Darcy scowled at his reflection in the window. He supposed his friend had a right to know. “I do not like to admit any such weakness, as you know, Bingley. But I will confess it to you, you are a good friend to have, even if your taking Netherfield has caused me to meet and be disturbed by my feelings for a young lady I barely know.”
Mr. Bingley did not answer at once. “I am grateful that you have been honest with me,” he said quietly. “And I confess that I had not believed myself capable of finding myself in love with a young lady the first time I met her.” He shook his head disbelievingly. “But I did. I would be desolated if I lost her. After such a short acquaintance!”
Darcy did not wish to answer that. He had never been in the habit of discussing his feelings with anyone. He grumbled under his breath and Mr. Bingley laughed.
“I know you well enough, Darcy, to know that you did not readily admit your feelings to me!”
He sat forward. “But we should ask ourselves what we might find at Longbourn, maybe plan for what our actions should be.”
Mr. Darcy thought for a moment. “I am not convinced that a plan will help us very much. We might find that nothing has happened at all. There is so much that might have changed and a plan that we have made here might be the wrong one.” He slumped back on the seat. “I just think that something is far wrong. And I do not like feeling this way.”
“That, Darcy, is evident.” Mr. Bingley sat and stared out of the coach window.
Mr. Darcy felt slightly ashamed of having asked him to assist in this matter. He might be wondering if Miss Jane Bennet would blame them in some way for becoming involved.
“Do you intend to ask Miss Bennet for her hand in marriage?” The question came out more abruptly than he had intended, and he regretted that he had not been more measured in his tone.
But Bingley was a good friend. He was too amiable to be offended by a simple error in tone.
He smiled. “I intend to ask her as soon as I think I stand a good chance of being accepted.” He looked across at his friend. “And you, Darcy? I take the liberty of asking you the same question, since I have answered yours.”
“No.” He had to stop and clear his throat. “She is of the wrong birth. And anyway, she would not accept me. She has no reason to accept an offer. And she has had enough trouble of that nature already so that she would feel an offer to be one more difficulty. She would most certainly not appreciate my adding to her troubles.”
There was a long silence after that. Then Mr. Darcy was pulled out of his reverie when Bingley spoke. “Since you dragged me from the house without breakfast, I suppose we are going to stop at an inn for something to eat soon? I do not think it might be comfortable to arrive at Longbourn at the lunch hour and admit we have not eaten.”
Mr. Darcy glanced at the sun. He supposed his friend was right. But that sense of foreboding was gnawing at him still.
“Bingley. You are right. But there is something wrong. My instinct tells me to keep driving. But, as you are right, would it be acceptable to you to stop but briefly?”
Mr. Bingley shook his head. “If you are that concerned, we will not stop. We can easily say we have eaten.”
“I am grateful to you, Bingley.” He sat back, letting the rocking of the coach on the springs lull him into calmness. He needed to be calm, so that he could concentrate on whatever was required, once they were there.
And then they were approaching Longbourn. Mr. Darcy turned to his friend. “Now we will find out what has happened.”
“I will be glad when we know, Darcy. Either your fears may be allayed, or we will know what must be done.”
“Yes.” He clenched his jaw and watched as the house came into view. They had not visited before. It was a warm stone colour, small, but quite well-favoured. The coach drew to a halt, and the coachman jumped down to lower the step. Mr. Darcy stepped down, looking around him, hearing his friend’s footstep behind him.
The most dreadful shrieking and shouting was coming from the house. He could discern the voice was Mrs. Bennet and he looked expressively at Bingley.
He saw as the two youngest girls appeared from round the back of the house. Dressed to go out, they saw the gentlemen and stopped in confusion.
He bowed to them, and they glanced at each other. They knew enough to curtsy back, but then they hurried away and down the lane without speaking.
“We need to go in, my friend.” Mr. Darcy headed for the door and rang the bell. A plump housekeeper answered the door.
“Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley.” Mr. Darcy introduced themselves crisply. “We would like to call upon Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”
He could do that. As of last night, Miss Elizabeth had not been betrothed, so they could do that.
The housekeeper glanced back nervously into the hallway. The strident tones of Mrs. Bennet were overpowering now.
“Oh, oh, oh! We are all ruined! Ruined! That dreadful girl! How could she do it! Mr. Collins, take heart, sir. She will be found and made to marry!”
He could barely force himself not to push forward and find out what had been going on.
She will be found.
So she had gone. One part of him cheered at the spirit and strength of her, but the larger part was afraid for her.
He crowded forward. “Please announce us.”
The housekeeper trembled. “There might be …” Then she seemed to crumple and turned. “Yes, sir.”
They stood just inside the door. Darcy had stepped forward so the door could not be closed on him, and they waited. He saw Bingley was shifting uncomfortably.
Mr. Bennet and Mr. Collins walked towards them as the noise from Mrs. Bennet became muted. Someone had shut a door.
The short clergyman bowed obsequiously. Mr. Bennet seemed strangely shrunken, and he looked shocked.
“Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley. I am sorry you find us unable to invite you in as we would wish to.” He glanced nervously at Mr. Collins beside him.
“Forgive me, but it seems there might be some trouble.” Mr. Darcy was keeping a tight rein on his temper. “I wonder if we might be of assistance?”
“No, no. I thank you, but it will be better if we may ask you to come back another day.” Mr. Bennet could not meet his eye.
“And Miss Elizabeth Bennet is betrothed to me!” Mr. Collins seemed to be gaining in confidence. “It would not be seemly for you to call upon her.”
Mr. Darcy bowed. He would not get anywhere with this gentleman, he knew that.
“Then perhaps we might see Miss Jane Bennet, with one of her sisters as a chaperone? Mr. Bingley is desirous of seeing her as we have driven from London this morning.” He addressed his request to Mr. Bennet, it was nothing to do with Mr. Collins.
If that odious little man tried to interrupt him, he would remind him that his patroness was Darcy’s own aunt. He knew that would silence him.
Mr. Bennet coughed. “I will ask her. But she is quite upset with — certain developments. She may not wish to entertain you.”
Mr. Bingley stepped forward, his face anxious. “Please tell her that I wish to assure myself of her well-being. I will not trouble her by staying long.”
Mr. Darcy stood there. If Jane Bennet was not willing to speak to them, then he would insist on speaking to Mr. Bennet alone. Something was obviously wrong. He needed to find out and to find Elizabeth. He knew as he stood there, that he would never, never, allow her to marry Collins.
Mr. Bennet turned to the housekeeper who was waiting quietly. “Please ask Jane and Mary if they will be willing to speak to the gentlemen — in the garden would seem to be the best solution.”
“Yes, sir.” The woman bobbed and hurried away.
Chapter 12
It seemed hours before they were finally speaking to Jane in the gardens. Her face was tear-stained and she kept it lowered so they wouldn’t see.
The other sister sat a few feet away, reading, her face severe and disapproving.
Mr. Bingley
sat beside Miss Bennet. “I am so sorry to have disturbed you when you are distressed. But we were concerned that something was wrong and we have driven from London this morning. I wanted to assure myself of your safety.”
“Thank you, sir,” she whispered.
Bingley glanced up at him. Mr. Darcy stepped forward slightly.
“Miss Bennet, when we arrived we heard your mother’s voice. It seemed to imply that your sister, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, may be in some difficulty.”
Jane’s head was still bent, but he saw her nod. There was a long silence. Then she lifted her head and glanced at her sister.
She looked at Mr. Bingley. “I have been instructed to tell you that all is well and ask you to leave.” Her voice was quiet and she spoke quite quickly. “But I need to help Lizzy. My parents forced her in some way yesterday to accept an offer by Mr. Collins.” She shivered. “I never thought she would. But this morning, she was gone. She left a note under my door, where she said she had left a note for Mr. Collins, saying she would not marry him. But he is denying she left him a note, and that she is still engaged to him.” Her eyes filled with tears again.
“Oh, sir, she must be in such danger, travelling alone.”
Mr. Darcy’s heart froze. He had to get as much information as he could. “Do you have the note? Did she say where she would go?”
She glanced at him. “Here it is, sir. Please take care of it, it might be the only evidence we have that she will not have him.” She drew breath. “I have not told anyone she left it for me.” She gave it to Bingley, who slipped it into his pocket.
Darcy thought he looked devastated.
“Miss Bennet, are you safe? Do you feel you would be better staying with other relatives?” Bingley was not thinking clearly, Darcy thought.
He interrupted his questions. “I think you will be safe if Mr. Collins is still saying he is obliged to your sister. He cannot then make you an offer.”
She looked up at him, startled. “I had not thought of that, sir. Thank you. It eases my mind somewhat.”
He looked over. Mr. Bennet was hurrying towards him. He bent towards her. “We only have a moment left. Where might she have gone?”
She glanced over at her father. “I know she said in the note that she would not go to London, but she has no money, and our aunt and uncle live in Cheapside — Gracechurch Street.”
Then Mr. Bennet was there, out of breath. “I apologise for disturbing you.” He didn’t look that sorry, and turned to his daughter.
“Jane, your mother needs you. Please go indoors with Mary.” He watched as she rose to her feet, her head still bowed. She curtsied as the two men bowed, and they watched her hurry indoors. Bingley’s face was anguished.
Darcy knew he was expressionless. That was an advantage, and he turned to Mr. Bennet. “I am sorry we have disturbed you at a difficult time, sir. But as we arrived, we could hear you wife calling out that she would be found. It seems to me that Miss Elizabeth Bennet is the only one of your daughters we have not seen today. Is she well?”
Mr. Bennet turned to him. “This is a matter we must sort out ourselves, sir. I thank you for your concern, but there is nothing to trouble yourself with. I am her father, and she is engaged to Mr. Collins. It is for us to sort out.”
He turned towards the driveway, where their coach was waiting. The visit was at an end, it seemed.
Mr. Darcy glanced at Bingley, and the two men bowed. “Thank you for allowing us to see Miss Bennet.” Mr. Darcy forced the politeness out.
How had the man forced Elizabeth to accept Mr. Collins, put her under such pressure as she had felt obliged to accept, and then run away, rather than just refuse?
In the coach, he looked at his friend, who seemed dejected at having to leave Miss Bennet so distressed.
“We could perhaps call at Netherfield and ask the staff to find us something to eat?” Mr. Darcy needed to think. “Then we could study the note and decide what is to be done.”
Bingley straightened. “That is a good idea, Darcy. But I find myself dismayed at the distress of Miss Bennet.”
Mr. Darcy nodded. He leaned out of the window to the coachman, who was awaiting instructions. “Netherfield Park, please.”
“Very good, sir.”
Soon they were on the way. He wanted to ask for the note, immediately begin to read it. But he must wait, wait until they were at Netherfield. His mind flew unbidden to where she might be, what might be happening to her.
She had no money, her sister had said. And she would be walking. He knew she must not like riding, for she had walked to Netherfield to visit her sister.
They hurried up the steps of Netherfield, the housekeeper greeting them in surprise.
In the drawing room, while they were waiting for a hasty lunch to be prepared, he asked Bingley for the note.
They leaned over it together.
My dearest sister,
I am so deeply sorry to have not had the chance to say a proper goodbye to you. But I know that you will find it very difficult not to say that you knew I was leaving, so it must be a surprise to you too, in the morning.
I cannot marry Mr. Collins, I cannot. But Papa —
It does not matter. I know he felt that he had to do what he did, in order to secure Longbourn for the whole family. But he could not know what he was asking.
I am leaving Mr. Collins a note, saying that I will not marry him and releasing him from the obligation of betrothal. But I suspect he might destroy the note, because he will not believe that I would refuse the great good fortune of marrying him.
But I will not. So I must leave the house and seek employment in the outside world. But if I had stayed and married him, I would have had to go to Hunsford. So I would still have lost your company, dear Jane, which is the only thing I will miss. I am most dreadfully sorry about it all.
I have decided to try and reach Cornwall in the West Country. I have heard it is very beautiful and that there are many wealthy families. One of them, at least, must be seeking a governess or companion.
It will be a very different life to the one I had expected, but I hope it will be interesting.
Please keep me in your thoughts, dear Jane. It will help me to reach my destination safely.
Your most affectionate sister,
Elizabeth
Mr. Darcy clenched his fists. That last sentence showed that she understood the dangers of travelling alone and unchaperoned.
He read it again. And again.
Mr. Bingley stood up and moved away. “She is in very great trouble, Darcy. You were right to be concerned.”
He didn’t object when Mr. Darcy folded up the letter and tucked it securely into his own pocket. It was important. It might be the only evidence they had that Elizabeth had withdrawn from the engagement.
“It is, I think, fortunate that Mr. Collins is denying the existence of a note, or he might immediately cast his intentions onto Miss Jane Bennet.” Mr. Darcy spoke in a measured tone. “I think she is now safe from his intentions for some little time.” He glanced at him.
“But I feel that you need to make her an offer and get her out of that house as soon as you feel it wise — if you care about her that much. It has the air of being about to descend into chaos. I cannot think it will remain the family home much longer.”
“I think I agree with you. Of course I care about her that much.” Mr. Bingley seized the poker and stirred the logs, the flames leaping up afresh. “But afterwards I might let Netherfield go. We could move to the north so that we are far from Longbourn.”
Mr. Darcy laughed. “I can tell that you would not relish supporting Mrs. Bennet in your home.”
Bingley laughed as well, and they went through to the dining room for a quick meal.
Mr. Darcy was anxious to begin the search. He began eating fast. “What is your opinion of the way she would go? I cannot believe that she would think she would be able to reach Cornwall alone.”
“You are correct. I think we sh
ould find the aunt and uncle and ask them to inform us when she reaches there.”
“There are dangers enough to prevent her even reaching there.” He considered the matter. “I believe she will hide in the daylight hours, for she will not wish to be seen travelling alone.”
His spirits fell. Travelling at night was even more dangerous. “Do you think she will avoid the open roads?”
“I do not know her as well as you do, Darcy.” Mr. Bingley pondered. “But I think she might avoid them. Or at least, if she sees a coach approaching, she would hide. She would not wish to importune help from anyone.”
“But she has no money, her sister said. She has nothing to buy food with, no way of walking for long without some sustenance.” He was becoming more anxious about her by the moment.
“Have you eaten enough, Bingley? We must begin the search.”
Chapter 13
She woke suddenly, wondering where she was, her body cramping with hunger. She was lying on a bed of hay, in the attic of the stables.
Daylight lanced in through the cracks in the side of the building, and she could hear the shouts of men and the jingling of harnesses. It must be what had woken her, her body still ached with tiredness.
She lay very still, breathing lightly. This inn had been the first she had come to where the stables seemed not to have a dog on guard.
She should have walked on a few more miles — she was nowhere near Hastingwood, where she had hoped to be for the first day. But this inn had loomed in front of her, and she wasn’t sure of where else she might be able to stop.
So she had slipped into the stable and climbed the ladder to the hayloft. She was well hidden at the far side. Even if a groom came up to get more hay, he would only take from the heap near the ladder.
She must stay hidden here for the rest of the day. She looked at the light, thinking it was not long after midday. She was very thirsty. She had drunk deeply from the last stream she had found, but that seemed a long time ago now.
Compromise and Obligation: A Darcy and Elizabeth Pride and Prejudice Regency Variation Page 5