Yet Mrs Gardiner said to her husband just before falling asleep, “This boy wants to shout out loud he is in love and wants to marry her, but I wonder what will happen in London when the news about Lydia will be everywhere!”
“Let them be happy, Maddy. I am sure Mr Darcy knew well enough what he was doing; he wanted to assure us and mostly Elizabeth that he is not changing his mind.”
Elizabeth and Darcy were in the little garden in front of the Costners’ house, a well-kept place with shrubs and autumn flowers delightfully showing in the moonlight. It was not raining anymore, and the moon shone from time to time through the clouds overflowing the garden in a marvellous glow.
“Why did you speak at the table about our engagement? Is it not dangerous?” she asked with a weak voice.
Darcy kissed her hand that was in his hand from the very first moment they descended into the garden.
“Because I wanted to have a moment with you and our new engagement gave me the right to invite you for a stroll in the garden!”
“Liar!” she said with all her love. “You did it…!”
They had stepped away from the house, hidden by a tree of life fence, facing each other, “Shh!” he said, putting his finger on her lips, “Could you for just a moment enjoy the night and the moon? I want everybody to know how happy I am!”
“Liar!” she repeated, so Darcy said, “It is time to punish you for this way of speaking to your future husband!”
He took her into his arms and for the first time in their relationship the kiss he took from her was not gentle or pure; he pressed her lips hard, making her want to escape from his grip, but it was impossible, he just mumbled, “Stay still Elizabeth!” and he continued to kiss her more and more demanding till she ran from his arms, and turned around facing the fence. Darcy came and took her in his arms as she was with her back to him, whispering in her ear “Dear girl. It is time to step on the road of womanhood!”
She shivered as his lips touched her ear and her blood seemed to go mad, in a rhythm she did not know.
“I need time to understand what is happening to me!” she pleaded. “Small steps!”
But Darcy laughed catching her again in his arms, his eyes looking deep into her eyes, “It is a small step, believe me!”
Making her wonder what more could come and what real womanhood might be.
For a couple of minutes she had forgotten her turmoil but alone in her room, all her worries came back with the intensity of a thunderstorm.
Darcy wanted to marry her now and for everybody to know, but what would happen in London with all the pressure that inevitably would come from his family and society? And now some people knew about their engagement, people who would speak and wonder if in the future the marriage did not take place. She trusted him, yet she knew the impossible situation they were in. Lady Catherine’s letter was a huge problem by itself, but now Lydia and Wickham could definitively ruin her life. And to have the complete misfortune of meeting with the Viscount and the Colonel was not the best thing to happen.
The good night’s sleep made them feel a little more confident. They did not speak much, trying to avoid directly referring to the fugitives, but the shadow of their deed was always between them.
It was decided to stop at Longbourn. From the beginning of the trip, Darcy had told Mr Gardiner about his intention.
“I know we are in a hurry,” Darcy said, “but Elizabeth and I also have some very urgent matters to solve; we need to announce our engagement to the local Vicar.”
Mr Gardiner seemed astonished by such haste; however, he did not make any remark – Mr Darcy had proved to be a man who knew how to manage his life and his business. They had one more night to travel; generally, the Gardiners never travelled during the night−time, they enjoyed the landscape but also considered night travel too tiresome; however, this time they understood the necessity to make such an effort.
As the night was approaching, they stopped at one of the inns to change horses and rest for half an hour. Mr Gardiner took Darcy to stretch his legs. It was plainly acknowledged that between the two of them, a particular connection had been established. Mr Gardiner was twelve years older than Darcy, yet they shared friendship and a real pleasure in talking. Darcy admired his exceptional skills in business and trade while Mr Gardiner saw in Darcy that gentleman’s attitude he really praised and, secretly, wanted to endorse.
“I have to ask you, Mr Darcy, to permit me to sit near my wife during the night-time. She suffers awful pains when she does not have a good night’s sleep.”
Full of wonder, Darcy furtively looked at Mr Gardiner, yet he saw only a man worried for his wife’s welfare.
“Of course, I hope Elizabeth will see no harm in this change,” Darcy said only to keep up appearances as he was sure that his betrothed would be happy to sit near him.
His heart could sing at such a splendid opportunity to be close to Elizabeth knowing that once in London, they must live apart and rarely see each other.
“I do not want to speak before the ladies,” Mr Gardiner said, “but I am worried about Lydia, more than I was just a while ago; I do not know how this story will affect our family.”
Darcy agreed, it was not a propitious moment for the Bennets, but he was sure he could solve the incident in an honourable way for Lydia.
“This is why I insisted on coming with you because I have information about Mr Wickham that might help us. I have already written Bingley some suggestions about where to search for him and what to discuss in the case they find the fugitives.”
They returned to the ladies wearing a peaceful expression on their faces. The worries were still there in the background, but there was hope. Darcy wanting to marry Elizabeth in such a decided way was a proof the scandal would not destroy their family.
Back in the carriage Elizabeth saw with surprise Darcy taking his place near her. She decided to keep silent, a tacit acceptance of a fact, probably discussed between the men. She only wondered who had been the one to propose the change.
She looked at Darcy, but it was too dark to really see his face. They properly stood one near the other while Mrs Gardiner sighed with relief and put her head down on the bench, leaning on her husband and the next instant they were both sound asleep.
“This is us in fifteen years,” Darcy laughed but with much benevolence. He admired Mr Gardiner’s care for his wife’s health and, generally, the pleasant and loving atmosphere the couple had around them. It was so comforting to see that love did not disappear and it could be augmented by friendship and complicity.
Elizabeth did not feel enough at ease to talk. She was equally pleased and embarrassed to have Darcy so close to her and tried to hide her sentiments. His nearness gave her shivers and heat. Everything was moving so fast that she had no time to become accustomed to all the events in her life, especially to enjoy her engagement at a slow pace. She understood why they had not the usual time a couple has before the wedding, but that did not make things easier. She was confused and troubled by the power of her responses to his gestures of love. Her own body seemed to have demands she could not imagine only a week ago. She and Jane had discussed such matters so many times, but never far from a secure border that guarded a territory completely unknown. She was so astonished that Lydia, much younger, had no such reservations and in no time she jumped into Wickham’s bed. Elizabeth blushed in the darkness only thinking about such a conjecture.
She looked at Darcy and his shadow invited her to lean on him. She wanted to so much; however, Lydia’s spectre haunted her. What if this would prevent Darcy from marrying her? It broke her heart to think so, but it could be possible. Her days of love and tenderness might be limited to only the ones she had experienced so far.
Eventually, she shyly leaned close to him, but once she touched him, Darcy took her entirely in his arms, making her sigh between shame and acceptance. She looked at her aunt and uncle with her cheeks on fire, but they were sleeping, and finally, she let herself fall
entirely into Darcy’s embrace. He caressed her and whispered in her ear, making her shiver. She already knew the strange effects his lips had on her ear, but when he faintly kissed it, she almost cried out at such an intensity.
For an instant she forgot where they were, utterly abandoning her lips and her body to his warmth.
Then he suddenly stopped and whispered an apology, and she immediately felt the loss of his caresses.
“In three weeks you will be all mine, my dearest Elizabeth. I can wait a little longer,” he whispered, his lips brushing against her ear again.
He was stronger than she was – and she was grateful for that.
Chapter 11
They arrived at Longbourn four days after their departure from Pemberley. Elizabeth’s concern grew with every mile, imagining her mother desperate as she had never been before. Mrs Bennet could become angry, just playing the role of despair in the face of their childish nonsense, yet never had her family known such a misfortune that could cast a cloud on all four sisters and leave Lydia dishonoured forever. She blamed both her parents. First, her papa for being too permissive, merciful and tolerant; nevertheless, her mother had a much bigger fault as she had focused her daughters’ education on men and fashion and luxury. Mary was immune to such subjects, while Jane and she grew up to be responsible. They understood that any mistake would reflect upon their respectability. Unfortunately, Lydia and Kitty had a completely different perception of life; they were ready to do anything to attain their goals, even running away − like Lydia did − hoping the man would marry them.
Hearing their carriage Mrs Bennet ran outside; she was dressed in a dressing gown more fitted to a bedroom than to a dining room. It was her way of showing how distressed she was. She took Elizabeth in her arms and began to cry, making her uncomfortable at the thought that Darcy saw the scene. She whispered in her mother’s ear, “Mama, we have guests!” Still, Mrs Bennet thought she was talking about the Gardiners.
“Calm down!” she said, “they are not guests!” Only an instant after seeing Darcy, she almost fainted in her brother’s arms. Fortunately, the Gardiners dragged her inside only moments before she said, “What is he doing here?” with a reproachful and even hateful voice, unknown to Maddy Gardiner.
Jane was the mistress of the house; she bowed and smiled to Darcy as she knew he was there to help them. She invited him into the dining room while Elizabeth whispered, “Please, take care of him, I need to talk to mama!”
There was such a bond between the sisters that Jane needed no more words. She was surprised, but her answers would come as soon as they had a chance to be alone.
Elizabeth found her mother with Mrs Gardiner, who discretely retired to let them alone, glad to join the men and the girls in the dining room as she did not know how to handle a slightly hysterical Mrs Bennet. She was sorry, but in her opinion the best way to face such a misfortune was to stay calm.
Mrs Bennet stood up from the bed and tried to embrace her daughter again while Elizabeth made a brusque movement obliging her mother to sit still.
“My dear, did you hear what tragedy has struck our family…” Mrs Bennet began her lamentation, the tears pouring from her eyes. Elizabeth made a gesture to stop her mother’s useless talk.
“Please mama, do you think you can compose yourself and listen to me? I need you and in this condition, you cannot help me!”
“Help you?” Mrs Bennet cried, standing up again, “now is about Lydia…, and what is that awful man doing in my house?”
“Mama,” Elizabeth was trying not to lose her composure, “Mr Darcy does not deserve such unfair offence. He is the worthiest man I have ever met! He came to help us find Lydia. And I hope you will approve of him, as he proposed to me and I agreed to marry him!”
Mrs Bennet fell onto the bed so astonished that she even stopped crying, but still she did not seem to understand what Elizabeth was talking about. Too many things had happened in the last days, including Jane’s engagement that brought so much joy, unfortunately, overshadowed by such horrible misfortune.
Mrs Bennet had been under considerable pressure as a part of her soul was full of happiness and the other overcome by anguish. The other morning she had found Jane crying in her bed and her red eyes revealed she had been crying most of the night, “Is Charles going to marry me now?” Jane had asked between sobs, breaking Mrs Bennet’s heart.
Mrs Bennet had also felt torn between Lydia’s misfortune, and the sadness of the sweet, flawless Jane. In some ways it was her fault − while Jane was utterly blameless. Her sweet and beautiful Jane was now to suffer because that reckless little girl could not wait for proper marriage and a decent man. She loved them both with all her heart and wished to see both happily married.
And now, Lizzy was here and said something about Mr Darcy? Surely she misunderstood her.
“Mama!” Elizabeth was almost shouting as Mrs Bennet looked lost in another world. “Please mama, I need you! Look at me!”
Mrs Bennet looked at her daughter, trying to understand - her eyes still empty.
“Mama, Mr Darcy is here to help us. He will assist us in discovering Lydia and all our troubles will end.”
“Mr Darcy?” Mrs Bennet asked absently.
“Yes, mama,” Elizabeth smiled affectionately. “He asked me to marry him. I need you to come with us to the Vicar and announce our engagement here in our Vicarage.”
“Announce your engagement…” Mrs Bennet repeated like a parrot.
“Yes. Considering the present situation, we shall not delay our wedding. We both wish to marry as soon as possible. Once he goes to London, God only knows what his family could say or do! They will use every means to discourage him from marrying a woman from our family… but if the announcement has been made it will be more difficult for him to renounce our marriage.”
“Renounce your marriage? Mr Darcy? He asked you to marry him? Dear Lord, can this be true? Of course we should go to the Vicar!” Mrs Bennet turned red, her eyes staring at her daughter who was standing in front of her. “But Lizzy, do you not hate him? I hope you will not reject him!!!”
“No, mama, I love him, I have loved him for a long time! And I already accepted his proposal. Since papa is not home, would you go down please as the mistress of the house and give him my hand and then come with us to the Vicarage?”
“Go downstairs? Yes! Yes, of course! Come, help me fix my hair. No, no – go and tell your betrothed I am coming down to speak to him. Let us meet in the library to avoid any interruptions.”
Elizabeth sat for some moments on the bed trying to calm herself and her mother too. They were in a hurry but things appeared to be coming along well enough.
Chapter 12
All eyes were on Elizabeth when she entered. Darcy helped her sit while Jane gave her a cup of tea. She could not eat or drink; she had a lump in her throat that impeded her even breathing.
“Aunt,” she said to Mrs Gardiner, “you need to rest for a while; mama and Mr Darcy and I have some urgent matters to solve. We will depart for London in the afternoon.”
“Are you sure you do not need our help, Lizzy?” Mr Gardiner asked.
“Yes.”
As soon as the Gardiners departed, silence fell for a few moments. Jane was looking carefully at both Darcy and Elizabeth, observing all their little gestures. Once again, she did not need words to know what had happened: her sister was betrothed. Her heart was singing while her mind told her that Elizabeth was in the same awful situation as herself. Would their engagements withstand the horrible disgrace that Lydia had brought on her family?
Kitty was more silent than Elizabeth had ever seen her before, keeping her eyes on her plate, trying to avoid Elizabeth’s eyes.
“Mr Darcy and I will go to talk to mama in the library. We will return soon,” Elizabeth uttered, exiting the room with her betrothed.
As soon as the door was shut he took Elizabeth in his arms, in a tender, gentle and reassuring embrace. In regular times he would hav
e disliked a discussion with Mrs Bennet, but now he was ready to do anything to marry Elizabeth and flee with her forever to Pemberley.
“Just ask mama for their consent, in papa’s absence as she is all we have…” Elizabeth smiled into his eyes.
“Do not worry, my love; Mrs Bennet will adore me!”
She knocked on the door and entered. Mrs Bennet was standing, obviously nervous.
“Mama, Mr Darcy is here to ask you something. I will leave you alone and will wait for you both in the dining room.”
“Very well, Lizzy. Mr Darcy, do enter, please. How lovely to see you at Longbourn again.”
“I am very pleased to be here and to meet you again, ma’am,” he replied, bowing to her. Elizabeth left them alone and closed the door, then quickly returned to her sisters.
Kitty was shouting, engaged in a heated argument with Jane.
“Sit, Kitty!” Elizabeth’s tone was unmistakably angry. “You will tell us now what you know about Lydia, everything!”
“I do not know anything!” Kitty cried, trying to escape. She did not look at her sisters, obviously knowing something about Lydia’s flight.
“Do you understand,” Jane said, “that you helped her ruin her future and ours… your future, too, if you do not care about us!”
Kitty began to cry, trembling from distress. It was obvious she was aware of Lydia’s plans, yet it was clear she did not foresee the misery it would bring on all of them.
“I thought they were going to be married, that is what Lydia told me. I never imagined Mr Wickham did not intend to marry her!”
“Calm down now,” Jane said with a milder tone. “Just let us know all the secrets!”
But Kitty did not know much; a carriage waited for Lydia to get her to London. Kitty helped her to prepare her luggage and the only details Lydia told her were about their intention to elope to Gretna Green.
Wedding at Pemberley Page 10
