1812 How It All Began- Part 2

by Deborah E Pearson

  Darcy moved away from the other gentlemen. He joined Elizabeth and Georgiana at the piano. “Well, ladies, you appear to be enjoying yourselves.”

  “We are, Brother” Georgiana stated, before giving Darcy a sly look. “Frighteningly, Miss Bingley seems to be also.”

  “Are you ready to join me in showing E- Miss Elizabeth the house” Oh Damn! I nearly slipped into using a familiarity that I have not yet been given! And given that arched eyebrow, Elizabeth is giving me right now she knows it. “Ladies and gentlemen. Please would you excuse Miss Elizabeth, Georgiana and myself. We are to give Miss Elizabeth a tour of Pemberley”

  “Of course, Mr Darcy” Mr Gardiner genially replied, pre-empting Bingley and Mr Hurst. The three young people wasted no time leaving the drawing room. Darcy and Georgiana showed Miss Elizabeth the whole house, from top to bottom. They omitted only the Master and Mistresses quarters. Darcy gave a brief history of the house but knew less about the public part of the house than Mrs Reynolds. Elizabeth enjoyed the tour. Darcy wanted to have a private discussion with Elizabeth but lacked the courage to do so. He wished to renew his offer of marriage. He thought it may be too soon anyway. Elizabeth, had taken his arm shortly after leaving the drawing room. Now they companionably toured the house. Darcy hoped Elizabeth was more favourably inclined towards him. Tomorrow he would ride over for a private tête-à-tête with Miss Elizabeth to see if there was any hope. Tomorrow he determined would seal his fate one way or another. By the end of the year he would either be a man married to the woman of his dreams, condemned to live a life alone.

  Darcy returned to the drawing room with Georgiana on one arm and Miss Elizabeth on the other. This tipped Miss Bingley into her final bout of recklessness. It started with a sneer while Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst were whispering together. Darcy whispered in Elizabeth’s ear, “doesn’t that remind you of Miss Catherine and Miss Lydia?” Elizabeth barely had time to contain her laughter and a small giggle escaped.

  Miss Bingley attacked, like a coiled snake.

  "Pray Miss Eliza, are the _Militia still quartered at Meryton?" Sneered Miss Bingley.

  Darcy looked from Elizabeth to his sister, not knowing which to be more anxious about. Georgiana seemed confused, but Elizabeth seemed dignified.

  “Not at all, they left for Brighton a month ago” Elizabeth calmly answered.

  Ah, well that was simple and direct and told you to mind your own business, thought Darcy.

  "That must be a great loss for your family."

  It is not necessary to bring her family into this! I’m sure you could have found another way to attack thought Darcy.

  “Meryton society and my family survived before they came, and we all will survive now that they are gone.”

  Darcy smiled. He was back in the drawing-room at Netherfield.

  'Eliza Bennet, is one of those young ladies who seek to recommend themselves to the other sex by undervaluing their own'. And there you showed me who you are Miss Bingley! Here once more Elizabeth is showing more dignity than you! That is why I love Elizabeth!

  “I understood certain militiamen to be favourites of your sisters, and yourself. I’m sure that you all miss the absence of one.” Darcy felt Elizabeth tense up next to him. She did not draw away in embarrassment or confusion but seemed to be drawing strength from him. He heard her draw in a deep breath before answering.

  “Recently, I learnt a very valuable lesson, Miss Bingley. Do not judge people by appearances and pretty speeches. Pretty speeches may well be covering a much nastier character.” Miss Bingley looked at her sister, this was not going to plan.

  “Miss Bennet, you cannot expect us to believe that you and your sisters are not missing the militia? Especially given the marked way that your youngest sisters behaved around them.” Miss Bingley did not wish to give up. “It was definitely remarked upon many times while we and they were in the area.”

  “Miss Bingley, did you not remove yourselves from Hertfordshire? One might wonder how you might have any knowledge of what may or may not have said after your departure. As for before, we were no more enamoured than any other family in Hertfordshire. We will settle and return to our routines. Nothing will change.” At this, Miss Bingley claimed a headache and rushed out of the room.

  Georgiana did not recover much from Miss Bingley's vicious attack. She wondered if Miss Bingley knew about her near elopement the previous summer. Darcy wanted to hug Elizabeth for handling Miss Bingley's attack so well. He admired her more than ever. Miss Bingley had succeeded in only ruining her own character further in his eyes.

  The evening became subdued but was overall, a success. When the Gardiners took their leave, Darcy accompanied them to their carriage. He once more handed the two ladies in. Elizabeth, on taking his hand, gave it a gentle squeeze before stepping into the carriage. Darcy instinctively returned the gesture. Her Aunt then stepped into the Carriage and gave an expressive look to Darcy. Darcy knew that Mrs Gardiner has seen all but didn't care. He would gladly take a reproving look from Mrs Gardiner if he could have such gestures from the love of his life! Tomorrow, he promised himself, he would ride over tomorrow morning. Tomorrow would seal his fate one way or the other. While they were in the area, Darcy planned to have as much of Miss Elizabeth’s company as he could contrive.

  Darcy watched the carriage ride away. Then still feeling that gentle squeeze on his hand he walked into the house. Hoping, but not being too confident, that maybe Miss Elizabeth now thought better of him. Hoping that she would, in fact, accept his hand in marriage. Everything was riding on how he conducted himself in the next few days, he knew it.

  "To have a right estimate of a man's character, we must see him in misfortune."

  - Napoleon Bonaparte

  The next morning, Darcy waited until the ladies had left the breakfast parlour. He then told Bingley and Hurst that he was riding over to Lambton again. Bingley shook his head and asked "Why don't you ask her to marry you?" A pained look came over Darcy's face.

  "Uh oh, looks like he might have done so, and it didn't go too well," said Mr Hurst.

  Darcy quietly stated “I did, a while ago. She rejected me, but I have seen subtle differences during this visit and I cannot help but hope to change her mind.”

  "You think you can make her love you?! Are you mad? You cannot make anyone love you." Bingley could not understand what was going through Darcy’s mind. To Bingley love was not something that you could control or make someone feel. They either loved you or they did not.

  "No, I’m not mad. Why should I not change her mind?" Darcy smiled remembering that gentle squeeze the previous day. "I'm not without hope you know."

  "Darcy, you are a bigger fool than I am," cried Bingley. Darcy wasn't used to such abuse by Bingley and said nothing.

  “I understand how Darcy feels. I keep thinking I can make Louisa love me, and by degrees, I believe that it is working. Darcy, you go get your girl!" Mr Hurst said. With this Mr Bingley and Mr Hurst went out to fish in the stream, and Darcy got on his horse and rode over to Lambton.

  Darcy kicked his horse into a gallop. Hope had made him reckless, but there was something else driving him also. Something he could not have put into words. He Smiled at the reception he hoped to get, as he rode along the woods and fields. On arrival the inn informed him that Elizabeth was on her own in the parlour, as Mr and Mrs Gardiner had gone for a walk. His good welcome was not to be. Entering the parlour was to be one of the most traumatic days of his life. It was so much more painful than when she refused him. Elizabeth looked miserable and ill. He saw two letters laying on the table. Oh God! I don’t see black on the pages, so no death. Illness? What is wrong? This is not my happy and lively Elizabeth! Something has distressed her horribly.

  "I beg your pardon, Mr Darcy. I need to find my uncle and Aunt,” she burst into tears and tried to head to the door. Decorum between them seemed lost for a few minutes.

  Darcy replied "Good God, what is the matter?! Please allow a servant to go an
d collect them.” Before Darcy could finish his thought, she seemed to stagger. He swiftly slipped an arm around her and guided her back to her seat. He recalled the servant to call Mr and Mrs Gardiner. Once the servant left Darcy sat next to Elizabeth and held her hand, wishing he could pull her into a hug. The silence seemed interminable. What can I say? What is appropriate? Can I still say what I intended? What is so important? What is wrong? Oh, Elizabeth, Elizabeth, I wish I knew how to comfort you. She looks so ill, oh that I could take her in my arms and comfort her. The longing to hold her in his arms was almost more than he could bear. He said in a consolatory way “Please, allow me to call a doctor?”

  “No, I’m alright. I am very distressed. Jane has written.” What should I do? What can I do? I don't know! I want to hug her so badly! Thought Darcy. She started to unfold the terrible story. It was like looking in the mirror. As if he was looking at himself last year if Wickham had succeeded with Georgiana. The shock was almost unbearable. How on earth could this happen?

  “Lydia has run away with one of the officers. With HIM!” Darcy found himself struggling to maintain any form of decorum at all. He wanted to hug Elizabeth. He wanted to strangle Wickham. He wanted to swear so loudly and badly that he knew he would shock Miss Elizabeth if he even said half of what he wanted. That bloody scoundrel! What the hell is he even thinking?! Why Miss Lydia? No! Surely, Wickham cannot know about my interest in Elizabeth? Using Miss Lydia like that makes no sense otherwise, but still, that bloody bastard! Why, the hell could he not die instead of Jeremy or Mother or Father? Why am I plagued by that sorry excuse for a man? Now is he to rewarded by becoming my brother if Elizabeth accepts me? There is no other way, I’ll extricate Miss Lydia if I can, but otherwise Wickham will have to be my brother. Is it possible that he could feel something other than lust for Miss Lydia? Does he even feel that? How often in university did I cover his tracks, so my Father would not find out how disgusting he is?! Why did I do it? And more to the point why do I continue to do so?

  “Oh God, is it certain?”

  "Sunday night they left Brighton but couldn’t be traced further than London.”

  Facts, he had to know all the facts, so he could search. He asked Elizabeth for as many facts as she knew. If they remained in London it meant that Wickham had continued contact with Mrs Younge. That would be where he would start, but he needed to know everything, to know if Wickham had stayed true to his normal form. Darcy could not bear the thought of leaving Elizabeth and her family to suffer. He could have exposed Wickham in Hertfordshire. Not when his own future happiness depended on a successful outcome. Her restoration to polite society was important to him. Yet that was secondary to the restoration of the sister that she loved. Darcy knew at that moment that he would marry Elizabeth even if society shunned her. He loved her too much for anything else.

  To Elizabeth's question of what could be done, Darcy could not answer her. His answer would have distressed her more Money, money, money and my money it must be. Ever since we were boys, he would squander his own money. Then he would weasel his way around me, threatening to make my father think badly of me if I did not help him. Now he is ruining a silly young woman if once again I do not help him. I must be the only person in the world that can bring this marriage about... Nobody else will be able to force Wickham to their will. Hearing the facts, Darcy had fallen into a slight reverie as he tried to figure out what to do.

  The next thing he heard from Elizabeth was, "When my eyes were opened to his real character –Oh, I did not know what to do! I was afraid of doing too much. Wretched, wretched mistake!" Guilt gripped his heart. He realised she had kept his secret, to the cost of her own sister. Why had he not been explicit in his request for secrecy? He would have understood if she had revealed his sister's secret to save her own. His brow contracted as he silently contemplated the task ahead. Why had she not told her father what she knew when Lydia had received the invitation to go to Brighton? She should not have kept my secret at the expense of her sister. It's not her fault, but mine that this has happened! I begged her secrecy to protect my own sister, and in doing so, I've cost her hers! I must remedy this situation, as well! I must restore her sister to her in some way or another.

  Could I have judged any worse this last year?! In thinking I knew best and what was in the minds of others, I have destroyed the comfort and hopes of so many. No, I know that I am as bad – nay worse than Elizabeth portrayed me last April. Could I cover their sudden departure by re-applying for her hand right now? They must leave. If I ask now the reason for their sudden departure could be my impatience to gain her father’s blessing. No, now is not the right time. For if she did accept me right now, it would be for fear that no other decent man would take her. I must wait for a time. I must go and get her sister back, and if necessary I must negotiate a marriage between her sister and him! To think that he might be my brother-in-law is sickening indeed. It cannot be helped now if I am to remedy the situation that has arisen. For such a task as this I must leave Pemberley, and go to London tomorrow, and I must pay out more money to that scoundrel! Why, oh why, did my Father ever take a liking to such a man?!

  Suddenly he realised: This is a very private family tragedy, and I am a stranger to this, oh dear, has she wanted me gone? Why did she even tell me? I cannot bear this, and what has he been doing? I must follow him. I am sure Mrs. Younge knows where he is. I know that for a certain sum of money I can get him out of my life forever. I also know that Mrs. Younge will be more than happy to oblige if given enough for her trouble. I cannot promise Elizabeth anything. If I promise Elizabeth, then it'll only beg for thanks or give false hopes that I cannot guarantee. He took his leave but remained distracted. He was so focused on the task at hand that he did not think about the effect his words would have on her. Would that I tell you that I'm to London to search for them myself. Elizabeth begged his secrecy, something that he had every intention of honouring. Well did he understand the need for secrecy and would have kept it secret anyway. He remembered how painful it had been when Georgiana had almost eloped. He himself had forgotten to do so much. It was the cool heads of all his housekeepers and other servants that had kept things running. He would see to it that the family lacked nothing during this time of distress, though how he did not know. Then it occurred to him. Mr Phillips was a sensible man and an attorney. Darcy would write to his place of business. As a client of Mr Phillips, Darcy would be the angel that oversaw the wellbeing of the family.

  "You have my secrecy. I wish I had not asked yours. I'm sorry for your distress, and once more I wish it a happy conclusion. Please give my compliments to Mr and Mrs Gardiner." Then giving Elizabeth a long look, he backed out of the room. He had no desire to leave her. He wished he could stay. He wanted to travel with them, to reassure Elizabeth. Yet, he felt powerless to do anything as he could not be certain that his efforts would be successful.

  The ride back to Pemberley was slow and sad. Darcy's mind was whirling and distressed. He felt all his own sorrow about Georgiana last year, and he felt all Elizabeth's present distress. Once more that man was intruding on his notice. Again, Wickham was causing hurt and devastation. This would be the last time that he was going to drain the Pemberley estate of money. How much it would be this time? He was not sure. One thing that he knew, was no matter how much it was, it would not be enough for a man, who would steal Pemberley. This much had become very clear when he was a child. So many memories now flooded his mind. Memories of George Wickham ingratiating himself with the late Mr. Darcy. How his mother had seen that his father was giving George Wickham too high expectations. Memories of his mother's illness and death. Georgiana's intended elopement. Elizabeth's good opinion, of Wickham and poor opinion of Darcy. Memories of his own bad conduct, and Elizabeth believing Wickham's falsehoods. Memories of Miss Lydia's unguarded and frivolous manner. Nothing had given rise to the thought that she would do such a thing. Yes, Lydia was a flirt, imprudent and silly. She didn't have any kind of understanding of prop
riety of behaviour, that is for sure. From what I saw of her it was high sprits, not a girl who would court elopement. If given the right encouragement and her imprudence, it would not take much for such a girl to elope with such a man. Georgiana has more breeding and understanding of proper behaviour, yet she came close. How is it that two girls so different, could both be so taken in by that wretch of a man? Elizabeth was also taken in by him. My Elizabeth...I must help her. She is so distressed. It doesn't matter how much it costs... For the rest of the day his thoughts continued. He was contemplating the situation and planning the way to deal with Wickham.

  When Darcy arrived back at Pemberley he was grateful that none of the ladies was around. The gentlemen were fishing, and so Darcy had the house to himself, for a short period of time. This time he took writing letters of business, writing to Mr Phillips in Meryton. He instructed his valet and other servants to prepare for his departure in the morning. He knew that Elizabeth would arrive home tomorrow. Something this important, he assumed, they would travel overnight. He too was planning to travel overnight and would be in town on Sunday and would call on Mrs Younge that same day. He had much to do, but his main concern was about his sister and how she would react.

  When the Ladies returned, Darcy called his sister into his library. "Georgiana, I am about to tell you something that will pain you, but will I hope also help you. You remember what nearly happened last summer?"