to him.
“Mr. Darcy. It appears we are indebted to you for our niece’s safety. Thank you.” He shook his hand.
Mrs. Gardiner had tears in her eyes. “How will she ever forgive me for believing it? I wrote so harshly, she will never forgive me.”
Mr. Darcy bowed to her. “Elizabeth has a wonderful spirit and kind heart, Mrs. Gardiner. I am sure that she will welcome the chance to be reconciled.”
“Does she know you are here?” Mr. Gardiner sounded cautious.
“No, sir, she does not.” Mr. Darcy shook his head. “She has had an extremely difficult few weeks, including a most objectionable visit by my own aunt and another from a man purporting to be a constable sent from her father.”
Mrs. Gardiner raised her hand. “One moment.” She went to the door.
“Bring tea, please, Mrs. Jameson.”
She returned and sat down beside her husband. “Please could you explain to me why you had to take her away? If she wasn’t with child, surely you could have brought her here to us?”
He nodded. “I did. After I got her some medical assistance for her injuries in the fire, she was determined to come to you, so I insisted on driving her here. But she was determined on walking alone the last part of the street, because she did not want anyone to know how I had found her.” He rubbed his face with his hands.
“Then she saw Mr. Bennet and Mr. Collins waiting outside to prevent her approaching you. She believed they must have poisoned you against her, so she ran from them. It was only by great good fortune that I was able to prevent her abduction.” He shuddered. He still had nightmares about that moment.
“As I said, Mr. Darcy, we are indebted to you.” Mr. Gardiner’s voice drew him back to the present. “How might we make amends to her?”
“Is she at Pemberley, Mr. Darcy?” Mrs. Gardiner interrupted. She sounded wistful.
“Yes, she is staying there with my sister.”
She smiled slightly. “We are well acquainted with the inn at Lambton. I grew up in the village as a child.”
He smiled. “A pleasant village. But if you would like to write to her, Mrs. Gardiner, I will take the letter to her and explain how much you wish to be reconciled to her. I will encourage her early reply.”
She got up immediately and went to a small writing desk in the room. “Thank you, Mr. Darcy, thank you. Please give her my very sincerest love and apology for thinking so ill of her.”
He talked desultorily to Mr. Gardiner while she wrote.
“When did you arrive in town, Mr. Darcy?”
“Only this afternoon. I was going to see my aunt in Kent tomorrow, but I believe I will write to her after dinner. Then I may start back to Pemberley at dawn.” He smiled.
“I would not be away too long. While Elizabeth has recovered well, I am still protective of her.”
“It is good to hear, sir. But it is two long journeys so close together.”
“Indeed. But Elizabeth will wish for me to assist her as she prepares for the visit of her sister and Mr. Bingley.”
“Oh, are they visiting you soon? Lizzy will be so pleased.” Mrs. Gardiner handed the sealed letter to him. “Thank you so much for calling. I cannot imagine how we would ever have been reconciled without your intervention.”
He bowed. “I am pleased to have been of assistance.” He turned towards the door. “Perhaps, if Elizabeth feels it appropriate, you might visit us in the summer.”
“If she wishes it, then we will most certainly arrange to be available at any time.”
Mrs. Gardiner glanced at her husband. “Might you be free to dine with us, Mr. Darcy? If Lizzy and your sister are in Derbyshire, perhaps you are dining alone?”
“Thank you, Mrs. Gardiner, but I will go home if you will forgive me. I have had a long journey and will be poor company.”
He got away from them at last and into his coach. He settled back into the seat. Yes. He would not go to Rosings. It would waste a day. He would write to Lady Catherine after dinner and make a start for the North tomorrow. He smiled. To Elizabeth.
With the letter from her Aunt Gardiner. He thought she would be pleased.
Chapter 44
Elizabeth wandered through the hothouses with Georgiana. “I wonder if Fitzwilliam will allow me to have a corner in here to grow flowers as well as exotic fruits? It would be enjoyable to be able to set the table with flowers at any season of the year.”
“Elizabeth, you know full well that my brother can refuse you nothing.” Georgiana laughed. “But it will only be a few more days, then you will be able to ask him.”
“Yes.” Elizabeth was downcast. “He would not say how long he thought his business might take. But I know it is three days to get there and three to get back. He must have at least two days’ business to be worth going for.” She sighed. “So he will not be starting from London until at least tomorrow.”
“You are right.” Georgiana was looking past her and smiling. “At least I would have thought so.”
Elizabeth turned to see what she was looking at. “But … it cannot be.” She dropped her basket and hurried for the door.
Mr. Darcy was walking towards them, his coach driving away towards the stables.
Then he was in front of her. She couldn’t believe her eyes.
“You are home!” She curtsied and he took her hand and bowed over it, his lips searing against her skin. “But you can have had no time to do any business in town!”
He turned and offered her his arm and they began to walk back to the house.
“I could not stay away. I did the one call, and then I decided to do the rest of my business by letter and start home again at dawn.” He looked at her indulgently.
“And how have you and Georgiana been occupying your time?”
In the house, they sat over tea and Georgiana played quietly for them. Elizabeth watched him, still unbelieving he could care so much for her that he would hurry home.
He smiled. “What are you thinking?”
“How fortunate I am to have your love and to be wearing your ring, Fitzwilliam. I am so fortunate, I can scarce believe it.”
“It is I th
at has the honour, Elizabeth. When I think how nearly I could have lost you … but now we are here, and safe.”
He hesitated. “I have a letter for you. I hope you will forgive my interference in your family affairs, but I went to visit Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner in Gracechurch Street.” He was watching her face.
“Please hear me out.” He reached for her hand. “Your aunt was told some very cruel lies. I believe she has been much wronged.”
She watched his discomfort as he tried to explain. Her heart swelled. It could not have been easy for him to confront them, knowing they were thinking ill of him.
She eyed the letter he held with a little suspicion. “And she is convinced of your goodness?”
He chuckled. “They even invited me to stay for dinner.”
She smiled and accepted the letter with less reluctance. “Will you both excuse me? I would like to read it while in my rooms.”
He stood and she curtsied to him and smiled at Georgiana. Then she hurried up the stairs.
Sitting in her chair by the window, she stared at the letter. The last one had hurt her deeply, but she knew she would have to read this one. She frowned, it seemed that going to Gracechurch Street had been the sole reason for his journey to London, no other business at all.
She must read it and see what it said. She closed her eyes and broke the seal by touch. Opening her eyes, she began to read.
Dearest Lizzy,
I do not know how to even begin this letter. I am completely mortified by my harsh words before and only since Mr. Darcy called have I discovered that what I have been told is untrue.
I should not have believed it of you — I would not, if your father had not spoken as he did.
I am so happy that Mr. Darcy came all this way to explain what had really happened.
Please, my dear niece, forgive me for what I wrote and thought. It was so very wrong of me and I do not know how I can possibly say anything that would lead you to forgive me. But I must try, and pray that you will be feeling generous towards me and will find it in your heart to forgive.
Your Mr. Darcy seems to be a fine man and devoted to you, so I know you will be very happy. And you deserve it, my very dear Lizzy.
As she reread the letter, there was a soft knock at the connecting door from the master’s bedchamber, and Mr. Darcy entered.
“Are you well, Elizabeth?”
She stood up, placing the letter on the table, and walked towards him. With a sigh of satisfaction she leaned against him, feeling his arms go around her.
“I have missed you so much, my dearest husband. And now I know you went all that way just to see my aunt.” Elizabeth rested her head against his chest, feeling his strong heartbeat against her face.
“I love you, Fitzwilliam. I love you so very much.” She lifted her face to his, hearing his sharp intake of breath.
“Elizabeth,” he murmured, and his lips met hers to seal their love.
Thank You
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Compromise and Obligation
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Compromise and Obligation: A Darcy and Elizabeth Pride and Prejudice Regency Variation Page 18
