Chapter 16 Bennet recalls his past and gives his consent. #3
“No, we do not want Darcy challenging you; his word would be taken over yours. Darcy’s handkerchief will be telling enough. Just make sure she walks out and comes here alone. No one will see us here.”
“As no one can see us now, my darling.”
“You would like me to swive you again, my dear?”
She giggled as he started to kiss and fondle her.
“I would, dear Wickham!”
10 April 1812
Hunsford, Kent
Elizabeth felt all the close quarters of the parsonage as she finished packing her gowns for the trip back to Hertfordshire.
She was uneasy about dinner that evening and the likely queries from Lady Catherine regarding her hasty return home a week before her intended departure, particularly because she could not respond with any degree of composure given her limited knowledge of the situation at Longbourn, her unannounced betrothal, and her dear wish to hide any and all facts from Lady Catherine.
So with this weighing heavily on her mind, she decided to go for one last stroll through the park. She also hoped to encounter Mr. Darcy. Perhaps they might have a chance to share some furtive kisses before they were to depart.
She gazed about her at the budding trees.
Spring had taken over the landscape during her short visit.
Strolling more slowly than was her wont, she took it all in so as to preserve the memory.
As she ambled along, she enjoyed the beauty of the park, daydreaming about a warm set of eyes and kisses full of the promise of future passion.
She glanced about casually for signs of his coming to join her, but saw no trace of him.
She was just out of sight of the parsonage when she heard quick footfalls behind her.
She turned, anticipating her betrothed, and recognizing his coat, she smiled but was puzzled that he held a handkerchief over his face.
She had no time to process the thought as, in an instant, he darted towards her, and she realized his movements were not familiar.
Elizabeth was caught unprepared by the realization that this was not Mr. Darcy.
In haste, she narrowed her eyes and automatically stepped back, her hands out in a defensive manner.
As her attacker advanced, she turned to run but lost her balance and started to fall.
He grabbed her from behind, wrenching her arm as he pulled her backwards, trapping her against his body.
Elizabeth’s mind whirled with terror as she struggled for release, grasping and pulling at the arm around her waist, but her attacker held fast. Pain shot through the arm held behind her back, and her fear escalated as she understood the precarious position she was in.
She cried out for help without realizing if she were caught in this position, it could result in the ruin of her reputation.
Thrashing about, she suspected that her attacker was Wickham.
“Unhand me, Mr. Wickham!” she said in a panicked voice, in hopes of frightening him off when his identity was revealed.
This had the intended effect, startling her attacker into loosening his hold on her waist, but only for an instant.
As she twisted in his arms, Wickham grabbed at her, roughly catching her wrist once more and tearing her spencer.
She fought back, scratching at his face and trying to back away, but he captured her other wrist painfully.
Her mind was racing, frightened of what he would do next.
“Please, Mr. Wickham, please let me be!” she cried, her face contorted with fear and pain.
“You cannot get away from me so easily, Miss Elizabeth,” he growled lasciviously. “Do you think I would let you return to Hertfordshire without my satisfaction? It will go easier if you are quiet.”
She had become frantic and tried even harder to pull away, the heels of her half-boots digging into the stones of the path, but his grip on her wrists was ferocious. Tears streamed down her face, so she barely saw Darcy jump from his mount and bound towards them.
“Mr. Darcy!” she screamed, while at the same time relaxing her struggle, in hope of redirecting Wickham’s attention.
In his shock, Wickham turned his head abruptly.
In a final effort for release, Elizabeth urgently jerked her hands down and fell backwards as she became liberated from Wickham’s cruel grip, hitting the ground with brutal force.
This allowed Darcy to knock the off-balance Wickham down.
Darcy fell alongside him, but the scoundrel scurried out of reach and was immediately on his feet.
Before Darcy could right himself, Wickham was off into the woods.
Darcy took several steps to follow him when he heard Elizabeth’s sob.
“Elizabeth!” he cried as he rushed to her side and dropped to his knees. “My love, are you well? Did he hurt you?” He gathered her into his arms.
Her body was shaking uncontrollably as tears streamed down her face.
Unable to catch her breath, she gasped, sobbed, and clung to him with unprecedented fierceness while he held her close and stroked her back, dropping soft kisses on her hair.
At length, his whispered words of endearment achieved some small amount of calm in her distraught state.
He took out his handkerchief and offered it to her to wipe her eyes.
“Are you hurt?” he asked softly.
“My wrists are sore, but I am embarrassed to say that my bottom has suffered the worst of it,” she said. “I do not know how I am to manage a carriage ride to Hertfordshire tomorrow!”
“Well, he did not harm your sense of humour.” A relieved Darcy rose and helped her to her feet. “Come, my love, I must deliver you back to the parsonage and then arrange for a party to search for Mr. Wickham.”
Suddenly, her eyes welled with tears. “Oh, no! Please do not try to find him, else everyone will know I was ruined by him!” She started to sob. “Fitzwilliam…Mr. Darcy…if you wish it, I shall release you from our engagement.”
He quickly captured her in his arms, kissed her temple, and reassured her.
“No, Elizabeth, I do not want to end our engagement. As soon as we return to Longbourn, I shall go to your father, and then you will have no escape from marrying me.” He pulled his head back and lifted her chin.
Her eyes evaded him, then they fluttered hesitantly to meet his, and she had the benefit of his warm smile.
Elizabeth took a shuddering breath as her tears subsided, and she tentatively returned his smile.
He kissed the sides of her lips and then enticed her into a deeper kiss.
He hoped to encourage her belief that he would keep her safe, though he was not sure how he would accomplish it with Wickham’s continued success at escaping incarceration.