“Miss Bennet? Hmm... I do not recognize the name. Do you know where she is now?” he asked.
“She was staying with her aunt and uncle. I do not recall their name, but I do remember her saying something about Addington Street.”
“Is that not but a few streets away?”
“Yes sir, very close indeed.”
“Are there any footmen still employed, or have they all been let go?”
“All but one have gone, and he is on an errand at present. If it would be any help to you, my son worked in the stables but has stayed on until I could close up the house,” the housekeeper offered.
He pulled out a coin and handed it to her, “Send him to find out everything he can about Miss Bennet and her relations. Tell him I will pay double if he comes back before nightfall.”
“Yes sir,” she replied. The housekeeper started to leave the room, and then turned back. “Sir, we did find two letters in Mrs Younge’s room after they left. They were under her mattress. Would you like to see them?”
“Yes, please,” he answered wearily.
She searched through the crate once more, unearthing the two missives. Handing them to the master, she quietly replied, “I will be back directly, sir.” She left to find her son.
He opened the first letter, reading it quickly. It did not contain any useful information, so he folded it and went on to the second. He recognized the handwriting immediately and scanned to the bottom. When he saw the name ‘George Wickham’ scrawled across the paper he knew he was going to be sick. He barely reached the chamber pot before his stomach lurched, expelling everything he had eaten last, and then some. After a few minutes he heard the housekeeper’s calming voice again, her motherly hands smoothing back his hair and mopping his face with a cool cloth as he sat against the wall.
“Sir, you are as white as a sheet! Are you well? Would you like some tea?”
“Yes, thank you, Mrs Lewis.”
“You just sit here and I will get Mr Porter to help you to a chamber where you can rest.”
“No, no, I must find my sister,” he started to stand but realized he did not have much strength.
“Sir, I do not know what has happened, but if it is as I fear, you will have a long journey ahead of you tomorrow. When my son returns with the information about Miss Bennet I will let you know, but until then, it would be best if you rest.”
Darcy looked at the familiar face looking down at him; the stance she took with her hands on her hips made him smile a little. “You are as obstinate as your sister Mrs Reynolds.”
She put the cloth into the cool water, wringing it and replacing it on his forehead. “I will take that as a compliment, sir. Now sit here and I will return in just a few minutes.” At his nod of acceptance, she left the room, quickly finding the maid to have a room prepared and then on to have Mr Porter help their master upstairs. She felt as if she, too, would be sick. Mrs Lewis dearly hoped what she feared for Miss Darcy was not true.
Two hours passed slowly and he was just descending the stairs when the housekeeper stepped into the hallway, walking in his direction.
“Oh, Mr Darcy, I was just coming to tell you what James learned.”
He quickly ushered her into an empty room, closing the door for privacy as she lit a candle on the mantle. “What did he say, Mrs Lewis?”
“The house is indeed located on Addington Street, and the relations’ name is Gardiner. He spoke to their stable boy and the couple is at the theater this evening, but Miss Bennet stayed home.”
He quickly reached for the door handle. “Have my horse readied immediately, and tell your son I will pay him extra if he will guide me to the house. I wish to be on the road as soon as I speak with her.”
“Sir! You mean to speak with Miss Bennet even though her relations are away for the evening?”
“I have no choice, Mrs Lewis. My sister must be found. I will return soon. See to it the carriage is ready when I return.”
“It is a very dark night. Would it not be better to wait until first light to travel?”
“No... I cannot leave my sister in the clutches of... that is... no—I must leave as soon as I speak with Miss Bennet.”
Within minutes he was following James, his horse’s reins held tight in his grip as they walked rapidly down the streets. The boy indicated a certain house and Darcy paid him the promised fee and tied his horse to the post before knocking on the door and presenting his card to the butler.
“I am sorry Mr Darcy, but the Gardiners are not at home.”
“I am here to see Miss Bennet.”
“Sir, as I have already said, the Gardiners are not home. You will have to come back tomorrow,” the servant stated as he tried to close the door to the unexpected visitor.
Darcy pushed it open and entered the hall, a fiery look in his eye. He discerned which door must lead to the sitting room. His hand was poised on the handle to enter when the old butler caught him. “Sir, I insist you leave... immediately!”
“Do you know who I am?” he turned around to face him. “I can have you thrown into the street never to be gainfully employed again if I so choose. Now, as I said, I am here to see...”
“Thank you Henderson, I will speak with our visitor.”
Darcy spun around to see a young lady a few years older than his sister, though not quite as tall. “Are you Miss Bennet?”
The butler addressed her. “This is highly irregular and your uncle would not like it, Miss Bennet.”
“I understand, and thank you for your concern, but all will be well,” she said to the alarmed butler. She addressed Darcy, indicating with a gesture of her hand the sitting room from which she had just come. “Please step this way, sir.”
As soon as the door closed he faced her, nearly growling in his question, “Where is my sister?”
“Sir, if you will sit, we can discuss this in a reasonable manner.”
“WHERE is she?”
The frantic look in his eye would have frightened anyone else, but Elizabeth’s courage rose as she lifted her chin higher and squared her shoulders, answering firmly, “Unlike my uncle’s servants, I cannot be intimidated by your threats. Now, if you will sit down we might discuss this calmly.”
“You must tell me where she is! It is of the utmost importance.”
In a flourish of impertinence, she replied hotly, “As we have yet to be introduced, I do not know who you are, much less who your sister is, so I cannot very well answer you, sir.”
“I am Fitzwilliam Darcy, and my sister is Georgiana Darcy,” he answered harshly. “Now where is she?”
Elizabeth took a deep breath, “Sir, we need to sit.”
He was about to object yet again when he noticed something odd about the way the young lady was walking. She tried to hide a wince of pain, but he could tell it was taking all her effort to stay composed. He was just about to apologize and offer his help when she accidentally kicked the leg of a chair. Her face went pale and he caught her as she started to fall. Realizing she had fainted, he lifted her in his arms and carried her to the sofa, placing her there before stepping into the hallway to call for help. By the time he returned with the housekeeper, she was awakening.
“Oh, Miss Bennet, are you ill?” The housekeeper nearly pushed him out of the way in her haste. “What has happened?” She turned her menacing looks on the unexpected visitor. “What did you do?”
“No, no... he did nothing,” the young lady assured the housekeeper between heavy gasps due to the tremendous pain. “Please help me sit upright.”
The housekeeper assisted her to a more comfortable situation and propped an obviously swollen ankle on some cushions. When the young lady dismissed her, the housekeeper looked at Darcy. “It might be best if I sit in the corner, Miss Bennet.”
“Thank you for the offer, but I assure you, your presence will not be required,” she said in dismissal.
“Very well.” The housekeeper eyed Darcy warily. “I will be right outside if you need me.�
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As soon as the door closed Darcy turned to the young lady. “I am very sorry... I did not know of your injury.”
“No offence is taken, Mr Darcy. Please have a seat and we can discuss your sister.”
Darcy sat on the edge of the chair, looking as if he was ready to bolt from the room at any minute. “I am listening.”
“She is no longer in Ramsgate.”
His looks became darker. “Yes, I gathered as much from my servants, but where is she?”
“I would guess she is a fair distance to Gretna Green as we speak,” Elizabeth looked at the man across from her.
“Where would she get such a notion, and how do you know about such plans?”
“Before you start issuing accusations of which you know naught, I must advise you of my ignorance of the scheme.”
“Am I supposed to believe you? If you knew, why did you not try to stop her?”
Elizabeth sat with shoulders straighter in defense, the movement making her hiss in pain. “I did try to stop her, but her companion, whom I assume your family hired after much careful consideration,” she said as she rolled her eyes sarcastically, “convinced her otherwise, sir.”
The battle of wills between Miss Bennet and her inquisitor was interrupted when a couple, a little older than Darcy, entered the room. The lady went to Miss Bennet’s side and the gentleman immediately focusing on Darcy. “Sir, I must ask you to leave my house at once.”
“I will not go until I obtain the information for which I came!”
“NOT from my niece, you will not!” The master of the house pointed to the doorway where two burly footmen stood.
Darcy knew he needed to ascertain what Miss Bennet knew, but he doubted her uncle would be inclined to let her speak with him further. When they were in the hallway, he again tried to have his say. “It is imperative that I speak with Miss Bennet.”
Edward Gardiner looked at the tall man standing before him, assessing his demeanor carefully before he replied, “She and I will be at our leisure tomorrow morning at ten o’clock to speak with you.”
“I must leave town tonight, sir.” Darcy was insistent.
“I will not put the health of my niece at risk. If what you must discuss with her is of such dire importance, then you will stay in Ramsgate tonight. I will not be gainsaid or intimidated, sir.”
Knowing he would only make things worse if he tried to force the issue, Darcy bowed curtly. “You may expect me at ten, sir.”
Edward watched as the man walked out the door, untied his horse, mounted and rode away. Returning to the sitting room, he saw his wife trying to arrange the cushions for Elizabeth’s comfort. “Perhaps she could use some tea, my dear?”
Madeline Gardiner looked to her husband and nodded, “I will speak with Mrs Walters.”
When they were alone and the door was closed, Edward drew a chair close to his niece. “Now tell me, what is happening Lizzy?” Elizabeth tried to look away, but he placed his finger under her chin, drawing her eyes to his. “I have allowed you to be vague until now about the events which have transpired, but after your persistent visitor tonight, I feel I must insist upon knowing all.”
Elizabeth knew it was time to tell him everything. Taking a deep breath, she tried to keep the tears from her eyes as she explained.
Edward listened intently, asking a few questions where they were warranted. When she finished, he reached for her hand in his fatherly fashion. “You must tell him.”
“Yes, I know. I was trying to get him to calm himself so I could.”
“Well, let us hope tomorrow morning when Mr Darcy returns, he will be more apt to listen. I assured him of our being available to see him at ten o’clock.”
“You will be with me when I tell him?”
“Yes; you will not have to do this alone.” He saw a look of relief come over her features, “For now, I think it best you retire. I will fetch John and we will help you upstairs.”
“Thank you, Uncle.” Elizabeth squeezed his hand, smiling when he lovingly squeezed hers in return.
When she was finally settled in her room, her swollen ankle propped upon several pillows, she began to review the events of the evening. She knew the terror she saw in Mr Darcy’s eyes had driven him to be brash, and she was grateful for Uncle Edward’s assurances he would stay with her tomorrow when the man returned. She could not help but smile at the protective manners of her uncle. He was more a father to her and her sister than their own father had been. She was grateful to have such a loving family.
Darcy went back to the house, surprising the housekeeper with his sudden arrival.
Worried, she followed after him as he slowly climbed the stairs. “I thought you were leaving town immediately, sir? Was your carriage not ready when you arrived?”
He looked sheepishly back at her, feeling every bit the boy who needed to be scolded for how he had treated Miss Bennet this evening. “I cannot speak with Miss Bennet until tomorrow morning. Please have my horse ready by half past nine.”
“Would you like something to eat or drink, sir?”
She had served his family at various Darcy homes since he was very young, and she was happy to come here to Ramsgate when he mentioned sending his sister. He knew she meant well, even if her tone was that of a mother. “No, I require nothing else. Thank you, Mrs Lewis.”
He continued to his chamber, feeling the great weight on his shoulders of everything he had learned today compounded with the events of the last few months. He sat on the bed to remove his boots, catching sight of his disheveled appearance in the nearby mirror. I cannot believe I arrived to speak with her looking like this, he thought. I would not be shocked to find she takes me for a lunatic. He ran his hand through his grimy hair. The dirt on his hand displayed how long and hard he had ridden. Removing his jacket, cravat, and waistcoat, he washed the dust from his face and neck before sitting before the fire. He was tired, but he doubted sleep would come easily tonight.
Pinching the bridge of his nose and hoping to ward off the coming headache, he leaned back, stretching his toes to the heat emanating from the coals, and sighed. She is right, he told himself. This is entirely my fault. I was the one who failed to check Mrs Younge’s references and insisted we hire her immediately. I was the one who did not warn Georgiana of that scoundrel’s threats against our family. I very well could have spared the time to come here with her, and yet I did not. Her downfall is entirely my fault.
For the first time since his mother’s death, Darcy felt tears he could not control well up in his eyes. Before he knew it they were spilling down his cheeks, soaking his shirt. He sat before the fire all night, the uncomfortable chair not giving his tall frame much respite as sleep eventually claimed him. The dreams plaguing him did not offer much rest for his weary heart.
He awoke early, his swollen eyes from hours of crying obvious in the mirror above the washstand. With a deep sigh he turned away from his visage, hoping he would not look this terrible when he went to speak with Miss Bennet in a few hours. Miss Bennet. The memory of her standing there, arms folded like armor over her chest, firmly informing him she would not be intimidated, ran through his mind. As he pulled the cord to have the servants heat water for a bath, a small smile formed on the corners of his mouth. I doubt anything could intimidate you, Miss Bennet, he thought to himself.
Fitzwilliam Darcy was not wrong in his assessment of the young lady he hardly knew. Elizabeth Bennet’s life was one of hardship and pain, especially these last four years, but in every circumstance she and her sister seemed to have exactly enough strength to face whatever fate threw at them with a determination many ladies, or even gentlemen for that matter, did not possess.
The Bennet sisters had lived with their uncle and aunt for four years now, and both were of the age to marry. While Elizabeth was excited at the prospect before her, Mary was not certain marriage was ever attainable for her. As their guardians though, it was up the Gardiners to introduce their nieces to the wonders of the
Season. The family would first go on an extended holiday. After much discussion, Ramsgate was their chosen destination. Plans were made, a house let, and both girls looked forward to a month by the sea.
When the departure day finally arrived, Madeline Gardiner peeked her head into Elizabeth’s room. Seeing her sitting in front of the mirror, Aunt Gardiner entered and walked over to stand behind her. “Are you ready to travel?”
Elizabeth smiled. “Yes, I am ready.” She reached up to affectionately grasp the hand resting on her shoulder. Closing her eyes as she said, “Aunt Maddie, I have a feeling our lives are about to change.” She opened her eyes, meeting her aunt’s through the mirror. “How, I cannot tell you, but I know this holiday will be a time to remember for the rest of our lives.”
“I hope so, my dear. I have loved having you both here with us, but you are of an age now to have your own homes. I know you are apprehensive about being out, but I believe you will find someone as special as you are with whom to share your life.”
“I hope so, too. Perhaps I will meet him while we are in Ramsgate?”
“That is a good possibility, but if not, I am certain your uncle will have your calendar full when we return. He has been looking forward to the day he can show off the prettiest girls in Town, and you know how much he loves company,” she teased.
“Oh, Aunt Maddie, I dearly love you both and will miss you when I do finally move away.”
She squeezed her niece’s hand, “Well, you are not leaving yet, so let us not think meanly of the future. Come, we must be on the road. I have a feeling your little cousins will prove to be quite the challenge these next few days.”
Elizabeth stood and reached for her spencer, threading her arms through the sleeves. “It is a good thing the new carriage is large enough—I would not relish a trip of this length in the old one.”
“Your uncle used this as an excuse to find something larger, but truly, it was needed. Our family has grown significantly in the last four years, and with the children growing up—well, it was just time.”
Just to Hear 'I Love You': An Alternate Tale of Jane Austen's 'Pride & Prejudice' Page 2