by Tiffany Ward
Before leaving the assembly, Caroline put her plan in place. She had been watching the matrons see which of them gossiped frequently. Heading towards Mrs. Long, Caroline decided to speak to her and Mrs. Goulding before it was time to depart. She had noticed during the evening that they avoided Mrs. Bennet when possible, and rolled their eyes at her comments frequently. Since they were standing together, now was a perfect time to speak to them.
After introducing herself, she provided some small talk, then got to the point. “Ladies, I wanted to understand how your community can claim that Miss Elizabeth is a true lady. I have heard wonderful things about her while in Meryton, so I invited her for tea last week. I introduced her and her elder sister to my brother, my intended and his sister. Now she is behaving as a homewrecker. Mr. Darcy and I are engaged, yet he is paying an extreme amount of attention to Miss Elizabeth, and she is encouraging him.” Caroline used her handkerchief to pretend that she was crying. She needed these ladies to believe that she was agitated and hurt over Elizabeth’s behavior.
Mrs. Long had a long-time feud with Mrs. Bennet. The dispute began when Mrs. Bennet had claimed her daughters were the most beautiful ladies in Meryton. Fanny was confident that the gentlemen from Netherfield would ignore the other available ladies in town and fall in love with the Bennet daughters. This was her opportunity to ruin Mrs. Bennet and destroy the chances for all of the daughters at Longbourn. Mrs. Long was determined to ensure Mrs. Bennet was disgraced, using Elizabeth was her method of causing pain to the matron.
Once Miss Bingley left, Mrs. Long spoke quietly to the other matrons claiming that “Did you know that Mr. Darcy is engaged to Miss Bingley. Lizzy has known about their arrangement since she was introduced to the party last week. Our friendly Miss Lizzy is currently encouraging an engaged man to ignore his future bride. How could a respectable lady do this? She is a homewrecker. Miss Bingley was in tears over Elizabeth’s actions. How can we keep Elizabeth in our community without punishing her? If she is willing to cause issues for an engaged couple, her sisters will follow her example. We cannot allow the Bennet ladies to corrupt our society.”
By the end of the assembly, most of the matrons had been informed of Elizabeth’s behavior. Being a homewrecker was the same as being a woman with loose morals. If they could spread this rumour, Miss Elizabeth would need to be sent away, and the other sisters would be kept out of society indefinitely. The matrons agreed, knowing that with the Bennets gone, their daughters had better chances to marry well within the community.
After hearing the rumor, Lizzy’s aunt was furious. Mrs. Philips arrived at Longbourn before Elizabeth left for her walk the next morning. She was highly disappointed by her niece. Mrs. Phillips was the sister to Mrs. Bennet who lived in Meryton. “Sister, I know that I am early this morning. The news I have is horrible. It will destroy your daughters’ chances of marrying at all. Your second daughter was flirting with an engaged man. Lizzy was told that Mr. Darcy is betrothed to Miss Bingley, yet she encouraged him to dance with her ignoring his intended. These are the actions of a loose woman. The other ladies in the community are calling Lizzy a homewrecker. You must expel her from your house. Otherwise, your other daughters will be tainted by association.”
Mrs. Bennet and her sister ran to Lizzy’s room. They pulled her from her bed, slapping her. “What has happened? Why are you hitting me?” Lizzy was confused. She did not know why her mother and aunt were upset.
“Elizabeth Rose Bennet. How could you interfere with an engaged couple? Your actions will reflect poorly on Jane and Lydia. You claim to be a lady, and yet you are acting like a woman with loose morals.” Mrs. Philips yelled at her niece. “All of the matrons were discussing your inappropriate behavior after you left last evening. I had to warn your parents that you need to be removed from this house to protect your sisters.”
“I did not know that you were throwing yourself at an engaged man. You have ruined our family with your actions. All of Meryton knows your attempts to break up an engaged couple. You will leave my home. I hope with you gone; your sisters will still be able to make decent marriages. What man of good standing would marry into a tainted family? You will no longer claim the name of Bennet. You will leave Meryton and hopefully England. Your father will not support you; I forbid it. Get dressed, and get out.” Elizabeth was crying by now. Her mother had thrown her out of her childhood home. She did not know where she would go, or how she would survive.
Running to her father’s study, Lizzy was confronted by him as well. “Lizzy, why did you try to take the attention of Mr. Darcy away from Miss Bingley? You knew that they are an engaged couple. Your actions will reflect poorly on your entire family. You cannot be allowed to remain at Longbourn. I am sending an express to the Gardiners to see if they will allow you to remain there for a few days until other arrangements can be made.” Bennet stated that while glaring at her. “I will have Hill pack your things. Go for a walk, when you return be prepared to leave Longbourn forever. Do not expect anyone in this house to contact you. You are now a woman without a family.”
Elizabeth left her home in tears, unsure if she would ever be allowed to return. Sobbing, she stumbled to the place that always gave her comfort, Oakham Mount. She needed time to calm down, then begin planning her new life. She would need to become a governess, nanny or companion. That is all a respectable lady could do. Would her uncle allow her to remain in his house until she could find a position in town? Would her best friend acknowledge her any longer? Lizzy had too many unanswered questions. She was stumbling towards her favorite spot, unable to see clearly due to her constant tears.
Chapter Six: Oakham Mount
That morning, Darcy was already at Oakham Mount waiting for Elizabeth to arrive. He could not sleep the night before, dreaming of how he would court Elizabeth so she would fall in love with him. Seeing her, he could tell that she was highly agitated as she walked up the mount with tears streaming down her face; one of her cheeks looked like a handprint was on it. Did someone harm her? “Miss Elizabeth, did something happen? Is your family all right?” Before he could say anything else, Elizabeth slapped him.
“Why did you pay excessive attention to me at the assembly? Why did you ignore your betrothed? Miss Bingley has told the entire town that I am a homewrecker. My mother is currently having my bags packed. I am moving to live with relatives in London when I leave here. I am not welcome in my own home any longer.” Elizabeth was sobbing, falling to her knees from the memories. “I did not believe you to be a rake. I thought that you were a true gentleman. What am I to do now?”
“I am not engaged or in any relationship with Caroline Bingley. She was a friend. I will never call her a friend again.” Kneeling beside her, Darcy took Elizabeth into his arms and held her until she stopped crying. His heart broke at the pain she was experiencing. He gently used his handkerchief to wipe her face, then said. “Please Elizabeth, believe me. I am upset that she would make these claims against both of us. I am horrified that she has harmed your reputation and mine. I have never been nor do I intend to be a rake. I have never looked at a woman until I met you. Please trust me, and I will do all in my power to fix this.”
Elizabeth’s knees could not hold her any longer. Darcy helped her sit on the flat stone that was her favorite. He could not give up holding her, feeling her body in his arms made everything better. “My reputation is ruined. My sisters are ruined. What can I do? My father is supporting my mother. He is completely upset about this. He refused to listen to anything that I had to say this morning. He is sending an express to my aunt and uncle in London. He believes that they will allow me to stay at their home until they can book my passage to the New World or find a position in town. I have been told that I cannot return to Longbourn for any reason.” Lizzy leaned into Darcy’s side and continued to cry softly.
“Please, let Georgiana, and I take you to London. I can have a maid ride in the carriage with you. I cannot lose you now that I have finally found you.” He ki
ssed her hands and held her tight. Why did Caroline begin these rumors? What did she hope to gain from them?
“Will this not confirm her allegations that I am a homewrecker? Will this harm my family further?” Elizabeth asked when she was able to control her tears again. “What about Georgiana? Will this harm her chances for a good marriage? I will never do anything to hurt your sister. Please help me go to London, and then I will find my way to the New World. I cannot let this harm you.”
“I will fix this. Caroline Bingley is from new money that created her father’s trade. Her place in society was raised due to my family’s support. My family will no longer support her. My aunt and uncle will publicly declare that you are my choice. Enough of my friends and family have been aware of my feelings regarding Caroline; this will end her claims. She will be married to another by the end of next week, and then your reputation will be reinstated.” Darcy promised, not wanting to lose the one woman who held his interest and his heart. “Please come to Netherfield with me. I will send my carriage to Longbourn to collect your belongings. We will fix this, I promise. Nothing that happens will hurt Georgie. Please Elizabeth, come with me. Let me help you.” He was scared that the woman he loved might leave him. If she left, would he ever be able to find her?
Unable to see an alternative, Elizabeth agreed. Darcy supported her on the walk to Netherfield; she was still unsteady on her feet after her upheaval from the morning. Georgiana saw her friend’s condition when she entered Netherfield. Mrs. Jones and Georgiana took Elizabeth to the sitting room attached to Georgie’s room. Darcy went to Charles’ room and required his attendance in the sitting room immediately. Darcy stopped by his room then Georgiana’s to have their belongings packed to leave permanently. Mrs. Jones sent for tea to be served and ice for Miss Elizabeth’s face. This discussion needed a local witness to help stop the rumors and change Elizabeth’s family situation.
Pouring tea for everyone, Mrs. Jones took the seat across from Elizabeth. Darcy began with the facts. “During the assembly, I danced with Miss Elizabeth and ladies that she introduced me to. I purposely did not dance with Caroline.” Pausing to sip his tea and gather his thoughts, Darcy then continued. “Last night, Caroline told the matrons of Meryton that she and I were engaged. She claimed that Elizabeth was made aware of our arrangement. Then she publicly disgraced Elizabeth by declaring her a homewrecker.” Darcy paused, observing his love as he continued. “Elizabeth has been removed from her home permanently. Her mother feels that if she is gone, her taint will not affect her sisters’ chances of marrying well. She is being sent to London today, and then her relatives will force her to move to the New World or find a position as a governess or a nanny. Either way, she must leave Meryton.”
Georgiana had tears running down her face. “How could Caroline do this? She knows that you would never marry her. You have never offered for her. She lied deliberately. What does she have to gain by making these claims? I thought she was our friend; now I only see her deceit.”
“She has placed me in a bad situation, and the Bennets in a worse one.” Darcy disgusted, thought of the ramifications of Caroline’s claim. “All of the daughters are ruined until Elizabeth is either removed from their home or married. I am now being forced to either marry Caroline or be deemed a rake.”
“You will not marry her. I will never speak to Caroline again.” Georgiana promised as she was angry that her friend betrayed her brother. “I want Elizabeth as a sister, not a harpy who is forcing you to marry her by spreading lies.”
“I will spread the truth of what I have heard here today. This will help the Bennets, but understand that this is also about the matrons putting Mrs. Bennet in her place. Mrs. Bennet has been very vocal about her daughters’ beauty to the point that she has created some enemies while doing so. She not only speaks of their beauty, but she disparages the other daughters in town, this causes horrible feelings with their mothers.” Mrs. Jones declared her support of the family and honest lady she had known for years. The housekeeper had known Elizabeth since she was seven; there was not a lady more honest or hardworking. She would write a letter to her employers regarding all that she learned today. “I am sorry Miss Elizabeth, you will remain ruined until you are married. I will write to the owners and let them know about the situation created by Miss Bingley; they may have some additional ideas to assist you.”
“I will also spread the truth of the relationship and keep Caroline here to face the consequences of her lies. I will write to invite Frank Lowry to Netherfield. Caroline will either marry him or set up her establishment within the month. Because of her inappropriate actions, I will publicly cut my ties with my sister. I will support you, Darcy. I cannot believe that she went this far. I will have Frank get a special license, and they will marry next week in the church here. We will fix this. I will not allow my sister’s fantasy to destroy your lives.” Bingley was furious. How could his sister do this to his friend? Would Darcy cut him from his association? Would he lose his best friend due to his sister’s actions?
Sobbing, Elizabeth needed to remind the group that she had to leave the county. “I have to leave for London today. My father told me that I could never return to Longbourn. With Miss Bingley in residence, I cannot remain here for much longer. Mr. Darcy, you said that you would take me to my relatives in London, can we leave soon?”
“My valet and Georgiana’s maid will have us packed in the next half hour. Charles, can you please tell my driver to have the carriage ready to leave immediately? We will be departing when the bags are packed and loaded. We will then head to Longbourn and gather Miss Elizabeth’s property.” Darcy was so furious that this had happened. He wished he had listened to his aunt. However, if he had listened, would he have ever met his future bride? “Instead of bringing you to your aunt’s home, I will be taking you to Matlock house. My aunt will help to correct all of these issues. She is a countess and a leading member of society. With her support, Caroline’s claims will be destroyed. Caroline’s hopes of joining the ton will vanish. She will realize that she did more damage to her own prospects than to yours.”
Georgie took hold of Lizzy’s hand, “trust my brother. He holds a great deal of influence and power in society. He will not allow anyone to harm you. He takes care of those he loves. You will be protected.” Georgie remained with her friend, trying to comfort her until their carriage was ready.
Chapter Seven: The Carriage Ride
When the carriage was brought around, William helped Georgie and Elizabeth climb inside. He turned to speak to his friend, before leaving. “Charles, thank you for inviting us to Hertfordshire. I will always be glad that I found my future wife here, but I cannot be happy to spend any time with your sister ever again. We are purposely leaving before Caroline wakes. I hope that you will clarify all of the recent troubles that she caused, including the fact that she is cut from our presence. If any of my family sees Caroline in the future, we will publicly give her the direct cut.” William wanted Charles to understand that this slight will not be overlooked. “Charles, I will always be your friend, but I cannot condone what your sister has done. She will suffer the consequences of her actions.”
“I am sorry for all the problems that Caroline caused. I will work here in Meryton to attempt to stop the rumors. The Bennets need to be restored to society.” Charles worried over all the trouble his sister had caused. “I will write to you with any information I gather.”
William shook Charles’ hand, then entered the carriage. He wanted to leave Netherfield immediately. The Darcy’s had purposely left without speaking to Caroline. William feared that he would harm her if he saw her that morning. Watching his beloved physically hurt due to her lies made William’s friendship turn to hatred.
Upon arriving at Longbourn, Elizabeth’s possessions were waiting outside on the doorstep for her. William requested that Georgie remain in the carriage; he worried about the potential confrontation. Mr. Bennet was watching them exit the carriage. He was furious.
None of Lizzy’s sisters would leave the house to speak to her, not even Jane. Looking up to her former room, Elizabeth noticed Jane looking out the window. Jane looked at her sister, then turned her back without any notice or greeting to Elizabeth. Mrs. Bennet watched from her bedroom window. She seemed happy that her second daughter was being removed from her home. Lizzy visibly stiffened when she saw the cutting behavior from her family.
Mr. Bennet exited the house so he would be able to confront Elizabeth. “I am disappointed with your behavior Elizabeth. I would never have thought you would chase an engaged man. I taught you how to act properly, then trusted you to be an honorable woman. Why would you do this to our family?” Turning to face the man by her side. “You Mr. Darcy, why would you pay attention to my daughter when you were in a relationship with another woman? You know that this is highly inappropriate. I allowed your sister to learn from my daughter and this is how you repay my kindness. Leave my property. Take this Jezebel with you.” Refusing to allow his daughter or Darcy to speak Bennet continued. “Do not return to Longbourn. Please do not attempt to contact my family in any way. You are no longer my daughter. I will not acknowledge you. It is time that you leave.”
Darcy helped a distraught Elizabeth enter the carriage. She was visibly shaking from the confrontation. Georgiana sat next to her, allowing Elizabeth to cry on her shoulder. Darcy had the carriage stop at the nearest town. His footman purchased some brandy and tea for the trip. “Please drink some of this sweetheart. It will help calm you down.” Elizabeth took some brandy, coughing. She eventually calmed down, then started looking out the window. Watching the scenery allowed her time to think. Georgiana had been so upset by the incident, that she fell asleep after they left the town.
