Chapter 3
Someone called out to him and, with a start, Darcy realised that while his mind had wandered back to the days in London, his foot had brought him to the inn in Lambton. The innkeeper greeted him, bringing him firmly to the present.
As he climbed the stairs towards Gardiners’ parlour, he thanked providence again for this renewed chance and his sister for her patience.
While talking to his uncle had relieved him of the agony, it was Georgiana’s gentle nature that brought back lightness to his life.
He had confessed to her about his disastrous proposal in Kent and she had then become his guide as he had practiced achieving his goal of amiability and humility.
He knocked on the door leading to the Gardiners’ parlour and entered with a smile, but his expression changed to instant alarm as he took in Elizabeth's countenance.
She looked most distressed, her eyes red-rimmed, clearly showing that she had been crying.
Her breath came in uneven gasps as she nearly collided with him in her rush to go out.
“I beg your pardon, but I must leave you. I must find Mr. Gardiner this moment, on business that cannot be delayed; I have not an instant to lose.”
Elizabeth's distress cut through him, and he immediately tried to calm her and get her to confide in him.
She was too distraught to speak and continued to tremble but sat down on his insistence after a few minutes of protesting.
Darcy gently encouraged her to compose herself, offering her some wine.
Slowly, she started talking though her voice kept trembling as she spoke.
“Mr. Darcy, my youngest sister Lydia is in grave peril. She may yet be lost to us.”
“Please let me know what has happened. I am sure there is something that can be done.” Darcy urged her.
"She had gone to Brighton with the regiment on the invitation of Colonel Forster's wife. Harriet Forster as you know is herself young and silly, hardly an appropriate chaperone for a girl of sixteen in a camp full of militia men.”
As Elizabeth spoke, a cold dread filled Darcy.
He knew Wickham was part of the militia and the blackguard did not need much reason to ruin any girl.
Miss Lydia was flirtatious, impudent, and would have been easily led by a few words of flattery by the scoundrel.
Expecting the worst, Darcy took Miss Elizabeth's hand and spoke gently.
“Please tell me at once, has Wickham attempted some mischief with your sister? Is she now in his power?”
“Although that may appear a most distasteful scenario, I would have preferred it for then my sister would at least be well enough, but something much worse happened. As you have already summarized, Lydia and Mr. Wickham formed an attachment in Brighton. She even wrote of her hopes of soon becoming Mrs. Wickham to my sister Kitty. A plan to elope was also mentioned but before anything could progress, Mr. Wickham seemed to secure the affection of a local heiress.” At this, she gave a significant look to Darcy.
“My sister has always been favored by our mother and is not in the habit of being denied. Thus, it became a matter of utmost importance to her that she keeps her suitor’s attention.
Working towards this goal, she attached herself to Mr. Wickham while on an excursion with a group of militia men.
To her dismay Mr. Wickham’s current paramour was also part of the group.
Lydia, in desperation to regain his affection, suggested that he guide her as she descended backwards on some grand staircase thus forcing his complete attention upon her.
Her wish was at first granted and she grew bolder.
But Mr. Wickham soon lost interest in Lydia and was trying to get back in the good graces of his current favourite who was most put out by this interaction. ”
Elizabeth stopped and took a large gulp of wine, trying to compose herself before continuing.
“Lydia, unaware of the situation, kept descending backwards and lost her footing. She fell and rolled down the staircase, striking her head against the stone steps, and had been unconscious since.”
As she completed her tale, she broke out into fresh sobs.
Darcy, who himself was shocked by the whole situation, found himself powerless.
He longed to hold her as he offered her comfort and assured her that all would be well.
But he knew he had no right; he just sat next to her and slowly coaxed her to have some more wine.
“What is being done now? Has anyone from your family gone to Brighton?” he gently asked.
“Yes, Papa has journeyed to Brighton taking Mama and Kitty with him, while Jane and Mary remain in Hertfordshire.”
At Darcy's incredulous expression, Elizabeth continued, “Jane writes that a militia officer himself came with Colonel Forster's message asking for my father's immediate presence. A doctor had examined Lydia but is most worried about her head injury. Papa was incensed by the whole matter. In a fit of pique, he decided to take Mama and Kitty to Brighton. He expects them to nurse her for he considers them enablers in her doom.”
She looked out of the window, as she continued in a soft tone.
“He has entreated my uncle Gardiner to take Jane and me to London and for Mary to go to our Aunt Philips so that Longbourn house may be closed.
He intends to rent accommodations in Brighton for the duration of Lydia's convalescence with Mama and Kitty staying there. I believe the Longbourn servants may have to travel to Brighton. I do not know what to think or feel. My sister hangs between life and death and my whole family seems to be in disarray.”
Elizabeth covered her face and continued to weep softly; Darcy knelt in front of her and took both her hands in his,
“Miss Bennet, I too have a young sister, and can well imagine your despair, but I assure you that I will do all that is in my power for Miss Lydia and your family.”
His soft proclamation brought Elizabeth back to her senses and she was embarrassed at her thoughtless confessions.
“Mr. Darcy!” she exclaimed, as she got up forcing him to abandon his position at her knee, “There is no reason for you to involve yourself in the sorry affairs of my family. I am most obliged to you for listening to my sad tale and would request that you keep the particulars to yourself. That Lydia is grievously injured is all that may be known, and her reputation may remain intact with no word of her escapade with Mr. Wickham circulated.”
“Miss Elizabeth, I consider myself equally responsible for the tragedy. Had I been open in Hertfordshire about Wickham’s proclivities we could have avoided this tragedy. I will never forgive myself for that error and would only ask that you allow me to atone for my mistakes.”
Before Elizabeth could respond in protest, the Gardiners entered the parlour. They had gone down for a short walk and heard of Mr. Darcy’s arrival as they came back to the inn.
Mr. Gardiner entered with a jovial smile which soon vanished as he saw the expression on the occupants of the room.
Mrs. Gardiner hurried to her niece trying to understand what had happened.
Elizabeth, finding herself unable to repeat the whole tale, just gave them Jane’s letter to read as a way of explanation.
For the next few minutes there was complete silence broken only by Elizabeth’s soft sobs which she desperately tried to control.
Mr. Gardiner was quickly reading Jane’s letter to understand what calamity had befallen while Mrs. Gardiner tried to hold her niece and offer her silent comfort.
Darcy stood there with a wretched expression unable to bring peace to the most important woman of his life.
He quietly reflected that Elizabeth had been right, it would have been much better had Miss Lydia run away with Wickham for then he could have easily bribed the miscreant into marrying her.
With her now struggling between life and death there was little more than prayers he could offer.
Finally, Mr. Gardiner completed the letter and passed it to his wife, and once both were aware of the situation he spoke.
“Lizzy dear, I know your father wishes me to take you and Jane into my care till Lydia recovers. I would gladly have you both at Gracechurch Street for however long it was needed but I feel that we would serve him better if Mrs. Gardiner and I were to travel to Brighton at the earliest. Bennet is suffering from guilt, anger, and devastation all at the same time and with Lydia unconscious he has no one to rant and rail at. My sister has never borne anxiety well and is sure to take to her bed. Kitty is too weak-willed to face her father’s wrath by herself and nurse Lydia. ”
“I do not know what Papa means by keeping me away from Brighton. I would happily nurse Lydia. I have always had a robust health and have been accustomed to nursing my sisters through their ailments. Kitty is but a child.” Elizabeth spoke desperately.
“While I would also like to spare you and Jane the despair of the sickroom, you are correct that Kitty is still a child and in no way capable of nursing her sister. If Mrs. Gardiner went to Brighton, she could well manage the household and your mother.” Seeing Elizabeth’s expression, he continued.
“I know you feel it unfair to keep you away from Lydia but nursing your sister through a cold is quite different from the sickroom of an unconscious person with a dangerous head injury. I do not want you to experience the despair of that if it can be helped."
“I will go, help your father hire accommodation, and if possible, a nurse for Lydia. But I do not want you girls to stay alone in London. The only option is that I will have to leave you at Longbourn for your Aunt Philips will not have room for all three of you.” Mr. Gardiner finally sat down, clasping and unclasping his hand as he thought about the situation.
“I am just babbling. Bennet’s plan is not sound, but neither is mine. I need to think before we rush off.”
It was at this point that Darcy interrupted, for a way to be useful to the Bennets had occurred to him.
“Mr. Gardiner, I own a small house in Brighton. It is not something luxurious, but comfortable enough. It should suffice for Miss Lydia’s convalescence.
I will send an express to my housekeeper immediately to open the house and hire any additional servants that are needed.
She is a well-informed woman and should know the best physician and nurse in the area to help with Miss Lydia’s care.
I will also write a letter of introduction for you, which you may present to her as you arrive in Brighton and move Miss Lydia and all other members of the family as needed.
I would further suggest that you travel in one of my carriages which is well suited to a rapid journey.
Mrs. Gardiner and Miss Elizabeth may stay at Pemberley for a day or two where I will speak to Bingley and ask him to open Netherfield’s manor house.
We could then travel to Hertfordshire with the ladies and Mrs. Gardiner may remain at Longbourn with her nieces.
I understand your children are at Longbourn sir, this way they may stay there as long as needed and even Miss Mary may stay at her own home rather than staying with the Philips.
I am sure Bingley would agree to stay in the area and be on hand.
I will do the same, so the ladies have all the help needed.
For now, I would recommend that Mrs. Bennet and Miss Catherine should stay in Brighton so that no unwanted gossip regarding the circumstances of Miss Lydia's injury is spread in Meryton.” As Darcy finished his speech, he realised that the Gardiners and Miss Bennet were all staring at him in wonder.
“Mr. Darcy, I am not sure what to say. I should probably insist that you should not inconvenience yourself on our account and that also when you have guests, but I am in no position to decline your kind offer, sir.” Mr. Gardiner finally said in a subdued tone.
“There would be no use in declining, for I will in the end do as I wish.” Darcy responded with a slight smile, “You may apply to Miss Bennet, I am sure she will confirm that I am the most obstinate and stubborn individual of her acquaintance, who is accustomed to always getting his own way.” He said, trying to introduce some levity to the situation and finally succeeded in getting a faint smile from Elizabeth as she responded.
“Well, Mr. Darcy, it seems stubbornness has its uses. I find I am not so opposed to you having your way when your obstinacy serves my selfish purpose. After all my complaints, now I am forced to admit that I am just as imperfect as you are.”
Darcy was more than gratified with her answer for he preferred a teasing Elizabeth far more over a sobbing one.
Soon he and Mr. Gardiner stepped away to discuss the particulars during which Darcy further proved his obstinacy and insisted that money should not be a concern for Miss Lydia’s treatment in Brighton.
The household in Brighton including a nurse was to be arranged at his expense.
Mr. Gardiner severely objected to this and insisted that he was quite capable of bearing the expense; Mr. Darcy did not budge, and thus he was forced to yield.
The matter once settled, Darcy took his leave of the ladies, hastening back to Pemberley.