Chapter 10
The Darcy carriage reached Longbourn after two very long days of travel.
Jane and Mary stood at the entrance, and as the carriage stopped, Elizabeth jumped out, without waiting for anyone’s assistance.
Soon the sisters were hugging each other and crying.
Darcy had alighted after Elizabeth and then helped his sister.
He busied himself directing the servants to unload the luggage.
Georgiana, on the other hand stood marvelling as she witnessed the sisterly bond.
A silent tear made its way down her face.
As the sisters parted, Jane noticed the young girl standing quietly and asked Lizzy for the introductions.
“Oh! Where are my manners?” exclaimed Elizabeth as she introduced her sisters to Miss Darcy.
“Miss Darcy is to be our guest for as long as Mr. Darcy stays at Netherfield.” Elizabeth explained as Mr. Darcy made his way towards them. Greeting Jane and Mary, he tried to excuse himself.
“Miss Elizabeth, I will make my way to Netherfield. It is getting late; you should also be going inside.”
“Mr. Darcy, please join us for supper before going to Netherfield. There is no reason for you to eat alone.” Elizabeth gently replied.
Darcy thought about declining but Elizabeth's silent entreaty was enough for him to agree, and they made their way to the front parlour.
A selection of cold meats, bread and cheese had already been laid out and soon they were all well fed.
Jane offered to take Miss Darcy to the guest chamber as Darcy got up to leave.
Elizabeth walked Darcy out bidding him goodnight.
“I hope to see you tomorrow,” she said in farewell.
“With Bingley's belligerent attitude, I am sure you will see much more of me than you desire. Netherfield is not going to be very inviting towards me.” Darcy commented, referring to Mr. Bingley's sullen attitude for the first time.
“I am sure now you lament Miss Bingley's absence for she would never have let you feel unwelcome.” Elizabeth joked with an arch smile. On seeing Darcy’s pained expression, she continued, “I am sure Jane's charm will work wonders on Mr. Bingley and he will be back to his usual self soon enough.”
Darcy smiled and bade her good night as he finally got back into the carriage.
Elizabeth slowly walked back, feeling oddly bereft without Darcy at her side.
She went to her room, washed, and changed, getting ready to retire, all the time thinking that Darcy's presence under the same roof for the past few days had been her anchor.
He was to reside only three miles away but to her it felt like a huge gulf.
Finally, she got into bed but kept staring at the ceiling as she thought about all her interactions with the gentleman in the last few days.
Sometime later Jane quietly entered her room.
“Do I disturb you, Lizzy?”
“Of course not,” replied Elizabeth as she moved over to make space for Jane.
She had missed her sister's calming presence. So much had happened since she had left Longbourn.
“Lizzy, will you not tell me what happened in Derbyshire? You seemed much at ease in Mr. Darcy's company. I would have thought meeting him after his proposal in Kent would have been awkward.”
“Jane! I was so embarrassed, but since then so much has happened. He makes me feel so protected in his presence. He treats me with such care and respect. All my concerns are of the utmost importance to him. I have judged him so harshly, declaring him heartless but now I see how deeply he feels.”
“Is there an understanding between the two of you?”
“No, not yet,” whispered Elizabeth.
“Not yet? Then has he declared himself again?”
“No, he would not do that with Lydia's life in the balance, but he has left me in no doubt of his desires. There is no room for any misunderstanding.”
“I do not pretend to understand you, but I am not going to press your confidence. But how come Miss Darcy is staying with us? You did not mention anything in your letter. We were all so very surprised when her maid arrived earlier with the servants. Is there some understanding between her and Mr. Bingley?” Jane almost whispered.
“I am so sorry, Jane. In all the rush I completely forgot how things may appear to you. No, there is no understanding between Miss Darcy and Mr. Bingley. I invited her to stay with us so that she is not separated from her brother. Mr. Bingley is not to have a hostess and as such Miss Darcy could not stay at Netherfield.”
“I am such a selfish creature! It did not even occur to me how lonely she would be with her brother here. She is very shy and timid from what I have seen.”
“You are the least selfish person that I know and yes Miss Darcy is a dear girl. I am sure both you and Mary will get along well with her.”
The sisters then discussed Lydia's health and what they knew from Mr. Gardiner's letter. They decided that if Lydia did not soon regain consciousness, one of them might travel to Brighton.
“Mr. Darcy has promised to take me to Brighton whenever I wish.” Lizzy mumbled as sleep finally got the better of her.
Jane smiled softly as she patted her sister’s head thinking that she would soon be losing her dearest companion. Her sister's heart already belonged to the gentleman even if she was unaware.
The next day brought Mr. Darcy to Longbourn as soon as visiting hours began. He had been restless the whole night, away from Elizabeth after their shared intimacy over the last few days. As he arrived, he met only Jane in the parlour.
“My sister has not yet come down sir. The journey must have tired her out for she is normally the first one to rise.” Jane spoke, taking pity on him.
“No, no, I have probably arrived very early. I had a letter from Mr. Gardiner and thought to share it even though there is nothing new.”
Jane took the proffered letter and quickly scanned through it. “The physician is still hopeful, that has to be a good sign.” She said as if trying to convince herself.
“Miss Bennet, I would like to assure you that Miss Lydia will receive the best care possible. Any news of her will reach us at the earliest. I have instructed my housekeeper to send an express whenever required. Bingley will also be here soon with Mrs. Gardiner; I hope they will be of help to you in your distress.”
“Mr. Darcy, I am thankful to you for all your support, not just for Lydia but also for Lizzy. She has told me something of your meeting in Kent and again in Derbyshire, and though I am convinced that there is much that I do not know, I feel that we are joined in wishing the best for her.”
“Miss Bennet, you have assigned a much more noble motive to my care of your sister than I deserve. I admire Miss Elizabeth and my own happiness is tied to hers.”
Jane was surprised at this response from the normally reticent man. It was slowly becoming clear to her as to the cause of her sister’s faith in him. Mr. Darcy spoke with a conviction and authority which automatically instilled a sense of safety in all present.
Hill entered the parlour with the tea tray and Jane busied herself with serving. They were soon joined by Elizabeth and Mary.
“Mr. Darcy, I hope you got a decent rest. Miss Darcy should be down shortly.” Elizabeth spoke as she sat next to him.
Mr. Gardiner’s letter was read by both the sisters and hope for Lydia’s recovery was expressed when Georgiana joined them.
Darcy expressed a desire to take his sister around the market town to which she happily acquiesced.
As the brother and sister departed, Mrs. Philips and Lady Lucas made their way to Longbourn to wait on the residents.
News of the opening of Netherfield Park had already spread in the neighbourhood once the housekeeper had received her master’s express.
As of morning, the whole village knew that Miss Elizabeth had arrived back at Longbourn in the Darcy carriage and that Miss Darcy was to be her guest. Thus, the two leading gossips of Meryton society had promptly arrived to gather as much news as possible.
“My Dear Lizzy, was it Mr. Darcy I saw leaving?” Mrs. Philips exclaimed the moment she entered the parlour with a curious-looking Lady Lucas.
Elizabeth explained her trip and Mr. Darcy’s offer of help upon hearing about Lydia in as vague terms as possible. She was familiar with her aunt’s penchant for gossip and had no wish to provide fodder.
“I still do not understand how Lydia was injured so gravely in Brighton,” responded Lady Lucas, hoping for some salacious details.
“From what I understand it was a childish misadventure gone wrong. She is, after all, still a young girl.” Elizabeth responded.
“So, Mr. Darcy himself escorted you back, that is quite an honour. And you say that Mr. Bingley should also be arriving today.” Lady Lucas probed.
“Yes, my aunt and Miss Darcy’s companion are escorted by him.” Elizabeth responded patiently.
“Well, it is surprising that his sisters do not accompany him. How come he is eager to be back after leaving without a word of farewell.” Lady Lucas sniffed.
“Not so very surprising, I am sure Mr. Bingley is coming back for dear Jane. He must have been pining for her.” Mrs. Philips responded, embarrassing her nieces.
“I am sure you are correct, but then one must wonder why he did not come back till now.” Lady Lucas answered in a suggestive tone.
“Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy have both been good friends to us in our hour of need, there is no need to speculate any more on that.” Jane answered in a pleading tone.
The rest of the visit passed in much the same manner. Both ladies kept trying to probe the girls for revealing some information. The Bennet sisters all heaved a sigh of relief when the visit came to an end without the Darcy siblings returning.
Lizzy was more than a little concerned with the tone of the visitors and went to the garden to think, as she walked to clear her mind.
In her worry for Lydia, she had failed to consider how it would appear in Meryton society when both Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy returned with her.
She was sure that by tomorrow the whole village would be rife with gossip and all sorts of speculation.
She had worked herself into a frenzy when she saw Mr. Darcy and his sister arrive back.
“Miss Elizabeth, is something the matter? You look most distraught.” Darcy exclaimed as soon as he saw Elizabeth.
Elizabeth was not sure how to explain her concerns to the gentleman and she stuttered while trying to explain Lady Lucas’s comments. Georgiana, understanding that probably Elizabeth would benefit from some privacy while discussing things with her brother, gently excused herself.
“Miss Elizabeth, I am most eager to meet the Gardiner children. I will go up to the nursery. You should take a turn with my brother; I am sure whatever is bothering you will feel much less troublesome after a walk.”
Darcy was amazed at his sister’s perceptiveness and silently thanked her as he offered his arm to Miss Elizabeth. Slowly as they walked, Elizabeth explained what Lady Lucas had implied.
“Mr. Darcy, I do not want you to be embroiled in gossip just for being helpful.” She cried desperately.
“Miss Elizabeth, I will not deceive you. I very much anticipated this reaction but my reserved nature in company will protect me from too much probing by the neighbours. Bingley on the other hand will not fare much better.” Seeing her stricken face, Darcy took both of Elizabeth's hands and continued.
“You know of my wishes and desires while I have no intention of seeking an answer now, I have not given up hope. You expressed a desire to know me and that is all I expect. If that causes some gossip in the neighbourhood, I genuinely do not care. If at any point you are worried about your reputation and want me to maintain a distance, all you need to do is confide in me. Your peace of mind is what concerns me the most.”
This heartfelt speech from such a proud man moved Elizabeth. She had never felt so cared for. It was at that moment as Darcy stood holding her hand that she realised he had become important to her peace. For none of the gossip mattered if he stood with her.