Trapped in Scandal

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Elizabeth

T he trip to London had been postponed by a day. Mr Darcy had made the decision but Elizabeth welcomed it. However, today they had no choice but to embark, despite the unspoken gulf between them. They were expected at Darcy House and their continued absence would raise questions among their acquaintances in Town.

It was not a vague anger at her circumstances, nor the unease that had once troubled her heart at the outset of their marriage. No, this was a particular and sustained ire, directed wholly at the one who had caused her distress—Mr Darcy.

The chill that had befallen them earlier in the year, from December through to April, had returned in full force. Neither of them spoke a word to the other, the tension palpable between them. The first time, Elizabeth had been eager to make amends, but now, the last thing she wished was to hear the sound of Mr Darcy’s voice.

Mr Darcy seemed to harbour emotions akin to her own, for Elizabeth could scarcely recall more than a few words he had spoken to her during breakfast, nor had he made any effort to converse as they boarded the carriage.

Georgiana, visibly distressed, took her seat beside Elizabeth in the carriage, the two women sitting opposite Mr Darcy, who appeared to find something of particular interest in the view outside the window.

“It is a delightful day for a carriage ride, is it not?” Georgiana asked with a nervous smile, clearly attempting to break the silence. Elizabeth felt a pang of guilt, knowing how uncomfortable such tension must be for the younger woman. She opened her mouth to reply, but Mr Darcy interrupted before she could speak.

“It will be more delightful when we are out of this carriage,” he said tersely, his gaze still fixed on the scenery.

“We have not even begun our journey…” Georgiana pointed out, her voice uncertain but accurate, as the horses had not yet started moving. Elizabeth inhaled deeply, understanding all too well the barbed meaning of Mr Darcy’s remark.

“We will be at the inn before sundown,” she said calmly.

“My hope is we make more haste,” Mr Darcy replied. It took every ounce of Elizabeth’s self-control not to retort, if only for Georgiana’s sake.

“I am not so hopeful,” Georgiana said quickly, forcing a brightness into her tone. “It is a fine season, and we shall be privy to many delightful sights.”

“None so wonderful as the peace and quiet of Pemberley,” Mr Darcy sighed.

“But we shall have the pleasure of being in London in three days’ time, surrounded by all the excitement it brings,” Georgiana countered, sinking into her seat slightly. Mr Darcy did not respond, nor did Elizabeth. Georgiana looked down, clearly disheartened.

For the first few miles, Georgiana made valiant attempts to initiate conversation, but Mr Darcy consistently ended them before Elizabeth had a chance to respond. Eventually, Georgiana gave up, taking out a book to read. Elizabeth followed suit, taking her own book from her bag.

By midday, they stopped to refresh themselves at a small inn situated at the juncture between Derbyshire and Leicestershire. Elizabeth, stepping away from the carriage, found solace in the wildflowers growing nearby. The sight eased her spirits, if only briefly. Georgiana seemed equally entranced, gathering a small handful of flowers to press.

“What are your plans for those blooms?” Elizabeth asked, her tone warmer now.

“I have plans for Christmas presents,” Georgiana replied with a giggle. “You and Fitzwilliam may just find out later.”

“I am certain whatever you create will be wonderful,” Elizabeth said encouragingly.

“I do so hope you like it,” Georgiana murmured.

“We must be away!” Mr Darcy called from the carriage, already seated and impatient to continue.

“He is in quite the disagreeable mood,” Georgiana said quietly as they walked back to the carriage. “I cannot help thinking it is partially my fault.”

“I would not let it trouble you so,” Elizabeth reassured her as they approached the vehicle. “The matter will resolve itself eventually, as all others have before.”

Even as she said it, Elizabeth found it difficult to believe her own words. Mr Darcy had never so thoroughly vexed her, and it appeared he had no intention of making amends.

“What matter is this?” Mr Darcy asked sharply as they climbed into the carriage.

Georgiana glanced at Elizabeth, then turned to her brother. “Are you certain you cannot think what could be the matter, dear brother?”

“I have not a thought of it,” Mr Darcy huffed.

“You have not a thought, and yet you are entirely preoccupied with our troubles,” Elizabeth said, stepping into the carriage and seating herself.

“I do not understand your meaning, Elizabeth,” Mr Darcy replied, though he still avoided looking at her, his gaze fixed resolutely on the window.

“Oh dear, it must be troubling if he is not calling you Lizzy,” Georgiana observed wryly as she stepped inside.

“I have called her Elizabeth before, even when I was not so vexed,” Mr Darcy replied, frowning at his sister.

“So you are vexed this time,” Elizabeth said coolly, taking a handkerchief from her bag to embroider.

“Elizabeth, this is not—”

“Oh, please, pray stop this, both of you!” Georgiana interjected plaintively. “This is just as worrisome as the carriage ride after you were married…”

Mr Darcy paused, looking at his sister with concern. “Georgiana, I am not—”

“Yes, you are.”

“I did not finish my sentence,” Mr Darcy retorted, raising an eyebrow.

“I know you well enough to say you were either going to explain how you are not vexed or how this situation is entirely different from that day. Neither is the truth, brother,” Georgiana said with a sigh. Mr Darcy opened his mouth to respond but closed it again, at a loss for words.

Elizabeth, feeling a flicker of guilt for Georgiana’s discomfort, lowered her embroidery. “I apologise for my part in today’s events, Georgiana,” she said softly.

“I thank you for that,” Georgiana murmured, opening her book again.

The carriage moved onwards, the strained silence broken only by Georgiana’s occasional attempts at conversation with one or the other. Small towns and villages passed in quiet succession, and by the time they arrived at the inn for the night, the sun was trailing low in the sky.

Elizabeth stepped out of the carriage, glancing up at the sign that read The Grey Stallion. Mr Darcy immediately went inside to speak with the landlord, Georgiana following close behind. Elizabeth lingered outside for a moment, savouring the brief respite from Mr Darcy’s company.

When she entered, she found them in discussion with the landlord.

“Are you quite certain there are only two chambers available tonight?” Mr Darcy asked.

The landlord nodded. “I am afraid so, sir, and it will be the same for the next two nights.”

“I see,” Mr Darcy muttered, clearly unhappy with the situation. Elizabeth looked at him, waiting for him to come to some resolution on the matter.

“Well, these are the only chambers I have,” the landlord said, holding out two metal keys.

“I do not see why it should be an issue,” Georgiana said. “Which key is for the larger chamber?” she asked. Elizabeth suspected that Georgiana might be about to offer to stay with her in the larger of the two rooms, to ease the situation. The landlord pointed towards the keys, and Georgiana took the other one.

“I shall take the smaller chamber if you do not mind, and you both may have the larger one,” Elizabeth offered politely.

“Oh, no, Georgiana, do not be so foolish. I will take the smaller one, and you shall take the larger one with Elizabeth,” Mr Darcy stated, reaching for the key from Georgiana. However, Georgiana clutched it to her chest.

“Not at all, Fitzwilliam,” she said with gentle firmness. “I would not mind taking the smaller room for one night. You should spend the night with your wife instead.”

Elizabeth’s eyes widened as she realised Georgiana was attempting to force Mr Darcy into a position where he could not easily refuse. While Georgiana knew that things between the couple were strained, she did not know the intricacies of their relationship and clearly assumed that they were husband and wife in all ways possible. Mr Darcy hesitated, clearly caught off guard by his sister’s request.

“Dearest brother,” Georgiana continued with a soft smile, “I will be perfectly fine for the night. If I need anything, I shall call for assistance.”

Elizabeth glanced around, noticing the patrons in the inn had started to observe the exchange with curiosity. Georgiana, blissfully unaware, continued to act as though it were nothing out of the ordinary.

“It is just down the hall from the other,” the landlord said. Mr Darcy looked between the two women, his expression a mixture of confusion and reluctant acceptance. If Elizabeth were not so horrified at the prospect of sharing a room with Mr Darcy, she might have found some humour in Georgiana’s audacity.

With the situation settled—at least for the night—they headed to their respective rooms, the awkwardness still very much present between them.