Darcy and Mr. Philips finished the initial settlement contracts together and, with the help of the clerk, signed them, making everything legal. Mr. Philips was agitated and jumpy and his long sighs and nervous mannerisms showed he still questioned their solution. The man had to be feeling guilty as well, yet this outcome had to be an improvement over Miss Bennet’s scheme to travel to the colonies. What a harrowing undertaking that would be for a young woman!
While Philips and his clerk were both working on the copies he had requested, he stepped out to confirm that his carriage had indeed arrived in Meryton. The task had not taken long, since he found his valet standing by the front door of the Bird and Hand.
“There you are, Mr. Darcy!” exclaimed James when he saw him. “They said in the stables you were still here, but no one knew where you had disappeared.”
“I had some business with a local solicitor,” he began, hoping there would not be too many questions regarding their new traveling companion. “How much longer before the team is ready?”
“They are almost done changing the horses as we speak, sir.”
“Good. We will have a young woman and her maid with us for the remainder of our journey. Please tell the driver to pull the carriage up the lane behind the inn. It will lead to a small house to the rear of the solicitor’s office. I will be waiting for you there.”
“Yes, sir.”
James' furrowed brow and questioning eyes showed his confusion, but Darcy was not inclined to discuss personal affairs in such open surroundings. He had no idea where Gardiner had gone, but he would take no chances that a name or destination might get passed along.
The valet, realising no further information would be forthcoming, gave a small bow and hurried off in the direction of the stables.
When Darcy returned to Mr. Philips office, they completed sorting and finalising the paperwork before venturing back to the quaint home, where, hopefully, his intended was awaiting him. He was not disappointed when he found her seated in the same sitting room, in traveling clothes. She stood to face him and her uncle.
“I hope these will do. They are the finest I own.” Her hands trembled as she smoothed her skirt.
Taking her hand, he bowed over it while kissing it lightly. “You look lovely. I am sure the horses will be suitably impressed.” Her eyes betrayed her surprise as she stared at him with an open mouth.
“I believe he can tease as well as you, Lizzy,” Mr. Philips quipped, chuckling.
Her shocked expression transformed into a smile as she reached for her spencer, bonnet, and gloves, resting on a side table.
“I had not realised you possessed such a talent, Mr. Darcy.” She lifted one eyebrow and gave an impish little grin that was very alluring before disappearing down the hall with a slight limp. Had her gait been affected earlier?
“Mr. Philips,” he began carefully. “Does Miss Bennet still have an injury of which I should be aware?”
Her uncle exhaled. “Firstly, I think you should call me Philips since you will soon be my nephew.”
“Only if you will call me Darcy,” he responded.
Phillips agreed and gestured towards the door from where Miss Bennet left. “Her left leg was badly injured in the accident. The doctor believed it to be broken, but by some miracle, the bones were not displaced. She also sustained a bad laceration to the back of the thigh along with some terrible bruising.” He turned to face the man who held his gaze earnestly. “In the seven months since the accident, she has mostly healed, defying the doctor’s prediction that the leg would require amputation. As of late, she has said that the leg rarely pains her, but I have noticed she often limps like that just prior to a rainfall.”
“Perhaps a trip to Bath to take the waters would be beneficial to her. My uncle has a house in Landsdown Crescent; we could take a wedding trip there. It might allow some of the furore from the wedding to subside on both sides.”
With worried eyes, Philips took a step closer. “What if my brother’s anger does not diminish with time?”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “I refuse to worry about that now. There is a proverb that says do not cross the bridge till you come to it. I think we should follow that advice in this instance.”
“Are you sure it is wise?”
Darcy gave a slight shrug. “He will not know where to find her until the wedding announcement is in the paper. Even then, if we spend a month in Bath, he may decide vengeance is not worth it, or his partner may take care of the problem for us. There are too many contingencies.”
Philips nodded. “I see what you mean.”
“What are your intentions?” inquired Darcy. “You and your wife cannot remain here.”
“As we speak, a servant is packing trunks for myself and my wife. She has always bemoaned the fact that I have never taken her to the seaside.”
“I hear both Ramsgate and Brighton are very popular.”
“I have heard that myself,” commented Philips. “In fact, I had planned on heading towards Ramsgate as soon as my wife returns from making calls. My clerk will be visiting his family in Norfolk, so there will be no one here for Gardiner to hound for information.”
“Your servants?”
“Mr. and Mrs. Mills are our only servants. Their daughter, Lucy, has only worked a bit since Lizzy came to stay with us. I will give them a false direction before we leave. That way, they can honestly tell Gardiner where they believe we are.”
Miss Bennet returned with Hattie as Philips finished his statement. “I assume we are ready to depart?”
Darcy glanced out of the window to see that his carriage had pulled up alongside of the house while he and Philips were speaking. “As soon as your trunks are loaded, we can proceed.”
Mr. Mills assisted James in carrying out Miss Bennet’s trunk and stowing it with Darcy’s, while Hattie’s small valise was secured on top. Homer was tethered to the rear of the equipage, relieving Darcy of the need to return to the stable.
Her maid entered the carriage easily, but Miss Bennet stalled, staring with trepidation at the interior. “Miss Bennet, are you well?”
Tears welled in her eyes as she turned to fiercely hug her uncle. “Please tell aunt that I love her.”
“I will,” he responded softly.
“Thank you for taking me into your home. I know it was not easy for you.”
Mr. Philips looked as though he might protest, but with a knowing look from her, he closed his mouth and nodded. The carriage received one more fearful glance as Philips placed his reassuring hand upon her back.
“I know it cannot be easy, but you will be well. Look at how many carriage rides you took before the accident.”
She took a deep breath, gave a great exhale, and with one last glimpse at her uncle, she climbed hastily into the carriage. Her fortitude was amazing. The courage she exhibited would have impressed even his cousin Richard, who was not often impressed by much from a woman.
Philips extended his hand, which he shook. The older man then added his other hand to grasp Darcy’s, holding him in place.
“Trusting Lizzy to you, a complete stranger, is by far the most difficult thing I have ever had to do,” he said softly with tears in his eyes. “Please take good care of her; I beg of you.”
To console the man as best he could, he placed his other hand on top of their clasped ones. “I promise she will be treated well, and you will always be welcome to correspond with her. I am certain Miss Bennet would enjoy hosting you at Sagemore, if you are ever in the area.”
The worried uncle seemed placated by his response because he dipped his head. “Thank you,” he responded in a somewhat relieved manner. “You should be on your way before my wife returns. She has been making calls for some time now, and I expect she should be returning at any moment.”
“Of course.” He took a step towards the equipage, but paused before climbing aboard. “Please keep me apprised of any information you have on your brother.”
“I will!” Phili
ps called after him.
He took a seat across from Hattie and Miss Bennet, who gave a teary wave to her uncle. Mr. Philips put up his hand and held it there.
Darcy hit his walking stick on the roof of the carriage, and when his valet was safely aboard and seated with the driver, they began to move forward. He peered back once as they distanced themselves from the small house. Mr. Philips remained, his hand still raised, as they veered back towards High Street and out of town.
Chapter 4
Once they were on the road towards London, Darcy examined Miss Bennet, who sat quietly crying. His first impulse was to offer her his handkerchief, but she was already using her own. What more could he do to comfort a virtual stranger?
“Miss Bennet, I hope you know that you may correspond with your aunt and uncle as often as you wish.”
She turned from her blank stare out of the window to study him for a moment. “I appreciate your kindness, Mr. Darcy.”
An almost hollow smile briefly appeared, and it suddenly struck him that she was rather pale. His eyes did not leave her, continuing to observe her more closely in order to determine the best way to be of aid, but it was not until he took notice of the pained expression upon the face of her maid that he began to suspect the problem.
A glance down confirmed poor Hattie’s predicament. Miss Bennet was gripping the young woman’s hand until her knuckles were white, and she was not relenting in the slightest. He leaned forward, propping his elbows on his knees to catch the eye of his betrothed.
“Is this the first time you have been in a carriage since the accident?” He kept a soft and calm voice.
Her head bobbed up and down as she took a deep breath and exhaled anxiously. “I do not remember being brought to Lucas Lodge, which was the closest home to the accident.”
“When were you moved to your uncle’s house?”
She paused and thought for a moment, a small wrinkle forming between her eyebrows. “I am not certain. I know the physician ordered that I should not be moved for almost two months. Then, I was still too weak and unable to walk, so I rode in a cart. My aunt has said a liberal dose of laudanum was administered, so the transport would not give me pain.”
“I would imagine there is much you do not remember.”
“I have no memory of the experience,” she interjected.
He peered over to once again find her maid wearing the same pinched expression. “Miss Bennet, I know it is not considered proper, but perhaps you might like to take the seat beside me, so you could grip my hand rather than your maid’s.”
She whirled about to face Hattie as she released the fierce hold she had been maintaining. “Oh Hattie, forgive me!”
“It’s no matter, Miss. I knew ya had ta be frightened. It was no bother, really.”
Despite her words, there was clear relief on the woman’s face. Miss Bennet glanced down at her maid’s hand one last time, with a guilty look, then clasped her hands together. Her countenance was still strained, yet she remained in her seat until they made one last stop approximately halfway to London.
He ushered her inside to take tea to calm her anxiety. She did not drink or eat much, but her hands stopped shaking after a bit.
Once they finished their refreshments, she requested a walk about the village. They had time, so he obliged her and escorted her down the main thoroughfare. She delighted in the picturesque river on the outskirts, and a vibrant smile overtook her features as she praised the beauty of the prospect.
Upon their return, he took her hand from his arm to help her enter the equipage, expecting her to sit opposite him. But, to his surprise, she took the seat beside him instead! He climbed inside, took his place, and then offered her his hand. She took it in a firm grasp before turning to view the scenery outside of the window.
They recommenced their trip, and were not long out of the village, when Hattie leaned against the side of the carriage and began snoring loudly. Miss Bennet made a valiant effort not to giggle, but the temptation was too great, especially, when the maid gave a loud snort. She peered up at him, biting her lip, a hint of the sparkle that had disappeared with her uncle’s revelations evident in her eyes.
“It is well you will not have to share her room, is it not?” he whispered.
It was impossible not to join her when she buried her face behind his arm and laughed. She muffled the noise as best she could but her close proximity to his ear allowed him to hear it all, and he found immense enjoyment in her mirth. The sound was not discordant or annoying, but instead, had a pleasant effervescent quality.
The moment passed, as it always does, and she resumed her former position, smiling in his direction before her gaze returned outside to the passing scenery.
A loud cry woke Darcy as he slumbered against the squabs, and he jumped in his seat before realising it originated outside the carriage. He took a long look at their environs, and the landmarks he recognised placed them near Mayfair.
They would soon arrive at Ashcroft house, the home of his grandmother, so he sat upright, and checked on Miss Bennet. She was reading a book in her lap, but her hand still held his, just not as firmly as when he first offered it to her.
“You did not sleep?” he asked, startling her.
“No, I watched the forests and fields for some time before I began to read.”
He peered down in an attempt to see the cover, but could not discern the title. “That does not appear to be Shakespeare?”
“The Lady of the Lake.” She paused to mark her page and close the book. “My father asked the bookseller in Meryton to procure him a copy, but it did not arrive until after the accident. My uncle paid for it and set it aside for when I was well.” She released his hand and held the book between both her palms.
“Mr. Collins did not allow me to have any of Papa’s books after he had taken over Longbourn.” She again paused as she stroked the cover reverently. “I was very pleased that my uncle saved this one for me.” She seemed to shake off a memory or thought then turned back towards him. “Have you read it?”
“I have. I enjoyed it very much.” He began to straighten and brush at his coat until he noticed she was watching him intently.
“Will we be arriving soon?”
“Yes,” he answered. “We are very close.”
She placed her book next to her reticule, trading it for her gloves, which she must have removed while he had been sleeping. They appeared new, yet also a tad large for such a petite frame. He reached over and took one of her hands to confirm his suspicions.
“They are too large.” He pinched the end of the glove above her index finger to reveal a small excess of material.
“Mine were too worn, and despite my aunt and uncle’s protests that I was not a burden, I did not want to ask them for new ones.” She gave a small shrug. “Mr. Collins did send trunks with my family’s clothing. I have altered and dyed my sisters’ dresses as I have needed new ones.”
“Your uncle mentioned your gown was once Jane’s, if I remember correctly?”
Nodding, she self-consciously smoothed her skirt. “Yes, in my opinion, it was an impractical colour for a traveling gown, since it is such a light shade, which is easily dirtied, but my mother insisted the grey would match Jane’s blue eyes more than most of the darker fabrics.”
She fidgeted with her gloves, adjusting them as best she could. “The gloves were Jane’s as well. She was a few inches taller, and her fingers were longer than mine. But they match the gown.”
Her explanation brought to mind her wardrobe. Most brides would have some sort of a trousseau, which, due to the circumstances, Miss Bennet’s family could not provide. Some of her gowns might do for every day or if she enjoyed nature, but she would need some new, more stylish ones for social events—especially if they were to travel to Bath after the wedding.
As he mulled over whether his grandmother would mind taking her to a modiste and how long the task would take, the carriage pulled to a stop, shaking him from his thoug
hts.
“Mr. Darcy, did you perhaps send a note ahead? I would not like to take your grandmother by surprise.” Could she be intimidated by the position of his family? Her brow was creased with worry.
“I did, so she should be expecting our arrival.” He rested a hand upon hers. “My grandmother is a little contrary at times, but she is not unkind.”
The door opened, and he exited the coach, turned, and paused, holding out his hand for Miss Bennet. She followed a moment later, and after stepping down, placed her hand in the crook of his elbow.
He proceeded towards the door with some inward trepidation. He had been honest, his grandmother was not unkind, but he was uncertain how she might react to his engagement. The note he had sent ahead merely stated someone would accompany him; he had not indicated it would be a lady, much less his betrothed.
They were ushered inside, where her spencer and their hats and gloves were handed off to the waiting servants before being shown to a drawing room. The butler announced them, then withdrew at once, closing the door behind him.
Elizabeth examined the woman who stood before her. She was close to seventy, based on her assumption of Mr. Darcy’s age. Her silver hair was elegantly styled, and her dress was of the latest fashion, the pale lavender colour complimenting her grey eyes and hair. She did not have a stern countenance, but instead, was smiling at her grandson. As the woman moved towards them, Elizabeth decided it was not her appearance that was intimidating so much as her manner. She was noticeably self-assured and poised.
“Fitzwilliam!” the woman exclaimed as he stepped forward. He took her hand and bestowed a kiss upon her cheek. “I had not expected you in London so soon. And your note was rather vague, young man,” she admonished. “I expect you to explain.”
A hint of redness appeared on his cheeks. “Yes, ma’am. Though, I fear that some things were last minute and could not be well-explained in a letter.”
His grandmother nodded and turned towards her. “Well, are you going to introduce us, or shall I attend to the matter myself?” Unable to stop herself, Elizabeth smiled as she heard Mr. Darcy chuckle.
An Unwavering Trust Page 5