Before he could open the first letter, a knock came at the door.
“Enter”
His butler entered and announced Colonel Fitzwilliam who was standing behind his butler and waving at Darcy. He thanked his butler and rose to greet his cousin.
“You are getting slow in your old age cousin to allow my butler to precede you.
Fitzwilliam laughed and then embraced his cousin.
“But I am very happy to see you home safe and sound.”
“I am glad to be back Darcy. How is Georgina and the Bennet sisters?” he asked.
“I believe you are anxious to hear of one Bennet sister in particular so I will not keep you in suspense and tell you that all are well especially Miss Bennet.”
“That is very good to hear and are they all still at Pemberley?”
“Yes” Darcy replied “I rarely come to town and they even less if only to take in the occasional visit to the theatre or to shop.”
Two years ago Mr. Gardiner announced that he was relocating his family and business to Liverpool as to be closer to the ships that brought the goods necessary to his business. Georgiana had formed a close friendship with all three sisters and was disheartened to lose their company. The sisters felt the same and Darcy proposed that they move to Pemberley. The sisters thought it inappropriate and too much of an imposition so Darcy renovated the dower house for them. After much coaxing, they accepted the offer. Georgiana was overjoyed that she would not lose their friendship and anything that brought joy to his sister, brought joy to him. They were his Elizabeth’s sisters and he considered it his duty and honor to care for them in her stead.
Sometime in the last three years, he could not say exactly when as he was not paying particular attention, Colonel Fitzwilliam developed a tendre for Miss Jane Bennet and she for him.
“How long are you home for Richard? I have missed your company”
“I have good news. I have been re-assigned to the war office and will not be going back to the continent.
“That is excellent news!” exclaimed Darcy. “Georgiana and I worry for your wellbeing when you are away.”
“I too am glad. To be truthful, I am growing weary of battle and would like to settle down, marry and raise a family.”
Darcy looked slyly at his cousin. “Do you have a particular lady in mind to fulfill this role?”
Fitzwilliam smiled at Darcy. “Yes, I do, if the lady will have me. I do not have a great fortune, but we can be comfortable.”
“Jane Bennet is not mercenary. She once mentioned that she and Elizabeth both wished to marry for love, not fortune. Congratulations cousin, I have no doubt that you will enjoy a very felicitous marriage.”
“Thank you Darcy. I am happy for your approval.”
“Have you told the Earl and Countess yet?”
“No, I have not. Father is at Matlock but due back tomorrow. Mother is in town. I would like to tell them together after I have secured Miss Bennet’s hand.”
A frown appeared on Darcy’s face.
“What is it Darcy? Is something amiss? What bothers you so to sport such a frown?”
“No, no, nothing is amiss. It is just that I have not seen your mother in quite some time. It must be at least above a year. The Earl I see more frequently as he is usually found at Matlock and it is an hour ride from Pemberley to his estate. The last time I was in your mother’s company was at your birthday party when you were home on leave. Do you remember Fitzwilliam? At the time, I got the distinct impression that she was avoiding my company.”
“What occurred to make you think such a thing Darcy?”
“I conversed only once with her and that was when I took my leave and for some odd reason, she could not look me in the eye. I remember, at the time, asking myself if I had offended her in some manner. That was the only time I had seen your mother in the last three years. Have I offended your mother in some manner that I am unaware of?”
Fitzwilliam hastened his reply. “No Darcy, I know of no offense and you would be the last person to offend my mother. She was always fond of you and often referred to you as her other son. I believe you Darcy, but I have no explanation for her behavior. Mother and father spend their time apart and therefore the Earl would have no knowledge of her behavior towards you. Theirs was a marriage of convenience and can tolerate each other well enough as long as they do not reside in the same house for any duration of time. For that reason alone, I will only marry a woman I am in love with and she with me.
“I have no doubt you will be very happy.”
“Thank you. Shall we have a brandy to celebrate?”
“Pour away cousin; you know where the decanter is.”
The two cousins sat in front of the fire sipping their drinks as Fitzwilliam imparted town news.
“I say Darcy, had you heard the Duke of _________ rented his townhouse to a widow who recently returned from the West Indies?”
“Hmm, what? No, I do not concern myself with town gossip.”
“She resides directly across from your home and you have never had occasion to glimpse this widow? I understand she is elderly, but very, very wealthy. She is in mourning and does not go into society. No one can say what she looks like as a black veil always covers her face.”
“Really Richard? I always knew you were an old gossipmonger.”
“No, I am simply repeating what is being said. Perhaps she may be tempted to marry a very handsome man in uniform. She is elderly and in that way Jane Bennet can marry a rich man.”
Both cousins burst out in loud laughter.
“Oh Richard, how I have missed you and your ridiculous notions.”
Chapter 12
The next morning found Darcy sitting in his study behind his desk viewing the correspondence his butler had just brought into him. He lovingly glanced at the miniature of his Elizabeth as he kissed her picture every morning when he awoke and every night before he retired.
“I am almost finished my love and then it is off to Pemberley. I have missed our sisters but not as much as I miss you.”
A knock came at the door and he called out “Enter.”
The butler bowed and said “Begging your pardon sir but there is a visitor in the entryway.”
“Send them away Barnes. The knocker is off the door and I am not at home. Those are my explicit orders.”
“Yes sir, I understand, but the lady is most insistent that you would wish to see and will not leave until she has spoken with you.”
Darcy sighed and asked “Does the lady have a name?”
“Yes sir, a Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”
Darcy shot out of his chair and raced to the entryway where he saw a woman dressed all in black facing him. She slowly lifted her veil and smiled.
“Eliz….Eliz…” Darcy gasped and then did something he had never done in his one and thirty years. He fainted.
He regained consciousness when smelling salts were waved under his nose. He opened his eyes and stared at the one face he longed to see.
He slowly raised his hand to caress her face. In a hoarse voice he whispered “Are you really before me? Is it really you or am I still dreaming?”
“It is I William, it truly is.” He attempted to sit up but she gently pushed him back down and held a glass to his lips. “Sip slowly sir. It is brandy and will help to restore your equanimity. I know it is a shock, but all will be explained after you recover.”
Darcy sipped the brandy and asked “How did I get to the couch in my study?”
Elizabeth smiled and said “Your butler and two footmen carried you.” She turned to the butler and the footmen who were hovering over her as she knelt by Darcy’s side.
“Would you please bring Mr. Darcy some sandwiches and cakes and a large pot of coffee. Oh and plenty of sugar as he is in need of sustenance.”
“Of course” replied the worried butler. “I will have it brought immediately.”
As Darcy sat up slowly Elizabeth seated herself next to him on the couch and
took his hand in hers. He turned towards her and covered their joined hands with his other hand. He could not take his eyes off of her. Her face was not as full as it once was and her complexion was slightly brown but she was still the most beautiful woman he had ever encountered. And those eyes! Oh how he had missed her.
“Elizabeth, I have so many questions to ask you.”
“And I promise that those questions will be satisfied sir, but first you must eat. Ah, here are the refreshments now.”
The butler re-entered the room followed by maids and footmen carrying trays laden with sandwiches, fruit, pastries, cake and a large pot of coffee.
“Miss Bennett, I took the liberty of bringing a large pot of tea as well.
Elizabeth thanked the butler and requested that he remove the servants with himself and close the door.
If Mr. Barnes wondered why this strange woman was issuing orders in his master’s stead, he did not voice the thought aloud. He had observed his master staring intently at the woman and holding her hand. He thought it best to follow her order and leave the room as quickly as possible.
Darcy thought to himself, she is absolutely magnificent in the graceful manner she interacts with the servants. She will make an excellent mistress of Pemberley.
Lizzie motioned to the table. “Shall we sir?”
Still clasping her hand, Darcy rose from the couch and allowed her to lead him to the table. He held her chair and after they were seated she served him a cup of coffee adding milk and sugar. Darcy continued to stare at her. She placed sandwiches and pastries on his plate.
She smiled sweetly at him and said “Please partake sir. I promise you I am real and will not disappear.”
Darcy could not suppress his grin. “I have missed your teasing nature Elizabeth. It is one of the many things that I love about you.”
Elizabeth blushed and lowered her eyes to her plate. She prepared a cup of tea for herself and took a lemon tart. She nibbled at her pastry.
“Sir, you are not eating” she admonished.
Darcy sipped his coffee and then picked up his fork and began to eat but his eyes never wavered from her face.
He appeared thinner to her and she surmised he was not eating properly. When he was done, she refilled his plate and encouraged him to eat some more. When he was finished, she suggested they sit in the wingback chairs by the fireplace. She prepared him another cup of coffee, herself a cup of tea and placed them on the tables that were set alongside chairs. When they were settled, she folded her hands in her lap and began her story.
“It all began the night of the Netherfield ball. As you are already aware, that was the last time we saw one another until today.”
Darcy nodded and promised himself not to interrupt her until she related the entirety of her tale.
“I had just completed the promised first two sets to my cousin Mr. Collis and was limping in the direction of my friend Miss Charlotte Lucas to converse with her. Mr. Collins continually stepped on my feet and my toes were severely bruised. Before I could reach Charlotte, Miss Bingley stopped me and advised me that you were waiting for me in the garden regarding some urgent matter that could not wait. When I arrived there, I saw not you but Mr. Wickham was before me. He remarked that I was surprised to see him and perhaps I was expecting someone else. Before I could reply, he glanced over my shoulder and stated ‘Here comes Darcy now’. As I turned around, I saw not you but Miss Bingley and Mr. Collins at the window intently watching me. A cloth was placed over my mouth and nose and I lost conscience.
Anger swelled in his chest and Darcy could not contain himself. He stood and yelled “That evil bastard! I will kill him myself! Why did I not allow Fitzwilliam to run him thru after Ramsgate? His evil ways have brought ruin and sorrow to so many.”
“Please William” Elizabeth entreated, “allow me to finish my tale and then we can plan what to do with the nefarious Mr. Wickham and his cohorts.”
Darcy reseated himself. “Forgive my outburst Elizabeth.”
“You are forgiven sir” Elizabeth said as she continued her tale.
“I was taken aboard a ship bound for the West Indies although I do not recall most of the journey as I was drugged for better part of the trip. The owner of the ship was a Mr. Jason DeVere. When we arrived at the island, he informed me that I was his wife and that we were married by the ship’s Captain while at sea. He showed me our supposed marriage certificate but the signature was not mine and Bennet was misspelled with two t’s instead of one. My protestations that the document was false were rewarded with a severe beating. DeVere was a cruel, brutal man who relished in punishment for his servants as well as myself if he was defied in any manner. I learned to keep my impertinence and my thoughts to myself. I kept my own counsel and trusted no one. The only people I saw, other than the servants, were the English missionaries. They were very kindly people, but I did not develop any relationships as I did know whom I could trust.
Mr. DeVere owned a large sugar plantation located several hours ride from the port we landed at. The island was not very large and I was confined to the sugar fields surrounding the house. But I never gave up hope and prayed fervently that I would one day return home. The weather was quite humid and tropical storms were not uncommon.
Elizabeth lowered her eyes and a sadness overcame her countenance.
“I must relate this next part with some reluctance, but I feel that you should know all and that your opinion of me does not alter.”
Darcy stiffened in his seat but nodded for Elizabeth to continue.
“As I stated, Mr. DeVere was a cruel and vicious man. When he forced himself upon me, I did not fight back for fear of his retaliation. Instead I thought of you; your face was always before me and helped to sustain me in those dark hours. The housekeeper was a kind woman and gave me a concoction of herbs to drink as she put it ‘so that babies no come’. He loved to taunt me by saying that perhaps he would take my sister Jane on his next trip to England. He also told me with great delight of the deaths of my father and Lydia. But I never gave up hope that one day I would return home. A particular bad storm had hit the island forcing the servants and myself to take refuge in the root cellars. When we emerged, the sugar fields were severely damaged as well as most of the house. Mr. DeVere was away but his return was expected at any time. It was two days later that word reached me that he was dead. His body washed up on the shoreline and his ship sunk. I was so profoundly relieved that I collapsed. All I could think of was that I was finally able to go home, although those that observed me thought I was overcome with grief at the loss of my husband. I then learned from his man of business that I was now a very wealthy widow. I could have spoken the truth at that time but then I would not have been able to return home and accomplish what I needed to do. Please do not judge me too harshly for this deception.”
Darcy leaned towards her and took both of her hands tenderly in his. He spoke in a soft voice. “None of what you have related can alter my feelings for you Elizabeth. I love you most ardently and my fondest wish is that you would honor me with your hand in marriage and agree to be my wife.”
Tears sprang to her eyes and she was unable to speak. Darcy stood and retrieved the miniature from his desk and put it in her hands.
“I am never without it. If it does not sit on my desk, or the table by my bed, it is in my breast pocket closest to my heart.”
Elizabeth was sobbing uncontrollably and Darcy moved to kneel in front of her, brought her closer to him and embraced her tightly. They stayed in that manner for some time until she was able to speak.
“How is it you came by this?” she asked.
“I bought your fathers books when Collins consigned them to the bookseller in Merryton. The miniatures were thrown in the crate.”
“You bought my father’s books?”
“I bought them for you. I never lost hope that we would one day be reunited. This is the original miniature of you. I had it duplicated and gave it to Miss Bennet along with t
he others of your family.”
“Oh my sisters and my mother!” she exclaimed.
“I have been unable to locate them. Do you know where they are?”
“I am very sorry Elizabeth, but your mother passed away some weeks after your father. As for your sisters, they are all at Pemberley with my sister and are under my protection. Your sisters and mine developed a close friendship and would not be parted when the Gardiners moved to Liverpool. Miss Bennet would not allow me to install them in the main house, feeling it was too great an imposition, so I renovated the dower house for them. Although, more often than not, they can be found in the main house, Miss Mary and Miss Catherine sharing lessons with my sister and Miss Bennet in the stillroom. When I enter through the front door, I can easily locate them by simply following the sounds of laughter and giggling.”
Lizzie gave Darcy a brilliant smile which warmed his entire countenance. “Thank you William. It makes me so very happy to know that my sisters were so very well taken care of. I truly did not know what to expect when I returned. It crossed my mind that you could be married with a family.”
“Never Elizabeth! You must know you are the only woman I shall marry and have children with. We have waited so long for one another, please say you will marry me, now.”
Lizzie did not hesitate in her response, “Yes William, I will marry you.”
He could not contain the happiness that suffused his entire. He lifted her to stand, wrapped his arms tightly around her and proceeded to kiss her most fervently. Lizzie wrapped her arms around his neck and returned his kiss with equal passion.
When they finally broke apart, Darcy said, “I will obtain a special license and we can be married without delay. I want to send for my cousin, Cousin Fitzwilliam. He has be aiding me in recovering you. Oh! I should mention that he and your sister Jane have developed a tendre for one another and he will be proposing to her when we return to Pemberley.”
The Disappearance of Lizzie Bennet Page 6