by Teg
said her worst, poked and pushed the questions of marriage, children and, most surprisingly, Will’s true character. That had been quite unexpected, as was Mary’s opportune assistance in securing a private moment or two, for
Elizabeth’s younger sister had never been particularly interested in her siblings’
activities, let alone encouraged them.
Naturally, this brought Elizabeth’s thoughts full circle and she had not quite decided on her feelings where her father was concerned. She had to concede Will’s point when she considered Ted. Many of his remarks seemed calculated to wound, either herself or Will, yet she was loathe to think of him as being deliberately cruel.
She huffed in irritation. Too much thinking was making her head hurt. “I don’t need to be protected from my family,” she repeated.
“How about we get some breakfast?” Will hoped the change of subject would
help her to relax again. He left the warmth of their makeshift bed and stretched, noticing the remains of the pillow still littering the floor. He began picking up the pieces of stuffing as Elizabeth roused herself . As Will bent down to
retrieve some fluff he heard her quiet voice.
“He’s not usually so harsh.”
“Who?” His own thoughts were so chaotically arranged that he wasn’t sure if Elizabeth referred to George, her father or someone else.
“Dad.” She spoke with her back to him, folding the blanket slowly. “I mean, he must be feeling awkward, too.”
“You’re making excuses for him, Elizabeth.”
“No –.”
“Yes,” Will interrupted. He moved to stand in front of her, taking her hands in his own and frowning. “Let him explain his own behaviour. I wouldn’t give
him the benefit of the doubt.”
Pulling her hands free, Elizabeth tilted her chin into the air. “You don’t know him like I do.”
Will shook his head, struggling for patience. “No, but I don’t believe he
deserves the trust you are prepared to give.”
“He’s my father!”
“Exactly, and just where was he when George Wickham was –. I can’t even
imagine an excuse for him to ignore what was going on!”
She whirled about and stalked away, across the room. Will stayed where he
was, confused by his own reaction and completely baffled by Elizabeth’s.
Before either of them could say more another voice intervened.
“Just what the hell is going on here? I could hear your voices from my room.”
Georgiana glared at her brother, then shifted her gaze to Elizabeth with only a slight softening of her expression. “Well, speak up! One of you say
something!” Much to Georgiana’s surprise, Elizabeth fled the room, leaving both Darcys foundering in her wake. “What the....? No, Will,” she said
forcefully, stopping her brother with one extended arm. “Leave her be. I’ll go to her in a minute.”
“No, I’ve upset her. I’ll talk to her.”
“Sit!” commanded his sister before Will could make any move toward the door.
“I said sit and I mean it! You’re not going anywhere until you tell me what happened.” She waited for him to comply. “Now, what did you do to upset
her?”
“It wasn’t intentional!” he defensively replied. “Look, Elizabeth had one of those nightmares last night. She came to me because she was frightened and we talked for hours. It was very.... emotional. This morning she’s having second thoughts about seeing her family again before they leave.”
Georgiana’s eyes narrowed as he said the last. “Are those her words or your interpretation of her feelings?”
He frowned in thought. “Well, she said she wished that....” Suddenly realising that he hadn’t let her finish voicing that wish, Will had no idea what Elizabeth
had intended to say. “You’re right. I just assumed and then our argument began.”
“What was it about?”
Shaking his head, he sighed. “I’m not sure I know, now. I thought she meant to stay home instead of going to Jane’s but then she insisted the dinner can’t be missed. I don’t want to see her hurt again. You know how Ted has been,
practically every word and look is insulting, but then Elizabeth said she doesn’t want my protection and that I don’t understand her father.”
“Will, did she really say she doesn’t want your protection? Think carefully. She sought you out when she needed you last night. That doesn’t sound like
someone not wanting to be protected.”
Will’s frustration had ebbed and fatigue had settled into his mind. “What she said was that she didn’t need to be protected from her family.”
Georgiana groaned inwardly. She reached out to touch her brother’s shoulder.
“Will, I’ve seen a number of abused women come into the clinic for help and there is one thing they all have in common. It’s a pattern that all abusers share and that’s isolating the victim from her friends and family. When the victim has nobody else but the abuser it’s almost impossible for her to leave the situation.
Your motives are good but if you see it from Elizabeth’s point of view your desire to protect her is going to accomplish the same thing; separation from her family. That must terrify her.”
He swore and let his head fall back against the chair. “I am so stupid!”
“Not stupid, Will. You care too much and it’s getting in the way of your good sense.” She squeezed his shoulder to get his attention. “Elizabeth knows you wouldn’t hurt her but I think she’s just as confused about rebuilding the
relationship with her father. Heaven only knows what Ted is thinking.”
“What about today, though? It’s the last opportunity for them both unless one or the other is prepared to travel to sort it out. I can hardly imagine a phone call would solve the problem if five days in each other’s company hasn’t already done it. Georgie, I want to help her.” Will began to sound desperate. “But it seems that everything I do brings me to another wall.”
“Surely not everything,” she scolded. “Two steps forward and one back. This is that step backward, that’s all.”
“Do you think....” Will hesitated, then started again. “Perhaps it’s time for me to let her meet them on her own, without my presence.”
Georgiana nodded. “That might be a good thing. If Elizabeth doesn’t feel easy about it I’m sure Ted will be more relaxed and that might help them both.”
“He really doesn’t like me,” grumbled her brother.
“I wouldn’t take it personally.” Startled by his abrupt rise from the chair, she asked, “Where are you going?”
Determinedly, Will looked at her. “I will give Elizabeth the choice by offering to stay here this afternoon if she thinks she’s ready.” Softly he added, “I’ll be more considerate in my choice of words this time.”
Elizabeth was lying on her bed, staring up at the ceiling.
Not my bed, she corrected herself. Will’s bed.
Their argument had left her feeling aggravated but without a source to blame for it. She couldn’t fault Will and she had long since become reconciled to experiencing periods of dissatisfaction and restlessness that could only be attributed to the memory of George and his influences. She hadn’t wanted to argue with Will, but then to have Georgiana overhear and feel compelled to intercede brought Elizabeth more embarrassment than comfort.
A tap on the door, followed by Will calling her name, drew Elizabeth from her brooding. She opened the door to welcome him into the room, giving him no
chance to say anything. Instead, her arms were around him and still more tears found their way to escape.
“Lizzy, Lizzy,” Will murmured at the first opportunity. “How can I apologise for making this more difficult for you than it already is? I wasn’t thinking and I let my own feelings take over rather than listen to yours.” He waited for her to speak but El
izabeth said nothing. “I don’t know how to say this without
sounding arrogant. I wonder if things will be easier if I don’t go with you to Jane’s.”
Elizabeth’s head came up, her eyes searching his expression anxiously. “What do you mean?”
He smiled gently, easing her sudden concern. “Nothing permanent, I assure
you. If you think I’m wrong just say so but I thought your father might be less... awkward without me there.”
“Oh,” she breathed out in one long syllable. “I was afraid that....”
“I promised you that I’d always be here and I will. If you decide to go alone then remember that you only have to call if you change your mind. I’ll come as soon as you ask.” Emphasising his vow with a kiss, Will made sure she
understood his love was constant and able to withstand any storm.
“Isn’t Lizzy coming down?” Dolores started toward the stairs, her purpose
clear. She was already calling her daughter’s name as her foot hit the first riser.
“She’ll be down later, mom.” Jane spoke a little more loudly than she intended.
“She was tired and decided to take a nap before dinner.”
“I was afraid this would happen!” cried Dolores. “She’s going to end up back in the hospital, suffering from exhaustion.”
“Hmm,” grunted Ted. “I doubt that bodyguard of hers would let that happen.”
“She’s too stubborn, always has been, and you encouraged her!” his wife
accused. In a rapid change of tune she turned to Jane. “Oh, where is Will?”
“No Will today,” Jane quickly replied. “They spent a quiet day together
yesterday.”
“She looked tired the other night, I thought.” Mary cautiously peered over at them to see how her opinion was received.
“And no wonder! All that running back and forth from here to there must be draining. I do hope it hasn’t been too much for her.” Dolores looked up the stairs again. “Do you think I should check on her?”
“No,” Jane said with decisive authority. “If she sleeps until dinner it’s because she needs it but I’ll wake her if she doesn’t get up by then. Lizzy regularly napped in the afternoons until the last few days. I’m sure it’s caught up with her.” That was all it took to distract her mother. Jane ushered them all out of the hallway, although Ted appeared reluctant to move at first, glancing periodically up the stairs.
As it turned out Elizabeth appeared not more than a half hour after her parents arrived. She felt a little better, though not refreshed, by her short rest. Satisfied that at least her eyes no longer looked red and her mind did not feel as fuzzy, confidence boosted by the knowledge that Will was only a phone call away, she greeted her mother and Mary with genuine enthusiasm. Cautious was her
reception of Ted Bennet and he seemed equally wary. Elizabeth determined to ignore him as much as possible and to simply enjoy what she could of the day.
There was an odd comfort in listening to her mother’s disjointed conversation.
Dolores jumped from topic to topic, never much different but for the names of the people whose lives she was designing. In the past Elizabeth had found it annoying, or simply tuned it out, but her recent hardships brought a new
appreciation for family in general, and the woman who had given them life in particular.
It was also refreshing to spend some time in idle gossip, learning what her former neighbours had been up to during the last year; who had married,
divorced or had babies. Although she occasionally felt a longing for Will’s company, it was not prompted by any distress but was a pleasant wish to share visions of their future together.
Before sitting down to dinner Elizabeth excused herself to phone Will, to
reassure him that she was fine and all was going well. He sounded relieved, which only served to make her miss him more but she suppressed the desire to ask him to come anyway, knowing that it would make their later meeting all the sweeter for the wait.
She found that Charles kept Ted sufficiently occupied during the meal that it was not necessary for her to speak to her father at all. Despite such good
fortune, Elizabeth did notice that his attitude appeared to have softened and, although the thought did not please her, admitted that there must be some truth in Will’s suggestion that his presence had caused much of the earlier friction. It saddened her to think a choice might eventually be forced upon her. There was no question what her decision would be should it come down to that, but the afternoon had been so enjoyable and a reminder of what the happier days had been like when they were a family at home together that Elizabeth was
painfully aware of what she had already lost.
It was an early end to the evening since the rest of the Bennets had a long drive ahead of them the next day. There were tearful goodbyes at the door, Dolores liberally applying tissues to her eyes and nose as she hugged each of her
daughters, and Charles, before finally being ushered outside. Mary was more collected but she did whisper in Elizabeth’s ear a wish to see her soon, either at home or at Jane’s.
Ted had no emotional plea to make. He thanked Jane and Charles for their
hospitality then stood for a moment, looking at his boots. At last he raised his head and met his other daughter’s gaze. “Lizzy,” he said, then fell silent.
Elizabeth stiffened as he suddenly stepped forward and clasped her to him in a powerful embrace. He said nothing more, however. Almost as quickly she
found herself standing alone as her father walked out the door.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Georgiana softly closed her book and looked over at her brother. He had been sitting silently in his chair since Elizabeth had gone to bed, his own book untouched on the table beside him. His expression was serene, a faint smile on his lips, while his eyes appeared focussed somewhere outside the room. It
brought her a feeling of great comfort to see him so relaxed despite the events of the last twenty-four hours. Both Elizabeth and Will had withstood the worst, together. Elizabeth had suffered more, of course. Hers was the greater burden to bear. She had wisely accepted the support of her sister, brother-in-law, Will and even Georgiana. Bravely meeting her family on her own, she had managed better than Will, for he had been eyeing the phone every minute until the call had come that it was time for Elizabeth to return. They had been home scarcely an hour before she had confessed to being too tired to stay up any longer.
The sound of the doorbell startled them both. Will blinked, looking at his watch. When he opened the door he was even more surprised.
“Hello, Will.” Ted Bennet shuffled his feet and stole a glance over the other man’s shoulder. “I’d like to see Lizzy.”
“Lizzy,” Will repeated. “Of course. Come in.” He stepped aside to motion Elizabeth’s father through the doorway.
“Jane’s never been a good liar,” explained Ted. “Dolly will believe anything but I knew Lizzy was living here, with you.”
Will’s jaw tightened. “She’s not living with me. Elizabeth has been staying here the last few days. It made it easier for her to limit the time spent with some of her family.”
“Yes.” Ted smiled wanly. He made no effort to disguise his disbelief of the explanation nor did he acknowledge the thinly veiled barb.
“Please sit down. I’ll let Elizabeth know that you’re here.”
Ted chose the chair that Will had recently vacated. Tentatively, he smiled at Georgiana who politely enquired after his wife and other daughter.
Returning to the living room, Will said, “Elizabeth will be out in a minute. She was asleep.”
“I’d like to speak with her alone,” announced Ted, adding, “if that’s okay with you.”
Will remained standing and raised his chin, forcing him to look even further down his nose at Ted. “That will be up to Elizabeth.”
“Of course.” He looked around the room, noting the
quality of the furnishings, what appeared to be original artwork on the walls and the general orderliness.
“Hi Dad.”
Ted turned in his chair to see his daughter standing behind Will, looking very small and lost in a large, dark robe. Plainly, it was a man’s robe; Will’s robe. He left his seat and faced her. “Lizzy, I didn’t want to go without.... well, without making sure you are alright.”
Her eyes narrowed. Will recognised the look and moved a little closer to her.
“Will?” she said, never taking her gaze from Ted. “I need to speak privately with my father.”
Will did not permit his concern to show but offered the use of his office. He hoped Elizabeth would derive some confidence from the surroundings since
they had spent the previous night there together and had reached a greater understanding of one another. When he closed the door behind them, Will
returned to the living room and looked at Georgiana helplessly.
“Do you think she’s ready for this?” his sister asked.
“I don’t know. I hope so. Otherwise we’re going to have a lot of pieces to pick up when he’s gone.” Will sank down into a chair which afforded him a view of the closed door.
Elizabeth fingered the ears of the small stuffed puppy she’d picked up from the pile of folded blankets. She intended for her father to speak first.
Ted obliged her by saying, “You look well.”
“You saw me only a few hours ago,” she reminded him.
“Yes, you looked well then, too. I expected you to be more tired after the last few days.” He glanced about the room, ill at ease.
“I am tired. That’s why I went to bed so early.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t realise I’d be disturbing you. Lizzy, I don’t want to go back home without an attempt to make amends.” He had no chance to say more,
interrupted by Elizabeth’s outraged cry.
“Make amends? How do you propose to do that?”
Startled, his prepared words abandoned him. “For a start, we talk. Share our feelings about what happened.”
“Ah, okay.” Her eyes flashed. “I’ll share my feelings right now! Where were you when I needed you? I thought I had a father who would protect me but I found out he preferred to leave me to the wolf!”