‘Oh, Papa!’ Jane looked aghast.
‘Forgive me. I am not proud of my actions. I only did what seemed best at the time to protect you.’ He leaned forward to place his now empty cup on the table. ‘The notion of moving away, a fresh start elsewhere, had already occurred to me prior to your mother’s passing. Indolent as my inclination had been, would I ever have exerted myself to do so?’ He shrugged. ‘The Philipses did me a favour, bringing in the Magistrate, for they placed the final seal upon our family’s fate. There no longer was a future for any of us in Hertfordshire.’
‘And so we moved here, to Derbyshire.’
He nodded. ‘As you may recall, your Aunt Gardiner effected an introduction to Squire Sellwood, a former acquaintance from her family’s time in Derbyshire. The residency of The Grange was put forward and... here we are.’
‘Yet now the past is here too.’
‘Indeed.’
Jane frowned. ‘How did you find out, Papa, that Lydia was no longer safely where you had placed her?’
‘It was the Express sent up from The Grange on the day of the picnic. Lydia, it seemed, had run off, Mrs Wood knew not why or where. It had not been unknown amongst the fallen ladies she looked after, so at first she let it go, assuming Lydia would reappear when she felt so inclined. When she did not, and after discreet local searches had drawn a blank, she realised she had no choice but to inform me; it took two more days for the letter to arrive, even in the form of an Express. Mr Darcy offered to take you both under his protection, and I set off directly.’
Elizabeth's gaze dropped to her hands in her lap. How could so much unhappiness and distress surround what had brought some special moments for her since coming to stay at Pemberley?
'Making Lydia my first priority was long overdue, and I felt it for every mile of that journey. When I arrived, it was confirmed continued searches had led to nothing, but there was a report of her having been seen boarding a coach some several days earlier. No one knew which precise day, or where it had been bound, other than southwards. She could be anywhere. I was...’ He paused, and Elizabeth looked up. ‘There is another matter on my mind, something I must resolve here in Derbyshire, and with the trail in Northumbria cold, I had no option but to hasten my return. For many long days and nights on the road I have been haunted by what may have befallen her.’ His voice faltered; then, he whispered, ‘To know she is found... the relief...’
Mr Bennet slumped back in his seat as his lids fell, and Jane and Elizabeth exchanged concerned glances.
‘Papa? Shall we seek out Mr Darcy? It is time we went home.’ Much as Elizabeth did not wish to do so, it was evident her father needed to rest.
There was no response, and Elizabeth looked to Jane who got to her feet.
‘Stay with Papa, Lizzy. I will fetch Mr Darcy.’
Elizabeth leaned forward and took her father’s hand and began to rub it, and barely two minutes later, Mr Darcy entered the room, Jane following in his wake.
‘Is he unwell?’ He spoke quietly as he came to stand beside Elizabeth.
‘I do not know. I think he is quite spent; I am hoping all he needs is rest, but we must get him home, sir.’
‘Yes—yes, of course.’ Mr Darcy moved round to the other side of his desk and unlocked a drawer as Elizabeth peered down at her father.
‘Papa? Can you hear me?’
There was no response.
‘Papa?’
Chapter Seventy-One
Mr Bennet raised a brow, though his eyes remained closed. ‘I am not deaf, child; it is merely my lids which are tired.’
Releasing a relieved breath, Elizabeth straightened and turned to Jane, who came to take their father’s hand from her. She was aware of her sister speaking quietly to him as she walked over to stand before Mr Darcy.
He met her gaze solemnly, then held something out to her. It was Wickham’s letter to Mr Bennet.
‘If you have not already spoken of the situation, it will need to be addressed.’ He glanced over to where Mr Bennet sat. His eyes were open again and Jane was encouraging him to his feet. ‘Though I would suggest, not just yet.’
Elizabeth stared at the crumpled paper in distaste as she took it from him, then folded it as small as she could to conceal it within her palm until she had her reticule at hand. She glanced at the clock on the mantel, her eyes flying back to meet Mr Darcy’s.
‘Oh no! Lydia—I mean, Sarah, will be wondering why we have not called. I did not realise how the time had passed.’
‘If you will leave it with me?’ Mr Darcy turned to Mr Bennet, who had now come to stand beside Elizabeth. ‘Do I have your permission, sir, if I call on Miss- Mrs Hawes, to bring her to The Grange directly?’
‘Without question, sir.’ Mr Bennet’s voice was hoarse now. ‘We are in your debt, Mr Darcy. Heaven knows what you must think of us.’
‘All families have their secrets, sir. Did you not say so? Some remain concealed forever; others are not so fortunate. It behoves us all to treat those around us as we would wish to be treated should we find ourselves in similar circumstances.’
Mr Bennet eyed the gentleman solemnly for a moment. ‘Not only are you a wiser man than I gave you credit for in the past, sir; you are also more compassionate. I hope you will not object to my calling you our friend.’ He held out his hand, and Elizabeth was conscious of Mr Darcy’s fleeting glance in her direction before he shook it firmly.
There was a flurry of activity once they reached the entrance hall as Mr Bennet was reunited with his cloak and hat and Elizabeth fled up the stairs, anxious not to be seen, to collect a coat for herself and Jane along with her reticule, into which she stuffed Wickham's letter without ceremony.
This was not a time for formal farewells to the party at Pemberley and, not wishing to draw attention to their departure, Darcy quickly led them down the steps to the waiting carriage.
‘Georgiana is overseeing the packing of your belongings; I will bring them with me when I call with your sister.’
‘You are confident she will come?’
Darcy held Elizabeth’s gaze for a moment. ‘Yes—yes, I am.’
Mr Bennet turned to help Jane into the carriage, and Darcy took the chance to speak quietly to Elizabeth.
‘I am here if you need me, Miss Elizabeth—for any reason, at any time of day or night. Though I hope to see you later when I bring your sister home, I trust you will also not object to my calling again as soon as the hour is respectable on the morrow?’
For the first time since her father’s return, Elizabeth smiled. ‘Object, Mr Darcy? You may call even when the hour is not respectable. After all, it would not be the first time.’
He smiled in return, then stood aside as her father claimed Elizabeth's hand and helped her into the carriage before joining both his daughters inside.
Elizabeth kept her gaze fixed upon Mr Darcy’s tall figure as the conveyance set off along the drive, her heart wrenching over leaving him but knowing she had no choice. Once he had disappeared from view, she leaned back against the cushions with a sigh. Was it wrong that, despite any concern for her father's health and her sister's circumstances, all she could think of was how soon Mr Darcy might call?
~o0o~
It was late afternoon before Darcy rode Bedivere through the open gates of The Grange, and as the carriage followed him into the driveway and slowed to a halt before the door, he urged his mount over to drink noisily from the water trough.
By the time Darcy had dismounted and secured the reins, the carriage steps had been lowered and one of his footmen had aided Lydia Bennet from the conveyance. She was running an assessing gaze over the house, but as he reached her side she turned to look at him.
‘I had not known what to expect before I came to Derbyshire.'
Darcy studied the imposing frontage of the property. 'I hope you will find the interior compares well to Longbourn, Mrs Hawes, though the grounds are less—but half an acre—and of course it has none of the farmland.'
Lydia blew out a huff of breath. ‘I am more concerned with my meeting with... with him.’
Darcy sighed. It had taken nigh on an hour to persuade the girl to come to The Grange. With the resilience typical of youth, a good night’s sleep and a couple of nourishing meals had gone a long way to improving Lydia’s strength. Emotionally, there was still much to be overcome; though she still showed moments of vulnerability, it was evident from her changeable demeanour her resentment was at the forefront of her mind. Before he could say anything, however, the door swung open, and Jane came hurrying out to hug her sister, Alice following in her wake.
'Alice,' Jane turned to her. 'This is our cousin, Mrs Hawes, about whom I have spoken.'
Nodding curtly, the housekeeper's keen eyes raked the young girl before her. 'Aye, that you did, Miss Jane.’ She inclined her head, which Darcy suspected was as close as she ever came to a formal greeting. ‘Welcome, ma’am.' She turned to the two footmen who had accompanied the carriage, now bearing the travelling cases of Jane and Elizabeth. 'Follow me; I will show you where to put them.'
They watched as she led the men into the house in an awkward sort of procession, and then Lydia turned to Jane. 'Where is Lizzy?'
'With Papa.'
Lydia pulled a face, but Jane shook her head. 'He has been resting; she went to wake him and to let him know of your arrival.'
Darcy knew he ought to allow the family privacy in which to settle, but the afternoon was now well progressed. It would be too late to call again later in the hope of seeing Elizabeth. Disappointment swept through him, but before he summoned the resolve to excuse himself and leave the Bennets to their business, Jane turned to him.
'You will come in, Mr Darcy, and take some tea?'
He needed little encouragement, accepting with alacrity and, at Jane’s bidding, walked ahead of them both into the house to find Mr Bennet standing in the entrance hall.
‘Good day, sir. I trust you have had an opportunity to rest?’
‘Good afternoon, Mr Darcy. Rest? A little, perhaps; though I cannot say I am refreshed.’
Elizabeth emerged from the room behind her father. ‘It is good of you to bring our... cousin, sir.’
Mr Bennet nodded. 'Indeed; and it is a great deal of ceremony with which you do so, Mr Darcy.'
Darcy nodded. 'I considered it important to afford your niece the necessary attention upon her arrival in the district, sir.’ He lowered his voice. ‘In case of any curious eyes.’
An impish smile touched Elizabeth’s lips. 'Mr Darcy could hardly have brought her here in Mr Wentworth's donkey cart, Papa.'
'It is what he thinks I deserve, no doubt.'
They all turned as one at the bitter voice behind Darcy as Lydia walked into the centre of the hall and glared at her father.
Whatever Mr Bennet thought, he chose to ignore his daughter’s comment and stepped forward swiftly to embrace her. ‘Thank heavens you are safe, child!’ His voice was raw with emotion, and he closed his eyes as he held her close and swallowed visibly. ‘Please, Lydia, do not run away again. This is twice now, and the pain of not knowing what has become of you grows no easier to bear with repetition.’
Darcy diverted his gaze, not wishing to make the gentleman embarrassed as a solitary tear escaped his closed lids. Lydia stood passive in his embrace and did not return it.
‘I no longer answer to that name, as well you know.’
Mr Bennet released her, and Lydia stood before him, a mulish expression crossing her features.
‘Yes; forgive me. I—er—I trust you will be comfortable here during your stay, Sarah. Your... cousins will show you to your room.'
Jane hurried forward and took her sister's arm but as they reached the foot of the stairs, Lydia swung back around.
‘How could you do it? How could cast me off so easily? Do I not have an equal claim upon you?’
‘I did not cast you off, Ly-Sarah!’ Mr Bennet spoke quietly but firmly. ‘I did my best to ensure you were cared for. You were safe, with a roof over your head, clothes on your back and meals on the table. Mrs Wood kept me informed of your well-being, and had any other form of assistance been required that I could provide, it would have been offered. It is more than many a man has done for his child in similar circumstances.’
Lydia glared at him again. 'There is more to being cared for than giving someone a bed to sleep in and food to eat!'
‘Hush, Sarah.’ Elizabeth pressed a finger to her lips. ‘You will attract the attention of the servants.’
‘Come,’ Jane tried to take Lydia’s arm again. ‘You need to continue to rest to regain your strength.’
Mr Bennet, however, walked over to where Lydia stood, and Darcy eyed them warily. Had they forgotten he was there, perchance?
‘For all it may seem, knowing you were safe from harm and placed in relative comfort made my decision a little more bearable.’
‘But not for me!’ Lydia drew in a sharp breath, and Darcy held his, waiting for her next words, but instead, she released a loud sob, turned on her heel and flew up the stairs. A few seconds later, there was the sound of a door being slammed.
‘Oh dear! I wonder which room she has gone into?’ Jane looked anxious, but when Darcy glanced over at Elizabeth, she shrugged.
‘I have no idea; and neither has she.’
Mr Bennet turned back towards his library. ‘See what you can do for her, Jane. Try to make her comfortable, but remind her of the need for curbing her words where anyone might hear them.’
Darcy did not envy Jane Bennet the role her father had given her, but she did as she was bid and hurried up the stairs.
‘On second thoughts, Lizzy, you had best go too. Jane is unlikely to make herself heard.’
Darcy watched as Elizabeth headed for the stairs, but even as he hoped for her to turn and look back at him, the gentleman spoke.
'Ah, Mr Darcy. You will join me for a moment, I trust?' Mr Bennet indicated the open door behind him, and Darcy followed him inside. It was a fair-sized room, its purpose lending itself to a library, and Mr Bennet had clearly used it to its full potential. A large desk commanded the centre of the space, but his host led him over to two armchairs on opposite sides of the fireplace. Barely had they each taken a seat when Alice came bustling in with a tray of tea things, which she placed on the desk before leaving them alone once more.
‘After witnessing such a joyful reunion, you may suspect the sincerity of my next words, sir, but it goes without saying that you have my—our—gratitude. We are in your debt.’
‘Not at all, Mr Bennet.’
The gentleman grunted. ‘Lizzy had forewarned me of Lydia’s antagonism towards me—understandable in the circumstances. I hope given time we will be properly reconciled; if she is to make regular visits, or even claim The Grange as her home, it will be a necessity.’ He eyed Darcy curiously. ‘I trust your absence will not cause any undue attention from your guests up at Pemberley, sir.’
‘Mr Latimer has taken his wife to call upon a new acquaintance he made on a recent shoot, and Georgiana, along with the twins and her companion, are gone to make a call upon our aunt in Matlock. The twins are to leave us shortly, and my sister wished to offer some distraction to counter their low spirits.’
There was a light tap on the door, and Darcy got to his feet as Elizabeth entered the room.
‘Jane is tending to Sarah.’ She walked to her father’s side and took the hand he held out to her. ‘She will come round, Papa. I believe the situation in which she has been living has left her overwrought; she can see nothing but her own suffering in all this.’
‘As was ever the way with the girl.’ Mr Bennet sighed, then released her hand. ‘I would welcome a cup of tea, Lizzy.’
Smiling faintly at Darcy as she passed him, Elizabeth walked to the desk to attend to the preparation of the tea, and he glanced over at Mr Bennet who was staring into space before joining her, saying quietly, ‘Have you spoken yet to your father about Wickham?’
/> She shook her head, passing him a cup and turning around with another in her hand. ‘I know not how to begin.’ Elizabeth summoned a smile. ‘Here, Papa; take some refreshment.’
Walking over, she gave him the cup before returning to the desk.
‘I will leave you once I have taken tea with your father; the matter can be delayed no longer.’
Darcy made as though to turn away, but Elizabeth touched his sleeve lightly, then said softly, ‘Please do not go; stay whilst I speak to him?’
How could he resist such a plea? He held her gaze for a moment, then nodded, relieved at not having to leave so soon.
‘Do you have the letter at hand?’
Elizabeth shook her head. ‘I will fetch it now.’
Chapter Seventy-Two
Darcy watched Elizabeth leave the room, then returned to his seat, and Mr Bennet, who had been indulging in his cup, looked up and frowned. ‘Where did Lizzy go?’
‘She had to fetch something, sir. I am sure she will return directly.’
Before Mr Bennet could comment further, there was a small commotion outside the door; then a sharp knock came, followed by Alice’s head.
‘A Colonel Fitzwilliam has called, sir. He wishes to speak to Mr Darcy?’
Darcy rose from his chair. ‘Excuse me, Mr Bennet.’
His cousin was studying the array of miniatures on the console table in the hall, and Darcy walked over to join him.
‘Is anything wrong?’
A Quest for Mr Darcy Page 47