by Linda Wells
Elizabeth stared at him, trying to understand, and shook her head. “I might have an idea, but …”
Danny noticed another girl coming closer and said in a low whisper. “I’ll just wait while you write your letters.” He looked at her pointedly.
Elizabeth startled. William’s messenger was telling her to write to him. “Oh yes, here, let me take you to the kitchen for something to eat while you wait.” She saw Charlotte approaching. “I have a letter that I must answer right away Charlotte, before the messenger returns to his master. Do you mind?”
She tilted her head and regarded her flushed face with curiosity. “No, I will visit with Jane while you are occupied.”
They entered the house, leaving Danny in the care of Mrs. Hill, and found Jane at work in the parlour. Mrs. Bennet was sitting nearby working on a new screen, and Lydia and Kitty giggling over some ribbons they were using to decorate their bonnets. “Lizzy, did Hill find you?” She saw an envelope in her hand. “Oh I see she did. What does Miss Darcy have to say today?”
Elizabeth grimaced. “I do not know yet, Mama, but the messenger said that he was on his way back to Derbyshire if I wished to send my response with him. I must not delay him long.”
Mrs. Bennet nodded. “Well do not keep him waiting, you must maintain this friendship, soon her brother will be here, and we want her to encourage him towards you.” Elizabeth blushed, wondering if her impetuous gift had hurt any possibilities of that ever happening. Mrs. Bennet finally noticed Charlotte’s presence. “Ah Charlotte, what brings you here? I would think that your mother would need you at home, she invited us all for dinner tonight.”
Elizabeth looked to her suspiciously, but her friend looked away. “Yes, Mrs. Bennet, I will return soon.”
Mrs. Bennet nodded. “You know of course that Netherfield is let at last, and the young man who has taken it is bringing his good friend and his sister along. Elizabeth has already met them both, and is a regular correspondent with the girl, are you not, Lizzy? I have hopes for a match between the two of them.” She smiled widely. “He is quite rich, you know.”
Elizabeth had taken a seat at the writing desk and was about to open Georgiana’s note. “Mama!”
Mrs. Bennet ignored her. “Well he must be if he keeps sending his own servant with letters from his sister!” She turned back to Charlotte. “I have hopes that Mr. Bingley, the man who will lease Netherfield, will like Jane.” She looked at her daughter fondly. Charlotte looked between the women, realizing that this was likely the reason why Elizabeth was so vehemently against her brother. She wondered what the relationship was with this girl, how it had happened, and how well she knew the brother. If nothing else, it was clear that her brother had an uphill battle to fight, and it would take more than wishful thinking to gain her good friend as her sister.
Elizabeth opened the letter, reading it carefully, concern crossing her brow. Georgiana wrote of William’s increasing despondency, and how he insisted that she wait to write back to Elizabeth until Danny could return from a delivery to Scarborough. He seemed to be waiting for the post everyday, as if he expected something important, and every day he would search through the letters, and would always ask if there were any more. He even had a man go to the post stop and enquire there if any lost letters were turned in. He seemed almost desperate for news from someone specific, but would not say who. And then when she mentioned Elizabeth’s name, he would rub inside of his coat, as if his heart hurt. Georgiana was so worried about him, and just knew that she was the cause of it. She begged Elizabeth for advice.
Elizabeth attempted to concentrate on the clues that Georgiana and Danny had given her. She wondered if perhaps her last letter to him had been lost, and that he was desperately awaiting word from her. Her hand flew to her mouth as she stifled a gasp. After opening himself to her and laying out all of his troubles, he had received nothing from her. He was rejected. Tears welled up in her eyes, realizing the pain he was feeling, not just out of sympathy for him, but also realizing what she meant to him to be acting so oddly. She thought of Georgiana saying he rubbed at his heart when Elizabeth’s name was mentioned, and she remembered where he kept her handkerchief. Oh William! Whatever feelings she had for him before grew a hundredfold. She wrote a note to Georgiana, trying to calm the distraught girl. She certainly could not tell her what she thought was distressing William, she had no idea of their correspondence, but Elizabeth tried to tell her she thought all would be well soon. Then taking a second sheet she wrote him, praying that her conclusions were correct, and that her words would assuage his fears.
The letters were sealed and she rose. “Excuse me; I will just give this to the messenger.” She hurried from the room and found Danny finishing a piece of pie. She walked out to his horse with him and gave him the missives. He smiled seeing there were two. “When should you arrive?”
He looked at her, seeing the same pain he noticed in his master’s eyes. “Two days, Miss. I should be there by dinner time.”
She nodded, no longer able to hold back the tears. “Have a safe journey.”
He jumped up on his horse. “I will, Miss.”
Elizabeth stood watching him disappear and prayed that her words would arrive safely, and would relieve him. She knew that she had found in him the love she had always declared she wanted, and realized, it was not a romantic feeling at all, but one of caring so deeply for someone that his pain was hers. The realization surprised her. She managed to wipe her eyes and pull herself together, and then returned to the parlour in time to hear Charlotte asking about Miss Darcy. She turned to Elizabeth. “How did you meet her, Eliza?”
She sent a look to Jane who nodded and smiled. No secrets had been revealed. “I saw her in Meryton in need of a handkerchief, she was distressed over something. I offered her mine, and she insisted on learning my name and address so she could return it. Some weeks later she did, and we have struck up a friendship through letters.” She smiled. “She is but fifteen, and has no sisters. She is very happy to have another lady to talk with. Her mother is passed, and her brother is hardly suitable for discussing the concerns of a young girl.”
“You have met her brother?” Charlotte asked.
“Yes, of course, he was with her when we met, and then I happened upon him with Mr. Bingley and Mr. Morris when they were touring Netherfield.”
“Oh.” It was all very innocent and reasonable, and Charlotte saw her brother’s hopes of winning Elizabeth dwindling. And it was all because of his lax attitude towards the relationship. He thought that she was there for the picking. She knew that she needed to get home and relay this information to the family. “Well, I must be on my way. I will see you all tonight.” Elizabeth walked with her to the door. She turned. “Do you follow your mother’s wishes to become attached to Mr. Darcy?”
She met Charlotte’s eye. “I will only do that which will constitute my own happiness. I have only spoken to Mr. Darcy twice, and I can hardly base my future on such a brief acquaintance.” Charlotte searched her face and nodded. “That is wise.”
THE CARRIAGE BRINGING Lord and Lady Matlock, Richard, and his older brother James arrived exactly on time, which would have pleased everyone immensely if Darcy had opened the letter Lord Matlock sent a week earlier announcing their intention to visit. Darcy had opened nothing since Bingley’s letter. There was only one missive that he had any interest in reading, and that, it seemed, was becoming less and less likely to ever come. Darcy sat alone in his darkened study, contemplating a bottle of brandy, and wondering if sinking into a drunken stupor would help dull the pain of Elizabeth’s rejection. A knock at the door was ignored. The knock came again, louder this time. Again, he ignored it. The knock became a hammering, with what sounded like an army, and Darcy finally jumped up, ran to the door, turned the key in the lock and pulled it open, snarling, “LEAVE ME ALONE!!”
His face, haggard from lack of sleep, and pale from lack of food shocked his family. “My God, Darcy! What has happened to you?”
Richard pushed his way in and grabbed onto his cousin, staring into his bloodshot eyes. James went and pulled open the heavy drapes, flooding the room with light. Darcy squinted and attempted to cover his face, the heavy growth of beard making him appear even wilder. Richard dragged him over to a chair and pushed him down. He sat on a table and leaned in, placing his hand on Darcy’s arm. Lord Matlock pulled another chair over and sat down, while James closed the door and then walked over to join them. Richard’s grip tightened. “We arrived to find that nobody knew of our visit. Georgiana said that you have been locked up in this room for nearly a fortnight. She said the only thing you ask about is the post. What is it Darcy, what has happened?”
Darcy looked up at the concerned eyes of his family and shook his head. “Leave me, please. Nobody who is here can help me.”
“Well then who can help you? Darcy, I have never seen you so, what has put you in such a state? Georgiana said that she does not know what happened. She is beside herself with worry.”
He laughed hollowly. “She will be fine. She has a friend.”
The three men looked at each other in confusion. “What friend does she have?” Lord Matlock asked.
Darcy raised his eyes to his uncle. “Ask Georgiana. I will not speak her name.” Suddenly he broke free of them and strode to the doorway, threw it open and left the house.
“Should we follow?” James looked to his father and brother.
Richard watched as Darcy kept going down the drive. “No, let him burn it off. He will return eventually. In the meantime, we should speak to Georgiana, and perhaps Mrs. Reynolds can shed some light on this.”
Lord Matlock walked around to the desk; it was littered with unopened letters. Amongst the pile he recognized his own, sent over a week earlier, announcing their plans. He scattered the envelopes about, recognizing some as business-related, some seemed to be from friends he knew, and one from a person he definitely recognized, his sister. He picked up that letter and slipped it in his pocket. Whatever it contained, the information was not something that Darcy needed to read just then.
Darcy continued his rapid stride down the drive. He saw the surrounding beauty and all he could think about was how sure he was that Elizabeth would love it. She who confessed to taking long walks as an escape and rejuvenation, who loved to climb trees and think. Darcy stopped his walking, the lack of food and sleep finally sapping his strength. Leaning against a tree, he wished that he had the energy to climb, but instead he stayed where he was, nearly a mile from the house, but still in the middle of the great park that surrounded it. He knew he could not continue this way, but he knew also he could not face Elizabeth. He could not go to Hertfordshire. Georgiana could continue to correspond with her if she wished, but he would ask that her name not be spoken, he could not bear it. He took out the handkerchief he cherished so much and wiped his eyes. This he would keep with him always, as a sign of what his negligence towards his sister had cost him. The sound of a horse coming down the gravelled drive caught his attention and he recognized Danny approaching. The boy spotted Darcy right away, a tall spot of black against the green of the shrubbery.
He reined in his mount and jumped down. “Sir! Are you well?” Darcy’s appearance was shocking, so much worse than it was four days earlier when he left.
Darcy attempted to straighten. “I am perfectly fine. Do you have a letter for Miss Darcy?” His heart ached knowing there would be nothing for himself.
“Yes sir, I have letters for both of you.” Danny watched as comprehension dawned on his master’s face. Darcy’s eyes became sharp for the first time in weeks.
“What was that? You say we both have letters from Elizabeth?” He was standing staring down upon Danny, his hands itching to grab the bag or his lapels.
Danny smiled, realizing that he was right; it was a letter that was needed. “Yes sir, I brought Miss Darcy’s letter and Miss Elizabeth was sorely disappointed that you had not sent one. She looked so worried and she started to cry. She had been waiting for some word from you.” He watched Darcy as he processed this information.
“She was crying? Over me?” He said in disbelief.
Danny reached into the pouch and drew out the letters. “Would you like these now, sir, or should I take them to the house?”
Darcy awoke from his vision of Elizabeth in tears and fairly snatched the letters from him. “I will take them. You go and take care of your horse.” He began to turn away then looked back as Danny mounted. “Danny, thank you.”
He touched his hat. “It is an honour, sir.” He urged his horse on without looking back.
Darcy put Georgiana’s letter in his pocket and stared at his. There it was; his name in her hand. He took a shuddering breath, and at last opened her letter, to finally learn his fate.
Chapter 10
On her way back from seeing Charlotte off, Elizabeth knocked on the door of her father’s bookroom. He bid her enter and she walked in and closed the door. “Lizzy, what brings you to me? Is your mother busy planning your wedding to Mr. Darcy?” He grinned at seeing her blush. “Ah, I embarrass you. Come child, sit down. I saw the young messenger, if he continues coming, I will have to return the little fortune Mr. Darcy has provided us.” He tipped his head, seeing that Elizabeth was not joining in. “What is it?” He asked seriously.
“Papa, Charlotte Lucas was just here, and she was under the impression that I was engaged to her brother.”
Mr. Bennet’s brows rose. “Is that so? Are you?”
“Certainly not! The man has hardly attempted a courtship; he seems to assume that I would accept him simply because he is available and willing! Why, he even implied that he was my best chance for marriage!” She huffed. “I maintain my position Papa, I am not interested in Mr. Lucas, but what am I to do if his family persists in spreading rumours of our engagement? I am certainly not obligated to him, am I?” The horrific thought crossed her mind that she would be forced to marry him simply to protect her reputation.
Mr. Bennet sat up. “No Lizzy, you will not be obligated, and in fact, I will speak to both Sir William and his son about this privately tonight. We will stop this now. The Lucas’ are good friends, but they also like to spread gossip and speculate, much like your mother does. You will not be forced to accept a man you do not want. I promise you that.”
Elizabeth embraced him. “Thank you, Papa.”
He watched his daughter leave the room with concern. Few things could rouse Thomas Bennet to action. One certain thing, however; was Elizabeth’s well-being. She would not be forced to accept a marriage with any man she did not want. She would not have to live the miserable marriage that he was forced to accept, through no fault of his own.
ELIZABETH ENTERED Lucas Lodge and felt the eyes of the room upon her. She looked from one face to another, seeing emotions from speculation to outright affront. She drew a deep breath and pulled her shoulders back. Her courage began to rise, and she prepared for what promised to be a challenging evening. Lady Lucas was the first to approach her. “Lizzy! Why it is so good of you to come, we were afraid that you would wish to stay away, after all, you do not seem to think much of our home.”
Elizabeth was taken aback by the statement. “Lady Lucas, I do not have any idea how you could come to such a conclusion!”
She smiled thinly. “Oh, it was just something that I assumed. I understand that you have set your sights quite high for your future.” She glanced over at Charlotte, who was determinedly paying attention to a conversation with Jane.
Elizabeth closed her eyes. She knew that Charlotte had undoubtedly repeated the entire conversation from that afternoon to her mother. “I assure you, I have not set my sights on any man. You should know as well as anyone that my mother’s effusions should be taken with a grain of salt.”
Lady Lucas’ haughty demeanour relaxed. “Well, yes, I suppose I should know better.” She smiled and patted her shoulder. “I am pleased to know that you are not being foolish, looking for a connection with a man w
ho is so far above you, and who is not even in the neighbourhood yet. After all, he may find some other girls quite more to his liking.” She smiled over at her plain-faced, spinster daughter Charlotte, and the overly eager sixteen-year-old daughter Maria. Elizabeth’s eyes widened, imagining William paying attentions to either girl. Lady Lucas’ smile came back to her. “Surely you are not so vain as to think you are the only woman of beauty in the county?”
Elizabeth stared. “I am not vain at all, at least I hope not, and I certainly hope that all of the ladies are considered beautiful in their own way.” The matron nodded and taking her arm; directed her across the room towards John. Elizabeth saw where she was going and broke away. “Excuse me; I believe that my mother needs me.”
She walked across the room towards Mrs. Bennet, all the while wondering what else might happen that night. Vanity! She thought. Am I vain? I suppose a little, growing up with Jane being so beautiful; it can not help but make me more sensitive to comments about my appearance. Mama certainly tells me often enough that I am not at all pretty, but compared to Charlotte … stop it now, Lizzy, stop being catty! She arrived at her mother’s side in time to hear her crowing to her sister Mrs. Philips that Elizabeth had received another letter from Miss Darcy.
“And you know, dear sister that will mean that Mr. Darcy is sure to want to come calling, to meet his sister’s good friend!” She turned to Elizabeth. “You must treat him very well, Lizzy! None of this running on with your impertinence around Mr. Darcy! I will not have it! You must secure him! I would think Jane would do for him quite well, but of course, I plan to have her with Mr. Bingley. He is quite handsome, so Lizzy says. But of course, you can not really go by her judgment can you? After all, she rejected John Lucas!”
Mrs. Philips nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, but he will be a wonderful match for your other girls. Who shall you pair him with, Kitty? I do not see Mary with him. She has spinster written all over her, just like Charlotte.”