“I did not.”
Richard raised his eyebrows. “Your courtship does not fare well?”
“My courtship does not fare at all. I couldn’t find Miss Bennet, though we were to meet. Mrs. Collins says Elizabeth has been away for hours. I’m beginning to worry.” He kept his tone level, but knew he was understating. His worry already went beyond mere beginnings.
“Perhaps she did not take the path you believe?” Richard set aside his paper and stood. “I’ll help you search.”
“Thank you.”
Mounted now, Darcy and Richard divvied up the various trails. They set out, agreeing they would return Elizabeth to the parsonage once they found her. Darcy covered his ground quickly, his concern growing with each mile. Finding nothing, he headed back, hoping Richard had better luck.
Darcy didn’t see Richard’s horse when he reached the Hunsford Parsonage, which gave him some hope. If Richard had discovered Elizabeth, they would be walking back, leading the horse. Feeling a bit less grim, he knocked. Another hope was that Elizabeth may already have returned, somehow missed by both him and Richard. To Darcy’s surprise, Mr. Collins himself opened the door, stepping out.
“Mr. Collins.” Darcy issued a nod of greeting. “Has Elizabeth returned yet?”
Mr. Collins looked over his shoulder, appearing nervous, but the face he turned to Darcy was composed into sanctimonious lines. “No, she hasn’t returned, but you shouldn’t be concerned about her. She is my cousin and my wife’s guest. Instead of seeking out my cousin, you should turn your attentions to Miss de Bourgh. I can see to Miss Bennet’s welfare. In my humble capacity as a clergyman I attend to many of my parishioners’ needs, so you should not have any concern about my ability to take care of—”
Darcy didn’t trouble himself to reply. He simply turned on his heels and walked back to his horse. He could hear the clergymen sputtering with indignation behind him, but didn’t care. He would rather ride out to meet Richard than endure Mr. Collins’ company.
He hadn’t gone far when he spotted Elizabeth ahead on the lane, walking toward him. His first feeling was relief, quickly followed by joy. That happy emotion was chased away by a surge of annoyance for the grief she’d caused him.
This, too, did not last for long. As he urged his horse forward he discerned that she was hatless, her dress was dirty, her hair in disarray and her step slow. For a moment, Darcy’s thoughts froze. Then all manner of terrible explanations ran through his head, leaving a blazing trail of anger in their wake. Not directed toward Elizabeth, but at whoever had put her in this state.
Reaching her side, he had one leg over his horse and was out of the saddle before the roan had even stopped. “Miss Bennet, what happened?”
She looked up at him, her eyes flashing with anger. Having feared a host of other emotions, Darcy felt he’d never seen so lovely a sight.
“Lady Catherine will deny it, but her footmen took hold of me and heaved me into her carriage.” Her tone was as furious as her eyes. “I did my best to get free, but they were too strong. I got in a couple good kicks on one of them, though, at least once to the face. I think it was James or John. She took me to the Bird in Hand, and arranged for me to go to London. I decided not to.”
Darcy took her hands in his, squeezing them tightly. He was aware of his heart’s harsh pounding, in time with the drumming of livid anger churning in his breast. “She did what?” His voice came out very low as he struggled for calm.
“She abducted me and tried to force me to go to London.”
Darcy shook his head, hardly able to believe it. Standing close now, he could see the red marks on Elizabeth’s arms, looking like they would soon be bruises. If he got his hands on those footmen . . . but, no, that wasn’t cutting off the head of the serpent, only the tail. “I see.”
“I should like to go to the parsonage, to gather my things,” Elizabeth said. “I no longer feel safe here.”
“Yes, of course.” Though it took some effort, Darcy relinquished her hands. Not for long, though. Once he retrieved his horse’s reins, he offered her his free arm.
Elizabeth accepted it, leaning on it as if for actual support, not mere show. Darcy looked about, wondering who had dropped her there and why they hadn’t taken her to the parsonage door. Was it someone who feared his aunt? He would like to thank them, and see if they would offer testimony, for he fully intended to confront Lady Catherine. He would not let her behavior go unanswered.
“Who brought you here?” he asked.
“No one. I walked.” Elizabeth’s voice was a mixture of amusement and weariness.
“You walked?” Darcy cast her a startled glance. “Are you sure it was the Bird in Hand? That’s just over nine miles away.”
“Yes, I’m sure and yes, Lady Catherine informed me of the distance. She seemed to think it enough of a deterrent. I did not agree.”
Darcy’s respect for Elizabeth increased. She could have gone to London and written him, instead of walking nine miles, alone.
“I must admit, I don’t know what I would have done had I gotten lost. There were a few times I was worried I had. I kept a careful eye on our route, but distances covered by carriage can be deceiving.”
If Darcy hadn’t been leading his horse, he would have covered the hand on his arm with his. The thought of Elizabeth wandering about the countryside, lost, was not to be borne. They turned off the lane toward the parsonage.
The front door opened and Mr. and Mrs. Collins hurried out, along with Miss Maria Lucas. Mrs. Collins and her sister brimmed with relief and happiness, but Mr. Collins paled. Mrs. Collins hurried toward them, pulling Elizabeth away from Darcy to hug her. Her husband trailed behind, his face folded into a grimace. Maria Lucas looked on with uncertain eyes.
“Elizabeth, I’m so glad Mr. Darcy found you. I was so worried.” Mrs. Collins released Elizabeth, only to take hold of her shoulders and look her up and down. “Whatever happened? Mr. Collins returned from the parsonage earlier and made Maria and I pack your things. He said Lady Catherine informed him you’d left, but I knew that couldn’t be right. You’re a mess. Please assure me everything is well.”
“No real harm was done me,” Elizabeth answered, with more charity than Darcy was feeling. “Lady Catherine wished me to leave and attempted to help me on my way. I thought it wrong to do so without saying goodbye or having an escort, so I walked back from where she left me.”
“If Lady Catherine wishes you to leave, you should leave,” Mr. Collins said. “You are no longer welcome here. I shan’t permit anyone who’s offended Lady Catherine to reside under my roof.” He glared at the eyes turned toward him, but his gaze skittered away when it reached Darcy’s. “Cousin Elizabeth, you must go.”
Darcy’s hand balled into a fist, his anger over Elizabeth’s abduction finding new focus. He took a step forward, meaning to wipe Mr. Collins’ attempt at an assertive look from his face.
A touch on his arm drew Darcy’s attention to Elizabeth’s slim hand resting there. She looked up at him, meeting his eyes with a mildly amused, though tired, gaze. She gave a slight shake of her head.
Pleasure pushed back some of his anger. The intimacy of that subtle communication, coupled with the fact she’d been aware of his intention, made Darcy smile. These things bespoke of a woman who was not disinclined, or even indifferent, but of one who cared for him. Darcy shot Mr. Collins a dark glare, but forced his fist to relax.
“Mrs. Collins,” Darcy said, turning from her odious husband. “Miss Bennet needs a bath, a meal, and possibly a chance to rest.”
“She can’t stay here if Lady Catherine disapproves,” Mr. Collins protested, all but hopping from foot to foot with worry.
“What about your assertion that you would see to the welfare of your cousin?” Darcy asked, his anger reigniting. He let the question hang for a long moment, unanswered, before turning to Elizabeth. “You said you would like to leave Kent. Would you like to go to London today? I can arrange it.”
&nbs
p; “Yes, thank you.” To Darcy’s ear, she sounded relieved.
“How long do you need to get ready?”
“One or two hours,” Mrs. Collins said firmly, answering for Elizabeth. “Can you take my sister as well? She is a little young to travel alone. She was meant to return to Hertfordshire with Elizabeth.”
Darcy suspected, from the look on Mrs. Collins’ face each time she glanced at her husband, that Maria Lucas was also being sent away from what might, for a time, be a rather unhappy home. It served his purpose as well, for Elizabeth would need a companion. “Your sister will be quite welcome.” He cast the girl, still standing nervously off to the side, a reassuring smile.
“But she can’t rest here,” Mr. Collins said, casting worried looks in the direction of Rosings. “Lady Catherine--”
“Elizabeth will be leaving soon enough to suit your Lady Catherine, I’m sure,” Mrs. Collins said firmly. “Come inside, Elizabeth. I’ll order you a bath. We’ll have to unpack some of your things. You can’t wear that dress. I hope it isn’t ruined.” She put an arm about Elizabeth, leading her away. “Come along, Maria. We must pack your things now, too.”
Mr. Collins’ gaze followed his wife as she shepherded her two charges inside. Elizabeth cast a smile over her shoulder at Darcy, drawing an answering one from him in return. Beside him, Mr. Collins mumbled and moaned, almost as a man possessed.
As soon as the parsonage door closed behind the women, Darcy turned to Mr. Collins. “Do not think I will forget this.”
Mr. Collins gave a little squeak, jumped, and ran off across the lawn, in the direction of Rosings.
Darcy mounted, directing his roan back up the lane. He knew Collins was off to report to Lady Catherine, but didn’t care. She could have ten fabrications waiting by the time he reached Rosings. He wouldn’t believe a one. If possible, he didn’t even intend to listen to them.
Richard was coming down the lane, obviously on his way to the parsonage. His face was creased in concern and he was carrying a hat that Darcy recognized as belonging to Elizabeth. Richard urged his horse into a quicker pace when he saw Darcy, meeting him in the center of the lane.
“Miss Bennet is in the parsonage, unharmed,” Darcy said, though he didn’t quite consider that to be the case. “Where did you find the hat?”
Richard’s expression lightened with relief. “That’s good to hear.” He held up the hat, angling it so Darcy could see some of Elizabeth’s hair still pinned to it. “It’s obvious this was ripped off her head. I found it not far down her usual path. I don’t mind telling you, I feared the worst.”
“When I was looking for her earlier, I walked that way, and back. I never saw it.” Darcy was glad he hadn’t. He could only imagine how frantic finding it would have made him.
“It was in tall grass. I wouldn’t have seen it on foot.” Richard proffered the hat, which Darcy accepted. “You found her at the parsonage, then? What happened?”
“I found her coming down the lane. What happened is that Aunt Catherine abducted her this morning and took her to the Bird in Hand. She was trying to force Elizabeth to leave Kent.” Darcy couldn’t speak of it without anger adding a harsh edge to his tone.
“I beg your pardon?” Richard cast him a startled look. “Darcy, that seems a bit much, even for Aunt Catherine.”
“She’ll deny it, of course. She had two footmen with her.” Darcy had to speak around clenched teeth. “They’ll likely deny it as well, but Elizabeth said she kicked one in the face when they picked her up to shove her into the carriage. She thinks it was either John or James, so there might be evidence.”
Richard still looked incredulous, but he nodded. “I’ll look into that.” He cast Darcy an assessing glance. “I don’t know that I’d trust you with questioning them just now.”
“You’re probably right. I need to speak to my coachman. I’m leaving Rosings and taking Elizabeth and Miss Lucas with me. Shall we?” He gestured up the lane, toward Rosings.
Richard nodded, turning his horse. They rode in silence, Darcy in no mood for idle banter. When they reached the stable, he handed over his roan and went to find his coachman, to make arrangements for the journey to London. Richard slipped off in a different direction.
Darcy didn’t seek out his aunt when he reached Rosings, but also made no move to enter with any stealth. His mood was too dark for subtlety. He was headed toward his room, to inform his valet they were leaving, when he heard his name called. Stopping, Darcy turned, his posture ridged.
“Have you heard what that ungrateful hoyden you’ve shackled yourself to has done now?” Lady Catherine cried, trundling down the hall toward him. “Why, she came to me this morning and demanded I see she reached London immediately. Then, after accepting my assistance, the fickle creature changed her mind and walked back from where we met the coach.”
“Is that so?” Darcy’s voice was cold enough to chill champagne.
“Of course it is so. Did I not just say it’s so? My driver and footmen will all bear witness.” She stopped before Darcy, breathing a bit hard from her exertions. She glared at him with an icy disdain to rival his own. “Obviously, the girl is unfit. You cannot see her again.”
Darcy stared at is aunt, trying to master his emotions. “There is certainly someone in Kent I do not care to see again, but it is not Miss Bennet. Nor do I believe your tale.”
“You must. I have my word and that of two servants. Miss Bennet, I’m sure, has only her own, and all know a little country hoyden like her will say anything to land a wealthy husband.”
“Do not press me, Aunt Catherine.”
She glowered at him, not backing down. Footsteps sounded behind her and Darcy looked up to see Richard coming toward them. Lady Catherine whirled to face him, her hauteur not dimming.
“I’ve spoken with the footmen, James and John,” Richard said as he reached them.
“And they have informed you I am telling the truth.” Lady Catherine’s voice was triumphant.
“They did indeed,” Richard said.
“For which I’m sure you’ve paid them well,” Darcy added.
His aunt cast him a smug look.
“One of them, John, is sporting the beginnings of a truly spectacular black eye.” Richard delivered this information in grim tones. “Aunt Catherine, I’m ashamed of you.”
“What does a footman’s black eye have to do with any of this?” she snapped. “Don’t be absurd, Richard.”
“Elizabeth said she kicked John in the eye when he picked her up to put her, against her will, into your carriage,” Darcy said.
“I’m sure the fiendish woman simply noticed his eye at dinner and has taken it upon herself to invent further tales.”
Darcy ignored that, for there were many witnesses, including himself, to attest to the footman’s lack of a black eye at dinner the night before. They’d all gotten a good look at him, after all, standing behind Elizabeth, his face suffused with guilt and a half empty glass in his hand. “How does this footman explain his injury?” he asked Richard.
“He said he was kicked by a mule.”
“You see?” Lady Catherine said.
“A mule?” Darcy didn’t know if he should take that as further insult to Elizabeth, or be amused.
“Yes. When I asked the other, James, if he could confirm as much, he said he could.” Richard gave Darcy a hard grin. “He also laughed and said it was the smallest mule he’d ever seen. Couldn’t have been even nine stones.”
“I see.” Darcy turned to his aunt. “Aunt Catherine, I am leaving Rosings. You will be pleased to know I am taking Miss Bennet with me, so you will not need to suffer her presence again. I do not know if I shall return, ever. I wish you to know, no matter what happens between Miss Bennet and myself, I shall never, ever marry Anne.”
“You think your plan to leave is news to me, you fool of a boy?” Lady Catherine screeched. “I already know of your plans. I have loyal servants, if not a loyal nephew.” Lady Catherine’s eyes bulged w
ith anger. “And as for your little trip, see how your Miss Bennet feels about traveling with you unescorted, for the Lucas brat isn’t going. I’ve spoken to Mr. Collins in no uncertain terms this time. Elizabeth Bennet shall not ruin Mrs. Collins’ visit with her sister on a whim. She’ll wish she’d gone on to London this morning. If you take her there in your carriage, her reputation will be in tatters. Marrying her will make you the laughing stock of the ton.”
Darcy stared at her for a long moment. Her overstuffed, wrinkled bosom heaved with anger. He was amazed she hadn’t showered spittle about the hall with the vehemence of her speech. Richard shook his head, looking disgusted.
“I will be leaving within two hours,” Darcy said, his calm finally back in place. He gave his aunt a polite bow, then nodded to Richard. Turning, Darcy walked to his room without hurry. He could hear Lady Catherine’s harsh breathing behind him as he walked down the hall.
“Aunt Catherine,” Richard murmured in a sad, disappointed voice.
Darcy turned the corner and continued on to his room. He informed his valet of their impending departure. He wasn’t sure if his aunt’s threat about Maria Lucas had substance, but knew he’d find someone else, if needed. One way or another, he and Elizabeth were leaving Kent. He truly didn’t care if either of them ever returned.
Chapter Seven
Bathed and wearing a dress that hid the marks on her arms, Elizabeth waited alone in the parlor for Mr. Darcy to appear. She didn’t wish to be alone, for it would have been pleasant to spend her final moments in Kent with her friend Charlotte, but Charlotte had taken to her room. Earlier, when Mr. Collins returned from Rosings, he’d informed Charlotte that Maria was not to go with Elizabeth. He’d accompanied that with a rant about violating wedding vows and the consequences that could bring down on a woman. That led to a terrific argument between the two, loud enough for the entire household to hear.
Mr. Collins had prevailed, emboldened by what Elizabeth could only guess was an extreme fear of Lady Catherine’s wrath should he fail. Charlotte, after a quick and tearful goodbye to Elizabeth, had retreated to her room. Elizabeth hadn’t seen Maria, and assumed the poor girl was hiding.
Courting Elizabeth: A Pride and Prejudice Variation Page 7