Chapter 8 #3
“Our housekeeper’s daughter had been taken to bed with her first child,” Miss Bennet said.
“Lizzy might have accompanied Mrs. Hill to tend her had she thought she could be of use, but I knew Mrs. Hill would never allow it.” She wound and unwound her shawl’s fringe around her fingers as she spoke.
“Papa was certain something dreadful had happened, and I walked to the church to ask Mr. Tompkins whether he might ride out to the river to see the scene himself. I knew we ought not send anyone connected to our family.”
“Mr. Tompkins was given the living in the village six months ago,” Sir William said. “Entirely trustworthy, but beyond the appointment, not believed to have a particular connection to the Bennet family.”
Miss Bennet nodded. “Mr. Tompkins saw two men searching the blackberry bushes on the side of the road.”
Did they believe Elizabeth was in the river, or that she had escaped? And if they believed she was alive, would they attempt to track her down or hide themselves?
“How well did your Mr. Tompkins see those men?” Fitz asked.
“Well enough,” Mr. Bennet replied. “One rather average-looking man, one with very fair looks.”
Sir William was surprised. Mr. Bennet must not have shared this information with him. It had been a wise decision. The fewer who knew the details, the better.
Fitz offered a description of the two men, and Miss Bennet sighed.
“The same men,” she said quietly. “How did Lizzy escape?”
Darcy glanced at his cousin beseechingly. He could not bear to tell this part of the tale, and was grateful when Fitz explained it for him.
The room was silent for a time until Darcy asked Miss Bennet to continue.
“While we awaited our carriage after the ball,” she said, “Mr. Bingley mentioned that Lizzy was in some sort of trouble with Mr. Darcy. Mr. Bingley was very kind, very concerned, and he hoped to call at Longbourn to discuss it discreetly once his friends had departed for London.” She lifted her gaze to Darcy’s.
“I do not know Mr. Darcy very well, but I know my sister. I told Mr. Bingley he must have misunderstood. He behaved as though I was too na?ve to accept my sister’s duplicity. ” Her jaw tightened. “It annoyed me.”
“Jane’s temper is something of a legend—rarely seen, but a sight to behold,” Mr. Bennet said fondly.
“The surest way to light the fuse is to patronize her. Between that and Lizzy’s story, she had heard enough.
By the time I returned from Meryton, she had already penned a note declining Mr. Bingley’s visit. ”
Sir William smiled. Darcy glanced at Fitz. He had a smile on his face, too. A small one. But it was definitely a smile.
“I attempted to dissuade him at the ball but he would not desist,” Miss Bennet said slowly. “It began to anger me. It was the first time we had disagreed, and his unwillingness to admit that my understanding of Lizzy was better than his showed me the man he is beneath the charming facade.”
“He did not know you, my dear,” Sir William said reassuringly.
“I am not certain he wished to,” Miss Bennet replied.
“I pondered it for hours before I could sleep that night, wondering whether I was being too unforgiving. But in the morning, when Papa related Lizzy’s story and she did not return, I did wonder whether Mr. Bingley was involved.
” She swallowed and gave Darcy a remorseful look.
“I might have believed you involved, sir, but Lizzy would not invent such a tale, not even about a person she disliked.
And she liked Mr. Bingley. As did I.“ Her hands stopped their work.
“My sister walks to find peace, to think. If only I had spoken with her before we retired, perhaps she would not have felt the need to walk out.”
With a good deal of sympathy, Darcy recounted his actions, beginning with Elizabeth’s response when she awoke in the secret room off his study. He did not tell them about the room but did mention how it had ended with him wearing the remains of his dinner.
As intended, this made Sir William and the Bennets laugh a little.
His description of Elizabeth’s spirit, more than anything else, reassured them that she was well.
As well as could be expected, in any case.
Darcy mentioned her illness, her recovery, and how relieved she had been to hear the story that had been devised to keep her family safe.
“She was more concerned for her sisters than herself,” Fitz added.
“That is very like her,” Miss Bennet replied. “There is no one more loyal to those she loves than Lizzy.”
Fitz cast a quick glance at Darcy. Except you, his eyes said. Darcy ignored him.
“When shall we retrieve her, Mr. Darcy?” Mr. Bennet asked.
“I appreciate the need for secrecy, but she cannot remain with you. We really should move her to the Gardiners’ home for a time before bringing her back to Longbourn.
It will give truth to the story of her visit and allow us time to find her a husband. ”
Darcy felt the blood drain from his face. They still did not know who had attacked Elizabeth—surely it was too soon to speak of her leaving him?
“I had thought of that, Bennet, while we waited for you to arrive,” Sir William said.
“For more than one reason, it would be risky to bring her home without word of a betrothal. Given that this situation remains unresolved, it would be better still to have her a married woman.” He tugged at his ear.
“You can tell Mrs. Bennet you sent her to the Gardiners to meet a possible suitor but did not wish to say as much in case it all came to naught. I considered my Sam, but he is perhaps too young for her, and it would be unnecessary to send Miss Eliza to London to meet him.”
“Sam is a good boy, but I think we can agree that Elizabeth would be too much for him,” Mr. Bennet said.
Sir William stood and motioned to the side of the room. Bennet nodded, and Sir William poured. “What think you of Andrew Long? He is in town currently.”
Sir William harrumphed. “If Sam is too young, Andrew is far too old. Were he fifteen years younger, he might have a hope of keeping up with her, but now?”
Bennet snorted. “Fair enough, but our prospects are rather limited.”
Fitz nudged Darcy. “Breathe, cousin,” he said in a low whisper. The words rang in Darcy’s ears.
Until Fitz said the word, Darcy had indeed forgotten to draw breath.
He had fought his feelings for Elizabeth.
His allegiance to his family prevented it, and she might not wish it in any case.
She had been warming to him, he believed, and his admiration for her had only grown deeper and steadier.
Duty still insisted that Elizabeth would not suit.
But his heart was overwhelming those long-held convictions.
He loved Elizabeth. Darcy blinked. Good God, he loved her. Could he bear to see her betrothed to another?
“We should have Goulding here. He is our most creative thinker,” Sir William mused.
“He would put Eliot forward,” Mr. Bennet responded. He glanced at Darcy and Fitz. “Goulding’s nephew,” he explained.
Listening to these men sorting through Elizabeth’s prospects was akin to sitting atop an anthill.
Sir William considered it. “Eliot would be a decent match if it were not for . . .” He made a wide circle with one finger near his ear. “It still makes him a little . . . you know. Sometimes.”
Darcy’s eyes widened. They would wed her to an idiot? Clever, witty Elizabeth?
Miss Bennet interrupted the discussion. “I believe Lizzy should be involved in this conversation, Papa,” she said firmly. “She may not wish to be married at all.”
Though he said not a word, Darcy could not have agreed more heartily. Miss Bennet was everything good and trustworthy.
“I am afraid that time is past, Jane,” Mr. Bennet said with regret.
“While we have covered the truth, there will always be the potential for gossip. Even with all these gentlemen have done to protect her, Lizzy has been in Mr. Darcy’s home without a chaperone for more than a week.
” He raised an eyebrow at Darcy. “I have not asked who cared for Lizzy while she was injured and ill as I suspect I do not wish to know, but Jane, surely you can see that she must marry.”
“I am not the one you must convince, Papa,” was Miss Bennet’s serious reply. “Lizzy’s reputation has not been tarnished thanks to your quick thinking. We have heard no gossip. Must she wed?”
Mr. Bennet shook his head. “Lizzy is a sensible girl. She will understand.”
Miss Bennet was shaking her head, and Darcy quite agreed. It was not right. Mr. Bennet was a tyrant. To tie Elizabeth to any man who was not . . . was not . . . Darcy’s shoulders slumped.
Who was not him. Mr. Bennet should not betroth Elizabeth to anyone but him.
“I suppose we could ask Gardiner,” Mr. Bennet continued. “His circle is mostly tradesman, but he has connections, men with significant fortunes who would be pleased with a gently bred wife, particularly an intelligent one. Frankly, Lizzy might thrive in such a marriage.”
“Or Darcy and I could enlist my mother,” Fitz added, all affability.
Darcy glared at his cousin, but Fitz continued to speak.
“The countess knows nearly every family in the ton and has an exact knowledge of marriageable men and their situations. I am sure my mother would like her. Miss Elizabeth is a rather spirited, intelligent woman.” He caught Darcy’s eye and spoke directly to him.
“Pretty, too, which a young woman ought to be if she possibly can.”
Mr. Bennet made a sort of growling sound in his throat, and Miss Bennet released a startled laugh.
“Pardon me,” she said, raising one hand to her mouth. “That is just like something Lizzy said once about . . .” she faltered. “About a man we know.”
Darcy knew just the man she meant, and he felt a little twinge of pity for Miss Bennet, though he dared not display it. He faced his cousin. “Fitz,” he said, “may I speak with you in private?”