Chapter 1 Re #3
"Jonny, Sir. I live 'bout five miles from 'ere," the man replied.
Oh no! five miles?
"Five miles! Are you walking five miles in this weather?" he had to inquire.
"Nay, sir. I works at a nearby estate, Pemberley. I be one o' the under gardeners there. 'Tis less than three miles from 'ere. In fact, I'll straightaway go there and fetch help. They'll surely take you all in and give ye shelter, they will," the man assured.
No, my good man, I am not so certain of that.
"Is there any other place nearby? We just need a roof over our heads and some blankets. My wife is ill, so an apothecary if possible," he inquired.
"Ye won't find an inn within six miles, Sir. There be a small house two miles from 'ere, but I reckon they can't take all of ye in. They got four folks there already, and only two chambers. If ye be lookin' for an apothecary, 'tis better to go to Pemberley; the apothecary be livin' nearby."
Charles recalled the old Apothecary in this place, an elderly man named Ashton. Is he still living?
"Is it Mr. Ashton?" he asked.
"Aye, Sir. So ye know someone 'round 'ere. Where be ye from then? Beg pardon, never you mind, I won't ask no more. Shall I be headin' to Pemberley? I'll make haste and get help as quickly as I can."
Charles felt Jane's hand on him. One look at her, and the decision was made.
"Please do, Jonny. Tell your master that Charles Bingley and his family are stranded nearby, and if he is willing to take us in, provide us with some means to travel there. I don't think I will be welcomed there, but I have no other option but to ask for his help now," Bingley replied.
The man, Jonny, stared at him in confusion.
"I ain't got no idea who ye are and what ye did to my master. But if ye think my master will turn away these ladies and babes in such weather, then ye don't know him at all."
With those words, he turned and walked away at a swift pace.
Pemberley, Derbyshire
Darcy
Darcy was on his way to the library when Mrs. Reynolds approached him, with Jonny trailing behind.
"Mr. Darcy, Jonny says there's a family stranded on the road to Bakewell. There are women and children among them. I've already given the instruction to bring the sleighs from the shed," Mrs. Reynolds informed him.
"How many of them are there in the party, Jonny?" Darcy immediately enquired.
"I seen six of 'em, sir, includin' one who looked like the coachman. Three of 'em be ladies. There be two young lads and a tiny babe too. Their carriage wheel broke, and they be stranded on the road. The gent I spoke to said one of the women be poorly and may need Mr. Ashton's aid," Jonny replied.
"Good God, an infant? What was the man thinking?
Mrs. Reynolds, I shall take one sleigh, have someone else to follow me on the other one.
Jonny, you must accompany me, as you know their location.
You're already dressed for the weather, and we may need your help when we reach them," Darcy ordered, leading the way towards the grand entrance of his home.
"If I may offer a suggestion, Mr. Darcy, in two minutes' time, I can procure some blankets and hot bricks.
They have likely been exposed to the snow for quite a while and are undoubtedly freezing.
I'll have a fire and a hot bath prepared for them by the time you return," Mrs. Reynolds proposed.
Without awaiting his response, she hastened towards the rear of the estate.
Darcy knew that by the time he boarded the sleigh, the blankets and hot bricks would be ready.
Four minutes later, Darcy and Jonny rode swiftly towards Bakewell. Jonny, previously quiet, began sharing details about the stranded party they were trying to rescue.
"Master, the gentleman I talked with said you already knew 'im. 'E also mentioned you might not be too keen on 'avin' 'im at Pemberley."
What in the world? Why would I abandon women and children in such inclement weather?
"Who is this man, Jonny? Tell me more about him," Darcy inquired.
"'E mentioned his name, sir, somethin' like Charles Binly or some such. Beggin' yer pardon, master, but I can't rightly recall 'is name well," Jonny replied in an embarrassed voice.
Darcy stiffened immediately. Bingley? What is he doing here in this weather? Does he truly believe I would turn him away?
"I know the man, Jonny. Fear not, there's no way I'll turn them away," he reassured.
A call to action can sometimes lead a man to be forgetful.
Though Jonny had previously informed him that three ladies were among the stranded party, Darcy had not allowed his thoughts to dwell on their identities.
It never crossed his mind that one of them could be her.
Well, not until he reached them and laid eyes on Miss Jane Bennet, rather Mrs. Bingley.
Oh Lord, I implore you, not her.
His heart pounded as he frantically searched for the other members of the travelling party. Mrs. Hurst caught his eye, holding an infant in her arms.
Where is the third lady Jonny mentioned? Did he miscount?
Bakewell, Derbyshire
Elizabeth
Elizabeth attempted to retreat further behind the tree, seeking cover. Sam wore a wide grin as he observed her actions.
“Aunt Lizzy, why are we hiding? Are we going to play a game?” he whispered, brimming with excitement.
Elizabeth had no ready answer for the child's innocent query.
Her movement towards the tree had been almost instinctive as she caught sight of the approaching sleigh.
Sam protested initially as his view of the sleigh was obscured by the large trunk, but soon he seemed to think it was all a playful escapade.
Why am I hiding? Why not face him and get it over with?
She couldn't. The courage to face him eluded her at that moment. She was uncertain of what to say or how he would react to her presence. Would he be angry with me? He had every right to be.
So, from her position, she covertly observed him. He appeared somewhat leaner, but otherwise, he seemed unchanged.
He was still the most handsome gentleman she had ever laid eyes upon.
Bingley
Bingley observed his old friend closely. Darcy seemed leaner, more matured, if that was even possible for Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy to look more mature. However, the moment Darcy's gaze alighted upon Jane, his countenance darkened.
So he still doesn't approve of Jane. Nothing has changed.
Bingley observed his friend scanning the area as though in search of someone before eventually making his way towards him.
“Bingley,” Darcy spoke, his voice tinged with distress.
“Darce,” he replied. That was the extent of their exchange. A handshake ensued, and Darcy courteously acknowledged Hurst and Louisa. Once the formalities concluded, Darcy assumed the role of master of Pemberley, taking command of the situation.
“Bingley, both sleighs can accommodate four people, including the driver. Jonny mentioned that someone in your party is ill,” Darcy glanced at both Jane and Louisa.
“It's Jane, Darce. She has a fever, and it's worsening,” he responded.
"In that case, I suggest Mrs. Bingley, Mrs. Hurst, and yourself board the sleigh immediately. Jonny will take the reins and will transport you all to Pemberley. It is imperative to get the infant and the boy to safety, so they can accompany you. Mrs. Reynolds will be there to receive you, and I am certain she has already sent for Mr. Ashton. Myself, Hurst, and your coachman will follow you on the other,” Darcy proposed his plan.
It was indeed a sound plan, but Darcy overlooked one person. Where is Elizabeth?
“Elizabeth!” Bingley called out, scanning the surroundings, oblivious to his friend’s panic.
Darcy
After frantically scanning the surroundings to locate her, Darcy soon realized that Jonny had miscalculated. There were only five adults and two children, not the six elders and three children Jonny had mentioned.
Thank you, Bingley, for not bringing her here. Thank God for small mercies.
Relieved, he approached his old friend and exchanged handshakes before greeting the others. Ignoring the air of uneasiness between himself and Bingley, Darcy explained his plans to get the women and children to safety.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, Bingley called her name. Darcy frantically turned in the direction Bingley was looking, and there she was. Standing beneath the large oak tree, she carried a small boy who could be her son. Her eyes were fixed on him, and he could immediately sense her discomfort.
"Darce, don't you remember Elizabeth? She is Mrs. Goulding now. And she is carrying my eldest, Sam," he heard Bingley say.
So that is not her son. What about the other children? Oh no! Shouldn’t I say something?
Darcy bowed to her and saw her curtsy in return.
"Mrs. Goulding, it is a pleasure to see you again," he uttered, his voice sounding hollow and devoid of emotions even to his ears. Nevertheless, it served its purpose impeccably, veiling the tumult of emotions raging within him.
Elizabeth at Pemberley? How on earth can I stay away from her now? God, what did I do to deserve this? What a cruel fate.
Elizabeth
Elizabeth observed Mr. Darcy's searching gaze the moment he set eyes on Jane. She knew whom he was trying to find.
Why didn't he dispatch someone else to aid us? Why did he have to come in person?
She also noticed the relief that washed over his countenance upon not finding her. He then proceeded to approach Charles and greeted everyone with polite decorum. Even from a distance, she keenly sensed the strained atmosphere between her brother and Mr. Darcy.
Why am I hiding here? I cannot avoid facing him.
With slow steps, she circled around the trunk and advanced towards the group, only to be stopped in her tracks when Charles unexpectedly called her by name. She glanced up frantically to see Mr. Darcy's gaze upon her. His puzzled expression wavered between herself and Sam.
Oh no, this is not my son. This is Jane's.
Elizabeth should have questioned her desire to clarify the confusion about Sam, even if only in her thoughts.
However, her current state left no room for such contemplation.
Every action she took was instinctive, including the curtsy she offered in response to his bow.
A moment of silence ensued. Then, in a voice as cold as the weather they were under, she heard him address her as "Mrs. Goulding.
" It was then that the harsh reality of their predicament struck her like a blow.
At that moment, she despised herself like never before.