Chapter Thirty-One
Darcy
D espite the shared night in the posting inn, it seemed to Darcy that little had changed. Elizabeth still resented him for continuing his investigation into Mrs Collins. The following two days of travel had been arduous, in part due to the increasing distance between him and his beloved Derbyshire—but mostly due to strained relations between him and Elizabeth. The previous evening she had told him of her plans to travel to Hertfordshire, she would not remain in London with him and Georgiana. As the carriage rolled to a stop in front of Darcy House, its imposing brick facade looming tall in the pale London light. Elizabeth sat still, her gloved hands folded tightly in her lap, her face set with determination. Darcy watched her closely, his chest heavy with the weight of their unresolved tension. He had wanted to protest her decision but knew that once her mind was made up about something, nothing would sway her from her course of action.
The door was opened, and Darcy stepped out first, offering his hand to Georgiana, who took it eagerly. She gazed up at the house with wide eyes, her excitement evident. “It’s been so long since I’ve been here!” she exclaimed. “I cannot wait to see everything again.”
Elizabeth followed, declining Darcy’s offered hand without a word. She adjusted her bonnet, her movements precise and composed, then turned towards the house. Darcy’s jaw clenched, but he said nothing.
As they entered the grand foyer, the familiar scent of polished wood and fresh flowers greeted them. Georgiana wandered ahead, marvelling at the high ceilings and sweeping staircase. Elizabeth stayed back, her eyes fixed on Darcy.
“I shall be leaving for Longbourn in the morning,” she said quietly, her tone flat but firm.
Darcy inhaled deeply, steeling himself. “Elizabeth,” he said, his voice measured, “must it be like this? Can we not talk, just the two of us?”
“There is nothing more to say,” she replied, her gaze unwavering. “I need space. I need to see my family.”
“You are hurt, and I understand that,” he said, stepping closer. “But running away won’t solve this.”
Her eyes flashed. “I am not running away. I am doing what I need to. For both of us.”
Darcy hesitated, his frustration battling with his desire to reach her. “And when will you return?”
Elizabeth’s lips pressed into a thin line. “When I’m ready.” She hesitated for a moment, then softened. “For Georgiana’s sake, let us not draw this out.”
Darcy nodded slowly, the words catching in his throat. “Very well. I shall have the carriage prepared in the morning to take you to see your family.”
Elizabeth gave a curt nod and turned away. She paused briefly, then glanced back, “This is not forever.”
He held her gaze, his own voice quiet. “I hope not.”
Without another word, she walked away, her footsteps echoing down the hall. Darcy stood in place, the emptiness of the house enveloping him.
Georgiana’s cheerful voice called from upstairs. “Fitzwilliam, come and see! Everything is just as I remembered!”
Darcy forced a smile and followed, though his heart remained in the foyer where the weight of Elizabeth’s impending absence lingered.