by J Dawn King
Usually practical, Darcy was so driven in his pursuit of Elizabeth, he failed to note the darkening conditions of the sky. It appeared that they were in for a torrential rainstorm and night was settling in. Frustrated at Richard pointing out the potential travel conditions, he silently turned his horse to Netherfield Park. He knew that Georgiana had the directions to Elizabeth’s aunt and uncle in the Cheapside area of town, as she had written to Elizabeth requesting her to come care for her sister, Miss Jane Bennet. Darcy gave one last glance up at the sky, secretly in hopes that conditions might change, but it was to no avail. It was a somber group that returned to the stables.
Georgiana had been unable to contain herself to the drawing room where her Uncle and Aunt Matlock and the Bingley sisters were quietly awaiting news. Mr. Hurst had yet to join them. She stood alongside Mr. Burton as the footman let the men through the door. Her brother came in last. She could tell by the dejected look on his face and the droop of his shoulders that he had been unsuccessful. Georgiana said nothing; just approached him with her arms outstretched and hugged him tightly around his waist. He returned the embrace and dropped his cheek to the top of her head, resting there for an exchange of comfort.
“Georgie, we will find her.” He left her abruptly and went upstairs to change.
“You men look like you have had a hard ride and are sorely in need of refreshment.” Looking at her nephew’s retreating back, Lady Matlock continued, “Please, did you find out where she has gone?”
“Yes, Mother,” Viscount Stanley answered. “She is to London. We will leave at the first hint of sunrise tomorrow. Darcy wants to arrive at her uncle’s before Mr. Bennet does. It is possible that Mr. Bennet and his brother, Mr. Philips, left as soon as they found her gone from here. Our hope is that he waited until the morrow.” He recognized his mother’s concern. “We will find her, Mother, Georgie. We will!”
Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst stayed in the drawing room while the family and their brother discussed what was next in pursuing Elizabeth Bennet. Miss Caroline Bingley was planning a pursuit of her own, so she was beyond delighted to have that country nobody away from Netherfield Park. Overhearing that they would be leaving at first light, Miss Bingley went to Mrs. Nicholls to request the master key to the guest rooms under the guise of seeing if there were any needs in the rooms before they left the next morning for London. Mrs. Nicholls was not a fool. She had seen the likes of Miss Caroline Bingley several times in her long life and knew without a doubt that the brazen lady was up to no good. The housekeeper suspected that the deed would involve Mr. Darcy, so she debated how to let him know that the woman had just honed in on the very large target on his back.
That night, Lady Catherine and her daughter, Anne, joined the others for dinner. No mention was made about the absence of Miss Elizabeth and Lady Catherine was pleased, whatever the reason, to not be in her company. Earlier, the Colonel had slipped a note to Anne through her maid, who was a willing courier to her young mistress, stating in brief the events of the afternoon and early evening. This way, it kept Anne from inquiring about Elizabeth.
The conversation, however, did not remain pleasant for long.
“Darcy, Anne and I are removing ourselves tomorrow to London. I shall be meeting with my solicitor and yours to determine the best arrangements for your wedding. With this recent scare for your health, we will schedule the marriage to take place before I leave for Rosings. Anne can purchase wedding clothes while in London and return with you to Pemberley. Georgiana will come with me to Kent. There will be no need of a honeymoon as the conception of the heir can take place at your estate.”
This conversation was found to be extremely repugnant to all at the table, of course, with the exception of Lady Catherine, but especially to Anne and Darcy. Georgiana’s mouth dropped at the mention of her Aunt Catherine’s plans. Anne’s normally pale complexion was a deep shade of red. Clearly, her mother had gone too far. Even the Colonel, who had seen and heard just about everything, was nonplussed.
Lord Matlock was the first to address his sister. Firmly, he stated, “Cathy, there will be no more discussion of this. None! We have had a trying afternoon and your wants and wishes are merely that – wants and wishes. As head of the Fitzwilliam family, which includes Darcy and Georgiana, I direct that no more be said about weddings or marriage and especially about the begetting of children. This is not appropriate supper conversation.”
The dinner guests were astonished to hear Anne de Bourgh speak up. In a crystal clear voice she thanked her uncle. “I believe, Uncle Martin, that Georgiana needs to be with her brother, rather than in Kent. The stress from the injuries Darcy sustained while trying to protect her life and reputation from such a vile man had to be tremendous and, even though she has acted as one much older than her years, she is not yet sixteen years of age. My pride in her course of conduct and the dignified manner in which she displays her fine qualities knows no parallel for someone so young. I could not be more delighted to be called her cousin and am satisfied with that role. It is not my destiny nor desire to be her sister.”
Lady Catherine sputtered, trying to find the words to express her shock and outrage at her daughter’s comments. Giving such praise to such a timid girl, was excessive. Denying her fate to become Darcy’s wife was intolerable. Her face grew red and her hands started to quiver. Before Lady Catherine could open her mouth and utter one word, her brother stepped in.
“Why Anne, that was beautifully said and I believe that we are all in agreement with you.” Her uncle praised her, Georgiana beamed, and even Darcy was thrust out of his morose mood at her comments.
“You are perfectly correct, Cousin Anne,” Darcy said, “and I thank you for putting into words what is already in my heart.” He was surprised that his cousin had picked this venue to express her true feelings. Darcy, too, was proud of Georgiana, but he was also proud of Anne for speaking up. She had a difficult life with her mother and was forced to find joy in life’s little victories and rebellions.
Lady Catherine attempted several times to speak, but was immediately cut off by her brother. The Bingley siblings remained quiet through the meal.
The separation of the sexes provided an opportunity for the men to strategize for the following day. Darcy was mentally pondering all he planned and the order he intended them to occur. While at the stables earlier, he had set in order with John Coachman the need to be ready to depart at first light. Weather permitting, he would have Georgiana and her maid ride in the carriage, while he would ride on horseback. His arm had served him well today, though he had been unable to use it to pull himself into the saddle. The more he thought about getting to Elizabeth in London, the clearer the process became in his mind.
“Gentlemen,” Darcy immediately had their attention. “I will be leaving for London at the first hint of daybreak. I would ask for any of you that would be willing to ride with me to be ready at that time. The carriages containing the ladies can follow. Any that choose not to go with me can provide an escort and look after their welfare. Who is with me?” He looked around the table for support.
Colonel Fitzwilliam, the Colonel’s brother, and Bingley immediately stated their intentions to ride with Darcy. Lord Matlock and Mr. Hurst would follow with the ladies.
“I suggest that we retire.” Darcy said. “It will, for me, be a long night.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Coaching Inn, County Middlesex, 10 miles from London
The trip from Meryton to the first coaching stop had been fraught with troubles. Not too far from Meryton, one of the horses pulled up lame. The coachman’s assistant walked back to Meryton to get a replacement while the three passengers waited inside the carriage. After getting stuck in a muddy rut about a mile further, Elizabeth wondered if she would reach London at all that night. A broken axle on the coach just within sight of the Inn was the last straw for the coachman. The passengers elected to walk the final distance and were relieved to have reached a place of warmth and safety.
The elderly woman, Mrs. Bellows, and her adult son, Peter, were the only other passengers on the coach. It appeared from the noise that welcomed them as they entered the Inn, the same could not be said for the final leg of the journey on the morrow. The Inn was crowded with people clamoring for a room, food, and drink. Barmaids were busy hustling from one table to the next, serving ale and what looked like meat stew, and the innkeeper was busy trying to scavenge any available space left on his premises for sleeping. Elizabeth was going to have to share a bed with Mrs. Bellows. Her son would be sleeping in the public rooms with the other men, on a bench, on a table, or on a chair. Elizabeth only hoped that he could get close to the roaring fire, though the heat only increased the smells and the presence of fellow travelers.
Elizabeth lay next to Mrs. Bellows, who had immediately gone to sleep. The bed was small and lumpy but the sheets were clean. Because of the weight and gravity of her thoughts, sleep eluded Elizabeth. She was confident that leaving Netherfield Park had been the best decision. Going to London to consult with her aunt and uncle was also the right choice. Was marrying Mr. Darcy the right thing to do? It was easy for Elizabeth to recall all that Mr. Darcy had been through during the past two weeks; the pain from the gunshot wound, deep concern for the emotional health of his sister, and seeing his older brother killed. Was he in full control of his thinking when he stated his intention to marry her? It was all so confusing! Elizabeth desired to discuss all that happened with her Uncle and Aunt Gardiner. It would give her clarity of thought, and help her to make the best choice for her future.
And, how could she possibly have obtained shares in the Honorable East India Company? It was ridiculous to even suppose that might be so. Certainly, Mr. Darcy was correct; it was a clerical mistake and should have been addressed to someone else. She chuckled to herself at the thought of some businessman getting a letter addressed to him letting him know that he was no longer under the authority of his father. What if he was already elderly? Would not he be surprised? Of course, it could have been the head of a family who needed those dividends to pay his rents or provide food for his growing family. After some time thinking on those lines, Elizabeth determined that her best recourse was to travel directly to Mr. Haggerston’s office to let him know of the error. Then she could travel to the Gardiner’s household and ask her uncle and aunt for suggestions as to her future. If she left England, it would be her first time traveling on her own and she did not want to get to Boston, New York, or Philadelphia only to regret what she had failed to pack. Her uncle had business contacts all over the known world. He would be able to help her with introductions and whatever else was necessary for a smooth transition to a new location. Elizabeth needed to give her mind new direction, focus on the future; a future without her family, her old friends, her recent acquaintances, and Mr. Darcy. Her heart pained her at the thought. When had he become so important to her?
Netherfield Park, Hertfordshire
Darcy had been correct. Sleep evaded him. He worried that Elizabeth had arrived at her uncle’s home only to have him hastily arrange for her to travel immediately. He worried that her father also had arrived at Gracechurch Street and the confrontation had been bitter and devastating to Elizabeth. He worried that her feelings for him did not equal his own. With that thought, he brought his right hand up and rubbed his face in worry as he paced back and forth across the room.
He looked around his bed chamber. Parker had been thorough in his packing. Darcy’s trunks were already downstairs, ready to load onto the Darcy carriage. Georgiana’s luggage was ready as well. Laid out over the chair next to the fireplace were his riding clothes, brushed and waiting for him to don them in but a few hours. He knew that only the bare necessities remained in the dressing room and they would be put into a small valise as soon as they were no longer needed. All was ready. Only time needed to pass and he could be on his way.
In the past, Darcy had wondered if he would ever marry. He longed for felicity and peace to fill the halls of Pemberley. His search for a bride amidst the ton had been fruitless. Now, he knew that he had found what he needed and wanted in Elizabeth. Just thinking of her lifted the weight of the tremendous burdens he carried as Master and guardian off his broad shoulders. She would be a partner in the truest sense. He could share his cares and know that she would understand.
Parker, his long-time valet, had approached him earlier about a conversation that he had had with the housekeeper, Mrs. Nicholls. Mrs. Nicholls had inadvertently overheard Miss Caroline Bingley planning a compromise whereby Darcy would be forced into offering marriage. After having observed Mr. Darcy at Netherfield Park for the past several weeks, the housekeeper determined that, if pre-warned, he could easily outwit Miss Bingley. Miss Bingley had more greed than intelligence. Parker knew that none of Mr. Darcy’s staff wanted the match, and that life at Darcy House and Pemberley would be unpleasant with Miss Bingley as Mistress. It had certainly been outside his authority to bring up such sordid goings-on with his master, but Mr. Darcy had, in the past, approved of Parker coming to him with anything that concerned any occupants of his homes. Darcy, frustrated with the actions of Bingley’s sister, did indeed, appreciate both the warning and those who bore the information to him.
Later that evening, after thanking the housekeeper personally, Darcy, knowing Mrs. Nicholls had known Elizabeth for years, had asked what Elizabeth’s life had been like prior to being cast out. The housekeeper delighted in telling about specific events and actions where Elizabeth’s kind-heartedness, intelligence, and joy were used to help others. She told him about the time that one of the Netherfield tenants had lost all of their possessions in a fire. Even though it was not her responsibility to care for them, Elizabeth had gathered items that would bring comfort to the family; toy soldiers for the boys and a doll with a pretty pink dress for the little girl, a lace shawl and embroidered pillows for the wife, and a new pipe and hat for the husband. The necessities had been provided for by the other tenants, but those extras were what took a house and made it into a home. It warmed his heart to think of how she would care for the tenants at his estate. Many families had been there for generations and they were just as vested in the success of Pemberley as Darcy was himself. His sister had already benefited from Elizabeth’s attentions. To watch Georgiana go from being so reclusive and timid to displaying determination was like watching a rosebud starting to open and show its beautiful color. Oh, how he wished to bring Elizabeth home.
The hour was late and Darcy continued to be restless, his mind not allowing the peace of slumber. Thinking that a book from Bingley’s library might be just what he needed, a tome filled with facts and figures, or a historical or biographical volume of someone of whom he had no interest, he headed downstairs to the library. The clock in Bingley’s study was just chiming the hour. It was midnight. He had just selected a book of agricultural practices that he had already read, when the door to the library opened. Wondering who would be approaching him this late at night, he quickly recalled the warning that the housekeeper had given his valet. With expectations of Miss Bingley creeping into the room, he placed himself behind the door so he could slip out just after she entered the room. He was surprised to see long, blonde hair draped over a modest dressing gown. It was Georgiana. He immediately left his hiding place. Not wanting to startle her overmuch, he whispered her name. She immediately turned and inquired as to why he was hiding behind the door.
“I have been warned, Georgie, that Miss Bingley is going to make a move tonight in an effort to compromise me into offering marriage.”
“Oh, good heavens, will she not learn?” Georgiana was not shocked at the information, just offended. Darcy had to chuckle when he saw her roll her eyes in exasperation. “As long as I have known her, she has made her desire to be Mistress of Pemberley more than obvious. Had she any true intelligence, she would have figured out by now that you have no interest in that direction.” Georgiana looked closely at her brother. “You had best tak
e care, William. She will not be thwarted easily.”
Just then, the siblings heard the door handle turning. They both quickly went behind the door and then thought better of it. With Georgiana in the room, there would be no impropriety when Miss Bingley entered. It was Colonel Fitzwilliam.
“My, my, cousins, but this room is busy at this hour of the night.” It did not surprise the Colonel that Darcy could not sleep. Too much was riding on the events that would unfold in the morning. He was, however, surprised to see Georgiana. “Poppet, what are you doing awake at this hour?”
“Apparently, like you, I was unable to sleep and it is just as well. We are about to partake in a real life drama. William is the intended victim and you and I shall be the witnesses to the crime.”
“What is this you are speaking of?” The Colonel was puzzled.
Before Darcy could enter the conversation, Georgiana spoke again. “Richard, tonight Miss Caroline Bingley is going to try to trap William into marriage. We need to have a plan of action, a strategy. Something like you would use in the military.” Darcy could tell that his young sister was getting some sinister delight in these circumstances.
“Into battle we shall go!” The Colonel could not hide his pleasure at watching his usually composed cousin facing down a hungry predator.
