A Happy Accident

by Amelia Wood

  “Send word to her about the arrangements for his funeral and for the provision of her and the children afterwards. I would not have her distressed about that when she is already grieving.”

  “I will, though she will expect nothing less from you.”

  Elizabeth looked between master and housekeeper as they spoke. This was not a side to Darcy she ever expected to see. He spoke to Mrs Reynolds quietly. There was no grand display of virtue as he instructed her on what she should do for the ailing tenant and Mrs Reynolds did not seem surprised by it. Darcy’s voice was gentle and there was a kindness and concern in his eyes Elizabeth could not recall ever seeing. But it transformed him into another man entirely. Elizabeth thought she could like this man.

  The physician, Mr Mason, arrived not long afterwards. He examined Elizabeth and asked her questions. He did not seem concerned by her inability to recall recent events.

  “That is not uncommon,” he said. “If it is only the previous few days you cannot recall, I would not worry about it. It is not unusual for a knock to the head to bring about such memory loss. I would not be surprised if they returned by the end of the day.”

  “Perhaps when we find who Miss Bennet is travelling with, we can bring them here and it will help her remember everything else,” said Darcy.

  The physician nodded. “I am sure of it. Have you sent out inquiries?”

  “I have sent a few men to the town. They will visit the inns and ask around. Miss Bennet is a memorable lady. People will have no trouble recollecting her and knowing who she is with,” said Darcy.

  Elizabeth blushed at the compliment. Mrs Reynolds was looking at her curiously and she looked away to avoid scrutiny. She wondered what explanation Mr Darcy had given for their acquaintance. Surely everyone must talk about the young lady Darcy brought home who also happened to be someone he knew. How could people not wonder at it?

  “I am sure when we discover who I am with, I will not trouble you any longer,” she said.

  Darcy and the physician stopped talking at once. Darcy turned to look at her, his face dismayed.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean if I am here with family or friends, it makes sense that I should leave to be with them so they can care for me. You have already done enough for me. More than enough, I should say. I would not impose on you a moment longer than I already have.”

  Darcy shook his head and exchanged a look with Mrs Reynolds.

  “It is no imposition. You are not causing the least amount of trouble, is she not, Mrs Reynolds? We would not hear of you going anywhere else.”

  Elizabeth opened her mouth to protest but Mr Mason spoke before her.

  “I would not recommend moving just yet, Miss Bennet. Head injuries are curious things. One can seem perfectly well after it only to decline a few days later. Not that I am concerned that will happen in your case but it is always better to be prepared for these things. I would feel much more at ease if you did not move about too much for a few days at least. A ride in a carriage over bumpy ground would not help your situation in the slightest.”

  Elizabeth could hardly look at Darcy. How could she possibly stay in the home of the man whose proposal she had rejected only weeks before? It was too embarrassing.

  “I am sure I can be moved comfortably,” she protested.

  But Mr Mason was firm.

  “The weather has not been settled lately and the roads are still uneven. Even the slowest, smoothest carriage would jostle you about more than I can allow. I am sure when your friends know where you are, they will not object to your staying here. Not when they see you are in such good company. I do not think you need fear for your reputation with Mr Darcy, my dear. He is a respectable man.” He gave her a teasing, cajoling smile. Elizabeth would happily have pummelled him for making an embarrassing situation worse.

  “My sister will return to Pemberley tomorrow,” Mr Darcy added. His hands were drawn behind his back and he looked at some point above her head as though it would degrade him even to meet her eyes. “So you will not stay here without a mistress.” His words faltered over that last part and Elizabeth immediately glanced towards the window until she felt mistress of her own features. “And with her will be those who claim an acquaintance with you.”

  Elizabeth could not avoid looking at him then. Her heart pounded.

  “Oh?”

  “Mr Bingley and his sisters.”

  “Ah.”

  Mr Bingley. Jane’s beloved who had left Meryton without a word of apology the previous winter after he had raised such hopes that he would marry her. Elizabeth had been furious when she discovered Mr Darcy had been the one to come between them and persuade Bingley to give Jane up and it had been one of the things that had turned her so decidedly against him. Did Bingley still harbour feelings for Jane? Elizabeth felt a sliver of hope until she recalled the rest of Darcy’s words.

  Caroline Bingley and Louisa Hurst would also arrive. Elizabeth had marvelled that a pleasant, gregarious man such as Mr Bingley could claim two such unpleasant sisters as his own. Miss Bingley had been especially unsavoury. It had amused Elizabeth to see how much her heart was set on marrying Darcy despite his clear indifference to her. How would the lady behave when she learned Elizabeth was living under the same roof as the man she wanted? If Elizabeth was forced to stay there, it would at least afford her some amusement.

  “I do not wish to seem ungrateful to Mr Darcy and Mrs Reynolds,” she said. “But I do not wish to be an imposition. Are you absolutely sure I must stay at Pemberley?”

  “Yes,” said Mr Mason and Mr Darcy firmly at the same time. Darcy cleared his throat and looked away. Elizabeth nodded.

  “Then I will not argue any further. I will only ask that you discover who I have travelled with as soon as possible, Mr Darcy. I do not like to think I am causing any concern.”

  Darcy bowed. “It will be done directly. Thinking of your friends, is there anyone who comes to mind as the person most likely to take you to Derbyshire?”

  Elizabeth frowned as she tried to grasp the elusive information that seemed to dance just beyond her reach. But try as she might, every detail about her trip to Derbyshire was a blank. She could not even be sure the memory of bidding farewell to her family was a recent memory or one from some other time.

  “I am sorry,” she said.

  “Do not apologise. If you will excuse me, I will see to it that word is sent out to the town. It will not take very long to discover.”

  “Thank you, sir.” Elizabeth finally compelled herself to look at Darcy. Surely the physician and the housekeeper must wonder at the odd relationship between them. Darcy cleared his throat and gave a brief nod. He looked as though he might say something else but he turned and left the room.

  7

  Darcy walked straight past the line of footmen who stopped in their tracks to bow their heads as he walked by. He pulled on his coat and hurried down the steps, calling for his horse as he went. Being in the same house as Elizabeth, in the home he hoped he might share with her was costing him more peace of mind than he expected. He could not endure the thought of pacing about while a servant ran about Lambton to find her people. Darcy would go himself. It would allow him to perform a service for the woman he still loved while giving himself much needed distance from her. A good, hard gallop over the meadows to Lambton was exactly what he needed to ease his tormented spirits.

  His grooms worked fast and before long, Darcy was mounted and galloping down the drive towards the town. The morning was cool for early summer but he did not slow down. His horse had been cooped up for a while and relished the chance for exercise as much as he did. He urged him on as he galloped over the fields as Darcy tried to push thoughts of Elizabeth and how it felt to have her in his home from his mind. It had been foolish of him to put her in the mistress’s suites but that was easy to say now in the cold light of day in the secure knowledge that she would recover. It had been a different matter when he had been exhausted and out o
f his senses with worry that he might lose her. He had been overcome with sentimentality and could think of no other room fit for her and the sensation had overcome his usual caution. Foolish Darcy! How would Elizabeth respond when she discovered where he had placed her? She would assume he had done it out of some mischievous desire of his own.

  Perhaps he could make some excuse that he had carried her to the nearest room available without giving much thought to what room that might be. Should he have her moved to a different room or would that make the situation even more awkward?

  Darcy shook his head and urged his horse wot run faster as if speed could help him outrun the thoughts tumbling through his mind. He could consult with Mrs Reynolds when he returned home. She would surely know what to do.

  Lambton was bustling as Darcy’s horse clattered down the cobblestones of the main street. Heads turned to follow him, faces showing surprise to see his haste. Darcy pretended not to notice them. He rode directly to the main inn in town and threw the reins to a groom along with a coin.

  The innkeeper came out to meet him, his face lit up with anticipation to see the most prestigious man in town at his door.

  “Mr Darcy! What an honour, sir. What can I do for you?”

  “I cannot stay, Mr Stubbs. I am here in search of someone.”

  “Oh yes?” Mr Stubbs looked hopefully at his daughter, a busty young lady in a low cut blouse who was one of his most reliable draws for customers.

  Darcy pretended not to see the look, nor the way Lucy’s eyes lit up then took on their customary seductive expression.

  “I cannot give you too many details about them, I am afraid. I am searching for people who will have been here only a few days. They more than likely came up from the south, possibly from Hertfordshire. They will have a young lady with them. A lady of about one and twenty with sparkling dark eyes and a quick wit. If you have seen her, you will not have failed to notice her. She has a lively, playful manner and her figure is light and pleasing. Her manners might not be of the fashionable world, but…”

  What was he doing? Was he searching for Elizabeth’s friends or indulging in a chance to wax lyrical about her? Did he wish to make a fool of himself to everyone? Seeing the innkeeper’s curious look, Darcy raised his chin and assumed his haughtiest expression.

  “The young lady’s name is Elizabeth Bennet. Have you such a lady staying with you?”

  “I do not, sir. I have never heard of such a lady here. I am sorry I cannot help you. Can I get you anything else? Some dinner, perhaps. Lucy has a joint roasting on the spit and if I might say so, you will not dine on anything finer.”

  “Some other time, perhaps,” said Darcy with a sinking feeling. He had hoped he might find Elizabeth’s people here. Still, not to despair. There was still another inn to check and if he still had no good fortune, it was not as though Elizabeth was a stranger. He would simply write to her family and discover why she was here that way if her memory had not recovered by then.

  He had not gone many yards across the courtyard when a voice called him back.

  “Mr Darcy. Wait!”

  Darcy turned to see Lucy running towards him. Several of the grooms forgot what they were doing and stared after her, slack jawed, as she bounded across the yard. Darcy politely averted his eyes as she made a distracting sight.

  “The young lady you mentioned,” she said when she reached him. She panted as she caught her breath. “I believe I have encountered her. She’s rather a strange sort, if you don’t mind me saying, if I’m thinking of the right one. She tends to wander around a lot by herself. Tony said he saw her walking across the fields a few times towards the woods and she didn’t return for hours. Does that sound like her?”

  ‘It does indeed.” Darcy’s heart lifted. “Do you know where she was staying?”

  Lucy wrinkled her nose. “Thompsons,” she said as though she uttered a bad word. “I do not know why she would choose to stay there but there is no accounting for taste. Might I ask what you want with her?”

  “You may not,” said Darcy. He softened at her chastened face. “But I will thank you for your help.” He turned to his horse who was being led towards them as they spoke.

  Lucy pouted. “Must you go so soon?”

  “I must, I am afraid.” He threw himself into the saddle.

  Lucy blinked up at him with sleepy eyes. She caressed the horse’s neck, allowing her hand to wander dangerously close to Darcy’s thigh. “And will you return again soon? I always have a special welcome for distinguished customers…”

  Darcy winced. “Some other time, perhaps. Good evening, Miss Stubbs.”

  He turned his horse around and cantered from the yard, leaving Lucy to stare after him indignantly.

  8

  Thompsons was on the other side of town. The streets were cluttered with shoppers and merchants pulling their carts. Darcy sighed impatiently and tried to curb his tongue every time someone cut him off. The longer it took him to find Elizabeth’s friends, the more Elizabeth would worry. He could not endure the thought of her lying in bed, fearing for whoever might be with her.

  It was no good. He would never manoeuvre through this crowd. Darcy spotted a small laneway leading away from the main street. It had been some time since he had been in that part of town but he was quite sure it would lead him to where he wished to go. It could not be worse than trying to edge his horse through a flock of geese and a pack of carts.

  Darcy had not gone far down the lane when a man and woman emerged from a house, their faces so drawn and miserable that even Darcy was pulled from his thoughts to notice them.

  “We will find her, Madeline,” the man soothed. He pulled the woman into his arms. Darcy felt a brief pang at their tenderness.

  “I hope so, Edward. How can we ever write to her father if something happened to her? He will never forgive us, not should he.”

  “Excuse me.”

  The couple turned to look at him, their faces pale and tired. They looked surprised as though they had not even noticed the well dressed gentleman on the pedigree stallion. Darcy felt a rush of hope.

  “I gather from the tone of your conversation that you have lost someone?”

  The man nodded, gravely. “Our niece, sir. She left to take a walk yesterday and never returned. We have people searching for her but we could not be content with sitting at home waiting for news.”

  “You are Mr Darcy,” the woman cried suddenly as though seeing him properly for the first time.

  Darcy gave her a curious look.

  “I am.”

  “Then you are acquainted with our niece. Elizabeth Bennet. Would you be so good as to help us search for her, sir? I am sure your people know the area around Pemberley like no other. Or perhaps…”

  Darcy did not wait to hear any more. He jumped down from the saddle.

  “I believe I might know you, by name at least. Miss Bennet mentioned an aunt and uncle she is very fond of. Are you Mr and Mrs Gardiner?”

  “We are.”

  Darcy’s face relaxed with a smile. “Then I have excellent news. Miss Bennet is at Pemberley right now.”

  Mrs Gardiner placed her hands over her face as though she might cry. Mr Gardiner clutched Darcy’s arm.

  “You have Lizzy! Oh, thank God. How is she? She is not hurt?”

  “She is hurt, but not badly,” Darcy added hastily. “She had a fall. I met with her and brought her to Pemberley. She has had a knock on the head so she could not recall who brought her to Derbyshire but she is unharmed apart from that. My physician has looked her over and he is satisfied she will make a full recovery. I came to Lambton to find who Miss Bennet might have travelled with.”

  Mrs Gardiner turned to her husband who gathered her into his arms at once.

  “I told you she would be alright, my dear,” he said though his voice shook. “Lizzy is strong. She will already know this area like the back of her hand. She is safe. I told you she would be.” He gently pushed his wife back and held her face
between his hands. His looked into her smiling, teary eyes and taking no heed of Darcy, he kissed her on the lips. Darcy averted his eyes but not before he felt a strange twisting in his chest.

  “I will take you to her,” he said. “She will be delighted and much relieved to see you.”

  “I do not know how to thank you, sir,” said Mrs Gardiner. Her eyes were still filled with tears. “I do not know how my family can ever repay you for the service you have done us. If anything had happened to Lizzy…”

  Darcy could not bear such praise. “I am afraid I am not without blame for Miss Bennet’s accident,” he said.

  Mr Gardiner stilled, his arm still about his wife’s shoulder.

  “What do you mean?” he asked in an even tone.

  Darcy tugged gently on the horse’s reins. “I am afraid I startled Miss Bennet when we came upon one another suddenly and led to her taking the fall.”

  “Oh, is that all?” Mr Gardiner slumped with relief and he smiled. “I should not be so hard on yourself. Naturally two old acquaintance must be surprised to come upon one another. And you did care for Lizzy.”

  Darcy nodded distractedly. He did not know what else he could say to them that would make them understand his guilt without admitting what had happened last May. But perhaps it was selfish of him to make them carry the burden of his guilt when they already carried enough in their concern for their niece. He should be assisting them with getting to Elizabeth, not seeking to soothe his conscience.

  “It is kind of you to say so,” he said. “Come, I will accompany you to your inn and we will go directly to Pemberley. The owner has an excellent carriage I know he will indulge me in using so you can be with your niece again in the shortest amount of time.”

  Mr and Mrs Gardiner exchanged rather surprised looks. Darcy had the uncomfortable sensation that they had reason to look so astonished by his generosity. Had Elizabeth also spoken to them about her dislike for him? He could not blame her for that even if a small part of him did rather resent it. He had been cold and unfeeling in Hertfordshire. Still, he would not allow his wounded pride to get in the way of being a better man than the one Elizabeth suspected him of being.