Chapter 29
Chapter Twenty-Nine
The next morning, Elizabeth awoke to the news that Colonel Fitzwilliam had left for Haddon Court.
It did not surprise her, for after completing his dance with Georgiana, he had pleaded his excuses and hastily escaped the assembly rooms, travelling back to Pemberley alone.
Mr Darcy did not partner Elizabeth again; rather he stood alone by the wall, lost in thought.
As the evening wore on, a certain boisterousness descended over the other revellers, and it seemed prudent to return home sooner rather than later.
The mood in the carriage was sombre. Much disappointed by the colonel’s departure, Lady Acaster lamented the lack of refinement and variety of dances.
Mr Darcy sat in silence while Georgiana and Elizabeth spoke of everything they could without referencing the colonel’s abrupt removal.
In the breakfast room, Lady Acaster served Elizabeth and Georgiana tea as they digested the colonel’s return to his family home. “What do you think happened? Do you suppose he received ill-tidings regarding Lord Matlock?”
“No,” answered Elizabeth swiftly, mindful of Georgiana’s aversion to any mention of illness. “I do not think it was that.”
Lady Acaster affixed Elizabeth with a stern look. “You are withholding information. If you are in possession of insight pertaining to all this mystery, I beg of you to share it.”
There was no use concealing the truth. “The colonel informed me of his intention to marry Lady Violet Bellingford,” she said, attempting to disregard the shock upon the other women’s faces.
“Outrageous man!” exclaimed Lady Acaster. “He could not have been more attentive to you. How long have you known about it?”
“He told me last night in Lambton.”
“At a public dance!” Lady Acaster’s voice rose an octave. “Vexing, vexing rogue! It is no wonder he fled, for he must know I will have his hide for raising our expectations.”
“Are you well?” Georgiana’s soft concern contrasted with Lady Acaster’s indignant tones. “Even when we were children, I hoped that one day you might marry Fitzwilliam. You always seemed so happy together. He does not deserve you. I shall cast him off.”
A determined frown lined the smooth skin of Georgiana’s forehead, and Elizabeth was quick to reassure her companions.
“Please believe me when I say that I am well.” She shot her aunt a meaningful look.
“There was a time when I thought myself flattered by Colonel Fitzwilliam’s charms, but now I am only mortified to have been somewhat swayed by them.
” She clasped Georgiana’s hand. “You must not be too hard on your cousin, for he acts to please his father.”
“But to tell you all this at an assembly!” Lady Acaster snorted. “And then to flee without so much as a goodbye! I despair of His Majesty’s soldiers.”
“If you are angry on behalf of my wounded heart, then please be easy when I say that Colonel Fitzwilliam has no claim to it.”
“Then why did Mr Darcy appear so very angry?” Her aunt would not be placated. “He looked most displeased.”
Elizabeth’s cheeks grew hot. “I believe he was under the impression that Colonel Fitzwilliam intended to propose to me. He did not like it when he failed to do so.”
“But why would that be? Why would Mr Darcy take such an interest in your dealings with the colonel?” Lady Acaster’s eyes narrowed.
“I had a conversation with him about his cousin, and Mr Darcy told me that he would encourage the colonel to think favourably of me.”
“When, precisely, might he have discussed such a delicate matter? It is hardly the sort of topic one broaches over dinner.”
Elizabeth hesitated. She looked into her aunt’s eyes, wondering what her response would be.
The face staring back at her was once of concern and confusion.
I cannot lie to her. Glancing over her shoulder to ensure there were no nearby servants, Elizabeth leant forwards.
“One night, when I was alone with him in his study.”
Lady Acaster gasped. “And what, may I ask, were you doing there?”
Elizabeth and Georgiana exchanged a glance. Under no circumstances would Elizabeth ever reveal Georgiana’s near elopement, and she did not know what to say.
“I am prone to sleepwalking,” Georgiana intervened.
“Elizabeth found me several weeks ago and saved me from entering the lake. My brother wished to speak to Elizabeth that night as he guessed she would not sleep from worrying about me. I know it was irregular, but I imagine he did not want to disturb the other members of the household.”
Lady Acaster fixed Elizabeth with a hard stare.
“Most irregular indeed. Elizabeth, I wish to speak with you privately. Please join me for a walk around the gardens.” She addressed Georgiana directly, “Forgive me for leaving you so abruptly. I am sure we shall not be detained long.” She stood, her hand beckoning to Elizabeth.
“Come, there is much we need to discuss.”
Lady Acaster’s hand was heavy in the crook of Elizabeth’s arm. She had not said a word, her usual warmth replaced by cold disappointment. The two women walked in silence along the hedge gardens until Elizabeth could bear it no longer.
She stopped and drew her aunt to a bench. “Nothing happened between Mr Darcy and me.” The words burst from her before she had a chance to reconsider them. “He wished to explain the reason why Georgiana suffers—and I was not at liberty to retell it to you.”
“Were you in danger?” Lady Acaster’s voice shook.
“Not from Mr Darcy,” Elizabeth reassured her aunt. “He is the most honourable man I have ever known.”
“I was referring to the lake.”
Mortification flooded Elizabeth’s cheeks. “No, I was able to reach poor Georgiana just in time.”
“Why did you not mention at least some of this to me?” Lady Acaster drew herself up. “You should have told me that you were alone with him.”
“Nothing happened,” she repeated weakly. “We spoke, and—” Her voice caught. “He shared events from his life that left a lasting impression upon him, and I told him something of mine.”
“Were they of a personal nature?”
Elizabeth’s heart raced at the memory of her hand in his. “I suppose so, yes.”
Lady Acaster regarded her, the creases around her eyes deepened in sympathy, and she said, in gentler tones, “Intimacy is not always physical.”
Unable to reply, Elizabeth simply nodded. They sat in silence. “Do you wish to tell me what you spoke of?” said her aunt at last.
Elizabeth thought of Mr Wickham, his grasping fingers hot upon her body. “No.”
“Then I must wonder why you trust him and not me.”
Elizabeth stared at her. “Are you jealous?”
“Do not be absurd.” Sunlight caught Lady Acaster’s copper curls as she shifted her weight awkwardly on the seat. “It is only that I assumed you would tell me everything, and here you are, keeping secrets.”
Elizabeth bit her lip. “If I told you, you might be unhappy.”
“What on earth gave you that notion?”
Elizabeth inhaled shakily. “Once, I tried speaking to my mother about difficult moments from my past, but she told me that she had no time for my silliness. She hated that I left Pemberley after only a few months. For some reason she never liked me, and she used my departure from Derbyshire as an excuse to punish me. When I returned to Longbourn, I was treated differently from all my other sisters. I was not to eat or play with them. I did not sit with them unless it was of benefit to Mama’s nerves.
I learnt not to share secrets, for they would certainly be used against me. ”
Lady Acaster’s mouth grew grim. “What did my brother say to this?”
“Papa overlooked her behaviour. I do not understand why, for we used to be such confidants. I suppose it was easier for him to turn a blind eye as I was made to run all the errands while my sisters sewed. I would be called upon to care for Kitty when she became ill, and it meant that he did not have to listen to my mother’s grievances.
All this work I did, without complaint, but as soon as the opportunity arose, Mama sent me to stay at my aunt Philips’s house, then later in Cheapside.
My aunt and uncle Gardiner are wonderful, generous people, but they have a growing family, and I felt a burden to them.
Although I was shown affection, I was simply another mouth to feed. ”
No longer angry, Lady Acaster covered Elizabeth’s hand with her own. “My poor girl. I had no idea you felt this way.”
“And then, at last, I came to live with you.” Elizabeth entwined her fingers with her aunt’s.
“With your fine jewellery, confidence, and plain speaking, you opened my eyes to a brand-new world, but I cannot forget that this is transient. One day I was nobody and the next I am Lady Acaster’s niece, but all it takes is one word or one misstep, and I might be forced to return home, my tail between my legs, to face my mother’s disappointment once more. ”
Wordlessly, Lady Acaster pulled Elizabeth into her arms, hugging her so tightly it almost forced the air from her lungs.
“For as long as I draw breath, know that you are fiercely and endlessly loved. I may not be your mother, but you are as dear to me as any natural child. I will never send you away.”
Elizabeth trembled in her aunt’s embrace.
How she had longed to be held like this!
She wanted to reply, but the older woman continued, her voice shaking, “If I had a daughter of your charm, your wit, your kindness, I would never let her go. The only reason I have been searching for a suitable husband for you is because I wish you to have true happiness in your marriage—for it is only under those circumstances that I would bear to be parted from you.”
Moved by her aunt’s declaration, Elizabeth pulled away, smiling through her tears. “I have no intention of marrying. I love you too dearly. I will not leave you, I promise.”
“Do not be ridiculous.” Lady Acaster choked a watery laugh. “And do not make promises you cannot keep. You are not so adept when it comes to concealing your affections.”
Elizabeth’s stomach fluttered. “Whatever can you mean?”
Lady Acaster wiped Elizabeth’s cheeks with her handkerchief, a twinkle returning to her eye. “Do you know where Mr Darcy has gone? I have seen nothing of him all morning.”
Warmth spread up Elizabeth’s neck, but she attempted to look unaffected by her aunt’s question. “I am not sure. Why do you ask?”
Deep lines creased around Lady Acaster’s eyes as her lips curved into an affectionate, knowing grin. “I am in possession of an excessively inquisitive mind, my dear. It is both a blessing and a curse.”