Chapter 6 #2
Mr Bingley looked defeated. “Mr Collins, there is nothing to be grateful for. And please, there is no need to beg. I shall accept Mrs Bennet’s invitation, and I shall do my best to convince Darcy to join me, though I cannot guarantee my success.”
Mr Collins was so overjoyed by Mr Bingley’s words that he was effusive on the subject until Mr Bingley bade his farewells in some haste and left with the promise of returning the next day.
***
At Netherfield, Darcy finished the letters to his solicitor, his cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam, and Georgiana but remained in the library to avoid any further distress.
Bingley had called at Longbourn — again — and his sisters had vociferously disapproved of his partiality.
While he did not necessarily approve of Bingley’s interest in Miss Bennet, he was vexed by Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst’s malicious gossip — especially against the Bennets.
Even worse, he was bothered by his own restless thoughts that centred too much around Elizabeth Bennet.
He had not seen her since she had visited Netherfield, but he had found himself recollecting her pretty, sparkling eyes several times — certainly more often than those of any other woman.
What was it that had captured his interest?
Could it simply be her connection to his family, or should he worry that it was more?
Darcy’s reflections were interrupted by the entrance of a servant, who delivered an express from Pemberley. He felt slightly perturbed as he took the letter in Mrs Reynolds’s well-known handwriting and eagerly unfolded it.
At first glance, he noticed three pages — fully written — and sighed in relief, hoping he had finally received an answer to his questions. His eyes flew over the letter faster than his mind could comprehend it, and his anxiety increased with every word.
Sir,
I pray this letter finds you and Miss Georgiana in good health. Please know you both are always in our thoughts and prayers, and we count the days until we see you at Pemberley again.
It is my great pleasure to be able to answer your questions, even though the events took place more than ten years ago, and I had almost forgotten about them myself.
I do remember a young girl such as you describe quite vividly.
She was the daughter of a gentleman who owned a small estate, and the niece by marriage of Mrs Clarke’s great-niece, Madeleine Gardiner.
Young Lizzy, I believe was her name, was around ten years old when she came to Pemberley with her aunt and great-aunt.
She stayed in Lambton for several weeks and visited Pemberley on a number of occasions, but she made quite an impression in that brief time.
It is one of my happiest memories during what was an unfortunate time for your family.
She made Miss Georgiana laugh and roll in the grass and Lady Anne smile, which happened very rarely in those days.
Lady Anne used to say that Lizzy had brought a breath of fresh air to Pemberley, and she enjoyed seeing the girls playing together.
Mrs Richmond, Miss Georgiana’s governess, disapproved of young Lizzy, claiming she was too wild in her behaviour and not proper enough in her manners for her age. I dare say she was just spirited, lively, and confident, and braver than other young girls.
Her courage was confirmed the day when Miss Georgiana was thrown from her pony and fell into the lake.
Lizzy immediately jumped in after her and kept her head above the water until the servants arrived to pull her out.
Lady Anne was positive that Lizzy saved Miss Georgiana’s life that day, though Mrs Richmond claimed there were many other servants around who would have saved her moments later.
Only God knows the truth, but that little girl jumped into the lake and grabbed hold of Miss Georgiana with more boldness and determination than many men.
I remember Lady Anne offered Lizzy a necklace as a reward for her courage. I also recollect that your father offered the Gardiners — Lizzy’s uncle and aunt — a generous reward, but they declined it.
I last saw them several days before Lady Anne’s tragic death, but I continued to ask Mrs Clarke about them, just as they enquired after Miss Georgiana.
I am not aware whether Miss Lizzy ever met Miss Georgiana again.
Miss Lizzy must be a young lady now; I hope she has not lost her spirit and bravery.
Although you did not request it, I took the liberty of contacting the late Mrs Clarke’s relatives, and I attach Mr and Mrs Gardiner’s direction in London in case you wish to contact them. If you do not oppose it, I would like to write to them myself too; I would be happy to have news of them.
I hope my letter has provided you with some satisfactory answers to your questions. I hurried to send it to you, as you mentioned the matter was of some urgency. Please let me know if I may be of any more help on this subject.
A. Reynolds
He put the letter down on the desk but held it tight with his fingers, as if afraid he might lose it. His entire body was stirred by chills, while he tried to fully comprehend the letter, and eventually he read it again.
The revelation that Miss Elizabeth had been held in such affection and esteem by his mother and that she had saved his sister’s life was overwhelmingly impressive.
Since the details were few and unsatisfying for him, he wrote another letter, asking Mrs Reynolds for every detail.
Another tormenting week would follow until he could expect her reply, and his patience got the better of him.
The only way to obtain some answers sooner would be to ask none other than the heroine of the story.
He had to see Miss Elizabeth Bennet soon. Very soon.