Elizabeth's Ordeal

by Charlotte Browning

  “Why do you not go back to where you came from? No one wants you here, you are usurping Anne’s place in this house.” The girl almost shouted her words, but Elizabeth decided to ignore them and close the door in her face.

  She was not going to allow Georgiana to make her feel she was acting wrong, not when she knew the girl was only voicing her aunt’s wishes.

  She went to bed, but it was almost impossible to sleep. She had grown used to having Darcy’s warm body next to her in bed, she now missed him dearly. If you added that to the problems they would have to face, sleeping was an almost impossible task.

  When the sun finally started to rise up in the sky, Elizabeth jumped out of bed and putting on one of her old dresses, she grabbed the book she had been reading and left the house. She needed fresh air, with urgency.

  The morning mist still surrounded the tall trees in the woods, but she did not mind. There was something soothing in the profound silence of the woods at this hour, she really loved it. It was almost magical, and it always managed to calm her.

  She walked quietly through the narrow trail, through the trees until she reached a very beautiful clearing, with a couple of fallen trunks she used as a seat, as she opened her book and lost herself in the fantastic world of sorcerers and warlocks, described in the book she was reading.

  Time flew, and when her stomach started growling, she looked up to the skies and realized she was about to miss lunch time, the way she had missed breakfast.

  She got up and returned to the house, hurriedly.

  Mrs. Reynolds let out a small cry when she saw her get in. “Mrs. Darcy! We have been looking for you for hours.”

  Elizabeth covered her mouth, flustered. She was so used to disappearing for hours into the woods, she did not think about letting anyone know her whereabouts. Her family was used to them. “I am terribly sorry, Mrs. Reynolds. I forgot to warn someone I was going to the woods for a walk.”

  The woman sighed, relieved. “The only thing important is that you are alright.”

  “I will try to remember leaving you a note whenever I decide to go out for a walk.” She promised, still feeling a bit ashamed for the commotion she had caused.

  “That would be very much appreciated, ma’am.” The woman assured her, with a smile. “You must be very hungry.”

  “Famished, actually, since I had no breakfast.” Admitted she, with a faint smile.

  “Lunch will be ready in a few minutes, just enough time for you to freshen up.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Reynolds.”

  Elizabeth went up to her room, and she was about to enter it when Georgiana came out of her room.

  “Oh, you are back.” There was so much disappointment in her tone, Elizabeth almost let out a loud laugh.

  “Of course, I am back. I was only spending some time in the woods.” Replied she, with a mischievous smile. She was sure the girl had thought I had run away.

  “What a shame. I thought you had suddenly grown a conscious and left.” Admitted she, grumbling.

  “I am not going anywhere, my dear. This is my home now and you better get used to it.” She assured her, entering the room and closing the door in the girl’s face.

  She was in no mood to put up with the girl’s mad ideas.

  She washed her face and hands in her basin before she went down to the dining room. Georgiana and her governess were already there, but Mrs. Reynolds waited for her to serve the meal.

  Elizabeth maintained a light conversation with the governess, about generalities, but Georgiana remained in stubborn silence. The governess glanced at her several times, but she pretended it was nothing to do with her.

  When lunch was finally over, Elizabeth decided to explore the house a little, to kill time. She missed Darcy very much, and she could not wait for him to return so they could discuss his aunt’s accusations.

  After a few hours, Mrs. Reynolds went looking for her. “You have a visitor, ma’am.”

  “A visitor?” asked she, surprised. She still knew no one in the neighbourhood.

  “Lady Catherine is here.” The woman announced in a cautious tone.

  “I see…” Elizabeth closed her eyes trying to decide if she wanted to face the woman again. She really had no will to hear her rants, but ignoring her would be worse, she was sure of it.

  “Would you prepare us some tea, Mrs. Reynolds?” asked she, taking a deep breath. “Please, warn Georgiana about her aunt’s presence. She might wish to join us.” Though she doubted.

  “Of course, ma’am, right away.” The woman nodded and left the room.

  She went to the living room and found the older woman already seated on a sofa.

  “Lady Catherine, this is quite a surprise.” Said she, trying to keep a calmer tone.

  “I came to visit my nephew, but I was told he left the house yesterday afternoon.” The woman said in a very cold tone.

  “Yes, he received a note from his house in Scotland and had to leave suddenly.” Explained she, briefly.

  “Of course.” The scowl on the woman’s face showed disbelief, but Elizabeth decided to ignore it.

  “May I offer you some tea? Mrs. Reynolds is already preparing some.” She played the role of the perfect hostess.

  “Yes, of course.” She made a small pause. “Have you thought about what I told you?”

  “There is nothing to think about.” She took a seat in an armchair, in front of Lady Catherine.

  “How can you say that? Are you really willing to destroy an innocent’s life just to please your ambition?” the woman almost shouted.

  “I am not the one ruining the child’s life. You should be looking for the real father and solving the problem with him, instead of trying to force your nephew to accept responsibility that does not belong to him.” Retorted she, in a very calm tone.

  “It is his responsibility. You are the only one failing to see that.” The woman tried again, clearly losing her patience.

  “That is your opinion.”

  Mrs. Reynolds entered the room accompanied by a maid, carrying a couple of trays with the tea and some pastries and small cucumber sandwiches.

  “Thank you, Mrs. Reynolds.” She dismissed the women and picking up the tea kettle and served both cups.

  “How do you want your tea?”

  “With fresh cream, thank you.” Replied she.

  She handed her the cup and she was about to prepare her own cup when Georgiana entered the room.

  “Aunt Catherine, what a pleasure seeing you here.” Said she, taking a seat next to the older woman.

  “How are you today, girl? Have you been practising your piano? Remember, you need to practise and practise all the time, if you want to perform as a professional player.” The woman said, taking a sip of her tea.

  Elizabeth was sure that little speech was directed to her, but she chose to ignore it.

  “Yes, aunt, I know.”

  Elizabeth let out a silent sigh, and with a forced smile she turned to look at Georgiana. “How do you want your tea?”

  “With milk and sugar, thank you.” Replied she, with a cold tone, without even looking at Elizabeth.

  She handed her the cup and prepared her own.

  “What brought you here, Aunt?” Georgiana asked the older woman.

  “I came looking for your brother but I was told he left Pemberley yesterday.”

  “Yes, he suddenly decided to leave for Scotland.” The girl said with resentment in her tone. She was not happy about being left alone with Elizabeth.

  “Yes, a very sudden trip, that is for sure.” Lady Catherine said with a disdainful tone.

  Elizabeth decided to ignore the other two women as she enjoyed the delicious pastries Mrs. Reynolds had brought them.

  “I truly hope he returns soon. This is a very uncomfortable situation.” Georgiana protested with a pout.

  “Patience, my dear. I am sure your brother will come to his senses.” The older woman patted the girl’s hand. “But, if you want, you can move
in with me while he is away. I would love the company.” Suggested she, with a faint smile.

  “Oh, aunt, I love the idea. I shall go pack my things immediately and warn my governess.”

  For a moment, Elizabeth considered if to intervene or not, but the idea of having the girl living with Lady Catherine sounded so wrong, she decided to act. She would poison the girl’s mind even more.

  “You are not going anywhere, Georgiana.” Said she, in a calm tone.

  The girl turned to look at her, astonished. “You have no say in this.” She grumbled, furious.

  “Oh, but I do. You see, your brother is your legal guardian, and now that I am married to him, that responsibility falls on me as well.” She pointed out.

  “Of course not.”

  “You shall not leave the house, or I am afraid I would have to call the sheriff to pick you up in Dower’s house. You are still a minor.” She knew the girl was probably going to hate her even more, but she preferred that than having her mind polluted with the old woman’s twisted ideas.

  The girl looked at her aunt and the woman pursed her lips, furious. “I am afraid she is right girl.” She finally admitted.

  “But aunt…” Georgiana protested.

  “Hush girl. We shall arrange this situation as soon as your brother returns.” She appeased the girl, with a deep frown, looking at Elizabeth. “Now, girl, allow me to have a few words with Miss Bennet.”

  “Mrs. Darcy, Lady Catherine. I am sure you are quite aware of that.”

  The girl snorted and got up and left the room.

  Lady Catherine rested her cup on the table and looked at Elizabeth.

  “Do not get yourself too comfortable, my dear, you will soon be out of this house for good.” The old woman said in a cold tone. “My nephew shall come to his senses and dissolve this marriage as soon as possible.”

  “You have lost your mind, ma’am. My marriage is solid and perfectly legal. There is no way to dissolve it.”

  “Of course there is. But worry not, girl. My nephew shall provide you with enough money to last for the rest of your life.” She got up, ending the conversation.

  But Elizabeth had no intention of letting things end that way. “That shall never happen, Lady Catherine, and even if you managed to convince him to dissolve our marriage, allow me to inform you that I would need not his money.”

  She snorted and left the room.

  Chapther Seven

  Elizabeth sighed and wished this was the last time she had to face the bitter woman.

  With a sigh, she decided to go to a small drawing room she had found in her explorations, with her book in her hand, determined to read a little more.

  She missed Darcy so much, she was going insane all alone in this house. Georgiana ignored her almost all the time, and so, she had no one to talk to.

  Dinner was a repetition of lunch and so were the following days. Georgiana either ignored her or spent the time protesting and ordering her to leave the house. It was a very tiring situation and she was missing having someone to talk to very much.

  She considered writing to Jane and ask her to visit, but the last thing she wanted was for her sister to put up with Georgiana’s misbehaviour.

  So, she kept it all to herself.

  The day Darcy returned she almost cried with relief. He returned six days after he had left, and by then, she was so upset, so fed up she struggled with the feelings of relief and rage boiling inside her.

  Elizabeth waited for him at the door, as soon as the butler warned her he was arriving.

  It took almost three days to reach the small village where the good doctor’s family lived. It was night time, so Darcy, went to the small inn and rented a room. He would look for the man as soon as possible, because he needed to return back home.

  The only inn in town, was a very old one and not the kind he would choose to stay in, but since he wanted to deal with that situation as soon as possible, he decided to stay there.

  After a hellish night, he got on his horse and went looking for the baron’s house.

  It was not hard to find the house, but yes to find the man.

  According to his older brother, the doctor had been there for a week, but he had decided to join the army, and help the healers traveling with them taking care of the wounded men.

  “Do you have any idea where I can find him?” Asked Darcy, trying not to feel desperate.

  “No, not even a clue. He said he would go to Dover and offer his services there.” The man explained. “I have not received any message from him since then.”

  “Thank you, very much. Please, if he does contact you, let him know I am looking for him, regarding my cousin Anne. It is very important.” Asked he, handing the man a note with all his information.

  “Yes, of course, Mr. Darcy.”

  Darcy returned to the inn and picked up all his things determined to go back to Pemberley at once. He had to find another way to find the man, but it was imperative for him to find him. He was sure he was the man Anne was in love with.

  He spent the next couple of days travelling as fast as possible, trying to get home to the arms of his beloved wife.

  Elizabeth threw herself into his arms, tightening her arms around him, feeling she was home again. “God, I missed you so much.” Murmured she, resting her forehead on his chest.

  “I missed you too, my love.” Assured he, holding her closer to him.

  “How was your journey? Did you manage to solve all the problems?” asked she, as they entered the house.

  “Not all of them, but I will, I assure you.” He guided her to the drawing room. “How were things around here?”

  “Not so well.” Sighed she. “But we shall have enough time to talk about that later.” They took a seat on a sofa. “I told Mrs. Reynolds to bring us some tea. I am sure you must be hungry.”

  “Yes, I am. Where is Georgiana?”

  “I have not seen her much. She rejects my presence here, so she eludes my presence in the house.” Elizabeth explained him, in a calm tone.

  “She continues misbehaving?” he frowned.

  “Yes, but it is all due to your aunt’s influence.”

  Mrs. Reynolds brought the tea and she served it.

  Darcy’s frown deepened. “What do you mean?”

  Elizabeth sighed. “Do you remember that the day you left I had gone visiting your aunt?”

  “Yes, of course.”

  “Well… that day, your aunt told me the most incredible story.” She started telling him exactly what had happened.

  At the beginning of their wedding, they had promised never to keep secrets from each other, and though she dreaded recalling the whole situation, she knew it was necessary to get to the bottom of it.

  “I cannot believe she dared to talk to you about this. She had told me she was going to forget the whole thing.” Shouted he, furious.

  “She will never forget it. She wants you as her daughter’s husband and I really do not think she will stop until, not until she gets what she wants.” Elizabeth warned him.

  “Then, she shall die without succeeding, because I am married to you and I plan dying married to you.” Assured he, taking her hand in his and kissing her palm.

  “Yes, I feel the same way.”

  He explained to her his suspicions about Anne’s pregnancy and she agreed with him. It was the most viable possibility.

  “I will ask a friend of mine that used to be a soldier to help me find him.” Concluded he, kissing her hand.

  “Let us hope we can find him, soon.” Replied she.

  They were finishing tea when Georgiana finally entered the room.

  “Darcy, you are finally home.” She let out a small cry and ran to meet her brother.

  Darcy got up and hugged her. “How are you, my darling?”

  “Missing you very much, brother.” Assured she, hugging him hard.

  “Well, I am here now.” He appeased her, patting her back.

  “Yes, I am so happy. I need
to talk to you.” Asked she, stepping back from his arms.

  “Of course, whenever you want.” Nodded he, with a faint smile.

  Elizabeth could tell he was sensing problems and he was right. She was sure the girl was going to complain to her brother about her.

  “May it be now?” insisted she, clearly eager to spread her venom.

  Darcy tilted his head to look at Elizabeth and she nodded discreetly. She was not worried about what the girl might have to say to her brother. They had other things to worry about.

  “I will go to the green drawing room.” Announced she, standing and abandoning the room.

  She closed the door to the green room behind her back and sighed. Lady Catherine was really determined to end her marriage. The woman was proving to be a daunting enemy and Elizabeth truly hoped Darcy was able to find the man he supposed was the father of Anne’s baby. With her daughter married to another man, the old woman would have to back off and leave them be, or so she hoped.

  She paced around the room, too nervous to sit down and enjoy a book, eager for a walk in the park, but wanting to continue her conversation with Darcy.

  After what felt like an eternity, Darcy finally joined her in the green room, closing the door behind him. Elizabeth was standing at the window, watching the sun go down in the horizon.

  “That was a long talk.” She said, without turning to look at him.

  He chuckled and closed the distance between them, wrapping her waist with his arms and burying his face in her scented mane.

  “Thank you.” Murmured he.

  “For what?” asked she, surprised.

  “For not allowing Georgiana to move in with my aunt.”

  “I was not sure I was making the right decision but the thought of having your poor sister under your aunt’s influence, forced me to take it.” Explained she.

  “It was the best decision you could make on those circumstances. She has done enough harm as it is.” Sighed he, leaning his chin on her shoulder.

  “This whole situation may get out of our hands. You could be dealing with a huge scandal.” She warned him, worried.